Bunkpurugu(NR), Jan. 01, GNA - Madam Elizabeth Pigit Poyari Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District Chief Executive, has appealed to citizens from the area to respect and recognise each other to foster unity and national integration.

"We must avoid the use of strong words, which offend the sensibilities of other people, rather we must preach peace and unity and co-existence to promote reconciliation, social and economic development," she added.

Madam Poyari made the appeal when addressing the opening session of the 31st Congress of Bimoba Students Union (BISU) at Bunkpurugu. The theme for the congress was: "Quality Education, A Sound Foundation For Service and National Development".

She urged traditional rulers and leaders of political parties, as well as youth associations to be more concerned about the deprived nature of the district and endeavour to harness both human and material resources available to complement government's development efforts. On quality education, Madam Poyari said Government's approach to national development was centred on human resource development to empower individuals to liberate themselves from the shackles of poverty. "This is because Ghana has to progress in the new age of technology," she said, adding: "Those who have had the opportunity of acquiring quality education should therefore consider it a privilege to share their knowledge with the young ones".

Madam Poyari mentioned the School Feeding Programme and the Capitation grant as some of the Government's programmes and commitment to improve school enrolment and reduce dropout rate in the country. She urged BISU to come out with strategies to empower the communities and development partners to participate in the provision of quality teaching and learning at the basic schools.

Mr Peter Tapang, Regent of Bunkpurugu said development of the district would not be achieved unless the three ethnic groups, Bimobas, Konkombas and Mamprusis see themselves as one people with a common agenda.

He urged BISU to work towards achieving peace and unity for the people in the district by disassociating its activities from politics, chieftaincy and ethnicity.

Mr Konlan Biikook Gideon, an opinion leader who was the Guest Speaker said quality education was a catalyst for positive changes in individuals and society but regretted that the district was lagging behind in quality education.

He said: "A closer look at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results as well as other educational perimeters whether qualitative or quantitative indicate negative". Mr Gideon said in 2005, no candidate passed in all eight subjects in Bunkpurugu Secondary/Technical.

Only a candidate passed in seven subjects, 19 out of the 60 candidates presented failed in all the subjects and no candidate qualified for any of the tertiary institutions in the country. Similarly, no candidate passed in eight, seven and six subjects in the WASSCE in 2006.

Only two candidates passed in five subjects, a situation he said grew worst over 2005.

Mr Gideon called for concerted efforts from the national, regional and district assembly as well as traditional rulers and community members to complement each other's efforts to address the situation. Mr Louknaan Joseph, President of the Union said members had been organising vacation classes for students and pupils in the area while fostering unity among the people.