The chief of Agyendam, Nana Benyin XIII, has officially cut the sod to construct an ultramodern school for the Agyendam Community, as part of his vision to improve the standard of education in the town.
The facility would consist of classroom blocks, staff common room for teachers, a library and an office for the head teacher of the school.
Additionally, the ultramodern school block would comprise a three-unit classroom for JHS 1 to 3, a library, staff office and headmaster’s office, while separate modern toilet facilities would be constructed on the same compound for both the staff of JHS and Primary pupils.
It would also have a recreational facility such as a football field, where the pupils could enjoy football, while electricity and water would be connected.
At the sod cutting ceremony to commence the project, Nana Benyin disclosed that an old school built for the community many years ago has lost its usefulness, as it has become dilapidated.
He said; “Our children cannot remain in their classrooms whenever it rains because the roofing has been torn apart and also the classrooms get flooded because the area has become waterlogged.
I am very much concerned about the future of our dear children and since education is so dear to my heart, I decided to take this initiative to ensure that our children could have a sound environment for their education.
We all know that education is a shared responsibility and this is the little we could do as a community to secure the future of our children and grandchildren, who will take up the mantle of leadership in the near future”.
Though the project would be solely funded by the chief, with no support from the government or other donor agencies, he stated that any form of support from the government or individuals would be welcomed.
Nana Benyin XIII has already constructed a day-care centre with teachers, which he paid from his own resources to take care of the pre-school children in the community.
The purpose is to ensure that mothers, mostly farmers, could leave their children safely at the centre to go to their farms and pick them up when they return.
Inauguration of new community centre
Nana Benyin also used the occasion to inaugurate a newly constructed community centre for Agyendam, where all public gatherings such as funerals and community meetings, among other social gatherings, would be held henceforth.
The new community centre, which has auxiliary facilities and is said to be the first of its kind in the entire traditional area, was funded by the chief of the town, Nana Benyin XIII.
Unveiling of a giant statue
On the same day, a giant statue of the late Nana Darko Ankrah, who was buried last year, was unveiled in memory of his selfless service to the royal family and the community as a whole.
Paying growing tribute to the late Kwankyerefo Darko Ankrah, Nana Benyin stated emphatically that the late prominent man was very instrumental in bringing the entire Agyendam Dehyena-Anona royal family together.
“Kwankyerefo Darko Ankrah supported this family so well with his own resources and often paid school fees for some family members who wanted to further their education, and I can proudly say that I benefited immensely from this gesture,” he said.
“He ensured that all family members who have migrated from here to settle elsewhere did not forget their roots, as he often visited them and brought them back home,” he added.
Appreciation
Some members of the community and the Dehyena-Anona Royal family expressed their deep sense of appreciation to the chief for his great vision and foresight for the family and the community as a whole.
