World Vision International Ghana, a non-governmental organization has deepened its commitment to help improve education and learning in the Kasena-Nankana West District in the Upper East Region.
In doing so, the organization is set to donate 3,000 Buffalo bicycles to students in Fifteen selected primary schools from Mirigu, Sirigu and Kandiga area councils of the district.
The programme dubbed Bicycle Education Empowerment Programme is done in collaboration with World Bicycle Relief.
Schools benefitting include Amenga Etego, Anisore, Atiyorom, Father Morin, Kaasi, Kandiga and Gunnum schools, Mirigu, Nyangolingo, Busongo, Kurugu, Mother of Mercy and Sirigu R/C A and B.
At a short ceremony at the Kandiga Primary school to launch the program, representative of World Bicycle Relief, Michael Veitenhans indicated that the programme was his organization’s first programme in West Africa.
He mentioned that his organization was very happy to be in West Africa knowing that the bicycles in the school will help grow access to education and learning.
He, however, reminded parents that although bicycles have other purposes at the household level, it should be used to perform the primary duty for which it was distributed to help improve education.
“It is very important that these bicycles first be used to access education. We know they have other purposes that can be used at the household level but we are very pleased to know that this community is committed to prioritising the bicycles here today for boys and girls accessing school and education so that they become future leaders and professionals.”
On her part, Field Operations Coordinator, Elizabeth Sagoe who spoke on behalf of the Interim National Director of World Vision International, the bicycles will help fight school dropout and lateness which has characterised education in rural areas.
She indicated that the BEEP project will improve access to and ensure quality of education for boys and girls in basic schools in the Kasena-Nankana West District.
“The ultimate goal of BEEP is to improve access to and ensure quality of education for boys and girls in basic schools in the kasena-Nankana District. Indeed students and teachers attendance in this district has been a challenge but it is gratifying to know that the situation has improved since 2015.”
The first batch of bicycles was distributed at pupils at the Kandiga Primary school. Beneficiaries who were in an ecstatic mood mentioned that the bicycles had brought relief since they no more have to commute a long distance to access education.
BY: Offei-Akoto Ayeh/a1radioonline.com/Ghana
