Force Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation in the Netherlands, has provided a computer learning centre and a studio for the Wa Methodist School for the Blind to help sharpen the skills of the pupils and their teachers in ICT.
   
The multi-million dollar facilities would encourage the visually impaired students to develop the habit of reading and writing as well as carrying out research through the use of ICT.
   
It would also provide an opportunity for both the teachers and students to become more articulate and resourceful in their teaching and learning Processes.
   
Speaking at the inauguration of the facility, at the weekend, at Wa, the headmaster, Mr. Sampson Akurugu, commended the Force Foundation for providing much an important facility for the school.
   
He said the Foundation was also instrumental in the acquisition
of equipment by providing 10 of the computers and paying for the
installation of a Vodafone Broadband internet facility.
   
The Headmaster also thanked UNESCO and the Ghana Society for the
blind for supporting them with additional computers.
   
He said the outstanding challenge was how to get funds to maintain the facility and urged the District Assembly to help them in that regard.
   
Mr. Mahmud Khalid, the Upper West Regional Minister, who inaugurated the facility,expressed dissatisfaction with the marginal attention parents give to their visually impaired children.
   
"Most parents see them as burden and only attend to their needs
occasionally or when the needs of the able-bodied children have been met," he stressed.
   
He said his office was aware of the numerous issues confronting the School, especially in the areas of land encroachment, compensation of land owners and inadequate infrastructure,and assured them of an amicable solution very soon.
   
He praised the School for scoring 100 per cent in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the past few years.
   
Mr. Duogu Yakubu, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, said the Assembly was prepared to support the school to progress to an
enviable position in the country.
   
He further stated that the Assembly would provide, without delay, a KVIP facility for the school.
   
Mr. Matthijs Balfoort, Executive Director of the Force Foundation, pledged the Foundation’s continuous support for the school and urged the staff and students to put the facility to good use.


PF