According to him, disbursement of funds is set to begin in the coming days to compensate individuals who lost property and livelihoods during the flood disaster.

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Ablakwa said compensation was a key promise made to the people of North Tongu, and that President Akufo-Addo is committed to fulfilling that promise.

He disclosed that GHS 224 million has been allocated for disbursement this year.

In September 2023, the spillage of the Akosombo Dam caused catastrophic flooding across parts of the Eastern, Volta, and Greater Accra regions. The disaster displaced thousands of residents and destroyed homes, farmlands, and livelihoods. Experts say the impact extended beyond physical damage, leaving victims with lasting emotional trauma.

An estimated 35,857 people, including women and children, were affected by the floods.

Mr. Ablakwa, who had earlier petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to advocate for compensation, emphasized that the disaster was worsened by the lack of adequate notice to affected communities. He also advocated for government intervention to provide shelter and social amenities for the displaced.

In response, the MP partnered with private entities to construct homes for victims who had spent nearly two years living in tents.

Mr. Ablakwa also announced that the North Tongu District will benefit from major road infrastructure development under the government’s Big Push Agenda.

Speaking at Aveyime, he said several deplorable road networks in the district have been captured under the initiative, which is expected to bring significant relief to residents and motorists.

Source: Ohene Amponsah

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In a statement, the community expressed their sincere gratitude to the President for appointing their own Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The people of North Tongu are immensely proud of this recognition, acknowledging the significant role their representative plays in Ghana’s progress.

The chiefs noted that Mr. Ablakwa’s contributions to the development of both the North Tongu constituency and Ghana as a whole have been invaluable.

They added that his leadership, integrity, loyalty, and dedication to public service have earned him the trust and admiration of the people.

The chiefs also emphasized that he has demonstrated unwavering commitment to his constituents, and his new role as Minister for Foreign Affairs is seen as a testament to his exemplary service.

They are confident that he will continue to serve with the same level of excellence and integrity that has defined his career to date.

“We, the chiefs and people of North Tongu constituency, congratulate His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for an emphatic win in the just-ended presidential election and on the assumption of another term as President of the Republic of Ghana.”

“We wish to express our utmost appreciation and deepest gratitude to the President for the appointment of our son and Member of Parliament of the North Tongu constituency as Minister of Foreign Affairs,” an excerpt of the statement said.

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Outlining his vision for the development of North Tongu, Mr. Afetsrom pledged to implement initiatives aimed at generating income for branch executives and mobilizing resources to establish irrigation farms across all branches in the district.

He emphasized his commitment to inclusivity and good governance, stating, “I will not be an autocratic DCE because the NDC party is a democratic party.”

Mr. Afetsrom concluded by reiterating his commitment to accountability, urging constituents to demand results from him should he be given the opportunity to serve as the DCE for North Tongu.

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The gesture, according to the MP, is part of his tradition of expressing gratitude to his constituents after every election cycle.

In a Facebook post on Monday, December 16, Mr Ablakwa thanked his constituents for their overwhelming support and reaffirmed his commitment to serving them even better in the years ahead.

“This weekend, I continued my tradition of offering a small token of appreciation to my beloved constituents after every election victory,” he wrote.

“Yesterday, I donated 100 wheelchairs to my special constituents. Four years ago, we covered the medical bills of children at the Children’s Ward of the Battor Catholic Hospital. The tradition continues. Thank you for our 93.12% victory. I promise to serve you better than ever.”

Ablakwa successfully retained his parliamentary seat, winning with an impressive 41,073 votes. His closest contender, Dr. John Savior Eleblu Yao of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), garnered 3,035 votes.

See the post below:

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He said the constituency would once again record the widest margin across the country, promising 94% in total votes for the NDC, representing an increase of 4% from 2020’s result.

He made this known when addressing sympathisers of the NDC at Battor in the Volta Region after filing his nomination to contest the parliamentary election.

“Remember that in 2020, North Tongu achieved the widest victory margin in the whole of Ghana. We are determined that in the 2024 elections, we shall set another record, we shall make history again”, he said.

Mr. Ablakwa said the party would begin campaigning immediately and ensure the message of the NDC reaches every nook and cranny of the constituency to achieve the desired results.

