World Vision ends operations in Dangme West

Dodowa (GR), Aug. 26 GNA – World Vision-Ghana (WVG), an International Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), on Friday officially handed-over its former Area Development Programme (ADP) building at Dodowa to the Dangme West District Assembly.

The hand-over marked the end of World Vision-Ghana's activities in the District after 15 years of dedicated service in the area of education, health and nutrition, agriculture, water and sanitation, emergency relief response and HIV/AIDS education and support.

The ADP office building which is valued at GH¢305,800 consist of six offices fitted with air-conditions, four bedrooms, a 40-footer warehouse and a 2000 gallon capacity Polytank.

Besides, WVG also handed-over a two-room office facility located at Asutuare to the Ghana Health Service; Heavy Duty Generator to the Ghanata Senior High School; and assorted office equipment, furniture and overhead water facilities to the community, all summed up at GH¢475,000.

Mr Basilio Okello, Country Director of WVG, whose speech was read by Mr Harry Addor, Operations Director, WVG, said the NGO would continue to support government effort in developing the country particularly in the deprived areas.

He announced that World Vision from next year would open three new programmes in three districts including Kadjebi in the Volta region; Diaso in the Central region; and Jirapa in the Upper West, whose main focus would be on education, nutrition, water and sanitation and Malaria prevention.

Mr Okello said the organisation, which currently operates in 36 districts, had an average budget of 25 million dollars per year with funding from bilateral government sources from Australia, Germany, Korea and United Kingdom.

He said since the district was 76 per cent rural and agricultural-based, the best way to help the people was to support agribusiness activities.

Mr Okello said the ADP played a key role in providing prizes to for deserving farmers during district best farmers day celebrations.

He said farmer-groups were assisted to venture into poultry, grass cutter rearing, goat and sheep rearing, whilst women's groups were also supported to learn batik making and confectionaries in order to help them to boost their incomes.

Mr Emmanuel Anyimi Odoi Lartey, District Chief Executive for Dangme West, who received the key to the ADP office, commended WVG for their tireless and dedicated services they rendered towards securing a better future for the people in the District.

He said WVG created opportunities and strategies for rural communities in the District to benefit from improved facilities in the areas of education, health, agriculture, improved seedlings, micro financing, capacity building for the district assembly and institutional support to decentralized departments.

He said the development and implementation of action plans aimed at uplifting educational, social and economic activities in the communities were commendable and needed the support of all to continue.

“It is with heavy heart that we watch this exit ceremony which formally brings the curtain down on the full operations of WVG in our district.

“We must concede the fact that some of your staff has worked under very difficult conditions in achieving this success” he said.

Mr Lartey expressed the hope that the District would not be forgotten in future projects and actions that would further assist in minimizing poverty in the area.

“We would continue to lean on your support even as you operate outside our district”, he added.

GNA