It was all joy as The Multimedia Group Limited joined MTN Foundation in handing over a six-unit classroom block and teacher’s bungalow to residents of Nhyiaeso in the Asante Akim North district.

The project executed at cost of ¢500,000 followed a JoyNews Agenda report highlighting the deplorable and life-threatening nature of classrooms in that school.

The report filed by Ohemeng Tawiah highlighted the story of how girls who commuted several kilometers to attend Junior High school in nearby Ananekrom were sexually abused by nomadic herdsmen.

MTN Ghana Foundation has changed that story today as they handed over the newly constructed classrooms to the community.

The provision of this modern edifice will not only make teaching and learning conducive but also make schooling attractive in this farming community and seven others.

The communities are Depot, Pewodie, Wenamda  and Abotanso. Others include Aboagyekrom, Jerusalem, Abrade and Mamprusi.

It will ease the burden on students like Natasha Asoella who had to walk over four hours daily to access JHS education in Ananekrom, several kilometers away.

"We were compelled to walk several kilometers to Ananekrom to attend  JHS. It was always dangerous to ply that route due to the presence of the nomadic herdsmen.

The herdsmen raped some of the girls on their way to school. We were exposed to a lot of danger trekking four-hours to school daily and sometimes by the time you get to school lessons had already begun," Natasha said recounts the ordeal of children before the construction of the new school.

It also means the era of being exposed to poisonous snakes are over and class hours will no longer be determined by the weather condition.

Excitement Galore

District Director of Education for Asante Akim North, Mildred Ama Kwakye Agyapong could not hide her joy as MTN Foundation handed over keys to the classrooms.

"Our been here today is to witness a wonderful occasion which was probably conceived, planned, breath lives into and eventually navigated to reality; hence the coming into being the building of a beautiful 6-unit classroom block, well furnished with tables and chairs and above all, teachers bungalow attached to it for the people of Nhyiaeso and its adjoining communities."

She was full of praise to MTN Ghana, Multimedia Group and it's investigative journalist, Ohemeng Tawiah.

"I would like to thank MTN Ghana for coming to the aid of the people of Nhyiaeso by saving the lives of the people from the use of dilapidated structure which was on the verge of collapse and replacing it with a long lasting one.

"Let me also admonish the good work done by the Multimedia Group, especially Mr. Ohemeng Tawiah of Adom TV fame who brought the plight of the people to the general public which has made the building of the school a reality."    

It was all joy when the students were allowed into their new learning environment.

This is the first time they are being introduced to decent facilities like this in their entire lives.

"With the old structure, we have to end lessons anytime it threatened to rain. Reptiles such as poisonous snakes used to visit us. But with the new building, all these challenges would be over," Peter Kanga, School prefect insisted.

For MTN Ghana, the facility will boost enrolment, increase retention of students in school, and bring hope to over 356 pupils and teachers of Nhyiaeso.

Corporate Services Executive, Sam Koranteng said the facility will bring new hope and relief to the 350 students and their teachers.

"The classroom have sufficient space per child; significantly reducing overcrowding in the existing classrooms. It will not only help to reducing absenteeism on the part of both pupils and teachers but also eliminate the long travel by pupils to assess education, prevent rape and save them from harsh weather conditions," Mr. Koranteng added.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Multimedia Group's Kumasi Unit, Jim Aglah who represented the board of the company has commended MTN Foundation for the project.

"From the entire management and staff of the Multimedia Group, we are here to say thank you to MTN Ghana for hearing our voice and heeding the cries of the students of this community."