Yaw Boagyan
The Headmistress of Muzano Senior High School in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region, Dr. Gladys Abena Amuaful, has made a passionate appeal for urgent infrastructure support to improve teaching and learning conditions at the school.
Speaking at the school’s 43rd Speech and Prize-Giving Day, Dr. Amuaful painted a bleak picture of long-standing challenges that have plagued the institution since its establishment. She said decades of neglect have left the school struggling with inadequate facilities for its growing student population of 1,509.
According to her, the school is grappling with a shortage of teachers in key subject areas, including Integrated Science, Government, Physical Education and Health, English Language, and Visual Arts, creating significant gaps in academic delivery.
She also highlighted the lack of permanent on-campus accommodation for staff, noting that the situation undermines effective supervision of students, particularly those in their final year.
Boarding facilities, she added, are in a dire state, with overcrowded dormitories and insufficient bunk beds forcing some students to share beds or sleep on mattresses on the floor.
Dr. Amuaful further lamented the absence of a school bus and a reliable administrative vehicle, which continues to hinder academic excursions, sports activities and general school operations.
She noted that classrooms converted into science laboratories decades ago are outdated and poorly equipped, lacking modern apparatus and reagents needed for effective practical lessons.
Furniture shortages also remain a major concern, with many classrooms lacking desks while teachers in the staff common room do not have adequate tables.
Dr. Amuaful appealed to the government, the Ghana Education Service, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, the District Assembly, the Parent-Teacher Association, alumni groups, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations and other well-meaning individuals to come to the school’s aid.
“These issues are solvable,” she stressed, expressing optimism that timely intervention would help the school achieve its vision.
Responding to the concerns, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa West and Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan Mensah, pledged immediate support to address some of the challenges.
He announced plans to donate a school bus, provide desks for students and supply 100 beds to ease congestion in the dormitories.
The MP also revealed that efforts are underway in collaboration with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to provide accommodation for both students and teachers, while the District Assembly will construct a teachers’ bungalow using its share of the common fund.
He added that solar lighting systems have already been installed on campus to enhance security at night.
Mr. Mensah advised students to remain focused on their studies and to avoid negative influences such as teenage pregnancy.
In a related development, the Head of Protocol at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Justice Quarm, who represented the Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, Eric Opoku, assured the school of the ministry’s support.
An alumnus of the school, Mr. Quarm said he would mobilise old students to contribute towards addressing some of the school’s pressing needs.
He also encouraged final-year students to prepare adequately for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and urged teachers to continue mentoring them towards success.
