Children In Deprived Communities Lack Access To Education

Even though Ghana has made significant improvements particularly in the areas of basic school enrollment and the country is on track to achieving the MDG two of Universal Primary Education both the gross and net enrollment targets of 100% by 2015, many children of school-going-age in deprived communities are still out of school due to lack of access.

Many children at Aprakukrom, Fawotrikosie, Akominiso and its environs in the Sunyani West District of the Brong-Ahafo region are not in school because they have to walk more than four miles before they can attend school.

The children have therefore appealed to the President Elect, H.E. John Dramani Mahama to construct a unit classroom block at Aprakukrom to enable them to have access to basic education.

They made the call at a Fit for Fun Festival organized for the children at Aprakukrom and its surrounding communities in the Sunyani West District.

The event which was organized by the Global Media Foundation in collaboration with Royal-Art-Academy in Italy saw over 200 children taken part in the festival to kick start the X'mas celebration.

Speaking at the function, the Director of the Royal-Art-Academy, Dr. Emile Kunsch, noted that investing in children through education is the only way to break poverty in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

He stressed the need for the parents to provide the needed support for children to help them attain higher education.

Touching on the significance of the festival, Dr Kunsch said fun plays an essential part in the growth and development of the mind and all that it contains.

He noted that it gives insights into human nature, expression to thoughts, ideas and desires and aids in the organization of experience.

According to him, it opens up the possibilities of other ways of life, of new and different approaches and views in human relationships.

“New worlds we didn't know existed are created and familiar worlds are given new structures, put into new frameworks and we are given a deeper understanding of our own, and others', intentions, attitudes and emotions” he added.

The Founder and CEO of Global Media Foundation, Raphael Godlove Ahenu Jr. revealed that only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those do not complete school.

He stressed the need for African governments to invest more in the education of the African child. He announced that his foundation is putting in place pragmatic measures to help construct a school at Aprakukrom to enable the children in the area to have access to basic education