BY Grace Zigah
A routine school day at Anloga Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P.) Basic School in the Volta Region ended in devastating tragedy when a sudden bee attack claimed the lives of two pupils and left dozens of others injured, sparking renewed concerns over safety in basic schools across the country.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, within the school compound, where pupils were engaged in outdoor activities ahead of the Christmas vacation.
According to school authorities and emergency responders, the chaos began when a ball being played by pupils landed in a tree within the school premises.
An attempt to retrieve the ball by throwing stones inadvertently disturbed a hidden beehive, triggering a violent swarm that descended on the children and staff.
In all, 33 people were affected by the attack. The victims included 22 learners, five teachers, and three school feeding programme cooks. Many of the pupils, particularly those in the kindergarten and lower primary classes, were unable to escape quickly and bore the brunt of the attack.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) later confirmed that two pupils lost their lives as a result of the incident, while 28 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Several of the injured pupils, all under the age of nine, were rushed to the Keta Municipal Hospital, where they received emergency treatment.
Health officials say their conditions are being closely monitored.
Speaking on the incident, the Head teacher of the school, Thywill Deynu, described the episode as heartbreaking and traumatic for both staff and pupils.
He noted that the youngest learners were particularly vulnerable and could not flee in time when the bees attacked.
One of the deceased pupils was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while the second later succumbed to complications from severe stings.
Teachers on duty, with support from community members, acted swiftly to evacuate pupils and alert emergency services.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service in the Anloga District responded promptly, helping to disperse the swarm and secure the school environment, a move credited with preventing even greater loss of life.
In a statement issued on Friday, December 19, the Ghana Education Service expressed its deep condolences to the bereaved families and the entire school community.
The Service also wished the injured pupils and staff a speedy recovery, while commending teachers, firefighters, and residents for their quick and coordinated response during the emergency.
The GES further disclosed that it is working closely with the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Anloga District Chief Executive to permanently remove the bee habitat from the school area.
Additional preventive measures, including safety assessments of school compounds, are also being considered to avert similar incidents in the future.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over preparations for the Christmas break, which was scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 18.
Parents, teachers, and residents of Anloga have expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, calling on education authorities to intensify safety inspections, especially in schools located near trees and undeveloped land.
The bodies of the deceased pupils have been deposited at the Keta Municipal Hospital mortuary pending autopsy, as the community mourns the loss of two young lives cut short in what began as an ordinary school activity.
