Residents of the Gusheigu Municipality in Ghana’s Northern Region are dealing with the consequences of a catastrophic windstorm that affected over 20 communities, demolishing homes and leaving essential school infrastructure in shambles.
Among the institutions most severely impacted are Gusheigu Senior High School, Digbla Primary School, Zinnindo Basic School, and the Gusheigu Nursing and Midwifery Training College.
Several of these educational facilities have had their roofs torn away, leaving classrooms and administrative areas vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.
The Member of Parliament for the region, Alhassan Tampuli, visited the affected communities to evaluate the level of destruction.
He reported that the storm hit late Wednesday night, initially thought to be localized but later discovered to be extensive.
“I got reports between 9 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday that there was a windstorm here in the municipality. Initially, I thought it was just one or a few communities, but it turns out that about 20 communities have been affected, with over 250 properties destroyed,” he said.
While residences have suffered damage, the MP emphasized that the loss of school facilities is the most pressing issue.
“What is even more important is the effect it has had on educational institutions. Some of the school blocks have lost their roofs entirely, and in some cases, even the block work has collapsed,” he added.
Communities such as Limo, Zinnidoo, Gaa, and four others are among those impacted, with numerous school buildings either partially or fully destroyed.
Although primary schools are currently on break, officials indicate that there is a narrow opportunity to conduct emergency repairs before classes resume. However, students in the affected senior high and nursing training institutions are already experiencing interruptions.
At Gusheigu Senior High School, academic activities are continuing under challenging circumstances.
“For now, we are managing because only the SHS 3 students are on campus, but academic work is ongoing under very difficult conditions. Some students are being taught under trees because parts of the school, including the administration block, have been ripped off,” he explained.
To support recovery efforts, the MP has pledged immediate assistance, including 500 bags of cement and 100 packets of roofing sheets.
He is also appealing to corporate organisations and well-meaning Ghanaians to support reconstruction efforts, as the Municipal Assembly struggles with limited resources.
Beyond immediate relief, the MP is urging communities and school authorities to adopt preventive measures, particularly planting trees around school compounds to serve as natural windbreaks.
“Where you find trees around, the impact is minimal. Some trees even withstood the pressure. But where schools are exposed, the damage is severe,” he noted.
“We cannot run away from nature, but we can create buffers. Otherwise, our children will end up learning under trees, which is not desirable,” he added.
