Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has criticised the construction of certain school facilities without toilet amenities, describing the omission as a major flaw in the system.
He voiced his concerns when he appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Accra on Monday, January 12, to respond to questions regarding infrastructure projects financed by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
Dr. Apaak stressed that the issues raised by the committee should deeply worry all stakeholders in the education sector, as they expose significant shortcomings in the planning and execution of school projects.
He noted that the lack of sanitation facilities in some schools reflects weaknesses in oversight and adherence to basic infrastructure standards under both GETFund and MMDA-funded initiatives.
The Deputy Minister underscored the vital role of sanitation in schools, emphasising that access to proper toilet facilities is indispensable for the health, safety, and dignity of both pupils and teachers.
Dr. Apaak assured the committee that the Ministry of Education has taken note of the concerns and will act to correct the lapses. He added that measures will be introduced to guarantee that future school projects are completed with the required sanitation infrastructure.
“The issues raised by the honourable member should be of grave concern to all of us. Clearly this exposes gaps in the current system with regards to GETFund funded school projects and school projects financed by MMDAs. We recognise that sanitation is very important and going forward we will ensure these lapses are taken care of,” Dr. Apaak noted.
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