Students and Residents Displaced After Heavy Rainstorm in Baanofour Community

 

Students and Residents Displaced After Heavy Rainstorm in Baanofour Community

 

A severe rainstorm accompanied by strong winds hit parts of the Bono Region on Wednesday evening destroying houses and a school in Baanofour in the Nkoranza South Municipality.

 

The incident has left some residents homeless and displaced students from the affected school.

 

The Assembly Member, Hon. Adjei-Siakwan, visited the Baanofour Community Basic School and observed that the storm had ripped off the roofing on the lower primary and the headteacher’s office, damaging textbooks, exercise books, and other learning materials. The storm also damaged electricity installations and vital documents.

 

In a state of bemoaning, Adjei-Siakwan enumerated about 200 pupils studying under trees while the Municipal Coordinating Director was assessing the extent of the damage.

 

He described the incident as "very serious" and expressed concern about the potential consequences of another storm.

"It is a very serious incident because we have the school roofing falling on a tree and all that. Now, when there's another storm, imagine what will happen, though we're not praying for that", he said.

 

He appealed to the government and philanthropists to come to their aid.

 

Meanwhile, the Chief of Baanofour, Nana Okatakyie Amankwaa Afrifa, accompanied by the Unit Committee Chairman, visited the affected school and observed that the roof had been torn off and was hanging from a nearby tree.

 

Over 10 residential buildings were also affected by the storm.

 

The Chief expressed gratitude that no one was injured during the incident, which lasted for about two hours and was accompanied by fierce winds that ripped off roofing from various homes and the school building.

He noted that electricity poles and billboards were also destroyed leading to a temporary power outage.

"We thank God no one was injured during the incident, even electricity poles and billboards were also destroyed, leading to a temporary power cut", the chief stated.

 

Headmistress of Baanofour Community Basic School, Madam Soregannab Georgina, said the incident had affected their studies, and that the extent of the damage is yet to be quantified.

 

She described the incident as unprecedented and devastating.

"I heard about the damage from a phone call following the rainstorm, and when we came to school, we saw that the roof of the school had been ripped off by the storm, and things had gotten worse”, she said.

 

She appealed for support from the government, NGOs, and philanthropists.