When 18-year-old Ishaq Umar Rahima first joined the Resilient City for Adolescents project implemented by Global Media Foundation (GLOMeF) through Ecorys UK with funding from Fondation Botnar, she never imagined how quickly her skills would translate into real community change. But today, her voice stands at the centre of a remarkable transformation at the Yawhima African Faith Basic School near Sunyani - a school where pupils once learned under trees because their classrooms had deteriorated beyond use.
As part of the adolescent transformative journalism training, Rahima learned the basics of storytelling, evidence gathering, and advocacy. But more importantly, she learned that her voice mattered. So when she visited African Faith Basic School - her alma matter, and saw primary school children struggling through lessons under the scorching sun and unpredictable weather, she felt compelled to act.
With determination, Rahima launched a social media advocacy campaign, documenting the poor learning conditions and appealing directly to municipal authorities, community leaders, and education stakeholders. Her posts gained traction across Sunyani, drawing attention to the long-neglected issue.
Her advocacy reached the desks of the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Vincent Antwi-Agyei and the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East, Seid Mubarak. They intervened with a 3-unit classroom block funded under the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to replace the makeshift learning spaces.
On the day of the sod-cutting, Ishaq Umar Rahima was personally invited by the Sunyani MCE to witness the occasion together with assembly members, traditional authorities, parents, and teachers gathered to witness the birth of a new building, and acknowledged the effort of the young girl. The new facility will include three classrooms, a staff common room, a head teacher’s office, and modern washrooms - a significant upgrade that promises dignity, safety, and improved learning outcomes for pupils.
Speaking at the ceremony, the MCE reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to sustaining development in Yawhima and cautioned pupils to protect the new facility once completed.
The MP, Seid Mubarak also emphasized stewardship, urging students to maintain cleanliness and safeguard the infrastructure being provided.
The Chief of Yawhima, Nana Ansu Ababio, expressed deep gratitude to the authorities for responding swiftly to the community’s needs and encouraged students to take their education seriously.
But beneath the speeches and ceremonies lies a deeper truth: this project was made possible because a trained adolescent dared to speak.
GLOMeF, Ecorys UK, and Fondation Botnar’s commitment to empowering young people through the Resilient City for Adolescents project has proven transformational. Rahima’s story shows that when adolescents are given skills, confidence, and platforms, they drive development.
The new classroom block at Yawhima African Faith Basic School will stand as a permanent reminder that youth empowerment is community empowerment. And at its heart will forever be the courage and passion of Ishaq Umar Rahima, the young transformative journalist whose voice rebuilt a school.
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