He pledged to close infrastructure gaps and prioritise the completion of stalled school projects while tackling overcrowding in classrooms to ensure access to quality basic education.
“I have been a teacher all my life and I know what truly affects teaching and learning. Since taking office, I have toured several schools and seen the challenges firsthand. We must act because it is their rights,” Mr. Salifu told the Ghana News Agency in Bekwai.
“In one community, children as young as four years old are compelled to walk long distances to access kindergarten (KG) education in neighbouring towns.
“I have promised that if I can build just one classroom in my four-year term, it will be for that community,” he assured.
Mr. Salifu expressed concern that some parents delay enrolling their children until they are old enough to walk distances.
The Assembly, he revealed, would leverage the 2025 District Assembly Common Fund to complete abandoned school infrastructure in remote areas.
The MCE noted that several junior high school (JHS) classes in the municipality had over 70 pupils per teacher, hindering effective instruction.
“A paramount chief brought this issue to my attention. They have two primary streams that all converge at a single JHS, creating huge pressure on infrastructure,” he explained.
To address this, Mr. Salifu announced plans to construct three new classrooms to reduce congestion and enhance the learning environment.
“Education is too important to be delayed. Every child, regardless of location, must have access to a decent classroom and a teacher,” he said.
Though he admitted that comprehensive data on infrastructure deficits was not yet available, the MCE said that completing abandoned projects and renovating existing structures would significantly improve education in Bekwai.
“Since I assumed office, I haven’t received widespread complaints—only a few isolated issues, mostly related to storm damage or overcrowding. That shows we’re on the right path, but we must act quickly and deliberately,” he said.
Mr. Salifu, a former Deputy Director of the Ghana Education Service with 15 years of teaching experience, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring every child in Bekwai has access to quality education.
“Education opens doors. Every child in Bekwai, regardless of where they live, deserves that chance,” he said.
GNA
