By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Feb 20, GNA – The Assinman Association of Canada, a philanthropic group, has presented a cash donation of GH¢43,150 to the authorities of Assin Sesekor D/A Basic School in the Assin South District of the Central Region, for its infrastructure renovation.
The school building from Kindergarten to Junior High School, has developed deep cracks in the walls, leaking roofing, broken doors and windows with no functional lighting system.
Its playground exemplified a sad, forgotten arena riddled with potholes, cracked and broken surfaces, swallowing up the children’s fun.
The old gates had been rusty and falling apart, as if mocking the dreams of tomorrow’s leaders, exhibiting a ‘no longer safe for play,’ and affecting the joy of the school children.
This intervention came amid ongoing challenges in the area where inadequate infrastructure often hampers education, contributing to high dropout rates and poor academic performance.
While presenting the cheque, Mr Nick Fobi, the former President of the Association, stated that the gesture formed part of the group’s commitment to improving education and ensuring that pupils at Sesekor D/A Basic School studied in a safe and conducive environment.
He added that the existing conditions did not promote effective teaching and learning and required urgent intervention.
Mr Fobi expressed the hope that the renovation would restore dignity to the school and provide pupils with a befitting atmosphere to pursue their academic goals and encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies and aspire to become responsible future leaders.
He also called on individuals and well-meaning organisations to join the Association in its efforts to champion development in Assinman for a positive outlook to the world.
Mr Sarfo Justice Korankye, the Headteacher of the school, expressed appreciation to the Association for the timely support, disclosing that the deteriorating condition of the buildings had made teaching and learning extremely challenging.
He said the classrooms had no proper doors and windows and the visible cracks on the walls posed a serious safety risk to both pupils and teachers.
Mr Korankye explained that the poor state of the infrastructure had exposed the classrooms to miscreants, who often defecated in them and destroyed teaching materials, while stray animals also took over the classrooms after school hours.
Nana Buabeng Gilbert, the Regent of the community, commended the Association for the generous gesture and appealed for additional developmental projects, including the construction of a market to improve residents’ living conditions.
Some community members in separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency, hailed the donation as a positive step towards safer learning spaces, with parents voicing optimism about improved attendance once repairs began.
They anticipated that such initiatives could boost economic activity in Assinman, aligning with national efforts to bridge rural-urban development gaps.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/ Christabel Addo