By Kingsley Mamore, GNA
Dambai (O/R) July 06, GNA- The prolonged conflict in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region is taking a heavy toll on education, with fear and insecurity preventing many learners from attending school.
Mr Bernard Portakey, the Principal of the Nkwanta Community Vocational Training Institute, said the persistent insecurity had significantly reduced student attendance, particularly among learners who travel from surrounding communities to access technical and vocational education.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Portakey expressed concern that many students were afraid to commute to school because of the conflict, disrupting their academic progress and threatening their future prospects.
He said the situation had affected enrolment and regular attendance, creating uncertainty for both students and staff.
“The fear created by the conflict has discouraged many learners from coming to school. Some parents are also reluctant to allow their children to travel due to safety concerns,” he stated.
Mr Portakey described technical and vocational education as a critical pathway to employment and self-reliance, noting that the institute continued to provide practical skills that empower young people to secure livelihoods and contribute to national development.
Despite the challenging security situation, he said the institute remained committed to its mandate of equipping learners with industry-relevant skills.
He disclosed that the first batch of trainees had successfully completed their programmes and had received certificates to enable them to pursue employment or establish their own businesses.
Mr Portakey appealed to the Government, security agencies, traditional authorities and all stakeholders to work together to restore lasting peace in the municipality to enable learners to return to school without fear.
He stressed that uninterrupted access to education was essential for the development of the youth and the long-term progress of the area.
“The future of these young people depends on their ability to access education in a safe and secure environment. It is important that every effort is made to protect schools and ensure that teaching and learning continue,” he said.
Mr Portakey reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to delivering quality technical and vocational education despite the prevailing challenges and called for sustained support to safeguard the education of learners in conflict-affected communities.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah