In a distressing turn of events, the Akyem Asene Roman Catholic Basic School, located in the Asene-Manso-Akroso District of the Eastern Region, has been shuttered by contractor Owusu Agyekum Kontoh, leaving pupils stranded and their education disrupted.
The closure stems from the contractor’s frustration over the government’s failure to settle payments owed for the construction of the school building, which was handed over eight years ago. The modern facility, boasting a 6-unit classroom block, two offices, a computer lab, and a toilet facility, stands locked, denying students access to their learning environment.
Owusu Agyekum Kontoh, the contractor behind the project, cited the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) as the primary defaulter, accruing unpaid certificates over several years. He recounted commencing work in 2016, completing the construction, and officially handing over the keys to the school to the District Education Directorate in 2020. Despite submitting his payment certificates years ago, the government has yet to fulfill its financial obligations, prompting Kontoh to take drastic action in protest.
Expressing their dismay, stranded pupils of the Akyem Asene Roman Catholic School have implored the Asene-Manso-Akroso District Assembly to urgently intervene and resolve the deadlock. Their plea underscores the urgency of the situation, as the closure not only disrupts their education but also deprives them of the conducive learning environment they deserve.
The closure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing educational infrastructure projects across the country and underscores the critical need for timely and efficient payment processes to ensure the seamless operation of schools. As stakeholders grapple with the fallout from the closure, efforts must be intensified to address the underlying issues and restore normalcy to the affected school community.
