Dozens of young pupils at Dormaa Akwamu Methodist Primary and Kindergarten in the Bono Region have been left with no choice but to study under trees after a devastating fire destroyed their school building on December 27, 2024.
The fire, which reduced the entire structure to ashes, has disrupted education for these children, forcing them into an open-air learning environment exposed to the elements and the dangers of roaming animals.
Headteacher Mr. Datus Kwadwo Manu described the situation as dire, explaining that all textbooks, furniture, and teaching materials were lost in the fire. “The children struggle to concentrate because of distractions like the movement of reptiles and other animals,” he said.
While the Ghana National Fire Service is still investigating the cause of the blaze, urgent support is needed. Mr. Manu has reached out to local chiefs, the Dormaa East District Director of Education, and other relevant stakeholders, but so far, no assistance has arrived.
“We are pleading with the government, NGOs, philanthropists, and all well-meaning Ghanaians to help us rebuild. The children deserve a safe place to learn,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, students at the Dormaa Akwamu Methodist Junior High School (JHS) face their own struggles. They continue to study in an incomplete wooden structure, as the permanent JHS block—initiated under the previous administration—is still unfinished.
Honorable Samuel Kwadwo Sabi, the Assembly Member for the area, explained that while the previous District Chief Executive had planned to open the JHS building, the contractor refused, citing unpaid government funds.
“The contractor says he won’t release the facility until all payments are made,” Hon. Sabi revealed. He expressed hope that ongoing discussions with traditional leaders and the current administration would lead to a resolution soon.
In the meantime, efforts are underway to construct a temporary wooden structure for the primary and kindergarten pupils. However, with the harsh conditions under which these children are currently studying, the need for immediate support has never been more urgent.
