The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reinforced its commitment to education in Ghana by donating a state-of-the-art 6-unit classroom block and a 10-seater restroom facility to Odorgonno Senior High School in the Ga Central Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
In collaboration with the office of Dickson Adomako Kissi, Member of Parliament for the Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency, this donation aims to address the school’s inadequate classroom facilities, improve the learning environment, and provide students with the necessary amenities to excel in their studies.
At the handing-over ceremony, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Africa West Area, emphasized the significance of education in fostering individual and community development. He stated, “This day represents a critical milestone in our commitment to providing high-quality education and building a better future for our children. I come before you today as a proud representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grateful for the opportunity to participate in this outstanding endeavor.”
The Church has consistently contributed to significant projects across Ghana, promoting social, economic, and spiritual well-being, and empowering students. Flint Ekyem Mensah, Director for Temporal Affairs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, highlighted that the new classroom block symbolizes hope and opportunity, reflecting the Church’s unwavering commitment to education. “Our goal as a Church is to do good. We strive to do that by sharing our love and devotion to Jesus Christ. We hope to share his message of love and hope in all that we do. Our joint efforts will bless the lives of many and will reflect our love for God. Today we are working together to bless His children,” he said.
Dickson Adomako Kissi, MP for the Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency, noted that these initiatives are meant to complement the government’s efforts to prioritize education. “Education has been very important for our president since he has spent considerably in education in terms of both value and money, and that inspired me to start this project with the Church. The skills acquired here will help our students become better citizens and do better for Mother Ghana,” he said.
Patrick Mensah, Headmaster of Odorgonno SHS, expressed relief at the new facilities, acknowledging the school’s ongoing challenges, including inadequate dormitories, staff accommodation, and a lack of science laboratories. “This commission facility has come in at a time when the school has transitioned to the single track status and comes to solve the overcrowding in the classroom and to provide classroom accommodation for the elective subject. We are going to devote a classroom for science demonstration lessons since the school has no science laboratory,” he said. He also urged the Church to consider further assistance for the boys’ hostel and a science laboratory.
Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, pledged to address the school’s outstanding requests to transform teaching and learning and improve access to quality education.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by high-profile dignitaries including Dr. Kwabena Tandoh, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES); Stephen Abamfo, Regional Director of Education; Hon. Ambross Tsegah, Municipal Chief Executive of Ga Central; Madam Adisa Tassa, Municipal Director of Education, Ga Central; Mrs. Addo-Yobo, Board Chair of Odorgonno SHS, and revered chiefs and elders of Sowutoum, among others.
