- INTRODUCTION
Citizens’ engagement and participation in the advocacy for developmental issues are the hallmarks of democracy. The Fourth Republican Constitution and the Local Governance Act of 2016, Act 936(46) identify advocacy on core development issues such as Health, Education, Security, Agriculture, etc. as a way of fostering democracy and promotion of public participation in planning, budgeting, and public expenditure and sustainable development.
It is in line with this, that the Effutu Municipal Assembly engaged duty bearers’ within the municipality to educate the communities and participants on educational plans for the municipality. Participants were drawn from severe communities made of Abasraba South, Domeabra, Police Training Depot, Otutuase, Penkye, Eyipey, Akosua Village, Alata Kokwado.
- PURPOSE OF MEETING
The Municipal Chief Executive for the Effutu Municipal Assembly, Honourable Alhaji Zubairu Kassim met with the dignitaries and stakeholders to discuss educational policies and ways of improving students’ performance in the municipality.
- PARTICIPANTS
The meeting hosted over a Hundred students, Stakeholders including the Municipal Coordinating Director, Municipal Director of Education, Municipal Planning Officer, Deputy Directors, Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Traditional Leaders, Civil Society Organizations, and other community members.
- PRESENTATION
The presentation was categorized into two segments
- Presentation by Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Alhaji Zabairu Kassim, and Municipal Educational Director, Mrs. Mabel Judith Micah.
- Forum for Questions and Answers.
- PRESENTATION BY MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HONOURABLE ALHAJI ZABAIRU KASSIM
The Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Alhaji Zabairu Kassim, warmly welcomed the participants and explained the purpose of the meeting.
He further with the aid of a flowchart showed the progress of the educational performance the municipality has attained so far.
He also explained why there is a need for community members to have a formal education because it’s what is driving the globe. The Municipal Chief Executive made mention some educational infrastructures within the municipality that have been faced lifted and urged brilliant but needy students not to hesitate to visit the Assembly for assistance and some guidance as well.
- PRESENTATION BY THE MUNICIPAL EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR, MRS. MABEL JUDITH MICAH
The Municipal Educational Director, Mrs. Mabel Judith Micah cheerfully welcomed the participants and stated that over the few years, the educational infrastructure has improved and encouraged students to make use of the massive investment Government is making in the sector and study hard to give meaning to the purpose for the investment.
She mentioned scholarship programmes instituted by the Assembly and other supporting organizations and the benefits that come with them.
The Director of Education advised the female students to stay focused to pursue their dreams to become responsible citizens in the future citing examples female scholars to encourage and motivate the female students present. She mentioned that state of an art libraries have been constructed to help students learn and also assist in research works.
- FORUM FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A forum was opened to members and participants to ask questions, make suggestions and recommendations. The following are some of the questions asked by some participants with their corresponding answers.
3.1 QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES
Question: A parent asked the processes and requirements in accessing such scholarship opportunity for their wards?
Answer: The Municipal Coordinating Director explained that one has to apply with his/her own information.
Question: A student inquired if one needed to effect monetary payments to be to access the library?
Answer: The Municipal Director of Education responded that the libraries can be accessed free of charge with the aim of boosting students’ literacy level in the Municipality.
Question: Another parent bemoaned the sorry state of some of the basic schools in the Municipality and appealed to leadership to do something about it.
Answer: The Municipal Chief Executive responded by laying out plans by the Assembly at fixing the infrastructure challenges in the Basic Schools in the Municipality.
Question: A Community member asked about the covid-19 status in the municipality and the safety measures put in place for their wards?
Answer: The Municipal Health Director, Madam Mariatu Seidu, in her response noted that fumigation exercises are done on a quarterly basis in schools within the municipality as well as periodic distribution nose/ face mask with “veronica buckets” to the various schools.
Appeal: The Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Alhaji Zabairu Kassim made a passionate appeal to stakeholders in the education sector to support Governments effects at making education successful in the country whiles admonishing students to take advantage of the many opportunities available to them to study hard to better their lives in future.
- CONCLUSION
The meeting was very successful with participants making contributions to the issues raised, understanding the essence of improving the educational needs of the municipality and the role of individual stakeholders into achieving such goals for the Effutu Municipality.
RECORDED BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE
EFFUTU MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
Last modified: July 27, 2022