Poor Primary School Enrolment In Amansie Central

The District Chief Executive for Amansie Central in the Ashanti Region has expressed worry at the poor enrollment in new schools established in some selected communities in the district. Mr Emmanuel Dede Appiah was shocked that most classrooms were almost empty though there were a good number of children of school-going age in those communities. The DCE, who toured some selected communities in the district to sensitise parents to send their children to school, said the very people (parents) who called for the construction of the schools were behind the low enrollment in the schools. According to him, because those communities were known for illegal mining activities, parents preferred to send their wards to the field than allow them to go to school. Addressing the communities at separate ceremonies, Mr Appiah made it clear that child labour was an offence in Ghana and advised parents to desist from the practice. He said it was even more disheartening that despite the dangers involved, parents were not bothered and allowed children into galamsey. "We have recorded lots of deaths in recent times and one would have thought that people will at least stop children from getting involved,� he stated. The DCE also indicated that the huge investment government was making in the education sector was to ensure no child was deprived access to education, adding that parents have to ensure the children are in school. He therefore appealed to parents to withdraw their children from galamsey activities, adding that the District Security Co-ordinating Council would soon take serious measures against parents whose children are found doing galamsey instead of staying in school.