Akropong School for the Blind appeals for library (pg 44)

The Akropong School for the Blind is appealing for public support to enable it to construct a multi-purpose library complex to enhance academic work in the school.
The project, which is estimated to cost $450,000, will house facilities such as a Braille production unit, a reading block, a CD recording room and offices.
The Headmistress of the school, Ms Mahela Narh, made the appeal at this year’s United Way Ghana (UWG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO)’s “Day of Caring” held in the school and sponsored by Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL).
The Day of Care initiative is a one-day participation-based community event that directs the spirit of love and compassion demonstrated in the St Valentine’s Day tradition and is meant to symbolise the power of national unity and the usefulness of community service.
The day is observed through the involvement and participation of volunteers in community projects that address community needs. Individuals in the selected communities, employers and employees serve as volunteers to render community service at designated agencies and institutions throughout the country.
Some management members and staff of the NGGL including the Director of Corporate and External Affairs, Dr Chris Anderson, and the Human Resource Manager, Mr Dave Lovely, dug trenches for the foundation of the library, swept the school compound, classrooms and the dining hall, dusted windows and served the pupils of the school during their lunch break.
Ms Narh said the library would ensure that “teaching and learning in the school would be given a sound footing as presently, the school lacks a library facility that provides adequate educational materials to meet the special needs of the pupils". She added that when completed the library would be of great benefit to schoolchildren in the entire community.
She expressed the school’s gratitude to the NGGL for its continuous support, which she indicated was contributing to the development of the school. She, however, appealed to other corporate bodies to come to the aid of the school to make life more meaningful to the pupils.
The External Affairs Manager of the company, Mr Yaw Antwi-Dadzie, said the company was considering a proposal on the library project the authorities submitted to it.
He said participating in the event was to demonstrate the NGGL’s commitment to leadership and values of Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS), which he said should not just be pronouncements but “we live it up”.
He said employees of the company made monthly voluntary contributions to support eight charities as a means of supporting the underprivileged in society.
Mr Antwi-Dadzie said the company would maintain a long-term relationship with the school as the employees were inspired by the achievement of the pupils of the school in spite of their handicap.
The Director of Corporate and External Affairs, Dr Chris Anderson, told the Daily Graphic that participating in the event was an example of the service corporate bodies could provide for society.
He said the achievement of the pupils was an inspiration to him personally, adding that he would ensure that the NGGL maintained a long-term sustainable relationship with the school.
Dr Anderson said the event, which formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CRS), provided the opportunity for the employees to contribute their quota to community development.
The Akropong School for the Blind currently has 350 students and faces infrastructure problems. The boys’ dormitory which is meant to accommodate 10 pupils per room now takes 18.
As there is no accommodation for the housemistresses, and they are compelled to cook and sleep in the same room as the pupils exposing the pupils to the dangers of a fire outbreak.
Most of the ceilings in the dormitories show signs of leakage when it rains.
The Programmes and Development Officer of UWG, Mr Auberon Jeleel Odoom, told the Daily Graphic that the initiative was “to change people’s perception about Valentine’s Day and channel their energy into caring and loving their communities”.
He said the UWG was also marked at institutions such as the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the Countryside Orphanage at Bawjiase, the Street Girls Centre at Achimota in Accra, and the Mother Theresa Girls School at Senya Breku.
Mr Odoom expressed the UWG’s appreciation to all the corporate bodies that sponsored the event.

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