Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative (ASR Africa Initiative), a foundation based in Nigeria has awarded the Government of Ghana, on behalf of the Ministry of Education a grant of US$3 million education infrastructure support.
In a press release statement, the grant is said to be drawn from ASR Africa’s annual pool of funds to the tune of US$100 million Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal. The US$100 million Africa Fund is disbursed into several projects across Africa to support sustainable development initiatives in areas of Health, Education and Social Development.
Speaking at an event held at the Jubilee House in Accra, to announce the presentation of the letter of award to the Ghanaian Government, Udoh Ubon, Managing Director of ASR Africa commended the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo for his sincere commitment to developing the educational system at all levels in Ghana.
Furthermore, Udoh Ubon remarked that by receiving the award, Ghana becomes the first African country beneficiary of an ASR Africa grant after Nigeria. More so, the ASR Africa initiative was established in 2021 for such purposes as indicated earlier.
“ASR Africa is an initiative of industrialist and philanthropist, Abdul Samad Rabiu, who has decided to give back to the African continent to promote sustainable health care, education and social development.
“Whilst reviewing potential national beneficiaries for the African aspect of the grant, we were encouraged by the strides made by the Ghanaian government in Education. We believe this $3million ASR Africa education infrastructure grant will go a long way in supporting the eradication of schools under trees across the country whilst developing primary education infrastructure across the country.”
As a beneficiary of the grant, Ghana will be able to build several model primary schools to ensure access and quality of education in the formative years of children in Ghana.
The Government expresses appreciation for the Grant
In addressing the delegation on behalf of the Government, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, thanked ASR Africa for the award of the US$3 million grant.
Moreover, she stressed that President Nana Akuffo-Addo’s administration is committed to improving the quality of education and educational infrastructure across the country. She further indicated that this grant is a welcome development which would accelerate the work already being done.
Also, the government will work together with ASR Africa based on the agreed Mutual Accountability Framework to come up with a programme to build several primary schools across Ghana under the grant,
Following this, she commended the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, Alhaji Samad Rabiu, for his commitment to the African continent in business and philanthropy.
Therefore, as a beneficiary of the grant, Ghana will be able to build several model primary schools to ensure access and quality of education in the formative years of children in Ghana.
Mr. Udoh, in his response assured that: “Abdul Samad Rabiu and ASR Africa will remain an active partner in solving developmental issues across the continent. Ghana is just the start and more African countries are set to benefit this year.”
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