Asutifi north: ActionAid Ghana (AAG), a Non-governmental organization, has donated classroom furniture to two basic schools in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region. The donation includes 200 pieces of child-friendly furniture, 12 teachers’ tables, and 14 chairs, which will be distributed to the Goamu-Koforidua District Assembly (D/A) and Asamang D/A Basic Schools.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. John Nkaw, the Country Director of AAG, highlighted during separate ceremonies at the two communities that approximately 596,000 basic school pupils in rural communities nationwide lack desks and chairs. He stated that this deficiency forces many pupils to sit on the bare floor or share limited furniture, which hampers effective teaching and learning.

Mr. Nkaw explained that AAG has provided classroom furniture to selected schools in the Bono Region, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing educational equity and ensuring that every child learns with dignity. He emphasized that the AAG’s Country Strategy Paper (CSPVII) prioritizes access to quality, gender-responsive education. Over the past three decades, the NGO has advocated for policies like the Complementary Education Agency Act of 2020, which supports disadvantaged groups and promotes the School Re-Entry Policy enabling pregnant girls to remain in school. Mr. Nkaw noted, “We are proud to have assisted over 20,511 girls and boys in enrolling or returning to school through the initiatives.”

Mr. Richard Owusu Mensah, the Finance and Administration Officer at the Asutifi District Directorate of Education, praised AAG’s continued support to local communities in advancing the growth and development of education in the district. He mentioned that the furniture would benefit both teachers and students and urged the beneficiary schools to maintain them, while encouraging families to invest in the education of their children and wards.

Mr. Patterson Frempong, the Headmaster of Goamu-Koforidua D/A Basic School, later told the Ghana News Agency that the school, with over 200 children, faced challenges due to inadequate desks, which impeded effective teaching and learning. Mr. Augustine Okyere, the Headmaster of Asamang D/A Basic School, expressed concern about inadequate teachers for the school that accommodates about 268 children.