Atorkor (V/R), April 13, GNA - The chiefs and people of Atorkor in the Volta Region have raised 105 million cedis towards the construction of a school block and sponsorships for students in the junior secondary school in the town.
The amount was realized at the homecoming ceremony organized to coincide with the Easter festivities and attended by citizens both residents and those living abroad.
The initiative aimed at increasing motivation for teachers in the town by providing them with bonuses besides their salaries and improving the academic excellence of students in the area.
Addressing the people, Torgbui Akumey Geli Adzorlolo III, said he considered the rebuilding of educational infrastructure as a vital link to bringing development to the town adding; "the first phase of this aspect of the project involves the construction of a six classroom one-storey block for the school.
"It is my wish and that of my elders to develop the project by growing skilled labour that would transform the lives and economy of Atorkor citizens wherever they find themselves."
He said the Atorkor Development Foundation (ADF), the development arm of the town, was working with other organizations in the village to improve education.
The ADF, he noted, had since last year provided scholarships to 51 needy but brilliant children in the school and awarded 30 children, who excelled in their Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) as well as awards for distinguished citizens in the town.
Torgbi Adzorlolo, known in private life as Dr Samuel Adzorlolo, said a former patient of his in London, had put aside 3.3 million cedis to sponsor 41 children of the Atorkor Basic School, made up of 26 children from the primary school, and 15 from the JSS this year.
"He has also decided to sponsor the best female student from Atorkor at the end of the JSS cycle for the three-year Senior Secondary School programme."
On the forthcoming elections, Torgbi Adzorlolo commended the Electoral Commission on the recent registration exercise, and urged the citizens to make efforts to cast their votes for people, who were sincere, dedicated and ready to promote their interest.
On the HIV/AIDS pandemic, he said no miracle cure had been found for the menace and urged the people to prevent contracting the disease: "Do not be fooled by the appearance and resist every pressure and temptation to engage in activities that will put you at risk of the virus."
Mrs Agnes Okudzeto, Second Vice-Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said the Government was keen on finishing the road infrastructure in the area, "to the extent that in no time, accessibility to every town and village will become a possibility".
She said Atorkor would soon benefit under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative Fund that would bring important basic amenities to the town.
She said the Anlo Secondary School at Anloga would soon be upgraded to a first class status under the programme to upgrade second cycle schools.
