The Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, Kofi Amankwa-Manu is collaborating with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church) to construct a 26-unit classroom block and a 10-seater toilet facility for some selected schools.

The beneficiary schools include Kotwi, Atwima Kokoben, and Foase D/A Primary Schools in the Atwima Kwanwoma District.

Speaking to JoyNews, the MP for the area who also doubles as the Deputy Minister of Defence, said the partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will ensure that school children are taught in a safe environment.

He explained that the lack of infrastructure has resulted in congested classrooms, which impacts teaching and learning negatively. 

“Atwima Kwanwoma has a lot of problems and one person cannot do it alone. So, it became necessary for me to approach the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with our problems. We sat down, they listened to me and did a follow-up to the district. 

"This is not the first time they have done this for us. They have done a few projects in this district, and it's mind-boggling. One would have thought that only church members would be the ones to benefit from all this. But that wasn't the case. I am so grateful,” he said. 

On his part, the Headmaster of Kokoben D/A Basic school, Richmond Swanzy said, “Kokoben has a lot of challenges and the notable ones are the lack of classrooms, library, and toilet facilities and because of this, some students have stopped school and are attending schools elsewhere. With this intervention, we will be able to accommodate all of them.”

The District Director of Education for Atwima Kwanwoma, Joyce Ofori who spoke during the sod-cutting ceremony, stressed that the projects are in response to an appeal from her directorate.

“Three to four teachers occupy dual desks and teachers couldn't find a place to teach. So the directorate wrote to the MP to help the district.

"With the help of the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they came to inspect the situation, and realised we needed the classrooms,” she said. 

Meanwhile, the project is expected to be completed in 6-months.