Category: Literacy

The 1998-year group of Benkum Senior High School Old Student Association (BOSA) has successfully addressed water scarcity at their alma mater by providing a mechanized borehole. The initiative, costing approximately GHS 27,000.00, was commissioned on December 2, as part of BOSA 1998's special project to commemorate their 25th anniversary. The project aims to serve the school's student population of over 3,000, alleviating the water scarcity and sanitation challenges currently faced by the institution. Speaking during the project handover, Ms. Irene Naa Lamley Jones-Nelson, the President of BOSA 1998, emphasized that the borehole initiative was a symbol of appreciation to their alma mater for its role in shaping their lives. She stated that water, being essential to life, was chosen as the starting point for their charitable deeds to the school. Ms. Jones-Nelson expressed her elation and fulfilment at the completion of the project, noting that it was made possible through the collective resources contrib uted by group members worldwide. She conveyed the group's commitment to undertaking more projects in the future as gestures of gratitude and support for their beloved alma mater. On behalf of the Headmaster of Benkum Senior High School, the Assistant Headmistress Academic, Ms. Esther Akoto, conveyed sincere gratitude to BOSA 1998 for their swift response to the water challenges faced by the students and staff. She highlighted the negative impact of water scarcity on academic productivity, with students spending valuable study or rest hours in search of water. Ms. Akoto further explained that the school's reliance on the Ghana Water Company Limited sometimes led to disruptions in water supply, affecting both staff and students. The project commissioning ceremony featured Ms. Irene lamley Jones-Nelson, Ms. Esther Akoto, and Mr. Bernard Dormekpor, Assistant Headmaster Administration, cutting the ceremonial tape to mark the successful completion and inauguration of the mechanized borehole project. The water initiative marks the beginning of BOSA 1998's ongoing commitment to supporting their alma mater, reflecting their dedication to the betterment of the school community. Source: Ghana News Agency

Hello World, a not-for-profit organization, equipping youth with skills in coding and artificial intelligence, has donated 60 computer sets to two senior high schools to aid teaching and learning of information and communications technology. The beneficiary schools are the Nkoranza SHS in the Bono-East Region and St Jerome SHS at Abofour, in the Offinso South District. Each school received 30 modern computers, a printer, a scanner, a photocopier machine, and a stabilizer. The organization has also improved internet connectivity, fixed new security doors and windows, tiled floors, and provided fans and air conditioners for the computer laboratories of the beneficiary schools. Mr. Evans Adusei Jnr, Founder of Hello World, at two separate ceremonies to officially inaugurate the refurbished laboratories, indicated that the organization had carefully targeted to create an environment that would enable the students to use the devices to their full capacity. 'We want to foster an atmosphere of learning and inn ovation, ensuring that the infrastructure supports the limitless potential of each student.' He said the organization would commit to enhancing access to cutting-edge technologies to bridge the educational gap and help young minds thrive in advancing the digital world. Mr Adusei Jnr, said Hello World, would work to create a network of technology education hubs, each contributing to the empowerment of the youth. Mr Collins Adu-Yeboah, Headmaster of Nkoranza SHS, said in the realm of education, the importance of technology could not be overstated with the rapid evolution of the digital age. He was hopeful that computers would assist in empowering students with the skills necessary for success in the 21st century. Mr Adu-Yeboah commended the organization for providing such educational resources, which had capacities to grow and pave the way for innovation and discovery. Source: Ghana News Agency

