Bono Region:Inhabitants Of Nkwadum Cry For Basic Amenities
In the rural community of Nkwadum, nestled in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region, residents face a daily struggle to access basic necessities for themselves and their children.
The absence of a school forces children to wait until they are 10 years old to begin their education, and even then, they must embark on a gruelling 7-kilometre journey to either Boffourkrom or Tainso. This same arduous journey is required for inhabitants seeking healthcare, as Nkwadum lacks a CHPS compound. There is also no electricity in the community.
These challenges underscore the urgent need for action to address the stark disparities in education, healthcare, and electricity access that plague the community.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, out of the municipality’s 129,820 households, 22,912, representing 17.6 percent, live in multidimensional poverty, further exacerbating the difficulties in accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and electricity.
Access to education and healthcare remains a pressing concern in certain areas of the municipality. One such community, Nkwadum, located 25 kilometres from the district capital Odumasi, is home to approximately 500 residents, predominantly farmers.
Unfortunately, parents are unable to enroll their children in school due to the absence of a local facility. This forces children to wait until they are 10 years old to start their education, and even then, they must travel a considerable distance of 7 kilometers to attend school in Boffourkrom or Tainso. Not all the children are able to endure this hardship.
Elvis Tubiri, a child of school going age said, “We are unable to attend school due to the long distance of the road. Furthermore, the road floods during the rainy season, making it impossible for us to go to school. The distances to Boffourkrom and Tainso are also quite far, which discourages us from attending school.”
A leader in the Nkwadum community, Agafega Asuaya, has spoken on the issue and appealed for the establishment of a school in the community.
“There are many of us living in this area, yet we lack a school, our children cannot walk long distances to access education. This is a major concern for us. Unlike in the past, when education was not prioritized, we now understand the importance of schooling, having suffered the consequences of not having had the opportunity to attend school ourselves. We have heard the government emphasize the need for universal education, and we are eager to ensure our children do not miss out. Therefore, we are therefore appealing to the government to establish a school in our community.”
The Assembly Member for Boffourkrom Electoral Area, Cletus Gaakung, also addressed the issue.
“ I am doing all I can for the area to get a school, CHPS Compound to help reduce the distance the inhabitants of Nkwadum have to travel to Boffourkrom to get these services .”
