Students and staff of Mancelle Girls’ Senior High School in the Oforikrom Municipality in the Ashanti Ashanti Region have received a significant boost in campus security following the installation of new streetlights, as part of efforts by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Answel Sadat, to improve safety in second-cycle institutions.
The school has taken delivery of five boxes of streetlights amounting to ten individual units marking the first phase of a broader initiative targeting selected senior high schools within the municipality. The intervention is aimed at enhancing visibility across school compounds, particularly at night, to ensure a safer and more secure environment for academic and extracurricular activities.
Presenting the items, Hon. Answel Sadat reaffirmed his commitment to addressing security concerns in educational institutions across the municipality.
He noted that adequate lighting remains a critical component in deterring criminal activities and safeguarding students, staff, and school property.
“This initiative forms part of our broader commitment to creating a safe and enabling learning environment for our students. Security is not negotiable when it comes to education, and we are determined to ensure that our schools are well protected,” the MCE stated.
Authorities at Mancelle Girls’ SHS expressed profound gratitude for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful. School officials indicated that poor lighting in certain parts of the campus had been a longstanding challenge, particularly during evening study sessions and night-time movements.
“With the installation of these streetlights, we are confident that both students and staff will feel safer and more comfortable going about their activities after dark,” a representative of the school administration remarked.
The initiative is not limited to Mancelle Girls’ SHS alone. Hon. Sadat disclosed that two other major institutions—St. Louis Senior High School and KNUST Senior High School—are scheduled to benefit from similar support on Monday, as part of the second phase of the distribution exercise.
The move has been widely welcomed by residents and stakeholders in the Oforikrom Municipality, many of whom see it as a proactive step toward strengthening security infrastructure in schools. Some parents also expressed relief, noting that improved lighting would help reduce anxiety over the safety of their wards, especially those who reside on campus.
Education observers have commended the MCE for prioritising student welfare, stressing that a secure school environment is essential for effective teaching and learning. They further urged sustained investment in infrastructure and safety measures across all schools in the municipality.
As the rollout continues, the Oforikrom Municipal Assembly is expected to monitor the impact of the project and explore additional ways to support educational institutions in the area.
The provision of streetlights underscores a growing recognition of the need to complement academic development with practical measures that ensure the safety and well-being of students—an approach many believe is key to building a resilient and thriving education sector.