“You know when President Mahama came here we launched ‘Operation 94%’. We are going to work very hard, we are not going to be complacent, we are not going to say we’ve won already.

“From today till December 7th, we have to work hard, and campaign vigorously. In North Tongu NDC there is no room for complacency. We will campaign from door to door, market to market, office to office, church to church, mosque to mosque, hamlet to hamlet, village to village, community to community, farm to farm, shop to shop, corner to corner, everywhere”, he said.

He noted that every single vote is of importance to the opposition NDC to enable it to clinch victory in the elections and, hence would intensify education on the voting process to prevent spoilt ballots.

He added that, he aims to achieve a 100% voter turnout and hence would guard against voter apathy among electorates and remove any bottleneck that would prevent people from exercising their franchise in the North Tongu Constituency.

“We want all the votes for President Mahama, for Vice President Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and Member of Parliament, Togbe Wogbedzi, the Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa”, he stressed.

Sympathizers of the NDC defied the rains to exhibit their support for Mr. Ablakwa who is making a fourth bid to parliament.

Women leaders from across the constituency submitted the form on behalf of the incumbent MP.

Source: Fred Quame Asare

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The event was part of the royal inauguration of the Tongu Chiefs Union under the theme: “Uniting Tongu For Development”, held at the Juapong Methodist School Park.

The service offered included eye screening, blood pressure checks and sugar level tests among others with over 1000 residents within and beyond Tongu as beneficiaries.

Attendees who were struggling to read were given complimentary reading glasses.

The free outreach was in collaboration with Vivahealth medical foundation ENT Specialist from 37, Military Hospital Accra and Salaria Eyemed from Ho.

A health education segment was also part of the programme, during which healthcare professionals provided valuable information on maintaining good health, dental care, menstrual Hygiene, and managing natural age-related conditions such as menopause and andropause.

Speaking in an interview with Adom News, the organiser of the Tongu Chiefs Union, Mama Dzinyadua Tsaha III, who doubles as a queen mother for Solpoe Asafo clan, emphasised their commitment to providing health services to the residents of Tongu.

“Health is our top priority to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent anyone from accessing essential health checks, hence the Union deem it necessary to organise the free screening for the residents as part of the Union Royal Inauguration,” she said.

Togbe Kwabla Sakpeti V, Chief of Bakpa Awadiwoe-kome added that health is wealth and for that matter they always make it a priority.

Some health professionals from the 37 Military Hospital and Salaria Eyemed such Lt. Col Dr. Carl Netsugah who is the founder of vivahealth medical foundation ENT Specialist at 37 Military Hospital and Dr. Abraham Gaitu, CEO of Salaria Eyemed from Ho also advised the residents to take their health issues very seriously as some were diagnosed with Glaucoma, Hypertension, Malaria, among others.

Some beneficiaries acknowledged the screening has made a significant difference in their lives and seized the opportunity to expressed their gratitude.

A 65-year-old woman stated  “I’ve struggled with blurry vision for a long time and couldn’t afford to go to the hospital. Today, I have reading glasses that will help me read comfortably. I’m so thankful to the Tongu Chiefs Union and the sponsors.”

Source: Odehyeba Owusu Job

The suspect has been handed over to local Police.

The victim, a Fulani cattle herder, reportedly confronted the suspect over the alleged killing of one of his cattle.

According to the Assemblyman, Tse Jupiter Azietor, the suspect inflicted machete wounds on the herder, resulting in his death on Wednesday, July 17.

Identified as Seledzi Dotse, the suspect allegedly split the victim’s head and absconded with part of it.

After a manhunt, residents apprehended the suspect, who went into hiding after committing the heinous crime.

He is currently in Police custody assisting with investigations.

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The persistent deadlock has sparked concerns about the potential negative impact on the activities and progress of the assembly, leaving the District Chief Executive (DCE) Osborn Divine Fenu disappointed and worried.

The latest election, which took place on Thursday afternoon at the assembly hall, saw tensions rise as members once again failed to reach a consensus.

The position of presiding member, crucial for the smooth functioning of the assembly, remains vacant, much to the dismay of both officials and constituents alike.

