Prof Asante calls for national vision

Kusi (E/R), July 25, GNA - Professor S. K. B. Asante, a renowned international consultant and educationist, has asked Ghanaians to think first and foremost of how to build a great and prosperous nation, instead of politicising every trivial issue.

He regretted that the current Ghanaian situation looks like the country does not have a vision.

Prof Asante who was speaking at the 15th anniversary and Second Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI) at Kusi in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region wondered why people should adopt antagonistic stand on every issue. He said Ghanaians have a collective responsibility to move the nation forward and expressed the hope that with unity and good leadership, the country could attain the middle-level income status within a few years.

"Let us build a new Ghana, let us put behind us our differences and work for the advancement of mother Ghana", he advised. Prof. Asante said a fund known as the the Professor and Mrs S. K. B. Asante Educational Trust Fund, was awarding scholarships to brilliant but needy children in four towns in the area, Kusi, Takrowase, Akyem-Wenchi and Soabe.

He also said the Fund had also planned to set up four computer training centres and to provide accommodation for teachers in the area.

The Kwaebibirem District Chief Executive, Mr Yaw Yiadom-Boakye said the government had made the development of human development a major priority and was sparing no efforts in achieving that goal. Mr Yiadom-Boakye cautioned school authorities against introducing new fees and levies in basic educational institutions, now that the government would be footing existing bills with effect from September, to relief parents or that burden.

The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Ms Ewura Abena Ahowi advised teachers to adopt positive attitude to work and also take advantage of the distance education programme to improve their skills. She said some children could be bad but with tender love, they could be nurtured to be achievers.

The Director of OPRI, Dr Theophilus Ofori-Asamoah explained that, the school was established to provide quality basic education to staff of the station to entice research scientists to accept appointments to work at the station.

He said the School was therefore established primarily, as an inducement to attract high calibre staff to take appointment at the Institute and as a social obligation to the surrounding communities, because it admitted pupils from the area.

The Headmaster of the school, Mr Benjamin Appiah-Danquah, said the school, which started with 41 pupils now has 401 pupils, 196 boys and 205 girls.

The Chairman for the occasion, Dr Kwame Boa-Amponsam, Deputy Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research asked students to take the study of science seriously, since there were not enough scientists to fill vacancies in scientific institutions in the country.