The Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Blay Nyameke Armah, has unveiled a GH₵10 million education fund aimed at supporting brilliant but financially challenged students in the constituency. This historic initiative—the first since Sekondi constituency’s creation—seeks to tackle the rising issue of school dropouts by easing the financial burden on families.
The fund will offer scholarships and educational assistance to ensure that no child is left behind due to poverty. According to recent statistics from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Education Directorate, Sekondi ranks second in school dropouts and truancy, trailing only Kojokrom. Economic hardship has been identified as a major cause, forcing many children to leave school and engage in street trading for survival.
Blay Armah Nyameke, who had already started distributing free educational materials prior to winning his seat in 2024, emphasized the importance of the initiative at the launch event, themed “Investing in Our Future One Mind at a Time.” He shared personal stories of friends who left school because their families couldn’t afford the cost, saying those memories inspired him to act.
“This fund reflects our deep commitment to education,” he stressed. “It transcends politics. Every qualified child in Sekondi, regardless of background or political affiliation, will benefit.”
To ensure fairness, the fund will be administered by an independent, non-partisan committee tasked with reviewing applications and disbursing funds transparently.
Community leaders have welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Peter Boampong, Presiding Member and Assembly Member for Adiembra, described the fund as a “lifeline” for struggling families, saying it eases the constant pressure on assembly members to assist with school fees.
“The fund couldn’t have come at a better time,” Peter Boampong noted. “It offers real hope and relieves half of our burdens.”
To guarantee sustainability, Metropolitan Chief Executive, Lawyer Fredrick Faidoo, proposed that part of the MP’s Common Fund be dedicated to the education initiative. He also encouraged other MPs in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis to adopt similar measures, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to address the dropout crisis.
