Mr Sebastian Deh, the Member of Parliament for the Kpando Constituency, has launched a two-day educational support initiative dubbed “Smile to School”, aimed at supporting newly admitted Senior High School (SHS) students across the Kpando Municipality.
The two-day initiative, seeks to provide essential educational items to newly admitted SHS students while easing the financial burden on parents and guardians during the admission period.
Under the initiative, each beneficiary receives a package comprising a student trunk, mattress, bucket, school bag and exercise books.
The first day of the distribution exercise covered four zones: Dzoanfi, Tsakpe, Aloyi and Torkor.
The Dzoanfi Zone covered communities such as Gadza, Agudzi, Adofe and Konda, while the Tsakpe Zone included Tsakpe Old and New Town, Gabi and Aziave.
The Aloyi Zone covered Abanu and Zongo, with the Torkor Zone comprising Togorme, Dzigbe and AveIfkofe.
The exercise was characterised by mini durbars in the beneficiary communities, bringing together traditional leaders, parents, students, education officials and other stakeholders.
Addressing gatherings at Dzoanfi and Tsakpe, Mr Deh explained that the initiative was motivated by his understanding of the financial challenges parents face when preparing their children for SHS.
“Education remains the greatest legacy we can bequeath to our children. As your MP, I understand the pressure on parents when it comes to buying trunks, mattresses and other items for SHS. This little support is to put a smile on the faces of our children and their parents, and to tell them that we care and we are with them,” he stated.
He encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies, maintain discipline and strive to make Kpando proud.
A representative of the Kpando Municipal Education Directorate commended the initiative, describing it as complementary to efforts in the education sector and urging beneficiaries to take their education seriously.
Mamaga Lokkosi IV, the Queenmother of Gbordome and Kpando Dzoanti, expressed gratitude to the MP for his support and concern for the children of Kpando, and encouraged the new SHS entrants, particularly girls, to remain focused and avoid behaviours that could affect their academic journey.
The Chairperson for the occasion, Paramount Chief of Gbordome and Chief of Kpando Dzoanti, Torgbui Lokko VII, in his closing remarks, described the intervention as timely and offered prayers for Mamaga Lokkosi IV God’s guidance and protection for the students.
Meanwhile, the “Smile to School” initiative continues on Thursday, September 17, with distribution scheduled to cover Sovie, Fesi, Kudzra, Dafor and Gbefi Hoeme.
Parents who spoke to the Ghana News Agency described the support as a major relief at a time when families are making preparations for their children’s transition to SHS.
The initiative forms part of several educational interventions undertaken by Mr Deh since assuming office and aligns with his stated vision of “Repair, Revive and Restore” through education.
GNA
