Matrons, domestic bursars hold conferences in Bolgatanga

Bolgatanga, April 27, GNA - A two-day conference for Zone 'A' of the National Domestic Bursars and Matrons (NADBAM) of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has been held in the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga with a call on matrons to be innovative for greater food security and food hygiene.

More than 100 participants drawn from the Upper East, Upper west, Northern, Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions attended the conference which had as its them "Enhancing Effective Catering services in educational Institutions".

It aimed at ensure enhanced academic performance through food safety, hygienic and good kitchen practices, among others. Opening the workshop, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Boniface Gambilla, in a speech read on his behalf, attributed most of the unrests in second-cycle institutions to poor quality meals prepared by kitchen staff, aside indiscipline and administration lapses.

He said students require balanced diet for their physical and academic development, which should not be denied. Mr Gambilla noted the importance of quality food in students' lives and urged the matrons to be mindful of what they prepare and serve to students to preserve their health status.

Mr Gambilla called on matrons to go the extra mile to educate people on their life styles on the type of food intake to prevent the spate of non-communicable diseases.

The Regional Minister enjoined heads of educational institutions to give due recognition to matrons for their valuable roles for a conducive administration of their schools.

He urged the matrons to popularise local dishes as their contribution towards the development of the tourism industry as well as increasing the income of farmers who produce these cereals. The Regional Director of Education, Mr Kenneh Dabuo, underscored the important role of domestic bursars in the educational sector to ensure peace on campuses.

He called on matrons to observe good hygienic practices to free students from the frequent attacks of diseases that adversely affect academic performance.

The regional director appealed to heads of schools and their domestic bursars to dialogue to avoid, mistrust between them.