By Albert Futukpor
Nyankpala (N/R), Sept 25, GNA – Access Bank (Ghana) PLC has launched the fourth phase of its “A Sandal More for a Better Tomorrow” to distribute pairs of sandals to schoolchildren in the regions in the northern part of the country.
As part of the fourth phase, 10,000 pairs of sandals including school bags will be distributed to schoolchildren in the regions including Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Savannah.
Mr Eugene Ocansey, Executive Director, Retail and SME Banking, Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, speaking during the launch at Nyankpala D/A Junior High School (JHS), near Tamale, said the initiative formed part of the bank’s commitment to removing the barriers that kept schoolchildren out of the classroom.
As part of the launch, pairs of sandals were distributed to some of the schoolchildren of the Nyankpala D/A JHS.
Mr Ocansey said “For this fourth phase, we are bringing the initiative to northern Ghana for the first time because school attendance gaps here are much higher than in the rest of the country.
He added that “This initiative was born from a simple observation. Children were missing school over something as basic as footwear while used car tyres were being dumped or burned along our roads.”
He spoke about the relevance of the initiative to society saying “For the country, the return on investment is clear. A child in school is a child building a future for their family and community.”
He said the initiative “reflects who we are as a bank” adding “Access Bank (Ghana) Plc remains committed to leading as a flag bearer of sustainable and purpose driven business.”
Mr Ocansey said during the first three phases of the initiative, 31,000 pairs of sandals were distributed to schoolchildren in the country.
He thanked partners under the initiative including Rana Motors, Horseman Shoes and the Ghana Education Service for ensuring that the sandals reached the beneficiaries.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf by Mr Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, Chief Director, Northern Regional Coordinating Council, commended the bank and its partners for extending the initiative to the region.
Mr John encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the sandals urging them “To see them as more than a gift but as a symbol of a partnership that believes in a better tomorrow for the north.”
Mr Alhassan Alidu Jr, Northern Regional Director of Education, who was represented at the launch by Mr Andani Zakaria Abdullai, Head of Planning, Regional Education Office, expressed gratitude to the bank and its partners for the initiative.
He said it would help schoolchildren to remain in school and become better future leaders.
Nyab Nyankpal-Lana, Chief of Nyankpala also thanked the bank and its partners for the initiative to help the future leaders of the country.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
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