Ablekuma North ballot boxes destroyed by fire at Kwashieman Cluster of Schools
A fire outbreak in the early hours of Tuesday, December 17 at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools in Accra, has destroyed several ballot boxes.
The blaze reportedly began in the school’s library which had been temporarily converted into a storage area for ballot boxes from the Ablekuma North constituency in the December 7 general elections.
Eyewitnesses living near the school reported seeing thick smoke and flames engulfing the building shortly after the fire started.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was promptly notified. Alex King Nartey, the Fire Service’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed in a livestream on Facebook that fire officers arrived quickly and were able to bring the blaze under control.
“Information we have gathered indicates that the school was used to store ballot boxes, and so that is why we are still here and the flames have been subdued. We salvaged all the buildings and were left with just one that we worked so hard to ensure that the fire did not reignite.
“Officers from Anyaa, Headquarters, and from Circle came to ensure that the situation was brought under control.”
The parliamentary race in the Ablekuma North constituency emerged as one of the most closely watched contests following the December 7 general elections.
Ablekuma North is among the 12 disputed constituencies across the country as the outcome remains under contention and a recount has been ordered.
The NPP’s candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, and the NDC’s candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, have both claimed victory in the election, despite the Electoral Commission (EC) initially declaring the seat for the NDC candidate.
Following this, the EC has since reversed its declaration, calling the declaration illegal, and announced plans to conduct a re-collation exercise for the constituency.
