The Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, has advised national service personnel to take the ongoing registration exercise very seriously to avoid any mistake that could delay payment of their allowances.
Besides, he sent a stern caution to the service personnel not to allow themselves to be duped by fraudsters on the pretext of changing their placement for them.
Hon.Osei Assibey Antwi with Ash Regional Director,Mr Prince Kankam Boadu and Kumasi Metro NSS Director,Mr.Asaase Gyimah
According to him, a system has been put in place to ensure that both the giver and the payer of money attempting to influence the process are made to face the full rigour of the law.
Mr. Assibey Antwi, who is on a national tour to monitor the ongoing registration exercise of the 2023/2024 service which started on Monday,16th October 2023, made the call in Kumasi.
The NSS Boss, who was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Director of the scheme,Mr Prince Kankam Boadu,started the monitoring exercise at the registration centres at the regional headquarters in Kumasi.
They also visited registration centres at Jubilee Park and KNUST Commercial Centre.
Per the timetable of the scheme, regional validation and registration began on Monday, 16th October 2023 at all centres across the country. The 2023/2024 National Service Year will commence on Wednesday, 1st November 2023.
Mr. Assibey Antwi pointed out that management of NSS does not support change of postings and, therefore, wishes to caution national service personnel to avoid getting in contact with faceless individuals or groups to have their postings changed for them.
Hence, he stressed that anyone with genuine concerns should report to appropriate quarters for redress.
During the tour, the NSS Boss helped to address the concerns of some service personnel to enable them to go through the registration exercise.
The NSS Executive Director also advised selected banks that provide E-Zwich for service personnel to double check the details of service personnel to avoid mistakes.
He lamented that as a result of conflicting information on the E-Zwich of some service personnel, it caused delays in paying the affected individuals and that situation should be avoided.
He extended his best wishes to all service personnel as they take up their civic and patriotic responsibilities to serve Mother Ghana.
He also advised some selected service personnel, who were undergoing a two-week pedagogical training at KNUST, to prepare very well for teaching at the senior high school (SHS) level during their service period.
The NSS Boss revealed that from 2017 to date, 800,000 university graduates had been posted for national service.
Attached is a short video
In the 2023/2024 service year, the scheme has targeted to post about 160,000 people, including teachers and nurses. The first batch placed a little over 122,000 service personnel.
He encouraged participants to take the training seriously for their own benefits. “We’re not here to make life uncomfortable for anyone. Let’s all come together to help solve the unemployment problem in Ghana,” he added.
The outgoing Country Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Mr Abdourahamane Diollo, has been honoured by the Ministry of Education for his role in the transformation of the country through education.
He was presented with a gift and a citation read for him to appreciate the significant contribution of UNSECO to Ghana’s education sector under his leadership, particularly in improving the policy environment for the teaching profession, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and gender in education.
The citation stated that his commitment and initiatives had also enhanced Ghana’s active participation in many global events that UNESCO had organized during his tenure as the Country representative in Ghana.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, eulogized Mr Diollo for his tenacity, commitment and willingness to go beyond what was expected of him.
“We are very grateful for your support and willingness to do more for Ghana and even more for Africa. Our place in the history of the Ministry of Education now has been seen by all and your contribution was part of it”. Dr Adutwum said.
The Education Minister recounted the role played by Mr Diollo when it comes to ICT integration and facilitation, grants, funding and other support to the nation’s education development.
“I must say that you have played a very significant role in the Ghanaian education transformation. The inspiration and the technical support from you and the assistance made us a better MOE”. Dr Adutwum stated.
“The unique development taking place within the Ministry is very significant in the country. Your name will forever be remembered by all Ghanaians in the transformation of the country through education”. He said.
The Education Minister stated that the unique role of UNESCO would forever be remembered in the history of Ghana as he wished him well in all his future endeavour.
Mr Abdourahamane Diollo on his part, expressed his profound appreciation to the Education Ministry on behalf of UNESCO for creating an enabling environment as well as cordiality leading to a very successful five-year working period in the country.
He was happy he had been able to support the development agenda of the country which keeps shining for the African continent.
“Ghana is thriving in various sectors so I urge all to keep working hard for the country to continue shining for the continent”. Mr Diollo said.
Background
Ghana has benefited immensely from the operations of UNESCO for decades.
Mr Diollo who has been reassigned to Abuja, in Nigeria liaised with the various agencies under Ghana’s Education Ministry to promote development in various initiatives.
