The 18th National Delegates Congress of the National Union of Tongu Students and Associates (NUTSA) convened at Sogakope Senior High School on Thursday, drawing student leaders, educators, traditional authorities and policymakers from the three Tongu districts to discuss the future of education and development.
Under the theme “Championing Unity, Excellence and Development: Advancing Academic Brilliance Across the Three Tongu Districts,” the congress highlighted the need for collective action beyond administrative lines. Dr Prince Nelson Mortoti, President of the PIWAK Group of Companies, delivered a keynote that urged the youth to view education as a catalyst for community transformation.
Dr Mortoti described North Tongu’s agricultural, industrial and tourism potential, Central Tongu’s role in food production and livestock development, and South Tongu’s growing commercial and educational profile. He warned against treating the districts as competitors, using a three‑legged pot analogy to stress that a weak link jeopardises the whole community.
Focusing on the congress’s three pillars, he first called for unity, urging students and stakeholders to treat educational challenges as shared concerns and to position NUTSA as a bridge‑builder among teachers, traditional leaders and political actors. He then turned to excellence, arguing that academic success must go beyond rote learning to include digital literacy, critical thinking and character development. He identified digital inclusion, teacher support and mentorship—especially for girls—as priority areas.
On development, Dr Mortoti warned of talent migration to cities and abroad, proposing a Local Talent Retention Accord involving MPs, assembly members and local businesses to create opportunities for graduates and national service personnel within Tongu. He also urged investment in agribusiness, tourism and the creative arts, and called for greater climate resilience and disaster preparedness in schools.
The congress concluded with a commitment to translate academic excellence into community growth, with NUTSA pledging to launch peer‑tutoring networks, mock exams and reading clubs across basic and senior high schools.
What follows is the implementation of these initiatives, with stakeholders monitoring progress and adjusting strategies to ensure that Tongu’s students and communities rise together.
