GES Issues Urgent Fire Safety Directive to SHS Heads After Multiple School Fires
The Northern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued an urgent directive to all Senior High School (SHS) heads following a worrying series of fire outbreaks that have displaced more than one thousand students across three schools in the region within just one week.
The latest incident occurred on the night of 2nd February 2026 at Pong Tamale Senior High School, where a fire gutted an abandoned girls’ washroom and destroyed several stored items, including books and chop boxes. The fire reportedly started around 9:00 p.m. and was contained through the swift intervention of members of the local community, preventing it from spreading to nearby academic and residential buildings. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded.
Earlier that same day, Tolon Senior High School suffered a major setback when a fire partially destroyed the girls’ dormitory. The incident displaced hundreds of female students and destroyed personal belongings, including mattresses, school uniforms, books, and food provisions. The situation forced school authorities into an emergency meeting as pressure mounted to find temporary accommodation for the affected students.
Just days before these incidents, on 28th January 2026, another devastating fire outbreak struck the Northern School of Business Senior High School in Tamale, where a girls’ dormitory was completely razed. That incident marked the beginning of what education authorities now describe as a disturbing pattern of fire disasters affecting second-cycle institutions in the Northern Region.
Combined, the three fire outbreaks have displaced over one thousand students, disrupted academic activities, and heightened safety concerns among parents, education stakeholders, and the general public.
In a statement issued after the incidents, the Northern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service expressed grave concern about the increasing frequency of fire outbreaks in Senior High Schools across the region.
“These unfortunate incidents have become a major concern to the Regional Directorate and the entire education community,” the statement noted.
The Northern Regional Director of Education, Alhassan Alidu Junior, stressed the urgent need for proactive and preventive measures, emphasizing that school administrators must take full responsibility for safeguarding lives and property within their institutions.
As part of immediate preventive measures, the Directorate has directed all Heads of Senior High Schools to strengthen fire safety protocols without delay. Key directives include conducting comprehensive inspections of all dormitories and boarding facilities to remove flammable materials, illegal electrical connections, and other hazardous items.
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School authorities have also been instructed to avoid overloading electrical sockets and ensure that faulty electrical equipment is repaired or replaced promptly. Additionally, schools must install and maintain functional fire extinguishers at strategic points across school premises.
Another major directive requires schools to collaborate closely with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to train both staff and students in the proper use of fire extinguishers. The Directorate has also mandated that fire safety education and drills be conducted at least once every academic term.
Furthermore, all schools are required to carry out Fire Safety Audits every semester in partnership with the GNFS to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The Directorate has warned that strict adherence to these directives is non-negotiable, stressing that enforcement will play a critical role in preventing future disasters.
Meanwhile, education stakeholders and parents have renewed calls for improved infrastructure, regular safety inspections, and stronger collaboration between schools and emergency response agencies. Many fear that without decisive and sustained action, more fire outbreaks could occur in boarding schools across the region.
Although no lives were lost in the recent incidents, authorities say the level of destruction and displacement should serve as a serious wake-up call for all stakeholders in the education sector.
“Strict compliance will not only prevent fire outbreaks but also foster a secure learning environment for our students,” the statement concluded.
As investigations continue into the causes of the fires, attention is now shifting to how quickly schools can implement the newly introduced safety measures to restore confidence and ensure the protection of students across the Northern Region.
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