YMCA sponsors Kpone–Bawaleshie classroom project

The Ghana Young Men Christian Fellowship Association (YMCA), with support from the German YMCA (CVJM Rechtenbach), has sponsored the construction of a four-unit classroom block for the Kpone Bawaleshie Presbyterian Primary School in the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly.

The building, the first phase of a two-storey eight-unit classroom block, was initiated by the Parents Association (PA) of the school, with support from residents of the town, while the German YMCA provided financial support of €18,500.

At a ceremony to inaugurate the project, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the YMCA, Reginald Ffoulkes Crabbe, described the project as a success story of community participation in development.

According to him, the project, birthed by the PA of the school, was accepted by the community, who supported it and made it their own, and with the YMCA, it became a reality for the benefit of the entire community and beyond.

“The completion of the ground floor of this two-story, 8-unit classroom project stands as a testament to the incredible power of collaboration.

“This project, initiated three years ago, was driven by the visionary Parents Association, supported by the unwavering commitment of the CVJM Rechtenbach and the local YMCA members,” he added.

Commitment

Mr Crabbe said the support by the YMCA for the project was a testament to its commitment to youth development and empowerment.

The four-unit classroom block

“This occasion holds even more significance as it coincides with a milestone for the YMCA globally.

“This year, we have been and are still celebrating 180 years of World YMCA, a movement that spans across 120 countries, dedicated to empowering young people and strengthening communities,” he said.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Municipal Chief Executive of Kpone Katamanso, Samuel Okoe Amanquah, lauded the people of Kpone–Bawaleshie for coming together to construct the classroom block.

Timely intervention

The Kpone Katamanso Municipal Director of Education, Harry Evans Arthur, said the project was a timely intervention to help address the educational infrastructural deficit in the municipality.

“In Kpone Katamanso, we have an infrastructural deficit. Almost every school within the municipality is facing heavy congestion in the classroom. All the classrooms have students beyond their capacities and we need more school buildings to close the gap. Statistics available show that the teacher-student ratio is 1:45

Mr Arthur stressed that development was not the sole preserve of the government, adding that there was a need for community and individual support to augment the efforts of the government.

He further urged the community and the school to maintain a proper maintenance culture to ensure that the building lasts longer for many people to benefit.

For her part, the Headteacher of the school, Ernestina Ohenewa Larbi, said the new building would allow the school to increase its enrolment to ensure that many more children had access to education.

As part of efforts to complete the second phase of the project, the event was also used for fundraising, where many members of the community donated money and bags of cement.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh