Rainstorm hits Bolgatanga district

Bolgatanga, April 18 GNA - A severe rainstorm that hit Bolgatanga district last Saturday ripped off the roofs of several buildings, including schools.

Nine primary schools, six early childhood development centres, four junior secondary schools, three clinics and a nutrition centre at Bolgatanga, Kalbeo, Gbeogo, Sheiga, Winkogo, Tongo and Zuarungu were affected.

The six class-roomed block of Ayose-Yine Primary School at Kalbeo, which has 448 pupils on roll, had its roof completely ripped off. Some of the walls of Gbeogo Primary 'B' school block have developed serious cracks, while the library block was razed.

At Sheiga, near Bolgatanga, the local clinic had its roof ripped off. More than 100 women, who sent their children for weighing and medical attention on Monday had to be attended to under trees.

The storm also ripped off part of the roof of the Sheiga Primary School, even though it is surrounded by big trees. The Bolgatanga District Chief Executive (DCE), Dr Albert Tenga, Mr John Akologu Tia, Member of Parliament for Talensi, Mr David Azangbeo, Bolgatanga District Co-ordinator of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and some assembly members have toured the affected communities to assess the extent of damage.

Dr Tenga advised communities and non-governmental organisation (NGOs) that undertake projects to seek technical assistance from the assembly to put up structures that could withstand such rainstorms.

Dr Tenga observed that the effect of the storm on the Sheiga Primary School was not as devastating as at other places because trees surrounded it and, therefore, urged the people to plant trees to act as wind breaks.

He said the assembly would form a task force to repair the affected schools to enable pupils to attend classes when schools reopen next week. Mr Tia appealed to engineers to exercise strict supervision to ensure that structures are built to specifications.