Fire destroys parts of Sakumono school

Parts of the Sakumono School Complex has been engulfed by fire.

The fire outbreak occurred in the morning of Thursday, November 19, 2020.

“When we came out, we realised that the middle part of the school complex was on fire, so I decided to call the Fire Service,” an eyewitness told Accra-based Citi FM.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service at the time of filing this report, were at the scene trying to quench the fire.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

The Sakumono school is located within the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) in the Greater Accra Region.

This incident follows a recent one that happened at the Odawna market Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

About 3,500 shops were razed by fire.

Meanwhile, President  Akufo Addo has directed the NBSSI to provide help to all victims within two weeks.

He also promised to rewire all markets in Accra after visiting victims of the Odawna fire outbreak.

Fire outbreaks in schools are common in the country.

Accra Academy in Accra, Buipe Senior High School at Buipe in the Savannah Region; Islamic Girls Senior High School at Wa in the Upper West; Oppong Memorial Senior High School at Kokofu in the Ashanti Region; St Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School at Tamale in the Northern Region and Boa Amposem Senior High School in the Central Region are yet to quantify the cost of lost items.

All six incidents happened while students were away learning in their classrooms.

The blaze consumed the students’ learning materials, personal effects and other belongings, leaving third-year students in uneasiness as they prepare for their final exams.

In the case of Accra Academy, two dormitories – Halm-Addo and the Alema – were razed by fire. The incident happened twice in one week.

At least 41 students who occupied the two dormitories were misplaced.

The Ghana National Fire Service attributed the cause of the fire to faulty electrical wiring.

No fatalities have been recorded.

The affected students at Islamic Girls also had their bunk beds, trunks and other personal effects destroyed which compelled school authorities to send the home.

The St Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School in Tamale had eight out of nine rooms of the Cardinal Dery dormitory, completely burnt leaving  178 students displaced.

Some Non-governmental organization (NGO’s) in education have expressed worry over the incessant fire outbreaks.

Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare said, the frequent fire outbreaks clearly show Senior High Schools are not anti-fire compliant.

According to him, apart from schools being fireproof, students must be taught on how to be conscious of themselves, especially with regards to the use of electric gadgets.