Finding a way out of conflicting moral values

Kayera (Ashanti), 14th June 99 -

The First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, has called on chiefs, opinion leaders and the clergy to do more to assist the youth find their way through the confusion of competing and sometimes conflicting cultural and moral values.

This, she said, must be done not merely through advice and exhortation, but by example, adding that while sifting and discarding negative cultural practices, the best of the country's traditional values must be maintained.

Nana Konadu was speaking at the 15th Anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu, Queenmother of Kayera, in the Offinso District.

The First Lady spoke of the need to acknowledge progressive and positive ideas that would promote the social and economic well-being of the people.

She also touched on the importance of education particularly that of the girl-child, saying, "do not budget to exclude your girl-child from education" and expressed expressed disappointment the performance of pupils in the Offinso District in last year's Basic Certificate Examination was not good.

She was, however, happy that the Assembly has appointed a special committee to study the situation and present a report which would be the basis of a forum on the improvement of education in the area.

Very soon the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy of the Government would come into force and it would be illegal to keep children of school going age at home.

The First Lady drew attention to the need for all to work seriously in a peaceful environment if "we are to attain the desired status of a middle income country by the year 2020".

"We cannot allow a few lawless people or rabble rousers disturb our hard-earned peace and political stability", she said adding, "we must join hands as one people and work towards sustaining what we have been able to achieve as a country to date".

Nana Serwaa Bonsu, earlier in her speech, explained that the anniversary celebration is not only for merry making but also as a forum for the discussion of effective strategies to check the socio-economic imbalances of the area.

She noted that solutions to problems facing the people lie with themselves and therefore appealed to them to rally behind the Chiefs to ensure accelerated development of the town.

Nana Konadu cut the sod for work to begin on a 100 million cedi Technical/Vocational School for the town.

GRi?/