In a significant milestone toward addressing infrastructure challenges in the education sector, the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West Constituency, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has renovated the Dansoman Special School at Tunga with a state-of-the-art facility.
The upgraded facility underscores the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) commitment to fostering inclusive education and improving resources for children with special needs.
At a brief ceremony on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Madam Owusu-Ekuful inaugurated the renovated facility, which includes three classrooms, a staff common room, a storeroom, and toilet and urinal facilities for both males and females.
The compound and classrooms feature nonslip, paved flooring designed to address the challenges previously faced by the children, who had been cramped into a single room without adequate facilities.
Speaking to journalists at the ceremony, Madam Owusu-Ekuful highlighted the difficulties the schoolchildren had endured, which motivated her to address their needs and create a more conducive learning environment.
“When I became the Member of Parliament in 2013, I lobbied for this facility to be built for them, but it was very basic. The grounds were not paved, there were open gutters, and when it rained, water from the main school compound flowed here because this area is low-lying. These are children with special needs, some of them walk with difficulty, and many are intellectually challenged, so it was a big problem.
“Toilet facilities were in a mess, and the classroom floors were badly screeded and so it was all coming off. When I visited here last year, I decided that we should do something about it. I was very concerned,” she explained.
Madam Owusu-Ekuful added, “Now when it rains, this place doesn’t flood, the children can learn with ease and move around without slipping. Special ramps have also been constructed for those who need them. I am very happy we have been able to achieve this, and the children can now learn in comfort.”
The MP further emphasized her commitment to ensuring transformative changes in the education sector within her constituency and reiterated her dedication to inclusive education, ensuring that no child is left behind.
“They have put other needs before me, and I will continue to support them as I’ve done over the years. We believe in inclusive education. The fact that these children have special needs doesn’t mean they should learn in horrible conditions. We can make their lives a little bit more comfortable, and I’m glad we’ve been able to do this.”
Madam Owusu-Ekuful acknowledged the special talents and intelligence of the children, stressing that they deserve to be equipped with every resource necessary to explore their potential because, as she stated, “Disability is not inability.”
The Principal of the Dansoman Special School, Charity Lariba Daboya, commended the MP for her unwavering commitment to education and expressed gratitude for the timely intervention, noting that the previous conditions negatively impacted school enrollment and punctuality.
She said the refurbished facility would significantly enhance teaching and learning and appealed to the MP, philanthropists, and corporate entities to help upgrade the school into a boarding facility.
