MTN has commissioned an eight-unit dormitory block,a housemistress’ bungalow, 60 bunk beds andmodern washrooms for Apam Senior High School.

The GH¢400,000 facility, according to MTN will ease congestion and create the opportunity for more students to experience the benefits of living in the boarding house.

Commissioning the facility, the Executive Director of the MTN GhanaFoundation, Mrs. Cynthia Lumor said MTN has education as one of its focus areas for giving back to society.

She said MTN has identified that helping to create an enabling environment that supports socio-economic development in communities in which it operates, by supporting impactful and sustainable projects, is a fundamental responsibility of its businesses.

“Our national icon and first Ghanaian UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, once said: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family”.

This quote summarizes the importance of education to the development of our communities and our nation as a whole. Indeed, the benefits of education seem countless – reducing poverty, increasing income, boosting economic growth, enhancing health, saving children, fostering peace, promoting gender equality, and raising crop yields, to name a few. Because of these benefits, and also because education shapes attitudes and helps people to realise their potential and enhance their opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society.

Implementation of this national development responsibility falls to the MTN Ghana Foundation, with a focus on health, education and economic empowerment”, she added.

Mrs. Lumor said with 135 projects across Ghana and over 1,000 scholarships, MTN has made education and healthcare possible for over three million people in diverse communities nationwide.

“In the Central Region we built the Children’s Ward at TwifuPraso Government Hospital, ICT centers at Aggrey Memorial SHS, Komenda and Ankaful Prisons, 6 unit classroom Block and ICT centre at SrafaImmuna  School, University of Cape Coast Project Library project and a Local Agency Scheme involving the provision of equipment such as fridge, photocopier, stocks and seed capital to existing small business in order to scale up their operations and improve their chances of economic empowerment”, she mentioned.

Officially handing over the facility to authorities of the school, Mrs. Lumor entreated authorities of the school to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

She said MTN’s flagship program, MTN Heroes of Change initiative is a programthat seeks to recognize, reward and encourage exemplary Ghanaians who are volunteering to bring change in the communities in which they live.

She indicated that nominations for Season III closed recently and are in the process of shortlisting nominees.

Mrs. Lumor said in Season II, Rev Jehu Appiah, the founder of Mephiboshet Training Centre, located in Apam, won the Education category.

Mrs. Lumorexpressed profound gratitude to the school authorities, Chiefs and people of Apam for their co-operation and support during the entire project period.

She appealed to the students to take care of the facilities so they may be preserved for those that come after them.

“While you are here, take advantage of every opportunity to expand your education, because as the great Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, she added.

Source: kasapafmonline