Expressing his disappointment, the DCE emphasized the urgency of filling this pivotal role.

“It is disheartening that we have not been able to elect a presiding member after four attempts. This is a critical position that is integral to the effective operation of the assembly and the delivery of services to our people.”

The failure to elect a presiding member raises concerns about the assembly’s ability to conduct its business and casts a shadow of uncertainty over upcoming projects and initiatives.

The absence of a presiding member could potentially stall decision-making processes, hinder the implementation of development plans, and create administrative bottlenecks.

Members of the assembly have been urged to prioritize the district’s interests and set aside personal differences to break the deadlock.

The DCE, alongside other officials, has called for a renewed spirit of cooperation and collaboration among assembly members to ensure the efficient functioning of the local government.

Residents have also voiced their concerns about the situation and its impact on developmental projects and essential services. Many are calling for swift action to resolve the impasse and move the district forward.

The North Tongu Assembly is expected to reconvene for another attempt to elect a presiding member in the coming days.

As the community eagerly awaits a resolution, all eyes are on the assembly members to set aside their differences and fulfil their mandate of serving the people of North Tongu District.

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A steel bridge located at Saikope in the Mepe area, crucial for connecting the North Tongu town, of Juapong, to the Central Tongu capital town, Adidome, has collapsed.

According to reports, the collapse occurred when a fully loaded trailer carrying salt attempted to cross the bridge.

Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.

In response, the District Chief Executive, Osborn Devine Fenu, has issued a public advisory via his personal Facebook Page.

He urges motorists to take an alternate route through another Mepe town, Dadome, to access Adidome and Juapong safely.

Even though investigations are yet to commence into the actual cause of the collapse, the DCE has alleged overloading of the truck, saying The report have it that a fully loaded trailer carrying salt, likely surpassing the recommended maximum load of 25 tonnes, traversed the bridge, resulting in its collapse. Fortunately, the driver and the mate are reported to be safe.

While the DCE’s claim is a possibility, the point needs to be made that long before the collapse of the bridge, authorities had stationed a warning sign, signaling road users of a “weak bridge ahead” of them.

There is also a sign that says the maximum load limit of the bridge is 25 tons.

Until investigations conclude, it will be difficult to say which of the two phenomena has collapsed the bridge – weak bridge or excess tonnage.

Below is the DCD’s update and advisory as shared on his personal Facebook wall:

Urgent Notice

We woke up to the distressing news of another sudden accident— the collapse of the steel bridge at Saikope-Mepe along the Adidome to Juapong Road.

The report have it that a fully loaded trailer carrying salt, likely surpassing the recommended maximum load of 25 tonnes, traversed the bridge, resulting in its collapse. Fortunately, the driver and the mate are reported to be safe.

We have promptly informed all relevant stakeholders to ensure swift action is taken. The urgent need for a new bridge at the location is abundantly clear.

In the interim, we advise all motorists to utilize the diversion via Dadome to Adidome and Juapong.

In times like this, it’s crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This is a challenging situation, but we trust in our collective ability to address it effectively.

This too shall pass!

The resettlement houses will cater to some 100 displaced victims of the Akosombo dam spillage still squatting in classrooms.

Prophet Amoateng in addition to the houses will construct a branch of his church and establish a farm to create more jobs in the community.

Member of Parliament for the constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in an X post on Friday appreciated the prophet for his kind gesture.

“We are eternally in his debt for this extremely thoughtful and comprehensive generosity which takes care of the physical and spiritual welfare of flood victims” he said.

See post below:

I joined Prophet Daniel Amoateng of the Power of Worship International yesterday, to cut sod in my beloved constituency to commence the construction of resettlement houses for some 100 displaced persons who are still putting up in classrooms.

My good friend and brother, Prophet… pic.twitter.com/WickBaN3Eq

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) December 22, 2023

Some now attend classes under trees and others under tents because their classrooms still serve as safe havens for people displaced by the floods caused by the spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the District Director of Education, Isabella Ayimey, indicated that, the worst-hit community was Mepe.

