58th New Year School to throw searchlight .....

...on 50 years of nationhood/h4> Accra, Dec. 22, GNA 96 The 58th Annual New Year School of the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) of the University of Ghana, Legon, which would come off at the University from January 2 to January 9, 2007 would throw the searchlight on Ghana's 50 years as an independent nation. Mr Reuben Aggor, Acting Director of the Institute, told journalists at a press briefing that the theme for the School is: 93Ghana at 50: Achievements, Challenges and the Future." "The choice of this theme was informed by the fact that Ghana would be 50 years on March 6 2007 and this calls for reflection as we celebrate this historic occasion", Mr Aggor said.

The New Year School, an extra mural activity of the IAE, is an annual programme during, which the general public is invited to deliberate on pertinent national issues and to recommend solutions. Conducted in the English Language, the School, which has run without any political interference, attracts participants from public and private organisations; labour unions; professional associations; business organisations; District Assemblies; nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), religious organisations as well as individuals. Mr Aggor said this year's School would examine key national concerns since independence, the choices that were made and the consequences of the choices. "The appropriate platform will be provided at the School for participants and the nation to assess the challenges the nation faced and why we have not realised some of our aspirations. "Discussions will not dwell on the past only. It is our belief that analysis of our actions in the past 50 years will provide directions for the future," the Acting Director said.

Registration and Study Group meetings would take place at the Jones Quartey Building at the University Campus, while the formal opening ceremony to be done by Dr S. K. B. Asante, immediate past president of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, would take place at the Great Hall of the University. Mr Aggor said participants would be issued with certificates and it was expected that they would use the knowledge, skills and tools acquired to improve or change conditions and attitudes in their organisations and communities. It is also expected that reports from the study groups would present ideas which could be used by the Government, governmental organisations and community groups to better the lot of Ghanaians.