The Anafobisi community in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region has initiated a self-help endeavour to construct a three-unit classroom block for their Kindergarten and Primary ‘A’ school. The community is seeking assistance from the Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), philanthropists, and others to support this project.
Currently, the pupils from kindergarten to primary four, totalling 233 students, lack their classroom block and are sharing facilities with students from the Junior High School in the area.
Anafobisi KG/Primary ‘A’ School is situated in Anafobisi, a farming community with approximately 7,000 inhabitants, serving as a gateway to the Bongo District.
The kindergarten section, initially a mud structure established by the community in 1993, collapsed in 1999. Around the same time, an NGO and the District Assembly were constructing a six-unit classroom block for the Junior High School students. Consequently, three classrooms from this new block have been utilized by the KG/Primary pupils while they await the completion of their dedicated facility.
During a visit by the Ghana News Agency, it was observed that due to space constraints, classrooms were partitioned using plywood, and some classes had to be combined.
Mr. Albert Akanmiim, the Assemblyman for the Anafobisi Electoral Area, emphasized that the absence of a dedicated classroom block severely impacted the academic performance of the pupils and discouraged school attendance, resulting in reduced enrollment rates. He noted that some students stayed in school due to the school feeding program, but others had dropped out. Some financially stable parents had transferred their children to better-equipped private schools.
Mr. Akanmiim explained that the community had taken the initiative to construct a three-unit classroom block with additional facilities like an office and a staff common room. However, they are facing funding challenges and are appealing for assistance. Community members have already laid the foundation, and those skilled in construction are prepared to volunteer their services.
Naba Thomas Anayaneba II, Chief of the area, highlighted the lack of furniture in the school, forcing children to study on the floor. He appealed for support to ensure that the community achieves Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality education.
Hon. Rita Atanga, the District Chief Executive for Bongo, commended the community’s efforts in initiating this self-help project to enhance educational opportunities for children. She assured that the Assembly would provide whatever support possible and called upon other organizations to assist the community in this important endeavour.
Source: Anthony Adongo Apubeo (www.ghanadistricts.com)
