Regional Minister proposes educational fund for Kumasi Zongo

A proposal has been made to the chiefs and Imams of the Kumasi Zongo to consider the establishment of an educational fund in the community in support of the education of Zongo children.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, who made the proposal, said an educational fund was the surest means through which a greater number of Zongo children could be assisted to acquire formal education.

Mr Boafo was speaking at a durbar held in Kumasi on Sunday to climax activities marking the Silver Jubilee celebration of the installation of Alhaji Osman Tanko as Head of the Bissa community in the Ashanti Region.

He observed that the lack of such a fund in the Zongos had made secular education accessible only to a few children while the majority of them were denied such formal education.

Dr Mustapha Ahmed, Member of Parliament (MP) for East Ayawaso, advised members of the Bissa community to begin to move away from the practice of investing virtually all their resources in business ventures and to rather invest such resources in their children's education.

The MP said this was crucial since it was only when people were enlightened through formal education that all other facets of society including business ventures could thrive and progress.

Dr Ahmed said even though there were plans for launching of a Bissa education fund soon, it still behoved parents to strongly commit themselves to their responsibilities of sending their children to school to acquire formal education.

Alhaji Tanko called for unity of purpose among all Ghanaians irrespective of ethnic and political differences.

He said heads of the various communities in the Zongos should not only preach the message on unity and peace but also explore avenues that would make such attributes a practical reality.

Nana Ampofo Kyei Baffour, Asemhene, represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the durbar.