Source: Baffo Kodom
The general security and well-being of students at Abease and Prang secondary schools are under serious threat due to an acute water shortage that has plagued the institutions. The crisis has made it difficult for school authorities to monitor students, particularly young girls, raising fears of increased teenage pregnancies and other social challenges.
When reporters visited Abease Senior High Day School around 2 p.m., the campus was nearly deserted, with only a few scout students engaged in training. Headmaster Mr. Samuel Donaldson Phorha explained that the school cannot rely on its boreholes to meet water needs, leaving both staff and students in a dire situation. He expressed concern about the future of the school if the crisis is not resolved.
District Chief Executive for Pru West, Hon. Agyapong Samuel, confirmed the severity of the water problem and assured that the government would intervene. He emphasized that the NDC administration, under former President John Dramani Mahama, had already invested in E-Block infrastructure and would not allow the schools to be jeopardized. He pledged that the government and district assembly would work together to provide potable water and address related challenges to improve learning and concentration.
The Paramount Chief of Abease Traditional Area, Obrempong Kru Takyi II, also weighed in, stressing that water is essential for human survival and urging the government to critically examine the Abease water system. Speaking from his palace, he noted that the Senior High Day School, which is expected to be converted into a boarding school in the near future, cannot function effectively without a reliable water supply. He expressed hope that the government would fulfill its promises to resolve the crisis.
Headmaster Phorha confirmed that the school currently relies on a single borehole constructed by an NGO, which is shared with the community on a rotational basis. He appealed to authorities, philanthropists, and concerned citizens to support the government in addressing the issue, noting that the school has over a hundred water closets that cannot be used without adequate water. He further highlighted that the lack of water compromises the security of students, especially girls, making it difficult to monitor and control their activities.
The water crisis at Abease and Prang schools has become a pressing concern for local leaders, school authorities, and the community, all of whom are calling for urgent intervention to safeguard education, health, and security in the area.
