Ayensudo (C/R), Feb. 25, GNA - The Central Regional Minister, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe on Wednesday, inaugurated a six-classroom block for the Ayensudo Islamic Primary School, constructed with support from the European Union (EU), at Ayensudo.

Madam Doe, who was assisted by the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation in Ghana, His Excellency Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, to inaugurate the school block, commended the EU for its support to government's efforts to eradicate poverty and better the lot of the people.

She said the EU, was supporting the country in education, health and the provision of potable water under its Micro-projects Programme, as well as assisting women in particular to undertake income generating activities to help reduce poverty in the country. Madam Doe encouraged parents in the community to endeavour to educate their children to enable them to develop their full potentials and become useful citizens in future to enhance the socio-economic development of their communities. She called on the school's authorities to plant trees to serve as a windbreak.

For his part, Ambassador Sebregondi said the EU has completed the first phase of its sixth Micro-projects, and that since 2006, 94 deprived districts in six regions in Ghana, have been assisted with various development projects at a total cost of 25 million Euros. The beneficiary regions are Upper East and West, Northern, Central, Volta and Eastern, which he said were selected "due to their persistent high levels of poverty".

He charged the government to remain committed to formulate and implement a comprehensive decentralization programme to enable it to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Ambassador, also launched a book entitled "Building on the past to create a better future", which is about the history of Elmina and the ongoing restoration projects carried out under the 'Elmina 2015 Strategy'.

The book, which was co-authored by Dr Annan Prah, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and Ester Van Steekelemburg, of Urban Solutions, a Dutch Consultancy firm in charge of the 'Elmina 2015 Strategy'.

Ambassador Sebregondi announced that proceeds from the sale of the book, would be used as a resolving fund to develop tourism in the Elmina Township.

The Regional Minister bought the first copy of the book for GH¢100.00 Nana Ato Arthur, former Regional Minister, who initiated the 'Elmina 2015 Strategy' when he was the District Chief Executive for the area, urged Madam Doe to ensure that the project is pursued to help give the township a further facelift to enhance tourism.