Britain contributes more money towards Ghana's education sector

Nkwanta, Feb. 19, GNA-The British governmemt through its Department of International Development has contributed a total of 50 million pounds sterling towards the improvement of Ghana's educational sector over the past five years, Mr Gordon Wetherell, the High Commissioner to Ghana said on Friday.

"We intend to continue giving at least the same level over the ensuing five years as well", he emphasised.

Mr Wetherell, who was commissioning a multi-purpose 170 million cedi Teachers' Resource Centre at Nkwanta said the UK government "believed there could be no meaningful development without education".

The Resource Centre, which was conceived by Ms Gillian Norris, a British philanthropists under the Ghana Education Project (GEP) an NGO, was funded by the British High Commission (BHC) and other donors including students from the Tunbridge Wells Girl's School, based of the UK.

The High Commissioner said over 65 million pounds was being spent on government's priority areas including Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and education.

Mr Wetherell said whilst it is crucial for government to focus on its priority areas it was equally important to maintain focus on small projects which have positive impacts at the local levels.

He was optimistic that the Teachers' Resource Centre would enhance teaching and learning in the area and appealed to stakeholders to take keen interest in its operations.

Mr Gershon Gbediame, Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North called for a closer collaboration and a possible adoption of Nkwanta district by the BHC towards making life more meaningful to its people.

Mr Samuel Inorkpor, Nkwanta District Chief Executive bemoaned the lack of science resource centres in any of the second cycle institutions in the district which, he said, was militating against the performance of science students.

Reverend Ernest Gaewu, Nkwanta District Director of Education appealed to the Commissioner to extend the stay of Ms. Norris by another two more years to enable her to consolidate the operation of the Centre.

He said the Centre would provide services to some 42 local schools for an improvement in standards in the sector.

Ms Norris said the deprived nature of the area coupled with inadequate teaching and learning materials urged her to take up the initiative. She said various educational and medical items worth millions of cedis have been donated to some institutions in the area.