By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
The Old Boys Association of the West Africa Methodist Collegiate Secondary School, has protested against the decision of the West African Methodist Church Mission and the school’s administration for their decision to allow the construction of a mobile pole tower in the school compound.
According to the Association, the construction of the pole tower within the school compound has the tendency to expose pupils to radiation effect that can lead to cancer and subsequent death.
Speaking to Concord Times in a telephone interview, the Global Chairman and Leader of the Association, Rugnuab Wahadi Bangura, who stays in the United States, said the association came to know about the said construction in February 2025, and that when they enquired from the school board, they were referred to the church.
He said the church also dismissed their concerns and cautioned them that they have no right to question the decision of the church.
He said the protest was just one of the ways they wanted to see that the lives of pupils are not endangered.
He said they had previously written a letter to the Environment Protection Agency and also copied Office the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, respectively.
He said they highlighted the health risks posed by the tower especially when studies have proven that cell tower poses 76.5% risk that can be caused by the radiation.
He further highlighted that the church has not shown any record that, an environmental impact assessment was done to determine the effect.
Also speaking, contractor of the cell pole tower, Lawyer Ahmed Sesay of Makaiza Group, said they would stop the work unless they are forced to do so by court injunction.
