COCA Cola Africa Foundation has within a period of two years transformed the infrastructure of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Primary School at Abutia–Teti in the Ho Municipality at an estimated cost of GH¢101,000 and made it a modern school.
The project, which was executed in two phases by Proko (Ghana) Limited, a construction firm at Ho, comprises the renovation a 60-year-old three-classroom block, the construction of a new three-classroom block, a library, a common room, a store and rain harvesting system.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new school block last Wednesday, the Franchise Chairman of Coca Cola in Equatorial Africa, Mr Philip Ayivor, said it was through the strong lobbying skills of a former Minister of Education, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, that the project was made possible.
He announced that under the health component of the social responsibility, one million mosquito nets would be distributed in the country this year.
Mr Ayivor added that with the collaboration of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), $1.5 million would also be spent on the creation of access to potable water in the country.
He further stated that the company had trained 150 National Service Personnel in entrepreneurial skills and retained some of them.
In an address read on his behalf, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode said the project was a manifestation of the public-private partnership in development that the government had advocated for over the years.
He, therefore, commended Coca Cola and the Youth and Women Foundation for collaborating to bring the project to fruition.
Mr Amenowode gave the assurance that the government would not shirk its responsibility of providing infrastructure and relevant teaching and learning materials in schools.
He said the free exercise books programmes would be strengthened with the delivery of 1.5 million additional exercise books for the region, adding that each district would be sewing its first consignment of 2,000 school uniforms very soon for distribution to deprived communities.
The regional minister appealed to communities and institutions that might benefit from infrastructure provided by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to endeavour to maintain them in order to prolong their lifespan.
For her part, Ms Ohene told the people that the government and the private sector had discharged their responsibilities to the people and what they needed to do was to cultivate the culture of community maintenance.
He charged teachers and parents to ensure that there was improvement of the academic performance of the students now that a better infrastructure had been provided.
On behalf of the Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Regional Director of Finance and Administration of the service, Mr Andrews Seke, called for more assistance for the improvement of infrastructure for schools in the area.
He said with the new structure, the teachers should maximise their output.
The headteacher of the school, Mr Isaac Dzivor, was glad about the project and appealed for furniture and computers for the school.
In a welcoming address read on his behalf, the paramount chief of Abutia, Togbe Abutia Kodzo Gidi V, said the new school building would also serve as a monumental reminder to parents to recognise the value of education.
No comments:
Post a Comment