Day: March 3, 2024

Mr Alhassan Sayibu Suhiyini, Member of Parliament for Tamale North, says the dwindling fortunes in the education sector ‘will take many years to reverse,’ in spite of the investments made in the sector by New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

He said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ‘attempt’ to celebrate achievements in the education sector, as captured in the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), ‘will not stand the test of time’.

The President in his address on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, hailed the impact of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, describing it as a ‘transformative programme that has broken myths and liberated minds.’

President Akufo-Addo, on the floor of Parliament, touched on investments such as the construction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) schools and other programmes in the education sector that had increased enrollment at the basic level.

However, Mr Suhini, speaking on Accra-based Citi FM on Saturday, said such contributions were expec
ted as the government had generated ‘so much money from tax revenue’.

‘We may be faced with many challenges, but the three, which I call the ‘triple jeopardy’, are education, environment and the economy…’

‘In terms of quantum of money spent [in the education sector], I don’t challenge that, but the decay that our educational sector is faced with will take us many years to reverse,’ he stated.

The lawmaker made reference to research findings which suggested that some basic schools were owed capitation grant while others lacked basic infrastructure, as result of the ‘over concentration on Free SHS’.

Describing the education system as ‘Kwashiorkor’ (malnourished), Mr Suhini emphasised the concerns of some parents, who said they were facing difficulties in spite of the implementation of Free SHS.

‘When you compare the Free SHS to investments at the tertiary level, you can clearly see a ‘Kwashiorkor’ education system, where the legs are so lean because of deprivation…’

‘No preparation is done at the tertiary
level to absorb the numbers that are supposed to be increasing at the Free SHS level; so much money goes there; bloating the tummy that is not healthy.

‘…If we want to go into the area of education and think that is how to whitewash a very bad performance of the President, even that too will not stand the test of time,’ Mr Suhini stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prof Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice Chancellor (VC), of the University of Education, Winneba has said the learning of Ghana’s history was vital for fostering a sense of identity, pride, and civic responsibility.

It will as well help preserve the country’s cultural heritage and promote unity and progress.

Prof Mitchual, in an address delivered on his behalf by Prof Obed Acquah, Dean of Creative Art Department at a forum organised by the Department of History Education of UEW to commemorate the 2024 edition of the Ghana National History Day (GNHD) and Symposium, at Winneba.

The celebration is under the theme: ‘Debating nationalism and Patriotism in Ghana’s History,’ with the concept note that Nationalism is an ambiguous concept use to express people’s identity and may encompass a set of beliefs that portray love or affinity shared by group of people.

Prof Mitchual stated that nationalism in pre-colonial Ghana might be connected to the rise of states and the formation of unions such as, Fante Confederation an
d the Asante kingdom among others including the 1948 Revolution which showcased nationalism which contributed to attaining independence.

Prof Mitchual who was the special guest of the event, commended the Department of History, with its head and dedicated staff for their commendable initiative to organise this year’s celebration.

‘Independence Day serves as a reminder of our sovereignty and self-governance, an occasion we celebrate the unique identity, culture and history of the country, giving us the opportunity for reflection on the struggles, sacrifices and achievements of those who fought for our freedom and the independence,’ he stated.

He expressed need for the country to delve deeper into the complex tapestry of the nation’s past and explore the multifaceted issues surrounding nationalism and patriotism, while commemorating the day.

According to him, at the core of Ghana’s history lied the struggle for freedom and self-determination, a journey marked by both triumphs and challenges, adding that fro
m the ashes of colonial rule emerged a new found sense of national identity.

‘One of the defining moments in our nation’s history was the struggle for independence, led by visionary leaders such as Dr Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah and the stalwart efforts of the ordinary Ghanaian who took to the streets in defiance of colonial operation and their unwavering commitment to the ideals of nationalism and patriotism leading to the foundation for the birth of our sovereign nation,’ he explained.

The VC stated that, in recent years, Ghana has witnessed a resurgence of national pride, fuelled by a renewed sense of optimism and determination to overcome the challenges that lied ahead, however, its people must also confront the darker chapters of its history, including the legacies of tribalism, ethnic tensions and political divisions which at times threatened to tear the nation apart.

He indicated that, true patriotism required all and sundry to acknowledge and address the issues head-on, to build a more inclusive and equ
itable society for all.

‘As we celebrate Ghana National History Day, let us reflect on sacrifices of our ancestors and honour their legacy by continuing the work of nation-building and to strive to contribute our quota to create a Ghana where every citizen will have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance.

‘Let us as people stand united in our commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous Ghana for future generation,’ he added.

The event was attended by Heads of Departments, Deans of Facilities, lecturers, and Students of UEW and Senior High Schools (SHS) students from Agona Swedru, Bawjiase, Mfantsipim, Assin Fosu, Winneba Zion, Potsin, Sky Community School and some basic school pupils in Effutu.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has inducted 139 students from its schools of Medicine and Pharmacy into their clinical year.

The students were inducted at the Third Joint White Coat ceremony of the University after successfully completing their preclinical training.

They were robed in the traditional doctor’s White Coat, decorated with stethoscope and took an oath of their respective schools to mark the clinical phase of their training on hospital wards.

Professor Frank Edwin, the Dean of the School of Medicine, in a welcome address, charged the students to exhibit high professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

He urged them to be committed to their work, be pioneers of innovation and champions of quality healthcare to others, adding that the future of healthcare was in their hands.

The challenge of unavailability of jobs had informed the choice of the theme for the programme to position the mind of the students towards entrepreneurship.

The ceremony was on the theme: ‘The P
ath to Entrepreneurial Excellence in Healthcare,’ which marked the seventh for the Medical students, third for Pharmacy, and the first for the Physician Assistant students.

Professor Afua Adwo Jectey Hesse, the President of Accra College of Medicine, who was the guest speaker, said clinical year required a lot more commitment as it involved more practicals.

She, therefore, urged the students to remain focused, view their experiences as learning opportunities, and to see every obstacle as a problem that had a solution waiting to be discovered.

The President implored them to be time cautious and avoid procrastination, which was the real thief of time, and they must avoid it like a plague.

Professor Lydia Aziato, the Vice Chancellor of UHAS, who chaired the event, said the University was the first to include Physician Assistant students in the White Coat ceremony, which showed the students how proud the University was of them.

The inductees pledged to treat their patients with dignity and respect, safeguard
their confidence, and serve as their advocates.

Source: Ghana News Agency