By Peter Atsu,Samuel Obour
Copyright yen
Dendo Primary School in South Tongu municipality was closed temporarily after a black powder substance was discovered at the headteacher’s office doorstepThe South Tongu Municipal Director of Education expressed concern over the ramifications of the incident, considering similar events have been reported in the pastPastors and traditionalists were summoned to pray and cleanse the learning institution ahead of the reopening date
A primary school in the Dendo Electoral Area of the South Tongu municipality has been temporarily closed following the discovery of a mysterious black powdered substance, called ‘etsí’ in Ewe, spread at the entrance of the headteacher’s office.
The learning institution, Dendo Primary School, was closed on Wednesday, September 10, hours after the powdered substance was discovered.
The incident, which has raised concerns among authorities and residents, prompted immediate action to safeguard students and staff.
Suleman Mariam, the Assembly member for Dendo Electoral Area, confirmed the closure, stating the decision was taken by the Municipal Education Directorate in collaboration with the community.
The assembly member for the area elaborated on these efforts.as told that a black powder substance was found spread at the entrance of the headteacher’s office. So, to protect everybody, including the students, we decided to close down the school in the meantime, after a meeting with the municipal education directorate,” Mariam told YEN.com.gh.
Community response and cleansing rituals
Following the discovery, community leaders sought both spiritual and communal intervention. Pastors and traditionalists were called upon to assess the substance and perform necessary rites.
The Assembly member for the area, in an effort to address the broader community on the situation, convened a meeting that deliberated on ways to come up with a tangible solution.
The meeting was attended by residents of the area who were apprised of the need to be vigilant and to play their part in ensuring that such practices are banished from the community.
Celestine Agordo, the South Tongu Municipal Director of Education, provided further insight into the ongoing efforts to cleanse the school compound.
“…Whatever traditional rites that are supposed to be performed to cleanse the [school] compound, are being done this afternoon [Friday, September 19]….so, by next week, the school will reopen,” Agordo told YEN.com.gh.
A recurring problem and future measures
The incident is not an isolated case, according to the Municipal Education Director, Celestine Agordo, who expressed deep concern.
She stressed authorities don’t need to wait until someone suffers consequences believed to occur after someone walks over the black powder (etsí).
The Municipal Director disclosed that in one past instance, she had to transfer a headteacher from another school after concluding that the indigenes had a problem with him.
She also intimated that the headteacher of the school where the latest incident had happened would be transferred.
To prevent future occurrences, Mrs Agordo called for community involvement in security.
“We are also calling for a community watchdog to be set up to keep an eye on the school so that the bad nuts in the community doing this thing will be caught,” Agordo concluded, advocating for a proactive approach to school safety.
Preacher accuses pastor of causing daughter’s illness
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that Apostle Avete accused his fellow preacher, Apostle Ashiabi, of causing his daughter’s mysterious illness through a bizarre ritual in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.
Ashiabi denied the allegation, claiming he only learned of the development via a TV program.
Source: YEN.com.gh
