Regional News of Friday, 18 November 2011

Source: GNA

Education vital to socio-economic development - Dr Oteng-Adjei

Jachie-Pramso (Ash), Nov 18, GNA – Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei,

Minister of Energy, has underscored the importance of education

in national development and appealed to all Ghanaians to contribute to its

promotion.

He said it was important for the various stakeholders to

accept to play their expected roles well to complement

government’s effort.

Dr Oteng-Adjei was speaking at the closing session a

three-day ‘Homecoming Summit” of old students of the

Jachie-Pramso Senior High School (SHS) in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region.

“Promoting academic excellence and social development

of Jachie-Pramso SHS - The role of the Old Students”, was the

theme.

It provided a platform for them to meet and discuss ways

and means of addressing challenges facing the school with other stakeholders.

Dr Oteng-Adjei spoke of the Government's determination

to put in place the necessary policies and interventions to ensure

access to education by all.

The Minster, himself, an old student of the school, said

the Government in pursuance of its “Better Ghana Agenda” would

continue to encourage individuals, churches and organizations to

support the development of education.

Mr Paul Adjei Boakye, the Headmaster, said the school

founded 41 years ago with 83 students, now has a population of

over 1,600 with 160 teaching and non-teaching staff.

It had chalked many successes, he said, adding, the

performance of the school in the West African Senior School

Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was encouraging.

Mr Boakye praised the Parent and Teacher Association

(PTA), the Bosomtwe District Assembly and the Old Students

Association for their immense contribution towards the provision of

infrastructure for the school

He said the School needed additional classroom blocks, boy’s

dormitory and teachers’ accommodation to help cope with the

growing student population and appealed for support.

Mr George Ernest Asare, President of the Association,

said they were building a library for the school at a cost

GH¢550,000.00.

He appealed for support from corporate bodies, organizations,

institutions and philanthropists.