By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Bolgatanga, Dec. 6, GNA – The Upper East Regional branch of the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) has elected new executives to steer its affairs for the next four years.
The seven-member executive board elected at the second quadrennial Regional Delegates Conference, included Mr Abdul-Wahab Adam Hamid as Chairman, Mr Christopher Mahama, Vice Chairman and Mr Anachinaba Baba Anafo, Secretary.
The rest are Mr Robert Akantaba Ajwawuki Ayesiyinga, Assistant Secretary, Madam Bride Mambisi, Treasurer, Mr Abugri Busia, Financial Secretary and Mr Samuel Malugka Wansir, Public Relations Officer and Organizer.
The conference was on the theme: “Empowering heads: Enhancing education leadership for quality basic education,” and brought together Municipal and District executives of COHBS across the Region.
Professor Ephraim Nsoh Avea, a Guest Speaker at the conference, noted that COHBS members were given a “huge task” of managing schools with little attention to training them for the job.
He acknowledged the efforts of the head teachers to ensure quality education at the basic level in spite of the numerous challenges in their respective schools.
“In the face of all the challenges, you are heroes. You deliver your best under the circumstance, and for that, I salute all of you,” Professor Avea, who is also a former Upper East Regional Minister, told the heads.
He admonished them to improve on their teaching skills and work to ensure basic public schools were attractive and the first choice of school to their own children.
“Improve your teaching, environment and community engagement to a level where you are proud to have your own sons and daughters to learn in your classroom,” he told them.
Mr Musah Adam, the Northern Regional Chairman of the COHBS, in a speech on behalf of the National Executives, said the conference was a reaffirmation of their common goal to uplift the standard of basic education, and to assert the relevance and dignity of the office of the head teacher in the educational system.
According to him, COHBS was no longer a passive body, saying, “We are now a voice of reason, a pillar of leadership, and a symbol of excellence in Ghana’s basic education system. We have the numbers. We have the experience.
“And above all, we have noble men and women with competence and integrity to shape the future of our nation’s foundational education,” Mr Adam said on behalf of the national executives.
He said the conference was a call to action, and a reminder that the future of basic education depended on the heads, and urged them to use the conference to reflect, plan and project a strong and united front.
“Let us deepen our collaboration, strengthen our structures, and raise leaders who will serve with loyalty, courage and vision,” the Northern Regional Chairman said.
He appealed to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to address their welfare issues saying, “We ask for motivation, incentives, professional development opportunities and the necessary logistics to enable us deliver quality leadership and supervision at the school level.”
In his acceptance address, Mr Hamid expressed gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in him to lead them for the second time, “Colleagues, this mandate is a call to service. I appreciate and promise to lead with honesty, fairness and transparency,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Christian Akorlie