As part of UNESCO’s support to the host nation, it assist in policy development and sourcing of grants and other funding to promote critical sectors of the nation’s development agenda.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says his government’s goal is to position Ghana as a leader in STEM education and innovation in Africa, as STEM education has become the cornerstone of progress and innovation in our modern world.
Addressing the 61st Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools on Wednesday, 11th October 2023, President Akufo-Addo stated that, towards the realisation if this vision, Government is creating a STEM pipeline to increase STEM enrolment at tertiary education level, through pre-engineering programmes.
“The pre-engineering programme has been introduced to target Senior High School Graduates in General Arts, Visual Arts and Business. The one-year pre-university programme, launched in February 2022, has admitted its second cohort of students,” he said.
The President continued, “The objective is to increase the talent pool from which engineers can be selected to ensure the number of engineering graduates, that is First degree and Higher National Diploma, increases from the current six thousand, five hundred (6,500) to thirty thousand (30,000) by 2030.”
At the senior high school level, increasing enrolment in STEM, he said, has been made possible by operationalising four (4) newly constructed STEM Model Schools, and converting three (3) existing schools into STEM Model Schools.
President Akufo-Akufo
Dr.Oseo Yaw Adutwum -Education Minister
“The Ghana STEM Academy Schools are Abomosu STEM Academy, Awaso STEM Academy, Kpasenkpe STEM Academy, Bosomtwi Girls STEM Academy, Bosomtwi STEM Academy, Accra High School STEM Centre, and Koase Secondary Technical School. These schools have been equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms, dormitories, assembly halls, dining halls and conducive environments to foster teaching and learning. There are some two thousand, four hundred (2,400) students enrolled to study General Science and STEM in the seven (7) schools,” he added.
In addition to these, the President indicated that Government has completed the construction of ten (10) regional STEM Centres to train a complete STEM pipeline from primary through JHS to SHS.
“The Accra High School STEM Centre is operational, and it receives some two hundred and fifty (250) students every day, who undertake training in robotics, 3D printing, coding, physics, chemistry and biology for JHS and SHS students who are in the Greater Accra Region,” he said.
Indeed, six (6) other centres, which are at ninety percent (90%) complete, are located at Mfantsipim School, Fijai SHS, Koforidua SHS, Jinijini SHS, Ahafoman SHS and Abuakwa SHS, whilst the rest, namely Mawuko SHS, Sefwi Wiawso SHS and Atebubu SHS are between thirty to fifty percent complete.
“We have also embarked on the retooling of science laboratories (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) of one hundred and eighty (180) selected Senior High Schools,” he added.
“It is important to state that no Government, in the history of the 4th Republic, has done more for the growth of the education sector than the Akufo-Addo Government, and the numbers back this claim. The total allocation to the education sector, since I came into office in 2017, is one hundred fourteen billion, five hundred million, six hundred twelve thousand, one hundred and thirty-five cedis (GH¢114,500,612,135), of which twelve billion, nine hundred and sixty-one million, two hundred and eighty-four thousand, five hundred and forty-eight cedis (GH¢12,961,284,548) has been spent on senior high schools.”
These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he delivered an address at the 61st Annual Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), at Achimota School, Accra, on Wednesday, 11th October 2023, where he outlined his government’s record in office in the education sector.
According to President Akufo-Addo, his government’s unwavering commitment to education has led to the attainment of significant strides in the areas of access, quality, and relevance, making Ghana a beacon of progress in the region.
“At the Senior High School level alone, of which there are nine hundred and twenty-five (925) schools, we have initiated a total of one thousand, one hundred and five (1,105) projects, including accommodation, teaching and learning related projects from 2017 till date. Out of this total, four hundred and six (406) are classroom blocks of various types, science laboratories and home economics blocks; three hundred and eighty-six (386) are dormitory blocks; two hundred and thirty-three (233) are toilet facilities; with nine (9) newly constructed model STEM senior high schools spread around the country,” he stated.
He continued, “Two hundred and eighty thousand (280,000) laptops for teachers, three hundred and fifty (350) buses, eight hundred and forty (840) pick-up vehicles, one thousand five hundred (1,500) motorcycles, and six hundred and seventy-seven thousand, four hundred and seventy (677,470) pieces of furniture have been distributed since 2017. Four hundred and fifty thousand (450,000) tablets, in the 1-laptop-1-student policy, will also be distributed soon.”
