body-container-line-1

Does Accra Academy have fire detectors?

Feature Article Does Accra Academy have fire detectors?
JUN 25, 2021 LISTEN

I grieve for the over 20 students of the Accra Academy Senior High School who lost their belongings in the fire that ravaged their dormitory. Reports indicate that the fire began at around 7:30pm, Wednesday night. It is alleged to have started from the ironing room. However, I am of the conviction that, the school authorities should be up and doing. At this age and time, where knowledge and equipment on fire detectors abound, I would have expected them to have at least installed some fire detectors in every dormitory and the supposed ironing room. Besides, negligence on the part of some students cannot be downplayed. Has the aforementioned installation been done?

Kudos to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for their presence at the scene to douse the flames. It is indeed, worrying for students to lose their trunks, chop boxes, beds and other valuables to this fire.

However, I would want to send a word of caution to authorities over the usual "students were at preps so there were no casualty". Who knows what could happen next when a pragmatic approach isn’t put in place to prevent future occurrence? I am tired of the damage control speeches. We must endeavour to eschew this act and work assiduously in ensuring that the safety of students becomes our number one priority.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Fire Service, Ellis Robinson Okoe hinted, "it's unclear the cause of the fire". As such, I would allow them to investigate and ascertain the cause of the fire. After which, I will come again to express my candid opinion. Nonetheless, the onus is on the Accra Academy authorities to be proactive

I would humbly appeal to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), benevolent organisations and philanthropists to come to the aid of the affected students. This, I believe will go a long way to assuage their sufferings.

Author: Stephen Bernard Donkor, An award winning Journalism student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)

Email: [email protected]

body-container-line