The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi has initiated the construction of modern washroom facility to improve sanitary situations in RIIS Presbyterian Model Basic School in Koforidua.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the 12-seater washroom facility took place on Monday, November 20, 2023.
RIIS Presby, a cluster school with a student population of around 2000, has been grappling with the absence of proper toilet facilities. The only KVIP toilet facility in the school is in poor condition hence Students have had to undertake perilous walks, including crossing busy roads, to access public toilets during academic hours.
Hon. Okyere Baafi, also the Deputy Minister for Trades and Industry, responded to this urgent need by lobbying the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) to fund the construction of the washroom project as part of its corporate social responsibility. The NLA, recognizing the importance of the initiative, granted the necessary support.
During the brief sod-cutting ceremony, Hon. Okyere Baafi emphasized the significance of functional water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) systems in schools. He stated that these are necessities for safe health, fundamental determinants of students’ well-being, and incentives for better educational outcomes.
The MP assured that the project would be completed within the next three months for immediate use.
Hon. Okyere Baafi explained that the project is part of a broader intervention strategy aimed at improving sanitation in schools throughout the municipality. The focus is on providing convenient and hygienic facilities for students, particularly addressing the needs of the girl child.
Mustapha Haruna Appiah, the New Juaben South Municipal Education Director, commended Hon. Okyere Baafi for his unwavering support for education in the municipality.
He expressed optimism that the completed washroom facility would be a great relief to both teachers and pupils, providing improved sanitary conditions.
While acknowledging that the sanitary situation in public basic schools in the municipality is relatively acceptable, Mr. Mustapha Haruna Appiah stressed the need for ongoing improvements and expansions to accommodate the increasing student population in public basic schools.
Source: Ghana/starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
