A devastating rainstorm that hit the Bongo District on Monday, March 10, 2025, has left eight schools with their roofs completely ripped off, severely affecting teaching and learning in the area.
The affected schools include Awaa Primary School, Anafobisi Primary School and K.G., Tarongo K.G., Tankoo Primary School, Nayikura Primary and K.G., Full Gospel International Primary School, Rev. Father La-Bel Primary School, Wagliga Nurses Quarters, and Zorko SHS, where a three-unit storey building and science laboratory were destroyed.
According to the Bongo District Director of Education, John Ankoh, some school buildings were severely damaged, leaving students without classrooms. In response, temporary arrangements have been made for students to take lessons under trees, while others have been relocated to public buildings such as churches and health facilities.
“The arrangement we’ve made is that some of the students will sit under the trees so that teaching and learning will go on. We’ve also arranged to have the Pentecost Church so that two classes will be held there, and we’ve also arranged for the use of a weighing center so that classes will be held there. So, what we intend to do is procure marker boards and a few markers. We don’t want to break teaching and learning. But there is one school without trees around, and that is my headache,” he stated.
Mr. Ankoh has made a passionate appeal to the government and benevolent organizations to intervene and restore the affected schools to prevent further disruption of academic activities.
Beyond the destruction of school infrastructure, the rainstorm has also affected 658 households, impacting 3,290 people and displacing 902 individuals. Several electrical poles were brought down, plunging many homes into darkness. Additionally, two adults—a male and a female—sustained injuries as a result of the disaster.
The Member of Parliament for Bongo, Lawyer Charles Bawaduah, who visited the affected areas to assess the situation, pledged to support efforts to restore normalcy.
“My office has to intervene, and that is why I have visited affected areas to see things for myself. Not only will we be intervening in terms of fixing those that we can fix, but we will also be intervening in terms of sourcing the necessary funds and getting into contact with the organizations that would be responsible, including NADMO, for the restoration of normal life to these communities,” he assured.
He called on institutions, NGOs, and corporate bodies to assist in rebuilding efforts, particularly for schools, to ensure students can resume their studies without further setbacks.
“Apart from public structures, almost every household is adversely touched by the storm. Several roofs were removed, buildings fell apart, and electricity polls were not spared the wrath of this storm. For some communities, they may not have light for the immediate future. So, I want to urge the VRA/NEDCo to immediately take action to restore light in the affected areas. I want to urge institutions that are capable of supporting the process of re-establishing these schools to ensure that we get the school back to school. The government certainly has to come in to get this sorted out as quickly as possible,” he added.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bongo
