At a time when many rural families are struggling to fund their children’s education, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sissala West, Mohammed Sukparu, has provided essential school supplies to 450 first-year senior high school students in his constituency.
The support package — which includes mattresses, chop boxes, buckets, and exercise books — is intended to ease the financial strain on parents as their children prepare to begin secondary education.
The items were distributed at a ceremony held in the district, where District Chief Executive Adams Fuseini Gbene represented the MP. He noted that the initiative was inspired by the economic difficulties faced by local families, many of whom rely solely on small-scale or seasonal farming.
“We know how difficult this period is for our parents. This support is meant to help our children begin school with dignity and confidence,” he said. “Education remains the key to transforming Sissala West, and no child should stay home because their parents cannot afford the basics.”
Beneficiary student Gloria Banjniberu, from Fielimua T.I. Ahmadiyya Basic School, who has gained admission to Lawra Senior High School, expressed gratitude for the assistance. She said the items would “lessen the financial pressure on our parents and help us settle into school life comfortably.”
The Sissala West District, located in Ghana’s Upper West Region, remains one of the country’s most deprived areas, where poverty and limited access to education continue to hinder youth development. The timing of school reopening often coincides with the pre-harvest season, when cash flow is low and farm produce is yet to be sold.
Many parents in the area face a difficult choice between investing in farm inputs or paying for their children’s education — a dilemma that underscores the importance of such community support programmes.
According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service, about 34% of households in northern Ghana live below the poverty line, compared to 12% in the south. Rural poverty has a direct impact on school attendance and dropout rates, especially among girls.
This is not the first time Mohammed Sukparu has extended educational support to his constituents. Since entering Parliament, he has championed education-focused interventions, including the distribution of learning materials and scholarships for brilliant but needy students.
Observers say such efforts complement the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, which has expanded access to education but left many families struggling with non-tuition expenses such as bedding, food, and transportation.
Local education advocates have welcomed the gesture, calling it a model of community-driven support that could be replicated by other MPs and district assemblies, especially in areas with high poverty rates.
Ghana’s Free SHS policy, introduced in 2017, has increased enrollment nationwide. However, many rural students continue to face logistical and financial challenges despite the policy’s benefits. A 2024 Ministry of Education report found that about 18% of first-year SHS students in the northern regions delayed enrollment due to lack of essential items like uniforms and mattresses.
Educational sociologist Dr. Angela Atobra notes that while such donations provide short-term relief, long-term development requires sustainable livelihood programmes and investment in rural education infrastructure.
“Community-based interventions like this are commendable,” she said, “but to sustain progress, we need policies that address the root causes of rural poverty and inequality.”
For the families of Sissala West, the MP’s support represents more than just material aid — it’s a sign of recognition and encouragement. As the new academic year begins, many parents say the initiative has rekindled their hope that education remains a viable path out of poverty.
While challenges persist, initiatives like this serve as a reminder that local leadership and social responsibility can make a tangible difference in closing Ghana’s educational inequality gap.
