36 year-old Withdraws From School, GES orders investigation

Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, on Wednesday expressed concern about the withdrawal of a 36-year-old primary six man from school. He asked the Regional Director of Education in the Central Region to look into the issue for appropriate action to be taken.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra on a report in the Junior Graphic that Joseph Edward Arthur of Ankaful, near

Saltpond, has been withdrawn from school. He said that before the GES takes any action to enrol him again, it is important to know the reasons for his withdrawal since the decision of the man to go to school "is a courageous step and must be encouraged." At 36, he is 26 years older than the average class six pupil.

The Junior Graphic report said: "even at his age, Arthur, popularly known as Kofi Kum, a fisherman, laid down his fishing net, picked up his school bag and uniform for better education."

It said Kofi Kum defied all humiliation in the village to enrol as a pupil of the Saltpond Lower Town D/A Primary School where, incidentally, his second son is in class five.

"Unfortunately, Kofi never realised his dream. He has been expelled from school. This is because his wife, Mary Annan, 32, was not in favour of his decision and has divorced him."