Gov't prioritizes education because it's priceless legacy - Mahama

President John Mahama says he has placed premium on education and this is seen in the increased government budget for the sector over the years.

He says government is anticipating the many projects being undertaken in the sector would lift millions of Ghanaians from poverty.

The President says the only thing no one can steal from an educated person is his/her acquired knowledge which is distinguished from material objects which can robbed easily.

Speaking at the commissioning of one of the 123 Community Day Senior High Schools (SHS) at Takrowase in the Eastern Region, Mr Mahama said he hoped many of girls would make use of the many projects to recieve education.

This, he said would help to address the issue of early girl child marriage ongoing in the country.

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had said its achievement in the education sector surpasses that of previous government.

During the party's 2016 manifesto launch at the Sunyani Coronation Park in the Brong Ahafo Region, President Mahama has said enrolment at both the basic and secondary levels have increased because of the expansion in educational infrastructure and other initiatives.

He noted that students across the country are performing well in both the Basic Education Certificate Education (BECE) and West Africa Senior Seconding Certificate Education (WASSCE) examinations, a claim some educationist had disagreed.

Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adai had said there is a looming danger in the education sector, asking for a national consultative forum to discuss the dangers ahead of the country.

The President has maintained his government has laid a solid foundation in the country which would insure for Ghanaians a better future, adding statistics show poor schools are outperforming famous schools.

President Mahama credited the performance of the students to the collective efforts of community leaders, hardworking teachers and parents in the country.

Touching on the Takrowase community school, Mr Mahama urged the chiefs and people of the area to ensure that more of the girls are enrolled in the school, noting the school though built by government belongs to the community.

The school which has the capacity to admit 1300 students is equipped with a science laboratory and an ICT center, an assembly hall, offices for the heads of department, a library, a staff common room, and 16 washrooms.

The President promised to build a teacher’s bungalow in phase two of the project and also donated a school bus and a pickup truck.

Some infrastructural projects to be undertaken includes a bridge which the people have been complaining about, which he disclosed has been awarded to a contractor and work is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

Also, he said the Wechi-Kade road contract which was given out in 2012 on government of Ghana budget will be added to the Cocoa roads budget to speed up the work.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim