According to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ayawaso Central, Rudolph Collingwood Williams, the church that had been operating in the Accra New Town school building that collapsed on Sunday was doing so unlawfully since the assembly does not allow church services in classrooms.
Following the incident, Williams told reporters that he had just learned of the church’s actions around two weeks before, prompting him to send his security team and assistant to beg the group to leave the property.
“When I was notified approximately two weeks ago, I had to allow my security and assistant to visit and convince them to leave the property,” he explained. “They hurled abuse and curses at them, but that is human nature.”
The MCE clarified that the Assembly’s rules permit churches or organisations to seek temporary use of compounds within public schools but not classrooms or other enclosed buildings. According to him, the nature of the operation made it difficult to spot since no signs indicated that a church service was taking place.
“I didn’t know there was a church service going on here,” he says. “You don’t have any banner here for you to know. Under assembly regulations, we don’t even grant permits for churches to operate in classrooms. It is illegal,” according to them.
Background
The remarks come following the structure collapse in Accra New Town, which occurred on Sunday afternoon during a time when many people say the school block is usually quiet. Emergency responders from the NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, and the Police are still analysing the structural cause of the collapse and determining if anyone’s life was in danger at the time.
According to municipal officials, the tragedy has renewed worries about the safety of public school infrastructure and the extensive but occasionally uncontrolled use of government institutions by private groups, religious institutions, and community groups.
Assembly Promises Further Action.
The MCE stated that the Assembly will improve monitoring of public school facilities and enforce legislation prohibiting illegal use. He warned that any group operating without permission, whether for religious, social, or economic reasons, will be penalised.
“We allow people to apply for the complex if they want to hold weekly prayers or events,” he said, “but not in classrooms. Whether the structure is stable or not, working inside is unlawful.”
Investigations into the collapse are underway.
Source: myjoyonline.com
