Help Us Save Our School’ – Kwabre Safo Chiefs, Assembly Member, and Headmistress Appeal for Urgent Renovation of Dilapidated 80-Year-Old School Building

Residents of Kwabre Safo, a community in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region, have issued a heartfelt plea to the government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and benevolent individuals to intervene and help renovate the community’s only basic school, which has stood for over 80 years and is now in a severe state of disrepair.

The Kwabre Safo Primary and Junior High School, once a beacon of learning and pride for the community, has fallen into a dangerous and nearly unusable condition. The roofing of several classrooms has either been completely ripped off or rusted to a dangerous level, leaving students and teachers vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. The overall structural integrity of the school is questionable, raising fears that it may collapse if urgent repairs are not carried out.

Speaking to Media, the Kontihene of Kwabre Safo, Nana Atta Appiah II, described the situation as a “looming disaster,” warning that the school poses a serious threat to the lives of pupils and staff.

“Our children are learning under life-threatening conditions,” he said. “This school has served our community for generations, but it is now on the verge of collapsing. We’ve managed to patch up some parts with local support, but the cost of full renovation is beyond what this community can handle alone. We are appealing to the government, NGOs, and especially our brothers and sisters from Safo living abroad to help us save our school.”

The Kontihene further disclosed that the community had also begun constructing a health facility under the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative to improve healthcare access. However, that project has also stalled due to lack of funds. He called on development partners and philanthropists to come to their aid and help complete the facility for the benefit of the people.

Madam Abena Frimponmaa, the headmistress of the school, echoed the concerns, revealing how the deteriorating infrastructure is negatively impacting both enrollment and attendance. According to her, several parents have withdrawn their children from the school, fearing that the structure may collapse during a storm or heavy rainfall.

“This is heartbreaking,” she said. “We’ve lost many of our pupils because their parents are genuinely afraid for their safety. When it rains, we cannot teach. Sometimes we have to close the school abruptly to avoid putting lives at risk.”

Hon. Stephen Ampong, the Assembly Member for the area, joined the call for immediate support and emphasized the vital role education plays in community development.

“This is not just a Kwabre Safo issue—this is a national issue,” he noted. “Education is the bedrock of every progressive society. The continued existence of this school is critical to the future of our children. We are pleading with government agencies, philanthropists, NGOs, and all well-meaning individuals to support this urgent cause.”

With the rainy season now in full swing, fears continue to rise among residents that the school building could collapse at any moment, potentially leading to tragic consequences. For the people of Kwabre Safo, the message is loud and urgent: “Help us save our school.”