Canadian philanthropist Daniel Ross McCartney has renovated and officially handed over a three-unit classroom and nursery block to the staff and parents of Yilionayili Anglican School in the Northern Region of Ghana.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, McCartney revealed that his motivation to embark on the project stemmed from his visit to Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic. While in Tamale, he visited three schools and was deeply concerned about the poor conditions in which students were learning.
“I wasn’t happy with the state of the schools, so I had to step in and help. This is not going to be a one-day initiative. I encourage parents and teachers to take good care of this facility,” he stated.
He further urged the community to embrace a strong maintenance culture to ensure the longevity of the renovated structure.
The chief of the Yilionayili Traditional Area, Nyab Yilionaa, commended McCartney for his continuous support towards the education of children in the community. He acknowledged that this was not the philanthropist’s first time assisting the community and expressed gratitude for his generosity.
The Assistant Headmaster of Yilionayili Anglican School, Alhassan Naporo, also expressed his delight at the transformation of the school building.
“The school was in a deplorable state, making teaching and learning difficult. Before the renovation, the building was completely unusable. Animals would enter the classrooms whenever it rained, forcing both students and teachers to stand alongside them. In such conditions, we often had no choice but to close for the day,” he recounted.
He used the occasion to call on government agencies and other philanthropists to support the school by providing furniture and an ICT laboratory to enhance teaching and learning.
The renovated classroom block is expected to provide a conducive environment for learning and contribute to improved educational outcomes in the community.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
