DIVISIONAL Chief of Prestea-Himan Traditional Area, Nana Nteboah Prah IV, has stated that education is one of his topmost priorities and assured the people in the area that he will launch an Education Trust Fund and also operate an open door policy.
“All those children who have dropped out of school in Prestea-Himan Traditional Area would be reintegrated into the school system. This I seek to do with support from government and other development partners,” the chief stressed.
He noted that he would also empower the youth with skills and professional development to make them self-employable instead of always counting on government for employment.
He mentioned the lack of health facilities, educational infrastructure, water, sanitation and hygiene and road infrastructure among others as some of the challenges in Prestea-Himan Traditional Area and pledged to lobby government and other development partners to help address them.
Nana Nteboah Prah IV made this known when he donated four thousand customised exercise books to twelve deprived basic schools in the Prestea community.
He said: “I did donated the four thousand customised exercise books as part of my own effort to help derived students in my area.”
According to him, over twelve schools are benefiting, and this was important for him to ensure that every child feels comfortably studying in school.”
He added: “I planned organising a party for students during the Christmas, but due to my busy schedules, I decided to choose this time. This donation is going to the children directly, and I am very happy about that.”
He asserted that, “there are adinkra cultural symbols at the back of the books which are to help instill our Ghanaian cultural heritage into these kids, so that they grow to understand their background and love Ghanaian culture.”
“Already, I have provided fifteen students full scholarships who are currently studying at Prestea Senior High Technical School. Some are in SHS 2, others are in SHS 3,” he added.
“I am also building a new school classroom for Himan DA Basic School, and the project is currently ongoing,” the chief disclosed further.
The schools, which are benefiting from the exercise books, are Himan Methodist Primary School, Himan DA Basic School, Himan Methodist JHS, Fredcom International School and Apostolic Preparatory School.
Others include the Himan Integration School, Broni Nkwanta DA Basic School, Subri DA Basic School, Nipa Hiamoa DA Basic School, Pewodie DA Basic School, Tumantu DA Basic School, and Subri Nkwanta DA Basic School.
A teacher and some students who all came one after the other to receive their presentations from the Nana Nteboah Prah IV represented each school.
Nana Nteboah Prah IV also stated that, “I am putting measures to ensure some deprived schools children will be registered free on the National Health Insurance Scheme, so as to ensure healthy of our children here.”
A teacher from Himan Methodist Primary School spoke to Prestea Communicators for Development.
Mrs. Agnes Ocran said “we thank Nana Nteboah Prah IV so much for the concern and love, and assured him that the teachers will ensure the books are shared to the students as stated, and put into good use to enhance effective learning in the schools.”
Nana Nteboah Prah IV further hinted that, there are several other initiatives he is putting in place to ensure that education improves in Prestea and its surroundings. The cost of the exercise books is about four thousand three hundred Ghana cedis.
Story: Freeman KORYEKPOR AWLESU