Accra, April 9, GNA - Some 2,714 educational institutions have for the past 10 years benefited from Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Educational Fund set up to complement government's educational development effort, Dr Thomas Agyarko-Poku, Executive Director of the Fund, told newsmen at a press soiree in Accra on Wednesday.

Over GH¢90,000 was spent to improve infrastructure in first and second cycle institutions across the country, while 7,000 dual desks were manufactured and distributed to basic schools in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions at the cost of GH¢5,200.

The press soiree was also to announce the launch of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu Charity Foundation later this month.

The Fund also spent about GH¢148,622 during the 2007/2008 academic year to pay the school fees of needy but brilliant children across the country. In 2005 it distributed over 1,000 bags of cement and 86 computers to educational institutions.

The fund, over the period distributed poly tanks and water pumps and provided scholarships for a number of students in tertiary institutions.

Dr Agyarko-Poku challenged other traditional leaders to set up similar education funds to complement government's efforts and improve the socio-economic conditions of their subjects. He said the Otumfuo Education Fund over the past 10 years had contributed to the improvement of the performance of educational institutions in the Ashanti Region in particular.

On future development projects of the fund, Dr Agyarko-Poku said the mangers intended to build a library complex in honour of the Ashanti King who celebrates his 10th year of occupancy of the Golden Stool. The fund would also establish a Technical/Vocational Institute equipped with modern technical gargets.