Students honoured at Independence parade

Swedru, March 7, GNA - Two students of the Calvary Crusaders Junior Secondary School have been honoured for their excellent performance in the 2005 Basic Education Certificate Examination at a march past to mark Ghana's 49th Independence anniversary at Swedru.

They are Master David Abeka and Akua Andam.

Mr Christ Dowuona Hammond, Agona District Director of Education, announced this at the parade of school children, civil society and voluntary organisations and the security services. He said the two students were selected to compete in the regional award, which Master Abeka now studying science at the St. Augustine's College in Cape Coast emerged winner qualifying him for the Presidential honour.

The two winners were given 100,000 cedis each and assorted books at the ceremony.

Mr Dowuona Hammond advised pupils to study hard to chalk academic laurels.

The programme was nearly marred when the Judges from the Prison Service and the National Sports Council to adjudge the overall best school at the parade spent more than one hour to declare the result. The delay kept the District Chief Executive, Mr Ben Mensah, the District Coordinating Director, Mr Opong Bediako, Mr Dowuona Hammond, Nana Kobena Botwe, Swedruhene and other dignitaries in their seats while the school children stayed in the sun. Swedru Secondary School was declared the best while Christ the King emerged first in the Senior Secondary and the Primary and JSS divisions respectively.

Mr Mensah in an address gave the assurance that the District Assembly would continue to pursue programmes that would ensure quality education in the district.

The DCE stressed the government's commitment in ensuring that Ghanaians were equipped with knowledge and skills needed for the country to keep pace with the rapidly emerging global village. He said the study of science and mathematics were being pursued diligently while Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure would be provided countrywide.