Gbarnga, Bong County — Assistant Minister for General Administration at the Ministry of Education Ericson Boakai on Tuesday led a delegation from the Ministry of Education on a site visit to Dorothy Cooper Elementary and Junior High School in Gbarnga, following the completion of major renovation works on the storm-damaged facility.
The visit comes after months of reconstruction efforts prompted by the destruction caused by a violent storm in February 2025, which tore off the school’s roof and rendered classrooms unusable. The damage had forced hundreds of students out of school, prompting widespread appeals from community leaders, parents, and local officials.
Speaking during the tour, Deputy Minister Boakai commended Safe Space Construction Ltd, the firm contracted for the repairs, and praised the quality of the work completed between July and early September.
“We’re excited about the transformation of this school. The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that children, especially those in rural communities, have access to safe and conducive learning environments,” Boakai stated.
Also addressing reporters, Kojo Massalay, Chief Executive Officer of Safe Space Construction Ltd, expressed pride in the project’s successful completion. “We’re proud to have delivered on this important project. I thank the Ministry of Education for trusting us with this responsibility,” he said.
School administrators and students also welcomed the completion of the renovations, describing it as a significant step toward restoring hope in the community’s educational future.
“This is more than just a renovation—it’s the return of our children to the classroom, and for that, we are truly grateful,” said one school official.
The Ministry’s intervention follows several months of public pressure to restore learning conditions at the institution, which serves a large number of students in the Bong County region.
