Ghana National Exchange Student Programme Launched In Accra

by Agnes Opoku Sarpong & Alberta Larkai

The Minister in a handshake with some of the participating students


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The fifth edition of the Ghana National Exchange Student Programme (GNESP) has been launched in Accra, on the theme, “Promoting unity in diversity for intellectual capacity and peace building: The foundation for national development”
The programme, to cater for about 900 students from 35 second cycle schools in seven regions in the country would, help inculcate the spirit of unity among students.

The students, pursuing courses in Business, Visual and General Arts, Agricultural Science, Integrated Science, Technical and Home Economics, will change their schools for one month.

At the launch last Thursday, the Deputy Minister for Education in charge of Pre-Tertiary Education, Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh said the foundation for national development is unity and called on parents and guardians to teach their wards the spirit oo togetherness, as the basis for peace building.

She commended the organisers of the programme for the opportunity given to the students to know, understand and experience the benefits of unity in diversity, noting that creating differences among ourselves would make one devoid of diversity and broadmindedness which would not lead to peace building in the country.

Mrs. Amoah-Tetteh called on the students to devote their time to their books, avoid social vices which might hinder their goals in education and obey the rules and regulation at the camp.

The president of the Conference of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS), Mr. Samuel Ofori-Adjei, was hopeful that the project will develop a youth free from tribalism, discrimination and to raise them as thenext generation of leaders.

He advised participants to be tolerant, accommodating and patient with each other, to ensure the success of the programme.

The president of GNESP, Mr. Kobla Asamani, disclosed that as part of the programme, students will participate in activities such as tourism, cultural performances, community services, research and sports. There would also be a talk on regenerative health.

He was unhappy that three Northern Regions were not represented due to their limited logistics, and called on stakeholders to assist the programme to cover all the 10 regions in future. 

The Ghanaian Times, 6th February, 2012