The Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi Central in the Western Region, Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has taken bold steps to improve education in her constituency by employing thirty-five community teachers to support twenty-eight basic schools.

In an interview, she explained that the initiative began in 2013, even before she became an MP, when she piloted it with a basic school at Manukrom. Following its success, she decided to expand the project across the constituency to ensure that every child, regardless of location, has access to quality education.

According to her, most schools in the rural areas struggle to retain teachers due to the lack of social amenities, which often leads to posted teachers rejecting such postings. To address this challenge, she decided to employ some educated but unemployed youth within the constituency to serve as community teachers. She noted that previously, parents contributed to pay these teachers, but she has now taken up full responsibility to ease their financial burden.

Joana Gyan Cudjoe emphasized that youth employment remains central to national development. Beyond the teaching initiative, she also employs several young people at her block factory, where she spends about GHS 40,000 weekly on wages. She urged the youth to be proactive, avoid social vices, and take advantage of opportunities that foster community growth and personal development.

Her community teacher support project covers twenty-eight basic schools across Amenfi Central, including Agyedum, Obeng, Chichiso No.1 and No.2, Antobam, Nyamebekyere, Adidase, Aku Nkwanta, Agona Camp, Juabo, Anyinabrem, Anhiafutu, Amoada, Agave, Anakum, Anobil, Bantoma, Bredi, Dwete, Anomatewa, Atonsu, Manukrom, Amuni, and Fuleso. Each teacher earns between GHS 800 and GHS 1,000 monthly, paid every four months, amounting to a total of GHS 466,760 for the period.

Through this intervention, Joana Gyan Cudjoe continues to demonstrate her commitment to improving education and creating sustainable employment for the youth, reaffirming her vision of transforming Amenfi Central through education and empowerment.