President of the PIWAK Group of Companies, Dr. Prince Nelson Mortoti, has challenged students of the National Union of Tongu Students and Associates (NUTSA) to champion unity, academic excellence and community development to transform the fortunes of the three Tongu districts.
According to him, the future development of North Tongu, Central Tongu and South Tongu would depend largely on the ability of the youth to acquire quality education, develop relevant skills and channel their knowledge into solving problems in their communities.
Dr. Mortoti made the call when he delivered a keynote address at the NUTSA National Delegates Congress held at Sogakope Senior High School in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The congress was held on the theme: “Championing Unity, Excellence and Development: Advancing Academic Brilliance Across the Three Tongu Districts.”
The gathering brought together NUTSA delegates, traditional authorities, political leaders, teachers, students and other stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting education and the development of the Tongu area.
Tongu Unity.
Dr. Mortoti said the three Tongu districts must see themselves as one people despite being separated by administrative boundaries.
He described North Tongu, Central Tongu and South Tongu as the “three legs of a single cooking pot,” stressing that the weakness of one district would ultimately affect the development of the entire Tongu area.
“These three districts are not competitors. They are the three legs of a single cooking pot. If one leg is weak, the pot tips over. For Tongu to rise, North, Central and South must march together,” he stated.
He said unity should go beyond political, social and administrative considerations and encompass education, economic development and youth empowerment.
According to him, challenges confronting students in one district should be treated as challenges confronting the entire Tongu area.
“When a student in Battor lacks textbooks, it is not a North Tongu problem; it is a Tongu problem. When a school in Adidome lacks an ICT laboratory, it is not a Central Tongu problem; it is a Tongu problem,” he said.
He therefore charged NUTSA executives to become “bridge-builders” by promoting collaboration among students, traditional authorities, political leaders and other stakeholders across the three districts.
Harnessing Tongu Potential
Dr. Mortoti highlighted the distinctive strengths of the three districts and urged stakeholders to harness them collectively for the development of the area.
He described North Tongu as a district with significant agricultural, industrial and tourism potential, noting that its people had demonstrated remarkable resilience during the Akosombo Dam spillage.
He also described Central Tongu as an important agricultural hub, with fertile lands, livestock and natural resources capable of supporting local enterprise and food production.
South Tongu, where the congress was held, was described as a gateway to the wider world, with its commercial activities, hospitality industry, educational institutions and strategic location.
He said the development potential of the three districts could only be fully realised when their respective strengths were combined.
Academic Excellence
Dr. Mortoti also placed strong emphasis on education, describing it as one of the most powerful instruments for transforming the lives of young people.
He, however, observed that the definition of academic excellence had evolved and could no longer be restricted to the ability of students to memorise information for examinations.
He said modern academic brilliance must encompass critical thinking, digital literacy, problem-solving skills and good character.
“Education remains the most powerful tool for levelling the playing field of life. It can take the child of a farmer on the banks of the Volta River and seat that child at the Cabinet table in Accra, or at the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York,” he said.
Digital Skills
Dr. Mortoti called for increased investment in digital education in schools across the Tongu area.
He said students in the three districts should be given opportunities to compete with their counterparts in major cities through access to modern computer laboratories and other digital learning resources.
“We cannot teach ICT on blackboards in this digital age,” he stressed.
He further called for stronger support for teachers, particularly those working in hard-to-reach and riverine communities.
According to him, teachers who sacrifice to provide education under difficult circumstances deserve recognition, motivation and the necessary resources to perform their duties effectively.
Mentorship For Girls
Dr. Mortoti also identified mentorship as an important component of efforts to improve academic outcomes among young people.
He said female students, in particular, needed access to positive role models who could inspire them to pursue careers in professions traditionally dominated by men.
He called on queen mothers, professional women and other accomplished personalities to visit schools and interact with students.
“They need to see women of substance, such as our queen mothers and professional women, stepping into their classrooms and telling them, ‘You, too, can become a doctor, an ambassador or a chief executive,’” he said.
NUTSA Initiatives
Dr. Mortoti challenged NUTSA to expand its activities beyond the organisation of congresses and social programmes.
He proposed the establishment of structured peer-tutoring networks, mock examinations and reading clubs across basic and senior high schools in the three districts.
He said such initiatives could help make academic excellence a sustained culture among students rather than an occasional achievement.
“Let us make academic brilliance a culture, not an accident,” he urged.
Talent Retention
On development, Dr. Mortoti warned against a situation where highly educated young people would leave Tongu for Accra, Kumasi and other parts of the country or travel abroad in search of employment.
He proposed the establishment of what he described as a “Local Talent Retention Accord” involving Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, traditional authorities and businesses.
The objective, he explained, would be to create opportunities for qualified graduates and national service personnel to secure employment and professional opportunities within the three districts.
He also called for greater investment in agribusiness, tourism and the creative arts to make Tongu attractive to young professionals.
Climate Resilience
Dr. Mortoti further called for climate-resilient infrastructure and stronger water-safety measures in communities affected by flooding and river transportation.
He cited the Akosombo Dam spillage as a major wake-up call for stakeholders to prepare communities for future environmental emergencies.
He advocated the construction of resilient school infrastructure and the provision of life jackets for students who cross rivers to attend school.
He also called for environmental sustainability to be incorporated into educational programmes to equip young people with the knowledge required to respond to climate-related challenges.
Commendation
Dr. Mortoti expressed appreciation to Members of Parliament and other leaders who have supported education in the Tongu area.
He particularly commended interventions aimed at supporting BECE graduates to continue their education at the senior high school level.
He said such interventions demonstrated the importance of collaboration between political leaders, traditional authorities, businesses and community stakeholders in advancing education.
Challenge To Delegates
As the delegates prepared to deliberate on issues concerning the union and elect new leaders, Dr. Mortoti urged them to make service and the collective interest their guiding principles.
He encouraged the students to return to their respective schools and communities as ambassadors of unity, academic excellence and development.
“Study hard, read widely, and be embodiments of Excellence. Return to your communities and be catalysts for Development,” he told the delegates.
He said the Tongu student should be recognised for discipline, intellectual strength, cultural grounding and a commitment to leadership.
“The Volta River will continue to flow. Let it carry on its currents the stories of our success, our resilience and our academic brilliance,” Dr. Mortoti stated.
He concluded by calling for continued collaboration among students, traditional authorities, political leaders, teachers, businesses and other stakeholders to secure a stronger educational and socio-economic future for the three Tongu districts.
