Deputy director general of technical and reforms at the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Seji Saji Amedonu, has revealed that majority of schools in affected areas during the Akosombo dam spillage have reopened.
According to him, a lot of preparation has been going on since the visit from the education minister and his team. He revealed that the regional directorate of the Ghana Education Service and the various district of the education service of these affected districts are working tirelessly to make sure schools resume.
Mr Amedonu indicated that in most of the districts, that has been achieved, with the only challenge being that of North Tongu. Nonetheless, he noted that even in North Tongu, some schools have reopened but some other schools are yet to open because authorities have not successfully relocated or moved the affected persons from the classrooms.
“We are looking at it case by case basis. Example is the presbyterian basic school where units have been donated for classroom tents, it’s just that the classroom tents were not enough to move all. So, some of the classrooms have been [released] for academic work to start.
“Generally speaking, I can say majority of the schools in almost all the affected districts, just a small number we are having challenges. For Central Tongu, with the donation of these classroom tents to the [schools], they were successfully able to complete the reopening of all schools.”
Seji Saji Amedonu
Elaborating on some communities which were adversely affected by the impact of the flood, Mr Amedonu noted that there were some schools that were severely affected the students could not return to. In such instance, he explained that measure and plans are being put in place to ensure learning activities are not truncated further.
“What the district education directorate did was to add them to another school. So, they have two streams now with their set of teachers…”
Seji Saji Amedonu
With regards to the number of schools reopened, the NADMO director general stated that although he doesn’t have the exact figures, a substantial number of schools in affected communities have resumed class sessions.
“I’m saying that with the exception of North Tongu, Central Tongu had about 11 schools that were affected. Now, all 11 schools are running now. In Shai-Osudoku and Asutsuare area, almost all the schools are running… South Tongu all schools are running now…”
Seji Saji Amedonu
North Tongu MP pays fees of fifty tertiary students
Meanwhile, member of parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has paid the full fees of 50 tertiary students from the 50 most affected displaced families as a result of the catastrophic VRA-induced floods in his constituency.
He revealed that the package which includes a back-to-school transportation financial support, amounts to a total sum of GHS110,524.83.
“The 50 students were selected from all 21 displaced camps; all traditional areas; and all tertiary institutions from universities, colleges of education, nursing training institutions and technical universities.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Meanwhile, Mr Ablakwa revealed that the latest North Tongu MP’s bursary for displaced tertiary students initiative is expected to guarantee that tertiary students are able to continue their education without disruptions despite the devastating economic impact of the VRA-induced floods.
Prior to this, Mr Ablakwa expressed gratitude to the kind gesture from Freedom Jacob Caesar and his New Africa Foundation.
He stated that Freedom Jacob Caesar brought in 100 tents and donated a wide variety of relief items.
“We also deeply appreciate the pledge to launch a subsidized women in agriculture initiative. Ghanaians are simply amazing.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
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