The squalor in front of the school
A growing standoff is unfolding between the Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School (GLISS) in Accra and squatters who have occupied a stretch of land bordering the school.
The management of the school is raising serious sanitation concerns, pointing out that the illegal settlement, which has grown over the years into a dense slum, is now threatening the health, safety, and overall well-being of their students.
The GLISS Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), which is alarmed, is also accusing the squatters of land trespassing and endangering the safety of students and staff.
According to the PTA, the squatters are engaging in activities that pose a direct threat to the security and moral development of students.
Speaking to the media, some members of the PTA said the situation had spiraled out of control, creating a toxic environment that is undermining teaching and learning at the school.
“The presence of the squatters has compromised our safety and the quality of the learning environment. This is not just about land trespassing; it’s about protecting our children from exposure to crime and negative influences,” said Abdul Raheem Muhammed, a PTA member.
The school community is particularly alarmed by reports of drug use, theft, and public misconduct within the slum, noting that some squatters organise ‘naked jam’ parties at a nearby beer bar every Friday night, exposing students to indecent and disruptive activities.
Ahmed Khamis, another PTA member, disclosed that they had flagged the issue years ago when the slum began to emerge.
He said despite raising early concerns about the potential risks, their warnings went unheeded, and the squatters have since grown in number, becoming increasingly defiant.
He noted that attempts by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Regional Security Council to evict the squatters have been met with strong resistance.
According to him, officials reportedly faced threats from the squatters, stalling efforts to reclaim the land and restore order.
Teachers at GLISS also voiced growing fears about their personal safety. Some of them said the encroachment had created a hostile atmosphere that makes it difficult to concentrate on their teaching responsibilities.
“The anxiety among both teachers and students is real. We cannot continue to work under these conditions,” said Ahmed Khamis.
Parents are now seriously considering transferring their children to other schools, worried about the risks their wards face on a daily basis. Some believe the continued presence of the squatters could damage the school’s reputation and lead to declining enrollment if decisive action is not taken soon.
The PTA and school authorities are now calling on National Security, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and other key stakeholders to intervene swiftly.
They are demanding the relocation of the squatters and the restoration of a safe and secure learning environment.
“The situation has gone beyond our control. We need immediate intervention to protect our school and our children’s future,” said Mr. Muhammed.
He asserted that without urgent action, the school community fears that the ongoing land trespass and growing social threats could escalate, potentially putting the lives and well-being of students and staff at serious risk.
A Daily Guide Report