ASA Savings and Loans Limited, a financial institution, has handed over an 80-seater canteen to the Presbyterian Girls Junior High School at Akim Oda in the Birim Central Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The edifice, which was refurbished by the company at a cost of GH¢20,000, is to ensure a healthy eatery for the pupils of the school.

CSR initiative

At a ceremony, which was attended by the pupils, teachers and some staff of the company on the school's premises, the Asamankese Area Manager of the company, David Amevor, said the gesture was part of the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR).

He said it was aimed at ensuring a healthy eating place for the learners to enhance teaching and learning of the pupils.

Mr Amevor stated that the company was compelled to undertake such an initiative, which was not among its core business.

Diseases avoidance

He explained that the healthy eating place would, apart from making it possible for the pupils to avoid diseases, also attract more learners to the school.

The Asamankese Area Manager of ASA affirmed the company's preparedness to uphold, not just the interest of its stakeholders, especially employees, customers and the communities in which it operated, but also support pupils in schools within its catchment areas.

Education

According to Mr Amevor, the idea to refurbish the canteen was because the company believed in education and would want to make things better by investing in the well-being of children.

In addition, he said it was right for the company to give back to the immediate community it operated in.

Give back

“We need to give back to the community we live in, we need to invest back to show that we are not here just to dig gold and leave, we are a microfinance company,” he added.

The Headmistress of the school, Rev. Happy Anyana, who was highly elated about the renovation of the school canteen, said it would improve the learning environment of the pupils.

She, therefore, called on companies in the region to contribute to the development of the communities in which they operated and, most importantly, invest in the development of children. 

Quality food

Rev. Anyana said, aside from creating a conducive place for the children to eat, the new canteen was also going to help improve the quality of the food the children consumed.

“ASA has indeed made our long journey short, and we as a school appreciate the company's kind gesture,” she added. 

Healthy atmosphere

Rev. Anyana thanked the company for renovating the old, dilapidated structure, adding that it had created more space for the pupils to enjoy their meals in a healthy atmosphere.

She further commended the company for seeing the need to assist the school by providing a more decent place for the pupils to eat.