Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh paying homage to Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin as Otumfuo looks on
Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has lauded President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for introducing the free Senior High School (SHS) programme.
According to him, the popular social intervention programme was fiercely opposed by some people who said a country like Ghana can never implement it.
He stated that President Akufo-Addo, who is aware of the numerous benefits of free SHS programme, stood his ground and ensured its implementation.
“There were comments that the free SHS programme cannot work especially at this time, but President Akufo-Addo did not give up but rather stood his ground and now the free SHS programme is here with us.”
The overlord of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area stated that the president and his entire government deserve to be commended for using Ghana’s resources to train the human resource to guarantee a better future.
He disclosed this at a colourful durbar of chiefs and people of Akyem Abuakwa to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the death of the former Okyenehene, Nana Ofori Atta I, at Kyebi last Thursday.
The Okyenhene described the free SHS as one of the best social intervention programmes that the country has ever implemented and urged the citizenry to support it.
“The free SHS is a spectacular programme and reports I am hearing indicate that now even Sierra Leone also wants to emulate Ghana’s shining example by introducing free education programme to properly train their people.”
According to the paramount chief of Akyem Abuakwa, his elder brother, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, also deserves praise for introducing the Otumfuo Education Fund to assist students to further their education.
He was of the view that the country must effectively educate its people to occupy influential positions in future and contribute their quota to the development of the country and bring prosperity.
He said that former Okyenhene, Nana Ofori Atta I contributed significantly to the development of the education sector in the country during his reign.
He advised people not to underestimate the importance of education in these modern times.
The historic event was attended by dignitaries such as Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, President Akufo-Addo and his wife, ex-President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, aka ‘Napo, the Education Minister and among others.
Touching on other issues, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, on behalf of Okyeman, commended the Asantehene for the warm reception accorded him (Okyenhene) and his entourage when they visited Kumasi recently to play golf with the Asante Monarch.
He stated emphatically that people of Okyeman and Asanteman are united and have no problems.
The Okyenhene also expressed his readiness to collaborate with Asantehene to help deepen relations between the two traditional authorities.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr, Charles Takyi Boadu & Daniel Bampoe, Kyebi