The Santrokofi Bume Development Association (SABUDA) has commissioned and handed over the second phase of teacher’s quarters to the Santrokofi Bume Basic School.
The community-sponsored project, which cost GH₵125,000, has toilet and bath facility and aimed at enhancing teaching and learning outcomes in the community.
Dr Nathaniel Atikumi, Chairman, Santrokofi Bume Development Association, said about 90 per cent the total project cost came from the community members both in and outside Santrokofi who sacrificed their little to make the project a reality.
He said the project was initiated in order to enhance supervision so as to improve students’ performance in academics and produce students with good moral values.
Dr Atikumi appealed to the users of the facility to take very good care of the facility such that it could last for a longer period adding that a token would be charge monthly from the user to be used for maintenance of the facility just as it had been done with the first phase.
He called on the government to make the Santrokofi Bume Basic School, a model Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Junior High School if not Basic School in the District and the Region.
Dr Atikumi said the community was ever ready to support while admonishing students to take their studies with all the seriousness it deserved so that they would become useful citizens in future.
He expressed gratitude to SABUDA members and all benevolent individuals and organisations whose efforts and support made the project a fruitful one.
Mr Maxwell Richard Letsyor, Headmaster of the School, said the facility was a critical step in providing a conducive environment for the school staff adding that quality education strived when teachers were motivated, comfortable and could focus on their core mission without the added stress of finding adequate housing.
He said the facility would attract and retain dedicated staff, ensure teachers were always present on the campus, foster a stronger sense of community and belonging among teaching staff.
Mr Letsyor said despite challenges regarding staff accommodation, teachers had consistently demonstrated incredible resilience and dedication and achieved 100 per cent pass rates in the last academic year.
He said the facility would be put to good use and adhere to a high standard maintenance culture to prolong its lifespan so that future generations of teachers could benefit from it.
Nana Obibiribi Kumi lll, Krontehene of Santrokofi Traditional Area, said through collaboration and unity, the community was able to undertake projects such as gravitational water system, nurses’ quarters, classroom blocks, renovation of the clinic and the teachers’ quarters.
He reiterated his appeal for the government to establish a Nursing Training College in Santrokofi to help the Guan District because there were second-cycle institutions in the three out four traditional areas.
Nana Kumi said it would expand access to education which would serve as a means of employment and help improve the health and well-being of Ghanaians, adding that “we are ready to support the government in any way for such a project.”
Mr Fred Agbenyo, Member of Parliament, Guan Constituency, commended the initiative and said itshould be adopted by communities in the constituency.
He said the government would ensure development in the constituency, especially on the road network as well as educational and telephony projects.
Mr Godfred Koffie, Guan District Chief Executive (DCE), said the Assembly would continue to foster development in the district, adding that very soon all communities would benefit from the construction of modern mechanised boreholes.
GNA
