Children in Asikasu and neighboring farming communities in New Juaben North, Eastern Region, now have access to modern Kindergarten (KG) classrooms, thanks to Nana Owiredu Wadie I, Nkosuohene of Kwahu Nkwatia and founder of the Kabaka Foundation.
He has built and handed over a state-of-the-art KG facility to Asikasu Presbyterian Basic School, which had struggled for 30 years with the lack of dedicated classrooms for early childhood education.
Previously, makeshift KG classes were held in converted staff and storerooms, limiting access for young learners from seven surrounding communities.
After a report by EIB’s Eastern Region correspondent Kojo Ansah earlier this year highlighted the challenges, Nana Owiredu Wadie I swiftly responded, cutting the sod for the construction of the new facility.
Within six months, the project was completed and officially handed over to the Ghana Education Service on his birthday.
The fully furnished KG block includes two classrooms (KG1 and KG2), a TV room, a washroom, and an office—making it the first of its kind in any public school in the region.
The New Juaben North Municipal Education Director, Helina Amegatse, described the facility as first of its kind in a public school in the region.
During the commissioning, Nana Owiredu Wadie I emphasized the importance of early childhood education in shaping future leaders.
He stated, “Quality facilities and educational resources significantly impact children’s learning and development. This new kindergarten block represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing quality education for our children.”
Headmistress Clementina Ahenkwa Mensah expressed optimism that the new facility would improve enrollment and learning outcomes, especially for children from surrounding villages.
“This is the only primary school we have in Asikasu community here and the KG as well. Most of the kids come from far communities over seven villages surrounding this place. The route to here wasn’t favourable but with this facility those who were going to town to school will be coming here to learn it will improve our enrollment. Initially where the kids were learning wasn’t encouraging so parents were not encouraged to bring their kids to school” Headmistress of Asikasu Presby Basic School Clementina Ahenkwa Mensah
Globally, the Education 2030 Agenda and Ghana’s National Education Strategic Plan emphasize inclusive early childhood education, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.2.4, which aims for every child to have access to quality early childhood development by 2030.
Henry Larbi, Executive Director of Kabaka Foundation, echoed this sentiment, stating that the foundation’s efforts were aligned with achieving SDG 4 by providing the necessary infrastructure for quality education.
“The idea is to help achieve UN sustainable development Goal four. That’s achieving quality education. Looking at the kids, the Kabaka foundation thought that the kids need to start well so we needed to provide them this educational infrastructure to get the best education they need”said Henry Larbi, Executive Director of Kabaka Foundation
Kabaka foundation donated learning materials, bags and uniforms to all the KG learners.
The Asikasu community expressed their gratitude to Nana Owiredu Wadie I for his intervention.
Assembly member Larbo Narh Benjamin also appealed to the government for the provision of water, as the community’s borehole has been broken for years, forcing residents and schoolchildren to rely on a polluted river.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
