GES Suspends Classes at Accra Newtown Experimental D/A School After Deadly Building Collapse

Accra, Ghana – March 30, 2026

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has suspended all classes at the Accra Newtown Experimental D/A School with immediate effect, following the collapse of a nearby four‑storey building that killed three people and injured about 20 others on Sunday, 29 March 2026.

The collapsed structure, an unfinished building located close to the school premises, was reportedly being used as a makeshift church for a religious gathering when it gave way. Emergency response teams from the Police, Fire Service, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) rushed to the site, managing to extricate 23 people from the debris. Twenty of them were rushed to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injuries, while three victims—two females and one male—died at the scene.

In a statement, the Director‑General of GES, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, confirmed that the suspension of classes is a precautionary measure to protect the safety of pupils, teachers, and other staff. Prof. Davis explained that the GES is currently working with regional officials and its estate department to conduct a forensic audit of all remaining buildings on the school’s compound to determine their structural integrity.

He emphasized that students must not return to the school until the safety of the structures is fully verified. Where any part of the school is found unsafe, alternative arrangements will be made for pupils and staff, including possible relocation or temporary use of other facilities.

An emergency meeting of stakeholders is being organized to review the safety of the school environment and decide on the way forward, including the timeline for resuming normal academic activities.

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The incident has reignited national concern over building‑regulation enforcement, illegal or poorly supervised constructions, and the safety of school infrastructure across Ghana. Education officials and safety agencies are now calling for stricter inspections, regular maintenance, and compliance with approved building codes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For parents and guardians of pupils at Accra Newtown Experimental D/A School, authorities have urged patience and close attention to official updates from GES and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly before returning children to the premises.