Sheikh I. C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Friday cut the sod for work to begin on a two-storey 10-classroom block valued at 866 million for Big Ada Presbyterian Junior Secondary School in the Greater Accra Region.

The new structure is to replace the old and dilapidated school block, which poses a physical danger to the pupils. It is also to create a congenial atmosphere for teaching and learning. In addition to the 10 classrooms, the new structure would have six water closets, a store, a library and an office for the Headmaster.

Funding for the project is from the District Assemblies Common Fund and it is expected to be completed in six months. Speaking at the ceremony, Sheikh I. C. Quaye said the government was concerned about creating a democratic society in which all people would live in dignity.

He said all citizens had the chance to build the nation only when the infrastructure base of the educational institutions was solid. The Regional Minister also urged the feuding parties to the Songor salt litigation to burry their differences and come together as one people and take opportunity of what the salt project could bring to the people.

He said because of this protracted litigation, most investors who had expressed interest in the Songor salt project were now rushing to Saltpond in the Central Region to do business. Mr. Tetteh Kofi Plahar, Dangme East District Chief Executive (DCE), said that the district assembly had rehabilitated 30 basic schools within the district and also provided some with furniture.

He said last year the Assembly awarded scholarships worth 68 million cedis to students in the district and this year 100 million cedis had been earmarked for 299 tertiary students and 54 JSS graduates.