A delegation of the Ghanaian Community in Sierra Leone led by H.E. Kabral Blay-Amihere, Ghana's High Commissioner to Sierra Leone has presented items worth $21,500 to a number of educational institutions and hospitals in Ghana.

Other members of the delegation were Mr. Salifu Alhassan, a Ghanaian Procurement Consultant and Mr. J. Bartels Kwodwo, Minister at the Ghana High Commission.

At the presentation ceremony held in Accra on July 30, 2004, the High Commissioner said that the presentation was under the DOLLAR A MONTH FOR GHANA Project, an initiative of the Ghana High Commission launched in February 2002. Under the project, Ghanaian living in Sierra Leone make a voluntary contribution of one dollar a month or more to the Project to support humanitarian causes in both Ghana and Sierra Leone.

The list of items, which were presented through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nana Akufo-Addo included 100 dual desks and accompanying desks and chairs for teachers to the Ghana Armed Forces Education Service for distribution to military primary schools in Burma Camp, Tamale, Takoradi and Kumasi.

Both the Pantang and Ankaful Mental Hospitals received two jumbo-sized water tanks each whilst 20 similar water tanks were donated to the Ghana Education Service for distribution to selected schools in all ten regions of Ghana.

The beneficiary schools were, Nifa Secondary School Nungua Secondary School, Sefwi Wiawso Secondary School, Breman Asikuma Seciondary School, Kpasah Secondary School, Duayaw Nkwanta Secondary School, Tepa Secondary School, Gambaga Secondary School, Zuarungi Secondary Schoool and Kaleo Secondary School. Two more water tanks were presented to the Asankragwa Secondary School for use by the Girls Dormitory which recently got burnt.

The Akropong School for the Blind was presented with 30 Braille frames whilst the Ajiriganon Primary School near East Legon was presented with sports kits.

In his remarks at the presentation ceremony, High Commissioner Blay-Amihere said the donations reflected the patriotism and solidarity of the small Ghanaian community in Sierra Leone.

He paid special tribute to the various Ghanaian battalions who have served in Sierra Leone since the Project was launched for their support for the motherland and the project.

It may be recalled that the High Commissioner last year made a similar presentation under the Project which is in its third year to some institutions in Ghana and Sierra Leone.

Foreign Minister Hon. Akufo-Addo commended the Ghana High Commission and the entire Ghanaian community in Sierra Leone for their patriotism and described the project as an "initiative worthy of commendation and emulation".

Nana Akufo advised Ghana's Missions abroad to borrow a leaf from the Sierra Leone example.

"Our Missions must continue to mobilize our compatriots and harness their potentials in support of the national goal to achieve economic development and progress for our people", said Nana Akufo-Addo.

He also recognised the tremendous contribution Ghanaians abroad make to the national development through remittances and employment of their skills.

Referring to the role "overseas" Chinese have played in the dramatic transformation and development of China, Nana Akufo-Addo appealed to "overseas" Ghanaians to do more for the motherland.

Mr Moses Bani, the Deputy Minister of Health who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries joined the Foreign Minister in thanking the Ghanaian Community in Sierra Leone.

He said his Ministry was happy to be a recipient this year under the Project recalling how 200 eye reading glasses presented to the Ghana Eye Care Secretariat last year to school kids by the DOLLAR A MONTH FOR GHANA Project had made a big difference in the lives of the beneficiaries.