Abetifi (E/R), March 4, GNA - Five hundred school children selected from 84 basic schools in the Kwahu East District participated in the President's End-of-Year party for children at Abetifi on Thursday. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the District Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Asamoah and Assembly Members of the area distributed packed foods, biscuits and drinks to the children. The pupils later joined the Regional Minister to dance to brass band music after a heavy rainfall in the area. Speaking at the function, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said government recognized that the country's future was dependent on the existence of a well-educated and disciplined workforce and would therefore spare no effort in motivating teachers.

He said government recognized the roles and sacrifices that teachers were making to educate as well as inculcate sound ethical and moral values in school children. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo appealed to parents and guardians to act responsibly to help reduce the number of children, who dropped out of school and found themselves on the streets. The Regional Minister advised the school children to avoid all negative acts that would make them lose their potential and end up as social misfits.

Mr Asamoah on his part said it was time for Kwawus to prove to the world that they were not only good traders but could also produce educated elites like Mr Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General and the likes. He announced that the Assembly had started the rehabilitation of a number of schools in the district and provided toilet facilities with hand washing facilities to others. Mr Asamoah said the Assembly had also distributed 200 dual desks to six schools in the district adding that soon similar facilities would be extended to other schools. He said the Assembly had also made it a policy to award scholarship to nursing and teacher trainees to enable them continue their education while at the same time enticed them to work in rural areas after completion of their training. 4 March 10