The Ghana National Association Teachers (GNAT) has asked the Ghana Education Service (GES) to assist schools in the adjourning communities of Bogoso-Appiate with counselling following Thursday’s explosion.
The incident, which happened in the Preastea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region, has recorded 17 deaths and 59 injuries, according to the Information Ministry.
In light of this, GNAT is appealing to the GES to identify schools in the area and give them “counselling” because the incident has affected operations and triggered psychosocial effects on both teachers and students.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 21, 2022 to commiserate the affected victims, GNAT recommended to the GES to provide “Psychosocial healthcare support to survivors, other workers like teachers, parents, students and notable residents in communities in and around the disaster zone.”
They also called for investigations into the incident to ascertain whether recommended safety measures were put in place in the transportation of the hazardous materials that caused the explosion.
Here’s GNAT’s full statement:
GNAT HQ – Accra
Date: 21st January, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
GNAT COMMISERATES WITH EXPLOSION VICTIMS
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) commiserates with the dead and injured families of the explosion at Apiate near Bogoso.
As the leading teacher union with also teaching in the affected and adjoining communities, we wish to expressly commend the proactiveness of the Ghana Police, National Disaster Management Organization and other emergency groups in seeking relief and healthcare for victims of the disaster.
GNAT has received reports from members about how the incident has affected school operations and triggered psychological effects on teachers and students in schools in the area.
As disaster relief efforts continue, GNAT wishes to recommend the following;
Provision of psychosocial healthcare support to survivors, other workers like teachers, parents, students and notable residents in communities in and around the disaster zone.
Full investigations into the incident and whether recommended safety measures were adhered to in the transportation of the hazardous materials that caused the explosion.
Appeal to the Ghana Education Service to identify schools in the adjoining communities and assist them with counselling support.
In this time of National Grief, GNAT asks all Ghanaians to pray for the surviving victims and affected families.
SIGNED