Kindergarten, Primary & JHS
In kindergarten schools, the President stated that his government has invested significantly in teachers, equipping them with modern methodologies tailored for early childhood development, and has provided age-appropriate learning materials, play equipment, and resources for interactive and engaging learning experiences.
“Through GETFund, we are executing one thousand, two hundred and seventy (1,270) infrastructure interventions, setting new standards for early childhood education. These schools boast cutting-edge technology, including smart boards, to enhance interactive learning experiences. I am pleased to report that a substantial number of these projects are nearing completion, and, by early 2024, they will be fully operational,” he said.
At the primary school level, President Akufo-Addo indicated that Government has ensured the consistent provision of learning materials and embarked on targeted infrastructure upgrades to create conducive learning environments.
“The implementation of National Standardized Tests for Primary 2 and Primary 4 pupils is a pivotal step towards assessing and improving learning outcomes. It is gratifying to note that proficiency in reading for Primary 2 students has seen a significant improvement, from two percent (2%) in 2015 to thirty-eight percent (38%) in 2022,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo told the members of CHASS that his Government’s Model Junior High Schools project, supported by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, is ensuring the construction of eleven (11) model schools, each designed with modern amenities to provide an optimal learning environment.
The President noted further that the Ghana National Digital Literacy Project (NDLP) is ensuring that every student is equipped to thrive in the global digital economy.
“The heart of this endeavour lies in our primary schools, where the foundation of learning is laid. Phase I focuses on establishing SMART LABs in seven hundred (700) public schools across the nation. These labs are equipped with a suite of tools, including tablets for students, laptops for teachers, content access points, projectors, robotics kits for STEM education, and essential storage and charging units”, he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued, “I am pleased to announce that the project has successfully delivered Smart Lab hardware to some four hundred and eighty-five (485) schools across all sixteen (16) regions of Ghana. This great achievement ensures that the technological infrastructure is firmly in place to facilitate digital learning.”
Phase II of the Project, he noted, “is poised to extend the impact further. Contingent on the success of Phase I, our goal is to establish a SMART LAB in each of the twenty-seven thousand and sixty-four (27,064) schools across Ghana, accompanied by comprehensive training for two teachers per school.”
Phase III, he told the gathering, is a visionary step towards self-reliance, adding that “we aim to establish a local plant dedicated to assembling and manufacturing the devices necessary for the SMART LABs. This initiative not only bolsters our technological capabilities, but also provides avenues for job creation and economic growth.”
SHS
At the Senior High School level, in tandem with the National Digital Literacy Project, the President stated that the e-Transform Ghana project stands as a beacon of progress.
With an investment of ninety-seven million United States dollars (US$97 million), Government is enhancing service delivery through ICT. Among its many facets, the e-Education component promises to establish computer laboratories in three hundred and five (305) public Senior High Schools in all the regions of the country.
These labs, according to the President, will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, fostering an environment where students can immerse themselves in the digital realm.
“As we open tenders tomorrow, on 12th October, for the equipment in the remaining two hundred and thirty-two (232) Senior High Schools, and with contracts already signed for seventy-three (73), we are well on our way to bridging the digital divide,” he said.
The President continued, “Our commitment to every student’s journey into the Fourth Industrial Revolution is unflinching. The “One Student One Tablet” initiative is evidence of our belief in the transformative power of technology. By repositioning our educational system, we are nurturing a generation of empowered Ghanaians armed with the skills essential for our economic prosperity,” he stated.
TVET
Touching on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), President Akufo-Addo stated that TVET education has seen a comprehensive modernisation and expansion drive, with new state-of-the-art facilities under construction, with existing undergoing renovation and upgrading.
The Dual TVET Method, he explained, is combining classroom learning with practical, on-the-job training, is revolutionising skills development in the country, ensuring learners are well-prepared for their chosen fields.
“A comprehensive review of TVET curricula has also been undertaken to align them with current industry demands and emerging technologies. This process involved collaboration with industry stakeholders to identify the skills and competencies needed for a rapidly evolving job market. The revised curricula aim to equip students with practical, job-ready skills that are in high demand,” he added.
Tertiary
President Akufo-Addo noted that, over the past four years, his government’s commitment to expanding higher education has borne fruit, with the establishment of new institutions catering to a diverse range of academic disciplines.
