The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin is advocating for equal opportunities for all Ghanaians especially those in rural communities.
He says most brilliant children in rural Ghana do not have the opportunities available to the many urban children to explore and unearth hidden talents.
The Okyenhene was speaking at a traditional durbar organized at Akyem Wenchi, the seat of the Oseawuo division in the Akyem Abuakwa State as part of activities marking the 25th Anniversary celebration of his ascension.
He hinted that, equal opportunities in education and all fields will help many rural children to discover their talents and be competitive.
He added that particular attention must be given to women empowerment since they have proven to be prudent with every little investment.
‘We must give opportunities to people to explore. We must invest in our children’s education and give them the necessary support to be competitive. Women have proven to be prudent with little investments, it’s important that we pay attention to their education and support them to grow,’ Osagyefuo noted.
As part of his commitment towards education, the Okyenhene set off to construct 10 model schools within the Akyem Abuakwa State.
The Amoatia Ofori Panin Model School consists of 9 classrooms, a computer laboratory, ICT centers, headmasters office and a staff common room.
Okyenhene commissioned the Amoatia Ofori Panin Model School at Akyem Wenchi prior to the traditional durbar.
He said, the Amoatia Ofori Panin Model Schools will pay particular attention to Mathematics, Science and Information Technology.
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin hinted that, Science and technology has become an essential component of mankind’s life hence it has become imperative to inculcate these skills in the children from the basic school level.
So far, the Achiase, Wenchi, Kyebi and Osino schools have been commissioned. The rest will be commissioned in the coming weeks.
Okyenhene maintained that, mining is not entirely a bad activity but the irresponsible ways of mining leading to destructions of water bodies, bio-diversity and the eco-system should not be encouraged.
‘Those of us who lived here witnessed how mining was done decades ago. Those who started mining here mined responsibly. They didn’t destroy our water bodies and environment. They didn’t put mercury and other chemicals in the water. They even left behind huge deposits of natural resources. So why are we destroying the environment now?’ Osagyefuo questioned.
According to Osagyefuo, all the mining communities in Ghana including Akwatia, Obuasi and Tarkwa have close to nothing to show evidencing the benefit of mining within the communities as compared to Johannesburg in South Africa.
‘When I returned to Akwatia after years of living in the State, I was sad. The Akwatia we grew up with has not gotten better years after we left. The devastation is troubling and I don’t like it’ Okyenhene
Delivering the State of Oseawuo report to Okyenhene, Oseawuohene Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah announced that, the Oseawuo division has stopped all forms of illegal lumbering within the Kwaebibirim enclave.
He said, Nananoom has engaged the youth of Oseawuo who were mining in and on the Birim River to stop the devastation.
According to Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah, the Birim River has been raided off all illegal mining activities and the turbidity level of the river has been restored to normalcy.
He said, Nananoom continues to educate the youth over government policy on sustainable community mining schemes that will benefit the masses rather than the privileged few.
ALSO READ: