Anloga Zion College Hit By Land Litigation

Mr. David Kukuia, the Headmaster of Zion College at Anloga in the Volta Region, has expressed concern about the school's land litigation involving rivalry clans, which is negatively affecting infrastructure expansion in the school.

'Land litigation has become a major threat to the existence of the school for the past five years. Attempts to settle the case out of court proved futile as the rivalry clans continue to farm on certain portions of the school land.

'The worst situation is when some of the opposing families agitate against sites for new projects,' Mr Kukuia stated at a durbar to climax the 80th Anniversary of Zion College at Anloga.

The 80th Anniversary is on the theme: 'Promoting Quality Education: The role of Stakeholders in moving Zion College Forward'.

The anniversary was under the patronage of the Awoamefia of Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III and the Presiding Bishop of the A.M.E Zion Church for Western West Africa Episcopal District, Right Reverend Dr. Hilliard Dogbe.

Mr. Kukuia called on the Anlo Traditional Council, the Keta Municipal Assembly, opinion leaders in the community and Assembly members to help find an amicable resolution to the land litigation, so that the school can co-exist with the community and ensure a congenial atmosphere for teaching and learning.

The Headmaster said Zion College has been surging through storms to secure an enabling academic work, in the face of inadequate school facilities and resources.

He expressed concern that a Parent Teacher Association classroom block started 15 years ago was still at the foundation stage, and the dining hall, which also serve as the only space for school gathering was not spacious enough to accommodate the large number of students.

He noted; 'One major hurdle that impedes effective teaching and learning is inadequate infrastructure and furniture. Some first year students are compelled to learn in uncompleted structures and under shades. In fact the provision of classrooms and furniture demands our urgent attention.'

Mr. Kukuia revealed that due to inadequate accommodation, some teachers turn down posting to the school…'Our boarding facilities are limited. In order to avoid congestion and its subsequent hazards, most first year students have to secure accommodation in town, the only alternative in the short term'.

The school currently has 1541 students comprising of 750 females and 791 males with 867 as boarders, with 95 teaching staff and 47 non-teaching staff.

Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the Chief Executive of Ghana TeleCommunications Chamber, the Guest Speaker, reminded students that their success both in their academic work and after school depended greatly on discipline.

He called for a radical educational system, which broadens the mindset of students where they will learn to be ambitious and visionary youth in their quest for a decent life with high levels of integrity with innovative ideas, will enable the country to leap forward out of misery, poverty and disease.

Mr. Ashighey also advised student to avoid cheating, drug abuse, hooliganism and sexual abuse as well as homosexuality, which he described as an abnormality.

Mrs. Joyce Eku Wilson- Tagoe, Chairperson of the Anniversary Planning Committee noted that 80 years was a long and significant milestone in any individual or institution's life and 'we can all imagine the difficult conditions that the very first students who entered New African University College faced 80 years ago'.

However, 'with commitment and dedication, Zion Collage still stands firm and continues its educational contribution to the training of men and women for the socio-economic and human resource development of our nation'.

GNA