A taskforce from the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly has dismantled a makeshift school operating beneath the Atomic Junction overpass in Accra as part of an operation to remove unauthorised structures occupying public spaces.
The exercise, which targeted structures around the busy Atomic Roundabout, reportedly uncovered a learning area where children were receiving lessons under the overpass.
Video footage of the operation shows taskforce members arriving at the location and beginning to clear the makeshift facility, where tables and other learning materials had been arranged for teaching.
The discovery has raised concerns about the conditions under which the children were receiving their education, particularly given the location beneath a busy road overpass.
According to reports, some of the children appeared confused when the taskforce arrived. Officials were seen calling them back as the operation proceeded, apparently to ensure their safety while the area was being cleared.
A woman believed to be operating the school was also reportedly questioned by officials during the exercise. However, details about her identity, the school’s ownership and the circumstances under which it began operating have not been established in the available reports.
The dismantling formed part of a broader decongestion exercise by the municipal assembly targeting unauthorised structures and activities around Atomic Junction.
The operation also involved the removal of food stalls, furniture and other makeshift installations that had occupied spaces around the roundabout.
Authorities in urban areas frequently undertake such exercises to improve pedestrian access, reduce obstruction and maintain order in public spaces. However, the discovery of children attending lessons at the location has added an education and child-safety dimension to the operation.
The incident has prompted questions about how long the makeshift school had been operating, whether the appropriate authorities knew about its existence and what arrangements were in place to protect the children.
It has also drawn attention to the need to ensure that children have access to safe and suitable learning environments, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their education.
While the operation removed the makeshift facility, the available reports do not confirm whether the school was registered, whether the operator faced any formal action or what steps were taken to help the affected children continue their education.
It is also unclear whether the municipal assembly or education authorities have announced any alternative arrangements for the pupils following the dismantling.
The incident highlights the challenges local authorities face in managing public spaces while ensuring that vulnerable groups, particularly children, are protected during enforcement exercises.
Further clarification from the relevant municipal and education authorities would help establish the circumstances surrounding the school and the measures being considered for the children affected by the operation.
Watch the video below:
Source: Thepressradio.com
