50 per cent of Ghanaian children are not in school

Professor Stephen Adei, Past Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), on Sunday observed that 50 per cent of children in Ghana do not go beyond nine years of education.

"After 55 years of independence, it is quite unfortunate to observe that as much as two thirds of the population is functionally illiterate."

Prof Adei, made the observation at the launch of the Centre for Christian Education Services International (CCESI) in Accra.

He said there was the need for quality education to be encouraged and promoted, since it was only by doing so, that progress in the various sectors of the economy could be achieved.

Touching on the launch, he said it was important that Christian centres of education were established, to ensure that men of God were truly an embodiment of what they stood for.

"High Christian values are best instilled in people when they are very young. They then grow up to have a very deep appreciation for these values," he said.

Apostle Dr Kofi Baidoo, Board Chairman of CCESI, said whilst the Christian faith had made great strides in Africa, especially South of the Sahara, the faith did not seem to be having the desired effect.

He said: "The lack of moral and spiritual guidance has affected the society badly. Educated people amass wealth through corrupt means, in-spite of all that they have learnt."

Apostle Baidoo, said the church had the responsibility to ensure that good moral principles, became the core of education.

"For a better Ghana, we would need better Christian education. We would have to revamp the entire educational system, and CCESI would become a strong instrument in boosting Christian education in Ghana."

The centre would among other things, train Christian Ministers in the faith, with the aim of encouraging high standards of Christianity within the society
SOURCE:GNA.

SUSTAINING OUR DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS

It is indeed interesting to be a Ghanaian at this moment as we are once again presented with a golden opportunity to consolidate our democratic gains.

Truly,osagyefo Dr.kwame Nkrumah saying that" if the black man is given the chance he can govern himself" came to pass when we proved to Africa and the rest of the world that democracy can thrive on the African soil by having free,fair and peaceful general elections which was held on December 7, 2008.

Indeed,i was particularly happy with the general conduct of our politicians and Ghanians as a whole and the progress we have made as a nation.As we gear for elections 2012,i equally want to add my voice to the numerous pleas for our politicians to exercise restraint in the conduct of their campaigns and promote an insult free campaign that focuses on bringing hope and solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting the Ghanaian people.
I also want to use this medium to appeal to every well-meaning Ghanaian ,particularly the youth to make a sober reflection on the choices we make come December, 2012 because the demands of our nation at this moment in history requires that we vote for service-oriented transformational leaders who will project the interest of the state above their personal interest.
God bless Ghana.
STEVE KUBATE SALIFU
GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM.

WE ARE ONE PEOPLE

The division of our people based on religious, ethnic and partisan lines and its attendant consequences is quite alarming.
It,s quite disheartening for people of the same descent common identity and national aspirations to waste our precious times, that could have been used to push our nation forward to the best everyone can than to resort to violence and unnecessary conflicts.
Lets all bear in mind that whether Islam or Christianity,Northerner or Southerner,NDC or opposition,the overall interest is to enhance our welfare and that of mother Ghana.
Our national integration and co-existence lies our strength,we should engage in efforts that have the potential of expanding the national cake so that everyone can get a larger slice.
The intermittent clashes between the NDC and NPP,ethnic clashes and religious conflicts must not be allowed to continue for individual interest to be achieved. A small leak sinks a great ship.These should not be allowed to jeopardize the relative peace Ghana is currently enjoying.
Thank you.
STEVE KUBATE SALIFU
GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM.