The SSDC leadership was granted audience by the head of the mission, His Excellency, Lt Gen Joseph Henry Smith to brief him on the plans and project of the center, and seek support and collaboration of the government of Ghana on our current and future projects geared towards poverty alleviation for the people of Aboabo town Kumasi.
The delegation,which was led by the President and Founder of Salih Self Development Center, Ibrahim Salih (SSDC),included David Weeks, International Relations Director (SSDC), Matt Witmar Scott, Environment Director (SSDC), and Alhassan Yushau, Communications Director (SSDC).
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the Ambassador and some key staff of the mission on the current project being carried out by SSDC in Aboabo Community, while engaging the host in a power point presentation which detailed an ambitious waste management project with a huge potential to help address solid waste management and land de-gradation issues–through solid waste re-cycling and land reclamation.
The plan is designed in a multi-tiered implementation phases which will entail: solid waste management,environmental restoration, and community health (environment and citizen health).
The project will also provide skills training and job opportunities for the youth in the town–which will contribute to the government’s poverty alleviation drive.
In his remarks, the Ghana Ambassador to US, H.E Joseph Henry Smith (himself once a resident of Aboabo) expressed delight about the project and assured the delegation of the Embassy’s support in ensuring the success of the center’s projects. The Ambassador,who spoke at length,also offered various suggestions on possible areas of skills development which the center may tap into,and commended the Founder and President of SSDC by adding:
“You have inspired me…!”.
Among the Embassy team were the Deputy Head of the mission as well as the Trade Attache, who expressed their readiness to help with the needed documentation to enhance the shipment and delivery of the three dozen sewing machines which will constitute the second phase of the skills development aspect of the project.
