School children in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region have been given renewed hope and encouragement that, just like their counterparts in the bigger cities of Ghana, they too could achieve all their academic dreams of becoming various professionals in their desired fields. District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Stephen Aeke Akurugo gave this encouragement Tuesday morning in Sirigu when he welcomed first-time students enrolled into the Mother of Mercy Nursery and Primary schools, to mark the annual “My First Day in School” event.
Hon. Akurugo told the students, “I see future nurses, teachers, directors and presidents amongst you; all you ought to do to become these is to take your studies seriously and obey school authorities”. He assured the students and their colleagues across the district’s schools that the Government, through the sector ministry and education directorate, will continue to fund existing sector interventions such as the school feeding programme, capitation grant and others in order to ensure a smooth and efficient education system for the country’s future leaders.
According to the DCE, though the current conditions of “our schools may not be as ideal as we would wish, students of today are fortunate because of the proximity of school infrastructure across the district. During our times decades ago, we used to walk longer distances and cross rivers at times, to access education”. He said it is the government’s resolve to pump more resources into the sector, and schools in the district will not be left out. For instance, there are plans to expand the Ghana School Feeding Programme to additional schools, and the Assembly will ensure that this is done to benefit more students.
In her opening remarks before the DCE addressed the students, District Director of the Ghana Education Service, Madam Mary-Magdalene Wompakea noted the students have had enough rest and break from academic work during the six-week break and charged them to face the new term with a refreshed mindset and energy to learn well and make better grades.
She also quizzed the students on their career choices and having listened to them, was a bit disappointed that comparatively, just a few students picked teaching as their desired job but regardless emphasized that, the teacher remains the solid foundation that builds all other professionals. She thus advised the students; “at all times as students, concentrate on your studies, respect your teachers and listen attentively in class but ask questions where you don’t understand a thing or two”.
At the end of their interactions with the students, Madam Wompakea and the DCE both distributed assorted biscuits to the fresh students and entreated them not to cultivate the ugly habit of skipping school as that will impact negatively on their performance. The duo was then led by Mr. Samuel Awiah, Headteacher of the school, to inspect a fast-expanding cemetery that lies just about five steps from the school. DCE Akurugo immediately proposed that the school be walled to keep the students safe from any harmful effects from the cemetery’s exposure and requested that, further discussions be held involving him, the GES Director, community leaders and the school authorities, on the issue.
The Mother of Mercy school was established on 16th September, 2003 with a pioneer student population of 128. By the end of the last school term in July, 2025 however, the total student population had hiked to 556. Meanwhile at the time of the DCE’s visit to observe the “My First Day in School”, authorities had taken in a total of 13 pupils as new entrants into its Nursery. The number comprised two (2) girls and 11 boys whilst the Primary had a fresh enrollment of 15 pupils made up of eight (8) girls and seven (7) boys.
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICER – PAGA