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More Than Teaching: Suhum and Ayensuano Teachers Shoulder Rising Social Burdens.

Published on June 2 2025

Introduction
In a modest classroom in Suhum, Madam Abena Yeboah’s day begins not with numbers or textbooks, but with wiping away tears, calming emotional outbursts, and looking out for signs of neglect among her students.
“I trained to teach mathematics,” she says with a quiet sigh. “But now, my mornings are spent comforting hungry children and addressing challenges that go far beyond the classroom syllabus.”

Across Ghana’s Eastern Region, in rural districts like Suhum and Ayensuano, teachers are carrying more than chalk and textbooks. They are increasingly stepping in as caregivers, counselors, and providers. As parental involvement fades, the classroom has become a refuge for children left behind by poverty, migration, and fractured family structures.

Disappearing Parents, Disconnected Homes
For many families, survival has become the top priority. Economic hardship forces parents to focus on feeding their children, often at the expense of their educational involvement. Rural-urban migration has also seen many children left in the care of elderly grandparents or relatives, some of whom are too frail or illiterate to support schoolwork.
“I want to help my children with school,” says Akua Mensima, a single mother in Ayensuano, “but I leave home before sunrise to sell at the market and return after dark. If I don’t work, we don’t eat.”
In communities where both time and resources are stretched thin, the responsibility to raise and mold children is gradually shifting from the family to the teacher.

Burnout in the Classroom
For educators like Mr. Kwame Mensah, the changes are overwhelming.
“It used to be a partnership,” he says. “Parents cared. They came to meetings. Now, we’re expected to handle everything, from feeding hungry students to addressing trauma from unstable homes. And then somehow still teach.”
The pressure is mounting. Teachers are increasingly exhausted and emotionally drained. The demands of Ghana’s new Standard-Based Curriculum, which requires detailed planning and delivery, are often sidelined by the immediate social and emotional needs of their students.
Classroom time is now divided between education and crisis management, leaving learning outcomes hanging in the balance.

A Ray of Hope
Despite the bleak picture, some changes are beginning to take root. Through targeted interventions such as Savana Signatures’ “Rural Youth in Ghana Catching up on Education” project, communities are slowly beginning to re-engage with schools.
The project has conducted 45 community discussions involving over 850 parents and supported the formation of five Child Protection Committees. Since its implementation, teachers in targeted schools report increased parental presence and a notable reduction in classroom stress.
“We didn’t realize how our absence was affecting our children,” one parent confessed after a sensitisation session. “Now, I try to attend meetings and check on their homework. It’s a small start, but it matters.”

Rebuilding the Bridge
Education stakeholders are calling for stronger community-school partnerships. Suggestions include establishing active Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), organising family engagement days at schools, creating mentorship programmes for young or single parents and hosting public awareness campaigns to highlight the role of parents in education
“This isn’t about pointing fingers,” says a local education officer. “It’s about bringing parents back into the picture. Teachers can’t raise these children alone.”

Beyond the Curriculum
As the day winds down in Ayensuano, Madam Abena finishes her lesson notes. Today, she has fed a student who hadn’t eaten in two days, comforted another with visible signs of neglect, and settled a dispute between siblings, all before starting her class.
“I love teaching,” she says. “But I can’t keep doing everything. No teacher can.”
Her voice, like that of many others, is not one of anger, but of quiet desperation. Because when the bell rings in Suhum and Ayensuano, it doesn’t just summon children to class, it calls an entire community to action.

By: Prince Kwame Tamakloe/Ralf – Savana Signatures

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Hon.Hassan Tampuli hands over dining hall, Girls’ Dormitory facility to management of Gushegu SHS

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Published by Inusah Dondaliya

Date: 15th January

Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Hon. Lawyer Sulemana Alhassan Tampuli, has handed over two key educational facilities, a Dining Hall facility, and Girls’ Dormitory block to management of Gushegu Senior High School following successful completion of the projects.

The commissioning of the projects which took place on Wednesday, 14th January 2026 at the Gushegu SHS, aims to address infrastructural challenges faced the school which serve as a threat to learning environment of the students on campus.

The intervention by the MP became necessary when the Girls’ Dormitory block was destroyed by rainstorm, compelling them to pitch camp at the Dining Hall as temporal place of abode on campus, while also resorting to eating outside the dining hall due to infrastructural deficit.

This follows the MP’s initiative to rebuild the dinning hall too after it was also knocked down by a wind storm.

Addressing the students, the MP said ” I’m here to do two-in-one thing, because the dining hall that we had before was completely knocked down, it was nothing to write home about. So we have to rebuild the dinning hall entirely.Right from the scratch, we pulled all down and we raised it from the ground all the way to where it is right now today. Just as we were about to hand over the dinning hall, we had a disaster that struck the Girls’ Dormitory. So the girls have to be moved to the dining hall and the dining hall became the girls’ Dormitory and you don’t have have a dining hall presently.So you have been eating your meals outside.And that is not the appropriate thing.When I went to Tamasco I spent 5 years in Tamasco, I never for once ate outside so I don’t see why my lovely students will be eating outside”.

He further stated that “So I have to take quick steps to make sure that you go back into the dinning hall to secure your safety.Otherwise when it is raining, you are in the rains to eat, that is not proper. We owe you that responsibility. So as you are moving back to the your Dormitories you be freeing up the dinning hall for its appropriate use. So we are not just handing over the Girls’ Dormitory but we are also handing over the dinning hall to the school. So it is a two-in-one exercise we are undertaking today”.

