MP for Ekumfi Breaks Ground for Modern Boarding Facilities, Administration Block, and Others for JEA Mills SHS

In fulfillment of his campaign promise to honour the late former President of Ghana, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ekumfi, Hon. Dr. Othniel Ekow Kwainoe, has on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, broken ground for the construction of two modern boarding facilities (for boys and girls) for the John Evans Atta Mills Senior High School (JEA Mills SHS) in the Ekumfi District of the Central Region. 

This project forms part of the MP’s broader vision to lobby for the transformation of the school into a befitting educational institution that truly reflects the legacy of Prof. Atta Mills. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Kwainoe noted that his motivation for undertaking this initiative stems from the late President’s humility, compassion, and lifelong commitment to education. “My desire is to see this school represent the man who saw education as the beacon of hope for all of us. I want JEA Mills SHS to produce citizens who will not just be spectators, but contributors to the building of our nation,” he stated. 

Dr. Kwainoe expressed gratitude to the chiefs of Ekumfi Sardo for providing land for the project, and to the chiefs of Ekumfi Otuam for their continuous support. He also commended the District Director of Education, Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, the Paramount Chief, Odeefo Akyen VIII, and his divisional chiefs for their instrumental roles in birthing the school and commencing the boarding project. 

The Headmaster of JEA Mills SHS, Mr. Francis Ato-Davis, conveyed appreciation to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President, H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and the MP for Ekumfi for their collective efforts in realizing this milestone. “In breaking this ground, we are not just digging the earth; we are planting a seed for a brighter, more empowered generation. We are building more than walls; we are building character, community, and a legacy of excellence that will endure for generations,” he remarked. 

Chief of Ekumfi Otuam 

The Chief of Ekumfi Otuam, Nana Ewusi Kwansah XIV, appealed to government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of the project, emphasizing that only a committed leadership like the NDC can advance the school’s development agenda. 

The District Director of Education, Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, described the project as a major relief for parents who have struggled with the cost of hostels, transportation, and feeding. She appealed to GETFund to expedite the construction process and invited dignitaries to attend the school’s 10th Anniversary Celebration on November 29, 2025. “Education is shining in Ekumfi,” she declared, calling for continued stakeholder support for the district’s educational progress. 

The Deputy Administrator of GETFund, Hon. Alhassan Sualihu Dandaawa, reaffirmed government’s commitment to the project, announcing a 12-month completion timeline. He outlined the full package to include:

• Boys’ and girls’ dormitories 
• Administration block 
• ICT laboratory and library 
• Headmaster’s residence 
• House masters’ and mistresses’ bungalows 
• Ultramodern dining hall complex 

Hon. Sualihu cautioned students against drug abuse, advising, “Do not disappoint your parents. If you are intelligent and resort to drugs, you will fail.” 

He also commended Dr. Kwainoe for his relentless lobbying efforts and pledged a Gh₵10,000 cash support and a school bus on behalf of the GETFund Administrator, Mr. Paul Adjei, to support the school’s further development. “JEA Mills SHS will be one of the best in the Central Region after this administration,” he added. 

Nana Amoasi VII, Ankobeahen - Ekumfi Traditional Council 

Nana Amoasi VII, the Ankobeahen of Ekumfi Traditional Council and Chairman for the occasion, lauded the project’s scale and encouraged students to study diligently to make the best use of the forthcoming facilities. 

The event brought together several dignitaries, including the wife of MP, Mrs. Eunice Nana Aba Egyirba Smart Kwainoe (PhD), District Coordinating Director, Mr. Benjamin Opoku Busia, the District Engineer, Project Consultants, Nananom, Education Directorate staff, and Constituency NDC Executives. 

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie

Differently-Abled Persons in Ekumfi Cautioned Against Selling Their Start-Up Kits

Beneficiary PWDs with their start-up kits

In a ceremony held to disburse items to beneficiaries of the Persons With Disability (PWD) Fund in the Ekumfi District, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Ismaeel Nana Asamoah, issued a strong warning to beneficiaries to refrain from selling the start-up items distributed to them, urging them instead to make full use of the support to better their livelihoods.

The event, which took place on Friday, 17th October 2025, at the Ekumfi District Assembly’s Conference Room, saw Hon. Asamoah express appreciation to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and the Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Othniel Ekow Kwainoe, for fast-tracking the process to ensure the timely delivery of the items.

Hon. Ismaeel Nana Asamoah, DCE, Ekumfi District Assembly 

The DCE commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its consistent commitment to supporting marginalised groups whenever it is in government. He further lauded President Mahama for increasing monetary allocations to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as part of efforts to decentralise development and promote inclusive growth across the country.

Hon. Asamoah passionately appealed to beneficiaries to use the items to their utmost benefit and assured them that his office would undertake follow-up monitoring to ensure all items were being used for their intended purpose.

The items distributed included fufu pounding machines, chest freezers, and cash support ranging from GH¢1,000.00 to GH¢2,000.00.

Hon. Kow Kakra Nketsia-Richardson

The Presiding Member of the Ekumfi District Assembly, Hon. Kow Kakra Nketsia-Richardson, emphasised the importance of such interventions, noting that the support was aimed at helping PWDs establish or expand income-generating ventures to become self-reliant. He assured beneficiaries of transparency and fairness in future distributions as always done.

