Parents protest sale of Sunyani school land

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Ridge Experimental Cluster of Schools in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, has threatened to hit the principal streets of the town with their wards in protest against the sale of school land to a private developer to build hostels.

According to the parents, they are prepared to face any private developer who steps on the school land to erect or build anything.

In a peaceful protest at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to express their displeasure on the situation, the parents alleged that about two years ago there was an attempt to move the school to a different place with the aim of giving the land to a private developer for development, but they [PTA] resisted the attempt and decided to fence the school.

They continued that when they started erecting the wall they were asked to stop by some political figures in the region.

The disgruntled group added that on Wednesday March 9, 2022 they had letters inviting them to an emergency meeting on Thursday, March 10, 2022 and at the meeting, they were told a portion of the school land has been sold to one Rashid Kolanbig who is believed to be Bono Regional Coordinator for the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), to build hostels.

The parents who gathered at the RCC believe the move is an attempt by the political figures to gradually move the school from its current location and for that matter will not allow such thing to happen.

Ridge Experimental Cluster of Schools A-D with each having Creche, Nursery and KG was built in 1960 and currently has over 2,000 student population.

In an interview, the PTA Chairman, Elder C.K. Gyamfi revealed that initially the school has about 258.99 hectors of land but has lost part due to encroachment.

According to Mr Gyamfi, the said portion, if allowed to be developed by the private company, the C and D classroom blocks would have to be demolished to pave way for the said project. This, he said, they will not sit and watch happen, knowing how important education is to the development of the nation.

Mr. Gyamfi appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo to intervene and stop the developer else they will take the law into their own hands and stop him from building on the school land.

Meanwhile, Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene addressing the aggrieved parents, noted she will consult the various stakeholders and ensure that the land is protected.