The Rotary Club of Accra-Legon (RCAL), in partnership with 12 other Rotary and Lions Clubs, last Thursday donated about 300 books to the Aplaku MA Basic Cluster of Schools in the Ga South Municipal Assembly. The gesture is to promote reading and research among students.
The donation formed part of a two-day project dubbed ‘The Trio Project’, which included career-mentoring sessions for over 450 students and a tree-planting exercise spearheaded by RCAL.
Making the presentation, president of RCAL, Mr. Jaden Cyril Sena Adjei, mentioned that the donation falls within Rotary’s supporting education area of focus. “We have adopted this cluster of schools, and our club has since 2019 made various interventions to aid teaching and learning. We have provided a state-of-the-art computer lab, provided career-mentoring as well as refurbished and stocked up the library. Today, we are here to add more books to the library.”
The Headmaster of Aplaku M/A Basic School, Mr. Paul Otabil, acknowledged the positive impact of RCAL’s interventions – particularly in areas of information and communication technology (ICT) education and reading since establishment of the computer lab and library. He added that the mentoring sessions will enable students to make informed decisions about their future career prospects and options. Mr. Otabil further advocated for the expansion of such programmes to enhance students’ productivity.
RCAL and partners also planted about 700 trees at seven schools within the municipality as part of Rotary International District 9104 Green Ghana Project, aimed at protecting the environment.
In addition, the clubs held a mental health clinic for teachers at the school. The teachers received a lecture on various mental health issues and how to recognise them, particularly in children. They also had individual sessions with psychiatrists from Pantang Hospital.
The Service Projects Director of RCAL, Rotarian Delasie Dogbey, reiterated the need for teachers to prioritise mental health. “The nature of your profession makes you susceptible to mental health issues, which if left unaddressed can negatively impact the quality of education you give to your students.” He added that by addressing their mental health needs, teachers can create a positive learning environment for their students.
RCAL’s partners in service included the Rotary Club of Akosombo-Dam City; Rotary Club of Accra Speakmasters; Rotary Club of Accra-East; Rotary Club of Accra-North; Rotary Club of Ho; Rotary Club of Accra-Ridge; Rotary Club of Accra-Achimota; Rotaract Club of Adentan; and Rotaract Club of University of Ghana; Rotaract Club of Adenta Central; Rotaract Club of Weija; the Accra Gye Nyame Lions Club; and Accra Gye Nyame Leos.
Rotary members throughout the world take action to make communities better. They contribute their time, energy and passion to carry out meaningful and sustainable projects that promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, help mothers and children, support education, grow local economies and protect the environment.
