Official News Report | Eye on Western North Digital
Parents and community members in Asawinso are expressing concern over the administration of Sefwi Asawinso Senior High School, citing the absence of a functioning board chair and questioning transparency and accountability in the school’s operations.
The issue has sparked unease among stakeholders who say the lack of clear board leadership undermines trust and oversight at a time when parental involvement is seen as critical to improving academic outcomes in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality.
Residents say the absence of a substantive board chair creates a vacuum in decision-making and makes it difficult to hold school management accountable for finances and resource allocation. Weak board oversight has been identified in broader studies of Ghana’s senior high schools as a key driver of financial mismanagement and eroded public confidence.
Local parents argue that without an active board chair to convene meetings and provide direction, the Parent-Teacher Association and community representatives have limited avenues to raise concerns or review how school funds are used.
A reconstituted 13-member Board of Governors for Asawinso SHS was inaugurated several years ago to strengthen academic standards and community participation. At the time, the Western North Regional Director of Education stressed that boards operate under Ministry of Education guidelines and are meant to control and advise management.
However, community members say that momentum has stalled, and the current lack of visible board leadership contradicts the policy of community participation that underpins Ghana’s community-based SHS model.
Research in the region shows parental involvement in school administration correlates with better student academic performance. Studies specific to Sefwi Wiawso also highlight that misappropriation of funds and low transparency reduce parental trust and participation.
Experts on SHS governance recommend strengthening stakeholder engagement, institutionalizing financial audits, and ensuring transparent dissemination of financial reports to rebuild confidence.
Parents and community leaders are calling on the Ghana Education Service and the Western North Regional Directorate to clarify the status of the school’s board and appoint a chair if the position is vacant. They say clear leadership is needed to restore oversight, improve communication with parents, and ensure resources reach students.
For Asawinso, the immediate test will be whether the school can re-establish a functioning board structure that meets those accountability standards.