The Africa Centre for Education and Community Development (ACECD), a non-profit organisation, has commissioned and handed over a fully equipped state-of-the-art Basic School to the Apesokubi community of the Oti region. The gesture by the Organisation, which is dedicated to advancing education and social development in sub-Saharan Africa since 2012, would help improve teaching and learning in the area. Formerly called Apesokubi DA/RC Primary School, the newly commissioned facility is now christened James E. Kearney Memorial RC School. Reverend Father Dr Richard Akrofi Baafi, Executive Director, ACECD, said the importance of education could not be over-emphasised while expressing gratitude to all donors and stakeholders for their immense support towards the project. He said there was a need for peaceful co-existence among community members and urged them to always avail themselves of communal labour to offer their best towards community growth. Rev Fr Dr Baafi urged the Education Directorate to select 'g ood teachers' to man the school, adding that he would always provide the needed support. He said ACECD intended to continue with a Junior High School block with ancillary facilities as well as a residence for teachers. Rev Fr Dr Baafi revealed that the community getting a seasoned health facility would be the next project to undertake. Nana Besemuna Mprah III, Krachiwura and President, Oti Regional House of Chiefs, said education was a legacy that could be given to future generations. He said the new facility coupled with the conducive environment would improve the quality of education in the community and the region. Nana Mprah commended the ACECD for the facility and called for an effective maintenance culture to ensure its longevity. Reverend Father Dr Cletus Kwame Forson, International Help of Missionaries (IHM) Trustee, said traditional leaders must enforce the agenda of development in their subjects, especially young children. He admonished the youth of the community to take advantage of the oppo rtunities available such as vast lands and invest to develop themselves. Rev Fr Dr Forson urged the teachers to be committed to the task and called on learners to persevere, to succeed irrespective of their family background. Dr Amar Deep Singh Hari, Executive Chairman, IPMC, said it was an honour to be in partnership with the project in enhancing the teaching and learning of ICT. He said IPMC would provide a fully equipped ultramodern library and ICT laboratory for the school. Nana Okogyeaman Asiedu Koram II, Paramount Chief of Apesokubi, said ACECD had partnered with the community for the past five years with major improvements in the area of education. He appealed to ACECD to extend their benevolence to other parts of the district and the region. Mr Nicholas Baafi, Director of Operation, ACECD, said the project had to undergo re-engineering and drainage works, adding that the new facility had a playground for the pre-school. He said it also had a 10-seater WC for primary learners and staff, a restin g area, a kitchen and canteen, and a mechanised borehole provided by IHM. Mrs Irene Jacquelinda Attabra, Acting Oti Regional Director of Education, noted that the facility was an example of what could be achieved when communities and organisations came together with a shared purpose. She said the implementation of the new standardized-based curriculum required a modern learning environment such as the new facility and challenged all stakeholders to provide the necessary support to teachers and students to succeed. The project sponsored by James E. Kearney Memorial RC School alongside other donors is estimated at a cost of GHS5,000,000. Source: Ghana News Agency