TMA reopens Community One Daycare following deadly plane crash
The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has reopened its Daycare Centre at Tema Community One, nearly a month after a microlight aircraft crash at the facility resulted in the deaths of two people on board.
The reopening comes after minor renovation works, including repainting and general refurbishment to improve the learning environment. The exact location where the aircraft crashed has been transformed into a playground, symbolising recovery and the Assembly’s determination to turn the space into something positive.
Prior to reopening, pupils, parents, and staff underwent psychological evaluations arranged by the Assembly in partnership with the Mental Health Authority to help them cope with the trauma and ease their transition back to school.
Spiritual cleansing rites—traditional, Christian, and Islamic—were also conducted at the site, reflecting the community’s diverse beliefs and shared desire for healing after the incident.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Ebi Bright described the occasion as both a time for reflection and a symbol of renewal following the March 16 tragedy.
She paid tribute to the victims, Captain Frank Amoaning Donkor and Elijah Ofori Donkor, praising their actions for helping to prevent a more severe disaster when their aircraft crashed within the daycare premises while en route from Ho to Accra.
According to Ms Bright, the incident highlights the urgent need to strengthen safety measures, particularly in areas where children are present. She reassured parents that their children’s safety remains the Assembly’s top priority and that stricter safeguards have been put in place to prevent a recurrence.
She further called for schools, hospitals, and other public institutions to be treated as critical safety zones, urging improved vigilance and emergency preparedness across the metropolis.
Parents and facilitators welcomed the reopening, expressing relief that it would restore normalcy and provide a secure environment for learning.
Meanwhile, Matthew Larbi Wettey, a former Tema Area Head of The Church of Pentecost and a family representative of the deceased, expressed gratitude to God and stakeholders for their support to the bereaved families. He noted that the situation could have been far worse and offered prayers for the safety and future of the children.
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