AVI cuts sod for modern washroom project to boost girls’ education in Eastern Region

Asaasiam Vision International (AVI), a Ghanaian non-governmental organisation, has cut sod for the construction of two modern washrooms and a changing room facility at Oda Nkwanta in the Eastern Region as part of efforts to improve living and learning conditions for vulnerable schoolgirls.

The ceremony took place on May 29, 2026 at the Oda Nkwanta MA “A” and “B” school premises under AVI’s “Let Girls Excel Africa” programme. The project is being funded partly by the Akuraase Foundation in Portland, Oregon, alongside individual donors from the United States, with AVI serving as the implementing partner.

The “Let Girls Excel Africa” initiative targets vulnerable girls aged 11 to 18 in rural parts of Eastern Ghana. It focuses on empowering them through educational support, leadership training, menstrual health education, and safe spaces for emotional and personal development.

The programme also seeks to improve school retention and attendance, reduce period poverty and stigma, strengthen leadership and confidence among girls, and establish school-based clubs to provide continuous peer support.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Donald Didier of the Akuraase Foundation, who was the main speaker, expressed satisfaction at the commencement of the project, describing it as a significant step toward improving the lives of girls, women and children in Ghana and across Africa.

He noted that the initiative reflects strong community collaboration. “Seeing community leaders, stakeholders, supporters, and beneficiaries come together reaffirmed the importance of this initiative and the collective commitment to creating a better future for our girls,” he said.

Mr. Didier stressed that the project goes beyond infrastructure, adding that it is about dignity, safety and equal opportunity. “Access to safe and appropriate sanitation facilities is a fundamental necessity, and we are proud to be taking this important step toward addressing that need,” he stated.

He expressed appreciation to all partners and supporters, adding that the sod-cutting marks only the beginning of a broader mission. “Together, we are building more than a facility, we are building opportunities, confidence, and hope,” he said.

The Birim Central Municipal Education Director, Madam Gloria Aggrey Kilson, welcomed the initiative, describing inadequate sanitation facilities as a major challenge in many schools. She commended AVI and the Akuraase Foundation for the intervention and called on stakeholders to support the maintenance of the facility upon completion.

Madam Michelle Afroso, Director of the Akuraase Foundation, also expressed joy at the project’s commencement, noting that improved sanitation facilities contribute to dignity, better health and improved academic performance among girls.

Programme Coordinator, Madam Theresa Fempomaa Somuah, encouraged the girls to take their education seriously and make full use of the opportunity provided, noting that many girls elsewhere lack similar support.

The Founder of Asaasiam Vision International, Dr. Joseph Asare, said the initiative, which began as a vision, is now becoming a reality. He expressed gratitude to the Akuraase Foundation for their continued support and urged the students to improve their academic performance and school attendance.

The project is expected to contribute to improved sanitation, increased school attendance, and better educational outcomes for girls in the beneficiary community.