Aninkroma-Ashanti, Feb. 2, GNA - Authorities of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University Science Technology (KNUST), University of Utah and Xango Foundation have constructed a three-classroom unit block and offices worth 50,000 dollars for Aninkroma District Assembly Primary School in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District of Ashanti. The project was undertaken under the Demographic and Health Surveillance Site (DHSS), a research project being conducted by the four institutions in some selected communities in the country. A three classroom block jointly financed by Atwima-Nwabiagya District Assembly and citizens of Aninkroma estimated at about GH¢17,000 was also inaugurated.

Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, Chief Executive Officer of KATH said, DHSS similar to a project in Agincourt South Africa, was to conduct health and population census to identify some of the common diseases affecting children. He said the project being carried out in collaboration with the Family and Preventive Medicine of University of Utah and KNUST begun in 2004. These included the census of over 10,000 residents of the district, physical examination of children less than five years, dental records of up to 320 children, malaria studies and Schistosomiasis study. Dr Asare said, an agricultural project to cultivate citrus, oil palm plantation and maize as a means of self sustenance was being undertaken in collaboration with Agricultural Faculty of KNUST. He said a 20-seater water closet for the people of Barekuma under the project financed by management of Xango Foundation, would be completed by March this year 2009 to ensure good sanitation.

Mr Thomas Ofori Donkor, Atwima-Nwabiagya District Chief Executive, urged the citizens to complement government's efforts in national development through communal labour. Miss Dinah Appiah, Atwima-Nwabiagya District Director of Education, called on metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to enact bye-laws to enforce parents to send their children to school. She explained that such bye-laws would help promote quality education under such projects. Professor Steve Alder, Representative of University of Utah, called on teachers, parents and other stakeholders in education to ensure children realise their potentials through education.