The Nana Nketsia Basic School in the Essikado-Ketan Constituency of the Western Region has been facing major challenges since its establishment, especially regarding access to drinking water.
Previously, students in the school had to fetch water early in the morning during school hours, before lesson periods.
To address this issue, the non-governmental organization (NGO) called TWST4GIRLS based in the United States of America has constructed a mechanized borehole for the Nana Nketsia Basic School and the Essikado community. This project aimed to solve the water problem faced by the school and users of the Essikado community library.
Both Nana Nketsia Basic School and Essikado Community Library benefited from the project and the donation when TWST4GIRLS came to Essikado and saw the problems that the school and the library were facing.
The presentation was done as part of TWST4GIRLS organization’s annual visit to the Essikado Omanhene Nana Kobina Nketsia V, as they recognized the need to assist the school and the library.
Additionally, the Headteacher of the Nana Nketsia Basic School, Mr. Abanquah-Asare Listowel, mentioned that access to potable water had been a major problem for the school over the years.
The support from the US-based NGO, TWST4GIRLS, was a relief for the administration, and the situation had negatively affected teaching and learning.
Mr. Abanquah-Asare Listowel, representing the PTA, the staff, the school body, and the community, extended his appreciation to TWST4GIRLS for the support.
The Founder and Executive Director of TWST4GIRLS, Mrs. Sydney Ealy, was driven by the desire to grow and inspire others to invest in the continent of Africa, particularly Ghana.
She also aimed to motivate the girls in her organization to not only enter spaces, learn, and lead but also to return to these spaces, apply their knowledge, and contribute to the growth of their communities.
Mrs. Sydney stressed that providing a mechanized borehole and donating computers to the Essikado community was just the beginning of their service, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to continuing to support the community and beyond.
She also mentioned that the organization has donated multivitamins to women and children in other African countries, including Tanzania.
She expressed that they are focused on expanding their efforts throughout the continent of Africa, beginning with their primary location in Ghana due to their deep affection for the country.
Furthermore, she affirmed that due to their strong relationship with the Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, they plan to return with additional development projects.
Mrs. Sydney added, “In the next two to three years, we’d love to see the youth unlock their potential, grow, explore the world, and gain the knowledge needed to return and contribute to their communities.”
She encouraged Nana Nketsia Basic School and the authorities of the Essikado community library to properly maintain the mechanized boreholes and computers and assured them of their willingness to provide IT support. The assistance would enable the children and people of the community to learn more and harness their potential to give back to their community.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jonathan Akuamoah, the Founder of a Local NGO, Team CSR Ghana, indicated that TWST4GIRLS partnered with them to facilitate the project for the U.S.-based NGO.
Mr. Akuamoah noted that TWST4GIRLS spent over $10,000, which is equivalent to one hundred thousand Ghana Cedis “GH¢100,000”, to provide the mechanized borehole and library equipment so that the Essikado community can get access to water and school pupils will also have a place to do ICT.
Notwithstanding, Mr. Jonathan stated that TWST4GIRLS comes to West Africa annually and travels through Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and different countries, most especially touring Ghana with the primary goal of giving back to the community. They also take young ladies all around the world and teach them valuable life lessons.
According to him, they have constructed over 120 boreholes in 120 villages all over Ghana, providing water for over 200,000 people. Moreover, in the Essikado community, they presented 20 computer accessories, along with books and all types of equipment to the community library.
Story by: Benjamin Bray
