The purpose of the visit was to interact with the project community members and discuss issues confronting them and provide solutions for their problems.
Some of the places she visited included the Akotoe Tsrebuana community and the Asesewa Senior High School (ASSEC) in the district.
She was accompanied by the Country Director of Plan Ghana, Mr Prem Shukla; the Care-taker District Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Angmo and some project coordinators of Plan Ghana International.
At the Akotoe Tsrebuana community, Ms Loj inspected a five-acre farm project close to the Volta Lake, which was initiated by Plan Ghana to introduce the people to irrigation system of farming.
Most of the workers lauded the initiative, explaining that work on the farmland has provided jobs for them and introduced them to new farming methods which they use on their own farmland.
“Working on the farm has helped me a lot. I am now able of take care of my children because it provides an alternate source of livelihood for me and I also learn more about some farming methods too,” Ms Joyce Opata, a charcoal seller, said.
Others, however, suggested that a storage facility should be constructed to enable them store their produce to address the issue of post-harvest losses.
Some of the items cultivated on the farmland include carrots, okra, cabbage, pepper, tomatoes, garden eggs and maize.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Akotoe, Mr Micheal Akpengble, a member of the community, called for the construction of the road that linked the community to the main town.
He said the community lacked electricity, health facility as well as pipe-borne water. The main sources of water for the community include the Volta Lake, four boreholes, a stream and a hand-dug well.
“Water from the boreholes is salty and as such the people do not use it. The hand-dug well and stream serve as the only sources of water for the entire community in the dry season and we have to walk a distance between five to 10 kilometres to fetch water from the Volta Lake,” he explained.
In response, Ms Loj assured the people of the community of Plan Ghana’s commitment to reach out to the poor in society at all times by supporting them with their basic needs.
“Plan Ghana has started working with the community and this is a relationship we intend to nurture. We would continue to do our best to provide you with the social amenities that you need for your development.”
At ASSEC, Ms Loj interacted with the girls football club as well as the journalism club in the school, “Girls Making Media,” to experience at first-hand what the girls have achieved since Plan Ghana established the clubs in the school.
She stressed the need to provide equal opportunities for girls to access quality education and advised the girls to continue to pursue their dreams and work hard towards achieving their personal goals, adding that “you can make it if you put your hearts and minds to it.”
She also encouraged them to do their best to avoid vices such as teenage pregnancy, drug abuse ,among other deviant behaviour, that might hinder their progress in school.
“Always aim at the future. Put all your efforts in achieving your dream by studying hard. Be active in all activities and let your voice be heard at all times,” she added.
In his remarks, Mr Angmo lauded the humanitarian work of Plan Ghana and called on other non-governmental organisations to show such humanitarian efforts.
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