Sunyani, April 6, GNA - A heavy rainstorm in Sunyani last Sunday night caused extensive damage to the buildings of the Social Welfare Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre.

The Centre's main workshop, which housed machines used for the various courses and also provided accommodation for some of the staff was the worst hit.

Also affected by the disaster was the institution's gymnasium. It was also used for classes and meetings and also served as the plumbing workshop.

The roofs of the affected buildings were ripped and hurled by the storm to a distance of about 100 metres away. Three members of staff, led by Mr. Emmanuel Wozuame, Manager of the Centre on Tuesday conducted Ghana News Agency round the damaged blocks. Mr. Wozuame told GNA the Centre would require about 69.875 million cedis to re-roof the blocks.

He said the 300 students, who were currently on vacation, were to report back to school for the third-term on Friday, April 8 but expressed the fear that "considering the situation on the ground, academic work will be greatly hampered". The Manager appealed to the Regional Coordinating Council, National Disaster Management Organization and NGOs to come to the aid of the Centre.

The GNA was told Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister and Nana Atta Afena, Regional Coordinator of NADMO had visited the Centre on Monday to see things for themselves.