Accra College of Education Demonstration Basic School has become the first beneficiary of a major school furniture distribution programme in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Municipality, receiving the initial batch of 500 desks and chairs under a broader initiative to provide 2,000 pieces of furniture to schools across the constituency.
The distribution programme was launched by the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon and Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, together with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dr. Michael Mensah, and officials of the Municipal Education Directorate.
The initiative aims to improve learning conditions and address furniture shortages in schools within the municipality. Another 500 desks are expected to be distributed next week, with the entire 2,000-piece allocation scheduled for completion within a month.
Speaking during the handing-over ceremony, Mr. Dumelo said the intervention forms part of efforts to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
“Our students deserve comfortable and safe spaces to learn. This donation is part of our commitment to improving the infrastructure that supports quality education,” he said.
Mr. Dumelo noted that while the desk distribution would significantly ease furniture shortages in schools, there remains a need for additional classrooms, ICT equipment such as laptops and desktop computers, and well-equipped science laboratories. He expressed optimism that further interventions would be rolled out in the coming years to address these challenges and strengthen education delivery in the constituency.
Dr. Michael Mensah disclosed that the 2,000 pieces of school furniture were funded through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and allocated based on needs identified jointly by the Municipal Assembly and the Municipal Education Directorate.
According to him, the furniture distribution forms part of broader efforts by the Assembly to improve educational infrastructure and create a better learning environment for pupils and students across the municipality.
He revealed that, in addition to the furniture distribution, the Assembly has undertaken a number of educational infrastructure projects, including the commissioning of new classroom blocks and plans to construct additional multi-storey educational facilities to meet growing demand.
Dr. Mensah further announced that the Assembly is providing 12-unit classroom blocks for both La Bawaleshie and Janglu communities as part of ongoing efforts to expand access to quality education and improve conditions in schools.
The MCE urged school authorities, teachers, students and parents to take good care of the furniture to ensure it serves generations of learners.
“These desks have been provided with public resources for the benefit of our children. We must all work together to maintain them so they stand the test of time,” he said.
Ayawaso West Municipal Director of Education, Edeth Ennin, welcomed the intervention and described it as a major boost to education in the municipality.
She explained that the furniture would be distributed to both advantaged and less-privileged schools, with priority given to institutions facing the greatest shortages. According to her, the initiative would help ensure that children have access to the basic facilities needed for effective teaching and learning while helping to improve attendance and academic performance.
Mrs. Ennin said the Education Directorate had worked closely with the Assembly to identify beneficiary schools and ensure that the furniture reaches areas where it is most needed.
She also disclosed that a monitoring and maintenance system has been established to safeguard the furniture and promote a culture of responsible use among students.
Under the arrangement, municipal logistics officers, finance and administration personnel, and school authorities will conduct periodic inspections to assess the condition of the furniture and educate students on proper handling and maintenance.
“We want to promote a culture of maintenance so that the furniture lasts longer and benefits future generations,” she stated.
Beyond education, Dr. Mensah said the Assembly is intensifying efforts to improve sanitation and prevent flooding within the municipality. He announced the procurement of 11 skip containers to strengthen waste management and highlighted ongoing monthly desilting exercises conducted under the National Sanitation Day initiative.
He urged residents to avoid indiscriminate disposal of waste into drains, stressing that choked gutters remain one of the major causes of flooding in parts of the municipality.
The municipal leadership believes the combined investments in school infrastructure, furniture provision, sanitation and flood-prevention measures will improve living conditions for residents while creating a more conducive environment for teaching and learning across Ayawaso West Wuogon.
This version flows like a newspaper report and fully incorporates the contributions of John Dumelo, the MCE, and the Municipal Director of Education into one coherent story.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
