138 Girls Displaced as Wa Islamic SHS Catches Fire
138 female students of the Wa Islamic Senior High School in the Upper West Region have been temporarily displaced after a devastating fire destroyed six rooms of their dormitory on Sunday, 2nd August 2026, at about 1945 hours. The students, who were in class for evening studies, lost their personal belongings, including mattresses, books, clothing, and other valuables.
Fire Outbreak and Response
The fire outbreak occurred while the students were in class for evening studies. Mr Alhassan A. Bafaara, the Headmaster of the school, disclosed that following the incident, the management and teachers held an emergency meeting to assess the situation and determine the most appropriate measures to support the affected students. The management decided to relocate students who were not directly affected by the fire to vacant classrooms, while the affected ones were sent home.
The students, who were supposed to return to school over the weekend to prepare for their end-of-semester examinations scheduled for next week, were instead asked to return home temporarily. Mr Bafaara assured parents and guardians that the school's management was working with the Ghana Education Service, the Wa Municipal Assembly, and the Ghana National Fire Service to restore normalcy on campus and ensure the welfare of all students.
Assessment and Support
The Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwaana, visited the school on Monday and said the Assembly was assessing the extent of damage caused by the fire. He added that they were also exploring immediate measures to accommodate the 138 students displaced by the incident when they returned. The Ghana National Fire Service is also examining several possible causes of the fire, including possible electrical faults, as the school authorities had acknowledged experiencing technical challenges with the electrical system.
The Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade II (AFCO II) Mr Isaac Kofi Obosu, the Upper West Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, explained that the firefighters adopted a defensive strategy to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining structures. He assured that the Service would complete investigations into the incident as soon as possible.
Impact on Students
The fire has caused significant emotional distress to the affected students. Mr Bafaara said that though no life was lost, the students had suffered a significant loss of their personal belongings. The students' loss of property includes mattresses, books, clothing, and other valuables. The incident has left the students and their families worried about their academic and personal well-being.
The school's management has promised to support the affected students and their families. The management is working with the Ghana Education Service, the Wa Municipal Assembly, and the Ghana National Fire Service to restore normalcy on campus and ensure the welfare of all students. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of students in schools across the country.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and prevention measures in schools. It is essential that schools take proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The school's management, the government, and other stakeholders must work together to ensure that students are safe and secure in their learning environment.
In the meantime, the 138 displaced students will return home temporarily, awaiting a resolution to their situation. The Wa Municipal Assembly and the Ghana National Fire Service are working to restore normalcy on campus and ensure the welfare of all students. The incident has left a trail of destruction and emotional distress, but it is hoped that the affected students will soon return to their normal lives.
Source: Joy Online