These institutions, he stated, are strategically located to ensure equitable access to higher education opportunities for students from all regions.
“Among the proposed universities are the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Akrodie in the Ahafo Region, Mampong University in the Ashanti Region, and Bunso University in the Eastern Region,” he said.
Additionally, the University of Health, Culture, and Life Sciences in Kintampo, in the Bono East Region, formed through the merger of the Kintampo College of Health and Well-being and the Kintampo Research Institute, stands as a testament to his government’s dedication to fostering excellence in education.
“These new universities are expected not only to provide high-quality education, but also stimulate economic growth and development in their respective regions. They will serve as hubs for collaboration between academia and industry, creating a dynamic environment for learning and innovation,” he said.
Furthermore, the President stated that his government’s “No Guarantor” policy, under the Student Loan Trust Fund, is breaking down financial barriers for students seeking higher education.
“By eliminating the requirement for a guarantor, we empower students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their educational aspirations without undue financial burden,” he said.
To align tertiary education with the needs of the job market, the President stated that Government has created partnerships between tertiary institutions and industries.
These collaborations, he explained, provide students with practical training, internships, and research opportunities, ensuring they graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are directly applicable in their chosen fields.
For the National Service Scheme (NSS) to play its critical role in the socio-economic development of this country, there was the need for it to be provided with the right resources to enhance its operations.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, who made the call indicated that the role played by the Scheme cannot be underestimated as it keeps introducing sustainable strategies for integration.
The Speaker stated that the Scheme served as an avenue for the training of the next generation of leaders for the nation, problem solvers and change agents, a symbol of sacrifice and service to the nation as the personnel serve with unalloyed commitment to duty during their service.
Mr Alban Bagbin made the call on Tuesday during the official launching of the National Service Scheme @ 50 held in Accra.
The launching which was done by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo attracted people from all walks of life had the theme “National Service at 50: Repositioning the Scheme for sustainable national development”.
He recounted the experience he gained during his National Service which took place in 1981, adding that the service prepared the minds of the personnel for the world of work
Mr Alban Bagbin appealed to heads of other public institutions and private sector organizations, not to turn the NSS personnel into messengers, errand boys and girls. “Please don’t turn them into buyers of “Kofi Brokeman”. He added.
The Minister for Education Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, praised the Leadership of the NSS for the innovative measures it had put in place towards uplifting the image of the institution and the nation as a whole.
The Education Minister used the occasion to enumerate the various development initiatives brought into the nation’s education space with the view to transforming the economy through education.
He explained that the ongoing reforms in the education sector were critical for the fast transformation of the country and pledged to work very hard towards getting more improvement in the sector.
The Executive Director of the NSS, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, pledged to work very hard to ensure that it does not only deploy personnel for service but also help upgrade their skills to make them employable or create their own jobs.
He urged the Service Personnel to continue working very hard to ensure that it contributes towards the development of the nation’s economy.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the comprehensive transformation agenda being embarked upon by the National Service Scheme, and which is tied to the new strategic direction of other pro-youth agencies, is addressing the specific employment needs of young people.
This youth driven transformation agenda, according to him, relates primarily to training and skills development, provision of pre-employment support activities, as well as instilling the values of civic responsibility, discipline, nationalism and volunteerism.
To this end, the President stated that “several youth development programmes have been put in place, which not only prioritise young adults’ needs and build the skills needed to become productive and successful members of society, but also strengthen young people’s sense of identity and belief in the future.”
Hon.Osei Assibey Antwi-NSS Boss in a handshake with President Akufo-Akufo
President Akufo-Addo was made this known on Tuesday, 10th October, 2023, at the launch of activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the National Service Scheme, at the Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra.
Citing the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the Ghana Enterprises Agency’s (GEA) YouStart Programme, and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (CTVET), he said, “my government, since 2017 has engaged young people, including National Service Personnel, in intentional, productive and constructive ways, whilst recognising and enhancing their strengths.”
President Akufo-Akufo delivering his speech at the event
Under the Economic Enclave Programme, for example, President Akufo-Addo noted that the NSS, will, in the next four years, in the agriculture sector, deploy 65,000 graduate youth to the Agricultural Enclaves, create 81,000 jobs in agriculture and its allied sectors, and develop 20,000 hectares of land for production, in addition to the production of 110,000 metric tons of food and production of 1.5 million birds.
