Assin Nsuaem (C/R), June 27, GNA - Trained teachers have rejected postings to the Assin South District, one of the newly created in the Central Region for the non-existence of mobile phone reception. Mr Daniel Kwaku Arhin, District Director of Education, stated this at the inauguration of the nine-member District Employment Taskforce to co-ordinate the Youth Employment Programme.

He said there were 183 vacancies in the 129 Primary and Junior Secondary Schools but teachers had refused postings to the area because they could not have mobile-phone reception.

The taskforce members are Ms Millicent Alice Kurankye, District Chief Executive (DCE), Chairperson, Mr Daniel Kwaku Arhin, District Director of Education, Mr Mends K. Quaning, District Director of Health Services and Mr Philip Awuah, District Director of Agriculture. Other members are Mr Anthony Arthur, Presiding Member, Assin South District Assembly, the Reverend Abraham Aduakye-Anarkwa, Methodist Church of Ghana, Miss Agnes Adomako, Mr Anthony Kofi Bonnah, District Youth Employment Co-ordinator and Mr Francis Kusi Nuako.

He stated that 36 newly trained teachers sponsored by the District Assembly and eight non-sponsored would fill vacancies.

Mr Arhin said the Directorate of Ghana Education Service (GES) had adopted a policy to recruit pupil teachers from the communities. The District Director said the absence of more teachers in the area had affected academic standards, adding that, Assin Akotokrom D/A Primary School with a population of 213 had only two teachers. Mr Arhin disclosed that Aboabo D/A Primary School with an enrolment of 176 had a similar problem while parents had withdrawn the children and they had to walk a long distance to attend school.

He stated despite the capitation grant enrolment was not encouraging and urged the Chiefs, Assembly Members and opinion leaders to educate parents and guardians to send their children especially the girl child to school.

Ms Kurankye said the NPP government wanted to curtail unemployment among JSS and SSS leavers roaming the streets of the country. She charged the taskforce to ensure equitable disbursement of funds and the selection of the persons to promote peace and stability. Ms Kurankye urged the taskforce members to submit quarterly and monthly reports to the National Taskforce for costing and project evaluation to enhance the development of the programme. She said the registration of the youth had taken off but it was not encouraging and urged the members to work hard to make the programme a success.

The DCE stated that the taskforce had identified viable economic ventures to employ the youth in the areas of education, auxiliary health care, agriculture, community protection, sanitation and waste management.