Atebubu (B/A), March 29, GNA- The United Nations Children's Education Fund (UNICEF) has presented 198 bicycles to pupils in some deprived communities in Atebubu/Amantin district of Brong-Ahafo. The beneficiaries, mainly girls, received a bicycle each to relieve them of their plight of walking over 11 kilometres daily to attend school.

The gesture is also to avoid truancy among the pupils.

Presenting the bicycles to the pupils at Atebubu, Mr. Joseph Garker, UNICEF representative, said deprived communities in 15 districts in the region would benefit from the (UNICEF).

He noted that majority of pupils in deprived areas, particularly the girls, dropped out of school as a result of the numerous challenges they faced, including transportation to their various schools. Mr. Garker expressed optimism that the items would help bring about a positive change and encourage the pupils to improve their academic performance.

Mr. Kassim Seidu, District Director of Education, commended UNICEF for its continued support to the improvement of girl child education in the district.

He noted that the gesture would help minimize the number of school dropouts since most of the pupils would not have to walk long distances to attend school again.

Mr. Seidu appealed to the benefactors to consider extending the gesture to the JSS level.

Later in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Mr. Asamoah Mensah, Assembly Member for Mim in the district, appealed to UNICEF to provide the pupils with learning materials.

He expressed concern about the poor drinking water in some villages in the area including Grushie Akuraa and Adabraka and urged UNICEF to help provide potable drinking water to the people.