Otumfuo Builds 600-Bed Girls’ Dormitory for Sefwi Wiawso Senior High School
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene of the Ashanti Kingdom, has made a significant contribution to educational infrastructure in the Western North Region by building a 600-bed girls’ dormitory for Sefwi Wiawso Senior High School (SEWASS).
Through the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, the Asantehene’s philanthropic arm, the three-storey facility was constructed at the school’s site in Sefwi Wiawso and officially handed over on 5 November 2025. The project involves modern amenities including washrooms on each floor, a sick bay, and an apartment for the housemistress. Architectural advisory and construction were provided by Architectural & Engineering Services Limited (AESL) and Attachy Construction Limited respectively.
The initiative forms part of the Asantehene’s continued commitment to supporting education across Ghana, with this dormitory particularly aimed at addressing the acute accommodation challenge for female students at SEWASS. With boarding infrastructure under pressure in many senior high schools, the provision of such a large-scale facility is expected to improve conditions, enhance safety and attract more girls to boarding enrollment.
The Western North traditional area publicly expressed gratitude. The Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, in remarks noted on the Manhyia Palace website, affirmed that the new girls’ dormitory would play a pivotal role in reducing infrastructure deficit at the school and enhancing educational opportunities for young women in the region.
The dormitory is not only a concrete structure but a symbol of expanded access. By enabling more female students to benefit from boarding in a safe, purpose-built environment, the project supports broader national goals of gender equality in education and female empowerment. The Asantehene stressed that education holds transformative power and pledged that the Foundation will continue partnering with stakeholders to deliver similar projects.
Community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. On social media, many Ghanaians praised the king’s philanthropy and how the building elevates the status of the school. One alumnus noted: “The design is more than a hotel, waaao.”
Experts believe the project could have a crowd-pulling effect. Better dormitory facilities are known to increase school enrollment, reduce drop-out rates among girls and improve academic outcomes. In Ghana’s context, where female boarding capacity has lagged demand, the addition of a 600-bed block is significant.
The construction underscores a growing role of traditional leadership and private philanthropy in supplementing state efforts in education infrastructure. The Asantehene’s involvement goes beyond mere funding: monitoring visits and quality assurance checks were built into the project timeline to ensure standards were met.
Looking ahead, the school and regional education directorate plan to fully utilize the dormitory in the academic year ahead, prioritising incoming female students and easing overcrowded houses. Operational logistics such as resident staff, maintenance regime and boarding fee policy are now under review to ensure the new facility is fully functional from day one.
As Ghana continues to expand its senior high school system and promote female education, such infrastructure investments are likely to have lasting impact. The Sefwi Wiawso dormitory stands as a tangible legacy of the Asantehene’s commitment to educational development and female student welfare in Ghana’s secondary schools.
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