Akropong-Akuapem (E/R), Oct. 22, GNA- The Okuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, had appealed to the Ministry of Education and Sports to maintain the policy whereby one-third of admissions to Senior Secondary School (SSS) were reserved for people in the community where the school was sited.

He explained that maintaining the policy would help reduce the complaints by parents that their wards had been sent to schools outside their districts and regions where they reside. Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa was speaking at this year's annual Akuapem Odwira durbar of chiefs, which also marked the 31st anniversary of his reign as Akuapemhene at Akropong-Akuapem on Friday. He commended the use of computer in the selection of Junior Secondary School (JSS) graduates into the SSS and advised the specialists who designed the computer programme to accept genuine criticisms and see what further innovations could be done to improve upon the system.

Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa thanked the government for honouring the promise to execute the construction of Adenta -Mamfe road and appealed for the tarring of the roads in the Akropong township and construction of the culverts to help reduce erosion in the township. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, observed that the country had reached a stage where the concerted efforts of every Ghanaian was required to further develop the economy of the country. He, therefore, called on the chiefs and people of Akuapem to dedicate this year's Odwira celebrations to re-direct the enormous power that resides in the youth into productive ventures. Mr. Barimah urged the traditional authorities to rise up and tackle problems of the youth which was degenerating into dangerous dimensions and urged the queen mothers to organize programmes and workshops for young girls who tended to become victims of male chauvinism.

He appealed to the District Assemblies, Non-Governmental Organizations and Community-Based Organizations to assist in the funding of the queen mothers programmes.

Mr Barimah said all public schools in Akropong had benefited from, at least, a project from the Akuapem North District Assembly, saying the road leading to the new district offices of the Ghana Education Service had been constructed and the Daakye road tarred. He said arrangements had been made for the rehabilitation of the road stretching from the Post Office to Mpeniase and the one leading to the Presbyterian Training College.

The Akuapem North District Chief Executive, Mr Edward Adu-Aboagye said the District Assembly had planned to meet with the unemployed youth in the district to strategise on how to inspire them to create employment for themselves in the district and assured that soon the outcome of that deliberations would be made public.