The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has raised serious concerns over the recent wave of fire outbreaks in Senior High Schools across the Northern Region, stating that the incidents may be the work of arsonists.
Reacting to three separate fire disasters at the Nobisco Girls’ dormitory, Tolon Senior High School, and Pong-Tamale Senior High School, all occurring within a single week, the Deputy Minister noted that the frequency and pattern of the fires have become increasingly alarming.
He hinted that malicious actors might be deliberately targeting educational institutions.
“Vigilance is important. Let’s pay attention to those who come onto our campuses. Not everyone may mean well so, that if there are some arsonists who have decided to make this their new project, we can apprehend them and then hold them accountable,” he said on Channel One on February 4, 2026 during a visit to the affected schools.
According to him, the trend is not isolated to the Northern Region, making it a matter of national concern for the Ministry of Education.
“It’s becoming one too many. I mean this is only the Northern region. We’ve recorded fires in other parts of the country, in other secondary schools,” he expressed concern.
Dr Apaak proposed a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior to engage fire safety experts more proactively in addressing the growing crisis.
“So, I think it may be time for us as a ministry to engage the Ministry of Interior and to work with the National Fire Service so that we can come out with a strategy, a formula, a framework that would get them as experts in this area involved in the processes, so that we can be able to perhaps even preempt and take preventive action rather than retroactive action after the occurrence,” he proposed.
The minister further appealed to the public and school stakeholders to safeguard educational infrastructure, noting that the destruction of such facilities directly hinders the quality of teaching and learning in Ghana.
“Let’s all do our best to protect public and collective property because we need the facilities to enhance teaching and learning. So, whatever we can do to protect, let’s do that,” he appealed.
The minister’s visit follows the destruction of three Senior High Schools, all located in the Northern Region, by fire outbreaks.
The incidents have left several students displaced, with their personal belongings destroyed.
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