The project was sponsored by a German philanthropist, Ms Cornelia Woolfing, on behalf of a German who had worked for several years in Ghana. Ms Woolfing, who has been named Mamaga Akosua I, said children were the foundation of the society so they must be taught by good teachers. She added that moral and ethical values, patience and honesty would enable them to grow into better adults. She underscored the essence of self-help, adding that "we can't wait for the government to solve all our problems for us". The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, who cut the tape to inaugurate the building, said the construction of the facility was a clear expression of town and ensure the welfare of the children who were the future leaders. He assured the people that the government would respond swiftly and appropriately by providing the necessary facilities that would ensure that they achieved their objectives. The regional minister announced that the government had made provision for the construction and furnishing of 165 school buildings to accommodate primary and junior high schools that held classes under trees and 250 permanent structures for kindergartens. He said since kindergartens were the starting point of formal education, all necessary facilities including the availability of trained teachers, school infrastructure, teaching and learning aids would be provided by government. "I urge our parents to ensure that they enroll their children of age four in the kindergartens in their respective communities so the children could have sound foundation of the basic level of their educational career", he stressed. In an address read on his behalf, the Kpando District Chief Executive, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo said five kindergarten blocks would be constructed in the district in addition to 1,000 monodesks to be supplied to the schools. He commended the people for their initiatives aimed at supporting development, although they were subsistence farmers with low incomes. Mr Ganyaglo disclosed that all Capitation Grant arrears had been paid and added that free school uniforms and exercise books were currently being distributed to schools. A Kpando District Circuit Supervisor of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Madam Mary Fleku, said the new kindergarten building was a great relief because hitherto, pupils were crowded in a dilapidated bungalow infested with bats. She commended the German philanthropist for executing the change to ensure a conducive environment for academic learning. The Paramount Chief of Sovie, Togbe Nyaku VII, said without education a nation could not develop and that it was appropriate for the government to lay emphasis on child education, adding that with the right orientation the Sovie Kindergarten could excel and become one of the best in the region and country. For his part, the Paramount Chief of the Alavanyo Traditional Area, Togbe Tsedze Atakora III, called for greater unity among SASADU communities because nobody would develop the area for them. He said they should ensure innovative ideas such as the formation of SASADU Ladies or SASADU Teachers Union to champion the development interest of the people. A German businessman, Mr. Axel Schultz, donated GH¢ 2,000 towards the furnishing of the kindergarten.
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