The mayor of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Dr Oko Vanderpuije, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korle-Bu School of Hygiene for over 150 students from the school expected to be involved in National Sanitation Day programmes on the first Saturday of every month.
Dr Alfred Oko Vanderuije, at the ceremony yesterday stated that the objective of the MoU was with the Metropolitan Public Health Departments was to deal competently with environmental and public health threats, hazards and challenges in the city of Accra where the school would provide technical support and personnel at specific times of the year as requested by the AMA.
The mayor said the AMA would provide funding and logistic support for programmes and services. He stated that students’ hygiene week celebration would be initiated and celebrated in March every year so as to intensify education of sanitation standards in the metropolis.
Dr Oko Vanderpujie disclosed that first and second year students would be offer practical attachment at the public health department whiles students who completed third year would be offered employment to curb the unemployment they go through after they have completed their course.
“Recognizing the importance of the school of hygiene in the development of the city, I have decided to build a completed students hostel for the institution, and further renovate the existing dilapidated student’s hostel” he said.
According to him, over 150 students from the school are expected to be involved in National Sanitation Day programmes on the first Saturday of each month while it is also estimated that 50 students would be available during the semester and holiday engagements and the whole student population on special request dates, and the National Sanitation Days.
In addition, he said over 80 final year students would be engaged for internship among many other roles. The Mayor further pledged to coordinate the SOH to its counterpart in the USA which would offer Exchange Programmes for both students and tutors.
Dr Oko Vanderpujie further indicated that the assembly would institute Mayor’s Chair to provide awards for deserving and hardworking students, tutors and best cleaned communities through competitive sanitary assessment. The Principal of SOH, Mr. Henry Narteh Adipah, who signed for the school, expressed his appreciation to the AMA for coming to their aid and assured the AMA of its fullest cooperation to the collaboration.
He called on other cooperate organizations to support the school in its endeavor to establish practical community services, in the area of pest and vector control.
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