The Volta River Authority (VRA), as part of activities to mark its 60th anniversary celebration, has embarked on a humanitarian mission of donating items to communities where it operates in the Eastern Region – using drone technology.
The items donated to about 30 schools include branded school bags, exercise books, math sets, pens, pencils, water-bottles and stationery; as well as COVID-19 personal protective equipment such as nose masks, Veronica buckets and hand sanitisers.
According to the Authority, the objective for this exercise is to ensure that every child in the classroom is equipped with the fundamental tools required to thrive, and also to support families and schools in the provision of such items.
Chief Executive Officer-VRA, Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, speaking at a presentation ceremony held at Nkwakubew-Asuogyaman district indicated that 16,000 schoolchildren from 30 schools in the selected communities are to benefit from this community support initiative.
He emphasised that the Authority deems it important to share a special day with its beautiful and talented young school children who hold the key to the future of our great nation, Ghana.
“COVID-19 has taught us that science and technology is the way to go, and that is why we have adopted the use of drone technology in the distribution of materials to the various communities; and along the way teach the children that technology is the new normal and they have to learn how to use it.
“Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the traditional way of learning and the entire academic calendar. Clearly, we are not in normal times – and so let us all, children and adults, adhere strictly to the health and safety protocols that we have all been advised to follow,” he said.
He also urged the students present to continue wearing their face masks, regularly wash their hands with soap under running water, use hand sanitisers where there is no running water, cover the mouth when coughing, avoid handshaking – and also remember to observe social distancing.
The DCE of Asuogyaman, Samuel Kwame Agyekum, accepting the items on behalf of the district expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Authority for the support it has given to resettlement communities in the district over the years, especially in the education sector.
“This activity is very important to the district, because the need to invest in the future of our children who are the future of the nation cannot be overemphasised. You will all agree with me that government’s decision to make education affordable and accessible to every school-age child is very appropriate; and that is why government is putting in place the right policies and strategies to improve the quality of education in the country – but stakeholder participation approaches like we witnessed today are critical to complement what government is doing,” he said.
He further urged VRA to keep up the good work in providing excellent service for six decades, adding that he is very optimistic that the celebration of this 60th anniversary will reposition the authority to achieve greater heights with innovative and improved services in the ever-changing technological world.
