Pencils of Promise Opens 205th Classroom Block After 12 Years of Impact

Pencils of Promise, a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving education, has inaugurated its 205th classroom block after 12 years of operations in the Volta, Oti, and Eastern Regions of Ghana. The milestone was celebrated with the completion of a two-unit classroom block for the Lente MA Basic School in the Ketu South Municipality, located in the Volta Region.

The newly constructed classroom block, which includes an office and storage space, replaces an inadequate structure previously used by the kindergarten department. Speaking at the inauguration, Freeman Gobah, the Country Director of Pencils of Promise, highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to improving education in underserved communities. He noted that the project was completed in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who contributed approximately 20% of the total construction costs.

“This facility, which we are officially commissioning today, includes not only new furniture for both the kindergarten and primary school classrooms but also modern sanitation facilities such as a toilet and urinal, as well as a 10,000-litre water storage tank,” explained Mr. Gobah. He emphasized the urgency of the project, pointing out that the kindergarten was previously housed in an unsafe structure, making the new building a much-needed improvement.

Looking ahead, Mr. Gobah shared plans to complete two additional projects by the end of 2024. In addition, selected teachers will receive in-service training focused on child-centered teaching methods. Schools that benefit from these projects will also have access to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs, and in 2025, they will receive new classrooms and libraries equipped with reading materials.

Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, expressed her satisfaction with the fulfillment of her long-standing request for better infrastructure for Lente MA Basic School. For four years, she had been advocating for this development, and with the support of Pencils of Promise, her efforts have come to fruition. “By the grace of God and with the support of Pencils of Promise, my wish has been fulfilled,” she said with gratitude.

During the ceremony, Madam Gomashie also encouraged other NGOs to follow in the footsteps of Pencils of Promise, highlighting the need for further development in the region. She specifically mentioned the importance of establishing a library in Aflao as part of her vision for continued progress in the area.

Ephraim Kaseni, the headmaster of Lente MA Basic School, shared his enthusiasm about the new facilities, expressing hope that they would have a positive impact on the school’s academic performance. “This is not just a block; it is a transformation for our school. We are committed to using these facilities to nurture our children into future leaders,” he said.

Despite the positive changes, Mr. Kaseni appealed for further support to renovate the upper primary block, which remains in poor condition. He assured that the school would continue to uphold the goals of the partnership with Pencils of Promise by maintaining the new infrastructure and striving for excellence in education.

In summary, the completion of the Lente MA Basic School’s new classroom block is a significant achievement for Pencils of Promise and the Ketu South Municipality. The project has not only improved the learning environment for children but also fostered a spirit of collaboration between local government officials, community members, and the NGO. With further development plans on the horizon, the future looks bright for education in this underserved region of Ghana.