E/R:Chief of Sankubenase Urges Youth to Choose Education Over Galamsey at 69th Independence Day Celebration.

Osabarima Attah Gyamera II, Chief of Sankubenase in the Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region, has advised the youth in the area to prioritise education over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. According to him, education remains the most reliable pathway to success, economic growth and sustainable development, stressing that illegal mining cannot guarantee a secure future for the younger generation.

The outspoken traditional ruler explained that although many young people are attracted to galamsey because of the quick financial gains, the activity is not sustainable and also poses serious environmental and social challenges. He therefore urged the youth to remain committed to their studies and equip themselves with knowledge and skills that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the nation at large.

Osabarima Attah Gyamera II also highlighted some pressing challenges confronting the Sankubenase community, particularly the lack of reliable communication network services. According to him, the absence of strong network connectivity is affecting businesses and other economic activities in the enclave. He therefore called on telecommunication companies to extend their services to the area to help improve communication and support business growth.

Touching on community development, the chief called for unity among residents, emphasising that collective effort is key to achieving meaningful progress. He particularly appealed to members of his family and the entire community to rally behind his leadership and work together to promote the socio-economic development of Sankubenase.

Osabarima Attah Gyamera II made these remarks on the sidelines of the community’s celebration of Ghana’s 69th Independence Day parade. He noted that the annual Independence parade in the community has been organised under his leadership for the past four editions.

This year’s celebration, held on March 6, 2026, in the Sankubenase community, was under the national theme “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.” The colourful event brought together school children, teachers, traditional authorities and community members to commemorate the historic day.

Activities that characterised the celebration included poetry recitals, cultural displays and a drama performance depicting how chiefs are enstooled in the Akan traditional system. The drama was performed by pupils of Precious Stone Academy. There were also impressive march-past displays by basic schools in the community as well as a cadet drill performance which thrilled patrons at the event.

As part of his commitment to promoting education, Osabarima Attah Gyamera II donated 5,000 customised exercise books and several educational materials including pens, pencils, markers, erasers, mathematical sets and toys to schools within the community. He also donated over 50 mini plastic chairs to the Kindergarten (KG) pupils in the community to help improve teaching and learning at the early childhood level. The total cost of the items donated was estimated at a little over GH¢60,000.

In addition, he presented 50 bags of 11-kilogram bags of rice, assorted soft drinks and 50 pieces of wax prints to teachers as a token of appreciation for their dedication to educating the children of the community. He explained that the gesture was his way of recognising the immense contribution teachers make towards the development of the school and the community.

Receiving the items on behalf of the teachers, the Headmaster of Sankubenase R/C Basic School, Mr. Dennis Agyekum, expressed profound gratitude to the chief for his continuous support towards the promotion of quality education in the area. He assured the chief of the teachers’ commitment to work harder to justify the confidence reposed in them.

The teachers also took the opportunity to present a plaque to Osabarima Attah Gyamera II in recognition of his unwavering support for educational activities in the community, including his recent sponsorship of sports programmes which helped the school’s zone win several medals.

By: George Botha