GETFund, Saka Homes begin dormitory project at Achimota SHS
Construction of a 250-bed dormitory block with a courtyard at Achimota Senior High School (SHS) in Accra has commenced following a sod-cutting ceremony to expand student accommodation and improve living conditions on campus.
The facility, sponsored by Saka Homes Limited under the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Education Financing and Partnership Initiative (EFPI), will include dormitories, housemasters’ accommodation, courtyards, a common room, a chop box room, washrooms and landscaped lawns.
The project is expected to provide additional accommodation for the school’s growing student population and enhance the overall campus environment.
Speaking at the ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the government was intensifying efforts to address infrastructure deficits in senior high schools to support the implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
He disclosed that government was awaiting the commencement certificate to begin procurement processes for a US$256 million programme aimed at expanding secondary education infrastructure across the country.
The programme, he said, would finance the construction of 10 new senior high schools and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, as well as four model district secondary schools in underserved areas without adequate second-cycle educational facilities.
Mr Iddrisu further directed the GETFund to allocate a minimum of GH¢250 million in its 2027 funding formula towards expanding classroom and dormitory infrastructure in selected Category A senior high schools.
He explained that the intervention had become necessary due to the pressure placed on existing facilities by increasing enrolment under the Free SHS policy.
The Administrator of GETFund, Mr Paul Adjei, described the project as an example of the role public-private partnerships could play in improving education infrastructure.
He commended the Managing Director of Saka Homes Limited for supporting his alma mater, describing the gesture as an example that other alumni and corporate organisations could emulate.
Mr Adjei said the EFPI was established to mobilise additional resources, attract private sector investment and encourage philanthropic support to complement government’s education financing efforts.
He assured that GETFund would continue investing in critical infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, lecture theatres and student accommodation, to create safe and conducive learning environments.
The Managing Director of Saka Homes Limited, Mr Ebenezer Saka Addo Mensah, said the project fulfilled a long-held ambition to give back to his alma mater and contribute to the development of education in Ghana.
He explained that although the company did not yet have all the funds required to complete the project, it remained committed to delivering the facility within the shortest possible time through proceeds from its business operations.
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