Osu chiefs install ‘Educational Queen’
The Osu Traditional Council has held a special durbar to install an early childhood educationist, Dr Eunhye Park, as an Educational Queen with the stool name, Naa Norle Gbekebii Akane I, literally meaning “Light for Children”.
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The colourful ceremony held at the forecourt of the Osu Mantse’s palace at Osu, Accra climaxed activities of the eighth OMEP Africa Regional conference held in Accra. The conference brought together members from all parts of Africa.
OMEP Ghana is a member of the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education.
The durbar began with a procession of chiefs and members of the traditional council, dressed in their rich kente cloths, to the durbar ground as they danced to tunes from fontomfrom drums by various Asafo groups.
Responsibilities
In an address, the Osu Mantse and President of the Greater Regional House of Chiefs, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, spelt out the responsibilities governing the title which included helping to strengthen and encourage early childhood education in the Osu community, liaising with school management committees to promote reading and education among the youth and mobilising funds to support education.
It also included educating parents on safe motherhood and the benefits of girl-child education with special interest in teenage pregnancy. She will also attend the annual Homowo festival of the chiefs and people of the Osu Traditional Council.
Nii Dowuona said it was sad to see children of school age roaming the streets of Osu at a time they were supposed to be in school and, therefore, called on parents to liaise with teachers to raise the child to become a responsible adult in future.
Response
In response, Dr Park, who is also the President of OMEP Worldwide, said OMEP, being the oldest and largest organisation which worked for young children under the age of eight, believed that the wonderful opportunity given them would go a long way to benefit both OMEP and the people of Osu.
She expressed the hope that one day the children of Osu would remember OMEP as an organisation which provided them an opportunity to be educated, saying “young children have the right to be educated, to be protected and to play.”
Dr Park expressed appreciation to the Osu Traditional Council for the honour done her and members of OMEP and added that the council would forever be remembered for its decision.
Also at the durbar were Mrs Abimola Are, OMEP Vice-President for Africa, and Mrs Nyameke Kyiama, President of OMEP, Ghana.
