LIGHTING UP A SCHOOL TO CREATE HOPE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Basic teaching and learning materials can be difficult to raise in some instances, and when they are obtained, it is important to manage them judiciously to meet the needs for which they have been procured. Planning for school excellence in itself can be very daunting.

The Rotary Club of Takoradi-Anaji decided to fulfil a key mandate of making basic education and literacy relevant in the lives of school children within the catchment area.  Rotarian   President Edwin Kofi Amanor in the presence of Immediate Past President Angelina Aba Yalley and Charter President Isaac Osabu, some Board and other club members on the l3th of August 2023, donated ten (10) solar street lights to Assakae-Whindo Primary and Junior High School in Takoradi.

Are you wondering why the choice to donate Solar light to Assakae-Whindo Primary and   Junior High School? A needs assessment by the President and the Board revealed a pressing need for such an intervention due to frequent theft at the school premises. These incidents affected academic work citing an example of white marker Boards previously stolen from some classrooms.

The club wanted a project to create an enabling environment and promote academic work within the school. Considering several factors but not limited to cost, the need to eliminate recurrent expenditure was necessary, the club found the solar lights to be cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly as the production of light at night was based on energy generated from the sun during the day and would have no associated recurrent cost to be incurred by the school. Electricity produced from Sunlight also has little or no negative effects which would have contributed to the high cost of consumption and its direct effect on the environment by way of increased carbon and methane emission into the atmosphere.

Persons present were informed about the security features of the lighting system to ward off thieves. The negative effects of the absence of such lights on academic work have been worrisome and such an intervention brings great relief.

The two Head Mistresses of the Assakae-Whindo Methodist Primary and Junior High School Madam Gloria Ahomeka Sey and Mrs Harriet Adjei respectively were full of praise as they received high-profile guests of Rotary District 9104 to their school.

In presenting the Solar street lights, the District Governor for District 9104, Rotarian David Osei Amankwah Jnr, AG Michael Frimpong, PAG Emmanuel Quarshie and PP, Kwame Baah-Acheamfuor graced the occasion and encouraged good use and maintenance of the lights.

The area’s Assemblyman, Mr. Alex Nana Acheampong, was present to mark the occasion. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the school. The Rotarian president demonstrated the use of the light and encouraged the school authorities to maintain the installed lights to achieve the purpose of such a project.

There was great excitement from the school’s pupils as they beamed with a smile for being beneficiaries of the project.

We cannot underestimate the significance of such a project. As we endeavour to reach more schools, the Rotary Club of Takoradi-Anaji expresses gratitude to those who help to reach out to many and help them solve a problem at a time.

Sooner than later we may be calling on you to help us realise the greater impact of supporting interventions that will create an opportunity for children to enjoy a safer school environment and be free to explore limitlessly, what education can offer them. Partner with us to light up schools to create hope for academic excellence.