By Murtala Issah
The Northern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a directive to all Senior High School heads following a spate of fire outbreaks that have displaced more than one thousand students across three schools in the region within a week.
The most recent incident occurred on the night of 2nd February, 2026, when a fire broke out at Pong Tamale Senior High School, gutting an abandoned girls’ washroom and destroying stored items, including books and chop boxes. The fire, which started around 9:00 p.m., was brought under control through the swift intervention of the local community before it could spread to nearby school buildings. No casualties were recorded.
Earlier that same day, Tolon Senior High School was hit by a devastating fire that partially destroyed the girls’ dormitory, displacing hundreds of female students and destroying personal belongings such as mattresses, books, uniforms, and provisions. School authorities were forced into an emergency meeting as pressure mounted to find temporary accommodation for the affected students.
Just days before, on 28th January, 2026, a major fire outbreak at the Northern School of Business Senior High School in Tamale razed the girls’ dormitory, leaving a large number of students displaced. That incident marked the beginning of what education authorities now describe as a worrying trend of fire disasters in second-cycle institutions across the region.
Together, the three incidents have displaced over one thousand students, disrupted academic activities, and heightened concerns about safety in boarding schools.
In a statement issued following the incidents, the Northern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service expressed “grave concern” about the increasing frequency of fires in Senior High Schools, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to students, staff, and school property.
“These unfortunate incidents have become a major concern to the Regional Directorate and the entire education community,” the statement said.
The Regional Director of Education, Alhassan Alidu Junior, emphasized the need for urgent and proactive measures, stressing that school administrators must take responsibility for safeguarding lives and property within their institutions.
As part of efforts to prevent further disasters, the Regional Directorate has directed all Heads of Senior High Schools to immediately strengthen fire safety measures. Key directives include:
i. Conducting thorough inspections of all dormitories and boarding facilities to remove flammable materials, illegal electrical connections, and hazardous items.
ii. Avoiding overloading of electrical sockets and ensuring faulty equipment is promptly repaired or replaced.
Installing and maintaining functional fire extinguishers at strategic locations on school premises.
iii. Training both staff and students in the proper use of fire extinguishers, in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), with fire safety education and drills to be held at least once every term.
Conducting a Fire Safety Audit every semester in collaboration with the GNFS.
The Directorate has warned that strict compliance with the directives is non-negotiable, noting that enforcement will be key to preventing future outbreaks.
Education stakeholders and parents have also renewed calls for improved infrastructure, regular safety audits, and closer collaboration between schools and emergency services, as many fear that without decisive action, more disasters could occur.
While no lives were lost in the recent incidents, authorities say the scale of displacement and destruction should serve as a wake-up call.
“Strict compliance will not only prevent fire outbreaks but also foster a secure learning environment,” the statement concluded.
As investigations continue into the causes of the fires, attention now turns to how quickly schools can implement the new safety measures to restore confidence and ensure the protection of students across the Northern Region.
