In a major push to improve living and learning conditions for vulnerable girls, Asaasiam Vision International (AVI), a Ghanaian non-governmental organisation, has cut sod for the construction of two modern washrooms and a changing room facility at Oda Nkwanta in the Eastern Region.
The ceremony took place on May 29, 2026 at the Oda Nkwanta MA “A” and “B” school premises under the organisation’s ‘Let Girls Excel Africa’ programme. The philanthropic project is partly funded by the Akuraase Foundation in Portland, Oregon and individual donations from the United States, with AVI serving as the implementing agency.
Programme rationale
The ‘Let Girls Excel Africa’ initiative targets vulnerable schoolgirls aged 11 to 18 in rural Eastern Ghana. It seeks to empower them through educational support, leadership training, menstrual health education and support, and the creation of safe emotional sharing spaces.
Key objectives include improving school retention, building confidence and leadership skills, eliminating period poverty and stigma, establishing school-based clubs for sustained peer support, creating safe spaces for girls, and boosting school attendance and retention rates.
Stakeholder remarks
Mr. Donald Didier of the Akuraase Foundation, who served as the main speaker, expressed his organisation’s delight in supporting the project. He described the sod-cutting ceremony as the beginning of greater success for girls, women, and children in Ghana and across Africa.
Highlighting community involvement, Mr. Donald Didier noted: “Seeing community leaders, stakeholders, supporters, and beneficiaries come together reaffirmed the importance of this initiative and the collective commitment to creating a better future for our girls.”
According to him, the project goes beyond infrastructure. “It represents dignity, safety, confidence, and equal opportunities for girls to pursue their education without barriers. Access to safe and appropriate sanitation facilities is a fundamental necessity, and we are proud to be taking this important step toward addressing that need,” he said.
On behalf of the Akuraase Foundation, he extended a heartfelt appreciation to all supporters. “Your partnership is helping create an environment where girls can thrive, learn, and excel,” he stressed. “The sod has been cut, but the work has only just begun. Together, we are building more than a facility—we are building opportunities, confidence, and hope.”
Madam Gloria Aggrey Kilson, Director of Education for the Birim Central Municipal Assembly, echoed her joyous sentiments. She noted that the lack of modern washrooms and changing rooms remains a major challenge for many schools. She praised AVI and the Akuraase Foundation for the bold initiative, describing it as a catalyst for other stakeholders to emulate. She also appealed for at least one more similar project and called on the community, parents, and stakeholders to support the facility’s maintenance to ensure it serves its purpose.
Madam Michelle Afroso, Director of the Akuraase Foundation, expressed her happiness that the project was finally underway, saying that a clean, safe washroom and changing room for the girls is more than just a building — it brings dignity, improves health, and helps girls remain in school. She added that with these facilities the children can learn without interruption and the whole community will benefit. She thanked everyone who made the project possible and said the facility will make a meaningful difference now and for generations to come.
Madam Theresa Fempomaa Somuah, the programme coordinator, called on the girls to set realistic goals and take their education seriously, noting that many girls lack the opportunity they have been given. She urged them to use the facility to its fullest advantage.
The founder of Asaasiam Vision International, Dr. Joseph Asare, disclosed that what began as a vision is now taking shape. He expressed profound appreciation to the Akuraase Foundation for their years of support and the impact they continue to make in Ghana. He charged the girls to seize the opportunity to improve their academic performance and school attendance.
Schoolgirls in developing countries face numerous deprivations, making interventions such as this highly welcome. AVI and the Akuraase Foundation’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in the Eastern Region is a bold initiative worthy of commendation.
Source By DC Kwame Kwakye
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