COCOBOD: The cost of 15 iPad keyboards could procure over 1,350 textbooks for students – Agboni Nicholas Kelvin

Mr. Agboni Nicholas Kelvin, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CoverGhana laments that the cost of the 15 iPad keyboards COCOBOD wants to procure can purchase over 1,350 textbooks for students.

Mr. Agboni said amidst economic hardship exacerbated by the depreciation of the cedi, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) made a budget of GH¢67,500 to replace keyboards of 15 iPads for board members, each unit costing GH¢4,500.

According to him, this substantial amount could have been better utilized to purchase educational materials such as exercise books and textbooks for learners/students affected by the VRA-induced spillage in his beloved North Tongu District.

“With my checks from DELCAM Bookshop in Ho and with my basic Mathematics, this amount could have been used to purchase about 1,350 textbooks at a unit cost of GH¢50 each or acquire about 2,250 packs (22,500 pieces) of exercise books at GH¢30 per pack. [This cost could be less if the items are to be purchased from the manufacturing companies),” he backed with first-hand facts.

RELATED ARTICLE: COCOBOD budgets GH¢67,500 to replace keyboards of 15 iPads for board members at unit cost of GH¢4,500

Further, he added, “What’s surprising is that the beneficiaries of these 15 iPads have children attending prestigious schools, indirectly benefiting from their parents’ positions at COCOBOD as compared to the less privileged ones who lost all their belongings in the flood.”

“This support would have helped them catch up with their peers from other parts of the country who were not affected by the spillage taking into consideration their lost belongings.
“As a country, it appears we don’t have priority for progress. It will be in the best interest of the country to reverse the proposal to purchase keyboards of 15 iPads for board members.

“Kudos to the innovative, proactive, and visionary Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and donors for assisting our younger brothers and sisters in times of crisis.

“May God bless all our volunteer teachers in Noth Tongu.
“We deserve better, we are also Ghanaians.
“It’s a sad moment.”

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh