Sekondi (W/R), May 19, GNA - The Sekondi Saint Paul Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church is building a 1.3 billion block of classrooms for the Junior Secondary School in memory of Reverend Father Anthony William Greffeon at Sekondi.

The project, which is being constructed in three phases, is expected to be completed within three years.

The Most Reverend John Martin Darko, Catholic Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, who performed the sod-cutting ceremony at Sekondi on Tuesday, said the Church would continue to complement the efforts of the Government to provide quality education for the people. He cautioned against any attempt by the Government to take-over mission schools and hospitals completely, which he alleged was being proposed under a new education bill that is before Parliament.

Reverend Father Philip Tandoh, Pro-Cathedral Administrator, stressed the importance the Church attaches to education in the country and said the commencement of the project "is a dream come true". He appealed to individuals, institutions including non-governmental organisations to donate generously towards the early completion of the project.

Mr Moses Buah, Western regional manager of Catholic schools, said the Church had spent more than 1.2 billion cedis to improve facilities at the Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Schools Complex at Kwesimintsim. He mentioned the Assorku-Essaman Catholic Primary School, Apremdo Nursery and Primary School Complex and Bishop Essuah School complex as some of the institutions within the Shama Ahanta East Metropolis that would be provided with new infrastructure this year.

Mr Buah expressed concern about the agitation by some communities for the removal of "Catholic" from the name of some educational institutions.

Eighteen million cedis was realised during appeal for funds.