She said there were 14,704 learners in basic and senior high schools (SHSs) in the district before the floods, but a little over 9,000 were back in school.

She explained that, some learners had not returned to school because their parents had relocated to other districts.

Mrs Ayimey said for now, teaching and learning was ongoing in 21 schools in the district, while 27 were struggling to get back onto their feet. 

Observation

Last week, the Daily Graphic visited the area to find out how schools were faring following the reopening and also the challenges they were confronted with.

During the tour of the area, it was observed that some displaced persons were yet to return to their homes and were still occupying their temporary abodes.

For instance, in some of the schools, learners were crammed in some of the classrooms, while the displaced occupied the other classrooms.

To ease the congestion, it was further observed that some classes were held under tents.

Among those schools were Mepe Presbyterian Primary, Fodzoku E.P. Primary and Agbetikpo Primary.

Classes

The North Tongu District Director of Education explained that, UNICEF and the Ghana Education Service (GES) had provided those tents to create space for classes to be held as the displaced occupants of the classrooms could not be sent away.

She said although the floods had largely receded, some schools were still occupied by water.

She said to help the children make up for the lost time during the disaster, the affected schools had been asked to go over the lessons held for the learners before the floods before starting the new scheme for the term.

Furthermore, learners in the affected schools would have to return to school early, just after the Christmas holidays, to make up for lost lessons.

Teachers

Meanwhile, 286 of the 487 teachers displaced by the floods in the district had returned to their duty posts, she said.

However, Mrs Ayimey disclosed further that they were faced with severe accommodation problems because they had lost their rooms to the floods, a situation that had compelled some of the teachers to also sleep in classrooms, while others were commuting from Aflao, Akatsi, Accra and Ho daily to work in Mepe.

To alleviate that situation, the traditional authorities in Mepe had offered 12 rooms to the needy teachers, said Mrs Ayimey.

Also, the floods displaced 48 officers of the District Education Office, as well as the office; thus, officials of the District Education Office were now working in shifts as a result of the problem and to avoid congestion.

Mrs Ayimey acknowledged a donation of GH¢100,000 from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to teachers who lost their rooms to the floods, saying that would relieve them greatly of their rent payment.

She further expressed gratitude to the various donor groups, including the District Assembly, traditional authorities, the MP and UNICEF, for their immense support to schools with learning and other materials to keep them running.

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The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta made the recognition while presenting the 2024 budget in parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Ofori-Atta also empathised with the traditional leaders and the victims in all of the affected communities.

He reiterated the commitment of the government to support the victims in every way possible.

Millions of properties were lost in communities along the lower Volta Basin following the spillage of the dam from September 15, 2023.

The Volta River Authority (VRA) embarked on the exercise following excess water in both the Akosombo and Kpong dams reservoirs due to appreciable levels of rainfall.

The lawmaker said the Volta River Authority (VRA) would not be allowed to go free given the havoc their actions had visited on the people within the Lower Volta Basin. 

Mr Ablakwa whose constituency was the hardest hit rolled out several support packages.

He launched a mobile relief caravan to distribute relief items and has among other things pledged to demand full compensation for all the flood victims. 

Meanwhile, government has set-up a 13-member committee chaired by the Chief of Staff Frema Akosua Osei Opare to coordinate responses to address the situation.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has gone ahead with its decision to restrict the registration exercise to its district offices only despite fierce opposition from some political Parties, and this is affecting patronage in the Constituency, which is vast and split by the Volta River. 

During a media tour of the Constituency with the Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) experienced the difficulties many seeking to be registered face. 

For many in the hundreds of communities several kilometres away from Bator Aveyime where the EC district office is located, a round trip would cost as high as GHC 300, and thus moving with two guarantors made it an unthinkable investment. 

Those eligible in communities such as Salaga, which shares border with Ho West District, would have to pay GH¢150 for a motorbike to Juapong before proceeding to Bator. 

An average of GH¢40 is charged for a motorbike ride from even some of the closest communities, such as Deve, Avorkpoe, Ayram, Avedotoe, and Workpui. 

“I will have to sell 10 bags of maize for my 10 children to go and register. And so, I said they will not go,” a grain seller at Juapong market declared. 

