By Rafiq Nungor ADAM
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, reiterated that education goes beyond mere grammar – stressing that its ultimate goal is empowering individuals to transform society.
Speaking at the commissioning of an ultra-modern astroturf facility at McCoy College of Education in Upper West Region, Mr. Bagbin noted that education is a tool for capacity-building, language development and societal progress.
“Grammar is just language and education is to capacitate you to be able to use the resources available for transforming yourself into better quality that can service humanity and the world as a whole. So, it is not just by accumulation of knowledge but how to transform the knowledge into skills and competition that can transform the world,” he said.
The speaker noted that the astroturf surface will be available to all people, but on a commercial basis to maintain the facility.
“The facility will be available for use by any other person, but under management of the school authority. So when you come here to do your wedding, it is permitted – but you have to pay, it will not be for free. If you have funeral or religious activities, you can host them at the facility – but you have to pay. We need those monies to maintain the facility, as they will be coming often to check the field,” he stated.
The principal of McCoy College, Rev. Fr. Peter Paul Yelletuo, thanked the Speaker and partners for the facility.
“This facility is more than just a sports facility. It’s a symbol of deep commitment to the development of our youth and enhancement of their education experience.
“Our students will now have access to a world-class facility that supports their physical development, fosters teamwork, and nurtures the spirit of sportsmanship. It is often said that a healthy body breeds a healthy mind, and this stadium will undoubtedly add to the holistic growth of our students,” he said.
The state-of-the-art facility – complete with floodlights, coaches’ benches, fencing and an inner perimeter among others – is set to transform sports and recreational activities in the area. Right after the commissioning ceremony for the world-class astroturf facility at Nadowli in Upper West Region, a friendly match was held between ex-Black Stars players known as the ‘Stephen Appiah 11’ and the ‘Bagbin 11’.
Before the McCoy astroturf facility’s inauguration, the Speaker of Parliament – together with the Vice-Chancellor of Simon Diedong Dombo University, Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) – officially broke ground for its construction. This project is set to revolutionise the university’s sports landscape and fulfil the long-standing demand for modern sports facilities.
The project’s first phase includes a 110m x 75m artificial pitch, floodlights and ballustrade fencing. Robert Coalman, Executive Director-Wembley Construction Company, assured the university community of highest quality work and confirmed that construction will begin immediately following the sod-cutting ceremony.
