Accra: Ghana Lebanon International Secondary School expresses concerns over encroachments
Authorities at the Ghana Lebanon International Secondary School in Accra have expressed grave concerns about the ongoing illegal development of a small piece of land behind the school.
Some squatters are carrying out the development, which has raised fears among school authorities that it could lead to incidents that compromise students’ safety and well-being.
According to the school’s headmaster, Mr Somaila Mohammed, the squatters have already erected wooden structures on the land and are awaiting completion.
Mr Somalia Mohammed, at a press briefing on Tuesday, was worried that if the development is allowed to continue, it could lead to immoral practices and other vices that would drag the students into trouble.
“We cannot sit back and watch as these squatters build structures that would compromise the safety and well-being of our students,” said a school official.
The school authorities are calling on city authorities to immediately stop the squatters from building the structures.
They argue that the development is illegal and poses a significant threat to the students.
“We urge the city authorities to take immediate action to stop this development and ensure that our students are protected from any harm,” said the school official.
The development of the land behind the school has also raised concerns about the potential for increased crime in the area.
School authorities fear that the structures could be used as a hideout for criminals who would then target the students and staff.
“We cannot afford to take any risks when it comes to the safety and well-being of our students,” the headmaster said.
“Furthermore, the development could also lead to environmental hazards, such as pollution and sanitation issues”, Mohammed stated.
Despite the security threat the development poses to both teachers and students, the lives of these squatters are also in danger since the area they are developing is near an electricity high-tension voltage pylon.
Authorities of the school say, that in the event of a disaster, occupants of the school and squatters will have their lives ruined.
Haqqul Mubeen Institute
In the same development, Haqqul Mubeen Institute has also added its voice to the call to halt the ongoing development around Ghana Lebanon International Secondary School premises.
In a press release signed by the Institute Secretary, Abdulraheem Mohamed, the Institute stated that the illegal structures being erected around the school by squatters pose a threat not only to the delivery of standardized education but also to the health and safety of the learners and staff of the institution.
They explained that the squatters are largely involved without regard to the best interest of the public in several social vices, which include but are not limited to prostitution, the sale and abuse of illicit drugs, and violent altercations, which sometimes involve the use of weapons.
They are therefore appealing to the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, GRIDCo, Ghana Railways Authority, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, and Ghana Police Service to take immediate action to safeguard the learners and Staff of GLISS and other law-abiding citizens by vacating the squatters.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