Mr. Benjamin Opoku Busia, Coordinating Director, Ekumfi District Assembly

The District Coordinating Director, Mr. Benjamin Opoku Busia, tasked the Social Welfare Department to compile a comprehensive album of all PWD beneficiaries to aid tracking, accountability, and effective planning for future interventions. He reiterated the government’s commitment to sustaining the fund and called on beneficiaries to use the support productively to ensure its continuity.

Mr. Charles Senyo Dotse

The Social Welfare Department, led by Mr. Charles Senyo Dotse and Mr. Roland Amandi, reinforced the DCE’s message, advising beneficiaries to safeguard the items and use the cash for meaningful ventures. 

Mr. Roland Amandi

Mr. Amandi revealed that the district has over 1,000 registered PWDs, making prudent use of the resources crucial to ensure equitable benefit for all. He further urged members to obtain their Ghana Cards, a requirement for claiming future support.

The Central Regional PRO and Ekumfi District Chairman for PWDs, Mr. Mohammed Issah Eshun, expressed gratitude to the President for the timely release of the funds. He commended the management committee for ensuring that the full amount allocated was received and distributed effectively. Mr. Eshun reiterated that “disability is not inability” and encouraged members to use the support responsibly to uplift their lives.

Beneficiaries, visibly elated, thanked the President, DCE, and MP for their swift intervention within less than a year of assuming office. They also appealed to colleagues who resort to street begging to desist from the act and instead join the district’s registered PWD group to benefit from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) PWD allocation.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie

Ekumfi MP Rewards Over 350 2025 BECE Best Performed Candidates

An aerial view of items donated 

The Member of Parliament for Ekumfi Constituency, Hon. Dr. Othniel Ekow Kwainoe, on Thursday, 9th October 2025, presented a range of educational items to over 350 students who have gained admission into various Senior High, Technical and Vocational Schools across the country.

The initiative, which forms part of his continuous commitment to promoting and rewarding academic excellence among young students in Ekumfi, was held at Essuehyia under the theme, “Empowering Tomorrow’s Champions.”

The event attracted key stakeholders, including Chiefs, Queens,  the District Director of Education and her officers, headteachers, teachers, parents, students, as well as members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and wife of the MP, Mrs. Dr. Eunice Nana Aba Egyirba Smart Kwainoe.

Hon. Dr. Ekow Kwainoe 

Hon. Dr. Kwainoe encouraged the awardees to remain diligent and studious in their academic pursuits to reach greater heights. He assured his constituents of sustained support and an even more improved package in the future. The MP also acknowledged his predecessor, Hon. Abeiku Crentsil, for instituting such a laudable initiative, and pledged to continue building on it.

Dr. Kwainoe expressed optimism that these young beneficiaries would one day take up leadership roles across various fields to contribute to the growth of Ekumfi and Ghana as a whole.

He further advocated for the enactment of by-laws or local content regulations to be championed by traditional authorities. Dr. Ekow Kwainoe called on the Paramount Chief of the Ekumfi Traditional Area to spearhead this initiative, ensuring all communities within Ekumfi adopt and enforce such regulations for collective development and discipline.

Presentation to Michael Ninson 

In recognition of exceptional performance, the Best Overall Candidate received a cash prize of GH¢1,000.00, a mobile phone worth GH¢2,000.00, as well as a mattress, chop box, exercise books, and assorted provisions including gari, sugar, milk powder, Milo, and mackerel.

The Overall Best Performed School also received a cash prize of GH¢1,000.00.

Best Performed Candidate (Public School): Master Michael Ninson of Narkwa Methodist Basic School with aggregate 10.

Best Performed Candidate (Private School): Master Benedict Forson of Obama College with aggregate 8.

Sarafina Ackom receiving her award 

Best Performed Female Candidate: Miss Sarafina Ackom of Adoagyir D/A Basic School with aggregate 15.

Best Performed Physically Challenged Candidate: Adoagyir D/A Basic School.

Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, Director of Education 

The District Director of Education, Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, congratulated the awardees, teachers and headteachers for their efforts, while promising the Honourable MP of improved academic performance in the coming years.

She also expressed concern over the issue of teenage pregnancy, revealing that three cases had already been recorded since the start of the 2025/2026 academic year. She appealed to traditional authorities to enforce community discipline and apply stricter sanctions to curb the menace.

Nana Kwaa Esaa Okofo Yaa I 

Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief, Odeefo Akyen VIII, the Guantoahen of the Ekumfi Traditional Council, Nana Kwaa Esaa Okofo Yaa I, commended the MP for his efforts and urged him to remain equitable in his dealings. He also called on party executives and constituents to continue supporting Hon. Kwainoe to ensure his retention.

Nana Kwaa Esaa I further urged parents to be responsible and instil discipline in their wards, discouraging immoral behaviours that could lead to teenage pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections. He also cautioned the youth against engaging in fraudulent activities that could land them in prison.

In his final remarks, he appealed to the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to actively involve chiefs and traditional rulers in efforts to curb illegal mining across the country.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie