In line with its commitment to promote quality education in its host communities, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine has inaugurated a two-unit two-bedroom and four-unit one-bedroom semi-detached teachers’ quarters for the Abompuniso Basic School. This initiative is to alleviate the plight of teachers who have to trek for long hours to school daily due to lack of accommodation.
The project, which was funded by the AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Community Trust Fund at the cost of GHS 669,111, is expected to improve teachers’ regularity and punctuality and enhance teaching and learning in the area in line with the Mine’s Basic Education Improvement Programme.
Delivering a speech at a colourful ceremony to hand over the project, the Ag. Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, Ing. Isaac Boakye Aduenin affirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4).
“We have demonstrated continuous support for improved educational standards through the provision of infrastructure and other teaching and learning materials to improve the quality of teaching and learning in our host communities through our Basic Education Improvement Programme,” he stressed.
He was hopeful that the quality of life that teachers will have as a result of the facility would be felt directly by the students and contribute to the improvement in the school’s academic performance.
The Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Director of Education, Alex Kweku Duah, highlighted some developmental projects embarked on by the Mine to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Municipality. In particular, he commended the Mine for resourcing most of the basic schools with ICT centres, quality teaching and learning materials, and for awarding scholarship to students in its host communities to pursue tertiary education.
He pledged to work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure the facility is well maintained to serve its intended purpose.
On his part, the Coordinating Director, Ernest Frank Oduro, in a speech on behalf of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive, lauded Iduapriem Mine’s immense contributions towards improving the standard of education in the Municipality and reiterated that his outfit would work assiduously to roll out good policies of interest to promote quality education in the area.
The Headmaster of the Abompuniso Basic School, Manasseh Addison Sackey, admitted that the teachers’ accommodation had been a major problem affecting students’ performance and quality of education.
“Indeed, most of the teachers did not have accommodation, and some of them even refused posting to the school,” said Mr Sackey. “I am happy that this facility will not only reduce the burden of teachers and pupils of the school but also restore hope in the entire community as far as quality education is concerned.”
He seized the opportunity to express his gratitude to Iduapriem Mine and assured to jealously protect the project so it lasts for the purpose intended.