Juapong lies on the Eastern Corridor, more than 50 km away from the EC office, and is one of the Region’s oldest and vibrant industrial communities. 

Youth in the town said they had been discouraged by the cost of transportation, while the plight of the aged, and the sick were also tabled to buttress the need to provide a registration center there. 

One man said his wife had spent three days registering for her Ghana card, and that the experience discouraged them from voter registration. 

There were concerns over the spillage of dams up north, which could raise the risk levels in crossing the Volta River to access the registration center. 

Those who do not want to risk the river have to go through Sogakope at an even heavier cost to the mostly rural communities. 

“We are not going there because of the River Volta. People die in the river and so if the EC is not coming here, we are also not going there. Then no vote,” many echoed. 

The MP who was visiting communities in the Constituency to assess their challenges with the exercise, stopped at the Kpong Dam, expressed concern that several communities made sacrifices for its construction, and did not deserve to be left out of a national participatory exercise. 

“People of this area sacrificed for this dam. Most are yet to receive compensation and are living in squalid conditions. We are all citizens. We have contributed to the forward march of our country. A right is not a privilege”. 

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa would proceed to cross the river to the EC office, where only 250 had been captured in the three days since the registration began, and network challenges were blamed in addition to the accessibility issues. 

The centre had to be closed ahead of the 1700 hours due to the network slump, and a woman lamented how she had to board four different vehicles to get there. 

Mr Ablakwa said the situation was nationwide and could breed gerrymandering and the influx of strangers onto the electoral roll in the area. 

The MP noted also that the exercise was the first in two years, so, the eligible population required a more reaching approach. 

The limited registration exercise began on Tuesday, September 12, and would end on October 09, 2023. 

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In a tweet, he stressed that the team will ensure every newly turned 18-year-old in the constituency partakes in the process.

“Despite the despicable machinations of the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission to suppress votes by restricting registration to single EC Offices, we in North Tongu are determined not to leave any 18-year-old behind. Kindly take note of this plan for successful facilitation,” he tweeted.

On Monday, the EC commenced the exercise at its 268 district offices nationwide, despite an injunction by five political parties.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and four other opposition parties have expressed their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the EC is carrying out the registration process.

According to the NDC, the electoral body has deployed faulty and dysfunctional registration machines to its strongholds in order to disenfranchise eligible voters ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Below is the tweet:

Despite the despicable machinations of the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission to suppress votes by restricting registration to single EC Offices, we in North Tongu are determined not to leave any 18-year-old behind

Kindly take note of this plan for a successful facilitation pic.twitter.com/QAvyDqQprg

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) September 13, 2023

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The offer, according to the lawmaker, forms part of his support to healthcare delivery in his constituency.

Three leading hotels in North Tongu will host the beneficiaries during the first month of their service to constituents.

Mr Ablakwa announced this in a Facebook post, explaining the initiative is to provide a conducive welcome package to enable the health workers to settle, work and secure permanent accommodation.

“During this one-month period, the newly posted nurses and midwives will also receive free laptops from the MP’s office. It is our expectation that this modest intervention will help attract and retain health workers in my beloved constituency, particularly at this time when Ghana is facing a mass exodus of nurses who are leaving the country for better working conditions abroad,” he announced.

Mr. Ablakwa expressed gratitude to the District Health Directorate and management of Best Care Hotel in Battor, Royal Masito in Mepe and KOYA Lodge in Juapong for this new partnership which would help save lives.

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Read the full post below:

At the close of nominations on Saturday, February 25, 2023, the third term MP was the only person to pick forms to contest for the party’s slot for the 2024 elections for North Tongu.

“We are running unopposed at North Tongu. Another reason to serve my beloved constituents better, stronger, harder & more innovatively.

“As you very well know, I don’t & will never take your support for granted. Glory be to God,” Mr Ablakwa wrote on his Facebook wall.

Mr Ablakwa was first elected in 2012. He has also served as deputy minister for information and communication.

He took to Facebook to share the good news.

The policy, according to Mr Ablakwa, allows for health facilities to be reimbursed at regular intervals from his office.

