The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Talensi, John Millim, has outlined his vision to transform the district, placing strong emphasis on improving education, healthcare, and addressing youth-related challenges.
With a long history of service in the assembly—having served as an assembly member and later as presiding member before assuming his current role—Mr. Millim brings both experience and a deep understanding of the district’s governance landscape.
Speaking during an interview on A1 Radio, the DCE expressed general satisfaction with the assembly’s performance but acknowledged that more needs to be done, particularly in the education, health, and agriculture sectors, as well as in tackling youth-related issues. He emphasized the urgent need to improve learning outcomes and school attendance, describing the current educational situation as falling short of expectations.
“I want to move Talensi, from how I’ve met the situation, to a better place,” he said. “When you look at education, it is currently not going well to our desired expectations, so I need to make a mark there—not alone, but with all other stakeholders who matter most.”
One of the most pressing issues he identified is the increasing number of children abandoning school in pursuit of quick money, especially through illegal mining activities (galamsey). He warned that this poses a serious threat to the district’s future, as it undermines the long-term development of the youth and their ability to qualify for future opportunities, particularly in technical and professional fields.
Mr. Millim believes much of the responsibility lies with parents, many of whom, he said, have lost control over their households.
“It’s a worrying situation. It’s good to have money, but not at the expense of your tomorrow. I think this lies largely with us as adults—to truly understand the essence of our existence. If parents are made to take charge of their families, these things will not happen.”
He called for a renewed focus on parental engagement, urging families to rebuild strong relationships with their children and foster environments that prioritize education over short-term financial gain.
“I think parents really need to talk, sit down, and become friends with their wards. I believe this is one step that can help solve the problem.”
To address the situation, the Talensi District Assembly has enacted by-laws aimed at curbing behaviors that encourage school absenteeism and youth delinquency. One such measure includes regulating late-night activities such as event launches and social gatherings, ensuring they are held within set time limits so that minors can be home at reasonable hours.
“This is one of the things I signed into law—that at least we should have a time limit for those activities to start and close, so that even if children of the ages we’re talking about take part, they will be home at a certain point in time.”
Mr. Millim stressed that effective implementation of these policies will require strong community support. He highlighted the importance of revitalizing Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and School Management Committees (SMCs) across schools in the district. These bodies, he said, are key to educating parents and the broader community about the importance of enforcing these laws, encouraging children to value education, and keeping them out of the mining pits.
With the support of local stakeholders and community leadership, the DCE expressed confidence that Talensi can reverse current trends and secure a better future for its youth through collective responsibility and firm grassroots action.
Source: A1Radioonline.com |101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor |Bolgatanga |
