MTN, the telecommunication giant in Ghana, has handed over a 24-unit classroom block, to the Police Educational System at the Police Depot – Tesano.
In a handing over and commissioning ceremony held on Friday, 10th December 2021 at the Police Depot School, MTN through its Foundation handed over an ultra-modern school complex consisting of a 24-unit classroom block, an ICT Lab, a staff common room, a head teacher’s office and other office spaces, as well as washroom facilities to the Police Educational System.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr. Selorm Adadevoh, remarked that, prior to his company’s investment in the school complex, the Police Depot School was a dilapidated structure that was void of an ICT Lab and Library space. Also, pupils had to manage to learn in a crowded classroom environment.
After the MTN Ghana Foundation received a request by the Police Depot School to renovate their school block, they responded urgently to the request, leading to the construction of the ultra-modern infrastructure.
Mr. Adadevoh mentioned that the kind gesture from MTN was in fulfilment to its corporate social responsibility to the community in which it operates, and also to its customers and partners. He encouraged the pupils to learn seriously, taking advantage of the modern infrastructure, as education is an enabler to many possibilities.
“MTN Ghana believes that education is an enabler to many possibilities, therefore during this COVID-19 period, we prioritized support for educational institutions and provided free access to over 200 educational websites in the country. We are aware that the youth accounts for over 60% of our population, and it is for this reason that we have shifted our key strategic focus of our corporate social investments, towards youth empowerment.”
COP George Alex Mensah, Director-General in charge of Technical Services speaking on behalf of the IGP George Akuffo Dampare said that the new structure is a great achievement to them and has come at a time they need it most. Built in 1945, the Police Depot Cluster of Schools has not seen major improvements, and can only boast of thirteen schools across five regions in the country, with no Senior High School; though the school has contributed its quota in training renowned personalities across different sectors in Ghana.
He also mentioned that due to the intensified work of the Formed Police Unit (FPU), there was an urgent need to relocate the pupils to a different compound.
“Two of the buildings which were built with bricks had developed cracks and was causing serious danger to the pupils and staff at the school. There was therefore the need to construct a new structure to accommodate the pupils and staff. Moreover, there was the need to relocate the children from the compound of our FPU, and this needed urgent attention. In Pursuant to this, MTN Ghana Foundation as part of their CSR agreed to construct a 24-unit classroom block for the Ghana Police Service.”
Expressing his appreciation on behalf of the Ghana Police Service to the management of the MTN Ghana Foundation, he said that the kind gesture was worthy of emulation. In conclusion, he reassured MTN that the Police Educational System would keep the newly constructed classroom block in good shape.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Communications and Digitalization – Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful expressed the government’s appreciation to the MTN Ghana Foundation for their unmatched investments in various projects. She said that the ultra-modern school complex to her was not a brick and mortar building, but seats of vital investments in Ghana’s future.
She also mentioned that the school complex would serve the educational needs of children from Tesano, Adama, Alajo, Accra Newtown, Avenor, Abeka and other communities within the catchment areas of the Police station.
Again, she highlighted that the MTN Ghana Foundation has successfully embarked on eighty-seven educational projects across the country and that this investment by the Foundation also ties in with the educational objectives of her government, in making education accessible to all.
“The goal of this investment by the MTN Foundation ties in beautifully with the educational objectives of this government, which under the leadership of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, has invested so much, in expanding the educational infrastructure and access to education. The flagship Free SHS program has made it possible to remove costs to the barriers in accessing education and relieves the burden on countless parents and guardians, especially single mothers. ”
She commended the MTN Ghana Foundation for solving the pressing infrastructure problem at the Police Depot Cluster of Schools, also for partnering with the National Communications Authority on its Girls in ICT project.
She admonished the students to take their ICT studies seriously because that will provide the key to unlocking their potentials.
The 24-unit classroom block and other offices handed over to the Police Educational System, is the fourth largest in terms of investments, by the MTN Ghana Foundation. It was constructed at a cost of Gh¢ 3.4 million in an 18-month duration and can take up to 2,500 pupils.
Other dignitaries present at the commissioning were Deputy Education Minister – Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, the South African High Commissioner – H.E. Grace Janet Mason, the National Communications Authority Board Chair – Mr. Isaac Emil Bonsu, the Director-General of the National Communications Authority – Mr. Joe Anokye, the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South Constituency – Hon. Darkoa Newman, the Municipal Director for Education – Cynthia Obuni, officials from MTN Ghana, the Ghana Police Service and the Police Training School.
There were dances performances by the Police Depot Primary School and musical interludes by the Police Academic Band.
To add to this or start a conversation, join our forum to share your opinions with other readers. For stories of this sort and more, do well to log on to www.jbklutse.com or visit us on Facebook
source https://www.jbklutse.com/mtn-foundation-hands-over-24-unit-classroom-block-to-the-police-educational-system/
No comments:
Post a Comment