The Obuasi Area Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) has partnered the Municipal Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service to organize a day’s guidance and counseling seminar for final year Junior High school pupils in Obuasi.
Pastor Vincent Ephraim Amegah who represented the Area Head, Prophet David Kankam, of Bidieso District at the seminar explained that, the aim was to help bridging the gap between passion and profession, by ensuring that the choices the school children make align with their deepest values and aspirations.
The Seasoned professionals at the event sensitize the about 3,000 students drawn from sixty (60) schools in Obuasi Municipality on career path and their related courses, towards making the right career choices including mental health awareness campaign.
Pastor Amegah was quoted from Proverbs 22:6 which he said charges believers to train up a child in the way they should go, and when old will not depart from it.
He added the need for parents to train up their children in the way of wisdom to live in the fear of God.
He stressed that, many children who have received good training have repudiated the way of wisdom later in life.
The pastor emphasized that the church has a role to play in shaping the lives of children, and for that matter, the Church of Pentecost is always committed through their school outreach ministry to guide children to becoming prominent members of the society.
Mr. George Alfred Koomson, the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, say the Education directorate has identified a gap in career choices and the capabilities of the children, hence This prompted the directorate to collaborate with PEMEM to sensitize the students on the need to make the right choices.
He said in the world of endless possibilities and opportunities, it was important for the students to navigate their career paths with clarity, purpose, and intentionality.
This he said calls for guidance and counseling to serve as a beacon of life shaping to make good choices in life.
Mr. Koomson advised school children not to make choices by imitating their peers, emphasizing that each individual have their own potentials.
Victor Nuamah of the Psychiatry Unit of the Obuasi Government Hospital revealed that depression cases involving Junior High School leavers who do not meet their aspirations are on the high.
He said the unit receives not less than 10 cases of depression or anxiety related disorder of JHS leavers who did not get their preferred schools or courses.
The situation he described as worrying, and called for support of stakeholders towards the children at that stage.
He expressed the view that, this is where the churches and family can come in and support the children to overcome any form of anxiety related disorders and depression.
He noted that, the children must understand that academic successes largely depend on individual’s efforts and not the school or course area.
Sam Emmanuel Bosomtwe Bekoe, a student of AngloGold Ashanti JHS said the programme opened their eyes on the need to make good career decisions, whiles commending the organizers for bringing experts onboard to guide and counsel them.
He said it was important for students to structure their lives very well even before they go to Senior High school.
At the end of the seminar, the students were empowered with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate their future academic and professional paths by providing them with a comprehensive understanding of various career options and the educational requirement.
