Akrofrom (Ash), Jan. 18, GNA - Mr Michael Nsiah, Executive Director of Miklin Hotel in Kumasi is financing the construction of a 1.2 billion cedis Junior Secondary School (JSS) block for the people of Akrofrom near Afari in the Atwima-Nwabiagya district.

It consists of three classrooms, a library, a computer laboratory, staff common room, a place of convenience, an office and a store. Cutting the sod for work to commence on the project at Akrofrom on Tuesday, Mr Thomas Ofori-Donkor, Atwima-Nwabiagya District Chief Executive, donated 100 bags of cement to support the project. He said the assembly would assist with the provision of accommodation for teachers of the school.

Mr Ofori-Donkor observed that quality teaching and learning depended on adequate resources that communities could mobilize to support education delivery and advised the residents to initiate self-help programmes.

He expressed concern about the increasing rate of encroachment of school lands and advised traditional rulers and estate developers to desist from such acts. The DCE commended Mr Nsiah for his effort to put up the block and urged wealthy citizens in the area to emulate the gesture. Baffour Asare-Bediako, an Assistant Director of Education at the District Education Directorate, said it was the responsibility of individuals to contribute meaningfully towards the development of education in the country. "The rapid development of any country depends on an enlightened citizenry," he said and advised parents to give priority attention to the education of their children.

Mr Nsiah said provision of educational infrastructure and other facilities would be meaningless when parents refused to send their children to school.

He said construction of the block was not only to increase access to quality education in the area but also to honour his deceased mother-in-law, Nana Akua Kobi Afriyie of Akrofrom. Mr Nsiah said it was also to encourage the youth to acquire quality education and pledged to offer scholarships and bursaries to needy but brilliant students nation-wide.

Nana Akua Dufie, Queen Mother of the area has released a six-hectare land to the assembly to construction quarters for teachers of the school.