Riyadh Islamic Basic School, in the laterbiokoshie area of Accra, last week received running water for the first time since its establishment in 1945 with the provision of a mechanised borehole and water storage system.

The water facility was provided by Educational Resources an NGO, with funding from the Government of New Zealand.

The school which has a population of about 300 students had been buying water daily from local vendors to meet its needs.

The School’s Head, Thomas Sallah Bruce said that the provision of the water facility was a great relief.

Speaking at a brief handing over ceremony at the school, Kodwo Brumpon, Executive Director of Educational Resources said that the inequity in the provision of facilities in schools across the country is a scar on the national conscience.

According to him, 30-49% of basic schools across the country lack access to water and basic sanitation.

He called on Government and education authorities to make a sustained effort to ensure that all children across the country have access to some minimum standards of facilities in schools.

The New Zealand Honorary Consul to Ghana, Nicholina Adjei, said that the project received approval from her embassy because it touched on two important issues, education and water.

She encouraged the pupils and school authorities to maintain the facility to ensure its longevity.

The ceremony was attended by the Director of the Ablekuma Central Education Directorate, Monica Ansaba Kumahor and the Coordinating Director of the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly, Abdulai Alhassan.