Kumasi, Nov 18, GNA - The Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has stated that the country's desire to develop to attain a middle income status with per capita income of $1,000 by 2015 depended largely on the development of education and a sound knowledge foundation. He said the new educational reform which is meant to develop education would produce students capable of innovation and equipped with skills needed to participate in the modern knowledge economy at personal, national and international levels. Alhaji Aliu was speaking t the 11th Speech and Prize-Giving Day and commissioning of GETFUND- sponsored project at the Yaa Asantewaa Girls Senior High School in Kumasi over the weekend. The projects included a dormitory block, assembly hall and a school bus. The total cost of the project was however not disclosed. Speaking on the theme "The New Educational Reform: Its Implications and Challenges for the Girl-Child", Alhaji Aliu noted that the government believes that accelerated economic growth for development hinges on the nations human capital.

The government, he noted, has therefore increased the budgetary allocation to the education sector, adding that, government has also met its obligation to the GETFUND, which in turn has exercised its mandate judiciously to drive the most comprehensive infrastructure revival in the education sector.

On Girl-Child education, the Vice President pointed out that government's approach of mainstreaming gender issues into national development strategies puts the educated woman right at the centre of opportunities for self advancement and actualization. "No Ghanaian girl child should be dragged down on her ambitions limited by outmoded cultural practices and traditional beliefs", he said. He advised the students to make good use of the facilities provided for them and maintain them, for others to also benefit in future. Alhaji Aliu Mahama also called on the students to study hard and avoid premarital sex and other anti social behaviours and live to be responsible adults.

Mrs Elizabeth Malik Jabir, Headmistress of the school indicated that the school which began with 70 students in 1960 currently has a population of 1,620 students.

She said in 2006/2007, a total of 536 candidates were presented for the final examination and 448 passed in all 8-subjects, 74 candidates passed in 7-subjects and 11 passed in 6-subjects with no failure. She added that the students have also excelled in school competitions and co-curricular activities. Mrs Malik Jabir expressed gratitude to the government, particularly GETFUND, and other stakeholders for helping with the development projects in the school.

Nana Akua Afriyie Antwi, Senior Prefect of the school, also called for a more spacious library for the school and advocated for a speed-up of the ironing shed for the students.