Ahafo Region: Cocoa farmers donate 70,000 exercise books to schools in Asunafo North

As one of the leading and responsible Co-operative Unions in the country, the Asunafo North Municipal Co-operative Cocoa Farmers Union in Ahafo Region has presented over 70,000 exercise books to the Ghana Education Service for onward distribution to the needy, but brilliant students in the 67 primary schools.

The donation is part of the Union's objective of eliminating child labour especially in cocoa grown areas by making teaching and learning meaningful in the municipality.

Speaking to the ModernGhana's Ashanti Regional Correspondent on a telephone interview, the President and Manager of the Union, Mr. Daniel Amponsah Gyinayeh and Mr. Patrick Owusu said the gesture is not the only donation the Union has made.

They noted that between 2015 and 2021, through the support of their partners Mondelez International - Cocoa Life program and other partners like Tonyschocolonely and Fairtrade Africa, the Union have provided several interventions especially in the educational sector.

They mentioned the construction of school blocks, teachers' quarters and water facilities across 67 communities in the Municipality.

This year alone, the President and Manager noted, through their key partners, they have been able to print and distributed 70,000 exercise books and cash donations of Ghc500 to each of the 219 tertiary students.

According to them, the Union in 2015 printed and distributed 120,000 exercise books, constructed more than 30 school facilities within the Municipality.

Mr.Owusu and his boss stressed that in 2022 the Union is hoping to deliver 100,000 books, pens, pencils and mathematical set for the wards of the Union members.

These they said cannot be possible without the support of their key partner, Mondelez international.

Asked about the rationale behind the numerous support, Mr Amponsah indicated that their biggest sponsor Modular International in Switzerland and Tonys Chocololely of Holland (Dutch) are partnering the Union to end child labour in all the communities within the Municipality.

On this note, President Amponsah entreated parents and school authorities to take advantage of the gesture to encourage their children to attend school, since in his opinion, education is the best legacy every parent can bequeath to his child.

The Manager of the Union Mr. Owusu Patrick on his part encouraged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity and urged teachers to kindly share the books in line with the purpose in which it was given.

He advises children to stay focused and take their academic work seriously to become the future leaders the society desires.