Ambassador Robert Porter Jackson, the United States of America Ambassador to Ghana, says improving the quality of basic education is key to ensuring long term health and economic growth of the country.

He said Ghanaian children who could read, count and write would eventually grow to become literate adults and better contribute to the society.

Ambassador Jackson said this during the commissioning of an early childhood development centre for Diabene, a small community within the Sekondi /Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.

He expressed worry that many children were out of school or studying in sub-standard schools adding that "too many teachers have not also received adequate training to impart knowledge".

The Ambassador said United Nations research has revealed that a child born to a mother who can read is 50 times likely to be better off than a child born to non-reader.

He said literacy and education are therefore a right no parent should deny the growing child.

The Ambassador said "I have seen at firsthand how learning changes lives. It was my own education that inspired me to become an ambassador and serve my country".

He said the most gratifying part of learning is to see students develop their own ambitions and grow into committed, engaged and thriving citizens.

Ambassador Jackson said “I look forward to returning to this KG facility in the future and seeing the children learning in the classroom, playing and above all gaining the skills they need to succeed and change the world".

Mr Franklin Dzigbede, Metropolitan Director of Education, said the hidden talents of children must unearthed with quality education.

The role of government in providing quality education for students has become imperative, he said.