Navrongo (UE), Dec. 29, GNA - The Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor John Kaburise, at the weekend bemoaned the downward trend of education in the Kassena-Nankana area, describing it as "disheartening".
He said the glorious days of what was referred to as the "Cape Coast of the North" in terms of quality education had been reduced to nothing.
Prof Kaburise said the situation was due to the lack of initiative by the people to push education forward.
He was speaking at the annual congress of the Kassena-Nankana Citizens Association (NANKASS) at Navrongo at the weekend. Prof Kaburise suggested the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the Kassena-Nankana Citizens Association (NANKASS) as a measure to boost education and for the development of the area.
He said the District Assembly should dedicate a substantial portion of its budget to the establishment of the secretariat, adding that the benefits that would be accrued from such an investment would give a sense of direction to the assembly and the community.
The Vice Chancellor said parents needed to do more to support their children's education and also let their wards appreciate the need to pursue education to its fullest.
Prof Kaburise said the Navrongo campus of the UDS could a proper place for learning if only the association assisted in providing facilities, adding that exclusion of the youth from its management could be a threat to its success.
The Vice Chancellor called on the executive of the association not to hesitate to consult the University for human resource support. The Upper East Regional Minster, Mr Mahami Salifu, lauded the association for its foresight and urged it to focus its discussions on the improvement of education in the area.
The National Chairman of the association, Mr Mathias Aduum, said the United Kingdom branch of the association had made several donations to the War Memorial Hospital and other educational institutions in the district this year.
He expressed regret about the lack of a district library in Navrongo in spite of the numerous educational institutions and a research centre in the town.
Mr Aduum, therefore, appealed to the assembly to provide a befitting library for the district as a matter of urgency, to improve education in the area.
