By Eunice Tekie Tei
New Abirem (E/R), Oct. 24, GNA – The Newmont Akyem Development Foundation (NAKDeF) has initiated the construction of educational infrastructure and the provision of hygienic toilet facilities for schools in their host communities.
The Foundation plans to construct kindergarten blocks and renovate dormitories and classroom blocks with ancillary facilities for schools in the Birim North District.
Some of the schools that received assistance included the Hweakwae R/C Primary school, Afosu D/A Junior High School (JHS), Afosu Presbyterian Primary School, and New Abirem Senior High School (SHS).
During a ceremony held at various locations within Newmont’s catchment areas, Mr. Paul Apenu, the Executive Secretary for NAKDeF, emphasised the Foundation’s commitment to enhancing education and sanitation in schools.
According to him, the construction of kindergarten blocks at Hweakwae Primary and Afosu Presbyterian JHS aims to ease overcrowding in the existing nurseries, thus reducing the risk of communicable diseases among the children.
To guarantee effective teaching and learning, Mr. Apenu stated that the JHS standard blocks have been designed to fit a pavilion to help prevent any disturbances caused by miscreants or animals during the night.
According to him, this initiative would address the issue of low enrollment in the beneficiary schools and improve the delivery of quality education.
Mr. Apenu stressed that the Foundation has made significant improvements in sanitation and hygiene and said NAKDeF has improved the sanitation status of Afosu D/A JHS and the Hweakwae R/C primary school by providing them with a six-seater toilet facility, urinal, and hand washing facilities.
The projects aim to provide clean and sanitary toilet facilities for schools, with the goal of promoting hygiene and sanitation to enhance the teaching and learning environment.
Mr. Apenu said the Foundation has also provided 20 desktop computers with accessories to the Hweakwae D/A Basic School to boost the teaching of information, communications, and technology (ICT) as an examinable subject.
He urged community members to show support and regularly visit the sites for monitoring.
He also appealed to the contractors to involve the residents in the communities to generate employment opportunities in the area.
GNA