The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have joined forces to improve access to early childhood education in Zini, a community in the Sissala West District. A newly renovated kindergarten block was commissioned, equipped with furniture, washrooms, a kitchen, and a mechanized borehole, all within a secured fenced area. This development is part of the UNITE Project, which aims to address the needs of children and host communities affected by the influx of asylum seekers from the Sahel region.
The UNITE Project, co-financed by the European Union (EU), focuses on education, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), child and social protection, and housing. The project has led to the construction of 500 housing units in the Upper West and Upper East Regions. Gisela Spreitzhofer, Head of the Governance and Security Section at the EU Delegation in Ghana, commended the community for its cooperation and highlighted Zini as a model of inclusion, solidarity, and resilience for families fleeing conflict in Burkina Faso.
Spreitzhofer emphasized that the intervention is an investment in the children, their dignity, and the community's future. She noted that Ghana's approach to providing protection to people fleeing insecurity in the central Sahel is progressive and inclusive. The Ghana Refugee Board has played a crucial role in translating this protection into reality. The EU representative expressed satisfaction with the project's results, citing the kindergarten as a symbol of hope and opportunity for the children.
Dr. Peter Kwarteng, Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Tamale, explained that the project aims to address the strain on social services in the host community caused by asylum seekers. The renovated classrooms will provide an opportunity for children from refugee and host communities to integrate, promoting inclusion and peaceful coexistence. Kwarteng stressed the importance of quality teaching, adequate learning materials, parental involvement, and proper facility management to ensure the children benefit fully from the facility.
Kuoro Abu Diaka Sukabe Ninia V, the Paramount Chief of Zini Traditional Area, expressed gratitude to the development partners and government for the intervention. He believes that the kindergarten is an investment in the future of the children, providing a solid foundation for their growth and development. The chief called for sustained support to ensure every child has access to safe, inclusive, and conducive learning environments.
Dr. Issahaque Munawaru, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, highlighted the importance of access to quality basic education for all children, as enshrined in the constitution. He noted that the intervention will promote inclusive education in the community, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn regardless of their background. Munawaru was part of a delegation that visited complementary education classes at the Tendeweri community, aimed at preparing refugee children for integration into the mainstream education system.
The commissioning event was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from the UNHCR, Ghana Refugee Board, Sissala West District Education Directorate, and Assembly. The project stakeholders acknowledged the efforts of the development partners and government in improving access to early childhood education in Zini. Key_point: The project aims to address the strain on social services in the host community caused by asylum seekers from the Sahel region.
Key points
- The kindergarten block was equipped with furniture, washrooms, a kitchen, and a mechanized borehole, all within a secured fenced area.
- The UNITE Project focuses on education, health, WASH, child and social protection, and housing in the Upper West and Upper East Regions.
