The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kassena-Nankana West, Stephen Aeke Akurugo, has appealed to the central government for urgent assistance following a severe rainstorm that caused significant damage to the district assembly block.

According to the DCE, the storm ripped off a large portion of the roofing of the main administrative building, disrupting official work and exposing parts of the structure to further deterioration.

He said the incident has since been reported to the Regional Minister, while temporary measures have been put in place to ensure continuity of work.

“For now, I have directed officers to relocate to offices that were not severely affected so that administrative work can continue,” he said.

The DCE noted that even before the incident, the assembly structure had outstanding construction issues that required attention.

However, he revealed that the contractor responsible for the project had already been fully paid, leaving the assembly with limited options for immediate rectification.

He stressed the need for government intervention to rehabilitate and re-roof the damaged structure, as well as complete the remaining works to make the facility suitable for effective administration.

Describing the incident as unexpected, he said, “It is a disaster we did not see coming.”

Regarding casualties, the DCE indicated that no staff sustained injuries because the incident occurred outside working hours.

“At the time it happened, only one officer was in the office, completing some work. Fortunately, no one was harmed. We thank God it did not occur during working hours, as the impact could have been severe,” he stated.

Despite the absence of physical injuries, Mr Akurugo highlighted the psychological impact on staff, noting that the damage has created emotional distress.

“You prepare yourself to come to work in a conducive environment, only to find your office roof and ceiling torn apart. It affects morale and productivity,” he added.

The assembly is currently seeking support to restore the facility and ensure a safe working environment for its staff.