ACCRA, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MOFARI) on Monday launched a new education campaign to help needy students get access to quality education.

"The Back to School" campaign is aimed at complementing government's efforts to improve the quality of education across the country.

It targets particularly underprivileged students in primary and junior high schools, especially in the rural areas.

So far, five schools have been selected to benefit from the first phase of the program which is being implemented in close collaboration with 11 diplomatic missions in Ghana.

The missions, including the Chinese embassy in Ghana, have donated textbooks and other assorted stationery for the maiden program.

Addressing the gathering, Ghana's Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said the campaign was indicative of Ghana's genuine commitment to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal Four, which calls for inclusive quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.

She said obtaining quality education for all served as a conduit for improving people's lives and ensuring sustainable development.

Quoting the author, Victor Hugo, who once observed that "He who opens a school door, closes a prison door," Botchwey therefore entreated the ministry and the diplomatic corps to come together and carry out this project together.

"For together, through the 'Back-to-school campaign,' I know we can open more school doors for children in Ghana, and as a result, have a more enlightened and empowered society," Botchwey said.

The High Commissioner of India, Birender Singh Yadav, who represented the diplomatic corps in Ghana, thanked the ministry for giving them the opportunity to be part of the campaign. Enditem