Wa, Feb. 7, GNA- Chiefs and elders in the Upper West Region have appealed to the government to empower chiefs in the region to enforce laws against elopement, betrothal and child labour. They have pledged to embark on vigorous enrolment drive to get all children of school going age into school and take measures to retain them in school.

These were contained in a resolution signed by Ana Banawini Sando II, Paramount chief of Kaleo Traditional Area, Kuoro Kini-Buktie Liman IV, Paramount chief of Gwollu Traditional Area and Ana S.D. Gore II, Paramount chief of Dorimon Traditional Area.

The resolution was signed after a two-day workshop on-factors militating against education in the region.

The chiefs said they would identify and support poor and needy children to pursue their education.

The participants called on all stakeholders to institute annual best school, best teachers and best pupil awards at all levels to encourage them.

They appealed to the government to construct more feeder roads to open up communities to facilitate access to education. They also appealed to the government to make paramount chiefs members of District Education Oversight Committees to enable them to play their complementary and supervisory roles at the traditional levels.

The workshop was organised by Upper West Region House of Chiefs in collaboration with Northern Network for Education Development and sponsored by Commonwealth Education Fund. 7 Feb 04