Greek Minister of Defence, Mr Nikos Dendias, has visited St Nicholas Charity Foundation in Tema Newtown, following on from his previous visit this year. During the visit, the Minister promised to assist in building a football pitch. This will be in addition to a basketball court, which is currently under construction.
The Minister has taken a close interest in the school and has been very moved by the efforts being made to ensure the motto: ‘EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN EDUCATION’ is maintained.
Mr Dendias was in Ghana for the United National Ministerial Summit to support Peace Operations, which took place on 5th December, 2023.
He also held bilateral meetings with Dominic Nitiwul, Minister for Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
Despite his busy schedule, the Minister and his delegation, including the Greek Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Athanasios Kotsionis and Mr Evangelis Ntemiris, ADC, took time to visit the school to see at first hand the continuing progress being made by the children.
The Minister was met in with traditional fanfare by the school brass band and Navy cadet Corp, escorting him into the school. A church service was also held at the St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Tema.
There was also a short cultural display, including a Ghanaian cultural dance, a Serra Pyrrhic Dance (performed at the Athens Olympics 2004) and memory verses by the children.
The Minister took the opportunity to visit the basketball court, which is being constructed from donations previously given by the Minister. The basketball court will be named after the Greek famous basketball player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Mr Dendias was particularly impressed that both the 2022 and 2023 graduates from St Nicholas junior secondary had all passed their Basic Education Certificate Examination and secured places in Senior Secondary schools.
He congratulated the school and its staff for their hard work and effort in giving a chance to the children of the area living in disadvantaged conditions, and for most of them the graduates will be the first in their family to attend Senior Secondary school.
In attendance were two former Ghanaian footballers of the Greek team, Olympiakos, Peter Oforikwe and Kofi Abonsa, who promised to hold football workshops for the children.
Dr Evangelos Kyriakidis, of The Heritage Management Organisation, with support of the Mellon Foundation was in attendance and in Ghana. He is embarking on a three-year programme for capacity development in the heritage management sector, aiming to contribute to a dynamic sustainable ecosystem.
Deborah Eleazar, Trustee of the UK registered charity, took the opportunity to thank the Minister and his delegation for their support and also mentioned the founders of the school, Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, the Maria Tsakos Foundation and Tsakos family for their constant involvement and help.
Each child was given a gift from the Minister. The children presented an original African Icon of the patron saint, St Nicholas, whose name day was being celebrated on 6th December to the Minister.
Ongoing fundraisers continue in the United Kingdom, with various organizations, including the Baltic Caledonian Society in the USA, King Baudouin Foundation as well as other initiatives. The school is anxious to secure the running costs for 2024 and to continue the good work being done.
There is ongoing talk as to whether a study should be done on the school to see if the school’s origin and results could be used as a blueprint for other marginalised areas.
