A separate three-unit classroom block and another five-unit block has been commissioned separately for Enimilkrom and Subri respectively, two host communities of Aboso Gold Fields Ghana Limited (AGL) at the weekend.
The two separate classroom blocks, furnished with tables and chairs including ceiling fans is estimated at a cost of $156,977,73, were sponsored by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GGF).
The GGF is established by the mine company to promote and facilitate sustainable socio-economic development in order to improve the quality of life in its host communities.
The commissioning of the two separate school blocks saw a retinue of traditional leaders drawn from the eight host communities gracing the commissioning.
They included Nana Ekua Asana, Queenmother of Twenda, Nana Ama Saraa I, Queenmother of Subri, Nana Adjoa Saaba, Queenmother of Damang, Nana Esi Fooriwa, Queenmother of Kyekyewere, and Nana Ama Ankomah, Queenmother of Nyamebekyere.
Also present were the Chief of Bosumtwi, Nana Kwabena Amponsah, the Municipal Chief Farmer, Nana Thomas Boakye, the Municipal Director of Education, Sebastian Diaw and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dr. Isaac Dasmani.
Addressing the gathering, the Community Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement Manager of AGL, Abdel-Razak Yakubu, said he was thrilled for what he described as the commissioning of the two crucial educational projects.
He said education, both formal and informal, was the key to success, and in his opinion “is a proven fact all of us seated here are evidence to this.”
Giving the background to the project, the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Manger said a year ago, the GGF was presented with a need from T.I. Ahmaddiya Basic and SS Peter & Paul Anglican Primary School in Subri and Enimilkrom respectively, on the need for the Foundation to come to their aide.
The schools, he said, were challenged with adequate classroom facilities, compelling teachers to combine pupils of different year levels in one class just to manage the situation.
That resulted in lack of concentration in class leading to poor teaching and learning in the two schools.
“Today it’s exciting to see these schools presented with a 3-unit classroom block and a 5-unit classroom block, all with offices and conference rooms, at Enimilkrom and Subri.”
Manager Abdel-Razak told the gathering that these achievement would not have been possible without the unflinching support and guidance of the Municipal Education Directorate and the Municipal Works Department.
Continuing, he said the provision of the school buildings did not complete the creation of a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
He announced that the Foundation had provided classroom furniture for the two blocks and all other public schools within the host communities.
The list included 1,600 mono-desks, 44 pentagonal tables with 220 chairs, and eight long computer tables with 40 chairs. Others included a headmasters table with chairs and cupboard for storage of books and other teaching materials.
The Municipal Director of Education, Sebastian Diaw, on his part, commended the Foundation for the project.
He said the commissioning of the project had brought smiles to the faces of teachers and the community, and advised the community to put the facility to good use.
That apart, the community should avoid using the facility to serve as social grounds.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) Director added that education delivery was the responsibility of all stakeholders, and that the Directorate would ensure teachers were posted to the communities.
On is part, the Chairman for the occasion, Nana Kwabena Amponsah, who is also a Chief, lauded the GGF for the edifice and appealed for a further Junior High School block to complete the equation.
