An aspiring constituency executive member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bongo, Isaac Akugre, has urged parents to prioritise the education of their daughters and protect them from early marriage and the growing attraction of illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Mr Akugre, a professional teacher, expressed concern that the desire to make quick money through illegal mining could discourage young people from pursuing education, thereby undermining their future opportunities.
Speaking on Bolga FM’s Tooma La Dengo Sanga, he called on parents to take greater responsibility for guiding their children and ensuring that they remain in school.
According to him, education offers long-term benefits to individuals, families and communities, making it important for parents to invest in their children’s future rather than allow immediate financial considerations to determine their choices.
He particularly urged parents to support girls to complete their education instead of exposing them to early marriage and other circumstances that could limit their opportunities.
Mr Akugre warned that the growing interest in illegal mining among some young people could negatively affect education in the Bongo District if parents and other stakeholders failed to address the situation.
He said young people must understand that although illegal mining may offer opportunities for immediate income, education provides knowledge and skills that can support their development over a lifetime.
“Galamsey is for today, but education is for the future and the generations to come,” he stressed.
The aspiring NDC executive member encouraged young people to develop long-term ambitions and resist the temptation to abandon their education in pursuit of quick financial gains.
He maintained that education remains essential to personal development, improved livelihoods and the overall progress of communities.
Mr Akugre therefore called for collective efforts by parents, traditional authorities, teachers and other stakeholders to encourage school attendance and protect children from practices that could undermine their education.
Meanwhile, Mr Akugre, who is contesting one of the eight other executive member positions in the upcoming NDC constituency elections in Bongo, appealed to delegates to support his candidature.
He expressed confidence in his ability to contribute to the party’s development agenda, describing himself as energetic and committed to serving party members and the wider constituency.
Mr Akugre, who is number eight on the ballot paper, said he was prepared to work with other stakeholders to advocate development initiatives and address challenges affecting communities in Bongo.
He urged delegates to consider his commitment to grassroots development when choosing their representatives in the constituency executive elections.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
