This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of stored rainwater in basic schools in the Tamale Metropolis, a semi-arid region of Ghana, which experiences persistent water scarcity. Sixty four stored rainwater samples were collected from eight rainwater harvesting facilities in eight basic schools in November and December, 2013, and analysed. Total coliform levels ranged from 1.1 x 10(1) to 1.2 x 10(3) cfu/100 ml with a mean of 208 +/- 195 cfu/100 ml. The microbial load exceeded World Health Organisation's (WHO) limit for potability. Heavy metal concentrations were within WHO standards except cadmium and lead. Drinking of stored rainwater can be deleterious to the health of pupils in the basic schools studied. It is therefore recommended that potable water should be provided in the basic schools in order to meet the millennium development goals.