Author Archives: Penny Sewell

REPORTS FROM SCHOOLS

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We had reports but no pictures from The Hartley Trust Schools who needed to repair school transport vehicles; and from Nambiri JHS which gained funding from various sources to build a new 3 x classroom block after the old block was severely storm-damaged. Nambiri JHS featured in our U-Tube Chronicles which prompted some dentists in Liverpool to chip in. We are all grateful.

Below are some pictures of work in 4 schools which received grants from GSA.

  1. Tafi Atome JHS was able to replace their damaged roof. Here are ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures.

Before:

    After:

    2. Zagyuri Miskiya Primary and KG This school had to work on roof, windows, doors and gravelling.

    During the work, classes were held outside.

    Work in progress!

    The classroom floor is gravelled but needs a top surface of cement

    3. Kunkulung Primary School had a grant to repair a roof, but they were able to fund that from a different source. Our representative visited them and agreed that GSA funds could be used to buy much-needed seating for staff and pupils, as the two pictures show.

    4. Golozoli Amalia Primary School received money for new desks.

    Here, the desks are being assembled in the workshop.

    The pupils with no desks.

    The desks arrive at the school.

    Grants May 2024

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    At a recent committee meeting, grants were allocated to the following schools: Zuarungu-Moshie JHS for some KVIP toilets; Kwasi Doi Presidential KG for the renovation and painting of a school building; Zagyuri Miskiya, an additional grant for floorinjg, plastering and painting; Kanvilli Tawfikiya to mend a leaking roof; Zugu Dabogni Technical Institute to complete the boys’ accommodation buildings.

    MAY I ADD: WE WOULD LOVE A FEW MORE PEOPLE TO ATTEND OUR AGM IN ISLINGTON, LONDON, ON THURSDAY 13 JUNE. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU CAN MAKE IT !

    New grants

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    The following grants were agreed at our committee meeting of 24th January 2024.

    Tafi Atomi JSS (VR) to repair storm damage, £2000

    Hartley Trust Foundation School, Kasua, for the repair of 3 crucial school vehicles, £2000

    Zagyuri Miskiya Islamic Primary and KG, for the provision of a much-needed roof, £3000

    Kunkulung D/A Primary School, to repair storm damage to a roof, £1000

    Golazoli Amalia E/A Primary School, for 40 metal desks, £1000

    2024 AGM

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    We are happy to announce that this year’s AGM will take place in the crypt of St Mary’s Church, Islington, on Thursday 13th June. Invitations to attend will be sent out electronically later this month, February.

    More feedback from schools

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    Kumawu Technical Institute

    This college had already been provided with bunk beds through a GSA grant and at our September committee meeting we funded mattresses for them. We received a letter of appreciation from them and other officials.

    Abonse JHS

    The renovation work has been completed except for the painting.

    Tibung DA Primary School

    A grant had been given to repair the main roof and renovate the teachers’ quarters. The latter has two rooms, one of which is to be occupied by a Peace Corps volunteer. The work is now complete and looks good.

    Voggu R.C JHS

    This school has many challenges across its structures, including crumbling floors, broken windows and doors, and holes in the roofs. An update from them shows good work undertaken repairing the floors. More work will follow.

    Lungbung D/A JHS

    This school also had many building issues when they applied for a grant via Baako last year. He reports successful work, with before and after photos showing this. Our grant included funding for connection to the electricity network.

    Kanvilli Tawfikiya JHS

    The cost of an additional, third, classroom to an existing block was funded by us last year. It has now been completed.

    Jisonayili M/A JHS

    This large school had a desperate need for desks. Our grant provided 40 metal desks. Baako presented the desks and described to us his speech made to inspire the 80 pupils now seated.

    Sorugu JHS

    A small further grant towards a toilet block had been needed to rectify a mason’s underestimates. Baako visited and we have received photos of the completed block which features some beautiful tiling!

    Feedback from schools

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    Zagyuri Miskiya Primary School and KG

    In the UK, Emily and two friends raised £375 at their school fair from the sale of hand-made jewelry. Baako found Zagyuri Kindergarten where the children lacked learning materials. The pictures show the joyful outcome.

    AGM 15th June 2023

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    Just over twenty people attended our AGM; there was a great atmosphere and much conversation. Three people joined us via zoom, including Salifu Baako and Kofi Ohene in Ghana. The committee was reelected, nem con. One big change is that Jennifer MacDougall who has produced our Newsletter for many years, is stepping down from that role. Kate Regan volunteered to take over, and for that we are profoundly grateful. The general feeling was that we are now operating within our means, doing most of our work through Kofi and Baako, and we plan to continue in this way. Below is the Chair’s address, and the accounts for 2022-2023 can be found under the heading About.

