MP decries alcoholism in second cycle institutions

Sunyani, March 5, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Member of Parliament for Sunyani West at the weekend expressed concern about alcoholism among some students in second cycle institutions.

He expressed dismay about the practice among some of students to take in hard drugs, which led them to defy school rules and regulations.

Mr Adjei-Darko was speaking at the 46th Anniversary celebration of Sunyani Secondary School (SUSEC) in Sunyani. The anniversary, which coincided with the school's Speech and Prize-giving Day, was on the theme, "Quality Education for the Transformation of the Youth in Contemporary Ghanaian Society". Mr Adjei-Darko stressed the need to exploit the talents of the youth to make them suitable for the society and urged all to help steer them away from practices that distracted them from achieving quality education.

He entreated heads of second-cycle institutions to severely punish students, who engaged in undisciplined acts on campus to deter their colleagues.

Mr Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports emphasized the need to expose the youth to the many valuable opportunities yearning for exploitation. "The youth must be guided to identify and direct their energies to tap these opportunities for their advancement and national development", the Deputy Minister added.

He said the government, in spite of the economic constraints, would continue to marshal all resources to meet its obligations to the people by promoting quality education through the provision of essential educational infrastructure and other facilities. Mr Ampofo-Twumasi said government intended to set up guidance and counselling units in all schools to assist pupils and students to make right choices, plans and decisions and to promote discipline in schools. He expressed concern about the misuse and abuse of information communication technology through Internet fraud and the adoption of unacceptable cultures and behaviours by some students. The Deputy Minister condemned the practices of occultism, robbery, rape and the intake of hard drugs among students, saying, such practices could ruin their future.

Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister said government recognized that education provided the most reliable medium for ensuring the rapid social, economic, political and technological advancement of the country.

He expressed concern about the alarming rate of truancy, alcoholism and sexual immorality among some misguided students. Mr Baffour-Awuah advised students to consider the huge investments being made by the government, parents and guardians in the development of their talents and urged them to concentrate on their studies to become useful citizens. He appealed to school authorities to diligently work hard towards the achievement of educational goals and to lead exemplary lives.

Mr Joseph Awuah, headmaster, in a welcome address commended the government for the computerization of senior secondary school one admissions. He appealed to the Sunyani Municipal Assembly to help complete a three-storey building started by the Parent-Teacher-Association for the school. Mr Awuah said the school, started in 1960 with 42 students had 1,800 students.