By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, Dec. 12, GNA — Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) has donated more than 1,700 reading books to Sowa Din Memorial 1 Primary School and St. Mary’s R/C Girls Basic School as part of its nationwide initiative to promote inclusive education and improve literacy among children in deprived communities.
The gesture aligns with Sustainable Development Goal Four, which advocates for equitable and quality education for all.
Sowa Din Memorial 1 Primary School, located at Ashale Botwe in the Adenta municipality, received about 700 reading materials, while St. Mary’s R/C Girls Basic School in the Ablekuma South sub-metro, received over 1,000 reading materials.
Speaking during the presentation on Friday, Ms. Ami Korkor Adenu, Regional Manager of CBG, said the bank was committed to contributing to the educational development of Ghanaian children through reading.
“We believe in children and so this year, as part of our project to society, we decided that we’ll be giving books to selected schools in the country,” she said.
“Through books, we are offered a world of information and knowledge… it helps shape the future of learners.”
Ms. Adenu noted that the books donated were deliberately sourced from Ghanaian authors such as Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who is the current Vice President, and Professor Efua Sutherland to inspire pupils.
According to her, CBG’s aim was not only to supply reading materials but to help ignite a passion for learning among children who may otherwise lack access to such resources.
As part of the visit, the CBG team engaged the pupils in a brief reading session, an activity Ms. Adenu described as essential in strengthening literacy.
She noted that through reading, children develop creativity, problem-solving abilities, and the confidence needed to pursue careers, including in banking, when they grow up.
She said moving forward, CBG may explore additional partnerships with schools and educational institutions to help develop the human resource of the country.
“It is our hope that in the years ahead we will not just be giving books to our children but also working with institutions in other ways… to ensure that our learners become world-class,” she said.
Ms. Adenu also highlighted the importance of empowering girls, especially as St. Mary’s R/C Girls was one of the selected schools, stressing that investing in girls’ education had a multiplier effect on national development.
“When you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation,” she reiterated, noting that CBG intentionally supports initiatives that advance gender equity.
“It tells them that as a Ghanaian, you can go forward into the world of literature,” she stated, emphasising CBG’s focus on nurturing confident and informed future leaders.
Ms. Adenu reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting deprived schools, noting that the bank selects beneficiary institutions based on assessed levels of need.
Madam Innocentia Ama Afatsawoo, Headmistress, Sowa Din Memorial 1 Primary School, expressed gratitude to CBG for selecting the school among five in the area, indicating that the gesture would significantly impact teaching and learning.
The donation of the reading materials, she indicated, came at a crucial time, as the school’s population of nearly 750 learners had made access to books a challenge.
“Looking at the population of almost 750 learners, the books we had were not enough, so we are grateful for this support,” she said.
“I am privileged to express my heartfelt gratitude to CBG for choosing our school… What you have done is going to have a lasting impact on the lives of our dear learners.”
However, she appealed for further support to address the school’s infrastructural challenges, particularly renovation of one of the school’s oldest classroom blocks, which she said had become unsafe and unconducive for academic work.
According to the headmistress, the block in question houses more than 300 pupils across streams 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6A and 6B, revealing that the deteriorating structure required constant repairs.
“There are cracks in the walls, the roofs leak seriously, and every academic year we have to do renovations. The nature of the roofing doesn’t allow good ventilation, making it very difficult for learners and teachers,” she explained.
Also, Madam Afatsawoo noted the school’s need for desks, an improved canteen area, and seating spaces for pupils during break time.
Ms. Patience Addy, Headmistress, St. Mary’s R/C Girls Basic School, assured the bank that the books would be fully utilised to improve the reading of the pupils.
“We need it and it has come at the right time… We’ll stock our library with it and everybody will have a book to read,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie