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WAD Camporee Attendees Saved From a Burning Bus

Posted on janv. 04 2024

WAD Camporee Attendees Saved From a Burning Bus
Solace Asafo / Bernard Afful


Accra, Ghana - When 50 Pathfinders all packed and ready for the WAD Camporee in Accra boarded their bus from New Tafo, Kumasi, they never dreamt they would be caught between a burning  bus and a miracle of walking away unscathed.   
On Sunday December 24th 2023, Ghanaian camporee delegates between ages 10-15 travelling from Kumasi to Accra were saved from death when their bus caught fire.
For the 50 Pathfinders and their leaders from the New Tafo Adventist Church, Kumasi, it was all excitement when they boarded the bus to attend the fourth WAD Pathfinder in Accra from December 24-31, 2023.
“The day started normal with enthusiasm and the vibes of coming to Accra, the big capital city of Ghana to participate in the camporee was all the Pathfinders were looking forward to,” say Raphael Kusi, leader of the Old Tafo Youth Ministries.
Yet, the journey became a fearful adventure culminating in the burning of everything but themselves.
According to the local church youth leader, Mr Raphael Kusi, who was on the bus, they experienced some challenges even before the fire. “We started the journey at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday December 24. We faced numerous challenges with the brake and tyre of the bus a few hours later. But these were fixed and the journey continued,” he said.

[Photo: Raphael Kusi the Youth leader in the middle and Pastor Anane to the right]
Not long after that however, the children started complaining of a scent of smoke in the bus. As the intensity of the smell increased, the driver stopped the bus. That was when the miracle began to unfold.
“The driver got off the bus and inspected the tyres. Apparently, he discovered one of the tyres was on fire. Yet, he calmly called me and told me to get the children out of the bus so he could fix the tyre.
“When I told the children to get off the bus, some of them were reluctant but I persuaded them to do so. They got down thinking it was a normal stopover so they left everything they had in the bus.”
Because the driver did not mention a fire that prevented a stampede. We only saw the fire when we were all safely out of the bus, Kusi said.
What was initially deemed a minor setback, escalated into a fire that burned the bus and all the personal effects of the campers. Attempts to save some personal effects failed.
In a viral video shared online the shocked and trembling voice of a child could be heard “Awurade, Awurade, eiii” meaning “Lord, Lord.”
The children watched on as the bus engulfed in fire burnt with all their personal belongings.
Choosing not to let adversity hinder their spirits, the group joined alternative buses and continued their journey. The shaken but grateful campers finally made it to the Camporee grounds at the Valley View University Campus in Accra with gratitude to God and donors from union directors, pastors, friends, and old Tafo church members.
According to the Ashanti Central Conference Youth Director, Pastor Abraham  Kofi Anane,  what happened was nothing but a miracle.
“I can say that if you see the situation, the bus and the bushes around there were all burning and yet no child was hurt, I can only say, it’s God.”
“We believe that God called his angels to duty to protect each and everyone including those who attempted saving their bags,” Mr. Raphael Kusi – Youth director at Old Tafo SDA Church concluded.

The Pathfinders lost their goods but joyfully attended the camporee. They found the treasure in the Word of God. And the best is, they have never regretted their registration to the Camporee. Rather, they went back home on December 31, 2023 full of joy and grateful to the Lord for His Protection.