The 2024/2025 Level 400 Public Relations students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) in the Department of Communication Studies of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies have donated some items to the La Nkantanang 7 & 8 Primary and JHS School in Madina, Accra as well as embarked on educational sensitization on selected salient topics to the schools.
The donation, which is part of the students’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, was themed “Building Sustainable Futures Through Education: Every Pencil Counts, Every Child Matters.” This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education.
The donated items included books, pens, pencils, school uniforms, water bottles, food items, sanitary pads, shoes, and more.
Dr. Adwoa Amankwah, Head of the Department and Lead Lecturer for Corporate Social Responsibility emphasized the importance of translating theoretical knowledge into practical application as the motivation for the initiative.
The headmistress of La Nkantanang 7 Primary and JHS, Madam Comfort Ewoenam Bissi, expressed her gratitude to UPSA for the donation.
She noted that the University has consistently supported the school with teaching and learning materials and even assisted with rebuilding the school’s broken walls years back. “Majority of our students are house helps, while some are living with their parents. We teachers put ourselves together and buy books, school uniforms, and shoes for the children. Now that we have received a lot of these items, a huge burden has been lifted off us. We are relieved, but we’ll ask for more,” she added.
While hoping for the relationship between the two schools to be sustained, Madam Bissiprayed for the Almighty God’s continual blessings upon the students of UPSA and their teachers.
The headmaster for Nkwantanang 7 School, Mr. Wisdom Koranteng, assured that the donated items will be distributed fairly and used judiciously among the students. He further appealed for further support, particularly in repairing the roof of the kindergarten block and the headmistress’s office.
Mr. Joseph Baidoo, the head of finance and administration and Deputy Director of the District Education Office stated that the donation, especially the sanitary pads, will be a game-changer, aiding girls to stay in school during their period. “During menstrual periods, most of our students absent themselves from school because they are unable to afford sanitary pads,” he added.
Aside from the donation, some of the UPSA students interacted with the pupils, encouraging them to have faith in God and make wise choices to achieve their aspirations. They also educated the pupils on the harmful effects of substance abuse and menstrual and personal hygiene.
Ruth Eto, a level 400 student who is part of the Central Planning Committee members who contributed to planning and executing the initiative indicated that this maiden effort has helped to strengthen students’ understanding of CSR and their future commitment to it.
The donation has had a positive impact on the pupils’ education and well-being.
