Four Billion cedis lost through disasters in Kumasi

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 05 July 2002- About four billion cedis was lost to the state in 400 disaster cases recorded in the Kumasi Metropolis during the past four years. Five people including three children were also killed in rainstorms, floods and domestic fire outbreaks.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Yaw Oppong Kyekyeku said this when officials from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) visited the Peter's Education Complex at Amakom in Kumasi, where classrooms and dormitories had been destroyed by rainstorm. No casualties were recorded but school property including, computers, laboratoy equipment, books and furniture were destroyed.

Mr Peter Kwaku Mensah, Proprietor of the school, said it would need about 500 million cedis to repair the damage. He said 700 pupils and students were being housed in a temporary structure at the school's old site.

Mr Mensah appealed to the assembly to assist the school with cement, iron rods, roofing sheets, mattresses and blankets. Mr Oppong Kyekyeku advised private developers to always plant trees around their properties to protect them and to install fire-fighting equipment.