The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South and Deputy Majority Leader, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, has provided educational materials to 300 students from the constituency who are preparing to enter Senior High School (SHS).
The support, aimed at easing the financial pressure on parents and guardians, included a mattress, school bag, and either a chop box or trunk for each beneficiary.
The MP also covered the cost of transporting the students’ belongings through transportation money, ensuring that beneficiaries do not have to pay additional charges to send their items to their respective destinations.
The initiative forms part of Mr Ricketts-Hagan’s continued efforts to support students in the constituency and help families cope with the financial demands associated with preparing children for SHS.
Addressing the beneficiaries at a brief ceremony, Mr Ricketts-Hagan urged the students to take their education seriously and remain focused throughout their time in school.
He encouraged them to study hard and make good use of the opportunities available to them, stressing that they can secure a bright future if they remain disciplined, committed and determined to succeed.
The MP also appealed to parents and guardians to play an active role in the education of their children by ensuring that they provide their basic needs throughout their stay in school.
He said parental support is critical to helping students remain focused on their studies and successfully complete their education.
Mr Ricketts-Hagan expressed concern about comments reportedly made by some parents regarding the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
According to him, some of the comments can have a discouraging effect on children at a critical stage of their education.
He therefore appealed to parents to encourage their children and support them in securing admission to SHS rather than making comments that could undermine their confidence.
“I’m appealing to parents in this country to stand behind their children and fight for their wards to get SHS admission rather than discourage them,” he said.
He urged parents to recognise that the transition from basic school to SHS could be challenging for students and therefore required encouragement, guidance and financial support from families.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Cape Coast, George Justice Arthur, said the support provided by the MP is not a new initiative.
According to him, Mr Ricketts-Hagan have supported students in similar ways over several years, demonstrating his commitment to education and the development of young people in the constituency.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items they had received and remain focused on their studies.
Mr Arthur also urged them to continue praying for the MP so that he could receive the strength and resources to extend similar support to more students in the future.
Some of the beneficiary students expressed gratitude to the MP for the support, saying the items would help them prepare for their transition into SHS.
They assured Mr Ricketts-Hagan that they would work hard, remain disciplined and pursue their studies with determination to make their parents and the MP proud.
Parents who attended the ceremony also expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and a significant relief.
They noted that the cost of preparing children for SHS had become increasingly challenging, with families required to purchase several items before their wards could begin school.
They said the provision of mattresses, school bags, trunks or chop boxes, together with the transportation support, would reduce some of the immediate financial pressure on families.
The beneficiaries are expected to proceed to their respective SHSs as they begin the next stage of their educational journey.
Story by Kwame Kakraba
