Johnson Nyamekye
The Pre-School Department of Ninting R/C Primary School in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region has been temporarily closed following a fire outbreak that completely destroyed the school’s feeding facility.
The decision, according to school authorities, is a precautionary measure to protect pupils from possible accidents at the scene of the incident.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Residents of Ninting have expressed concern, particularly because the affected structure was not connected to any electricity supply.
A member of the Unit Committee of the Ninting Electoral Area, Mr. Johnson Nyamekye, said the fire started around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday. He disclosed that several distress calls made to the Mampong Municipal Fire Station were unsuccessful. The fire was eventually brought under control through the efforts of some youth in the community.
Officials from the Mampong Municipal Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) have since visited the scene to assess the extent of the damage.
The Municipal Director of NADMO, Mr. Mark Hammer Yeboah, indicated that the building had lost its structural integrity and would have to be pulled down.
The destroyed structure served as the canteen and store for the preparation of meals under the School Feeding Programme at Ninting R/C Primary School. The store had reportedly been restocked with food items valued at about GH¢10,000 just two days before the incident.
The caterer, Madam Yaa Adisa Pokuaa, lamented the loss of food items and equipment as a result of the fire.
Meanwhile, the Schools Improvement and Support Officer at the Mampong Municipal Education Directorate, Mr. Nicholas Osei Taylor, explained that the temporary closure of the Pre-School Department was necessary to ensure the safety of pupils.
NADMO has assured the school of immediate relief, pledging to supply quantities of maize and rice while a formal report is prepared for submission to the Municipal Assembly for further support.
FROM David Afum, Ninting