By Zobia Zulfqar 
Academic activities at AME Zion Basic School in Havedzi, located in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, have been suspended after severe flooding completely submerged the school compound.
The flooding has rendered the school inaccessible, forcing authorities to close the facility as concerns grow over the safety of pupils, teachers and residents in the surrounding community.
A visit to the school revealed that floodwaters had engulfed the entire compound, with water levels reaching the windows of the classroom blocks. Classrooms, walkways and other school facilities remain underwater, making it impossible for teaching and learning to continue.
The closure has disrupted education for hundreds of pupils, with no indication of when normal academic activities will resume.
Residents say the situation has become increasingly worrying as the floodwaters show little sign of receding.
Speaking on the incident, community resident Benjamin Dzah described the flooding as a major setback for education in the area and warned of the growing health risks associated with prolonged exposure to stagnant water.
According to him, the flooded environment could expose pupils, teachers and nearby residents to waterborne diseases and other public health threats if immediate interventions are not undertaken.
“Education delivery at this school has been brought to a complete halt. There is no clear timeline for when academic activities will resume as the floodwaters show no immediate signs of receding from the school’s premises,” he said.
The flooding has also made access to the school impossible, leaving parents uncertain about when their children will be able to return to the classroom.
Residents are calling on the government, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Keta Municipal Assembly and other relevant agencies to provide urgent assistance to affected communities.
They are also appealing for long-term flood mitigation measures to protect schools and other public facilities from recurring disasters.
The latest incident comes as several parts of Ghana continue to experience heavy rainfall and flooding, with communities in different regions reporting damage to homes, businesses, roads and public infrastructure.
Education stakeholders have expressed concern that prolonged school closures could negatively affect pupils’ academic progress, especially as many schools prepare for end-of-term activities.
Authorities are expected to assess the extent of the damage before determining when the school can safely reopen.
In the meantime, community members hope emergency support will be provided quickly to restore access to education and reduce the health risks posed by the stagnant floodwaters.