The Member of Parliament for Wassa Amenfi Central, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has held an extensive stakeholder engagement with teachers, headmasters, district education officials, party executives, and the District Chief Executive as part of efforts to strengthen education and development in the constituency.
The meeting, held at Agona Wasa in the Western Region, sought to formally introduce the MP to education stakeholders and provide a platform for teachers to directly share their challenges with leadership.
According to Hon. Gyan Cudjoe, acknowledging communities is central to effective leadership.
“Anytime you visit a community, you must acknowledge the people. It shows appreciation and creates a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for development,” she stated.
She explained that while she had previously engaged chiefs, queen mothers, elders, and various communities, this marked her first formal interaction with teachers since assuming office.
“I realised that I had not officially met our teachers, and that is why I arranged this meeting. Education cannot move forward without you,” she said.
Education: A Personal Passion
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe shared her personal educational journey, describing it as one marked by hardship and sacrifice. She recounted supporting her family through trading, farming, fishing, and basket weaving before being allowed to attend school, often arriving late.
“My education journey was painful and full of struggle. I had to sell, fetch firewood, harvest cassava, and work with my parents before I could go to school,” she narrated.
Despite these challenges, she stressed that her difficulties were not due to a lack of ability.
“I was not dull in school. The problem was not intelligence, but lack of support,” she said, adding that earlier access to higher education would have significantly changed her life.
She encouraged teachers to pursue continuous professional and academic development.
“When you become a teacher, it does not end there. If you have not done your Master’s or PhD, you can still do it. Teachers are the foundation of our children’s future,” she added.
Teachers as Nation Builders
The MP described teachers as the most underrated yet most influential drivers of national development.
“There is no doctor, lawyer, president, MP, or trader without a teacher. Teachers make people great, yet they are the most underrated,” she emphasised.
She urged teachers to openly raise issues such as delayed salaries, inadequate infrastructure, and poor motivation.
“Tell us your problems. Let the MP hear, let the DCE hear, and let everyone here hear, so we can find solutions together,” she appealed.
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe also acknowledged perceptions of Amenfi Central as deprived and inaccessible, which often discourage teachers from accepting postings.
“It pains me when people say Amenfi Central is not accessible. That perception must change, and education is the key,” she noted.
STEM Education, NGOs, and Infrastructure
The MP revealed that the engagement was inspired by Madam Eunice Nyakoaa, who introduced STEM education and innovative teaching approaches centred on understanding children’s learning styles.
“Every child learns differently, and we must understand their mindset to teach them well,” she explained.
She announced that an international NGO from Germany is planning to support the constituency by constructing schools in deprived communities and establishing ultramodern fee-paying institutions.
“They want to build schools where children are currently learning under trees and in poor structures, free of charge,” she revealed.
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe further disclosed plans to establish the first university in the constituency.
“I have already acquired 20 acres of land along the Kumasi Road. For the first time, Wassa Amenfi Central will have a university,” she announced.
Financial Support for Community Teachers
Highlighting her commitment, the MP spoke about the Joana Gyan Cudjoe Care Programme, which supports community teachers not on the government payroll.
“Some teachers are teaching without salaries and have nobody to speak for them. I cannot sit and watch that happen,” she said.
She disclosed that over 35 schools are benefiting, with teachers receiving monthly allowances ranging between 5 million and 15 million old cedis.
“Every month, I spend about GH¢112,000 supporting community teachers. In four months, the amount is close to GH¢4.7 billion old cedis,” she revealed, adding that the investment underscores her commitment to education.
Support for Sports and Examinations
Hon. Gyan Cudjoe also announced interventions to support sports and academic activities across the constituency.
“Every school in Amenfi Central—whether NPP, NDC, private, or public—will receive footballs and jerseys. Sports should unite us, not divide us,” she said.
She disclosed that over 400 footballs and 400 sets of jerseys have been procured for more than 140 schools.
In addition, she announced a GH¢500 million old cedis donation to the District Education Office.
“This support will cover BECE transportation, examinations, fuel, and emergency educational needs for years to come,” she stated.
Call for Unity and Development
The MP concluded by calling for unity and collaboration among stakeholders.
“Wisdom is not in one person’s brain. That is why we must talk and work together,” she said.
She urged teachers to guide students towards professional careers aligned with the area’s resources.
“We farm and mine, yet we have no mining engineers, geophysicists, or land surveyors from Amenfi Central. This must change,” she stressed.
Reaffirming her commitment, Hon. Gyan Cudjoe concluded:
“I am with you in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Together, we will change the story of Wassa Amenfi Central.”
Story by: Fati Ali Wehyemeh
