On Monday, March 18th, 2024, around 1:30 PM, a fire erupted at Falahiat English and Arabic Primary School in the DASS electoral area of the West Gonja municipal assembly. The incident occurred shortly after the dismissal of students from Kindergarten Block B at 12 PM.
Local residents took immediate action to combat the fire while awaiting the arrival of the Ghana National Fire Service. However, the fire tender encountered difficulties reaching the school due to the area’s poorly planned infrastructure.
In a commendable display of community spirit, men and women fetched water from nearby houses using buckets to extinguish the flames. Honorable Sumaila Hafiz Kamara, the Assembly Member for the Damongo Senior High School (DASS) electoral area, praised the residents of Damongo for their dedication to protecting their property. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Ghana National Fire Service in assisting with the firefighting efforts at Falahiat Kindergarten Block.
“I extend my gratitude to the residents of the DASS electoral area and the people of Damongo for their swift response to the fire at Falahiat school. Their collective efforts exemplify true patriotism, as they acted before the arrival of the Fire Service due to accessibility challenges.”
The Ghana National Fire Service eventually arrived at the scene after the residents had nearly contained the fire. Honorable Hafiz Kamara attributed the delay in the fire tender’s arrival to the area’s inadequate road infrastructure, which poses a significant challenge for the community.
He appealed for support to restore the school block to its original condition to facilitate uninterrupted learning activities. Honorable Hafiz Kamara called upon the West Gonja municipal assembly, the office of the MP, NGOs, FBOs, and other stakeholders to contribute to the school’s recovery efforts.
Students, teachers, and alumni of Falahiat English and Arabic School expressed their gratitude for the community’s support and dedication to preserving the school. Despite the absence of electricity in Block B, the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Ghana National Fire Service, with assistance from school authorities.
Mr. Iddrisu Lamin, the School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) for the area, thanked the community for their prompt response to the fire incident. He encouraged continued cooperation between the school, teachers, and students with the local community to foster a strong bond and ensure ongoing support during times of need. Mr. Lamin confirmed that there were no human casualties, but the school incurred losses, including a computer and books.
