Yaw Boagyan
The Central Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has donated roofing sheets and nails to basic and senior high schools affected by a recent rainstorm in the Central Region.
The intervention follows a heavy downpour that ripped off roofs of several school buildings, disrupting teaching and learning across multiple districts.
Presenting the items, Central Regional Minister Ekow Panyin Eduamoah Okyere acknowledged that although the support may not fully meet the needs of all affected schools, it would provide immediate relief and help restore some level of normalcy.
He described conditions in some of the affected schools, particularly at the senior high level, as dire, questioning how academic work could continue in roofless structures.
Beneficiary institutions include Fettehman Senior High School, Ghana National Basic School, Asafora Technical School and St. Mary’s Vocational School, among others.
The Minister also raised concerns over numerous abandoned GETFund projects in the region, stressing the need to complete existing infrastructure before initiating new ones.
He noted that his office had not received formal requests from schools to continue stalled projects, but rather appeals for new ones, which he described as inappropriate.
“As Regional Minister, I will prioritise the completion of all abandoned projects brought to my attention. No new projects will commence until existing ones are completed,” he stated.
He further assured of closer collaboration with school authorities to address infrastructural challenges and urged immediate use of the donated materials to repair damaged roofs.
The Central Regional NADMO Director, Emmanuel Kwesi Dawood, disclosed that more than 4,000 people across 17 districts were affected by the rainstorm.
He said the organisation has begun distributing relief items and will conduct assessments of vulnerable school structures across the region to prevent future disasters.
“We will not wait for tragedy to strike. Any school building deemed unsafe will be closed down immediately to protect lives,” he warned.
Mr. Dawood also cautioned against the indiscriminate cutting of windbreak trees, noting that such practices increase the risk of disaster. He urged residents to desist from felling trees for charcoal production or face sanctions.
Receiving the items on behalf of beneficiary schools, the Headmistress of Fettehman Senior High School, Mrs. Eunice Mary Yeboah, expressed gratitude to the government and NADMO for the timely support.
She assured that the materials would be used for their intended purpose and described the gesture as both unexpected and deeply appreciated.
Emmanuel Mensah
