UDS students implement community development projects

By Albert Futukpor, GNA   

Tamale, Oct. 21, GNA – A group of students of
the University for Development Studies (UDS) has implemented innovative social
initiatives addressing problems facing communities surrounding the University
in Tamale.

The initiatives implemented included working
on community-led total sanitation by providing household toilets, the provision
of potable water for a deprived community, construction of a community durbar
ground and the provision of security lights for safe and easy access for
children and women from one part of a community to the other.

Over a period of six months, the students
received the necessary technical support to lead the implementation of their
group projects, including managing their activities, leveraging stakeholder
involvement, networking opportunities, continuous learning, and support with
financial management and reporting amongst others.

The students received a grant in April, this
year from the Youth Empowerment Synergy (YES-Ghana) to implement the projects,
which formed part of the Youth Leadership for Social Change project implemented
by YES-Ghana in collaboration with UDS and the University of Cape Coast (UCC)
with funding from the Ford Foundation.

Mr Eric Saforo, Project Manager, Youth
Leadership for Social Change, who spoke at a ceremony in Tamale, praised the
students for selecting and excellently executing projects that addressed
problems of communities.

Mr Saforo said “The nature of social impact
initiatives implemented by the Fellows in collaboration with the beneficiary
communities proves that the Fellows are ready to take on different challenges
as leaders to support society as leaders.”

Professor Israel Dzormeku, Former Dean of
Students’ Affairs, UDS, Tamale Campus, said the projects were delivered in
partnership with community members to ensure their sustainability whiles
delivering results for the beneficiaries.

Professor Dzormeku urged the students to
continue to come out with innovative ideas to address needs of society.

Miss Caroline Boahen, one of the students, who
worked on the projects, said it did not require much money to make change but
rather changing the mindset of the people as well as building network and
called on all to be passionate about their endeavours to achieve results.

Some community members thanked UDS students
for the projects saying they were useful for their communities adding that
their involvement in the project conception and implementation would ensure
their sustainability.

Meanwhile, a similar event was held at UCC on
October 06, this year for students of the University, who also received grants
to implement various initiatives of social impact in the Central Region.

GNA

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