President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says several studies conducted across the world indicate that investing in girls’ education is arguably the most effective measure any developing nation can employ to improve its standard of living.
Speaking at the 187th Speech and Prize-Giving Day celebration of the Wesley Girls’ Senior High School in Cape Coast, he revealed that it is widely acknowledged that educating girls produces considerable social and welfare benefits such as lower infant mortality and fertility rates.
According to him, the census of 2020 reveals that women constitute 51% of our population, and if the country is to transform the lives of the people, and transform the economy from a raw material producing and exporting one to a value-added industrializing one, it calls for a literate population.
President Akufo-Addo intimated that it is in this light that his government regards education as a public good to which the youth, especially Ghanaian girls, must have unfettered access to build the Ghana we desire.
He emphasized “…education is critical to the development of our nation and a healthy democracy. To build the Ghana we desire, every one of us has a major stake in ensuring that we achieve excellence in the delivery of our educational system and by extension, excellence in the education of the girl child.”
Delivering a speech on the theme for the celebration: Maintaining Academic Excellence Through Holistic Learner-Centered Practice: The Role of Stakeholders, Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu said that holistic learner-centred practice is not a program or a set of activities or a specific curriculum.
However, she said, it is better thought of as a mindset in a learning environment that embodies an understanding that the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development of learners is intrinsically connected with equal weighting and value.
She said each stakeholder group has a distinct role to play in promoting academic excellence within the framework of holistic, learner-centred practice.
“Students, faculty members, administrators, alumni, parents and guardians, the government, the community, public and private entities, and well-wishers are all stakeholders. To achieve this, your financial support cannot be overemphasized.”
For students, Justice Ackah-Yensu urged students to play an active role in upholding academic excellence by embracing holistic learning.
She mentioned that despite the challenge of condensing learning timelines, students are encouraged not to make excuses or become complacent reminding students that maintaining their excellence rests with them.
“You must run an accountable excellence and maintenance rate. However, excellence is not solely about achieving high grades. It is about cultivating deep understanding, critical thinking, and personal growth.”
The 187th Speech and Prize-Giving Day had the classes of ’62,’ ’72,’82,’92, and 2002 being the main sponsoring year group.
The occasion witnessed the commissioning and dedication of key projects including the East gate, New Dormitory Block, renovated kitchen and science block, and newly built resource centre, installation of CCTV cameras project among others.
Meanwhile, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Jeannette Ruby Siameh has appealed to both current and prospective parents to disabuse their minds of the notion that once their wards enter this prestigious school, great success, especially for WASSCE, automatically awaits them.
She therefore entreated all stakeholders to consider the individual abilities and interests of the girls.
Mrs. Ruby Siameh pointed out saying “The days of parents living their dream lives in their wards at school are over. Please allow them to have a say in the choice of their programs and subjects so that in the end they will come out tops and you’ll be proud of them.”
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Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
