Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister on Saturday stressed the need for the nation to develop awareness of the moral and conventional nature of social values among girls to mould their character in the society. He said as girls, they should exhibit high moral, intellectual and aesthetic virtues in the society.

Mr Nyamekye-Marfo made the call in a speech read on his behalf at a Speech and Prize-Giving Day to climax activities marking the 40th Anniversary celebration of Serwaa Kesse Girls’ Senior High School (SEKESS) at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano North District.

The celebration was on the theme: “Girls Education-The Bedrock for National Development in the Contemporary Society.”

The school with a current population of 1,400 was established as Women’s Training College in 1965 and converted into a co-educational second cycle institution in 1970 before being made a model girls SHS in 2003.

Mr Nyamekye-Marfo urged girls to be worthy role models by avoiding sexual promiscuity, indecent dressing, drugs, alcoholism and other social vices.

He admonished the students to seize the opportunity provided for them to develop their talents to become marketable in future to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Mr Nyamekye-Marfo asked the students to be open-minded to broaden their academic horizon and capabilities since “Value addition requires receptive to new and useful ideas which could develop intellectual and analytical faculties”.

Mr Ernest Akubuor Debrah, Member of Parliament for Tano North appealed to the staff and students to maintain the school’s level of discipline which had been the basis for the continuous and increasing success since it was established.

He said the school placed first in the 2012 National Debate during Ghana’s 55th independence anniversary celebration through discipline and commended the students, staff and stakeholders for the achievement.

In appreciation, Mr Debrah donated 10 gas cookers valued at GH¢8,000 to the Home Economics Department of the school in addition, his wife, Mrs Akua Debrah who was the Regional Director of Education when the model school was established donated GH¢1,000 to the school.

He explained that the donation was in fulfilment of a promise made to the school during the debate and placing first had brought glory and honour to the Region.

Mrs Doris Cobbinah Bainn, Headmistress said the school had consistently been scoring 100 per cent passes in the West African Examination Certificate for the past six years.

She said challenges facing the school are an assembly hall, additional dormitories, an expansion of the dining hall and lack of means of transport.

Ms Abigail Adubofuor, Head Prefect appealed to government, corporate organisations and philanthropists to assist the school with the provision of mechanised boreholes to relieve staff and students of acute water shortages.

Prizes were presented to deserving students for their academic excellence and achievements in extra curricula activities.

Some teaching and non-teaching staff were also honoured for their meritorious services to the school.