The Ghana Italian Women and Men Association (GIWA), in collaboration with its partners, has donated over 2,000 school desks, chairs, tables, cupboards, boards, and drawers to 18 schools in the Greater Accra and Western regions of Ghana.

The donation aims to enhance the quality of education by providing students with a more comfortable and conducive learning environment, ultimately enabling them to reach their full potential.

Many of the benefiting schools previously struggled with inadequate classroom furniture, with some students having to sit on broken chairs or cement blocks during lessons.

The benefiting schools include Ankyinyin M/A Basic School, Dadwen M/A Basic School, Allasunah Islamic Basic School, Axim Roman Catholic Basic School, Axim Apewosika M/A Basic School, Axim Methodist Basic School, Anglican Basic School, Dr. Bemish Basic School, Akonu-Domunli-Agyan M/A, Axim Senior High Girls, Mewe Starchild School – Gomoa Nyanyano, Divine Providence School – Otetem, Roman Catholic Basic School – Afuaman, Reign Jay Community School – Apollonia Junction, Roman Catholic Primary School – Obom, Don Bosco Training School – Tema, Holy Rosary Catholic School – Adenta, and St. Augustine R/C JHS – Ashaiman.

In an interview,  President of GIWA, Rosaria Leone Baldi, expressed gratitude to Antonella Tiritto and the two Italian schools, Instituto Politeama and Instituto Levi di Montalcini in Palermo, for their generous contribution of the furniture.

She also extended her thanks to the various partners who supported the transportation, such as Grimaldi Shipping Lines, which shipped five containers from Italy to Ghana, and those involved in the clearing, storage, and distribution, including CRS Catholic Relief Services, Mr. Kwesi Ayim Darke, Desimone Limited, Mr. Nii Amaa Ollennu, and Barbisotti and Sons.

She explained that GIWA is a non-profit organisation led by volunteer members of the Italian community residing in Ghana. Its goal is to help improve the lives of people in Ghana, particularly women, children, and marginalized groups.

Its core focus areas are access to education, socio-economic opportunities, and social inclusion. GIWA fulfills its mission by supporting local initiatives, NGOs, and schools working with these groups by providing financial and in-kind support.

GIWA emphasised the importance of ensuring that the donated items are properly maintained and put to good use in order to create a positive and effective learning environment for the children.

The Headmistress of St. Augustine R/C JHS in Ashaiman, Juliana Apaliyah, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, noting that the arrival of 100 chairs, 60 double desks, and a blackboard was timely, as the new furniture would directly address the needs of the students.

Similarly, Madam Hannah Danquah, Headmistress of Holy Rosary Primary School in Adenta, thanked GIWA for their generosity, highlighting the critical role a comfortable and well-equipped learning environment plays in fostering academic success. She received 40 double desks, 42 chairs, and a blackboard on behalf of her school.

The Headmistress of Reign Jay Community School in Apollonia Junction, Gertrude Twenefor also thanked GIWA for the important donation, which included 34 double desks and 65 chairs. This delivery put a smile on the children’s faces, who celebrated it by dancing with hearts full of joy.