President fetes school children at Nkanfua

Cape Coast, March 3, GNA - The Acting Central Regional Director of the Department of Children, Mr. Israel Akrobortu, on Tuesday advised parents to invest in their children's education and stop spending on expensive clothing, funerals and festivals.

He said the best legacy any parent can bequeath to the children is quality education and urged them to take advantage of Government interventions such as the Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, free school uniforms and exercise books, to educate their children. Mr. Akrobortu said this at the President's end of year party for children at Nkanfua near Cape Coast under the theme "Children and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at 20". He said Government, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Groups and individuals needed to reflect and assess their commitment to the welfare and well-being of the Ghanaian child within the past 20 years.

He appealed to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region, to fulfill their mandate in the Children's Act (Act 560, 1998) by setting aside at least two per cent of the common fund to address problems confronting children in their respective areas. He advised children to be studious, disciplined and punctual at school and refrain from bad habits such as smoking, drinking and pre-marital sex. The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Cape Coast, Mr. Anthony Egyir Aikins re-echoed calls on children to eschew bad company and study hard to become great future leaders.

He also expressed gratitude to the president for the party. Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe who presented the food and drinks to the children, advised parents and teachers to be involved in the decision making process of their children and respect their views, to help build their confidence.

She said the future of a nation is its children and the future of children is their education, both should therefore be given the utmost attention to build a better future for the nation. The Metropolitan Deputy Director of Education, Mrs. Pet Acquaye who presided said parents should ensure that they provided the basic needs of their wards.

She urged the pupils not be bothered about their background since it is hard work and persistency that determines one's future. More than 300 students from the Holy Cross International School, St. Paul's Catholic School and Rev. Alec Jones Methodist School were feted.