The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, on Saturday, November 6, 2021 formally dedicated one of his four school projects in Chemgbetee Town, Dorboh Statutory District, Grand Kru County, which put to end the miseries of over 300 school-going children from walking about two hours to the nearest school in Doeswen.
The construction cost, including the furniture and instructional materials of the 9-classroom facility, named the John Fannoh Karpeh Elementary School, is said to actually be US$60,000.00, “but inconsistency and corrupt contractors led to the spending of approximately US$70,000 before full completion”.
The school is named in memory of Elder John Fannoh Karpeh, the maternal grandfather of the Deputy Speaker, from Buah Statutory District.
During the school’s dedication, Grand Kru County’s district #2 Coordinator, Chris Joboe, on behalf of the Deputy Speaker, said Cllr. Koffa has broken the generational barrier to ensure the next generation benefits quality and quantitative educational opportunities, in line with the adage that says, “A statesman thinks about the next generation while a politician thinks about the next election.”
Joboe said, “Besides the school projects, the Deputy Speaker is also constructing hand pumps, five of which have been completed, and at the time providing scholarships to more than 500 children and giving macro-loans to women, tools to farmers, contributing to the renovation of health centers, schools and town halls and rehabilitating roads.”
Joboe indicated that, recently the Deputy Speaker disbursed US$1,400 to the Francis Forkay Doe Elementary and Junior High School, in Bolloh Barforwin, and donated 50 bags of cement and four bundles of zincs to the A.A. Hoff Elementary and Junior High School in Big Suehn, Kplio Statutory District, for its renovation.
The District Coordinator further noted that Ahteenah Radio/TV in Barclayville has been upgraded—land has been procured and construction of the Ahteenah Radio/TV building has begun.
“Also, the Deputy Speaker has initially contributed US$15,000 and four drums of fuel for the Bolloh road construction,” Joboe stated.
Meanwhile, Chemgbetee Town Chief, Augustine Weah, on behalf of the people and town, in his vernacular thanked the Deputy Speaker for fulfilling the school project.
He said with the completion of the school, Chemgbetee community and surrounding communities whose children will benefit from the school have pledged their support to his reelection.
“We want say, Representative Koffa has not only won our hearts, but the hearts of children and children’s children,” Chief Weah said.
The District Authority, Friends of JFk in Dorboh Statutory, Women, Youth and Elders have also extended their thanks and appreciation.
In December, the Deputy Speaker is expected to also formally dedicate the US$60,000 George Tugbeh Worjloh Elementary School in Sasstown, Jraoh Statutory District, as well as dedicate about eight hand pumps and install 100 solar streetlights in the Bolloh Community.