MP for Ablekuma West Rev. Kweku Addo engages Stakeholders on Critical Developmental Issues

The Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ablekuma West Constituency, Rev. Dr. Kweku Addo, has continued his familiarization tour across the constituency, inspecting key facilities and engaging stakeholders on critical developmental issues.

Accompanied by a medical team from the Dansoman Polyclinic and executives from the Municipal Assembly, the MP first visited a hospital facility in the Gbegbeyise community. Stakeholders assessed the designated rooms and deliberated on strategies to maximize the hospital’s benefits, which is currently about 80% complete. Rev. Addo reiterated his commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that residents of Ablekuma West receive the best possible healthcare services.

Dr. Naa Koowa Coker, the Medical Director of the Dansoman Polyclinic, expressed optimism that the collaboration between the MP and her regional and national supervisory authorities would not only expedite efforts to decongest her facility but also enhance healthcare services for Dansoman residents.

The MP then proceeded to the Gbegbeyise Cluster of Schools, where he met with the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Amoah, the Education Director, heads of departments, and staff.

During the engagement, several pressing concerns affecting the education sector were highlighted. The Municipal Director of Education pointed out challenges facing the sector, including inadequate office space and resources for the Educational Directorate. Each department operates in a single office with limited tables, and the only desktop computer in the shared space was non-functional.

Rev. Addo expressed concerns over the lack of coordination between public and private school headteachers and urged the directorate and the coordinating director at the Assembly to work collectively to enhance academic performance across both sectors. An officer in charge of the Exam Unit lamented the reluctance of some private schools to adhere to Ghana Education Service (GES) timelines.

He revealed that over 26 private schools had yet to submit their centers for the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), a situation the Education Director noted was hampering efforts to streamline the process. Heads of the Monitoring and Supervision Unit cited a decline in teaching and learning quality, attributing it to a high number of unmotivated teachers and inadequate teaching resources.

They appealed to Hon. Addo to urgently procure a vehicle to facilitate their monitoring duties effectively. To address the decline in BECE performance, the MP pledged to introduce several interventions, including:

• Sponsorship for outstanding students.
• Revitalizing the MP’s Super Mock Examination in March to prepare students for BECE.
• Hosting a Science Fair within the constituency.
• Equipping schools with STEM logistics and establishing a STEM Centre in the constituency.

On the issue of Senior High School (SHS) infrastructure, the MP emphasized the need to convert Ebenezer SHS into a boarding school to improve learning conditions. He also underscored the importance of constructing an additional 24-unit, three-storey classroom block to eliminate the shift system currently being operated by Mpoase school authorities.

A collaborative effort between the MP and the Assembly is required to improve the welfare of teaching staff. The MP also committed to procuring laptops for staff offices to enhance administrative efficiency using the appropriate channels and policies.

During the engagement, the discussion was interrupted by a power outage due to exhausted electricity credit. This sparked conversations about the impact of unpaid electricity bills on educational offices and prompted discussions on sustainable solutions.

Rev. Kweku Addo reassured all stakeholders of his unwavering dedication to improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure in Ablekuma West. He pledged to work closely with relevant authorities to address the identified challenges and ensure the well-being of his constituents.

Flanked by his personal assistant, Mr. Kodwo Baidoo; special aide, Mr. Bannerman-Hull; and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Godfred Ansah, the Honourable MP also visited the National Identification Authority (NIA) and Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) offices, both situated within the same compound as the Cluster of Schools. The team toured the NIA offices and engaged with personnel assisting residents with Ghana card registration.

Source: GhanaNewsOnline