Veep advises bright students against complacency

The Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, has advised students who have excelled in their academic endeavours not to become complacent.

Rather, they should work hard to serve as models for their peers and society at large.

He expressed concern over the way some students performed academically well in their basic schools but, due to complacency, failed as they climbed the academic ladder.

The Vice-President made the observation when this year’s President’s Independence Award winners and their teachers paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House in Accra Wednesday.

“Be appreciative of what you have, but note that to whom much is given, much is required. We expect much from you,” he said.

He said the successes chalked up by the students would follow them throughout their lives and, therefore, advised them not to destroy what they had achieved.

Mr Amissah-Arthur said every leader required some level of education in order to succeed and mentioned Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia as examples of leaders who were well educated and made significant achievements.

The Vice-President recalled the policy of the government to appoint some appreciable percentage of females into government, stressing that that would be based on the academic achievements of those women.

He commended the various stakeholders in education for their encouragement and support which had brought the awardees that far.

“Your parents have made significant investment in you, as well as your school and your teachers. So listen to them for guidance and protection,” he said.

The Minister of Education, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, expressed delight at the fact that the awardees were able to make it through hard work and determination and urged them not to rest on their laurels but work harder to achieve greater laurels.

Source: Daily Graphic