Accra, June 16, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has begun a programme to provide accommodation for teachers in deprived areas of the country.

The Sector Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu said a total of 320 housing units for teachers had been completed under the Basic Education Sector Improvement Project II (BESIPII) between 2000 and 2003.

Mr Baah-Wiredu announced this in Parliament on Wednesday when answering a question asked on behalf of Mr George Amposah NPP-Asunafo South as to what steps the Ministry was taking to provide accommodation for teachers at Yanke, Ntonso, Motopeneso, Agyarekrom, Durowaakrom, Marfokrom and Kokooso No.3, all in the Asunafo South constituency. He said the provision of accommodation to teachers was part of the Ministry's strategy to motivate them to stay in the rural areas. He, therefore, appealed to District Assemblies and communities to assist the Ministry to provide decent accommodation for teachers.

In a related question posed on behalf of Mr Albert Obbin, NPP-Prestea-Huni Valley, as to what measures the Ministry was taking to provide Tarkwa with a District Education Office, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the Ghana Education Service was currently constructing 30 office blocks nation-wide, which had reached various stages of completion, under phase one of the projects.

He said the construction of an office block at Tarkwa would be included in the second phase of the project. 16 June 04