Education is the key to the realization of a better future for children. But for over thousands of disadvantaged children within the Agbogba community of Accra who lack quality education, a better future can only be guaranteed under the African Thriving International, an Ecobank Foundation partnership school project.
Dubbed “The Model School Project” is a GHC 1.4million project which seeks to provide pupils in underprivileged public basic schools with quality education.
The project is expected to benefit over 1,000 underprivileged children within Agbogba community in Accra.
Under the first phase of the ultra-modern school model project, Agbogba Anglican Basic School will be the sole beneficiary of a 4 unit KG block with kids’ rest room , a fully resourced 6 unit classroom, a multi-purpose building consisting of the head teacher’s office, staff common room, Library and ICT Centre among others .
According to the CEO of Ecobank Foundation, Julie Essiam, the move forms part of the corporate social responsibility of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and, Atlantic Trust Holdings and Atlantic Holdings of Dubai.
She added four (4) similar schools will be built across the country in various regions including Eastern, Volta, Central and Northern Ghana all at an estimated cost of GHC 7million.
At a ground breaking ceremony and launch of the project at the Agbogba Anglican Basic School in Accra on Monday, September 5, 2016, Chairman of the Atlantic Trust Holdings and Atlantic Holdings of Dubai, Alex Asiedu noted the new model school library will be built to the standards of such schools in US with well- furnished modern gadgets like solar powered laptops with 24-hour internet connectivity among others to enable the pupils gain the same knowledge base compared to the kids living in the US, UK and other developed countries.
He said: “Our commitment to leading a continental and global transformation at all levels of society can only be realized when the youngest citizens of our countries are given better footing through education”.
“Our role is to facilitate access to financial and technical support so that public basic schools of developing countries can enjoy quality education programmes and the best strategies to get all children into school and learning” he added.
The headmistress of the Agbogba Anglican Basic School, Joana Brukum welcomed the initiative with glee, pointing out that “The ultra-modern class edifice will change the phase of this school to benefit over thousand pupils currently enrolled in the Agbogba Anglican Schools”.
She commended the Ecobank Foundation and the Africa Thriving Int. for responding positively to their cry for help towards solving infrastructure problems of the school.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has also lauded the move referring to it as a great initiative by all standards.
“This is a great endeavor that will benefit education in Africa impacting several thousands of children and positioning them to be fruitful citizens when they grow up contributing to Sustainable Development,” he said in a speech for him by Rev. Dr. Chris Koramoah.
The Agbogba Anglican Basic School was established in 1952 by an Anglican Priest known as Father Dean with support from the chiefs, elders and people of Agbogba when he visited the area and spotted some pupils attending school under a tree.
Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor | 3news.com
