A Facebook post has sparked a wave of hope in the Sawaliga community after renowned businessman and philanthropist, Seidu Agongo, responded swiftly to rehabilitate a storm-damaged classroom block at the Sawaliga Junior High School.
The school’s three-unit classroom block was ripped off by a windstorm on May 20, 2025, disrupting academic work and leaving students and teachers exposed to harsh weather conditions. The disaster forced the school to resort to shifts and makeshift learning under a pavilion, severely affecting teaching and learning.
But it took just a single social media post to change the situation. Zinekena Solomon TTB, a development expert and native of the Sawaliga community, took to Facebook to appeal for help. His message captured the desperate state of the school and called for urgent intervention. The appeal caught the attention of Seidu Agongo, who immediately took steps to rehabilitate the damaged classroom block. Within weeks, the entire block was reroofed and fully renovated.
“We had pictures shared with the assembly member, the DCE, and the MP. But because the windstorm did not affect only Sawaliga, it affected other schools as well. And because of that, the assembly had a lot to deal with. So, as a Development Advocate, someone from the community who has the people at heart, I decided to take the issue to my social media handles to seek support for our people. And by the Grace of God, we had the support from Seidu Agongo. I posted it on 21st May and 22nd May, I had a call from his aide wanting to come and fix the school, and today, we have this nice edifice courtesy Seidu Agongo,” Mr. Zinekena recalled.
Speaking during the handover, Gilbert Alolika, who represented Mr. Agongo, urged the school and community members to take good care of the facility. “It is meant to provide a safe and conducive environment for learning, and we trust it will be protected and well maintained,” he said.
Assistant Headmaster Jonas Mbazor Yinbil expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the school. “We were at our lowest point after the storm. It was something that brought tears to our eyes because we knew that the rains were setting in, and with the limited classrooms that we have and having a 3-unit classroom ripped off, it was a very big challenge, and we didn’t foresee any help coming in immediately. I will want to use this opportunity to thank Seidu Agongo for this swift intervention. This support has not only restored the structure but has lifted our spirits,” he said. He noted that with only eight teachers serving both the Kindergarten and Junior High levels, the school has long struggled with overcrowding and lack of resources.
Currently, the school has merged Kindergarten 1, Kindergarten 2, and Primary 1 into one classroom due to a shortage of classrooms and staff. Mr. Yinbil also lamented the lack of teacher accommodation, which has made it difficult to retain posted staff. Most teachers travel daily from Bolgatanga, a journey of nearly an hour each way, which further complicates their ability to deliver quality instruction.
PTA Chairman Sampana Kakam described the intervention as “a miracle.” He revealed that despite several attempts to reach out to authorities for help, no support came until Mr. Agongo’s timely intervention. “We were almost losing hope. This act of kindness has restored our faith in what community support can do,” he said.
The school still faces major challenges—lack of furniture, insufficient staff, and poor infrastructure—but community leaders are hopeful that this intervention marks the beginning of more attention and support for the school.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Sawaliga