This, he said, will result consequently in the generation of revenue of some US$92 million by year four.
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that, for the first time in its existence, the NSS will lay a Draft Policy document before Parliament, which will transition the Scheme to the status of an Authority, thus providing a legal framework for the envisioned ‘Deployment for Employment’ (D4E) model that is designed to encourage young graduates to create a positive impact, and contribute to the development of our nation.
On the necessity of NSS support to the education and health sectors, as well as, Graduate/Youth in Agriculture, as a means towards import substitution and addressing food security challenges, the President urged the Scheme to scale-up and “focus on the new modules that it has initiated, with the purposive intention that the capabilities of these energetic and educated youth would be deployed to generate maximum impact for the socio-economic development goals of the country.”
The President, in his address, paid glowing “homage to the Members of Parliament who deliberated on the draft NSS Bill that culminated in the passage of Act 426. They include the late statesmen, J. H. Mensah, A. A. Munufie, Peter Ala Adjetey, Harry Sawyerr, and Kwaku Baah, among others.”
“I recount the words of the then Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya, Hon. John Agyekum Kufuor, subsequently the 2nd President of the 4th Republic, who intimated, during the debate on the processes leading to the passage of Act 426 in 1980, that the “Scheme is a vehicle for building national cohesion”. He again posited that “…we should look at the Scheme as a development of human resources. We are going to make our future manpower more prepared to be used more efficiently…”, he told the gathering.
The Government is taking steps to upgrade the National Service Scheme (NSS) into an Authority, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed.
He said a draft policy was being prepared to that effect, and subsequently work to enact a law to back the proposed new status of the Scheme.
This is to expand its scope of operations and structure.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, addressing the commemoration of the 50th anniversary celebration of the NSS, in Accra, emphasised that the NSS was poised for transformation in response to the emerging global trends.
The policy and the law, when they come into effect, will also give backing to a model called deployment for employment aimed at encouraging young graduates to contribute positively to the nation’s long-term development agenda.
The anniversary is being marked on the theme: “NSS at 50: Repositioning the Scheme for a Sustainable National Development”.
Activities lined up include lectures, funding summit, blood donation, clean-up exercise, tree-planting, corporate social responsibility project, launch of the Golden Jubilee Magazine, among others.
President Nana Akufo-Addo underscored the need to fine-tune the scope of operations of the NSS for the benefit of the nation.
The Scheme should be able to address the employment needs of fresh graduates by enhancing their training and skills development.
President Nana Akufo-Addo said the concept underpinning national service ought to be taken seriously.
This is because the programme helps in Ghana’s growth by inculcating a sense of patriotism, nationalism, volunteerism and discipline in the youth.
He lauded the NSS Executive-Director, Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, for his visionary leadership and innovativeness.
Since 2017, some 800, 000 Service persons have been deployed to all sectors of the economy to support the mainstream workforce in executing its mandate.
The President urged the leadership of the Scheme to give serious consideration to areas such as health, agriculture, Information, Communication and Technology, as well as other technical areas relevant to the nation’s development.
He commended the NSS for the feat chalked over the years, assuring that the Government would give the Scheme the needed backing for its sustainable growth.
Mr. Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, advised that the NSS should strive to align its activities with the nation’s development agenda.
Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, the NSS Executive Director, hinted that the Scheme was cultivating some 20, 000 acres of land at the Sekyere-Kumawu economic enclave for agricultural purposes.
The project and other initiatives, especially in the tourism industry, built environment, among others, were yielding positive results, he noted.
He asked the Service persons to work hard for the growth of the Scheme.
“We are ready to support national development,” he assured.source:
GNA
The Director-General of GES, Dr Eric Nkansah joined teachers of Arch Bishop Potter Girls’ Senior High School in the Western Region during one of their recent Professional Learning Community (PLC) session in the school.
As part of efforts for the Ghana Education Service and the National Teaching Council(NTC) to empower teachers and also to enable them to meet international standards of teaching profession, they have instituted Professional Learning Community (PLC) secondary school teachers in the country were to meet once in a week for the PLC sessions.
The weekly PLC sessions aimed at providinng a platform for teachers across all Senior High Schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) to share best practices to improve teaching and learning.
Dr Eric Nkansah commended the school leadership and staff for their full participation in the weekly PLC sessions.
