The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih has informed residents in the region that one way they can eradicate poverty is through education.

Dr Bin Salih described education as a game-changer when he donated 200 pieces of furniture, 1000 exercise books, pencils, other stationery and footballs to Goripie T.I. Ahmadiyya and Goripie Islamic Primary and Junior High Schools in the Wa East District.

‘‘Education is a game-changer. For me, my priority is education. Many households in the Upper West Region have been transformed through education. I want to urge all of us to place attention on the education of our wards," he told parents.

"If we are able to educate the people of this region, then gradually, we are on the way to driving poverty out of our region. I don’t know of any Upper Westerner who is famous but not educated," he added.

On her part, the Wa East District Director of Education, Aiysha Ibrahim Jinsung, thanked the regional minister for the donation.

‘‘I have been having sleepless nights over calls of inadequate furniture in our schools. So, when I heard the minister was coming with furniture, I was happy,’’ she stated.

Social media a couple of months ago was flooded with pictures of pupils of Goripie T.1. Ahmadiyya primary school seated on the floor in classrooms. Just a few students were seated on a single desk and wooden stools.

Other students sat close to the classroom walls with no observance of the Covid-19 safety protocols.

Dr. Bin Salih admitted to being touched by the pictures circulating on social media, hence his decision to support them.

Ayisha Ibrahim tasked both schools to handle the furniture and other learning materials with care.