The Mante-Din School in Tema Community 1, once filled with students, teachers, and the familiar rhythms of school life, now stands transformed. The once bustling school grounds, marked by the flying of the Ghanaian flag and the chiming of bells, now hosts small businesses and religious gatherings. This change followed the relocation of Mante-Din’s students and staff nearly a decade ago to a new facility on Oninku Drive, as part of an initiative led by former Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr. Isaac Ashai Odamtten. His aim was to enhance the education sector in the area, providing modern infrastructure and resources at the newly built Tema Industrial City School.
Today, the abandoned school grounds, located near the Tema Sports Stadium, have become a makeshift business center and community space. Media personnel from GNA observed the transformation: classrooms that once held students are now used to produce plantain chips and bake bread, while other rooms serve as places of worship. Services are held both day and night, drawing worshippers from nearby communities.
Local residents recall the school’s past vibrancy. Mr. Isaac Mensah, who lives nearby, shared his memories of Mante-Din’s bustling environment, saying, “There were plans to turn this space into a shopping mall after it was vacated, but nothing came of it.” Cecilia, a former student, reflected on the school’s move, noting that before the relocation, the school lacked facilities for Junior High School (JHS), meaning students had to continue their education elsewhere. The new facility, however, provided students with a seamless transition to JHS in a dedicated building.
Ms. Adwoa Ammisah, another alumna, expressed gratitude for the foundation Mante-Din provided, acknowledging that while the site no longer operates as a school, it serves a practical purpose. “Even in its current state, the area doesn’t attract criminals thanks to the lighting and the presence of business and church activities,” she noted. Still, she appealed to authorities to consider rehabilitating the school to better reflect the area’s development.
Local Assemblyman Mr. Charles Amos shed light on his role in repurposing the space to deter criminal activity. “When the school was first relocated, criminals started frequenting the area. So, I encouraged the churches and small businesses to use the facility to keep it active. They’re not paying rent, but they understand it’s a temporary arrangement until the site is redeveloped,” he said.
