Essipon (W/R), Oct. 21, GNA - Nana Kofi Abuna V, chief of Essipon, has said that the maltreatment of children, especially orphans could disrupt their education and make them psychologically unstable. He said most of such children become underdeveloped, shy, and timid and do not excel in their education or vocations due to abuses they suffered during their childhood.

Nana Abuna was launching a 10 million cedis educational fund at Essipon, near Sekondi, on Tuesday, to support needy but brilliant pupils within the community up to the University level.

Under the scheme, the children would be provided with school uniforms, books, bags, sandals and cash for a year's school fees. He said the scholarship would step up enrolment in schools, boost education among children in the community and help to reverse the trend of poor examination results recorded in the area.

Nana Abuna asked parents not to shirk their responsibilities towards their children's education but rather look for alternative means to support their families.

Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, advised parents not to engage their children in forced labour, adding that such practices could ruin their future and retard the progress of the community.

She urged parents to educate their children including the physically handicapped, irrespective of their sex. Twenty children were presented with scholarship packages at the ceremony.

Mr Emmanuel Botchway, Executive Chairman of Regimanuel Gray Limited, donated 10 million cedis as seed money for the fund.