Binaba Chief donates dual desks to Binaba Primary School to end furniture crisis

The Divisional Chief of Binaba in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region, Naba Godwin Asambilla Apabum III, has donated 104 dual desks to the Binaba Primary School to help address the school’s longstanding furniture shortage.

The desks were donated on behalf of the Binaba Traditional Council and funded from proceeds of last year’s ZIN-TASS YOUNG FESTIVAL.

The intervention is expected to ease the difficult learning conditions at the school, where some pupils had been forced to share desks designed for two, while others had to sit on the bare floor during lessons.

Speaking at a brief handing-over ceremony at the school, Naba Apabum described the situation as unacceptable and said inadequate furniture could negatively affect teaching and learning.

"As we all know, for some time now, our children have been struggling. Some sit three to a desk meant for two, some sit on the floor to learn. A child cannot learn well when he is not comfortable," he said.

The chief said his decision to intervene was driven by his responsibility to the children and the community, stressing the importance of education to the future development of Binaba.

"As Chief and father of this land, I could not sit and watch. Education is the best inheritance we can leave for our children. Our gold, our farms, our cattle will fade, but education will open doors for them far beyond Binaba," he added.

The District Chief Executive for Bawku West, Hon. James Ayamwego, who attended the ceremony, commended the chief for the gesture and acknowledged that government alone could not meet all the needs of communities.

He disclosed that the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, was procuring 2,000 dual desks for 2025 and 2026 to help address furniture shortages in schools across the district.

The District Director of Education for Bawku West, Mr Timothy Nasaal, also expressed appreciation to the traditional council and urged teachers and pupils to properly maintain the furniture.

Naba Apabum, while formally handing over the desks, prayed that they would improve the comfort and learning experience of the pupils.

"It is my prayer that these desks will bring comfort, dignity, and motivation to our children. May they sit well, write well, and learn well," he said.

He also called for a strong maintenance culture, urging pupils not to write on, damage or break the desks so that they could serve future generations.

The chief further tasked teachers and the School Management Committee with supervising the proper use of the furniture, while urging parents and residents to take ownership of the school.

"Let us all own this school. What affects the school affects the future of Binaba. When our children are educated, Binaba becomes stronger," he emphasized.

The ceremony was attended by the DCE, District Director of Education, traditional elders and Tindanas, the Assembly Member for Binaba, the Headteacher, teachers and pupils, as well as representatives of the SMC and PTA, parents and other community members.

The Headteacher, on behalf of the staff and pupils, expressed appreciation to Naba Apabum for the donation, saying the new desks would significantly improve the learning environment and contribute to better academic performance.