Gov't votes 6.7 billion cedis for OKESS

Kumasi, Feb.18, GNA- The Government has voted 6.7 billion cedis for the construction of administration block, library complex, boys' dormitory, and an 18-unit classroom block for Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School (OKESS) in Kumasi, to enhance the infrastructure development of the school.

Dr Anthony Akoto-Osei, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, who announced this, said the Government would also purchase a bus for the School.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the 70th Anniversary and Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the School in Kumasi, under the theme "Promoting Quality Education and Infrastructure Development," on Saturday. He said the provision of such facilities was in line with the Government's policy to support concrete infrastructure overheads in second cycle schools and upgrading of selected schools nationwide. Dr. Akoto-Osei, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Old Tafo Constituency, said fencing around the School's campus started after his first visit to the School in 2005, but due to encroachment by litigating land owners of the Nkwantwima land, the project has been half way complete and stalled at the moment.

He said with the MP's Common Fund, he was able to provide street lights, electricity poles and other gadgets valued at about 80 million cedis for the school lighting system.

Dr. Akoto-Osei said he has also instituted a scholarship scheme for needy but brilliant students in the Constituency, adding that since 2005, over 30 million cedis had been spent on the venture. Mr Kwadwo Opuni-Boachie, headmaster of the school, said OKESS lacked the necessary infrastructure development and favourable atmosphere to nurture students.

He said the school managed to get to its present milestone through hard work, commitment, dedication and perseverance of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), staff and students and other stakeholders in education.

Mr Opuni-Boachie said an Executive Instrument (LI) has gazetted a 168-acre land for the school in 1998 but the virtual take over of the land was now a big problem.

He, therefore, appealed to the Government and traditional authorities to settle the problem in respect with the land to enable the school have an atmosphere to carry out its expansion and development. Baffour Owusu Asare Amankwatia V, Bantamahene, who deputised for Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, urged the students to be disciplined and study very hard to keep the flame of the School burning. Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, President of the Old Students' Association of the School, said the Association has handed over a 300 million cedi Classroom block to the school and it also was working hard to complete a girls' dormitory.

The PTA of the school presented a mini-bus valued 167 million cedis to the school, and also handed over a 550-million cedi boys' dormitory and a 170 Kilowatts generator costing 258 million cedis to the School. 18 Feb. 07