The Somanya Methodist Junior High School has held their second graduation speech and prize-giving day, focusing on the theme: “Preparing for changing work environments, leaving no learner behind.” 

In an impressive ceremony, 29 out of the total of 140 graduates were honoured with awards, while 16 teachers received certificates of appreciation. 

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the former Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, in a speech, advocated effective decentralisation of Ghana’s education system. 

He stressed the importance of interconnections and connectivity as crucial factors for the success of education. 

“As a nation, we must start investigating education decentralisation. If our local government ministry and ministry of education decentralise, empower our teachers and provide resources at the district level, we can have good outcomes,” he said. 

Mr Ablakwa said decentralisation was beneficial to Ghana’s educational system, specifically at the district level and that allowing districts to have a platform to discuss their plans and budgets, would afford them an opportunity to showcase their achievements. 

He said there was a necessity for a transformation in the current situation to enhance the standard of the educational system, adding that it was imperative to cease the mere rhetoric surrounding the decentralisation of education. 

Mr Ablakwa said Mr Kwamena Ahwoi was leading plans to advance the decentralisation concept through comprehensive blueprints that aimed at achieving full decentralisation of education and health services. 

He said the present situation presented an opportune time to revisit the plan for complete decentralisation of the education and health sectors. 

He called for a cordial relationship between the Ghana Education Service and the religious bodies that assisted in running schools to improve the education system. 

Mr Ablakwa urged the graduates to exercise self-control and take their studies seriously as they go to the next stage of their academic careers. 

Mr Albert Nyarkotey, the Yilo Krobo Member of Parliament, said education was the foundation of the future and was not only a right but a shared commitment to make education available to everybody in Yilo Krobo. 

Ms Believe Ama Amoah, the Somanya Methodist JHS principal, noted that the school had experienced notable successes during her leadership, including an improvement in Basic Education Certificate Examination results. 

She said out of 50 Junior High Schools in three distinct parts of the country, “we were adjudged as the first runner-up in the plastic waste management initiative.” 

“In quiz contests at the circuit and regional levels, we also placed first runner-up,” and mentioned that the school provided other clubs to help pupils reach their full potential, such as the cadet corps, culture and drama groups, and others. 

She said despite the successes, the school was facing other challenges that included lack of fence wall, absenteeism, truancy, and failure of some parents to provide basic needs for their wards. 

Ms Amoah appealed to the government to provide teaching and learning materials, such as textbooks, to enhance effective teaching and learning. 

She urged parents to monitor and supervise their children and make sure they study at home. 

“Our school has been encroached on by nearby residents, and we will need the necessary support from philanthropists and other non-governmental organisations to wall the premises,” she added.