Daasebre Osei Bonsu II welcoming Dr. Yaw Adutwum at his Palace
The Paramount Chief of Mampong Traditional Area, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, says the reform undertaken by the government in the education sector is making students better prepared for the fast-changing future.
He believes the solutions being provided by the government through the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, is helping transform static systems into dynamic environments for lifelong learning that evolves with society.
During a courtesy call on him at his palace, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the occupant of the Silver Stool of Asanteman, praised Dr. Adutwum as “extraordinary.”
“He is performing significant work in the education sector. Education is at the core of every development policy in the world and everything that you must undertake,” he added.
The paramount chief continued, “So far, he has done extremely well. Generally, I am proud. He is doing a yeoman’s work.”
The minister paid a visit to the paramount chief as part of his four-day tour of Ashanti Region schools.
At Kumawu, the Paramount Chief, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua II, also lauded the minister and the government for their effort in reforming the country’s education and mentioned in particular the impact of Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.
“Many people, for example, thought Free SHS would not work, but the Minister worked closely with the President to make it a reality. It is now a flagship programme,” the Kumawuhene said.
“The policy has resulted in a various school infrastructures and innovations, and all of this indicates that he has done well for the country. You would have done a great disservice to this country if you had not come down from the United States to help us. If you stayed in abroad and told yourself, you had to mind your own business,” the chief told the minister.
In response, Dr. Adutwum thanked the paramount chiefs for their kind words towards the government’s transformation programme at the education sector.
He said he took a cue from President Akufo-Addo to visit selected schools around the country to gather first-hand knowledge and challenges at schools to help the ministry find solutions as part of the transformation agenda.
“We are going to all the regions and look at what they are doing. We as a Ministry have started regional tours.
“We go to selected schools mostly unannounced to see what is going on and how best we can improve particularly the performance, infrastructure issues which have an impact on academic performance,” he explained.
According to Dr. Adutwum, the visit affords him the opportunity to look at infrastructure like classrooms, dormitories since they are at the heart of education.
He stated that the Ashanti Regional visit had been a success, allowing him to connect and share knowledge with the students by encouraging them to develop a growth mindset in order “to begin to believe in themselves and know that everything is possible.”
Dr. Adutwum visited schools in the Obuasi Municipality, Juaben, Effiduase, Mampong and Kumasi Metropolis.
During the visit, it came up that the students were very excited about the opportunity granted them by the President of the Republic through the Free SHS/TVET education.
The minister urged them to take the opportunity and become a part of the country’s educational system’s revolutionary history, while expressing gratitude for the wonderful opportunities to meet students, teachers, and headmasters.
The four-day Ashanti Regional visit concluded at Tepa Senior High School with a durbar of chiefs and people to recognise his efforts, which the President has given him the opportunity to undertake.
By Ernest Kofi Adu