Ekumfi Nanaben (C/R), Oct 10, GNA - Plan Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has spent one billion cedis to improve the living condition of the people of Ekumfi Nanaben in the Central Region.

The money was spent on the provision of a clinic, furniture, potable water, toilet, school uniforms and stationery, capacity building of some members of health and education committees and a scholarship scheme for nine students to study in senior secondary school. Mr Jacob Turkson, Mankessim, Area Programme Manager, Plan Ghana, disclosed this to Ghana News Agency at the inauguration of a 459.2 million cedi clinic provided by the organisation at the Nanaben on Friday.

Mr Perlhagen of the United Kingdom and his wife provided the funds for the five-room clinic an ad three bedroom nurses' quarters. In a speech read on his behalf Mr Amadou Bocoum, Country Director of Plan Ghana, said the organisation was a child-centred community development oriented one, which sought to create an enabling environment in which children could realise their full potentials.

Mr Bocoum said the organisation was working in 44 partner communities in Mankessim area to improve the lot of children.

Mr Bocoum said funds for the projects realised through sponsorship of 102 children in the Nanaben community by overseas partners. The Country Director said 78.806 million cedis had been provided by Plan Ghana as running cost of the clinic for one year. Dr Philip Ziama Abu, Mfantseman District Director of Health Services expressed gratitude to Plan Ghana for placing high premium on health activities in the district.

He commended the organisation for making available an adolescent friendly facility at Essuehyia to specifically deal with adolescent related health issues and its support for the National Immunisation Programmes.

He appealed to the people to co-operate with health workers in order to have a 24-hour service.

Mr Frank Neequaye, Presiding Member of the Mfantseman District Assembly, advised people in the area to take advantage of the facilities provided by Plan Ghana and other organisations to improve their standard of living.

Mr Neequaye assured Plan Ghana and other organisations operating in the area of the support of the Assembly to make their activities succeed.

He announced that the road from Eyisam through Nanaben to Narkwa had been awarded on contract for rehabilitation.

Nana Gyesi III, chief of the town thanked the donors for providing them with the facilities.