Accra, 21 April 2017- He can’t read nor write but that does not deter him from contributing his quota to the growth and development of education in the Breman Asikuma, a town in the Central Region of Ghana.
John Amankrah Essel single-handily established schools from primary to junior high within the very remote communities in the Breman Asikuma area to give children quality education.
Watching him from TV set when his humanitarian activities were aired, revealed an old man who loves education and will do anything possible to provide a brighter future for the one young ones.
Mr Essel’s project was featured prominently on the seventh episode of the ongoing season III of the MTN Heroes of Change which is MTN Ghana Foundation flagship project.
It was initiated in July 2013 to recognise and reward persons who have provided significant humanitarian services to their communities through personal sacrifices.
The MTN Ghana Foundation is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of MTN Ghana, the leading telecoms service provider in the country.
Mr Essel was nominated by his people to participate in this year’s MTN Heroes of Change which is currently aired on GTV every Saturday at 5:30pm;Multi TV on Sundays at 5:00pm;TV3 on Sundays at 6:30pm; and GhOne on Sundays at 7:00pm .
The purpose of the TV shows is to highlight the humanitarian activities of Mr Essel and the nine other contestants for the ultimate cash prize of GH¢100,000.
The ultimate Hero of Change winner will receive GH¢100,000 to support his/her community project. Three selected winners for the various categories will receive GH¢20,000 each, while the remaining six finalists will also take home GH¢5,000 each.
Explaining the rationale behind his investments in education, Mr Essel said he doesn’t want to see any child who is out of the education ladder. Education, he said in Fanti dialect is the enabler of the society.
This motivated Mr Essel to spend his money on the provision of quality education for the children in the Breman Asikuma and its surrounding communities.
Impacts of the project
Over 300 children have benefited from the project which is funded through his personal income as well as a small token paid by the parents of the pupils, according to him.
Previously, there used to be a high rate of school dropout in the very remote communities but after he established his schools there, it is changing for the better. He wants to do more but his resources are limited.
He therefore needs more resources to enable him see his vision through. So, Mr Essel needs your votes to enable him win the ultimate prize. You can do so by texting his short code name (John) to 1406.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