Greek Minister of Defence, Mr Nikos Dendias, has visited St Nicholas Charity Foundation in Tema Newtown, following on from his previous visit this year. During the visit, the Minister promised to assist in building a football pitch in the future. This will be in addition to a basketball court, which is currently under construction. The Minister has taken a close interest in the school and has been very moved by the efforts being made to ensure the motto EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN EDUCATION is maintained. Mr Dendias was in Ghana for the United National Ministerial Summit to support Peace Operations, which took place on 5th December. He also held bilateral meetings with Dominic Nitiwul Minister for Defence Ghana and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. Despite the busy schedule, the Minister and his delegation, including the Greek Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Athanasios Kotsionis and Mr Evangelis Ntemiris ADC took time to visit the school to see at first hand the continuing progress being made by the children. The Minister was met in the traditional fashion with the school brass band and Navy cadet Corp marching him into the school and a church service held at the St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Tema. There was also a short cultural display, including a Ghanaian cultural dance, a Serra Pyrrhic Dance (performed at the Athens Olympics 2004), and memory verses by the smaller children. The Minister took the opportunity to visit the Basketball court which is being constructed from donations previously given by the Ministry. The court will be named after the Greek famous basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Mr Dendias was particularly impressed that both 2022 and 2023 graduates from St Nicholas junior secondary had all passed their Basic Education Certificate Examination and secured places in Senior secondary schools. He congratulated the school and staff for the hard work and effort in giving a chance to the children of the area living in disadvantaged conditions and for many the graduates will b e the first in their family, attending senior secondary school. In attendance were two former Ghanaian footballers of the Greek team Olympiakos Peter Oforikwe and Kofi Abonsa who promised to hold football workshops for the children. Dr Evangelos Kyriakidis of The Heritage Management Organisation, with the support of the Mellon Foundation was in attendance and is in Ghana embarking on a three-year programme for capacity development in the heritage management sector aiming to contribute to a dynamic sustainable ecosystem. Deborah Eleazar, Trustee of the UK registered charity took the opportunity of thanking the Minister and his delegation for their support and to also mention the founders of the school Captain Panagiotis Tsakos , The Maria Tsakos Foundation, Tsakos family for their constant involvement and help and Mr Evangelos Mytilineos , their Foundation for the classrooms, school bus and ongoing assistance with the contribution of the HC Mrs Marianna Gavriel. Each child was given a gift from the Ministe r and the children presented an original African Icon of the patron saint St Nicholas whose name day was being celebrated on 6th December to the Minister to celebrate his name day. Ongoing fundraisers continue in the United Kingdom with various organisations including the Baltic Caledonian Society, in the USA through King Baudouin Foundation as well as other initiatives. The school is anxious to secure the running costs for 2024 and to continue the good work being done. There was talk as to whether a study should be done on the school to see if the school origins and results could be used as a blueprint for other marginalised areas. Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has conferred honorary doctorate degrees on three prominent Ghanaian women for demonstrating commitment to humanitarian causes. They are the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, Ghana's first female Speaker of Parliament, and Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, the nation's first female Chief Justice. The three personalities were cited for their exceptional professional work which has left indelible marks in their respective fields and society at large. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was on hand to give moral support to the First Lady as well as the other recipients. Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong, the Chancellor of UPSA, described the event as historic given the fact that it was an all-female affair - depicting the vital role women played in the nation's development agenda. He commended the honorees for their dedicated services and commitment to duty, saying the nation was blessed to have had such knowledgeable and hardworking personalities. 'As a champion of social causes, your contribution to humanity has been very impactful in the country and you have been commended for advocating the fight against malaria in Ghana. 'You spearheaded the health education agenda in 2017 by establishing the Rebecca Foundation, a non-governmental organisation to enhance government's efforts among women and children in Ghana,' a citation presented to the First Lady read. Since becoming the First Lady some seven years ago, Mrs Akufo-Addo has been instrumental in working for the betterment of women and children, initiating some transformative projects at the Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals, Ghana's two largest referral hospitals, to enhance maternal and childcare. 'You are also a founding member and Chairperson of the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation, a charity established in 2005 that supports the national efforts to reduce malaria infections in infants and young children. On Justice Bamford-Addo, a citation presented to her rea d: 'Your remarkable achievements paved the way for a new dawn of women justices in Ghana's Supreme Court.' 'In recognition of your remarkable service to Ghana, in October 2011, you were honoured by President John Evans Atta-Mills with the Companion of the Order of the Volta, the highest in the order of Volta awards. 'You retired from public service in October 2004, after 43 years as a practising lawyer and 13 years as the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Ghana.' For Justice Theodora Wood, a citation presented to her saluted her for being an ardent advocate of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). 'You have contributed immensely to advancing the cause of ADR both locally and internationally. 'During the span of your career, you occupied many international positions. Your good work was highly recognised in and out of Ghana, including the Order of the Star of Ghana, the nation's highest honour in 2007, and in August 2008, you were awarded a Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Ghana,' the ci tation noted. Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of National Security, lauded the honorees for their patriotism and commitment to the nation's growth. Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, was hopeful the awards would motivate the younger generation of professionals to strive for excellence in their work. Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa School of Petroleum Studies has organized a research results dissemination workshop for stakeholders in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply chain. It was on the theme 'safety assessment of the existing LPG supply chain for safe sustainable clean energy in Ghana. A case study of the Western Region'. Participants included; the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Ghana National Fire Services (GNFS) National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and hotel owners. The research was conducted in the Western Region and some areas the team visited were Tarkwa, Takoradi, Asankragwa and many others, to help identify the safety and technical-related issues associated with the existing LPG supply chain. Professor Richard Amorin, Vice Dean of the School of Petroleum Studies explained that from the survey, it was clear that most domestic users of LPG in the Western Region lacked basic knowledge on the safe usage of th e gas. He said 'I think the findings have shown clearly that indeed usage is not as bad as one may perceive but the problem is how people are using the cylinders. 'Currently when you look at the urban communities many people are using LPG for their vehicles and cooking. We need to sensitize more communities so they can all come on board to help end the deforestation process that is ongoing' For the refilling aspects, he said 'we need to review the cylinders that are in the system, is good that the government has initiated the cylinder recirculation model but how soon will it get to all of us, so until then, the current system needs to be upgraded' Professor Amorin indicated that after the research they recommended that as the Government was determined to increase access to domestic LPG usage to 50% by 2030, the move should be commensurate with sufficient safety protocols to minimize the LPG-related casualties recorded in the country. In a speech read on behalf of Professor Micheal Affam, Dean Office of R esearch, Innovation, and Consultancy said the workshop was made possible with the support of the Ghana Chamber of Mines Tertiary Education Fund. He said over the past three years, the fund has supported 40 faculty members and 80 post graduate students with funding to enable them conduct research that is of relevance to the mining industry and for national development. 'One of such projects is what we are about to listen to, learn from and take home with us useful information and skills in the effective use of LPG' he stated. Prof. Affam said the assessment examined by the study included LPG storage, filling, distribution, and retail facilities for both domestic and commercial purposes, for safe, sustainable, clean energy for all. It also assesses the safety knowledge and use of domestic cylinders for safe usage across the region and by extension Ghana. The project evaluated the safety of the LPG value chain for safe, sustainable clean energy for all to meet the SDGs 7 and 13. It is gratifying to note that apart from the Knowledge transfer a team from the GNFS will demonstrate how to fight LPG fire, he said Prof. Affam implored the trainees to take the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and educate other members of the public to avoid casualties resulting from the wrongful use the LPG, adding, 'I thank the Ghana Chamber of Mines for their immense support to the UMaT in diverse ways and also congratulate the research team for a good job done'. The Tarkwa Divisional Officer of the GNFS (DO) Grade II Alex Assiem in his presentation advised that cylinders be transported in an upright position and stored in a well-ventilated place to prevent the accumulation of gas vapors. Mr David Amankwa, District Manager of DVLA Tarkwa, on his part stated that LPG systems should be installed and maintained by certified professionals who adhered to local regulations and standards. Source: Ghana News Agency