Regional News of Sunday, 12 September 2004

Source: GNA

Government asked to prioritise vocational and technical training

Kumasi, Sept 12, GNA - The Government has been asked to prioritise vocational and technical training to equip the youth with the relevant skills to enable them to become self-employed and contribute positively to national development.

The way forward for Ghana is for the authorities to initiate concrete measures to meet the present socio-economic and political needs of the country and not to only provide clerical administrative personnel.

The Reverend Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Asante Presbytery Chairman and Moderator-elect of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, made these remarks at the inauguration the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)/Presbyterian Model School block and two conference halls at Asuoyeboa in the Kumasi metropolis on Sunday.

The construction of the facilities was financed by SSNIT and was handed over to the Presbyterian Education Unit.

Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso noted that education was the foundation for national development.

He expressed concern about the deplorable state of some schools and urged all stakeholders to re-direct their attention to the development of education in the country.

Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, urged parents to inculcate in their children moral values.

He advised parents to invest in the education of their children to enable them to acquire skills and knowledge necessary for national developments.

Mr Jumah expressed concern about the increasing indiscipline among students, which has resulted in poor academic performances and appealed to the school authorities to ensure discipline to enhance teaching and learning.

Lt-Col E.K. Oduro-Owusu (rtd), Headmaster of the school, said the school established last year with a population of 103 pupils, had 300 students.

He appealed to the Ghana Education Service to expedite action on the request by the school to operate establish a Junior Secondary School.

The headmaster said the school lacked a canteen, sports field and vehicle and appealed to the Church to provide those facilities to improve teaching and learning.

The Rt Rev Dr Sam Prempeh, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, who inaugurated the block, urged the management of the school to maintain it regularly to ensure its life span.