The Bolgatanga East District Education Directorate has addressed public concerns over its absence from the ongoing inter-district games and sports competition currently underway in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, attributing the withdrawal to severe financial constraints rather than deliberate obstruction.
Amid growing criticism from parents, students, and teachers, District Education Director George Asira clarified that the decision to pull out was a collective and unfortunate outcome of inadequate funding, not a unilateral act or an attempt to block students’ participation.
Speaking in an interview with A1 Radio, Mr. Asira revealed that preparations for the sports competition began during the second term of the 2024/2025 academic year, with an initial roster of 176 students assembled. However, efforts to secure sufficient funding quickly hit a roadblock.
“Despite our best efforts, including appeals to the District Assembly and the Member of Parliament, we could only raise GH¢2,500. The Assembly contributed GH¢2,000, and our office, which hasn’t received subventions since 2023, added GH¢500,” he explained.
With mounting costs for transportation, feeding, stipends, and logistics, the Education Directorate convened a meeting with sports organizers, coaches, and the district accountant to reassess their options. Even after reducing the number of participants to 36 students in two disciplines, it was clear that the available resources would not suffice.
“After an open and frank discussion, the committee unanimously agreed to withdraw from the competition to avoid embarrassment at the games village,” Mr. Asira added.
He stressed that the final decision involved all key stakeholders and was based on the district’s stark financial reality. He also pointed to previous challenges in 2023, where only GH¢2,300 was raised for a similar event. Part of that amount was later reallocated to cover other urgent educational needs, due to delays in receiving government subventions—a move he described as a legitimate accounting practice.
While acknowledging the disappointment felt by students and the community, Mr. Asira commended the district sports committee for its dedication and urged the public and media to shift the conversation toward community involvement and investment in educational development.
“It is inaccurate and unfair to say I blocked the students. Our goal has always been to provide a platform for learners to develop their talents. We will never renege on that responsibility,” he said.
The Bolgatanga East District’s experience highlights the broader issue of inconsistent education funding in Ghana, especially for extracurricular development like school sports. The Directorate is calling for sustainable funding models and community support to ensure equal opportunities for students to excel both academically and athletically.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah| Bolgatanga