He indicated that since May 2022, no victim of rape, defilement, or domestic violence have been charged any police medical forms fees or any other unconscionable levy in any of their medical facilities.

He disclosed this in a Facebook post as he announces the successful implementation of the policy which he said was contained in a first-quarter assessment report.

“I am deeply grateful to all my amazing partners, particularly, the District Health Directorate, Hospital Heads and the District Police Commander for this feat. Together, we make the right impact,” the MP wrote.

The 2020 National Democratic Congress running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang ahead of the general election announced a similar initiative.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Cape Coast, she explained: “By this, we are acknowledging the realities some women in the country go through and how some institutions have let them down.”

The edifice will comprise of offices, meeting rooms and a social centre.

It will serve as a form of appreciation to the senior citizens whose contributions have led to the growth of the constituency.

According to the MP, the donation was an honour on his part and he will continue to support the construction of the building at every stage.

“The honour and pleasure was all mine when I earlier today made a cement donation to the North Tongu Pensioners Association as we construct a multipurpose district pensioners building which comprises offices, meeting rooms and a social centre.

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“As I assured, they can continue to count on the MP’s office when they get to roofing and furnishing in a few months,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

In a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa said the fund was created on Sunday after he made a cash donation to the National Ambulance Service.

According to him, the “fund will cater for vulnerable patients who cannot afford the cost of their referral outside the Volta Region.”

He explained that the national policy for the Ambulance Service is to charge patients for fuel once they have been referred to a medical facility outside a region.

“In the case of North Tongu, each patient is expected to pay GH¢385,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Ablakwa said the North Tongu Ambulance Service Fund shall operate as a revolving fund.

The MP’s office shall constantly replenish with anticipated support from other kind-hearted persons and organisations.

“We are determined to ensure that no beloved constituent ever loses his/her life merely because they couldn’t afford the cost of fuel demanded by an ambulance service provider,” he assured.

The North Tongu legislator donated some items to the Ambulance Service before the cash donation.

They included a Polytank, desktop computer and printer.

According to Mr Ablakwa, he made the donations after the Service sought his assistance.

According to him, the exercise, which commenced on December 24, will run through to December 31, 2021.

The intervention, he explained, follows an observation made on the plight of constituents who cannot access medical attention.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, he has, therefore, decided to reach out to such persons who include those not insured under the National Health Insurance Scheme and others the scheme does not cover their conditions.

He took to his Facebook page to announce the good news, stating he has made arrangements with many health facilities in the area for the exercise.

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“In the spirit of the season, I have made arrangements with the management of health facilities in Juapong, Podoe, Dorfor Adidome, Volo, Tagadzi, Fodzoko and Torgome — all in my beloved constituency, to offer free medical care to all uninsured patients and those reporting with conditions not covered under health insurance,” he said.

The Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee has attracted commendations and goodwill messages from social media users.

It is a 2015 Toyota Prius fully loaded hybrid model.

The gesture, according to Mr Ablakwa, is in recognition of the 53-year-old woman’s dedicated service in the constituency.

As one of the longest-serving health workers, Madam Obidieh started work at the facility in 2003.

The car was presented to her at an event to mark the 2021 World Contraception Day at Battor on Friday.

Presenting the car, the MP expressed optimism that Auntie Beatrice, as she is affectionately called, would be an inspiration to other young health workers in the District.

The donation was by International Needs Ghana, who over the years, have been known for such benevolence.

Speaking at a ceremony to unveil the library, Human Resource Management and Development Officer at North Tongu Education Directorate, Padmore Havor, thanked the organisation for the gesture, which he says, will improve students ability to read in the area.

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“The pupils cannot read and this is quite worrying. It’s impacting negatively on their performance in Basic Education Certificate Examination(BECE) but we believe things will turn out well now,” he said.

Mr Havor who represented the Education Director, Godwin Amelor at the ceremony also appealed to International Needs to consider giving extra training to teachers in English, Mathematics and Science to help improve on the performance of pupils in the BECE.

Meanwhile,  the Executive Director of International Needs, Cromwell Awadey was optimistic about 400 pupils will benefit .

He urged the more the child reads, the more vocabularies he or she will form which is a foundation for improved performance among the children.