By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Kansaworodo
Tullow Ghana Limited, has provided a six-units Dormitory Block for Methodist Senior High School (SHS) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region, for a conducive environment for learning.
Attached to the dormitory, is a two-bedroom apartment for the housemistress, a guest room for the students to receive their parents, an ironing area as well as a box room and a water facility.
Mrs. Cynthia Lumor, Deputy Managing Director of Tullow Ghana, in an address read for her explained that “Tullow’s work in Ghana is directly connected to a shared prosperity agenda to ensure the communities where we operate, enjoy the returns generated from our business. This is very important because, it means that our interventions are able to generate and develop better livelihoods and quality of life for the local communities”.
The company, she said has actively engage in socio-economic investments over the years and has prioritized investment in STEM education, as a driver of growth and prosperity.
“This is why in 2019, we committed to investing US$10 million over five years in infrastructure for 15 senior high schools in support of quality education for all Ghanaians” she said.
This commitment, according to her, has so far yielded great dividend with the building and commissioning of 12 dormitory, classroom and workshop blocks for 12 SHS in the Western, Ashanti and Northern Regions.
These buildings, she said have the capacity to accommodate more than 500 students each at any given time, solving a key accommodation gap in our nation’s second cycle education.
“We have seen similar projects, transform the lives of countless students, enabling them to focus on their studies and excel academically” she added.
Mrs. Lumor continued that “we want to make it clear that our focus areas of capacity building through education and skills development in STEM, strengthening local and national economies and developing shared infrastructure, will continue to influence all the interventions we will do in this space now and in the future in Ghana”.
“We envision a future where every child has access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances or their place of birth; and we invite the community to join us in this mission, as we continue to collaborate and make a difference in the lives of young people” she said.
She commended the Ghana Education Service (GES), Ministry of Education and the Regional Directorates for playing key roles in the identification, selection and construction of the projects Tullow has implemented so far.
“We remain committed to partnering them in identifying more of such disadvantaged schools in order to extend our full support” she said.
The Headmistress of Methodist Senior High School, Madam Grace Eshun commended Tullow Ghana for the dormitory.
She said though, the school is 40 years but has not benefitted from any boarding facility until this intervention. “Students have been living on their own at the hotel facilities within the communities without any parental control and has resulted in teenage pregnancy. Two years ago, we recorded 12 pregnancy cases, five cases for last year and this year two. With the boarding facility, it will be reduced drastically”.
With the current students’ population of 1,138, she pointed out that the boarding facility will increase enrollment.
She mentioned dinning hall, fence wall among others as some of the challenges and appealed to benevolent organizations to support in this direction.
Mrs. Felicia Agyeibea Okai, Western Regional Director for Education in an address read for her said “the dormitory, represents the unwavering commitment of Tullow Ghana to providing an environment where every student, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally”.
She said education, is the foundation upon which the individual builds the future. It is the key to unlocking potential and the bridge to a world of opportunities.
“By investing in this dormitory, we are not only enhancing our infrastructure but also sending a powerful message about the value we place on our students’ well-being and education. This new facility will provide a safe, comfortable, and conducive environment for our girls to live and study. It will foster a sense of community, promote academic excellence, and support personal growth. The benefits of this dormitory will extend far beyond its walls, influencing the lives of our students for years to come. Your investment in this dormitory is an investment in the future of our girls and, by extension, in the future of our society. Your commitment to education and gender equality is commendable, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership” she told Tullow.
To the students she said, “this dormitory is for you. It is a testament to your potential and a symbol of our belief in your abilities. Use this space wisely, always ensure that this place is kept as neat and clean as you see it today. Let it be a place where you study diligently, form lasting friendships, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow”.
