Kumasi, Sept. 6, GNA - Mr. Victor Amponsah, the Municipal Chief Executive, (MCE) of Offinso, has called on the government to continue to provide unimpeded access to education for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their ages.

He explained that one's desire for the acquisition of knowledge should not be age bound and advocated for more people to take advantage of opportunities made available by the Non-Formal Education Division (NFED) to attain numeracy and literacy for their socio-economic advancement. Mr. Amponsah was speaking at a competition on: Reading, Writing and Numeracy, held for adult learners in the region at Offinso. The occasion is a prelude to the International Literacy Day, scheduled for September 8, in Accra. He said most Ghanaians who did not have the chance to go through formal education should take advantage of the NFED programme to boost the adult literacy level to help develop the nation because education holds the key to national development. The theme for the programme was: "Adult Literacy: A Means to Job Creation."

In all, 13 participated in the competition, with Madam Alice Adjei Agyapong from Atwima Nwabiagya came first with 89 points. Madam Adjoa Fordjour, representing Amansie West, came second with 83 points, while Madam Georgina Arhin, representing the Offinso Municipality, took the third place, with 70 points. The participants were all presented with certificates, whiles the second and third place winners had cooking utensils.

Madam Alice Adjei Agyapong who came first in the competition would represent the region during the International Literacy Day in Accra and for her prize, she would receive, a 22 inch television set.

Facilitators who produced the three best learners were also awarded for their good work done.

Mr. Mike Amedior, the Ashanti Regional Coordinator of NFED, said the division is charged with the responsibility of providing literacy services to the unfortunate illiterate Ghanaians aged 15 and above who have the desire to learn how to read, write and compute. He said the NFED equips literate learners with occupational skills, especially in income generating activities, such as soap making, kente weaving, bee keeping, rabbit and grasscutter rearing. Mr. Amedior announced that the division has a total of 275,222, out of which 78,023 are males whiles 197,199 are females. He pleaded with philanthropists, benevolent groups, NGOs, religious bodies and District Assemblies to assist them in their quest to educate more people. 06 Sept. 10