<<Print>>

Mrs Victoria Opoku, Tema Metropolitan Director of Education, has observed that the education and training of children goes beyond mere teaching and instructions. She said current challenges had placed children at the crossroads of good and evil, hence the need to train and develop in children responsible and creative characteristics. Mrs Opoku made the observation at the first graduation ceremony of 33 students of the Grant Happy Home Academy, at Ashaiman New Town at the weekend. It was on the theme: The Youth as a Resource for National Development.� �When children are grounded in the roots of responsibility, it makes them thoughtful and careful in their decisions in life, and their creative minds will enable them maximize their potentials, discover new opportunities and achieve what we as parents could not achieve,� she added. She said parents would be failing in their duties if they did not become attentive to the needs of their children, affirm their good deeds and accommodate their immaturity. �Let your children know that you accept them the way God created them and you will be surprised to see the confidence they have,� Mrs Opoku said. She asked parents to invest in the education of their children, adding that the knowledge they acquire, could not be taken away from them. The Metro Director of Education advised teachers to strive for greater heights by taking advantage of the distance education programme, to upgrade themselves, in order to become more competitive and effective in the noble teaching profession. While commending the graduates for their wonderful academic performance for the school, Mrs Opoku reminded them that, it was just the beginning of their academic pursuits as they climbed the ladder. Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, whose address was read on his behalf, advised the youth to take their studies seriously in order to become worthy ambassadors of their families, schools and society at large. He asked teachers to give of their best in order to develop the good qualities of their pupils. Mr Emmanuel Max-voy, Director of the School, said it was established by his mother; Madam Grace Abla Tuvi Norgbedzie of blessed memory, in 1973 with five pupils including himself. He said the academy had over the years produced great academicians, professionals, sportsmen and women and entrepreneurs of all walks of life. Mr Max-voy said it was gratifying to note that this year�s Basic Education Certificate Examination results of the school had been exceptional good, adding that 31 out of the 33 students presented for the examinations had six grades A. Mr Samuel Afari, Managing Director of SK Afari Enterprise, Importers of Tiles, who was chairman for the occasion, urged the school children to let discipline and hard work be their guiding principles, if they wanted to make their mark in life. Deserving members of staff were presented with awards and certificates. In attendance were the school�s cadet corps, cultural troupe and choir.