Let's take our destiny into our own hands-Tettey-Enyo

Government's investment in the energy sector including gas and hydro-power generation could be derailed, if the nation ignores the training of the youth in the required skills and knowledge, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Education Minister, has said. Adding that, "We would end up selling our birth right to foreigners." Mr Tettey-Enyo was addressing the second speech and prize-giving day of the KNUST Senior High School in Kumasi. He said as a developing country, Ghana has no option but to develop its human resource base for the promotion and growth of its industries, to fulfill the aspiration of becoming an industrialized economy. It is therefore important to focus on science, technical and vocational education, without which the dream of industrialization would remain a mirage. Mr Tettey-Enyo called on all stakeholders in both the public and private sector to support the Government's effort at revamping education delivery and provide the needed resources to promote science and technology. Parents and guardians must encourage their children, both boys and girls, to pursue science, technical and vocational education programmes at the pre-tertiary level and higher technological courses in the tertiary institutions. The Minister said "the education of the girl-child in this respect should be considered seriously, since contrary to the persistent bias against girls, they can excel in everything they want to do." Mr Tettey-Enyo admonished students to resist unnecessary academic distractions outside the classroom and avoid laziness, internet fraud and other vices, which he described as major challenges confronting the youth of today. Mrs Joyce Owusu-Ansah, Headmistress, expressed satisfaction with the academic progress of the school and commended the teaching staff for their dedication and commitment. Out of the 528 candidates presented for the 2009 West African Secondary School Certificate Education (WASSCE), 411 passed in eight subjects, 91 in seven subjects and 22 in six subjects, representing 99.2 percent pass. Professor William O. Ellis, Pro Vice Chancellor, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) appealed to the Government to help provide adequate infrastructure at the school's new site for its relocation.