Include Education Minister To Akosombo Spillage Committee – EDUPA Tells Govt
Education think tank Education Policy Institute Africa (EDUPA) has urged the government to include the Minister of Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum in the 13-member inter-ministerial committee charged with addressing issues relating to the flood caused by the recent spillage of excess water from the Akosombo Dam.
The advocacy group in a statement signed and released by the Executive Secretary Mark Ewusi Arkoh on Tuesday, October 17 said the extent of damage in relation to academics requires the need for the Education Minister to be included in the inter-ministerial committee.
“Classrooms, libraries, laboratories workshops, and other essential facilities have been destroyed or severely damaged, depriving students of a conducive learning environment”.
“Moreover, educational materials, such as textbooks and other essential materials have been damaged”.
“We firmly believe that the adverse impact on education should be a central concern for the committee tasked with recovery efforts”.
“By including the expertise and guidance of the Minister of Education, the committee will be better equipped to develop comprehensive plans and strategies to mitigate the impact on students and educational institutions”.
EDUPA pitched that the Education Minister “can provide valuable insights and expertise regarding the immediate and long-term needs of affected students and schools”.
“Their involvement will help ensure that educational facilities are restored or rebuilt promptly and that students can resume their education as soon as possible”.
“Additionally, the Minister can collaborate with relevant stakeholders to coordinate the provision of temporary learning spaces, materials, and resources, enabling disrupted schooling to continue during the recovery phase”.
It observed that there are psychological and emotional concerns to address among affected students.
“The Minister of Education can contribute to the development and implementation of support programs that cater to the trauma experienced by students due to this natural disaster”.
“These programs can provide counseling services, mental health support, and additional resources to help students cope with the challenges they face”.
“Including the Minister of Education in the committee will ensure that the voices and concerns of students, parents, and educators are adequately represented and considered when making decisions regarding the recovery process”.
The inter-ministerial committee headed by the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare coordinates the government’s response to the spillage.
Other ministers in the committee are National Security, Interior, Defence, Energy, Finance, Local Government, Works and Housing, Roads and Highways, Environment, Sanitation, Lands and Natural Resources, and Information.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has also called on the government to immediately include the Minister of Health Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu as a matter of urgency to the Inter-ministerial Committee.
GMA explains that the provision of emergency healthcare and support, prevention of possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases, risk communication, and ensuring continuity of essential health services are fundamental to the support being extended to the affected persons, hence there is the need for the Minister of Health to be included in the inter-ministerial committee.