GNECC, UNESCO Mark International Day Of Education

The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) on Friday, January 24, 2020, partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to mark this year’s International Day of Education.

This is the second year the day is being celebrated following its adoption back in 2018. On December 3, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming January 24 as the International Day of Education.

The motive behind the celebration of the day is to bring global peace and sustainable development. It is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

At the Haatso Calvary Presby Basic School yesterday, GNECC with support and funding from UNESCO marked the 2020 International Day of Education on the theme ‘Learning for People, Planet, Prosperity and Peace’.

On the day, selected schools from within the Ga East District Assembly assembled at the Haatso Calvary Presby Basic School on the back of a float where pupils and teachers yielded placards with inscriptions such as: Quality, affordable education for all, Commit to quality education, Education is the key, education is a powerful tool for change, am a girl, not a wife, keep me in school”.

Addressing the students after the short float, the Country Director for UNESCO, His Excellency Abdul Rahman Diallo congratulated the Ghana government and the education ministry for giving the needed attention to education while making reference to ‘Free SHS’.

In reference to a message from the Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs. Audrey Azoulay on the occasion of the International Day of Education, he further called on all stakeholders to do their bits to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education that will be paramount to protecting the planet, inspiring prosperity and promoting peace.

Adding to that, the Secretary-General of the Ghana National Commission for UNESCO, Mrs. Ama Serwah Nerquaye-Tetteh emphasized that the power and influence of education in advocating for peace and protecting the planet cannot be underestimated.

“We cannot underestimate the power of education. We must make sure that we are at peace with our planet and we are at peace with the people around us. We must not look down on others because we think we are richer, because we think we are more able. We must understand that the world goes around because of all of us in it”, she said.

On her part, the Greater Accra Regional Chair for GNECC, Angela Affran expressed her delight on behalf of her organization to be part of the International Day of Education Celebration. She encouraged the student to stay in school and take their education very seriously to ensure a better future.

Also present to talks to the students on the day was the Ga East Education Director, Faustina Alimatu Bryaimah, and Joyce Larnyoh who is a convener for the SDG4 platform. They expressed their delight to have the opportunity of marking the important day with the students.