14 cadet corps selected for an exchange programme
A fourteen member cadet corps selected to participate in an exchange programme on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth and Sports in Accra.
The visit, among other things, was to introduce beneficiaries to the Minister and to wish them well on their trip to the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The beneficiary students were selected from senior high schools and tertiary institutions across the country for a two week Exchange programme, whilst their counterpart cadet corps would also visit Ghana around the same period.
Mr Elvis Afriyie – Ankrah, Minister of Youth and Sports, who received the delegation, said beneficiaries should see themselves as Ambassadors and raise the flag of Ghana high as they embark on the trip.
He admonished beneficiaries to exhibit the Ghanaian culture, respect, dignity and good behaviour since that is what Ghanaians were known for.
The Minister encouraged the students to use the platform to create more opportunities for future beneficiaries and return after the programme.
He cautioned them to guard against negative attitudes that could jeopardise their trip. Instead they should open themselves up for inspirations and the right approach to help develop the country on their return.
Mr Charles Afari, Acting Director, Non Formal Education, at the Ministry of Education indicated that, beneficiaries must see themselves as privileged to be selected.
He noted that their trip would be meaningless if they had no attachment with their culture and distinguished themselves to prove where they were coming from.
“Obedience, punctuality, and a sense of purposefulness should be the key words to guide you on this programme” he added.
He appealed to parents of the beneficiaries to advice their wards to put up their best and also return to the country after the programme.
Nicholas Nii Tettey Amarteifio, National Cadet Coordinator, said for the first time, students had been selected from the Upper East and Upper West regions, adding that, Ghana is the only African country among the 21 member states of the International Air and Sea Cadet Association.
He pointed out that the annual cadet exchange programme was introduced in 2004 as a way of encouraging the youth to become focused and also get the needed exposure to make the right decisions concerning their lives.
He said Government would sponsor 90 per cent of the cost of the trip whilst parents of beneficiaries pay the remaining ten per cent, adding that, eleven beneficiaries were selected for the UK with the remaining three going to the USA.
Source: GNA