A group of youth leaders from the Ghana Youth Leadership Academy (GYLA) are calling on the government to urgently complete the delayed E-blocks and other unfinished facilities at Paga Senior High School (SHS) in the Upper East Region.
These leaders, part of the social advocacy project “SaveOurProjects” by LeadAfrique, conducted an assessment of the challenges faced by the school due to its infrastructural deficiencies. The findings revealed a significant academic distress caused by the inadequate facilities that impacted the students’ academic performance.
The E-block at Paga SHS, which currently accommodates over 1,000 students, poses a serious risk to both students and teachers in its unfinished state. The school is lacking essential resources such as science materials, dining and assembly halls, and other facilities crucial for the students’ learning experience.
Furthermore, following a fire incident that destroyed one of the school’s dormitories, students, especially boys, are now housed in makeshift structures, while others have to commute from home daily. The school’s only functioning toilet facility broke down months ago, forcing the students to resort to open defecation, which is both inconvenient and uncomfortable.
Mahadi Awedaga Ayiwoli, the Team Lead, emphasized the impact of these challenges on the students’ academic performance, affecting their ability to excel in exams like the WASSCE and participate in events such as the National Science and Maths Quiz.
The students and teachers of Paga SHS are appealing to the government for assistance, stressing the importance of providing a safe and conducive learning environment for the future workforce of the country. The GYLA fellows are urging the government to prioritize the completion of these projects to create a conducive learning environment for the students.
As part of their initiative, the GYLA fellows plan to visit other abandoned projects in the Northern regions, including the Pwalugu Multipurpose dam site and the Yendi Water Project. The “SaveOurProjects” initiative aims not only to address infrastructural challenges but also to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills among the youth leaders.
Overall, the call to prioritize the completion of delayed and abandoned government projects, particularly in the education sector, is crucial for ensuring a brighter future for the next generation of leaders in Ghana.
