By Philip Tengzu
Owlo, (UW/R), Sept. 4, GNA – The Wa Community Cooperative Credit Union (WACCU) has given a face-lift to the Owlo Junior High School (JHS) to provide a conducive environment for academic activities to thrive.
The 37-year-old school block was in a dilapidated state, with visible deep cracks in the walls, fallen windows and doors, leaking roof and “potholed-floor” as it had never been renovated since its construction in 1987.
The state of the classroom block could not only be said to be hazardous to the learners and instructors, but also disrupted academic activities, especially during rainy seasons.
Speaking at a ceremony at Owlo to commission the facility, Dr. Abraham Dakurah, the Supervising Manager of WACCU, said the renovation of the school block at a cost of GHȻ70,607.00, was part of the Credit Union’s efforts to empower its members.
He said the intervention, a WACCU’s Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) to mark its 60th anniversary celebration, was a recommendation of the Inye Group, a WACCU’s committed farmer cooperative in that community.
He explained that the Inye Group had been committed and patronised WACCU’s products, including agricultural loans for about a decade now, which informed the Union’s decision to honour the group with school renovation.
“We are gathered here to celebrate the commitment and dedication of the Inye Group, which has operated with WACCU for about 10 years now.
This group is really committed and has shown that coming together and working together a lot can be achieved”, Dr. Dakurah explained.
Reverend Father Stephen Kamtugbog, a retired Catholic Priest, through whose benevolence the school was constructed, said he was devastated by the awfully dilapidated state of the school block.
He thanked WACCU for the intervention to restore life to the school, and appealed to the public to have the community’s development at heart by investing their resources in development interventions.
Mr Cyprian K. A. Basing, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions Association, observed that the intervention by WACCU would contribute to the community’s development, which was a priority of Credit Unions.
He said the intervention was laudable because it provided solutions to community’s problems and contributed to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr Michael Nyaaba Ayamdor, the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District Director of Education, expressed gratitude to the management and members of WACCU, especially the Inye group, for choosing to renovate the Owlo JHS.
He assured the benefactors that the facility would be properly maintained to stand the test of time and serve its intended purpose.
Mr John Kofi Seidu, the WACCU Board Chairperson, observed that the Daffiama branch of WACCU where the Inye group belonged, was vibrant and contributed significantly to WACCU’s growth.
He said it was, therefore, appropriate for WACCU’s 60th anniversary intervention to be executed in Owlo.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Christian Akorlie