    Chair’s Opening Remarks AGM June 2023

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    GHANA SCHOOL AID

    Opening remarks for the 2023 Annual General Meeting held at St Mary’s Crypt, Islington, London on 15th June, 2023.

    Thank you everyone for attending today, whether you are in person or online, in Ghana or the UK.

    One of the ‘lessons’ from the pandemic has been how better we can use technology. Certainly, we in Ghana School Aid through the use of Zoom can now include Kofi and Baako in our meetings. I give a special welcome to them. I am sure we all agree this is a real advantage, as it is for our Committee members and supporters who otherwise cannot or do not wish to travel to London.

    I commend our splendid 2023 Newsletter to you all. Please share and spread the news of Ghana School Aid widely. Not only does it show our supporters what we do and how we spend their donations, but it represents a link to our formation and those who established Ghana School Aid 37 years ago. Indeed, this AGM was originally called the ‘Reunion Lunch’.

    I wish to note our appreciation and sincere thanks for Jennifer. She and her daughter, Anna, have worked together on the Newsletter for nearly 20 years. Jennifer, as you know, will be stepping down, so if this interests you as a role then please let Jo or myself know. Thank you again to Jennifer and, please, pass on our thanks to Anna.

    I wish to acknowledge Jo as Secretary and Nigel as Treasurer. But there are, as we know, many others. Indeed, we will hear more from, amongst others, Rita and her work with Abigail in the north. This is a team effort, and we are more than the sum of our parts.

    Today, in particular, we thank Penny for her role in coordinating our AGM. I also pay tribute to our patron, Lord Paul Boateng, for his unwavering support. He cannot be with us today, but has asked I pass his warm greetings to you all.

    I have been chairman since 2021. Power or responsibility is held in trust. To that end, I have three aims: to, at a suitable time, encourage a successor; to be as much use as I can to Jo and Nigel; and, finally, as a Committee to seek and welcome new members.

    Ghana School Aid has a pedigree and contribution that is unmatched. No other charity or NGO has existed as long as we have, not offered our continued, effective support. Our history is entwined with that of Ghana. We represent in miniature the strong ties of friendship and common destiny that bind Ghana and the UK together. I saw this first hand from Kofi in his explanation of Ghana School Aid and his history to the teachers at Cape Coast Primary School.

    The need for what we do – classrooms, toilet blocks and desks – remain as a strong as ever. This is a special endeavour. Baako used the term ‘sacrificial giving’, which, captures well our task.

    Let us today enjoy each other’s company, celebrate what we do and prepare for another busy year.

    William Spooner

    Chair, Ghana School Aid

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    Reports from Schools and New Grants May 2023

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    The Committee met recently and welcomed reports from the following schools:

    Sampa Methodist Primary School; Kumawu Technical Institute; Kanvilli JHS; Hartley Technical School Kasoa; Lungbung Gurugu JHS; Gung AME Zion Primary School; Lung Gurugu Methodist Primary School.

    Sampa Methodist Primary School Grant given for desks for KG1 and KG2
    Excitement as the desks arrive!
    New Desks in Use
    Kanvilli Tawfikiya JHS Preparation for the classroom extension Baako and the Management Team discussing the way forward. 1200 blocks have been moulded and other materials purchased.
    Preparatory work at Kanvilli Tawfikiya JHS
    Lungbung Gurugu JHS (Northern Region)
    Lungbung Gurugu JHS (Northern Region)

    We have awarded new grants to:

    Kumawu Technical Institute – £2000 for bunk beds; Zuarungu Moshie JHS – £2850 for classroom and office renovation and regravelling; Tibung DA Primary School £1500 for buildings renovation; Zugu Dagbone Technical Institute £1000; Sorugu JHS – £1500 for sanitation; Lungbung Gundaa Primary School – £3000 for classroom building.

    We wish them all well.

    GSA Chair visits Ghana

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    William Spooner, our young and dynamic Chair, visited Ghana in April 2023. He was warmly welcomed and managed to visit, in three days, 22 schools supported by GSA.

    Here are some pictures from his trip:

    William with Baako (right) and headteacher, having met pupils at the Zugu Dabongni Technical Institute, Northern Region. GSA funded desks and furniture for the headteacher’s office.
    William with headteacher and pupils in the Alan Mayhew Centre, Cape Coast.

    Baako with pupils outside the Ken Strong Washroom, Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO). 

    William with Baako (right) and the chief. Gung AME Zion Primary School at which GSA funded desks.
    William with Mr Kofi Ohene (right) and headteacher, after having presented a letter with a donation in memory of Sheila Gilbert. Mfantsipim, Cape Coast.