By: Rita Kafui Nedjoh | Voltaonlinegh |
Queen mother of Tanyigbe Dzafe, Mama Hokor I has called on traditional leaders to take keen interest in the education of the youth in their immediate communities for development.
Mama Hokor noted that communities could only develop through education because well educated citizens would make informed decision which would inure to the benefit of the communities, thus, the need for traditional leaders to be involved in shaping and reshaping of the educational system.
She indicated that for children of school going age in rural areas to appreciate education and be exposed to the importance of education, traditional leaders must initiate measures including extra-curricular activities, scholarship and awards scheme and mentorship programme.
She challenged traditional leaders to change from the system where they lorded over the people in the past to a system where they would serve the people by being involved in the education of their younger generation.
Mama Hokor I made the call at this year’s “2019 Hokor Endowment Fund Scholarship Examination Programme” at Tanyigbe in the Ho Central Constituency of the Volta Region which saw 70 pupils transiting from primary six to Junior High School one (JHS 1) participate.
The Scholarship Scheme
The 70 participants from four primary schools in four communities of Tanyigbe (Tanyigbe Anyigbe, Etoe, Atidze and Dzafe) who took part in the contest were examined in Mathematics, English and General Knowledge and would have their papers marked by external examiners to determine the winners.
A ceremony will be held in October to announce and celebrate the winners. The first 10 winners will receive various packages with the first, second and third position winners expected to receive a yearly grant of GH¢200.00 for three years.
The “Hokor Endowment Fund” was established during the enstoolment of Togbe Kodzo Hokor 1I and Dr. Mama Abra Hokor I as traditional rulers of Tanyigbe Dzafe aimed at equipping every child with knowledge and skills directed at a desired future and to promote education as key to the general development of Tanyigbe.
The Hokor Endowment Fund also runs other programmes including Scholarship, Mentorship, Counselling, Rehabilitation and Exchange Programme in Tanyigbe.
Emphasis on Education
The Special Guest of Honour, Madam Grace Akuaku advised the pupils to be respectful and focus on their education in order to become the great personalities they would aspire to be in future.
Madam Akuaku, a native of Tanyigbe donated and pledged her support for the foundation and some five pupils from her village, Sosoeme in Tanyigbe Etoe should they make it to the firs-ten positions after the examination.
The Paramount Chief of Tanyigbe Traditional Area, Togbe Kodi Adiko VI commended the foundation for their support for the youth in education and assured of his support and collaboration of the Tanyigbe Traditional Council to make the awards more attractive.
Togbe Adiko advised the pupils to develop interest for education and to refrain from all social vices in order to help develop Tanyigbe.
He disclosed his intention to support pupils who would perform well in their Basic Education Certificate Examination for the next three years and hinted of other scholarship schemes to support brilliant but needy students with their education.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
