Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Bishop of Ho, has commissioned a six- Unit Classroom Block for the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Primary School at Avatime-Biakpa, calling on stakeholders to continue resourcing schools with teachers, teaching and learning materials.
The Block built by the Ho Diocese has an office and store, Staff Common room and 90 dual desks. It is also furnished with seven teachers’ table, chairs, cupboards and white boards. The Diocese also presented a six-unit water closet toilet facility to the School authorities.
At a durbar attended by Chiefs and people of the area and other Stakeholders of Education, Bishop Fianu noted that the commissioning was not only to bless and dedicate the teachers and children to God but also to hand over the School building to the Avatime-Biakpa community, who are the direct beneficiaries.
He added that the Diocese was not only interested in the provision of School infrastructure but also to sensitise girls in all the core subjects in the school curriculum.
The Bishop said though the Catholic Church in the Avatime Traditional Area was still at the infant stage, efforts were being made to grow and expand the Church in the area.
He stated that “the Catholic Church is not in competition with any religious institution but merely bringing the same faith and belief in Jesus Christ in the way and manner Catholics would do it.”
Bishop Fianu expressed gratitude to Kindermissionswerk in Germany for providing financial resources for the construction of the facility and acknowledged the good works of Golpet Construction Company and the Diocesan Development Office for their immense contributions towards the execution of the project.
Mr. M.A.K Buadi, Volta Regional Director of Education in a Speech read for him by Torgbe Dzidoa III, Regional Officer in-charge of Basic Education, said the commissioning further consolidates the commitment of the Catholic Church to remain a critical partner to the State in the provision of quality education.
He said education thrived in an environment where children were well-nourished and ready to participate in the learning process, supported by families and communities, commending the Church for putting up the magnificent building to support quality education in the Volta Region.
Mr. Gustav K. Asem, the Acting Volta Regional Manager of Catholic Education, promised the people of Biakpa of their support towards the effective running of the school.
Togbe Takyi X, Chief of Avatime-Biakpa, on behalf of Togbega Adzatekpor VII, Paramount Chief of Avatime Traditional Area, expressed appreciation to the Bishop in particular and the Ho Diocese in general for the School block, which would raise the Educational standard of the Area.
He said the edifice was not just a place for Primary Education but a higher centre of learning, appealing to the indigence of Biakpa to patronise the School and advised that good care be taken of the facility to prevent early deterioration.
Togbe Takyi appealed for a Volta Regional Campus of the Catholic University in the Area, which has a vast land acquired by the Church to enable the less academically endowed and students to access tertiary education at their door step.
Rev. Fr. Theophilus Sena Amekah, the Parish Priest of Kpedze St. Anthony’s Church, expressed gratitude to Bishop Fianu for the project.
Present at the commissioning were Rev. Fr. Edwin Terence Adzimah, the Co-ordinator of the Ho Diocesan Development Office and Rev. Sr. Margaret Ankamah of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC).
