Wa, Oct. 20, GNA - The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. George Hikah Benson, has said there are a lot of challenges facing education in the region as a result of lack of teachers in many schools in the area. He said the situation was undermining the progress of education, which has the key to breaking the endemic poverty among the people. Mr Benson made the remarks while receiving a donation of maize and soap valued at GH=A2300 from the Northern Relief Fund (NRF) for flood victims in the region.

He appealed to professional teachers in the country, especially natives of the north not to turn their back on the region because of its deprived nature by refusing to accept posting there. Mr Adam Sulley, Chairman of the Finance and Fundraising Committee of NRF, said the donation was intended to make life bearable for people displaced by the floods, most of whom have lost their property and food crops.

He said the NRF would embark on musical concert, football matches, cultural display and traditional food shows at various levels to raise funds to help the displaced.

"As Northerners away from home it is very heart fulfilling to know that through our collective responsibility we have been able to show some appreciation to our brothers and sisters back home who had become victims of floods," he said. Dr Hakem Wemah, Chairman of the NRF, appealed for more support for the victims. 20 Oct. 07