At least 20 schoolchildren from two basic schools in Prampram, in the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region, were rushed to the hospital after reportedly consuming a locally brewed corn-based drink known as ‘asana’.
The affected pupils from Prampram D/A Basic ‘B’ and Methodist Freeman Basic School, suddenly began exhibiting signs of distress during school hours.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with several children seen crying, panicking, and eventually collapsing on school premises.
Emergency services responded swiftly, and the pupils were transported to the Prampram Polyclinic where they received medical attention.
The children remain under observation as health professionals monitor their condition and conduct tests to identify the cause of the incident.
Preliminary investigations point to a common source: the asana beverage allegedly purchased from a local vendor operating near the schools.
The vendor in question, who is said to have also consumed the same drink, has reportedly been hospitalized as well.
The Ningo-Prampram District Health Directorate has since launched a full-scale investigation in collaboration with school authorities and parents.
Their aim is to trace the production source of the drink, examine hygiene practices, and determine whether contamination occurred during preparation, storage, or distribution.
While the identities of the affected pupils remain undisclosed, parents and community members have expressed alarm, calling for stricter regulation of food and drink sold near school campuses.
The asana drink, traditionally made from fermented corn, is widely consumed across the country and is considered a low-cost refreshment.
However, concerns over sanitation and unregulated street vending have periodically raised red flags about food safety in schools and urban communities.
Health officials are urging calm while assuring the public that all necessary steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
