50 per cent of Ghanaians can't read and write

More than 50 percent of the Ghanaian population are illiterate and therefore, could not read and write, Prof. Kobina Yankson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast has said.

"This, to a large extent accounts for our low level of development," Prof Yankson said.

He was speaking at a durbar to mark the annual Akwambo festival of Chiefs and people of Gomoa Aboso. Prof Yankson said: "what I am saying is that one would always do better in whatever vocation he/she is engaged in if he/she was educated." "With education you would be a better farmer, trader, businessman/woman, contractor and craftsman."

"Go to school to enlighten yourselves so that you can do things the right way, so that you can get into vocation/profession such that you can develop yourselves and help others as well as your communities to develop," Professor Yankson said.

He said in Ghana today and for that matter in many towns indiscipline among the youth had become the order of the day, adding that this is a very serious situation. Prof Yankson said a survey had revealed that Central Region tops all the regions in terms of chieftaincy disputes and Gomoa is the district with the highest number of chieftaincy disputes.

''This explains why Gomoa is one of the least developed districts in Ghana,'' he said and appealed to the protagonists to smoke the peace pipe and concentrate on efforts to develop their towns. Nana Afadze-Mensah VI, chief of Gomoa Aboso, appealed to the citizens at home and abroad to come and assist in development. Nana Afadze-Mensah urged the parents to send their chidlren to school especially the girl-child to enable them become good citizens.