Regional News of Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Source: GNA

Swedru National Vocational Institute cries for assistance

Authorities of the National Vocational Training Institute (NATVCO), formerly Boys Industrial School (BIS), have made an urgent appeal to the government and other donor agencies to assist the school to overcome its present predicament.

According to the authorities, the school was going through difficulties and was finding it difficult to cater for its inmates.

Mr. Bernard Bananzi, Principal of the Institute, made the appeal when officials from European Union (EU) Plan Ghana International and Department of Social Welfare paid a visit to the Institute at Agona Swedru on Tuesday.

The visit formed part of the activities marking the celebration of World Day Against Child Labour.

The Principal said the institute, which has 15 inmates, had not received financial support from the government for many years and that inmates were fed with school fees collected from students which was not adequate.

He said the inmates were supposed to be given three meals daily but sometimes had to be fed twice due to financial constraints.

Mr. Bananzi appealed to the government, Agona West Municipal and Agona East District Assemblies and philanthropists to come to the aid of the school.

Mr. Regnaut Judikaur, Leader of EU delegation, assured the authorities that everything possible would be done to support the Institute.

He said EU would renew its contract with Plan Ghana and Department of Social Welfare to enable them to continue supporting children’s activities in the country.**