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Minister launches Ghana project

ESB's Ghana school project, that aims to enhance the life prospects of thousands of African children, has been officially launched by the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Mr Eamon Ryan. 100s of ESB staff attended the launch with the Minister, the Chief Executive, Padraig McManus and his team of directors, and heard details of how the company intends to completely refurbish Teshie Primary School in Accra, the capital of Ghana, by spring 2008.

Expressing admiration for the work of ElectricAid, the minister said the initiative in Accra was an example to other Irish companies.

Imagination and determination could do so much to help the less fortunate societies and communities across the globe, he said.

He cited the Teshie Primary School project as an outstanding example of doing lasting good for others. Electricity, water and sanitation would be brought to a school that presently survives in the most difficult conditions he said. Children who came from a desperately poor township would now be at least able to attend school in a more acceptable environment and achieve an education to help unlock the door to a better life. Emphasising the importance of staff involvement in the project, Padraig McManus said that, throughout its 80 years, ESB had a strong and proud tradition of helping others. "A culture of caring had been institutionalised in ESB long before the concept of corporate social responsibility had ever been officially identified and defined as a modern business imperative," he said.

"ElectricAid - ESB's social and development fund that has raised approximately €12 million and assisted 1200 projects since its inception in 1986 is the very essence of ESB's caring culture," he added. The Chief Executive, who lived and worked in Ghana for four years, said the Teshie Primary School project had been chosen because it could deliver real and long-term change in people's lives. Education, he stressed, is the path out of poverty and he was looking forward to seeing the school refurbished and rehabilitated so that the thousands of children who come there daily could study in an acceptable environment.

Urging his ESB colleagues to volunteer their services for the final stages of work on the project, Padraig McManus said salaries of those travelling would be unaffected but each volunteer would have to raise the cost of travel and accommodation - expected to be in the region of €2,500 per head. It is anticipated that ESB staff will travel to complete the project in April 2008.

Those interested in travelling on the work team to Accra should contact Michael O'Connor at michael.oconnor@esbi.ie.

Children pictured in their derelict classroom at Teshie Primary School. However, by next Spring they, and the thousands of other children at Teshie, will be enjoying a hugely enhanced school environment as ESB completes its total refurbishment of the project.

Photo of Eamon Ryan, T.D., Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus at the launch of the ESB Ghana School Project.

Photo of ESB Staff at the launch of the Teshie Primary School Project.

Pictured: ESB Staff gathered in large numbers at the launch of the Teshie Primary School Project.



		Minister launches Ghana project ESB's Ghana school project, that aims to enhance the life prospects of thousands of African children, has been officially launched by the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Mr Eamon Ryan. 100s of ESB staff attended the launch with the Minister, the Chief Executive, Padraig McManus and his team of directors, and heard details of how the company intends to completely refurbish Teshie Primary School in Accra, the capital of Ghana, by spring 2008. Expressing admiration for the work of ElectricAid, the minister said the initiative in Accra was an example to other Irish companies. Imagination and determination could do so much to help the less fortunate societies and communities across the globe, he said. He cited the Teshie Primary School project as an outstanding example of doing lasting good for others. Electricity, water and sanitation would be brought to a school that presently survives in the most difficult conditions he said. Children who came from a desperately poor township would now be at least able to attend school in a more acceptable environment and achieve an education to help unlock the door to a better life. Emphasising the importance of staff involvement in the project, Padraig McManus said that, throughout its 80 years, ESB had a strong and proud tradition of helping others. "A culture of caring had been institutionalised in ESB long before the concept of corporate social responsibility had ever been officially identified and defined as a modern business imperative," he said. "ElectricAid - ESB's social and development fund that has raised approximately €12 million and assisted 1200 projects since its inception in 1986 is the very essence of ESB's caring culture," he added. The Chief Executive, who lived and worked in Ghana for four years, said the Teshie Primary School project had been chosen because it could deliver real and long-term change in people's lives. Education, he stressed, is the path out of poverty and he was looking forward to seeing the school refurbished and rehabilitated so that the thousands of children who come there daily could study in an acceptable environment. Urging his ESB colleagues to volunteer their services for the final stages of work on the project, Padraig McManus said salaries of those travelling would be unaffected but each volunteer would have to raise the cost of travel and accommodation - expected to be in the region of €2,500 per head. It is anticipated that ESB staff will travel to complete the project in April 2008. Those interested in travelling on the work team to Accra should contact Michael O'Connor at michael.oconnor@esbi.ie.		Children pictured in their derelict classroom at Teshie Primary School. However, by next Spring they, and the thousands of other children at Teshie, will be enjoying a hugely enhanced school environment as ESB completes its total refurbishment of the project. Photo of Eamon Ryan, T.D., Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus at the launch of the ESB Ghana School Project. Pictured: ESB Staff gathered in large numbers at the launch of the Teshie Primary School Project.