Wesley Grammar Senior High School and several basic and junior high schools within the Ablekuma North constituency are set to benefit from a major furniture donation by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Ewurabena Aubynn.
The initiative forms part of the lawmakers efforts to address persistent classroom furniture shortages that continue to undermine effective teaching and learning.
The donation, scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2026, will include desks for basic and JHS pupils, as well as tables and chairs for teachers.
The intervention is expected to improve learning conditions across beneficiary schools, particularly in overcrowded classrooms where students are often forced to share desks or sit on bare floors.
Education authorities say the gesture comes at a critical time, as furniture deficits remain one of the most widespread challenges in Ghana’s public school system.
According to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education, the country still faces a national shortfall of over 1.7 million dual desks, while nearly 30 per cent of public basic schools operate with inadequate furniture.
In some urban schools, the desk-to-pupil ratio is as high as 1:3, far below the recommended standard of one desk per two pupils.
Within Ablekuma North, enrolment has grown steadily due to population expansion and increased access to education under the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) guranteed by the 1992 constitution over the past decades. Local education officials estimate that several schools in the constituency require hundreds of additional desks to meet minimum classroom standards.
At Wesley Grammar SHS, the only public second cycle school in the metropolis, rising student numbers have placed sustained pressure on existing facilities.
The MP’s initiative is therefore expected to help reduce overcrowding and improve classroom comfort, concentration, and academic performance.
Speaking ahead of the presentation, Madam Ewurabena Aubynn said the decision to support schools was informed by feedback from teachers, parents, and pupils about the daily challenges caused by poor classroom conditions.
“Education is the foundation of every strong society. When children lack basic furniture, it affects their health, confidence, and ability to learn. This donation is meant to support our schools and complement government’s efforts to improve education delivery,” she said.
She noted that while central government continues to invest in infrastructure through the GETFund and district assemblies, Members of Parliament also have a responsibility to provide targeted interventions that directly impact their communities.
Hon Ewurabena Aubynn appeal to all public and private agencies who can to lend their assistance to the community.
She also expressed gratitude to GETFUND for supporting the initiative.
The furniture project, she added, forms part of a broader education support agenda in the constituency, which includes advocacy for additional classroom blocks, rehabilitation of aging school structures, and improved access to learning resources.
Wesley Grammar serves learners from Ablekuma North and surrounding communities and has experienced rising enrolment over the years.
Nationally, senior high school enrolment has increased from about 308,000 in 2016 to over 1.3 million by 2024, according to the Ministry of Education. While access has expanded, infrastructure and furniture have not grown at the same pace, leaving many schools overstretched.
Education analysts say poor furniture conditions contribute to absenteeism, discomfort, and low classroom engagement. Research shows that students perform better in well-furnished classrooms and that improved learning environments are closely linked to better academic outcomes.
Parents and community leaders in Ablekuma North have praised the initiative, describing it as a practical response to a visible challenge in local schools. They have called for continued collaboration between government, legislators, private sector actors, and civil society to bridge the furniture gap nationwide.
As the constituency prepares for the donation on Monday, education officials say they will continue to assess needs across the metropolis and engage stakeholders for further support.
For many pupils, the expected desks and chairs represent a step toward a more dignified and effective learning environment.
By : Christian Kpesese
