<<Print>>

Plan Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has renovated 19 junior high schools in the Akuapem-North Municipality, under its transition and persistence project, which is being supported by United States Agency for International Development. The NGO had constructed girl-friendly latrines, while teachers also received refresher training on information and communication technology (ICT), mathematics and science. Mr Kofi Adade Debrah, Eastern Programme Unit Manager of Plan Ghana, made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Okuapehene, Oseadeayo Addo Dankwa III at Akropong-Akuapem. The visit, which coincided with the Awukudae celebration of the chiefs and people of Akropong-Akuapem, was used to introduce Plan Ghana officially to the Okuapehene and the people of the Akuapem Traditional Area. He said: �The project also organised camps for girls to develop life skills and build their confidence...to enable them realise their full potentials. �In addition, a library and an ICT centre were put up at Adawso to enhance the teaching and learning of ICT,� he said. Mr Debrah said through the support of the Dutch government, Plan Ghana is implementing another project dubbed: �The Girl Power Project,� in the municipality. He said the project had undertaken various activities including meetings to sensitise communities on issues such as abuse of girls and women, reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, the training of civil society organisations, child protection committees and queen-mothers so that they could champion the cause of the girl- child. �The girl power project also collaborates with the Ghana Education Service, to train school management committees and support communities to prepare school performance improvement plans to help them take action towards the access of children to quality education. �Another initiative that Plan is implementing in the area is the Women and their Children�s Health Project, which is supported by Canada.� He said the project seeks to minimise maternal and infant mortality through behavioural change in both health workers and families. Responding on behalf of the Okuapehene, the Krontihene of Akuapem, Osahene Ofei Kwasi Agyemang IV expressed happiness about Plan Ghana�s interventions in the Traditional Area.