School children at Tupaa , a farming community within the Ga South Municipality in the Greater Accra Region are at the mercy of Okada(motor) riders who have been taking advantage of them sexually in exchange of free ride to school .
The riders demand sex from the girls on their way to Obuom, a nearby town to attend Junior High School (JHS).
There is no JHS at Tupaa and the students have to cover a long distance before they get to Obuom. Many of the young girls in the area have been impregnated by the okada riders, dropping out of school as a result.
The Municipal Director of Education for the Ga South Municipality, Madam Margaret Frempong-Kore who narrated the depressing news to Atinka News during a visit to the school, noted that many of the students, after completing primary education are not able to complete Basic education as the distance to where they can get access to a JHS is very far. The girls are often sexually assaulted by the Okada riders, she added.
Compounding the problem is the fact that most parents are not able to cater for the transport fares of their wards, leaving them at the mercy of the Okada riders.
In a related development, students and teachers of Tupaa M/A Basic School located in the Ga South Municipal Assembly will now enjoy quality education as they have been provided with a fully furnished primary school building.
The school, which was established through community efforts and pupils studied under trees and sheds; anytime it rained because it was in terrible shape coupled with challenges such as lack of teachers, teaching and learning materials.
It is against this backdrop that Tigo, under its ‘Shelter 4 Education’ project provided a six- unit classroom block with a headmaster’s office, teachers common room and washroom . The company also made available school uniforms and learning materials.
At the handing over ceremony Thursday at Tupaa, Director of Corporate Communication and CSR at Tigo, Gifty Bingley said education remains an important priority and Tigo is committed to empowering communities by promoting educational opportunities that make positive difference in their lives.
She told Atinka news that Tigo has adopted the school and will always cater for their educational needs.
Headmaster of the school, Mr. Osman Kweku Eson said he was very delighted that the poor children can now feel at ease to learn.
He further appealed for a Kindergarten, an ICT Lab and teachers’ bungalow, adding that teachers travel over a four -mile long distance from Obuom to Tupaa to teach the children.
