Fairtrade Premium Management Committee commissions Ghc 432k classroom facility for ‘B’ Akoto Basic School

The Fairtrade Premium Management Committee of the Volta River Estates Limited (VREL), a banana cultivation and export company on Tuesday commissioned a three-unit Junior High School classroom block worth Ghc 432,963.00 and furnished with mono desks for the ‘B’ Akoto Basic School at Senchi in the Eastern region.

The construction of the facility, inaugurated by The Coop of UK, a British consumer co-operative, followed persistent appeals by the headmistress of the school for a JHS block for the school.

The magnificent facility comes with three classrooms, a staff common room, a headmistress’ office, a storeroom, a 4-seater WC with poly tank, cabinets, ten teachers tables and chairs and designed with scenic landscaping.

Chairman of the Fairtrade Premium Management Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Kedzi said the facility which was built upon request by the school authorities was the first step towards partnering Beatrice Akoto Basic School to provide other amenities required by the school.
“This is not the end. We are looking towards partnering the school and provide social amenities which they need to run an effective school,” said Mr. Kedzi.

The Premium Management Committee chairman who lauded the project as an example of the contributions of farmers towards the establishment of several social intervention projects in the Asuogyaman district called on other organizations in the Asuogyaman district and beyond to emulate their example by extending social interventions to the communities in which they find themselves.

Aside providing a conducive atmosphere for effective teaching and learning, Mr. Kedzi was hopeful that the facility would churn out worthy products for the benefit of society at large.

Director of Agric at VREL, Mr. Anthony Kofi Blay and the premium committee felt obliged to provide a conducive teaching and learning environment for its Junior High School pupils who studied under sheds, a situation they found unacceptable.

Mr. Blay who said the gesture formed part of VREL’s efforts to bring quality education and healthcare services for the people was confident that their efforts would hopefully enable the school produce great men and women in the future.

He promised the company’s continued support for the communities, adding that healthcare and education were cardinal to the development of any nation.

Headmistress of the school, madam Ophelia Abla Ganyo who was elated that her persistent appeals for a JHS block for the school established thirty-seven years ago had finally paid off, however appealed for further assistance to acquire other needs such as textbooks for the JHS department, a computer lab fitted with laptops, the completion of an ongoing library project, a sickbay, sewing machines and carpentry tools.

District Chief Executive for Asuogyaman, Samuel Kwame Agyekum while commending the Volta River Estates Limited for their volunteerism and support towards education in the district said the gesture aside its symbolism of a strong bond between the district and VREL, reduced the burden on the district assembly.

“The continuous involvement in infrastructure provision in the district goes a long way in lessening the burden on the district assembly,” said the assembly chief adding that the government was determined to create the enabling environment to make education affordable and accessible to children of every school-going age and hence the introduction of the free senior high school education policy by the Akuffo Addo government.

Mr. Agyekum who acknowledged the contribution of the facility to the infrastructure situation in the school said he was hopeful of increased enrolment and urged the pupils to study hard to make the required grades to benefit from the free SHS policy.

Chief of Senchi and Nifahene of the Akwamu Traditional Area, Nana Ofei Addo Agyeman II said society cannot ignore the importance of education in the lives of children at any cost.
"A good education helps one to be independent in society, as well as get over the problem of poverty," noted the Nifahene.

He, therefore, encouraged the students of 'B' Akoto School to take their education seriously. He again urged teachers and parents to see to the welfare of their children as they are the future leaders.

Mrs. Theodora Kutorkor Entee, District Director of Education (DDE) for the Asuogyaman district, praised the resilience of the Headmistress of the school, Madam Ophelia Abla Ganyo to get support for the establishment of the JHS block which had finally paid off.

She pledged the unflinching support of the education directorate towards the various schools to solicit for assistance for various infrastructural needs.



The Fairtrade Premium Management Committee has already undertaken several projects in the district including an ICT Centre for the New Akrade community, a three-unit classroom block for South-Senchi Basic School, an ICT Center for the Akwamuman Senior High School, the Ankyease Early Childhood Development Centre and the provision of scholarship for 101 students at the senior high schools and tertiary levels.