Mr. Richard Boadu, Plan Ghana Programme Unit Manager for the Upper West Region, has pledged the organization’s commitment to continue to assist the government to achieve its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target on education by 2015, through the construction of more child friendly schools in rural communities.

He said Plan would also seek further funding to expand its programmes such as “Violence against Children” and “Because I Am A Girl” campaigns to reach as many children as possible especially the marginalized and the socially excluded children.

Mr. Boadu gave the pledge during the inauguration of a 6-unit classroom block valued at GH¢200,000 at Kusali in the Sissala West District.

The facility, which has a library and a computer laboratory, was constructed by Plan Ghana with funds from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

He said Plan had been working for the past 10 years in the Upper West Region and had within the period built 13 pre-schools and 12 Primary and Junior High School (JHS) blocks in the region.

Also, three JHS blocks, two pre-schools and a six-unit classroom block were under construction at Jawia, Lilixia, Dabo, Chabere, Motigu and Yaala Number Two.

Mr. Boadu said, Plan is piloting a unique model of school feeding programme at Pulima and Kupulima in the Sissala West District which is benefiting over 1,000 children.

Over 1,500 students both boys and girls have benefited from Plan Ghana Scholarship Scheme in the Upper West Region, and this year Plan Ghana has awarded 110 scholarships made up of 70 female and 40 male students in the region to enable them go through SHS.

He said apart from the institutional support it gave to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enable it do effective monitoring and supervision of schools, Plan also supported training of teachers and School Management Committees to improve on their performance and enhance quality education.

Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister, praised Plan Ghana for the numerous interventions and support it gave to the people of the region, and still continues to give especially to children and the vulnerable in society.

He said the construction of school infrastructure and other educational interventions, captured the kind of partnership government desired from philanthropists and organizations.

Alhaji Sulemana appealed to the community members to send their children to school to enable them educate themselves and come back to support the community.**