Crumbling walls of Okomdom M/A JHS plead for help to save dreams

Deep in the North West Region, in the municipality of Wiawso, lies Okomdom, a community that pulses with the quiet rhythm of rural life. At its center is Okomdom M/A Junior High School (JHS), a school that has stood the test of time but now stands as a shadow of its former self.

Once a vibrant center of learning, the school now struggles with the harsh reality of neglect, its walls whispering stories of a promising past and a perilous future.

A time to travel

The entrance to Okomdom M/A JHS is flanked by worn pillars that have seen better days. As you walk around the school grounds, it’s easy to picture the scene from decades past: children in crisp uniforms, their voices blending into a lively chorus as they move between classrooms. But today, the once-thriving corridors echo only with the quiet footsteps of the few remaining students, the vibrancy replaced by an air of desolation.

Edith Nketsia, a former student turned teacher, stands next to one of the collapsing classroom blocks, her eyes reflecting a mixture of nostalgia and sadness. “Twenty years ago, this school was full of life,” she says, her voice tinged with emotion. “It was a privilege to be here, but now… look at this.”

She gestured to the building with its cracked walls, peeling paint and broken windows. The roof sags under the weight of neglect, threatening to collapse at any moment. “This used to be a two-course school, A and B,” explains Edith, “but deterioration forced us to combine the streams. Now, we barely have enough students to fill a class.”

The struggles within

Inside the classrooms, the scene is just as grim. The wooden desks, worn and battered, are crammed together, leaving little room for the students who crowd inside. The walls are bare except for some faded posters sticking to the plaster. The air is filled with the scent of dampness, a reminder of the building’s fragile state.

Manso Adjei, a teacher at the school, shakes his head as he surveys the room. “We face so many challenges here,” he says. “The canteen is in such a bad condition that students are eating in their classrooms. We don’t even have proper benches for him to sit on. And the toilets… are barely functional. It’s not a conducive environment for learning, but we have no choice.”

Manso points to another pressing issue, the lack of a primary school to feed JHS. “In the beginning, Okomdom M/A JHS was a two-course school,” he says. “But without a primary school, we have to receive students from other schools. Often these students come in with low school performance and we have to accept them just to keep the school running.”

In the corner of the classroom, a young girl named Abena quietly shares her thoughts. “I love coming to school, but sometimes it’s hard,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “There aren’t enough books and the building scares me when it rains. I just want to study in a safe place.”

Hope waning, determination rising

Despite the overwhelming challenges, there is a glimmer of hope amid the ruins. Edith and other alumni of the school took it upon themselves to rally support. They held fundraisers, reached out to old students, and even managed a few minor renovations. But these efforts, while laudable, are not enough to save the school.

“We started mobilizing,” says Edith, a determined expression on her face. “We have reached out to those who have studied here, asking them to help us. But what we need is a complete overhaul for a new building, a primary school and the resources to give these children the education they deserve.”

Students also keep hope. Kwame, another student, dreams of becoming a teacher one day. “I want to help my community,” he says, “but I’m worried that by the time I’m old enough, there won’t be any school left.”

A call to action

Okomdom M/A JHS is more than a school; it is the heart of the community. It has nurtured generations of students, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions to society. But without intervention, this institution will fade into obscurity, taking with it the dreams of countless children.

The survival of the school depends on the support of the government, corporate entities, traditional leaders and individuals willing to invest in the future of these students. The current state of the school is a stark reminder of the challenges facing rural education in Ghana, but it is also a call to action, an urgent plea for help.

As Edith, Manso and the students of Okomdom M/A JHS continue their daily struggles, they do so with the hope that their voices will be heard. They dream of a day when the school will once again thrive, its classrooms filled with the sounds of learning, its walls strong and secure.

The future of Okomdom M/A JHS is in the hands of those who are willing to listen, act and give these children the chance they deserve. The echoes of its past cry out, asking us to rebuild, renew and restore hope.

The story of Okomdom M/A JHS is not just about a school in need; it’s about the resilience of a community and the enduring spirit of its people. It is about the power of education to transform lives and the responsibility we all share to ensure that this transformation continues.

Let us answer the call, not only with words, but also with action. Together, we can rebuild Okomdom M/A JHS and ensure a brighter future for the children who call it home.

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