Chief Executive Officer of the Zongo Development Fund, Suleman Arafat Abdulai, has disclosed that education remains a crucial part of government’s priority and serves as a vehicle for “inclusive development” in the Zongos.
According to him, government cannot go contrary to its objective and as such it is focused on “investing massively” in the education of Zongo youth. Mr Abdulai explained that currently more facilities could have been completed sooner save the entrance of the Covid-19 pandemic into the country.
“Many more of such schools are under construction, and are at different stages across the country. Covid-19 stalled our works but we are on course, and hopefully, we will have more schools infrastructure”.
Mr Suleman Arafat Abdulai
The Fund, according to the ZDF CEO, has provided ICT centres, and has commenced the construction of a multi-purpose library project. The first one at Nsawam Zongo is completed. In his bid to assist brilliant but needy students, Mr Abdulai revealed that the support is in two parts, namely, the fully-funded scholarship and grants. This, he noted, was done in a bid to support more people.
“Through the instrumentality of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, 40 brilliant but needy students from Zongo and other deprived communities are currently in Cuba studying medicine. We have also provided tertiary educational grants to hundreds of students to enable them pursue tertiary education in many fields.”
Mr Suleman Arafat Abdulai
Following this, government has disclosed that it is working to deliver on more of such projects in 2022 including the construction of its announced model secondary school for the Zongo community. Similarly, the Zongo Development Fund is also expected to construct three schools in Kasoa, Juaben and Tamale.
Education by government in deprived communities
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, during the 2021 National Mawlid, underscored the need for the Akufo-Addo government’s prioritization of education particularly in deprived communities such as the Zongo.
The Vice President indicated that the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has prioritised and focused on education because of the impact of education to a people.
“It enhances productivity, creativity, and technological advancement. In addition, it plays a crucial role in securing economic and social progress. As I have always said, education is the greatest leveller. The only sustainable way we can transform our Zongo communities is through the education of our children”.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
President Akufo-Addo’s primary reason for establishing the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF) is to bridge the development gap between Zongos and other deprived communities, and the rest of the country.
The fund was operationalised in 2018, making it the first time such a vehicle for Zongo Development had been created. It was also geared towards providing the Zongo community inclusive development through human capital development, infrastructure development, and also providing support for social integration.
Currently, the ZDF has undertaken several of such distinguished projects, one of which is the area of investment in education in both infrastructure and direct support to needy but brilliant students from Zongos and other deprived communities. The fund has significantly ensured the rehabilitation of some schools in communities.
READ ALSO: There’s Still an Opportunity for Parliament to Work on Budget- Political Analyst
