General News of Sunday, 11 September 2011

Source: GNA

100 million dollars for Technical/Vocational education

Enyan Abaasa (C/R), Sept 11, GNA - Technical and Vocational education in the country would be revamped and boosted with a 100 million US dollar strategy to deliver and liberate the nation from poverty, Mrs Betty Mould Idrissu, Minister of Education has said.

"Education is about learning and bettering yourself to meet one's needs in life and that these can be achieved better through technical/vocational education where engineering, masonry, carpentry, electricians, among others exist."

To achieve these, she said, the Ministry has put in place, "Council for Technical and Vocational Education and that will revive all technical/vocational institutions in the country for science, laboratory and other equipment to ensure better results.

Mrs Idrissu who was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of Enyan Abaasa to climax the annual Akwanbo festival dubbed 93Queens Day" under the theme: 93Promoting Technical Education through Culture 96 The Role of Stakeholders," promised the provision of a dormitory block for Enyan Abaasa Technical/Vocational Institute.

She has therefore appealed to the youth, especially the girl-child to be serious, take advantage of the offer and become men and women of substance in future.

The Minister said the government would next year make the provision of accommodation for teachers a top priority.

Daasebre Kweebu Ewusi VII, Member of the Council of State and Omanhen of Dominase, called on the people of Enyan Abaasa, especially the youth to rekindle their communal spirit and support all development projects, adding, total development depends upon us all."

Daasebre Ewusi, who is also the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, called on Nananom, as custodians of the land to release more parcels of lands to support government plans, the youth in agric programme for food sufficiency to eradicate poverty.

The Chairperson for the function, Mrs Juliana Owusu-Ansah, Senior Assistant Registrar at GIMPA called on parents to prioritize the education of their wards adding, it was the best legacy one can bequeath to his children.

She called on women, especially the girl-child to take inspirations from the many women at the helm of affairs in country as their role-models including the Minister of Education, Speaker of Parliament and learn hard to reach greater heights.

The District Chief Executive, Mr Peter Light Koomson assured Nananom that Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Assembly would soon construct masters' bungalows for the Enyan Abaasa Technical/Vocational Institute.

He called for massive support and vote for Professor John Evans Atta Mills to office for the second term, adding, former President Rawlings spent 19 years while former President Kufuor also spent eight years and called for similar support for President Mills.

Mr Atto Forson, Member of Parliament for the area, advised parents to limit their expenditure on funerals, drinks, cloths and invest them in the education of their wards who are the future leaders of the nation.

He said the Ajumako 96 Essakyere road had been awarded on contract and that construction works would start soon.

The Omanhen of Abaasa, Osagyefo Kwame Akonu X, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the government for ongoing projects in the district and appealed for a dormitory and administrative block for the newly recognised Enyan Abaasa Technical/Vocational Institute which was established in 1988.

Osagyefo Akonu called for speedy implementation of the proposed tarring of the town's road network.

Nana Essuman IV, Tufuhen of the town, advised the youth to stay away from social vices and support developmental projects in the town.

He called on the people to patronise the town's health centre and also register with the National Health Insurance Scheme for easy and better access to healthcare.