The Chiefs of Ahafo Region have appealed to the country’s President His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to assist the region to have a campus of University of Mines, Tarkwa which will be a major boost of development to the region.
The passionate request was made at the climax(grand durbar) of the Apomasu Yam Festival of Ahafo Ntotroso themed ” Free Senior High Education – Bridging The Educational Gab Between The Rich and Poor To Provide Manpower and Economic Development : The Role Of The Traditional Authority ” with Members of Parliament, Municipal Chief Executives, Politicians, Heads of Departments, Executives of Newmont Goldcrop Ghana, Traditional Leaders with their Sub – Chiefs, the Clergy, Moslem Leaders, Heads of Schools, Security Services, the Public among others in attendance.
Addressing the occassion the Leader and President of Ntotroso Traditional Council, Barimah Twireko Ampem III said, it is long overdue for a region like Ahafo to have such institution which is key to development per the quantum of gold extracted by Newmont Goldcrop Ghana from the region which obviously boost the economy and development of the country.
Barimah Twireko Ampem III who categorically indicated that his community(Ntotroso) is the appropriate place for the campus because all measures to ensure the sustainability of the university campus if the government gives approval are intact.
He said the same procedure used by him and his sub-chiefs to make College Of Nursing(CON) at Ntotroso came to existence and now doing so well for the community, district, region and Ghana as a whole when it comes to improving education would be used.
This means the Ntotroso community will have a round table meeting with the executives of Newmont to use its funds from Newmont Ahafo Development Fund(NADeF) to make the School Of Mines Campus to be the best campus in the country.
On the role of traditional leaders in the country to improve and sustain the free education policy at the senior high level, Barimah Twireko Ampem III explained his colleagues in the country must team – up with the government to build tertiary schools in abundance which will accommodate all students who pass their examination and ready to further their courses.
He added that appealing to the government and the right ministry for the construction of tertiary schools at vantage communities must be the priority of all traditional leaders in the country because for education to thrive as all expect there must be collective efforts meaning the government and the rest must play vital role.
According to him, any community having tertiary campus has seen a great level of development in all areas so chiefs must push their request to the government and aside that be ready to also assist the developing of the school with community funds raised from events like festivals among others just like how he and his people are able to make Ntotroso College of Nursing one of the best schools in the country.
He stated that though the government is helping in terms of development the Ntotroso community has contributed massively as well by using most of its funds generated to uplift the image of the school.
Barimah Twireko Ampem III further said parents especially those in the rural areas in the country must talk to their wards to take their studies seriously because only those who excel will enjoy the free education at SHS level.
On behalf of the President the Member of Parliament for Wenchi Constituency, Mr. George Yaw Gyan advised the chiefs in the region to desist from chieftaincy disputes and environmental degradation because the two are the major areas not allowing the country to develop as expected.
Mr. Gyan thanked the chiefs in the region for helping the government to fight against illegal mining though the fight is not completely over.
He assured them of the government’s support to make both regional and national house of chiefs activities unique and efficient.
