Features
Burning issues Don’t politicise education matters
When it comes to hard working individuals in the country, we need to recognise them and give praise to them where praise is due instead of condemning them simply because we do not understand what they stand for regarding the systems they want to introduce to bring improvement in areas where they have been given a task to operate and achieve success.
Not quite long ago we heard of all kinds of attacks from certain individuals against the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum. These criticisms are not fair to him because certain individuals who cannot manage the educational system in the country attacked him by saying that he was spoiling the educational system in the country and, therefore, should be relieved of his post as Minister of Education.
UNFORTUNATE COMMENTS
Comments such as these are very unfortunate, especially when they come from those who cannot contribute in any way to make the system better. It is important for us to be circumspect in our criticisms of others whenever we have the opportunity to do so.
Criticisms are always welcome and must be offered to anybody who plays a clean role in the public sector for the good of the country. Criticisms are always welcome but they must be constructive rather than destructive. If this is not done, we can create chaos for the country as a whole.
CONSTRUCTIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
Constructive criticism refers to a situation where observers are able to see loopholes in what some other person is doing in the country and pointing out the mistakes in a kind hearted manner. Such an approach is always good for society so we need to encourage people to go by this kind of criticism. Constructive criticism has helped countries to develop rather than destroy them. Places like US, UK and many other countries have benefitted immensely from this kind of criticism.
In the case of Africa, on the other hand, people are more interested in destructive criticism which is meant to destroy people put in charge of matters as away of making them fail in society. If we expect those in authority to fail in what they are doing, then we should not expect progress and achievement in any sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Education is one person who has sacrificed his life to save the country so as to ensure that the educational system is modified to become productive and effective so as to serve the interest of the country. Education always has the purpose to ensure that the needs of the country are identified and explored in a manner that will bring solutions to the people in that country. If solutions are found because of the educational system the end result will benefit all the people in the country and thereby make life better for them.
PURPOSE OF EDUCATION
Many years ago, one leader in Africa Julius Nyerere made a point that “education is like sending somebody from a village to go and find something, a solution, and bring it back to save that village. The person then sets off and goes to look for that solution. After finding what he is looking for the person comes back with what he has found to address the problems and challenges facing the village.”
If the challenges and problems are successfully addressed, then what that person brought has served a good purpose and, for that reason, it would mean that the mission has been accomplished in a manner as anticipated by the village. When this happens, we say that what the person has done is like an established educational system. This educational system is, therefore, good and must be adopted.
For Many years people in this country and in many parts of Africa have pointed out and made it clear that the educational system being operated is not serving the purpose for which it is intended. This is because people come out of our science studies without being able to solve simple practical problems facing the country. If we are unable to use our scientific knowledge to solve our problems, then there is something wrong with the educational system which we are operating.
Again, the unemployment rate is growing higher and higher because we are putting emphasis on grammar or Reading and Writing skills instead of on the development of vocational skills. In addition to vocational skills, technical skills are also important. All these, together with grammar education or reading and writing is needed for the full development of the country.
TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS
The country must develop, but this can only come about if emphasis is put on vocational and technical skills. We seem to have realised this under the current administration led by the current president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The person in the seat of education is Dr. Adutwum who is doing his best to bring improvement into the country’s system of education.
He is one of the hardworking people operating in the United States and was found by the current president during a visit to that country. Seeing the good work he was offering to the US, the current president persuaded him to come home and he agreed to do so to serve his own country. According to this man he spoke to some of his managers in the US who also agreed with him that he could come home to his country and help in the national reconstruction programme going on in Ghana.
This is how this Minister of Education left his good job in the US to come home and help in the reconstruction of the nation. It is, therefore, reasonable and proper that we see the good role he is playing as a great sacrifice for his country. It is a great sacrifice because he could have stayed in the United States if he were that selfish and sought to feed himself and his family alone. However, because of his patriotic spirit he decided to come home.
Since his return he has been performing wonderfully well and the government is happy with the pace of work by him and his Ministry. We, therefore, need to encourage him to stay on but not to discourage him to go away. If we discourage him to go away, he will readily be accepted back by his former employers and it is our country that would lose the privileges and benefits attached to his role as Minister of Education.
COMPETENCE AND HUMILITY
He is a competent and humble person who must be encouraged by all for the accomplishment of the task given him. If you do not understand any steps he has taken or is taking, kindly approach or consult him for a clearer picture. We must not destroy the good materials we have so that the country as a whole will benefit from his progress and intelligence even though we can criticise incompetent people.
The Minister of Education must be commended. He deserves strong commendation for the good works he is doing so the opponents in the country must learn to appreciate him to rebuild this country. The semester system which he approved for implementation in pre-tertiary schools was meant to bring relaxation to teachers, parents and students, but he was misunderstood. This explains why he said that the country should go back to the old system, that is, the term system.
Let us appreciate him for what he is doing for the good of the country, so that at the end of it all we shall all benefit from his good intentions.
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
