Ghana Petroleum Mooring Systems (GPMS) has started building a new school block for Bugbelle Basic School, costing an estimated GHS 4.2 million. This project will provide nine classrooms, a ten-unit toilet facility, and a mechanised borehole. The new facilities will address severe overcrowding where 80 children previously shared a single classroom without desks or water.
For years, Bugbelle Basic School faced critical infrastructure deficits, driving many children out of formal education. Teachers struggled to educate large classes, and students often left school to fetch water. The poor learning environment pushed some children into illegal mining, known as galamsey, or led them to migrate to cities like Accra and Kumasi for better opportunities. The Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Mohammed Issa Bataglia, highlighted how unsuitable classrooms directly contributed to these challenges.
This investment aligns with broader efforts to improve educational infrastructure across Ghana, particularly in underserved rural areas. Data from the Ghana Statistical Service shows that inadequate school facilities remain a significant barrier to education in many regions, affecting enrollment and retention rates. Prior initiatives, such as the government's release of GHS 537 million to cover tuition fees for 159,750 students, indicate governmental focus on increasing access to education, complementing corporate social responsibility efforts like GPMS's. Such projects are vital to reducing regional disparities in educational outcomes.
GPMS Official Glady Ofori stated that Bugbelle was specifically chosen due to its high student commitment despite dire conditions. “We chose Bugbelle because of 80 students in one classroom, yet the community is still committed to the school. That’s a future worth investing in,” Ofori explained. Nayong Bilijo, Board Chairman of TOR (Tema Oil Refinery), further emphasised the project's focus on the children's future.
The construction phase is expected to take six months, with project handover scheduled for December 2026. This development will significantly reduce pressure on existing classrooms and improve sanitation for the approximately 800 children enrolled at the school. The Sissala East Municipal Chief Executive, Adamu Yakubu Cadet, has urged community members to support and protect the project. Timely completion will enhance learning conditions, potentially increasing student retention and academic performance, thereby contributing to local human capital development and reducing youth unemployment rates.