At a short ceremony to hand over the projects to the school, Hon. Alhassan Tampuli reiterated his unflinching commitment to improving the infrastructure base of the school. While also with immediate effect donated 100 bags of cement, aimed at complementing the construction of the school’s fence wall as clear manifestation of his drive to develop the school most important solving its infrastructural issues.

On behalf of the students, the Girls’ Prefect of the school, in her speech heaped praises on the MP, conveying a profound gratitude to him for his intervention to mitigate their plight although she further asks for more interventions like Oliver Twist, as they are still in dire need of educational facilities.

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Continuing Hon.Murtala’s Legacy: Razak Golden appeals to President for appointment opportunity to Tamale Central MP

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Published by Inusah Dondaliya

Date: 15th January, 2026.

Tamale Central Communications Officer for the NDC, Umar Abdul Razak Golden, on behalf of the Constituents is appealing to President John Mahama to consider giving appointment to the Current Member of Parliament of the area, Prof. Seidu Mahama Alidu in honor of the Late MP, Hon.Murtala Ibrahim Mohammed, who passed on in a tragic helicopter crash last year.

Mr. Umar Abdul Razak Golden is appealing for appointment opportunity to the MP with a capacity that can deepen the representation and development of the Constituency.

In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday night, the Tamale Central Communications Officer highlights immense contributions made by the late MP to develop the area through dedicated and selfless service to the people, describing his passing as significant loss not only to the Constituents but the nation at large.

Following the loss of the late MP, Mr. Razak Golden, noted that appointing Prof. Seidu Alidu would be a befitting tribute and a prudent step towards continuing his legacy in the Constituency.

“we believe that appointing (Prof. Seidu Mahama Alidu) who has demonstrated commitment and dedication, would be a fitting tribute and a prudent step towards continuing his legacy”.

His statement also said that “We believe that an appointment at this juncture would not only honor Dr. Murtala Muhammed’s memory but also bolster the ongoing development initiatives in Tamale Central. It would ensure stability, continuity, and sustained progress in our beloved constituency”.

Below is the full statement

APPEAL FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CURRENT MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR TAMALE CENTRAL IN HONOR OF THE LATE DR. IBRAHIM MURTALA MUHAMMAD

I am writing on behalf of the constituents of Tamale Central to humbly request your consideration in appointing our current Member of Parliament, (Prof. Seidu Mahama Alidu ) to serve in a capacity that will deepen the representation and development of our constituency.

Your EXCELLENCY
As you are aware, Dr. Murtala Muhammed, our esteemed Member of Parliament, dedicated his life to serving Ghana and the people of Tamale Central. His untimely passing is a significant loss to our community and the nation at large. In recognition of his tireless efforts and vision for development, we believe that appointing (Prof. Seidu Mahama Alidu) who has demonstrated commitment and dedication, would be a fitting tribute and a prudent step towards continuing his legacy.

We believe that an appointment at this juncture would not only honor Dr. Murtala Muhammed’s memory but also bolster the ongoing development initiatives in Tamale Central. It would ensure stability, continuity, and sustained progress in our beloved constituency.

We kindly appeal to your compassionate and visionary leadership to consider this request favorably. Your support would greatly motivate our community and reinforce our collective dedication to Ghana’s progress. Thank you.
Long live the National Democratic Congress long live Ghana our beloved country.

Sign :
Umar Abdul Razak Golden Boy
Communication officer TAMALE CENTRAL

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LIFE AFTER SPORTS/ NRFA GIRLS U-15 GALA EXTOLS THE VIRTUE OF GIRL CHILD EDUCATION

Tamale witnessed an inspiring celebration of youth football as Old Buddies/Life After Sports, in collaboration with the Northern Regional Football Association (NRFA), organized U-15 Girls Gala Matches to promote girls’ participation in sports. The two-day event kicked off on Friday, 2nd January 2026, and brought together nine vibrant female teams from across the region.
Participating teams included: Kanshegu Smart Ladies, Talented Ladies, Rising Sporting Club, Northern Angels, Din-Nani Ladies, Dalun Simli Ladies, Vision Ladies, Starlet Strikers and Tamale Future Ladies

After intense competition through the group stages and semi-finals, Kanshegu Smart Ladies and Talented Ladies made it to the finals. The final match lived up to expectations, ending in a dramatic penalty shootout, where Talented Ladies clinched the victory and were crowned champions.

In recognition of the teams’ efforts, Old Buddies/Life After Sports awarded:
Two sets of jerseys to the finalists
Silver medals to the runners-up
Gold medals and a trophy to the winners

Individual excellence was also celebrated with awards for: Best Player, Goal Queen, Best Goalkeeper

Present at the ceremony was the Chairman of NRFA, Alhaji Abu Hassan Rhyzo, who commended Old Buddies for their commitment to youth development through football. He promised to inscribe the name “Life After Sports” in the RFA’s special book of honor and called on other organizations to emulate such impactful initiatives.

Representing Life After Sports, Ali Alhassan encouraged the young players to blend sports with education, avoid drugs, and support their families. He further appealed to the NRFA Chairman to consider the inclusion of the group members in future GFA coaching license programs.

This initiative not only nurtures football talent but also reinforces the importance of discipline, education, and community support among the youth.

Story by Musah Abdul-Raheem

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