NATIONAL LAUNCH OF TENI HELD IN WALEWALE

At 2:30pm we had most of the Chiefs and dignitaries arriving for the programme.

Arrival of Walewale Chief (Durana Mahami Salifu)

The Programme started with a traditional dance by the Zangum zone, to entertain the guests while they waited for his Excellency Hon. John Dramani Mahama, Vice President.

At 3:21pm, the Vice President arrived and went round as usual to greet the chiefs, dignitaries and others that had made it to the programme.

Next on the agenda was a prayer by the Chief Imam of Walewale, Alhaji Labaran.

Chief Imam of Walewale, Alhaji Labaran.

Evelyn Boateng of ISODEC was called to introduce the chairperson. The Chairman Professor Nabila, the Chief of Wulugu and the president of the National House of Chiefs accepted to start the program by first delivering his speech. He congratulated and thanked the V.S.O and founding partners for introducing such an initiative for the three northern regions. He also thanked his Excellency Hon. John Dramani Mahama for actually making it to the programme despite his busy schedule. He stated that the TENI Project will help girls in the three northern regions to excel high in education.

EVELYN BOATENG OF ISODEC INTRODUCING THE CHAIRMAN

THE CHAIRMAN PROFESSOR NABILA,

GIVING HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.

To his right is the Vice President followed by the Regional Minister and the D.C.E

In his speech, the District Chief Executive Hon. Zakaria Sulley stated that he was so glad that the V.S.O has decided to choose West Mamprugu for the National launch of TENI. He said that the TENI Project will be very beneficial to girl child education in the district. He also thanked the government for the increase of 100% in capitation grants. He didn't also forget to thank N.G.Os that are also helping in one way or another for good education in the district.

Hon.Zakaria Sulley D.C.E

He concluded by mentioning some problems like the lack of professional teachers in the district, poor roads to the Oversea areas and high illiteracy rates. He therefore called on Government to deal with some of these problems in order to improve the situation.

Mr. Amidu Ibrahim the Country Director of V.S.O gave a brief insight into TENI and how the project is designed to bring about change for the girl child and those with disabilities. He also spelled out some of the problems that V.S.O and TENI had noticed in the three northern regions of Ghana. Notable of which are that only 10% of pupils in primary six can read and with understanding (90% cannot), and only 65% of boys and 52% of girls manage to complete J.H.S in the Northern Region, far lower than the national average. There are also concerns over some Socio-cultural beliefs and practices which prevent girls from being supported in their schooling.

He mentioned the solutions to these problems as upgrading teachers training colleagues in the country, increase in the capitation grants etc. TENI is a girls' name and education for girls is of paramount importance. He therefore assured every one that the TENI Project will work with the District Assembly to improve the livelihood of women. TENI is founded to the tune of 3 million pounds by Comic Relief with an additional 1.5million pounds being provided by V.S.O to help. The TENI Project will also support the national scheme. TENI will work with S.M.O, Community leaders etc. and there are three research institutions, one in UK and two in Ghana, monitoring the impact of the project

He ended his speech with a powerful statement "Working together, I know we can help to solve the problem of education in Northern Ghana. If we are victorious, we can look forward to a Northern Ghana that is thriving, free of conflicts, no longer a scar on the conscience of the nation but an active participant, contributing more than its quota to national development and where youth can see a future for themselves and their children

Mr. Amidu Ibrahim Country Director for V.S.O giving his speech

Next on the agenda was a drama by school children from Gbimsi. Entitled; “IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION”.

This wonderful and entertaining Drama was staged by the Gbimsi R/C J.H.S

It was now the turn for his Excellency Hon. John Dramani Mahama. He started his speech by first thanking every one for coming to witness the launch of such an important project. In particular, thanking the Gbimsi J.H.S for the wonderful and interesting drama staged. He explained from the drama that some parents think it is more important to be wealthier or to become a chief, giving a daughter out for marriage rather than educating her. Kayaye was another point the Vice President spoke on and advised parents and children to do away with such thoughts and take education seriously, since that is the only good way to make life better. He said that lessons learned from the play/ drama should be taken seriously. The Vice President also apologised to the gathering for his delayance in Tamale.

He mentioned some developments the N.D.C Government have started initiating in their sixteen months in power. They have setup agricultural mechanisms as stated in the N.D.C manifesto; they intend to construct bridge from WA, Kpasimkpe to Walewale and the intention is to open up the Overseas area for farmers to be able to bring their products to the district capital and other places to sell.

Vice President delivering a speech

To his left is the Regional Minister and next to him is the D.C.E

He mentioned that in 16 months of rule, the N.D.C has worked with sound policies like free school uniforms and free exercise books. He called on every one to take on the responsibility of the education of the girl child. He stated some contributory factors affecting the girl child education were illiteracy and lack of professional teachers etc. He called on community leaders and members to see it as a responsibility too and not to leave every thing for the government, since we can all help to improve the provision of quality education. 50 years of V.S.O has been very instrumental in improving education in northern Ghana.

He called on the people of Walewale to embrace the Project and encourage V.S.O. He concluded by announcing this as the National launch of the TENI PROJECT.

Hon. John Dramani Mahama

Closing remarks by the Chairman. He thanked the Chiefs and all the dignitaries for coming to witness the National launch of TENI PROJECT in Walewale.

PICTURES OF THE CEREMONY

Alhaji Mohammed Haroon District Director of Education for West Mamprusi and several others

Charlotte Cashman, the woman pushing for the clubs, G.E.S and this TENI Project.

Dressed in her Ghanaian wear

His Excellency Hon. John Dramani Mahama

waves to the people, to his right is the D.C.E, behind him is the Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for Walewale Hon. Iddirisu Zakaria.

The President of the National House of Chiefs and Chief of Wulugu. Professor Nabila greeting the Chief of Wungu and his elders.








Alhaji Mohammed Haroon shaking the hands of the Chairman, Professor Nabila














School children came out to witness the launch of TENI and also staged a play on the importance of education.










Arrival of his Excellency Hon. John Dramani Mahama to the ceremony














Arrival of the District Chief Imam Alhaji Labaran to the ceremony











Arrival of Nazori, the Chief of Wungu













The D.C.E in front, followed by his Excellency and then the Regional Minister.

They were exchanging hand shakes with the guests.








exchanging hand shakes with the guests.

Nazori the Chief of Wungu and his elders
witnessing the ceremony