Human Capital Development is dear to us-Veep

Ho, Nov. 14,GNA-Vice-President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday reiterated that human capital formation and development is central to the government's efforts at building a 'Better Ghana'. This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education, at a durbar to mark the 60th Anniversary of Mawuli School in Ho, founded by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana in 1950.

It was on the theme: "Living the Dream of the Founding Fathers in Human Capital Development". The Vice President said: "human capital is an important input for human institutions, especially for the individual's continuous improvement on his or her knowledge, skills and abilities. "It has been recognized that for our nation to develop at a faster pace, we need to pro duce scholars who can work using the head, heart and hand".

Mr Mahama said: "it is in this vein that our educational system is accordingly being re-engineered and re-tooled to meet national hopes and aspirations". He urged the current crop of students to reflect the values of academic excellence, moral uprightness and hard work. Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Guest of Honour, called for improvement in the nation's educational system to ensure that "it facilitates the realization of our national desire to enhance living standards".

According to him, the most important factor in the production of goods and services and in the growth of any economy is labour or human capital". He said it is the human capital which provides collective attitudes, skills and problem-solving abilities of the people, determining performance and productivity levels.

"A good educational system must liberate the minds of the future leaders and equip them with creative and innovative skills, lest they become smart conformists and custodians of the status quo, instead of the agents of change that our country needs",Togbe Afede added. Professor Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of the Council State, commended the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P.) Church for establishing the school, the first second-cycle school in the region which he said had become "the flagship of not just the Volta Region but the nation as a whole". He reiterated President Mill's commitment to making education the "key item on his agenda".

Professor Awonoor urged the teachers to equip the students with the best knowledge available to make them (students) useful citizens in the future. Mr. John Osei-Nyansah, Headmaster, said the school began with 35 students and two teachers, but currently had 1898 students and 90 teachers. He expressed gratitude to the government, E.P. Church and Old Mawuli Students Union (OMSU) for their support for the school and appealed to them to do more.

Mr. Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister gave assurance that all on going projects would be completed on schedule. Right Reverend Francis Amenu, Moderator, General Assembly of the E.P. Church, called on donors to come to the aid of the school. Dr. David Tay, an Engineering Consultant and old student of the school, recounted the history of the school and charged other alumni to coordinate efforts in supporting their Alma matter. Among dignitaries at the durbar were the Mr. Isaac Kodobisah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Captain George Nfojoh, (rtd), Ho-Central Member of Parliament (MP) and Reverend Frank Anku, Board Chairman of the school. 14 Nov. 10