PEN inaugurates youth clubs at Fiapre

Dr Frankie Asare-Donkor, President of PEN International, Ghana, has called on politicians to take critical look at the country’s educational system which had been experimented over the years.

He said the experimentation could have adverse effects on the educational system and the nation’s socio-economic development if not checked.

Dr Asare-Donkor made the call at a joint inauguration of PEN International youth clubs for five senior high schools (SHS) at Fiapre, near Sunyani.

The schools are Nkoranza Technical School, Wenchi, Berekum, Dormaa and Notre Dame SHSs in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

PEN International is a worldwide association of writers which brings together poets, editors, novelist, essayists, critics, historians, translators and journalists in a common concern for the craft and art of writing and a commitment to freedom of expression.

Dr Asare-Donkor called for the establishment of a sustainable plan for education since no country could develop without good human resources.

Dr Asare-Donkor, therefore, urged politicians to consider the welfare and the interest of the little ones who are the future leaders and not their self-seeking interests.

He expressed concern that majority of students who took part in this year’s Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) would have difficulty in gaining admission into the tertiary institutions because of their numbers as they were a combination of the three-year and the four-year groups.

Mr Frank Mackay Anim-Appiah, Executive Director of PEN International, said the association aimed to promote intellectual co-operation and understanding among writers and create a world community of writers that emphasised on literature in the development of world cultures.

He said PEN International acted as a powerful voice in opposing political censorship and speaking for writers and journalists who were harassed, imprisoned and sometimes murdered just for expressing their views.

Mr Anim-Appiah advised students to be disciplined and be responsible to take advantage of the club to upgrade their writing skills and improve their English Language.