Mr Lee Ocran, Minister of Education, on Friday performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of basic and Senior High School for Valley View University (VVU) at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region.
The project, to be sponsored by the Maranatha International, an Adventist NGO that specializes in the construction of schools across the world, would consist of 53 classrooms.
Speaking at the programme, Mr Ocran congratulated the Adventist Church for its contribution towards the socio-economic development of the country, especially in the field of education.
He noted that about 30 per cent of children of school going age in the country did not go to schools and called for more investment in schools at the basic level to lure more children into school.
The Minister congratulated the Valley View for being the first private university in the country to earn a charter status and appealed to the authorities to let that status reflect in the quality of education the children would receive.
He noted that although there should be rules and regulations for the students, authorities of the University should endeavour to respect the religious beliefs and freedom of the pupils and not impose any tough restrictions on them.
Mr Ocran advocated the use of metals in the making of chairs for students as the use of wood was aiding in the depletion of our forests.
Professor Daniel Buor, Vice-Chancellor, VVU, praised Maranatha International for its readiness to sponsor the construction of both the basic and the Senior High School, adding “it has been a dream come true”.
He said as part of University’s commitment towards education, it had already spent GHC150,000 in the rehabilitation of some blocks, which would serve as classrooms when the idea for the construction of the school was mooted.
He praised Maranatha International for the gestures, adding that the organization would soon commence with the construction of 200 Adventist schools across the country.
Mr Ronald Kedas, Country Director, Maranatha International, announced that due to the love the organisation had for Ghana, it had been chosen to head the West African branch of the organisation.
He said Maranatha would continue to help in the socio-economic development of the country by construction schools where children would be taught to develop both spiritually and mentally.
