NEPAD should be studied in school - Antwi-Danso

Cape Coast Jan. 29, GNA - Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Dean of Students at the University of Ghana on Saturday advocated the inclusion of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) as a subject in the school curriculum to enable the youth to understand and appreciate its importance to socio-economic development.

He also suggested the formation of NEPAD clubs in schools and other organizations as well as the creation of a NEPAD fund to enhance its implementation in the country.

Dr Antwi-Danso made these suggestions at a day's workshop on "Sustaining the NEPAD ideals: position of the Ghanaian youth" for students from 50 second cycle schools and tertiary educations in the Central and Western regions at Cape coast.

It was organized by the Foundation for Future Leaders International (FFLI) in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Ministry for Regional Cooperation and NEPAD to educate the youth about NEPAD.

He regretted that most African countries were still struggling to improve upon the economy because they believed in neo-patrimony, a system where everybody expects the government to provide everything.

Dr. Antwi-Danso described NEPAD as the only good blueprint African leaders could use to solve problems facing the continent. He, in this regard tasked the youth to develop the interest in knowing about NEPAD and in turn help intensify public health education, stressing that if people got to know about such programmes, they would not make unnecessary demands from the government.

He mentioned the lack of funds and commitment on the part of some African leaders as some of the problems facing the successful implementation of NEPAD and urged on all stakeholders to contribute towards the achievement of the programme.

Ms Gladys Assul, a member of the FFLI on her part mentioned lack of information, unemployment, drug abuse, under employment and HIV/AIDS as some of the challenges facing the youth and was happy that NEPAD had made provisions to address some of these problems.

She said for NEPAD to be sustained in the country, the youth would have to stay away from drugs and social vices.

Mr Kobina Nkansah Simpeh, Deputy President of career development of FFLI said three of such workshops have already been organized and would be held in all parts of the country. 29 Jan. 05