By Michael Pepsin Avorgah, GNA
Denu (V/R), Sept. 15, GNA — Mr Godwin Amelor, the Ketu South Municipal Director of Education, has described the partnership between traditional authorities and other education stakeholders as critical to transforming the educational fortunes of the Municipality.
He said traditional leaders had a significant role to play beyond preserving culture and tradition by investing in initiatives that improved the welfare and prospects of young people.
Mr Amelor made the observation at an Excellence Awards Ceremony in Ketu South, where educational materials were presented to 310 best Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates from public and private Basic Schools in the municipality.
“Chieftaincy is not just about tradition, but also about transformation. You have invested in the future of Ketu South,” Mr Amelor said while expressing appreciation to Torgbui Tenuvi II, Youth and Development Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, for sponsoring the ceremony.
He said the awards were a recognition of hard work, discipline and excellence, noting that the beneficiaries were selected on merit from schools across the Municipality.
Mr Amelor also acknowledged the contribution of teachers and School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs) to the achievements of the awardees, saying the success of pupils was closely linked to the dedication of those who supported them.
He urged the 300 best-performing graduates to regard the recognition as a motivation to pursue higher academic and personal achievements.
Mr Felix Akakpo Akonta, representing the Akonta Foundation, said the donation was intended to ease some of the challenges faced by parents when their children transitioned from basic school to Senior High School (SHS).
The Foundation donated mattresses, trunks, chop boxes and buckets to the 310 beneficiaries, as well as seven laptop computers for Heads of Basic Schools and SISOs and a cash donation.
Mr Akonta said the support was an investment in the future of Ketu South and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity by pursuing their education diligently.
He said the Foundation’s youth development agenda also included education, health and sports, citing plans and ongoing projects including the construction of five school clinics in Senior High Schools in the Municipality, classroom blocks and the renovation of Huime Agordome Basic School.
He also mentioned the development of sports complexes at Lente-Yame and Avoeme to help identify and nurture young talents.
Mr Akonta further said, in collaboration with the Aflao Traditional Council and the Municipal Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service, plans were underway to establish five basic schools at Apekotuime, Detokope, Fihokope, Awakome and Wudoaba within the next three years.
He appealed to citizens of Ketu South, both at home and abroad, to support educational initiatives, saying collective efforts were needed to reduce school dropout after the BECE.
The ceremony was attended by traditional leaders from the Aflao, Klikor and Somè traditional areas, the Municipal Chief Executive, Assembly Members, Heads of Schools, teachers, parents, guardians and the award-winning BECE graduates.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah