Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the 100 years old Akyem Akokoaso Presby School building made from mud and sticks in the form of concrete pillars would give way for a modern multi-purpose building.
The school, which was built in 1902 through the instrumentality of the chiefs and people of the area has suffered many setbacks, including a weak foundation, ripping off of roofing, broken doors and windows.
A situation that has always threatened the goal to provide academic education for people in the area, as school sessions, most of the time, are negatively affected and abruptly terminated anytime it rained.
Like a brilliant child who goes to school in tattered clothes unnoticed, barely a month ago the school, which has produced very important personalities, including Prof. Kwasi Kyei Amoabeng, a well-known academia in Japan, has had its roof ripped off.
This situation compelled Mr. Oteng Ernest, President of the Concerned Citizens of Akokoaso (CCA), and the members to film the state of the school and put it on social media platforms with the aim of wooing sympathy and support from the general public for assistance to immediately re-roof the school building
The video, which went viral, attracted the attention of residents of the area, both home and abroad, to swiftly respond to the worrying situation of good old Akokoaso Presby School.
“The response and intervention of some friends from diaspora is an eccentric step by putting a new structure for the students,” he indicated.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Friday, Prof. Kwasi Kyei Amoabeng, who is also the President of the Concerned Citizens of Akokoaso in the diaspora, expressed his profound gratitude to all residents of Akokoaso for their contributions to make the intended multi-purpose school building a reality.
The intended school complex, when completed, would have on the first floor the Kindergarten, Primary, Junior High School and crèche, while the second floor would accommodate the library, ICT, and Conference Center rooms.
He disclosed that funding for the new school building, which is estimated to cost over US$200,000, was raised through the various contributions of Akokoaso residents in the diaspora, with support from the locals.
Prof. Kwasi Kyei Amoabeng continued that the school building was expected to be completed within six months with the provision of all the necessary equipment after completion of the project.
Pleading with all Ghanaians to come to their aid, he stated that the school would be expanded to offer adult education to help reduce the high level of illiteracy in the community.
He, however, urged the authorities to consider re-naming the Akokoaso Senior High Technical School after the late Nana Asare Bediako, who played a critical contribution in ensuring the establishment of the school.
