Yendi, Sept 9, GNA - The Northern Region East Development Programme of Action Aid Ghana, has organised a forum practitioners of the Regenerated Freirean Literacy Through Empowering Community Technique (REFLECT) at Yendi.

The forum, which attracted more than 300 practitioners from the Eastern corridor of the Northern Region, was on the theme "Creating space for greeter impact in Non-Formal Education through Network". The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr Charles Binepum Bintim, commended Action Aid, for its achievements in the REFLECT programmes and gave the assurance that a more conducive environment would be created to ensure that, programmes for improving the living conditions of the people could be carried through.

Mr Bintim, however, noted that REFLECT activities were limited to the Saboba/Chereponi, Nanumba and Bunkpurugu/Yonyoo Districts and called on the NGO to extend them to the other areas. Mr Bintim urged the people to eschew Chieftaincy, land and other litigation and channel their meagre resources and energies into development.

Mr Bintim said the government placed a high premium on education since it was the only means to liberate the people from hunger, disease, illiteracy and poverty.

He said the high national illiteracy rate had engaged the attention of government and efforts were being made to promote adult literacy as a tool for greater social integration, community mobilisation and individual as well as institutional capacity building.

The Deputy Minister said there were 87 REFLECT circles with an average of 30 participants and two facilitators each, adding that, the programme covered about 2,610 adults learners within the eastern corridor of the region.

The Yendi District Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Habib Tijani, said the programme for the acquisition of adult literacy skills under the Non-Formal Education Division (NFED) would help in fighting poverty among the illiterate adults.

Mr Tinjani emphasised that in the government's determination to eradicate illiteracy, a lot of financial and material resources had been channelled to the Non-Formal Education Division.

H assured Action Aid, Ghana and all NGOs operating in the District of the Assembly's preparedness to collaborate with them for the development of the District.

The Ghana North East Regional Development Programme Manager of Action Aid, Mr Michael Lumor, said Action Aid, Ghana began work in 1990 in Zebilla in the Upper East Region, in Chereponi in 1993 and others in Tamale, Sissala District, Asutifi and Ga Districts.

Mr Lumor said Action Aid, Ghana has come a long way from providing services in education, agriculture, health, water and sanitation, savings/credit and was now focusing on education, agriculture and emerging issues in gender and HIV/AIDS.

Giving an overview of the Network, The Education Programme Officer, Mrs Mary Boro, said REFLECT discussions have resulted in the construction of 21 schools, clinics and formation and support of about 35 income generating and credit groups.

She said Action Aid had noticed that organisations operated at individual levels, thus keeping valuable information, which had resulted in lack of co-ordination.