GHACEM donates cement to educational and health institutions

The Ghana Cement Works (GHACEM) has donated 4,030 bags of cement to 42 educational and health institutions in the Western Region under the company's cement foundation.

The donation that took place on Friday in Sekondi formed part of the social responsibility programme of GHACEM, aimed at ensuring the early completion of community initiated school and health (clinic) projects.

The beneficiaries included Takoradi secondary school, Twin-City special school, Takinta Development Committee and the Wassa Domeabra Community.

Presenting the letters of approval to the beneficiaries, Mr Bjarme Schmith, Managing Director of GHACEM, said the company donated 15,000 bags of cement last year for similar projects nationwide and has increased the allocation to 26,000 this year, to enable more communities to benefit from the foundation.

Mr Joseph B. Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, expressed his appreciation to GHACEM for its early response to the people's request for assistance though the region applied late.

He said self-help spirit was high among many communities in the region and assured GHACEM that the cement would be used to complete the projects to improve the standard of living of the people.

Mr Aidoo appealed to Ghacem to consider his proposal that GHACEM should institute a housing scheme for cocoa farmers in the country.

Nana Prah Agyesaim VI, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Cement Foundation, regretted that last year, both the Western and Central regions failed to apply for cement from the foundation.

He though applications from the western region this year exceeded that of all the regions all were approved.

Nana Agyesaim cautioned the beneficiaries to ensure that the cement was used for the purpose for which it was donated.

He expressed regret that most school and health structures in the country were in dilapidated state and called on all communities to assist in their rehabilitation.

Nana Agyesaim said central region would also be allocated with 4,360 bags of cement for similar projects.