Akrokeri College Converts Clinic, Kitchen and ICT Centre into Hostel for Female Teacher Trainee’s
According to a report by Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Akrokeri College of Education is currently facing a serious accommodation problem, especially for female students.
The report explains that the only female hostel on campus was built to house about 157 students. However, more than 400 female students are currently staying in the facility. Because of this overcrowding, the college management had to look for immediate solutions.
To reduce the pressure, the college converted some important facilities into temporary sleeping areas. These include the school clinic, the kitchen, and the ICT Centre. These places are normally used for health care, cooking, and academic work, but they are now being used as rooms for female students.
This decision was not taken lightly. Management explained that they had no other option because many students had no place to stay on campus. Rather than allow students to struggle outside the school, they decided to provide temporary shelter within the campus.
However, this situation has raised concerns. Since the clinic space is being used for accommodation, students who fall sick may not receive medical care on campus. They may need to seek treatment outside the school, which can be stressful and risky.
The use of the ICT Centre as a hostel may also affect teaching and learning. ICT is very important in teacher education today. Using the centre as a sleeping area could limit students’ access to computers and digital learning tools.
Students have also complained about overcrowding and safety. Some of the temporary spaces do not have proper washroom facilities nearby. This makes life uncomfortable, especially at night.
Management of the college has described the situation as temporary. They have appealed for urgent support to complete ongoing hostel projects. The hope is that once new hostel facilities are ready, students staying in the clinic, kitchen, and ICT Centre will move into proper rooms.
The situation at Akrokeri College shows the growing accommodation challenges in many Colleges of Education in Ghana. As student numbers increase, infrastructure must also improve.
For now, the main concern is the safety, comfort, and academic well-being of the female students. Many are hoping that authorities will act quickly to solve the problem and provide better living conditions for the students.
