Minister Lauds Peace Corps

The Minister of Education, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has commended the Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV), saying their willingness to work in the remote, deprived rural communities is a great sacrifice which the young Americans have exhibited in their effort to aid the development of the country.

Speaking at the opening of the 40th Anniversary and the Fifth Annual Peace Corps Art Exhibition at the Ghana National Museum in Accra last week, Ameyaw-Akumfi explained that since the inception of the Peace Corps in Ghana in January 1961, the volunteers have played an important role in key sectors of the economy, such as education, forestry and environment, water and sanitation, as well as small enterprise development activities in all the regions.

According to the Education Minister, the Volunteers started teaching in secondary schools and training colleges in the urban centres, but they are currently found inthe most deprived areas all over the country, adding their contribution has made very significant impact, especially in the teaching of mathematics, science, visual arts and computer skills.

'The Volunteers have undergone life-changing experience, worthy of upholding. They have, above all, become worthy ambassadors of Ghana in the US, selling the nation positively, and enhancing the image of Ghana,' Akumfi said.

This year's exhibition, which was organised in collaboration with the Ghana National Museum under the theme 'Imprint- Leave Your Mark' is unique in that it recognized the work of the students, the highly innovative teaching methodologies of the corps and, above all, the opportunity provided to extend to schools for deaf.

However, Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi noted that Ghana is the only country in the world where Peace Corps Volunteers are engaged in teaching Visual Arts in some schools.

He said the exhibition demonstrated the capabilities and readiness of the students in the country to face the entrepreneurial challenges of this century.