News
Teach local language to preserve culture
The New Juaben South Municipal Cultural Officer, Ms Richill Aniwaa Appiah, has called on parents to make a conscious effort to teach their children Ghanaian languages at home to preserve the country’s culture and improve pupils’ performance in local language subjects.
According to her, many parents now communicate with their children mainly in English, a trend that is making it difficult for many pupils to understand, speak and write their mother tongue.
She noted that recent assessments show many children are struggling in local language lessons, while some even feel shy speaking their native language.
She described the situation as worrying and stressed the need for parents to encourage their children to speak their local languages.
Ms Appiah made the call at this year’s Nyansapo Afahye organised by the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Koforidua.
The festival, held on the theme: ‘Promoting Our Culture Through Our Mother Tongue,’ brought together pupils from seven schools in the municipality to compete in proverb recitation, Adinkra symbol identification, idiomatic expressions and old-time songs.
At the end of the competition, Brentford International Academy emerged winners, with Freeman Methodist ‘A’ Basic School placing second, while Nana Kwaku Boateng “B” Basic School came third.
Ms Appiah stressed that language is an important part of a people’s identity and helps define Ghanaians as a nation.
She urged parents and communities to encourage children to speak their local languages regularly to ensure that Ghana’s rich cultural heritage is preserved.
She added that teaching children proverbs, idiomatic expressions and old-time songs would help them appreciate the beauty and value of their mother tongue.
According to her, such efforts would equip the younger generation with the knowledge and confidence to speak their local languages and inspire them to pass on the language and culture to future generations.
In a speech read on behalf of the Chief Executive of the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, Mr Ransford Tetteh, assured the Centre for National Culture of the Assembly’s commitment to partnering with the Centre to promote Ghanaian languages and preserve the nation’s cultural heritage.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
News
GES directs Ashanti Regional, Obuasi Municipal Education Directors to step aside over Obuasi SHTS scandal
The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside with immediate effect.
The directive forms part of ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Mr. Zakaria Abdulai.
According to GES, the decision is intended to ensure that the investigations proceed without potential interference, nor the perception of it.
The two directors are to hand over their offices and all state property in their possession to the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr. Thomas Kwame Boateng.
Management added that the headmaster, Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, also remains interdicted and therefore urged the public to ignore any news circulating that he has been cleared.
Management is calling for calm, support and cooperation as thorough investigations into the matter continue.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has joined the family of the late Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday, the Ghanaian community in the UK, and other dignitaries for a memorial service in Southwark, UK.
In a post, Mr. Ablakwa described the service as deeply moving and unforgettable, held in honour of the late professor’s memory.
According to him, in keeping with the government’s pledge, he joined the family, Ghana’s High Commissioner to London, British MPs, Ministers, the Mayor of London, Cambridge scholars, Prof. Arday’s students and loved ones to pay respects and honour his inspiring legacy.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that Prof. Arday’s accomplishments as the youngest Black professor appointed at the University of Cambridge and his widely appreciated charitable contributions will continue to inspire generations.
“The Government and People of Ghana will continue to stand by our compatriots everywhere they are in the world. As we do so, we profess our commitment to justice, equality and the creation of a new world,” he said.
He prayed for fortitude for the family in what he described as an extraordinarily difficult time.
“We shall always remember Prof. Arday for his response when asked what he will wish to do to change the world: ‘I would take a thread and a needle, and I’d interweave love into our society’,” Mr. Ablakwa added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
