By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Jirapa (UW/R), Sept. 27, GNA – A new Foundation has been launched in the Upper West Region with a commitment to supporting community development and improving the livelihoods of the people, particularly the less privileged people and underserved communities.
The foundation, named “Anwelle Foundation”, sought to create opportunities for the people through interventions in education, vocational training, healthcare, clean water and livelihood empowerment.
The launch, held in Jirapa at the weekend, attracted scores of people from the region and beyond, including government officials, the Presidential Envoy for Trade Investments and Special Duties of the Republic of Liberia, civil society organisation (CSO) actors, and women’s groups, among others.
At the launch, Mr Frank Anwelle, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation, said the initiative was not merely the establishment of an organisation, but a renewed hope for equitable opportunities for people irrespective of their socioeconomic background.
He said opportunity for personal and community development should not depend on luck, connections, or circumstances of one’s birth, but on merit.
He observed that though opportunities such as educational scholarships might exist, many deserving young people in rural communities were often unaware of them, a gap which the Foundation sought to bridge.
Mr Anwelle identified education, youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods as some pillars that anchored the Foundation.
Before the launch, the Foundation had impacted the lives of many people and communities through educational support and supported institutions, including the Jirapa Municipal Commands of the Ghana Police Service and Ghana National Fire Service.
The Foundation had also supported communities with water facilities as well as donated medical consumables to some health facilities.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Abdul-Karim Hakim, a final-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student at the University for Development Studies (UDS), said Mr Anwelle had supported his education from admission to date.
“He supports me to pay my accommodation rent. He supports me to pay my other expenses”, Mr Hakim, who comes from Walewale, in the North East Region, said, and expressed gratitude to his benefactor.
Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III, the Paramount Chief of Jirapa Traditional Area, challenged the residents and indigenes of the Jirapa Municipality to take responsibility for the development of the area.
He expressed optimism that the success of the Foundation would greatly transform the fortunes of the people, as education, agriculture, healthcare, clean water and skills development were essential to improving human dignity and economic progress.
The Chief observed that development should not be the sole responsibility of government, but a collaboration between traditional authorities, the private sector, development organisations and the citizens.
Naa Ganaa, therefore, urged the natives of the area to consider returning to contribute to the development of the district.
“If you are a doctor, Jirapa needs your knowledge. If you are an engineer, Jirapa needs your ideas.
If you are a teacher, Jirapa needs your wisdom; if you are an entrepreneur, Jirapa needs your investment,” he explained.
Professor William Angko, the Board Chairman of the Foundation, expressed confidence that the Foundation would serve as a vehicle for progress and development in Jirapa and beyond.
“The board will ensure that every resource entrusted to us is used transparently and reaches out to those in need, not those who are related to us. Everybody is our relative”, he said.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporter: Philip Tengzu, GNA
Reporter’s email: [email protected]