By Charles Tawiah, GNA
Mim (Ash), June 1, GNA – Ms. Shirley Tiwaa Kyei, Member of Parliament for the Atwima Nwabiagya South Constituency, has urged parents to allow their children the freedom to discover and develop their natural talents while in school.
She said schools provided the ideal environment for children’s talents to be identified and nurtured through the professional guidance, expertise and experience of teachers, thereby helping them achieve success in both their academic pursuits and future careers.
Ms. Kyei advised parents against imposing specific career paths or academic programmes on their children, noting that such decisions could be inconsistent with their God-given potentials and aspirations, potentially leading to disappointment and financial loss after years of educational investment.
The MP made the remarks at a one-day inter-circuit cultural festival held at Nkawie-Mim in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality, where pupils from 20 schools across six circuits competed in various cultural activities.
The event was organised by the Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme: “Cultural Education: Nurturing and Preserving Ghanaian Values.”
The festival sought to identify and select outstanding performers to represent the municipality at the regional level.
The pupils participated in drama, poetry recitals, traditional drumming and dancing, storytelling, drum language, cookery, talent hunt and needlework competitions, among other activities.
Outstanding individuals, schools and circuits received citations and certificates in recognition of their performances.
Sepaase Circuit emerged as the overall winner after excelling in six categories.
The circuit received a citation, three pieces of wax print and a certificate.
Nana Pokuaa Amoako, the Municipal Director of Education, appealed to parents of the selected pupils to provide them with the necessary materials and support to enable them excel in subsequent stages of the competition.
She described cultural performances as potential pathways to successful and fulfilling careers, stressing the need for stakeholders to accord them the same level of support and attention often given to football and other popular disciplines.
According to her, the festival also served as a platform for promoting Ghanaian cultural values among the youth and deserved greater societal recognition and encouragement.
She commended traditional authorities and other stakeholders for their financial, logistical and moral support towards the successful organisation of the programme.
Mr. Wisdom Osei Boamah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), presented a cheque for GH¢1,500 in support of the event and pledged continued assistance to participants who advance to higher levels of the competition.
Two exceptional performers, Confidence Antwi, a Basic Seven pupil with a disability from Nkawie Experimental “B” JHS, and Isaac Nyamekye, a Basic Seven pupil from Abuakwa M/A JHS ‘A’, who was adjudged the best player in “Ampe”, a traditional Ghanaian game, received GH¢1,000 and a citation each from the MCE in recognition of their outstanding performances.
GNA
Edited by Yussif Ibrahim/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Charles Tawiah