46.3 percent of Ghanaians are illiterate – Anglican Bishop

Right Reverend Francis Benjamin Quashie says the lack of adequate access to education had left the country with an illiteracy rate of 46.3 percent and an army of semi-literate population who are unprepared for the increasingly sophisticated economy.

Bishop Quashie, Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Anglican Church said the products of the country’s current educational system lacked the initiative and drive hence the over-dependence on government for almost everything; he is calling for a national consensus to be reached on the nation’s educational policy.

He said such a policy should aim at national objectives that would produce students with the desired qualities needed for the Ghanaian and global market and at the same time help prevent the periodic governmental interference and changes.

Bishop Quashie made the call at the launch of the 30th anniversary of the Kwabeng Anglican Senior High Technical School in Koforidua on Wednesday.

He said the Anglican Church was ready to partner the state to provide quality education saying soon an Anglican University College of Technology would be inaugurated to serve as a centre of excellence.

The Atiwa District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Atta-Twum, said in addition to the few buildings that government had provided for the school, plans were far advanced for the provision of adequate infrastructure.

Mrs Benedicta Foli, Headmistress of the school, in a welcoming address said the school was established 30 years ago by the Anglican Church as a private school with 17 students.

She said a decade later, the school was adopted into the government educational system.

Mrs Foli said despite the development of the school within the last 30 years, it still lacked many amenities including accommodation for teachers, wall around the school to help institute discipline.

She said the celebration of the anniversary would be climaxed in November.