The Denu Chicago Basic School in the Ketu South Municipality has received a new four-unit modern toilet facility, following a joint intervention by the Ras Muta Foundation and the Denu Nugoryiyi Foundation.
The facility was handed over to the school on Wednesday by the Ras Muta Foundation, led by Mr. Seth Sizzla Nyasorgbor, and the Denu Nugoryiyi Foundation, led by the Assembly Member for the Denu Electoral Area, Hon. Israel Selikem Bossman.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Headmaster of the school, Mr. Prosper Mensah, said the school had struggled with the lack of an appropriate toilet facility for several years despite numerous consultations and efforts to address the problem.
According to him, the situation had posed serious safety and logistical challenges to both pupils and teachers.
Mr. Mensah explained that pupils were sometimes compelled to leave the school premises to use toilet facilities elsewhere, exposing them to the risk of road accidents because the school is located along a major road.
He noted that there had been instances where pupils going to seek toilet facilities outside the school premises were nearly or actually involved in accidents involving motorcycles and vehicles.
The Headmaster further disclosed that the situation also affected teachers, who sometimes had to abandon their duties and travel home or elsewhere to access toilet facilities.
He expressed gratitude to the two foundations for responding to the school’s long-standing challenge and assured them that the school would take proper care of the facility to ensure its sustainability.
As a gesture of appreciation, the school presented citations to the Ras Muta Foundation and Denu Nugoryiyi Foundation in recognition of their contribution.
Speaking on behalf of the Ras Muta Foundation and the Nyasorgbor family, Mr. N.K.K. Gidiglo said the decision to support the construction of the facility was part of efforts to preserve the memory and legacy of their beloved son, the late Edem Divine Nyasorgbor, popularly known as Ras Muta.
The memorial material described the late Ras Muta as a media professional who worked with several radio stations in Ghana and Togo and contributed to broadcasting, communication and community life before his death on September 16, 2022.
Mr. Gidiglo said the family considered the project an appropriate way of honouring his memory through an initiative that would provide a lasting benefit to the community and generations of pupils.
He said the legacy of Ras Muta would continue to be remembered through initiatives that positively impact society.
Hon. Israel Selikem Bossman, Assembly Member for the Denu Electoral Area, also expressed appreciation to the Ras Muta Foundation for its significant contribution towards the construction of the facility.
He assured the school community that, as Assembly Member for the area, he would support efforts to ensure that the facility was properly maintained.
The pupils and staff of Denu Chicago Basic School also expressed their appreciation to the two foundations for what they described as a timely intervention that would improve sanitation and safety at the school.
The new facility is expected to provide a safer and more hygienic environment for pupils and teachers while addressing one of the school’s major infrastructure challenges.
Story by Courage Edwin Amenuda