Ga Mantse commends The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Water and Sanitation support, urges students to aspire for greatness

The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has urged schoolchildren in the Greater Accra Region to take their education seriously and make responsible use of new water and sanitation facilities being constructed for their benefit.

Speaking at the launch of a water and sanitation project spearheaded by the Ga Mantse Foundation, in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II emphasized the importance of education in shaping future leaders and professionals.

“To the beneficiaries, please take good care of the facilities when they are completed. Don’t play with your studies. We want to have doctors, nurses, pilots, and even a President among you,” he said during the event, held at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra on Tuesday.

The King used the occasion to call on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enforce the teaching of the Ga-Dangme language in schools across the Greater Accra Region.

He noted concerns that the language is not being adequately taught, often due to a claimed shortage of qualified Ga teachers.

“You always say there are no Ga teachers,” the King noted. “The Traditional Authority is working hard to raise funds to provide scholarships for Ga teachers. Your service to the stool is beautiful, and we will work together to make the Ga State a better one.”

His Majesty also highlighted the positive impact of the new facilities, noting that they will help curb open defecation in communities and promote healthier environments for students and families.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II lauded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their continuous partnership with the Ga Mantse Foundation and their commitment to improving the lives of the people of the Ga State.

“The Church has proven to be a dependable partner. The bond we have formed will go on forever,” he declared.

The project forms part of a broader initiative to enhance access to clean water and decent sanitation in underserved communities, aligning with the Ga Mantse’s vision of development, dignity, and cultural preservation.

Speaking on behalf of Elder Alfred Kyungu, President of Africa West Area, Elder Samuel Annan-Simons, Area 70 Director for Communications and Publishing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, described the new water and sanitation project launched in Accra as “a sacred gift of love, unity, and compassion” that will bless generations to come.

He noted that the project was aimed at improving access to clean water and sanitation in selected communities within the Ga Kingdom.

Elder Annan-Simons further explained that access to clean water was not just a matter of health and infrastructure, but a spiritual and moral duty inspired by Christian values.

“Water is a sacred gift from God—essential to life, health, and growth,” he said. “By providing clean water and improved sanitation, we are not only protecting families and nurturing children, but also acting on our faith by loving and serving others.”

He quoted Matthew 25:40—“In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”—to emphasize the Church’s commitment to humanitarian service inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The project, according to Elder Annan-Simons, involves the construction of 10 boreholes and seven 12-seater toilet facilities in selected and approved communities within the Ga Kingdom.

It also aimed to promote sustainable hygiene practices that will enhance the well-being of residents.

Elder Annan-Simons commended His Royal Majesty, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse for his visionary leadership and dedication to the well-being of his people.

“We are deeply grateful to His Royal Majesty for his foresight, leadership, and invitation to partner with the Church in this vital work,” he added.

“It is said that where there is unity, there is strength—and today, we stand united as church, community, tradition, and government, for the common good of God’s people.”

He also highlighted previous collaborations between the Church and the Ga Mantse Foundation, including donations to the Princess Marie-Louise Children’s Hospital and school renovations in the Kinte Doku Tsuru Cluster.

Elder Annan-Simons expressed hope that the partnership would continue to flourish and bring lasting blessings to the people of the Ga State.

"Together, we demonstrate once again that when faith, tradition, and community come together, great things can be accomplished,”

On her part, the Deputy Minister of Local GGovernment, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Rita Odoley Sowah lauded the Ga Mantse Foundation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for championing what she described as a model example of inclusive, community-driven development.

Madam Sowah mentioned that the initiative reflects the power of unity between traditional leadership, faith-based organizations, and government to deliver lasting impact at the community level.

“Today’s event is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when traditional leaders, faith-based organizations, governments, and communities work hand-in-hand for the development of our people,” she said.

She praised His Royal Majesty, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, for his visionary leadership and applauded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its life-saving collaboration on the project.

The initiative, which involves the construction of 10 boreholes and seven 12-seater toilet facilities, will benefit selected schools and communities across the Ga State.

“The provision of boreholes and toilet facilities to seven selected schools and three communities within the Ga State will bring immediate relief to thousands of our fellow citizens, particularly our school children, who deserve a healthy and safe environment to learn, grow, and thrive,” she added.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that access to clean water and proper sanitation is not merely a necessity, but a fundamental human right, and its fulfillment is central to promoting health, education, and economic progress.

She further noted that the project aligns with the government’s Water for All and Clean Communities Program, as well as Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure universal access to water and sanitation.

“This initiative is fully in consonance with the government’s broader agenda... and complements our ongoing efforts under the Sanitation and Sustainable Development Goals,” Madam Sowah said.

Reaffirming her ministry’s support, she pledged continued collaboration with traditional authorities, faith-based institutions, and local assemblies to sustain and scale up such interventions.

“We are especially encouraged that this project reflects true community ownership—led by a revered traditional leader, supported by the Church, and rooted in the real needs and aspirations of the people. This is exactly the model of development we seek to promote: inclusive, participatory, and people-centered,” she concluded.

Taking his turn, the Member of Parliament for Odododiodio Constituency, Hon. Alfred Kotey Ashie emphasized the urgent need to address water and sanitation challenges in Accra, highlighting their direct impact on education and public health.

The MP expressed deep appreciation for the intervention, describing it as a timely and life-changing response to a long-standing crisis.

"This event is extremely important to me, as much as it is to all of us,” Hon. Ashie said.

"For the past seven years, we’ve been facing a worsening water shortage in Accra. Every year, the situation gets worse. We’ve been told it’s due to population growth and inadequate supply, but for us as a people, we need solutions—because water is life.”

He commended the Church and traditional authorities for their collaborative effort, which has resulted in the provision of boreholes and toilet facilities to selected schools and communities.

The MP also drew attention to the broader implications of poor sanitation, especially on schoolchildren.

“Education is not just about sitting in a classroom and learning. If a child doesn’t have a proper place to ease himself or herself, they cannot concentrate or even remain in class. In worse cases, if they soil themselves, they may stay away from school for days or even weeks, fearing ridicule,” he explained.

Hon. Ashie revealed that the issue of inadequate sanitation has been a personal concern he has worked hard to address, making this project a particularly significant milestone for him and his constituents.

“This intervention means a lot to me and to the people. I’m here today to say thank you,” he concluded.

The initiative is expected to improve access to clean water and proper sanitation across underserved communities, contributing to better health outcomes and enhanced school attendance in the Greater Accra Region.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith