Kufuor asks government to cater for needs of teachers

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor at the weekend observed that as much as government is making efforts to ensure that students are comfortable on campus, it is equally important to address the needs of teachers.

He said the country would not be able to meet its educational needs if the requisite requirements of teachers who are the bedrock of education are not adequately taken care of.

Mr Kufuor made the observation when he addressed a durbar of the chiefs and people of Asebu traditional at Asebu in the Abura–Asebu-Kwamansse (AAK) District in the Central Region to climax their annual Apayamkese festival.

It was on the theme: “Harnessing the Energy  of the Youth for Development.”

The festival, which was instituted six years ago, is geared towards uniting the traditional area by bringing the communities together to take stock of their achievements and failures and also plan on yearly basis.

The event was used to honour Mr Kufuor in recognition of the role he played in the development of the country.

He was given the highest award of the traditional area; Okropon, and presented with a plaque and citation.

The citation said for the past eight years the former president served Ghana to the best of his ability during which he introduced a number of social interventions like the National Health Insurance Scheme and the National Youth Employment Programme, which helped the poor in the country.

Mr Kufuor underscored the important role teachers played in the training and modelling of children into useful citizens.

He stressed that the moral upbringing of children depends greatly on teachers who should be adequately compensated.

Former President Kufuor said building the youth is crucial for the development of the nation since they are the future leaders.

He said it is imperative to give the youth the requisite training to enable them effectively manage the country in future,

Mr Kufuor said multiparty democracy is a constitutional requirement and not the making of any one individual and asked the citizenry to contribute towards the development and of the process in the country.

He admonished members of the Executive to offer “servant leadership” and should be ready to sacrifice and serve the public with diligence,

He called on Ghanaians to maintain the prevailing peace in the country, stressing that there is only one Ghana and all hands must be on deck to protect it.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, 2008 Convention People’s Party’s presidential candidate underscored the important role festivals play in the socio-economic development of the country.

He said apart from serving as an avenue for stocktaking it also help to educate the youth on the traditions and customs of their localities.

He called on parents to take the education of their children seriously by enrolling them in school.

Mr William Atta-mends, District Chief Executive of AAK, commended the chiefs and people for successfully organising the festival and urged the youth not to engage in violent acts before, during and after the 2012 general election.

He said all the development projects in the district are on course and by next year all communities in the Asebu traditional area would be connected to the national grid.

Okatakyi, Dr Amenfi VII, Omanhen of Asebu  announced plans for the establishment of  an Information Communications Telecommunications centre, provision of  a police post as well as the development of tourist sites in the area.

He said the area is faced with a number of challenges including poor road network, the collapse of the local lime factory, unimpressive academic performance, poor drainage and sanitation facilities, inadequate health facilities and unemployment.

The Omanhen appealed to politicians to avoid abusive language when dealing with their opponents.

He also tasked the media to take the lead in championing the unity of the country and avoid sensationalism that only raises the political temperature and creates the feeling of insecurity in the country.

Sidelights of the festival included the presentation of books and cash ranging from GHȼ120 and GHȼ130 to students who performed well in the Basic Education Certificate Examination in the traditional area.

Source: GNA