The Member of Parliament for Keta, Mr. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, has fulfilled a promise made to the people of Atsiavi during the 2024 election campaign by commissioning a new three-unit classroom block for the Atsiavi-Atsime Basic School. The facility, which includes a headmaster's office and other ancillary facilities, was handed over to the school and community at a ceremony on the school premises.
According to Mr. Gakpey, the project began early this year and was completed within six months. He stated that the remaining task is to furnish the classrooms so that teaching can begin. The MP emphasized that the project reflects the government's commitment to basic education, which he described as the foundation of the entire educational system.
Mr. Gakpey expressed concern about declining academic performance among pupils in the Keta Municipality, which he said reflects a national trend. He attributed this to a review of how education is delivered and the adoption of new strategies to reverse the situation. The MP identified teacher shortage as a major challenge in the municipality, which has struggled with inadequate teacher numbers for the past eight years.
To address the teacher shortage, Mr. Gakpey has raised the matter with the Minister of Education, who promised to post more teachers to Keta. He expected the new teachers to be posted by November and would continue to push for their deployment. The closure of the recruitment portal for years contributed to the shortage of new teachers in the municipality, but the portal has now been reopened.
In addition to the classroom block, Mr. Gakpey announced that the next projects to be commissioned would be two Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds with accommodation and ancillary facilities for nurses in the municipality. The government has also attracted several Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) projects to Keta, including an ongoing farm project at Ayiavi Senior High School.
The Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Wisdom Seade, stated that the classroom facility cost about GH¢780,000 and urged residents to support development initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods in the various communities. The Keta Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Raphael Mawuko Amenyo, commended the government for providing the facility to improve education in the area and assured that the facility would be properly maintained and used for the benefit of the pupils.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by chiefs, assembly members, residents, and other stakeholders, who witnessed the rich Anlo culture through drumming and dancing. The event marked a significant milestone in the government's efforts to improve education and infrastructure in the Keta municipality.
Key points
- The new classroom block was commissioned to enhance teaching and learning at Atsiavi-Atsime Basic School.
- The project reflects the government's commitment to basic education and its aim to improve academic performance.
- The government has attracted several GETFund projects to Keta, including an ongoing farm project at Ayiavi Senior High School.
