General News of Thursday, 6 March 2008

Source: GNA

Rainstorm devastates Wenchi township

Wenchi (B/A), March. 6, GNA- The severe rainstorm that hit Wenchi on Saturday ripped off the roofs of about 15 buildings, with some electrical poles being blown away. The affected buildings included the bungalow of the municipal finance officer, that of the non-formal education division, National Disaster Management Organisation office and the office of the Municipal engineer as well as six classroom blocks of the Wenchi model primary school. Madam Ibrahim Bintu Farizana, Municipal Chief Executive, who conducted the Ghana News Agency round to inspect the affected buildings said five houses were destroyed at the Bandaline area and about six houses in the Zongo community.

She said some parts of the municipality had been plunged into darkness for the past five days and the Assembly intends to source for funds towards the rehabilitation of the school block and the offices. Madam Farizana said the Assembly would collaborate with NADMO to arrange for relief items for the rehabilitation of the affected people. Mr Adu Gyan Bossman, Municipal Director of NFED said three preset radio sets, a number of English books and supplementary readers were destroyed at his office.

Mr Yaw Gyan, Municipal coordinator, told the GNA that barely a fortnight ago, 21 thatched houses were destroyed by bushfires at Kanease and Ahwene, settler communities in the municipality. He said more than 150 persons were displaced whilst quantities of foodstuffs, personal effects, bicycles and a corn mill, all valued at hundreds of Ghana cedis, were also destroyed. Mr Gyan added that NADMO was arranging for some relief items for the victims and appealed to NGOs, churches and public-spirited organisations to come to their aid.