The Municipal Director of Education for Jomoro in Ghana’s Western Region, Edith Mary Hagan, has commended the Member of Parliament for the Jomoro Constituency, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, for supporting brilliant but needy students preparing to enter Senior High School (SHS).
Mrs. Hagan said the educational assistance was helping to reduce the financial difficulties faced by families whose children had secured admission to second-cycle institutions but lacked the resources to purchase essential items required for school.
She made the remarks during the sixth edition of the Annual Scholarship Initiative organised by the MP, which has supported more than 1,000 brilliant but needy SHS students from 111 public and private schools across the Jomoro Constituency in 2026 alone. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The initiative is designed to assist students transitioning from basic education into various second-cycle institutions by providing some of the materials needed for their successful preparation and reporting to school.
The intervention comes at a time when many families face financial pressure during the SHS placement season. Beyond school fees and transportation, parents and guardians are often required to provide items such as mattresses, trunks, chop boxes, mosquito nets, bedding, exercise books and other personal effects.
September Challenges for Families
Mrs. Hagan explained that September is often a difficult period for families as newly placed SHS students prepare to begin a new chapter in their education.
“As the director, I know what happens every September. A child gets SHS placement, very brilliant, but the parents start crying: Where can I get money for a mattress and trunk?” she said.
According to the Municipal Director, some students report to school with inadequate bedding and personal belongings because their parents cannot afford the required items. In some cases, students reportedly carry their belongings in sacks, while others lack basic necessities such as chop boxes and mosquito nets.
She said the situation could expose students to difficult living conditions and, in some instances, theft or discomfort during their early days in school.
Mrs. Hagan added that the financial burden sometimes prevents brilliant but needy students from taking up their placements, forcing them to remain at home despite having the academic opportunity to continue their education.
She described the scholarship package as a practical intervention that helps address these immediate barriers and gives beneficiaries a more dignified start to their SHS journey.
“Hon. MP, what you have done today has removed the shame and the barrier. You have given thousands of children dignity to enter SHS like any other child,” she stated. Corrections Policy
She further noted that the initiative went beyond the distribution of educational items because it helped students prepare for the demands of second-cycle education.
“You have told them to go and learn. You have prepared them. This is practical scholarship. This is sponsorship that touches the ground,” Mrs. Hagan added.
Education as a Long-Term Investment
The Municipal Director encouraged stakeholders to view educational support as an investment with benefits that could extend beyond the immediate beneficiaries.
She said assisting young people to remain in school could contribute to the development of professionals, leaders and responsible citizens who would eventually serve their communities.
“The child you treat today may become the doctor who would treat you tomorrow or the MP who would take over from you,” she said.
Mrs. Hagan also emphasised that education remains an investment whose impact can last a lifetime, particularly when students are given the resources and encouragement needed to complete their studies. Editorial Standards
Students Urged to Protect Scholarship Items
The Education Director urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the items they had received and use them for their intended purposes.
She cautioned the students against damaging or misusing the materials and encouraged them to remain disciplined, respectful and committed to their academic work.
“Your mattress is for sleeping and learning, not for misbehaving. Your exercise books are to write notes, not to be torn. Your mosquito nets are to protect you and help you learn,” she told the students.
She advised the beneficiaries to work hard, respect their teachers and remain connected to their families and communities as they pursue their education.
Mrs. Hagan also challenged the students to extend similar support to others when they become successful.
“One day, when God blesses you, come back and also give a mattress to a needy student,” she urged.
Call for Monitoring of Beneficiaries
Mrs. Hagan further proposed collaboration between the MP’s office and the Jomoro Municipal Education Directorate to monitor the academic progress of students who benefit from the scholarship programme.
She said tracking the beneficiaries over time would help stakeholders assess the long-term impact of the intervention and determine whether the support was contributing to improved educational outcomes. Newscard
“Let the Education Directorate help you track the progress of these students. Continue this. We want to know in three years’ time how many of them completed SHS and passed WASSCE. This would be the success story,” she said.
Such monitoring, she explained, could provide useful information on students’ retention, academic performance, completion rates and transition into further education or employment.
Traditional Council Commends the Initiative
The President of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Kwasi Armachie III, also commended Madam Affo-Toffey for her contribution to development in the Jomoro area.
He said traditional leaders were pleased with the projects and interventions being introduced in communities, particularly those focused on education.
Awulae Kwasi Armachie III described the MP’s efforts as an example of leadership and challenged anyone seeking to contest her to be prepared to match or exceed her contribution to the constituency.
In response, Madam Affo-Toffey assured residents of her continued commitment to supporting the people of Jomoro.
She disclosed that several educational projects had been completed and indicated that more projects would soon be commissioned for the benefit of residents.
The MP also appealed to constituents to continue supporting her efforts, saying cooperation from the people would be important in enabling her to deliver further development initiatives.
The scholarship programme, meanwhile, has renewed attention on the role of community-led educational support in helping students overcome financial barriers and take advantage of opportunities available through Ghana’s second-cycle education system.