Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, on Monday advised pupils and students to take the study of Information Communication Technology (ICT) seriously in order to respond adequately to modern trends in communication.

He said the Government and development partners had played their roles effectively by ensuring that all rural areas were connected to the national electricity grid while at least all basic schools were furnished with computers.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo gave the advice when Ms Suzy Kyei Boakye, 2011 third runner-up of Ghana’s Most Beautiful Icon, with support from Henkcom Multi Media Services in Kumasi, presented educational materials to the AME Zion Primary and Junior High School at Kobedi, near Chiraa in Sunyani West District.

The materials included two computers and accessories, a number of exercise books, two dustbins and two hand washing bowls, all worth GH¢2,500.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo emphasised that anyone who failed to advance in computer literacy could not contribute efficiently to national development no matter the level he or she might reach in education.

"Without computer knowledge, it will be difficult to acquire lucrative jobs after school," he said, and advised the students to pay great attention during ICT lessons.

The Regional Minister entreated teachers in the school to endeavour to at least acquire basic computer knowledge so that they could also teach the students without any difficulty.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo appealed to parents to ensure that their children really reported at school whenever they left home for school.

He emphasised that with the capitation grant, school feeding programme and other interventions by the government, there was no excuse or justification for any child of school-going age to remain at home during schools hours.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo stated that parents and guardians would do a great disservice to themselves if they failed to ensure their children and wards acquired formal education, as it was the only way the children could grow and fend for themselves and their families.

Ms. Boakye advised the children to read their books especially, during leisure hours and to refrain from attending video shows and other social activities that could endanger their progress in education.

She called for premium to be placed on girl child education as most girls in rural communities drop out of school because of some outmoded cultural practices that continued to marginalize females.

Ms. Boakye said she had set up the “Eno Boakyewaa Foundation” to enable her to look for funds to promote girl-child education especially in Brong-Ahafo through the provision of scholarships and other educational materials to brilliant but needy girls in deprived areas to pursue higher in education.

She appealed to development partners, NGOs and philanthropists to support the foundation for the benefit of school children.

Barima Mintah Afari II, Chief of Chiraa, who received the items on behalf of the school, expressed appreciation to the donor and advised the school authorities to ensure the pupils and students benefited from the items.

He expressed concern about partisan politics that continued to create divisions and enmity among the people in the area.

Barima Afari II, reminded parents in the area that their children regarded them as role models and as such emulated whatever they did, saying “it is your responsibility to ensure the proper upbringing and development of your children”.

The Chief expressed concern about alcoholism and other negative behaviours among some students in the area and advised parents to monitor the movements of their children especially after school hours to steer them away from unproductive activities.**