Ewe Union Hamburg Discusses Education System in Ghana

The Ewe Union Hamburg, a branch under Ewe Dukor-Germany over the weekend, utilized the platform offered them by the TopAfric Radio ( a private owned Radio Station based in Hamburg) to discuss matters affecting the education system in Ghana.

Ewe Union Hamburg, a representative of Ewe community in Hamburg usually comes on air every Sunday to present programs in Ewe Language to entertain and educate Friends and Relatives in the Diaspora.

Panellists of the program were, Mr. Dameshi Brown (Union's Patron), Mr. Sewor Zygidi (a renowned musician resident in Hamburg), and Madam Helen Kokoroko (Union Member).

During the program, Madam Patience Govina , who happened to be the host, questioned the the Panellists on their views concerning the current education system in the country.

In response, they (Panellists) argued that, the system has not been of good help to the school Children. Especially, the government owned basic schools.

They continued that, “ the 1992 constitution of Ghana mandates every child the right of having free basic education. Based upon this, past and present ruling governments have adopted several policies aim at structurally transforming the system and also help improved considerably access, quality of teaching / learning, infrastructure delivery as well as management efficiency.”

“In spite of all these endeavours, the system has not been materialized” They stated.

The program producer (Chris Mensah) granted an audience to the chief of Aflao in the Volta

Region to contribute to the program.

In his contribution, Togbui Amenya Fiti v, (Paramount chief of Aflao traditional area) said “Present Government of NDC has effectively made provision of free school Uniforms to the primary school children, and also has enhanced the school feeding program. However, the construction of school blocks has become priority to the Government in the sense that, Pupils having studies under trees pose many problems for the Mills administration.”

Togbui continued that, “ How can these children compete with those in the urban schools in terms of examination; where they (urban school children) have access to computer Labs, and basic amenities? Togbui enquired.

Togbui reinterated that, “There's no fairness in the system. The rural folks have neither access to modern teaching materials, nor do they have qualified teachers.” He therefore used the media to appeal to all Ghanaians in the Diaspora to offer assistance to their relatives back home.

Asked by the program host (Pat Govina) to comment on Ghanaian culture being faded away, emphatically, the Voltarians. He (Togbui) lamented over the decline and general disregard for Africans' rich heritage. Togbui therefore defined “Culture is about the way of Dressing, the food we eat, our local languages, Festivals, marriages etc. It's sad to note that, Africans especially Ghanaians in the Diaspora have over-copied foreign cultures to replace rich cultures of their motherlands.”

Mr. Dameshie Brown pointed out that, “ long before the introduction of these educational reforms, it takes 10 years to complete basic education of standard seven. It takes common entrance to scrutinize students as they enter secondary schools. Quality of education was excellent, school leavers were able to read and write perfectly“

Brown further reinterated, “ What do we observe today? Some Students supposedly having completed senior high schools, cannot even express themselves in simple English. These are some of the factors that contribute to unemployment, low productivities as well as street hawking“

In another development, Mr. John Mensah, a Ghanaian resident in United Kingdom telephoned to contribute. According to Mr. John Mensah, “ the system is not different from that of Britain, except that, factors like remuneration packages for the teachers, quality of living standards, environmental exposures etc are effective“

He (Mensah) therefore appealed to all Ghanaians in the Diaspora to send their petitions,

proposals, as well as technical skills to respective Ghana Embassies for onward submission to the Government for implementation.

Those present at the program were, Mr. Jerry Addo (Former Chairman of the union), and Togbui Philip Awanyoh ( Current Chairman of the Ewe Union Hamburg)