He entreated the teachers to attached importance to the PLC sessions in their schools since it was one of the ways for them to be abreast with the current trends in their profession.
He said that his administration would collaborate with other stakeholders to make the teaching profession full profession and attractive to young ones in the country.
The Director General was accompanied by Mr Stephen Kwaku Owusu, Deputy Director-General Management Service;
Mr Prince Charles Agyeman Duah, the Director in charge of Schools and Instructions; Mr. Robin Todd, the Executive Director of T-TEL; Mrs Felicia Agyeibea Okai, the Regional Director of Education.
Source:GNA
The 2022/23 batch of National Service Personnel (NSP) from the Ghana Grid Company LTD, (GRIDCo) has commissioned a 10,000-liter capacity water storage facility dubbed the “PRESTEA SPRING WATER PROJECT” at Prestea in the Western Region.
This is an initiative of the GRIDCo NSPs which aligns with GRIDCo’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy.
With the support of GRIDCo’s Management, a needs assessment revealed insufficient access to potable water and adequate water storage facilities for the residents of the Prestea-Heman Traditional Area.
The provision of the water system was in response to this challenge and the GRIDCo 2022/23 NSPs put in place the right measures to address the issue.
The 10,000-liter capacity water storage facility has Two overhead reservoirs, four water outlets, and; an in-built connection enabling clean and safe access to the natural water from a spring by the residents.
Ms. Florence Agyei, Director, of Human Resources at GRIDCo, indicated that the water facility had undergone testing and was certified safe for human consumption by Ghana Water Company LTD.
She explained that to ensure the completion of the project on schedule, the personnel did self-imposed levies to procure the reservoir.
Commendation
The HR Director said: “On behalf of the Management and staff of GRIDCo, I commend our GRIDCo 2022/23 NSPs for this impressive show of love for the underserved and underprivileged, which is in line with one of GRIDCo’s Core Values – CARE,
“ We charge you to continue to build on this show of inspirational action to touch lives wherever you find yourselves in the future.” GRIDCo remains committed to delivering Ghana’s power transmission needs and enhancing the performance of the National Grid for the benefit of all”. Ms Agyei said.
Some scenes from the event
She stated” It is the sixth year in succession that NSPs assigned to GRIDCo have supported communities in some of its Operational Areas.
The President of the 2022/23 National Service Personnel Group, Mr. Norviewu Bless Michael, said: “GRIDCo aims to touch the lives of the people in its operational area through its CSR policy which emphasizes the spirit of community, our colleagues and I want to give back following the completion of our tenure.
The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, on Friday launched the National Educational Leadership Institute (NELI) to provide specialized professional leadership and management development training for individuals holding or intending to hold leadership and management positions in institutions of learning across the country.
A total of 400 leaders from all parts of the education sector, including regional directors, district directors, School Improvement Support Officers (SISOs), school heads, Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters staff and officers from the Ministry of Education (MoE) agencies have been selected to be trained for the piloting phase for five months (one weekend a month) starting from this November to March 2024 before being rolled out nationwide.
Certification.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum -Education Minister during the launching ceremony
All participants who complete the course satisfactorily will receive Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points and professional certification in Strategic Leadership.
Launching
The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, stated that the institute would go a long way towards equipping the participants with the requisite skills to ensure that they understand good leadership skills to bring about transformation in their administrative and teaching jobs.
He explained that the education space needed a new generation of leaders who could transform their operations to bring about a great change in their working environment and the nation as a whole.
Transformation Assurance
Dr Adutwum said,” we are committed to transforming the nation through education and one of the ways to get the requisite results is to get people with good leadership skills to be at the helm of affairs to bring about the change we want”.
He indicated that good leadership affect the quality of work done in the school and hoped that the introduction of the institute would help sharpen the leadership skills of the participants.
The National NELI Coordinator, Dr Paul Kwadwo Addo, recounted the various preparatory stages and initiatives put in place towards the establishment of the institute.
He pledged to work very hard to ensure that all participants and people who would get the opportunity to be trained by NELI would have the right skills needed to lead in the transformation of the nation through education.
Dr Charles Yeboah, a representative of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) stated “that the second most important factor in children’s success in school is leadership quality, and that is second only to classroom instruction. It is, therefore, in order that the day after celebrating teachers across the country we should be here talking about school leadership”.
He praised Dr Adutwum for his vision and direction, support and eagerness to see to the effective training of people in the education space.
