The Atiwa East District Chief Executive, Ernest Owusu Ntim, and the Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Group Limited, Thomas Larbi, have cut the sod for the construction of a five-unit teachers’ bungalow at Nanapa in the Eastern Region.
The project is expected to address the long-standing accommodation challenges facing teachers in the community and improve staff retention in local schools.
The sod-cutting ceremony, held on Wednesday, July 8, was attended by the DCE, the CEO of Lotus Group, traditional authorities, and residents, including the Odikro of Nanapa, Baffuor Rockson Akwei Asamoah I.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Owusu Ntim said many communities in the Atiwa East District have not benefited sufficiently from the activities of mining companies operating in the area. He disclosed that after assuming office, he toured several communities but found little evidence of corporate social responsibility projects by mining firms.
He said the teachers’ bungalow was initiated following a request from the Nanapa community and urged mining companies to undertake legacy projects that positively impact their host communities.
The DCE further pledged to ensure that every mining company operating within the district contributes at least one development project to the communities in which it operates. He disclosed that construction of the bungalow is expected to be completed within three to four months.
For his part, the CEO of Lotus Group Limited, Thomas Larbi, said the company remains committed to supporting education and community development. He noted that the firm has already undertaken several infrastructure projects in Nanapa and encouraged other mining companies to invest in meaningful community development initiatives.
The Odikro of Nanapa, Baffuor Rockson Akwei Asamoah I, welcomed the project and expressed optimism that it would help retain teachers in the community. He explained that inadequate accommodation, coupled with poor road conditions and high transportation costs, has contributed to the transfer of teachers from the area.
Residents who attended the ceremony described the project as a significant boost for education in Nanapa, expressing hope that it would improve teaching and learning outcomes by encouraging more teachers to remain in the community.
