By Daniel Bampoe
Residents and concerned citizens of Awukugua in the Okere District of the Eastern Region have declared a community-wide protest against what they describe as years of government neglect of the Awukugua United Junior High School.
In a dramatic escalation of their frustration, the residents say that effective Monday, September 7, 2026, they will suspend the payment of all taxes to the District Assembly and other government institutions until urgent steps are taken to rehabilitate the school.
The residents have also declared that no government official will be permitted to enter Awukugua until the matter is resolved, signalling growing anger over what they describe as the unacceptable conditions under which children in the community are being educated.
The position was contained in a statement issued by Kwaku Dawuro, Convenor of Concerned Citizens of Awukugua-Okere, who said the community had reached a point where it could no longer remain silent while the future of its children was allegedly being compromised.
“Our stance is clear. The dignity of our children and the sanctity of our town cannot be compromised,” the statement declared.
School Infrastructure Described As ‘Completely Dilapidated’
At the centre of the dispute is the Awukugua United JHS, which residents say has deteriorated to a level that poses serious challenges to both students and teachers.
According to the concerned citizens, the school has become dilapidated, with some classrooms reportedly left without roofs. They also cited inadequate furniture and seating arrangements as well as sub-standard sanitation facilities.
The residents argue that the conditions are not merely an inconvenience but could have direct consequences for the safety, health and academic performance of students.
They further contend that the deteriorating infrastructure has created an unfavourable working environment for teachers who are expected to provide quality education under difficult circumstances.
For the community, the condition of the school raises broader questions about access to decent basic education and whether children in rural communities are receiving the same opportunities as their counterparts elsewhere.
‘Repeated Appeals Have Yielded Nothing’
The residents claim that the current situation did not emerge suddenly and that community leaders and concerned citizens have repeatedly drawn attention to the condition of the school.
They said they had made appeals, submitted petitions and engaged relevant stakeholders over the urgent need for renovation and modern educational facilities.
However, according to the statement, those efforts have allegedly failed to produce the desired intervention.
The residents describe the government’s response as one characterised by inaction and broken promises, arguing that continued delays have allowed the school’s condition to deteriorate further.
They insist that education is a fundamental right and that children in Awukugua should not be compelled to study in an environment they consider unsafe and unfit for learning.
Tax Boycott Raises Stakes
The decision to suspend tax payments represents a significant escalation in the community’s campaign.
Beginning September 7, residents say they will stop paying taxes to the District Assembly and any government institution until the school is fixed.
The move is intended to put additional pressure on authorities to respond to their demands.
The residents have also announced a more sweeping measure: government officials are not to enter Awukugua until the issue is resolved.
The declaration could potentially intensify tensions between the community and government authorities if officials attempt to enter the town or intervene in the dispute without first addressing the residents’ concerns.
The statement, however, presents the measures as a collective expression of frustration rather than an isolated protest by a few individuals.
Mass Demonstration Planned for September 18
The community has also announced plans for a major demonstration on Friday, September 18, 2026.
According to the statement, community elders, youth groups, parents, residents, concerned citizens and the affected schoolchildren are expected to participate in the demonstration.
The planned action is intended to demand immediate government intervention and concrete measures to restore the school to an acceptable standard.
The residents say they are no longer prepared to watch passively as the condition of the school deteriorates.
“We will no longer stand by while the future of our children is compromised,” the statement said.
They argue that providing a safe and functional learning environment should not depend on whether a community is urban or rural.
The residents’ decision to involve elders, parents, young people and schoolchildren in the planned demonstration is therefore intended to send a strong message that the issue has become a collective concern.
