By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (V/R), Oct. 6, GNA – Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta, together with other stakeholders, has commissioned a new three-unit classroom block for the Atsiavi-Atsime Basic School to enhance teaching and learning.
The facility, which includes a headmaster’s office and other ancillary facilities, was handed over to the school and community at a ceremony on the school premises.
Mr Gakpey told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the project fulfilled a promise made to the people of Atsiavi during the 2024 election campaign to replace the old structure being used by kindergarten pupils, which was in a deplorable condition and unsuitable for teaching and learning.
“We assured the community that the government led by President John Dramani Mahama will put up a new classroom block for the children if we win power. The work on the facility began early this year and was completed within six months. The remaining task is to furnish the classrooms so that teaching could begin,” he said.
Mr Gakpey said the project reflected the government’s commitment to basic education, which he described as the foundation of the entire educational system.
He said a solid foundation at the basic level was essential to the educational development of children.
The MP said his strategy was to replace all dilapidated school blocks in the constituency with modern facilities.
He expressed concern about declining academic performance among pupils in the Keta Municipality, which he said reflected a national trend and required a review of how education was delivered and the adoption of new strategies to reverse the situation.
“We have identified teacher shortage as a major challenge in the municipality; we have struggled with inadequate teacher numbers for the past eight years. I have raised the matter with the Minister of Education, who had promised to post more teachers to Keta.”
Mr Gakpey said he expected the new teachers to be posted by November and would continue to push for their deployment.
He said the closure of the recruitment portal for years had contributed to the shortage of new teachers in the municipality, adding that the portal had now been reopened.
Mr Gakpey said teachers also needed reorientation, while more investment was required in teaching and learning materials and setting of standards.
He said short, medium, and long-term measures would be implemented to improve academic performance.
On health, the MP announced that the next projects to be commissioned would be two Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds with accommodation and ancillary facilities for nurses in the municipality.
He said the government had also attracted several Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) projects to Keta, including an ongoing farm project at Ayiavi Senior High School.
Mr Gakpey said he was also engaging the Minister of Roads and Highways to facilitate road works in the area.
He said the government was delivering its promises to the people of Keta and assured residents that more development projects would be undertaken.
Mr Gakpey said sod-cutting ceremonies for more projects would take place within the next two months as the government remained committed to improving education, health and infrastructure in the municipality.
Mr Wisdom Seade, Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said the classroom facility cost about GH¢780,000 and urged residents to support development initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods in the various communities.
He also urged parents and guardians to prioritise education and desist from keeping school-going children at home during school hours.
Mr Raphael Mawuko Amenyo, Keta Municipal Director of Education, who received the facility on behalf of the school, commended the government for providing the facility to improve education in the area.
He gave an assurance that the facility would be properly maintained and used for the benefit of the pupils.
The ceremony attracted chiefs, assembly members, residents, and other stakeholders, while the students showcased the rich Anlo culture through drumming and dancing.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
October 6, 2026