Jirapa MP donates 1,400 desks, announces electricity projects for five communities

The Member of Parliament for Jirapa and Board Chairman of VRA/NEDCo, Cletus Seidu Dapilaa, has donated 1,400 mono-desks to the Jirapa Municipal Assembly and announced major electricity interventions for five communities in the municipality.

The donation, which forms part of a pledge to provide 2,000 mono-desks, was received by the Municipal Chief Executive for Jirapa, Peter N. N. To-ang, and the Paramount Chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area, Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III.

Mr Dapilaa said the donation was prompted by the deplorable state of school furniture across the municipality.

"When I looked at the furniture situation some time ago through the Ghana Education Service, I realised that many of our children were still sitting or probably lying on the bare floor to write. So, that was what informed me, and that was the reason why we donated the first batch," he said.

He added that the latest donation would supplement the earlier batch, with more desks expected to be delivered.

"So, these ones are being added to what we donated earlier, and more will still come. Education is all that we have around this area. That is what God has given us for free. So, we have to use our brains to ensure that we shape our children, who are the future generation and future leaders," the MP said.

He assured residents that he would follow up with the contractor to ensure the delivery of the remaining 600 desks, which are being imported due to shortages in the country.

On electrification, the MP disclosed that he had delivered electrical materials to complete the connection of Ping to the national grid, following his promise last year to provide the community with electricity before Christmas. However, some parts of the community were not covered by the initial work.

He said additional materials had been delivered to Han-Guri to connect the community to the national grid, while a contractor was expected to deliver materials to Duori-Jang to complete the rural electrification project there.

He further announced that a contractor would move to the site in November to connect Tiboro-Nyanvaare, Tizza-Karni and the entire Tugu Enclave to the national grid.

"Last year, I promised the people of Ping that we were going to give them electricity before Christmas, and I delivered. However, some parts of the community were still not covered. This morning, I delivered some materials there for them to complete the electrification of the entire Ping. Step by step, every community in the municipality will eventually be connected to the national grid," Mr Dapilaa said.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Jirapa, Peter N. N. To-ang, thanked the MP for his hard work, sacrifices and dedication to the development of the municipality.

He said the MP had been instrumental in identifying development opportunities since his appointment.

"Over the few months that I have been appointed, he has been very helpful and has tried to lead me through places where we can get development for Jirapa, and this is just one of them. As he said, a few months ago, he came here and promised to give us 2,000 mono-desks. Today, we have received 1,400," the MCE said.

He confirmed that the remaining 600 desks were being imported and would be handed over soon.

Mr To-ang also disclosed that the Municipal Assembly, together with the MP, had launched an Education Fund to address challenges facing education in the municipality.

The Paramount Chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area, Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III, who is also a staff member of the Ghana Education Service (GES), commended the MP for the donation but cautioned against poor maintenance of school property.

He expressed confidence that the new furniture would improve learning conditions and urged teachers and pupils to make good use of the desks.

"It will be a challenge for any learner to sit on this and still fail," Naa Dinaa Donglabong Ganaa III said.

He urged the GES to distribute the furniture to communities and teachers who were committed to protecting school property and improving academic performance.

The Paramount Chief warned that the donation should not become a "nine-day wonder" and announced plans to personally monitor beneficiary schools.

He said the best-maintained schools would be recognised and rewarded at the annual festival to encourage healthy competition and rekindle the spirit of communal responsibility.