KoKMA to expand cultural exchange programme
The Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA) is to expand its cultural exchange programme with the City of Kotovsk in Russia’s Tambov Oblast, following the successful participation of 10 pupils from public schools in this year’s summer camp.
The initiative, under a sister-city partnership between KoKMA and Kotovsk, seeks to expose pupils to different cultures, foster international friendship and provide experiences that broaden their outlook and contribute to their personal development.
The Head of Public Affairs and International Relations at KoKMA and leader of the delegation, Mr Nii Ofori Quaye, announced the expansion when the delegation arrived at the Accra International Airport yesterday.
He described the programme as successful and said the Assembly was committed to providing similar opportunities for more pupils in subsequent years.
“As a municipality located within the central business district, we believe our young people should be exposed to different cultures and experiences that will broaden their knowledge and prepare them for the future,” he said.
Mr Quaye said the exchange programme was made possible through the sister-city partnership, which promotes educational, cultural and sporting exchanges between the two cities.
He said the Assembly activated a provision of the agreement to enable the pupils to participate in the annual summer camp, where they interacted with children from different countries, learnt about other cultures and represented Ghana.
He said the programme deliberately targeted pupils from public schools because many of them might not otherwise have the opportunity to travel outside the country.
“The MCE wanted children in our public schools to know that there is hope for them and that they can also benefit from opportunities beyond Ghana,” he said.
An Assembly Member and coordinator of the programme, Ms Linda Ansah, said the exchange had achieved its objective of exposing the pupils to new cultures and experiences.
She said the Assembly intended to expand the programme to enable more children from communities within the municipality to benefit from subsequent editions.
One of the beneficiaries described the trip as memorable and life-changing, saying the pupils made friends from different countries, participated in football and cultural activities and visited research facilities.
A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Mr Ernest Victor Asihene, commended the Assembly for the initiative, saying the opportunity had broadened the children’s horizons and encouraged them to think beyond their immediate environment.
He urged parents to encourage their children to participate in similar educational programmes, saying such initiatives exposed young people to different cultures, built their confidence and prepared them for future opportunities.
By JESSIE PRINCESS DUAH
