Accra, Jan. 23 GNA - Ms. Christine Churcher, Minister of State for Basic, Secondary and Girl- Child Education on Friday Commended Unilever Ghana Limited for its long-standing history of contribution to Education, Health, Environment, Sports, and Art and Culture in the country.

She said it was also gratifying to learn how the company was improving upon the skills of the staff through courses, both at home and abroad, with the view of raising the quality of its products. Ms Churcher was speaking on the occasion of the 3rd Unilever Schools Art Competition Awards ceremony held at the Teacher's Hall in Accra.

The Unilever Schools Art competition, which was introduced three years ago, was aimed at encouraging children's interest in Art as a subject as well as their environment.

Ms Churcher said the Art competition organized by Unilever has greatly sharpened, not only the skills of art teachers and pupils but also create a more relaxing hobby for them.

"Unilever Ghana, like all other corporate bodies is operating in the community and I must say that it has contributed and continues to contribute immensely to the development of the community."

She also urged parents, teachers, educationist and friends to encourage the teaching and learning of Art in schools so as to produce all-round pupils and students.

Ms Churcher advised the students not to engage in pre-marital sex and drug abuse but rather learn more about sex issues and HIV/AIDS disease to enable them to lead responsible lives.

Mr. Norman Swanepoel, Human Resource Director ,Unilever Ghana said the Unilever Ghana Foundation for Education and Development(UGFED) has made a commitment to help shape the future human resource base for the development of the country.

He said the Foundation was also concentrating on the company's support for education, research , social and enterprise initiatives, and rural health .

Mr. Swanepoel also said the cost of sending the overall 14 year old winner and teacher to London and various prizes in the form of cash , products and special certificates for the competition amounted to a total of 64 million cedis.

In all 37 schools across the country participated in the 2003 Unilever Schools Art competition of which 10 students from various schools were awarded cash prizes, certificates and Unilever products.

Master Eric Asare Annor of Prempeh College Junior Secondary School was adjudged the over-all winner for the 2003 competition and took home a cash prize of 1.5million, a certificate and Unilever products.

Ms Nadia Amadu, who came second and John Ampofo, third, received 1.2 million and 1 million cedis, a certificate and Unilever products respectively .

Other schools, including St. Mary Secondary School, La Experimental Primary, Technology Secondary School, Kaneshie Awudome "4" JSS, Suhun Presby Primary and Adjikpa LA Primary were also honoured with cash prizes and certificates for their performance in the competition.