A 12-unit classroom block at Kikam Technical Institute in Ghana's Western Region has been completed and commissioned after nearly five decades of abandonment. The project was stalled in 1978 but was revived with funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the Ellembelle District Assembly, and the Member of Parliament for the area, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. The facility is expected to ease pressure on existing infrastructure and provide additional space for teaching and learning.
The abandoned structure had become a habitat for reptiles, posing safety concerns for students and staff. The Principal Officer of Kikam Technical Institute, Emmanuel Nomah, said management made several appeals to stakeholders for the project to be revived before work resumed late last year. The return of contractors generated excitement among old students who had spent years watching the project remain incomplete.
The Western Regional Director of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service, Ing. Anthony Oware-Agyekum, called on industries in the Nzema and wider Western Region to strengthen partnerships with technical institutions. He said closer collaboration between industry and schools would help improve practical training and better prepare students for employment.
Despite the completion of the classroom block, the school faces infrastructure and logistical challenges, including inadequate toilet and washroom facilities and the need for a school bus. Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said he had discussed the washroom challenge with the District Chief Executive and indicated that it would be considered in the Assembly's next budget.
The MP also addressed the need for a school bus, saying he would lobby the Ministry of Education for one of the new buses expected to be provided to schools. The commissioning of the 12-unit classroom block marks a significant addition to the infrastructure of Kikam Technical Institute and is expected to provide a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
The project was part of the Assembly's legacy project initiative, and its completion is a significant achievement for the Ellembelle District Assembly and the Member of Parliament. The facility is expected to support the school's technical and vocational programs, which are crucial for the region's development.
The completion of the classroom block is a welcome relief for students and staff at Kikam Technical Institute, who have had to endure inadequate infrastructure for years. The school's authorities have expressed gratitude to the stakeholders involved in the project, including the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the Ellembelle District Assembly, and the Member of Parliament.
Key points
- The 12-unit classroom block was completed with funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the Ellembelle District Assembly, and the Member of Parliament.
- The facility is expected to ease pressure on existing infrastructure and provide additional space for teaching and learning.
- The school still faces infrastructure and logistical challenges, including inadequate toilet and washroom facilities and the need for a school bus.
