School Building Collapses in Central Region, 20 Pupils Narrowly Escape_

A devastating incident occurred at Zamboree D/A Basic School in the Assin North District of the Central Region on Monday when the school building collapsed during a rainstorm, putting the lives of 20 pupils at risk. 

The pupils, who were in classes at the time, managed to escape just moments before the building came crashing down.

The school building, constructed with mud and supported by wooden beams, had been in a state of disrepair for years, leaving the children vulnerable to the elements. Despite repeated appeals from community leaders and parents to the government for support, no assistance had been forthcoming.

According to Mr. Jacob Tetteh Agbeko, Chairman of the School Management Committee (SMC), the building had been in a dilapidated state due to neglect, and the rainstorm exacerbated the situation, causing the structure to weaken and collapse. The teachers quickly instructed the pupils to leave their classes, and shortly after, the building came down, trapping their books and bags inside.

The affected pupils are currently being accommodated in combined classes, and the SMC Chairman has appealed for urgent assistance from the government, District Assembly, and corporate Ghana to support the school. Parents and pupils are also calling for the completion of an abandoned six-unit classroom block that was started in 2013 but left to rot, posing a danger to the children.

The Assemblyman for the area, Mr. Thomas Yogarim, has informed the National Disaster Management Organisation and the District Assembly, and they are awaiting assessment and assistance.