The youth and opinion leaders of Bembisi community in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have commenced the construction of a three-unit ultramodern classroom block, along with an office complex for the Amenga-nego Basic School.
The project took root after a triumphant homecoming event a month ago, during which the Bembisi youth rallied together and raised an impressive sum of GHC 39,021.70. Additionally, they collected 88 bags of cement, showcasing both their dedication and resourcefulness.
Speaking to our reporter, Moses Apiah, about the initiative, the youth patron, Aboyinga Nicholas, indicated that the project is long overdue and expressed a desire for organizations to join in to bring it to completion.
“It was and continues to be an eyesore anytime you pass by Amenga-Etego school. Even we, who do not have formal education, would not accept to sit in such a structure. The classroom walls are all cracked, and yet children normally sit to learn. So, with this initiative, we hope we can complete the new building for our children to use before the rains set in.”
Built in the 1990s, the Amenga-Etego Basic School has a student population of 301 and has long struggled with a lack of basic infrastructure improvement. With cracked walls supported by inadequate wooden materials, successive governments have failed to address its needs despite repeated appeals by concerned community members.
The Assembly member for the Bembisi electoral area, Anyungba Charles, explained that the dilapidated state of the school only highlights the urgent need for action.
“We recognized this pressing need and decided to take matters into our own hands. I must say that on several occasions, we have written letters and followed up with those who matter to help us get a needed structure for our children, but all seem to have failed us.”
“By starting this, we still hope that organizations, especially government representatives—that is to say, the Assembly and GES—will come to our aid to see its completion,” he added.
The collaborative effort between the youth and their opinion leaders serves as a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives and community-driven development. However, the collected funds, they say, might not be enough to complete the project.
The Treasurer and Finance Secretary for the project, Atanga Martin, explained that the funds might only help the project reach the window level and hence still need support.
“If you look at the amount we had—GHC 39,021.70—and some bags of cement, we can start, but that can’t help complete it. Stones and sand are very expensive nowadays. So, we are pleading for more help to complete this project for our children before the rains set in.”
The workforce, from laborers to the masons, were all members of the community who came to support the initiative freely.
Speaking to some of them, they indicated that the project represents not only a physical structure but also a symbol of hope and progress for the Bembisi community.
Wilberforce Asaah and Joshua Agaapi, masons supervising the project, further added that the project embodies them as a community, and they were confident that the new school facilities would soon be ready to welcome learners, paving the way for a brighter future for all.
Meanwhile, the community is still not connected to the national grid. The thousands of residents in the community continue to rely on torchlights and other means for their activities.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga|Ghana
