The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has presented 997 school desks to eight public basic schools in the Greater Accra Region as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning.
It has also donated medical and environmental health equipment to the Accra Metro Health Directorate intended to strengthen community healthcare, particularly in the wake of recent flooding.
The items were provided with funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and the Assembly’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF).
The desks, comprising 466 mono desks, 360 dual desks and 170 hexagonal desks, will be distributed to schools in the Bubiashie, Kaneshie, Ussher, Ga Mashie, Ayalolo, Korle Gonno, Mamprobi and Ojoo circuits.
The assembly also handed over blood pressure monitors, Snellen charts, glucometers, face masks, gloves, body bags, blankets and office equipment, including desktop computers, laptops, printers and chairs, to support healthcare delivery and environmental health operations.
Beneficiaries
The beneficiary schools are in the Bubiashie, Kaneshie, Ussher, Ga Mashie, Ayalolo, Korle Gonno, Mamprobi and Ojoo education circuits.
The health donation included 63 blood pressure monitors, 63 Snellen charts, 63 glucometers, 100 face masks, 100 pairs of gloves, 100 body bags and 500 blankets for the Metro Health Directorate and the Environmental Health Unit.
The assembly also presented 20 desktop computers, 16 printers, seven laptops and 26 office chairs to selected departments to improve administrative efficiency.
Accountability
Presenting the items, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the intervention formed part of the assembly’s commitment to improving public education and strengthening health services across the metropolis.
He explained that the desks were procured with 10 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund allocated for educational infrastructure, while the health equipment and office logistics were financed through the assembly’s Internally Generated Fund.
Mr Allotey said the recent heavy rains and flooding highlighted the need to adequately equip environmental health officers and frontline health workers to respond effectively to emergencies and protect public health.
The Mayor stressed that the assembly would closely monitor the use of the items to ensure they served their intended purpose.
Durable furniture
Receiving the desks on behalf of the beneficiary schools, the Member of Parliament for Odododiodioo, Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie, described the furniture as durable, modern and well-designed to create a more conducive learning environment.
He said the colourful metallic desks represented a departure from the conventional wooden furniture and would help encourage pupils to remain in school while supporting effective teaching and learning.
Mr Ashie assured the assembly that the desks would be properly maintained to ensure they served pupils for many years.
Health delivery
The Metropolitan Director of Health Services, Dr Louisa Ademku Matey, expressed gratitude for the medical equipment, describing the donation as timely and essential to the delivery of community healthcare.
She explained that health workers regularly undertake outreach programmes for vulnerable groups, including older persons, women and children but were often constrained by inadequate equipment.
