Regional News of Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Source: GNA

Construction firm presents classroom block to community

Koans Building Solutions Limited, has presented a three-unit classroom block to the Akuffokrom L/A Primary and Junior High School, near Pampaso in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The school block, including two offices built at the cost of GH?180,000.00 was to help promote teaching and learning in the community.

Mr Kofi Anokye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Koans Building Solutions Ltd, who presented the keys to the building, said the gesture formed part of the company's 15th anniversary celebration.

He said this confirms the company's stance that education is pivotal in peace building and national development.

He said one priority area that underpins good nation building is a sound and high quality educational system, as well as proper and well laid out infrastructure with the teacher first.

"Unfortunately, as a nation, we seem to be getting close yet in reality, we are far away from achieving the central tenet of quality education," he added.

Mr Anokye said the company is happy to contribute its quota towards the development of quality education delivery in the country.

He said the company has also embarked on other innovative projects like the establishment of a community school.

He said as part of activities lined up for the anniversary, Koans has cut the sod for the construction and building of a police post at Kuntuse and the project is due to commence soon.

The CEO reiterated that the company is ready to contribute its quota to help reduce the huge housing deficit in the country.

He said currently estate developers are faced with huge challenges emanating from the recent introduction of duties on some building materials, which use to be duty-free.

He said such duties coupled with taxes, which the government intends imposing on the sale of completed houses is definitely bound to break the camel’s back.

He called on government to make accessible the housing fund with low interest rates for the industry, while considering using part of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust contributions to support the industry in order to compliment government's efforts in reducing the deficit.

Mr Stephen Kofi Adjei, Headmaster, Akuffokrom L/A Primary and Junior High School commended the company for providing the infrastructure to promote quality education.

He called on government to construct an overhead bridge in front of the school to ensure the pupils cross the road to school without any difficult.

He also appealed to government to provide the school with computer and its accessories to promote ICT education in the community.

"We also need support from the educational directorate to construct a fence wall around the school to avoid encroaching," he added. Mr Adjei urged the youth of the community not to use the new building as a place of convenience or hideout for their criminal activities.

Mr Donnan Tay, a Director at the Ministry of Education commended the company for supporting government to eliminate schools under trees, expressing the hope that the new building would help to provide quality education to the community.