The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says his Government has ensured that poverty is no longer a stumbling block to the access of education of Ghana’s children, as a result of the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy in September 2017.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “I am glad that we are now able to say that education in the public sector is free from Kindergarten to Senior High School, which we have redefined as basic education. This initiative has resulted in a significant increase in pupil enrollment, with 1.2 million children currently in Senior High School, the highest in our nation’s history.”
The President made this known on Wednesday, 25th September, 2019, when he delivered a statement at the 30th Anniversary of the adoption of The Convention on the Rights of the Child”, on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
With Ghana being the first country to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, he stated that “we have never been in doubt about the heavy responsibility that goes with Ghana’s position as a trailblazer of the Convention, and have, since its ratification, enacted national legislation, and instituted reforms in education, healthcare, and social protection systems, all aimed at translating the relevant provisions of the Convention into policy and action.”
Describing the world’s children as “our greatest treasure today”, President Akufo-Addo explained that beyond their protection, world leaders must invest in their development.
“When I stand before the children of Ghana and look into the eyes of Ghana's future, Ghana's tomorrow, I am reminded that I must work harder to guarantee that knowledge and well-being become the backbone of the modern, prosperous economy we are trying to construct,” he said.
The President continued, “Knowledge, knowledge and more knowledge is the only way by which we can rid our society of ignorance, poverty and disease, and, thereby, accelerate progress towards a better future for our children”.
Ghana, President Akufo-Addo told the event, has also made considerable progress in reducing childhood mortality and morbidity, through effective national immunization campaigns and universal coverage of primary healthcare for all Ghanaians, particularly children.
“We are committed to ending child marriage, and eradicating all forms of child labour, trafficking, and slave-like practices, in line with SDG 8. ‘Operation Get off the Street Now for a Better Life’ has been initiated, and the Ghana Child Labour Monitoring Information System (GCLMIS) has been re-activated,” he said.
In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of this Convention, the President urged the gathering to remember the words of the late Secretary-General of the United Nations, who, at the Special Session of the UN for Children in New York in May 2002, said, “history will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children”.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Jackson, you don't even understand the issues at stake. Ignorance is a disease.
Frank do you think where he stood to make that statement no one from UN knows what he is saying, whether is true not. are you tell us that no rep. of those organization lives in Ghana to know the truth. Haaaaaba Ghanafo kasa
Well said our Trustworthy and a President who is truthful to his words, unlike that CORRUPT Former President Mahama who came to power with the aim of amassing wealth for himself,friends and Family,buying Hotel in Dubai and Building Malls for himself. WHOSE REGIME IS FULL OF ARROGANT MINISTERS WHO TALKED TO GHANAIANS ANYHOW no wonder you Guys were voted out of power.As for 2020 election Mahama will definitely loose again!!!
This our president is something else. As if every Ghanaian has a child going for the free SHS. People don't have jobs to do and you talking about free SHS. People are homeless and you are talking about free SHS. This man thinks virtually all the needs in Ghana is free education. Poverty not barrier to education in Ghana, really? If a child is posted from Cape coast to Tamale for free education, it is your dead mother who will transport him or her to Tamale? Who is bearing the cost of those children who are from far away and have been posted to day school elsewhere. Your father is paying for their hostel rents, abi? Instead of ensuring parents get better pay to give their children quality education look at what you are doing?
I believe this was written in french "The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says his Government has ensured that poverty is no longer a stumbling block to the access of education of Ghana’s children, as a result of the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy in September 2017" , so you couldn't understand this sentence. I think you should start again from Kindergarten. The president's open statement was very misleading if you care to know. If the president had said this "The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says his Government has ensured that poverty is no longer a stumbling block to the access of BASIC education of Ghana’s children, as a result of the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy in September 2017", i don't think anyone will misunderstand him.
Frank,l think you need to do SHS again.You did not understand what you read. The President is saying that being poor does not prevent one from going to Secondary School.
Mr. president please be very careful the way you are projecting this your free SHS education. We all know that in Ghana SHS certificate cannot get you employed. How can anyone who completed SHS and cannot continue due to poverty be said to have access to education and poverty is not a barrier.