Japanese Government supports two communities

Published in the Daily Graphic on 22/01/10
pg 24 (center spread)
Story: Matilda Attram
TWO communities in the Ashanti and Upper East regions have received a grant assistance totalling $186,857 from the Japanese government under the Japanese Grant Assistance under the Grassroots Human Security Project (GGHSP) Scheme.
Sarfokrom in the Offinso-North District of the Ashanti Region received $95,860, while Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region received $90,997.
The amount is to enable Safokrom to construct a six-unit classroom block with a toilet facility, while in Bolgatanga the Bolgatanga Community Development Vocational Technical Training Institute (CDVTTI) will be rehabilitated.
The Safokrom project will include a six-unit classroom block, an office, a store room and a library, while the rehabilitation of the Bolgatanga CDVTTI will include the renovation of a nine-bedroom dormitory and a dining hall block, and the provision of beds, mattresses, looms and sewing machines.
During the signing of the grant contract between the government of Japan and the two communities, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Keiichi Katakami, said the GGHSP had assisted about 200 communities and non-profit groups in the country since its establishment in 1989.
He said it was instituted to support communities and non-profit groups with projects such as educational and health facilities that contributed directly to the development of a community at the grass-root level.
"Since lack of education and youth unemployment are the part of the pressing problems of society today, especially given the current economic conditions, any training and educational institute that will contribute to the employability and welfare of the youth of Ghana today deserves all the encouragement it needs,” he said.
He said the GGHSP assisted about eight projects annually, depending on the content of their proposal sent among 500 applications for contract annually.
Mr Katakami stated that there was the need for the establishment of a conducive learning environment to encourage learning and the building of potential among the youth for the development of the country.
He commended the initiatives of the Sarfokrom Unit Committee and the management of the Bolgatanga CDVTTI and urged them to ensure effective utilisation of the projects when completed.
The Chairman of the Sarfokrom Unit Committee, Mr Isaac Frimpong Manso, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and assured it of the committee's support for development in the area.
The Headmistress of the Bolgatanga CDVTTI, Ms Justina Atiim, also commended the Japanese government and assured them of the effective use of the funds provided for the various projects.