Accra, Dec. 12, GNA
– Mytilineos S.A., a Greek-based industrial conglomerate and the parent company
of Metka Ghana, has inaugurated a three-classroom block for the St. Nicholas
Charity Foundation, to augment the school’s current units.
The project, which
cost more than GH¢200,000.00, is the latest support Metka is offering the
school and goes to show the company’s continued commitment to the educational
project of St. Nicholas Charity Foundation and further the development of the
Tema Manhean community.
The opening of the
classroom is in fulfilment of a promise made by Mytilineos S.A. via the signing
of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with St. Nicholas Charity Foundation, a
school based in Tema Manhean, to finance the construction of the classrooms.
The agreement was
signed on 11th July 2019 at the Bridge Power Plant site office in
Tema.
The ribbon-cutting
ceremony was undertaken by Ms Marianna Gabriel, a Director of Mytilineos Ghana
and Honorary Consul of Cyprus in Ghana with support from a representative of
the Paramount Chief of Tema Traditional Area, Nii Osangnaa Adjei Kraku II.
The support also
follows Metka’s extensive social responsibility project in 2018 which included
the building of a canteen for St. Nicholas Charity Foundation which now enables
the children to sit together and learn from one another while having a meal.
Also, Metka undertook a socio-economic investment in the Aboadze ultra-modern
market.
The event took place
as part of St. Nicholas Day Celebrations, which saw the pupils and students of
the school undertake Greek and Ghanaian cultural dance, brass band, recitals
and Navy Cadet Corp displays.
The ceremony was
witnessed by several dignitaries, including Ghanaian celebrities – Adina
Thembi, Lydia Forson, Pascaline Edwards and Princess Lankai.
In December 2013,
Nii Osangnaa Adjei Okraku II, the Paramount Chief of Tema Traditional Area,
announced that Tema Manhean will embark on a US$500,000 expansion project to
benefit the community of Bankuman and surrounding areas.
The establishment of
St. Nicholas Charity Foundation which currently has 157 children was initially
funded by the Maria Tsakos Foundation and spear-headed by Madam Deborah J.
Eleazar and Capt. Kappas.
The pupils of the
school are being trained with Ghana Education Service certified lessons with
extracurricular activities including sports, navy cadet corps, cultural dancing
in addition to lessons in French and Greek language.
The school is an
oasis of hope in the heart of Bankuman, a suburb of Tema New Town. Each
September, the school accepts 15 to 20 children into their nursery and advances
the highest class to the next level.
But due to the
challenging environment in which the school finds itself and the struggle to
build new classrooms, Mytilineous learnt of the predicament and wished to
further assist as they recognised the wonderful education that these vulnerable
children were receiving.
Since then, the dedication
and commitment of Mytilineous is truly a miracle for these marginalised
communities and what is encouraging is they maintain a contact with the
children and some of their own staff volunteer to teach the children in their
spare time.
METKA is the business
unit of Mytilineos S.A. undertaking the construction of large-scale Engineering
Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects, as well as high-value-added
industrial manufacturing activities, used for applications in the energy,
infrastructure and defence sectors.
The company is
currently working on a 200 MW power project with 5 General Electric Gas
Turbines type TM2500+, 5 Once Through Steam Generators and 1 custom-built steam
turbine in combined cycle (CCGT) configuration, located in Tema, 16 miles east
of Accra. The plant will be capable of being fueled by LPG, Natural Gas and
Diesel.
The school also
receives regular support from many other local companies, individuals as well
as international donors including the Tsakos Group, Baltic Caledonian London
Association, Chaffinch Trust, (Patron, HRH Princess Royal), Sea and Shore
Ghana.
A prominent medical
professional, Dr John Moissidis also spent one week examining all the children
and staff and gave some valuable advice to the community. Crew members of a leading airline also
supported the charity by donating new uniforms, clothes, toys and books.
With its motto:
EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN EDUCATION, St Nicholas believes in working with other
charities for the benefit of all.
GNA
