MP donates 22,000 exercise books to schools in Jomoro Constituency

The Member of Parliament for Jomoro constituency who doubles as a Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon Paul Essien, has fulfilled his campaign promise to the students of his constituency by presenting 22,000 pieces of exercise books.

The gesture forms part of his promise towards quality education in the round-up to December 2016 general elections.

The beneficiary schools include Half Assini SHS (Hasco), Annor Adjaye SHS (Anass), Ming Daw, a private SHS at Mpataba and over twenty selected Junior High Schools in the District.

Half Assini SHS and Annor Adjaye SHS received 8,000 and 4,000 pieces of exercise books respectively with President Nana Addo and the MP, Hon Paul Essien photographed on it.

The other 10,000 exercise books were later distributed to the selected Junior High School and the private SHS.

During the presentation at the Half Assini Senior High School (Hasco) over the weekend, Hon Paul Essien said the donation was in line with the New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) agenda of facilitating development in education.

He said, being aware that education was the bedrock upon which all developments take off, the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that quality education is accessible and affordable to Ghanaians.

Mr. Essien said the donation was a fulfillment of his 2016 campaign promise of providing free exercise books.

"I said it that if President Nana Addo starts his free SHS education program, I will also add free exercise books distribution to it", he mentioned.

Mr. Essien applauded the Free SHS initiative and said the program is laudable and must be embraced by all Ghanaians.

He described the Free SHS program as meritorious and would help parents especially the less privileged ones to save money to live better.

He urged the students to pray for the President so he can lead the country in good health.

The MP said the Free SHS is a 'happy home' program, "a mother selling rice to take care of a child to go to SHS so when the school vacates and the child comes home, the mother tries to sell rice and make sure she gathers enough money to go and pay school fees but this time around whatever business your mother or father is doing , any money he or she gathers will not be used to pay school frees again but will channel it into a different venture, therefore the free aspect is bringing hopes at various households". The students especially the first year students expressed their profound appreciation to the Member of Parliament for the kind gesture.

Bernard Morkeh, a teacher, on behalf of the school, thanked the MP and appealed to the Education Ministry through the MP to renovate the girl's dormitory which is on the verge of collapsing, a situation that has forced the school to convert some classrooms into dormitories.

Hon Paul Essien who was once a mathematics Tutor in Annor Adjaye Senior High School (Anass), was warmly welcomed by the students and teachers.

The Member of Parliament for the area hinted that he had instituted the 'Best Teacher's Award' for Senior High Schools in the District as a way of motivating teachers to do their best to ensure quality education in the District.

Hon Essien also urged teachers to take their work seriously and desist from absenteeism.

He said President Akufo-Addo has education at heart so he wants every Ghanaian child to go school so that future will be bright.

He also prophesied that Ghanaians will soon enjoy 'free' tertiary.

"I am a Prophet and before the NPP government will leave power, education at the tertiary level will be free for all Ghanaians because it is only the NPP that can education free in this country, so I you and your parents to continue to have confidence in the NPP government and retain the NPP in power and see free tertiary education implementation", he prophesied.

Hon Essien urged the students to take their education seriously and tasked them to desist from indulging in acts which would be inimical to their studies.