Japan gives ¢700 million grant to Babanawokope School

The Japan Embassy has signed a 'grant contract' with Babanawokope School Management Committee to help improve the low level of educational infrastructure and materials for an effective learning.

The $76,148 US (¢700 million) grant contract was under the Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) scheme to construct the building of a Junior High School (JHS) and a kindergarten in Babanawokope area, at the Ketu district of the Volta Region.

Part of the grant would be used to purchase educational materials for the school to enable an estimated number of 120 JHS students and 120 kindergarten pupils to benefit directly from the project every year.

Japan's Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Masamichi Ishikawa said his government would continue to support the Government of Ghana's efforts in providing basic education to all in the country.

He said the Japanese government has assisted the educational sector in various communities throughout the country.

Ambassador Ishikawa said in 2002, the Japanese government extended a grant to construct Akasito Primary School.

“The present project is due to complete Babanawokope School Complex by building a JHS and a kindergarten in the same premises as Akasito Primary School”, he said.

The primary school, he said, has increased enrollment of children in the area. “It's very encouraging and demonstrates how the Babanawokope community and its people are dedicated to education”, he said.

He said 24 projects have been carried out in the Volta Region under the GGHSP and most of them were successfully conducted.

He called on the community to show commitment and dedication in the implementation of the Babanawokope project and urged other communities to be committed to various projects especially in vital areas such as education, healthcare and other basic human needs.

He called for an enhanced cordial relationship between Japan and Ghana.

On receiving the grant contract from Ambassador Ishikawa, the Chairman of the SMC, Mr. Dick Dogbey Amedoda thanked the Japanese government for their immense contribution towards the education system in the country.