By Ewoenam Kpodo
Hatsukope (V/R), Nov 15, GNA – The 1974 Year Group of St. Paul’s Senior High School and Minor Seminary (SPACO) has donated essential equipment to modernise the school’s kitchen, replacing traditional firewood with eco-friendly cylinders and stoves.
The donation of the three filled LPG cylinders and two gas stoves in addition to reconcreting part of the kitchen, aimed at improving the school’s culinary infrastructure cost the group some GH¢40,000.00.
Speaking at a brief presentation ceremony, Dr Mark Aglobitse, leader of the group, said the donation was to mark their 50th anniversary since leaving the walls of the 66-year-old school.
He said they decided on such a donation following their visit to the school a few months ago when the “pathetic state” of the kitchen caught their attention.
Dr Aglobitse urged the school management to, as quickly as possible, switch from the use of firewood to the use of efficient and environmentally friendly cooking fuel to benefit the kitchen staff and the entire student body.
“We want our widow’s mite to make an impact. So, we’ll appeal to the Headmaster and his Management to ensure that for health reasons, firewood use for cooking is stopped and the budget into procuring firewood be channeled into LPG.
Smoke has effects on our lungs. Inhaling smoke is bad. We were in the kitchen for just a few minutes and our eyes were teary. You can imagine the kitchen staff who spend their entire work hours in there…”
Mr Emmanuel Hope Kwodwo Dogodzi, SPACO Headmaster, was grateful to the 1974-year group for their generous donation and acknowledged contributions of other old students (known as Conquerors), citing the recent donation of five computers and a chest freezer to the school by the 1984-year group.
He said this show of alumni dedication was crucial in rebuilding SPACO and encouraged the continuing students to emulate the shining examples of the Conquerors and give back to the school in future.
Madam Gifty Adetor, a kitchen staff, who spoke to Ghana News Agency thanked the 1974-year group for their thoughtfulness, saying, apart from the firewood-related hazards, the upgrade would ensure faster cooking times and reduced labour as well as cleaner cooking environment.
Some students, for their part, said they looked forward to having meals not infused with smoke as had been the case sometimes, and on time, which would improve their learning hours in the school.
The day also saw the headmaster hand over the chest freezer donated the previous day by the 1984 group to the kitchen staff for use.
GNA