Tullow Ghana has completed its 12th Sustainable Kindergarten Project at the Aboadze-Abuesi Basic School in the Shama District of the Western Region.

The Aboadze-Abuesi KG block is a new two-classroom KG facility with a playground, a canteen and a washroom. The project in Aboadze-Abuesi, like the previous projects, included the training of teachers in Montessori training style.

Since 2011, Tullow Ghana has embarked on the Sustainable Kindergarten Project designed to help communities with basic education.

The project is the pre-tertiary component of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative which forms part of Tullow’s larger educational support program that spans from kindergarten through university education.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the facility, Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Tullow Ghana, Cynthia Lumor, stated that the construction of these kindergartens and the training of teachers forms part of Tullow’s pledge to positively impact communities through educational development initiatives.

“Over the last 10 years we have in line with our shared prosperity programme focused on educational development initiatives that are intended to positively impact communities, especially the ones within our operational area.

"This has taken us on a journey to construct 11 other kindergartens in Western and the Central regions, trained 31 KG teachers in GES approved pedagogy, equipped 12 Headteachers with skills in the management of the Montessori system of education and graduated over 2200 from all 12 KGs; just because we believe that a successful educational career is dependent on our children having solid foundations,” she said.

She emphasised that the educational initiatives are geared toward developing interest and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education from the kindergarten level to the tertiary level.

While acknowledging the role and support of the community in the construction of the two-classroom KG facility, Cynthia Lumor encouraged all in the community to “demonstrate positive maintenance culture by supporting with the fixing of little things on this facility when the need arises.”

The DMD also expressed gratitude to its partner, Sabre Education for putting up a beautiful edifice for the community. According to her, Tullow Ghana’s partnership with Sabre Education has proven to be valuable.

On his part, the Sekondi MP and Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew E. Mercer, who served as the special guest of honour at the occasion commended Tullow Ghana for implementing a project that will give Ghanaian children a head-start in STEM education.

“This facility will not only be a place to study but to help them nurture and develop an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics related careers. Ghana’s energy sector needs more engineers and technicians with the requisite knowledge to contribute to its development.

"In cognizance of this, government under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rolled out the free Senior High School policy to give every child across the country the opportunity to possess quality education."

He added that “The Tullow Sustainable Kindergarten project is therefore in line with government’s objective to building capacity and enhancing access to basic education in the country. With a carefully planned layout of the school and a robust pedagogy, I am confident that teaching and learning in this facility will be exciting and insightful.

"I also seize this opportunity to thank Tullow Ghana and its partners for the support they are giving to the free SHS policy through the construction of modern classroom blocks in selected Senior High Schools in Ghana.

He indicated that "Other initiatives like the construction of the Jubilee technical training centre and Takoradi Technical Training University and the continuous collaboration of government institutions to provide training to businesses in the oil and gas sector is a clear indication of Tullow Ghana’s commitment to the development of talents and human capacity in the country.”

The Minister also used the opportunity to urge other organisations to emulate Tullow’s commitment to working with the government to develop talent and capacity of the country.

Executive Director at Sabre Education, Mr. Tony Dogbe described the facility as Tullow’s gift to the community and thus urged the local authorities and the community to maintain the complex and keep it in good shape.

Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Vida Nana Bentum expressed gratitude to Tullow Ghana and Sabre Education when she said, “The names of Tullow and Sabre will forever be indelibly imprinted in the minds of children in particular and the community as a whole for this kind gesture. You have really demonstrated that you care. I, therefore, wish to appeal to you, to adopt us and provide us with other facilities such as an ICT centre and Science lab that could really enhance teaching and learning.”

The event was characterised by a cheerful audience from the community who showed up in their numbers to support and appreciate the first of such facilities in their community. Students also thrilled patrons with poetry recitals, musical displays, cadet performances among other activities.

Present at the commissioning of the facility were the District Chief Executive of Shama, Ebenezer Dadzie, staff of Aboadze-Abuesi Basic School, Mr. Tony Aidoo, a representative from the District Education Office, officials of Tullow Ghana and Sabre Education.

The 12 completed kindergartens are located in the following communities; Abuesi Aboadze Community in the Shama District, Ayensudo (Komenda Municipality)- Cape Coast, Akwidaa, Ahanta East District, Punpuni, Ahanta East DistrictKrisan/Sanzule, Ellembele District, New Bankata, Ellembele District, Ehunyame, Nzema East Metropolis, Domunli, Nzema East Metropolis, Benyin, Nzema West District, Amenano, Shama, Shama District, Holy Child Teachers Training College, STMA and Nkontompo community in STMA