The Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternatives (PARDA), in partnership with Children Believe Ghana, has officially handed over a newly constructed Early Childhood Education Development Centre to the Ghana Education Service for the benefit of the chiefs and people of Chiana-Asunia in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.
The project, funded by Children Believe and implemented by PARDA, is aimed at improving access to safe and quality early childhood education in the community, where kindergarten pupils previously studied under hazardous conditions.
Prior to the intervention, teaching and learning for kindergarten pupils took place in a dilapidated classroom structure that posed serious risks to both learners and teachers.
Recounting the ordeal, the Headteacher of Chiana D/A Primary School, Moses Bani, described the previous conditions as life-threatening.
“The lives of our younger ones were indeed in danger. For two or three days, we had to kill a snake. There was no term we would not kill a snake in that structure,” he said. “Whenever there was a storm, the entire roof would shake. The building had no doors, no windows, and no furniture.”
He expressed relief that the situation had been addressed, noting that the new facility now guarantees the safety and well-being of pupils, whom he described as the future leaders of the country.
At the commissioning ceremony, the Executive Director of PARDA, Dr. Michael Wombeogo, said the project represents more than just infrastructure, describing it as “the birth of a vision” centered on the holistic development of children.
“As an organisation, PARDA is committed to nurturing children through healthcare, nutrition, early stimulation, learning opportunities, and protection, especially for those between ages zero and eight,” he said.
Dr. Wombeogo emphasized the critical role of early childhood education in shaping the future of children, citing global and national data that point to significant gaps in access, particularly in rural communities.
He noted that despite progress in Ghana’s education sector, many children—especially in underserved areas—still lack access to quality early learning facilities. He referenced statistics indicating that a significant number of children in the Upper East Region either have no schooling or limited access to early education.
He further revealed that the newly commissioned centre is the eighth Early Childhood Development facility constructed within five years under the PARDA–Children Believe partnership in the Builsa-Kassena Area Programme.
“In the Kassena-Nankana West District alone, out of 69 kindergartens, only 15 are housed in proper structures, while 54 are conducted under trees, with only one meeting standard ECD infrastructure,” he disclosed.
The Executive Director called on government, private sector actors, and individuals to invest more in early childhood education, stressing that it is a shared responsibility critical to national development.
Country Director of Children Believe Ghana, Esenam Kavi De Souza, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting children and families to overcome poverty through education.
She stressed that early childhood education is fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty and urged parents to enroll their children at the appropriate ages to ensure effective learning outcomes.
“Without investing in the foundation of children, every other investment later in life will not yield the desired results,” she said.
Madam De Souza also encouraged the community and school authorities to properly maintain the facility and ensure that children are adequately supported with essential learning materials.
The District Chief Executive for Kassena-Nankana West, Stephen Aeke Akurugo, urged parents and guardians to take full advantage of the facility by enrolling their children, while also calling on school authorities to maintain the infrastructure. He commended PARDA and Children Believe for their continued contribution to educational development in the district.
The Upper East Regional Deputy Director of Education, John Ankoh, also expressed gratitude to the partners, stating that the facility would significantly improve teaching and learning outcomes in the community.
On behalf of the Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, the Chiana Pio, Simple John Aniba, thanked PARDA and Children Believe for the intervention, describing it as a major boost to education in the area.
The newly constructed facility is expected to serve at least 65 pupils initially, providing a safe and conducive environment for early learning and development. It consists of classrooms, an office, and a kitchen. The facility is well furnished with child-sized furniture, a playground, and it is connected to the national grid with ceiling fans fitted.
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