Policy makers asked not to politicise education system
The vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Gilbert Kuupole, has underscored the need for policy makers to depoliticise the education system in the country for sustainable development.
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He said education was the key to national development, hence, the need to implore politicians to share a common view on how to develop it, and, “stop playing politics with education.”
“Education should be the holistic concern of everybody and we should look at it as a common property. We should join hands to develop it and make it stronger so that children of the future will benefit, consequently, making the nation the winner and not any individual,” Prof. Kuupole explained.
Education in Africa
He made the comments in Accra last Monday at the launch of a book, ‘Education in West Africa.’
The book, a collective work of African scholars, was edited by the Executive Director of Attaining the Peak (ATP), Oxford University, Dr Emefa J. A Takyi-Amoako.
It seeks to examine the development of education in the West African sub-region with the mission of guiding policy makers on how to shape and promote the development of education in Africa in general.
Commendation
In a speech read on his behalf, President John Dramani Mahama, commended the authors for providing the initiative, and urged readers to use the book as a guide in their pursuit of education, skills and manpower development.
The book highlights the challenges confronting the education system in the sub-region and the President observed that more work was needed and the re-visioning of education in the sub-region in particular and the continent in general was opportune.
In a related development, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. John Owusu Gyapong, has implored African scholars to investigate the issues that impeded development of the various continents.
Participants at the ceremony listening to Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu
Prof. Gyapong made the remarks at the launch of a book, ‘Neglected Tropical Diseases - sub-Saharan Africa’ in Accra. The book is an excellent work of African scientists, seeking to enlighten individuals on neglected diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
He said scholars must be motivated to investigate on such issues to help promote national development.
He said the document was a complete departure from the position where Africans were always told about the health problems on the continent, especially in sub-Saharan Africa from different perspectives.
Health sector
The Pro-Vice Chancellor encouraged policy makers to invest in the health sector, especially on issues related to non-tropical diseases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes sub-Saharan Africa as one of the most ‘hotspots’ for the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which caused profound poverty in neglected populations.
The NTDs include, Buruli ulcer, Guinea worm, Human African Trypanosomiasis, Leishamaniass, Leprosy, Loa Koa and Lymphatic Filariasis. Others diseases are Onchocerciasis, Podoconioisis, Schistosomiasis, Soil transmitted Helminths,Trachoma and Yaws.
