Eighty-six-year-old school block collapses on children

Apam (C/R), June 11, GNA - The roofing of a two-unit block for Apam Methodist A and C Primary

School has carved in during school hours on Wednesday, injuring 14 childr en. The injured were treated and discharged at the Apam Catholic Hospital

whilst one whose condition

was serious was referred to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Miss Stella Emma Addision, a teacher, told newsmen that because of hea vy rains that morning many of

the children had not reported as at 0920 hours when the accident occurred .. She said she was getting ready to start lessons when she heard noise from the roofing and saw that

the scantlings had started dismantling. She ordered the children, numbering about 50, to get out of the room but before those sitting at the

back could run, the roofing carved in injuring some of them. Mrs Marvis Anyanful, the headmistress, said the building, which was constructed in 1924, had not

seen any maintenance since then. She attributed the accident to the effect of erosion which had made s ome of the pillars supporting the

building to fall off. Mrs Anyanful appealed to the Gomoa West District Assembly, donor agencies and the Methodist

Church to help re-roof the building to prevent interruption of the childr en's education. The Gomoa East District Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Ahunu-Armah, led a team including Mr Fred Addai,

the District Co-ordinating Director, and Mr Daniel Domie District Nationa l Disaster Management

Organisation (NADMO), visited the school and the homes of the affected children to express their

sympathy. Also present was Rt. Rev. Dr Kow Ghunney, Bishop of the Winneba Dioce se of the Methodist Church of

Ghana.