The Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has launched a programme dubbed “My Chocolate Day at School” at a special ceremony at the Dzorwulu Special School in Accra.
The event which is the first of its kind in the country would be replicated nationwide in all public schools in the country and would involve the distribution of chocolate to all Basic School pupils by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with other stakeholders.
At the launching of the, Rev. Ntim Fordjour presented boxes of chocolate products, assorted drinks and candies to all the 28 Special Schools in the country for the commemoration of the maiden edition of the event across the country.
Speaking at the function, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, said the introduction of the day was part of an effort by the Education Ministry and the government to engage pupils across the country in the celebration of February as the month of Love worldwide.
He explained that the adoption of the day would help the pupils have a taste of chocolate and other cocoa products which would be made available to them by the government and other stakeholders so they benefit from the rich nutrients in cocoa to supplement their nutritional needs to augment the lapses in their growth and development.
The Deputy Education Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin South in the Central region assured the nation of government’s readiness to introduce initiatives that stood the chance of enhancing the standard of living of the people in the country.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour used the occasion to commend the various stakeholders like EPP books, Cocoa Processing Company, Prefos Ltd, Ghana Education Service, Ideation Ghana and Binapong Ventures among others who funded the maiden edition of the programme.
He pledged to continue collaborating with the various stakeholders to expand the distribution of the cocoa products to the students and others so they also benefit from its numerous benefits.
The Deputy Minister also lauded the teachers and other caregivers at the various special schools across the country for their support towards the upkeep and training of the Special Children.
He announced that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government was poised in providing the needs of all school children so they are trained to become responsible citizens in the country after their education.
Mrs Catherine Appiah Pinkrah, Director in-charge of General Administration at the Ministry of Education said the initiative was to bring the various stakeholders together towards increasing the use of cocoa products in society especially children with special needs.
She appealed to the caregivers to continue working very hard to provide the best of care to the special children so they acquire critical skills that would help them when they grow up and after school.
Mrs Bernice Addae-Konadu, Director at the Special Education Division at the GES said the government attaches much importance to the training of pupils with special needs since it would help them to be self-dependent.
He urged parents with special children to continue offering them with the right support so they would continue enjoying normal lives.
Source:Broadcastergh.com/Ayisah Foster
