By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Oct. 02, GNA – The community of Klefe in the Ho Municipality is investing proceeds from its annual yam festival in the development of the community’s technical vocational school.
The Klefe Technical Vocational Institute was established by the community to address the need for skills training and is being sustained by festival proceeds.
The school had been absorbed by the Government and granted a boarding status, and the community both at home and in the diaspora have united to provide needed infrastructure.
More than GHC100,000 was raised during this year’s festival celebration for the provision of a dormitory block and other facilities for the school.
Togbe Koku Dzaga XI, Paramount Chief of the Klefe Traditional Area said at the grand Durbar held at Klefe Dome on Saturday, that most of the community’s development initiatives had been realised through the festival celebrations, and said they included health and educational facilities.
He said using proceeds from the year before, some rented apartments were provided as temporary student accommodation.
A pavilion was built for use as a temporary dining hall, and a classroom block was constructed.
Togbe Dzaga said a five-unit dormitory block project was initiated with what was left of the proceeds, and he commended the community for the efforts.
“We are determined to complete the dormitory before the next batch of students are posted to the school,” he said.
Togbe Dzaga would convey gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for uplifting the community with new roads and various infrastructure in health and education.
The community is where Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, comes from.
The Minister was honoured with a citation that recognised him for facilitating the development of the area and promoting its appeal.
Togbe Dzaga used the occasion to appeal to the State and the corporate world to support the technical vocational school.
He said: “Currently the school is at a critical stage where support is very much needed. We call on all hands available to help us roll over.
The government’s policies have articulated the essence of expanding access to technical-vocational education. Klefe has embraced this policy very well and has established a community school, but we need help”.
Togbe Dzaga announced ongoing discussions with the Ho Technical University on practical training access for students of the technical school and made an appeal to the government to support the school with a bus to facilitate the movement.
He also appealed for a pickup truck to aid administrative staff in their duties.
This year’s festival was celebrated on the theme “Peace, Unity and Commitment, Surety for Development,” and the paramount ruler said it should become a guiding phrase for the community as it approached the coming general elections.
The Volta Regional Minister and sores of dignitaries attended the grand durbar and supported the fundraising.
Evans Buami who chaired the festival planning committee, said a little over GHC 120,000 GHC was accumulated from various fund-gathering initiatives during the festival period, which would enable the roofing of the dormitory block.
He said the community continued to show unwavering support for the school’s development, and that it should become a major institution in the Region in a few years.
GNA