Rainstorm ravages Nandom Municipality; one dead, properties destroyed

A devastating rainstorm that struck the Nandom Municipality on Sunday and Monday, April 14 and 15, has left widespread destruction across four communities—Kusele, Gengenkpe, Piiri, and Tuopare—with properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis damaged.

In Gengenkpe, the storm, accompanied by intense thunder and lightning, tragically claimed the life of a 12-year-old Basic 7 student of Gengenkpe Junior High School.

The school suffered extensive damage, with its entire roof ripped off. About 20 laptops and numerous learning materials were destroyed. Assistant Headmaster Mr. Donatus Kone appealed to stakeholders and benevolent organizations to support the school, which currently has an enrolment of 112 pupils.

The Gengenkpe Clinic also sustained structural damage, and a newly constructed health facility in the area was completely destroyed by the storm.

The storm also crippled the area’s electrical infrastructure. More than 50 electricity poles were brought down in Kusele, Gengenkpe, and Piiri, plunging the communities into darkness and severely disrupting communication and access to essential services.

In response, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Nominee for Nandom, Hon. Anthony Ziniel, visited the affected communities along with the Municipal Coordinating Director, the Health Directorate, and the Municipal NADMO Director to assess the extent of the damage.

Hon. Ziniel extended his condolences to the bereaved family and pledged to collaborate with relevant institutions and development partners to bring relief and assistance to the affected communities.

Residents of the impacted areas are appealing to the government, non-governmental organizations, and philanthropists to help them recover and restore vital services in the aftermath of the disaster.