At a ceremony to present the items to the school, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Jonathan Richardson, said the donation was intended to help every child at the orphanage to sleep soundly and safely every night, thereby enhancing their ability to learn properly during the day. Before the donation, the children had to share mattresses at night, and many of them slept on the floor.

The high Commissioner observed that children's ability to learn is compromised by sickness, especially the frequent bouts of malaria that many of them suffer and he encouraged the children to use their insecticide-treated mosquito nets every night to help prevent malaria.

He said that Australia recognized that malaria was one of the greatest health risks facing children in Ghana and had already contributed 20 million US dollars to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, of which Ghana is a beneficiary.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the ground-breaking work being done by Australian scientists to develop safe, inexpensive malaria treatments.

Mr. Richardson said that Australia was delighted to be able to contribute to the education of disadvantaged children in Ghana, by improving the facilities at the complex.

He reminded the children that an investment in their future was an investment in the future of Ghana, and said he hoped that the children would take advantage of their improved conditions to learn and prosper.

The High Commissioner also cut the sod for work to begin on the construction of a kitchen for the school. The Australian and New Zealand Ladies' Association in Ghana is funding the building of the kitchen, estimated to cost 20 million cedis.

The provision of a kitchen facility will allow staff to provide the children with safe and clean food and will improve their overall nutrition.

The beds, mattresses and insecticide-treated mosquito nets were provided through the High Commission's Direct Aid Program, which helps community-based organizations to alleviate poverty.

The assistance from the Australian Government and the Australian community in Ghana to the school was provided in order to give these less fortunate children the best possible start in life, Mr. Richardson said.