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08.10.2008 Football News

Organise football competition for children on Election Day – ORPED

08.10.2008 LISTEN
By gna

Charles Cobbina, Chief Executive Officer of Organization of Rural Primary Education Developers (ORPED)-Ghana - a child development Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has suggested that football and other sporting events should be organized in all communities for children on the day of elections to prevent them from participating in the exercise.

He suggested that the event should be preceded by a church service in the morning after which the children will be engaged in a competition to occupy themselves for the day.
According to Mr Cobbina, the temptation of being influenced by politicians to participate in the elections could be high if the children are left redundant on the day of the exercise.

Speaking at the launch of the MILLION BALLS AFRICA project aimed at educating children through the use of sports, the Chief Executive said the project is expected to use the gift of a football to stimulate children and young people to attain greater heights as well as offer them hope for the future through innovative ways of learning and talent development.

Under the Million Ball Project, the NGO will seek to distribute million footballs to children across the continent as part of efforts to whip up their enthusiasm for the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup in Angola and South Africa respectively.

Mr Cobbina however advised children to desist from participating in the electoral process since it is against the law adding that “whoever prompted minors to engage in the electoral process of Ghana's historical December 7th does not have children at heart”.

He noted that it was necessary that people in leadership positions focus on establishing libraries, reading centers and modern youth development centers in all constituencies to create the necessary environment for children to develop their intellectual ability through reading and learning.

The Chief Executive explained that ORPED Ghana has taken its campaign of encouraging reading, tree planting, talent development and peace building through the use of sports among African children and communities to the Ashanti Region and intends to use the opportunity to advise minors in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

As part of his regional tour, Mr. Cobbina visited four basic schools and the Westfalian Orphanage at Oyoko in the Sekyere East and Afram Districts.

During the visit, footballs, exercise books and pencils were presented to the Holy Name of Jesus School at Abuakwa Akumadi in the Atwima Nwabiagya District, Ahunya Primary, Ahinisan JHS & SDA JSS in the Sekyere East District.

Mr Samuel Konadu, District Chief Executive (DCE) of Sekyere East commended ORPED-Ghana for such a brilliant child development initiative and suggested the setting up pre-school facilities by the project for the Tetekaso and Konkonbakrom communities in the District.

Meanwhile Mrs. Judith S. Agyemang, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kapital Radio in Kumasi has been appointed one of the 11 prominent Africans to serve on the International Advisory Board of the Million Balls Africa Project.

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