Stray animals destroy school's farming project

Boahenkwaa (Ash.), June 8, GNA - Straying livestock have destroyed the demonstration farm established by the Boahenkwaa Basic School in the Atwima District for the dual purpose of, practical agricultural teaching and revenue generation. The farm, last year, won for the School an award at the District's Farmers Day celebration.

Mr Jim Ohemeng, Headteacher, told a meeting between the Atwima District Directorate of Education and the local community that, the refusal of the people to keep their animals in pens had become a major disincentive to the School's agricultural promotion efforts. "It is painful that the School's two hectare citrus and oil-palm plantation as well as plantain and pineapple farm are all now in ruins just because some individuals in the community refused to keep their animals properly" he said.

Mr Richard Owusu Agyemang, the District Community Participation Officer, said he was unhappy with the report and asked the community to show more interest in the activities of the School. He noted that creating the right environment for quality teaching and learning was a collective responsibility of the school, community and other stakeholders. Mr Owusu Agyemang said the situation where the community looked so removed from the School and appeared to be unconcerned about whatever was happening there gave cause to worry by all who cared to see the academic performance of the pupils raised.

Nana Akwasi Achampong, the Chief of the town, said firm measures would be taken to deal with those who let loose their animals in the community and promised that they would help fence the school's farming projects to ward off the animals.