Likpe-Mate (V/R), Feb 28, GNA - Mr Ahuma W. Adodoadji, President of PLAN-United States of America, a non-governmental organisation, has said the organization's commitment to bridging the development gap between rural children and their urban counterparts. Mr Adodoadji said this at the inauguration of a six-unit 65,544-Ghana cedi E. P. Pre-School and ancillary facilities at Likpe-Mate.

The organization also awards scholarships worth 280 Ghana cedis each to 50 students every academic year at the Likpe-Mate Senior High School.

He said he was optimistic PLAN's partnership with other stakeholders would make the world a safer place for children to realize their dreams irrespective of their geographical location, race, religion or creed. Mr John Peter Amewu, Hohoe District Chief Executive, appealed to traditional authorities to lead the crusade towards reviving the 'can do' communal spirit.

He praised PLAN-Ghana and USA for agreeing to partner government towards bringing development to the doorsteps of the rural dwellers in the Hohoe and South Tongu districts.

Mr Samuel Paulos Fayed, Country Director, PLAN-Ghana, said Hohoe and South Tongu districts were the latest of PLAN-Ghana's programmes in addition Bawjiase, Asesewa, Mankessim, Tumu and Wa. He said 100 scholarships are for grabs in the two districts with 30 communities benefiting from projects in education, health, water and sanitation, irrigation schemes and micro credit financing. Nana Oforite Dzahene IV, Chief of Likpe-Mate, commended Mr Amewu and Plan-Ghana for the speed with which they replaced the pre-school block that a rainstorm damaged.

He said the area was ready to partner government towards the realization of their development agenda. The Hohoe District Assembly and Plan-Ghana have signed a memorandum of Understanding on technical co-operation including adherence to regulatory framework and management of development programmes on education, water and sanitation, health and micro-financing in the next two years. Mr Amewu and Ms Juliet Dede Kumah, District Director of Education signed for the Hohoe District Assembly and Mr Fayed signed for Plan-Ghana.