By Erica Apeatua Addo
Enimilkrom (W/R), November 30, GNA – Goldfields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has invested over US$12 million in the development of projects in its host communities since the inception of the foundation in 2002.
The projects and programmes fall under infrastructure, education, health, training and agriculture.
Education alone constituted about 44 per cent of the total investment made and this reflect the Foundations commitment towards the development of the human resource in the scheme of things.
Mr Abdel-Razak Yakubu, the Community Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement (CASE) Manager, Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL), announced this when he commissioned, a three-unit and five-unit classroom blocks with offices and conference rooms for Saint Peter & Paul Anglican Primary School at Enimilkrom and T.I Ahmaddiyya Basic school at Subri.
He said “in 2021, over US$1.7 million was invested in various projects and programmes to benefit community members. I must say that the joy is not in the amount spent but the benefits achieved and expected in the foreseeable future”.
Mr Yakubu recalled that about a year ago, the beneficiary schools made a request to the GFGF for assistance as their existing classroom blocks were congested.
He said “this compelled teacher to combine pupils of different year levels in one class just to manage the situation. This resulted in lack of concentration in class leading to poor teaching and learning in these schools”.
The Manager said the provision of school buildings does not complete the creation of a conducive environment for teaching and learning, hence why, the Foundation provided furniture for the two schools and all public schools within their host communities
These include;1,600 mono-desks, 44 pentagonal tables with 220 chairs, eight long computer tables with 40 chairs, headmasters table with chairs, cupboard for safe storage of books and other teaching materials, added that, US$156,977.73 was invested in these projects, all in 2022, he said.
Mr Yakubu said thesese achievements would not have been possible without the unflinching support and guidance from the Municipal Education Directorate and Works Department, and hoped the facility would translate into good results.
The Municipal Director of Education in Prestea Huni-Valley, Mr Sebastian Diaw, commended GFGF for the project and said it would go a long way to ensure effective teaching and learning, and advised parents to ensure children of school going age were not left at home.
He appealed to management of both schools to exhibit proper maintenance culture to increase the life span of the buildings.
Nana Kwabena Amponsah IV, Divisional Chief of Bosomtwe called on the Municipal Director of Education to post more teachers to SS Peter & Paul Anglican primary school to help train the pupils.
He again appealed to AGL through the GFGF to construct a Junior High School block and teachers’ quarters for the school to enable pupils continue their education after completing primary and also retain teachers who would be posted to the area.
The GFGF was established to promote and facilitate sustainable socio-economic development in order to improve upon the quality of life in its host communities and Ghana.
To drive this development agenda, the Foundation consults key stakeholder institutions to implement projects in its catchment communities every year.
GNA