Regional News of Monday, 2 May 2005

Source: GNA

130 facilitators acquire training skills

Winneba (C/R), May 2, GNA - The Non-Formal Education Division (NFED) of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) is not a political wing on structure of any political party in the country.

It is a programme geared towards bringing education and smiling faces to most Ghanaians who did not have formal education. Mr Atta Asante Agyei, Winneba District Co-ordinating Director of the NFED in an overview, made this known to 130 facilitators and 16 Resource persons during a two-week initial facilitators training course at Winneba on Friday.

Participants were drawn from Gomoa, Agona, Mfantseman and Awutu-Effutu-Senya districts of the Central Region. Topics discussed include an overview of the National Functional Literacy Programme, income generating activities, development, management, information system, reading, writing and numerically skills. The Gomoa District Director of the NFED, Mr Kwaku Danson said this was the eleventh batch of facilitators and that the programme currently operates classes in 15 Ghanaian languages.

He called on the Ghanaian populace to register at their various towns and villages to make them literate, adding that the NFED slogan "Enkaa Akyir" meaning, "It is never too late" must sound well in the ears of all Ghanaians to encourage them to start learning. He said the NFED plays a vital role in government's efforts at eradicating poverty and appealed to the district assemblies to support its programmes at all levels.

In his closing remarks, Mr Atta Baah, the Winneba District Budget Analyst, congratulated the participants for accepting the challenge to educate their unfortunate relatives even though the task ahead was tedious and sacrificial.

Mr Baah charged them to be good ambassadors, reciprocate the good offer, go and preach the good news also on HIV/AIDS pandemic to all. He said everyone was at the risk of being affected or infected. Certificates were awarded to the participants.