On Wednesday, July 18, 2024, a fire completely destroyed the dormitory of five students at the Ahantaman Senior High School (SHS) in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region.
The pupils had left the dorm to go to class when the incident happened, according to Charles Mintaba, the chairman of the school’s Parents Teachers Association (PTA), who verified the incident to Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show.
“The fire broke out around 7:30am when all the students had left for their classes. We suspect an electrical fault to have caused the outbreak. Trunks, beds, bed sheets, provisions, books, and other belongings of students amounting to thousands of Ghana Cedis have been completely burnt”, he indicated.
To put out the fire, firefighters from the Western Region Fire Command raced to the scene.
Although the precise cause of the fire is unknown, an electrical malfunction is thought to be to blame.
“We are calling on parents, organizations, philanthropists and other individuals to come to the aid of the school, these students have had all their belongings burnt and we know the current economic situation of the country.
“It will be difficult for their parents to immediately replace the burnt items. We must all come on board and assist the situation. We are pleading with all to stretch a helping hand,” he added.