At last, the Ken Strong washroom at Tamale School has been completed and is now in service. The pictures and texts speak for themselves.

Report from Baako to Ghana School Aid of the commissioning of the Ken Strong Girls Washroom at TAMASCO

It is a great pleasure for me to inform you that the Ken Strong Washroom built at Tamasco was successfully commissioned today. Both the teaching staff and the students especially the girls, thronged around the ultra-modern toilet facility built for them in memory of Ken Strong to witness the ceremony. Also present were the media personnel who covered the proceedings in both English and the local language (Dagbani) to broadcast on radio and television. The radio station present was Radio Tamale and two TV stations, they are the Sagani TV and the GTV.

After I delivered my speech and handed over the keys on behalf of the Strong family, to the Headmaster Rev Eddy Azeka, on his part expressed gratitude to the Strong family and the Ghana school Aid. He explained how lack of the washroom was a worry to the girls in the past and they had to be moving faraway to free themselves but now that they have this built for them will surely improve their well-being. He advised them on the proper way to use the facility- what to do and what not to do.

The Girls Prefect on behalf of her colleagues thanked the Ken Strong family and GSA and assured us that they will put the facility to good use and make sure they maintain it well.

On my part when asked what I have to tell the beneficiaries, I replied that I urge them keep the facility well for their own use and for the use of generation to come after they have completed and left.

A lot of photographs were taken and all the girls were happily rushing in with smiles when it came to moving in to inspect the facility.

In all it was very successful not only for Tamasco but also for the Ken Strong family and Ghana School Aid. It is my hope that Karola and Claire will derive pleasure from the successful completion of this great project for the target group.

We closed when it was a few minutes to midday.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY AND COMMISSIONING OF THE KEN STRONG WASHROOM

My name is Alhassan Salifu Baako. I am the representative of Ghana School Aid in the north of Ghana.

I would like to tell you a bit about the history of this building.

Ken Strong, from the UK, was a teacher at this school in the 50’s and 60’s. During his five years here, he developed a deep love for the school and for Tamale.

His passion was to impart knowledge and skill to the young people he taught.

Ken died some years ago, but in 2019, his widow, Karola, and his daughter, Claire, gave a significant donation to Ghana School Aid to be used for the benefit of this school.

The headteacher at that time identified an urgent need for a girls’ washroom in this location.

Plans were drawn up, and builders were brought in.

There have been a number of hurdles on the way, but now we are looking at this excellent facility designed to improve the health, wellbeing and good spirits of the girls living at the school. The donors are very impressed by the photos they have seen and are delighted that the washroom is now completed.

Ghana School Aid wishes to thank all the people who have worked so hard to bring this project to fruition. In particular, the Headteacher, Rev. Eddy Azeka and his senior staff team, who have monitored the project and expedited the work as it progressed.

On behalf of Karola and Claire Strong and of Ghana School Aid, it gives me great pleasure to declare the Ken Strong Girls’ Washroom officially commissioned and open.