Empower Playgrounds, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with “Me Boafo” Foundation, Rotary Club of Accra-Kanda, Rotaract Club of Adabraka and Rotaract Club of Weija has taken a significant step in improving education in deprived communities in West Africa.
The organization installed an ultramodern merry-go-round at Akwanserem D/A Basic School of the Fanteakwa South Constituency in the Eastern Region on Friday, November 29, 2024. This innovative installation was attended by parents, community leaders, and teachers of the school.
Empower Playgrounds was founded in 2007 with the mission of providing electricity-generating playground equipment to villages in Ghana that are too remote to be on the national electricity grid. The organization’s goal is to provide students with a safe and reliable source of light for studying, thereby improving their educational outcomes. The merry-go-round installed at Akwanserem D/A Basic School is designed to generate electricity that charges lanterns, which students can use to study at home.
The installation of the merry-go-round is expected to have a significant impact on the students of Akwanserem Basic School.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Darko, the headteacher of the school, “The government has neglected our needs, but with the swift intervention of the merry-go-round, students would be able to use the powered lantern to study even without electricity.” This initiative is particularly important for students in rural areas who often lack access to electricity and other basic amenities. Mr. Darko emphasized the significance of the initiative, highlighting the challenges faced by students in rural areas.
Mr. Isaac Darko-Mensah, country director of Empower Playgrounds, emphasized the importance of maintaining the merry-go-round and its powered lantern.
He urged administrators and parents to take care of the equipment, saying, “It would prolong the durability and ensure its purpose.” The organization’s efforts are aimed at creating a sustainable and supportive learning environment for students in deprived communities.
Mr. Darko-Mensah also acknowledged the tremendous inputs from “Me Boafo” Foundation, Rotary Club of Accra-Kanda, Rotaract Club of Adabraka and Rotaract Club of Weija.
The installation of the merry-go-round at Akwanserem D/A Basic School is a testament to Empower Playgrounds’ commitment to improving education in West Africa.