Accra, July 24, GNA – Seventeen students from Northeastern University in Boston, United States, have donated educational materials to hundreds of pupils at Bonwire Primary School in the Ashanti Region to support their preparation for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The donation, which included backpacks, exercise books, pencils, erasers, crayons and other learning materials, is expected to ease the financial burden on parents and ensure that beneficiaries begin the new school year with the basic items required for learning.
The students, accompanied by Dr Vanessa Dianna Johnson, an Associate Professor of Applied Psychology, visited the historic Kente-weaving community as part of an academic exchange programme coordinated by the OG World Foundation, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edward Tetteh.
In addition to the educational materials, the visitors conducted oral and personal hygiene education for the pupils and presented them with toothbrushes and other dental care items.
Mrs Akua Serwah Boateng, Headmistress of Bonwire Primary School, said the donation had come at an appropriate time as schools prepared to reopen in September.
“The new academic year begins in September, so I can say all of them are ready. They have their books, backpacks, pencils and erasers,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the support would encourage pupils to report to school on the first day of the new term.
“I am hopeful it will boost attendance on the first day of school because every child will be eager to come to school knowing he or she has almost everything required for the academic year,” she added.
The support was extended to Bonwire Junior High School (JHS), where students received exercise books and reading materials to strengthen literacy and library activities.
Mrs Rebecca Nkrumah Mponponsuoh, Headmistress of Bonwire JHS, said the reading materials would help address gaps in the school’s library resources while promoting reading among students.
She also commended the hygiene education delivered by the visiting students, describing it as beneficial to the learners.
Dr Johnson, who accompanied the US students, said the academic exchange programme provided an opportunity for her students to learn from the people and culture of Bonwire while contributing to the community through education and service.
She said meaningful education involved engaging with different cultures and understanding the experiences of people in other communities.
“It makes me feel useful and at the same time, it makes me feel like I have a lot more to do,” she said.
Dr Johnson, who was honoured as a Queen Mother in Ghana in 2023 for her humanitarian work, said each visit strengthened her commitment to supporting communities through education and volunteer service.
As part of their visit to Ghana, the delegation also toured the Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi, where they interacted with healthcare professionals to learn about breast cancer care and Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.
Reflecting on the visit, Dr Johnson said improving healthcare depended largely on investing in the training of health professionals to enhance service delivery.
Bonwire, widely recognised as the birthplace of Ghana’s renowned handwoven Kente cloth, hosted the students as part of efforts to promote cultural exchange while strengthening educational partnerships and community development initiatives.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade