Ghana?s High Commissioner to the UK, Isaac Osei, has stated that the upbringing of children was very dear to the heart of the government of the New Patriotic Party.

Speaking at a fundraising event in London in aid of a primary school furniture project for the Agave District, Osei said that the Volta Region of which Agave is a part, has provided Ghana with role models whose lives and achievements could be emulated by our children.

He said citizens such Ephraim Amu, Justice Fred K. Apaloo, Dr Raphael Armattoe, Mark Cofie, Rev S.K. Fiawoo, and Dr Esther Ocloo were all shining examples. He said the government would thus continue to take steps to nurture programmes that would enhance their talents since they are future leaders of our country.

The High Commissioner added that it was incumbent on parents to complement the efforts of the government by helping to chart a path that would ensure the orderly development of the country?s children.

Towards this end, he extorted parents to avoid quarrelling in the presence of their children as such traits would give negative signals which would affect their training and development. The colourful event was attended by sons and daughters of Agave and surrounding areas as well as friends of Ghana.

Present at the event, interspersed by poetry recital by Andrew Togobo, a play by the Young Agave players and traditional dancing, were Torgbui Arkumey Geli III, Dufia of Atokor, Naa Aforkor Amaaduro II, Queenmother of Katamanso and representatives of Ghanaian community associations in the UK.

The children, resplendent in various Ghanaian attire, entertained the gathering with a play depicting a naming ceremony in the Agave District.

On the forthcoming voter registration, he urged Ghanaians abroad to encourage their relatives at home to participate in the exercise. He said by registering they would be exercising their democratic rights which are vividly enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and help in choosing the right people for our country in the 2004 elections.

High Commissioner Osei reiterated the government?s commitment to ensuring quality education in the country and added that the provision of modern senior secondary schools in each district of the country was central to the realisation of that goal.

He commended the association for undertaking the furniture project which in 2003 saw 200 and 800 tables and chairs respectively being provided for the area.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Mercy Bolus, chairperson of the association thanked the government and the British Department for International Development (DFID) for providing some basic facilities such as pipe borne water and electricity to Dabala and surrounding areas.

He pledged that the association would continue to focus on the expertise of members and harness their vast experiences to promote and foster development in their area. Dr. Ambrose Togobo, who chaired the occasion, reminded the gathering of the importance of our culture and traditions, our language and history and called on government to assist in the establishment of an FM community radio station in the area.

Special certificates were given to some British volunteers who taught in various primary schools in the area.