A charity tour intended to support Sinapi Aba Trust’s Micro-Schools project arrived in Accra on Friday after travelling 3500 kilo-meters from Senegal.
The convoy, which began from Dakar in Senegal and travelled through Conakry in Guinea, Liberia, Cote de Ivoire and through the Elubo border before ending its journey in Accra, raised awareness about micro-financing in rural schools.
Micro-financing is a movement which aims to help low-income individuals or groups gain access to financial services.
The eleven vehicles which made the journey were donated by Volkswagen Germany to support the project. Two of these vehicles would be used as school buses while the rest will be sold at auction in Accra to raise money for the Micro-schools project.
The tour which started from January 28 ended on the February 8 this year saw to a team of 27 including the staff and partners of Volkswagen and Opportunity International.
At a press briefing in Accra to welcome the team, the Area Sales Manager for Volkswagen Commercial Ghana, Mr Maik Patzwaldt, who was part of the team, said it was a tough journey from Dakar to Accra, but with determination they arrived safely to support schools in Ghana.
“One of the most important things for the future, for a chance, is access to education and we are happy we made it,” he said.
The project launched by Opportunity International Germany (OID) in partnership with the Volkswagen Go for Schools project will initially benefit 35 rural schools in the Central and Ashanti regions.
According to the Board Chairman of Sinapi Aba Trust, Mr Joseph Ebo Hewton, Sinapi Aba Trust’s who was also part of the tour, the Micro School project started in 1994 with the intention of supporting schools in the areas of infrastructure, tuition and school management.
He added that the project was intended to support small preparatory schools which currently don’t have enough capital.
“When you go into a lot of the villages you find individuals who have established these preparatory schools there but unfortunately they are very small and they don’t have enough capital to run the school,” Mr Hewton said.
He said the project has made progress over the years looking at the schools they had visited on their way to Accra.
“At one of the schools when we stopped it was all excitement. One of the schools which started with 64 students now have 260 due to our support,” he said.
The Ambassador of Opportunity International Germany (OID), Mr Henning Nathow, who initiated the tour said driving from Senegal to Ghana was intended to spread the idea of micro-financing and micro-schools.
“We would like to transport the this idea, of social micro-financing, from Germany to the whole of West Africa, so we started in Senegal, Guinea, Cote de Ivore and now Ghana and in each country we got a lot of support from the people and even our importers,” Mr Nathow said.
Monday 11 February 2013
Wednesday 6 February 2013
Legon accident victim buried, Daily Graphic Pg 1, Saturday February 2, 2013
One of the two students of the University of Ghana, Legon, who died in an accident at Okponglo was buried at the Osu Cemetery yesterday after an emotional church service at Lapaz, Accra.
Tears, grief and a sombre atmosphere filled the auditorium of the Light of Life Gospel Mission Church at Lapaz in Accra, when friends and family members of Debbie Akosua Denkyira Benaye, a first year student who died in an accident on January 18, this year, gathered to bid her farewell.
Debbie, 18, was one of the victims who died in the accident at the Okponglo traffic light in Accra in the early hours of January, 18 2013.
Family members, fellow students from school and friends struggled to hold back their tears.
Nothing was as painful as to watch her mother seeing her daughter being put into a coffin and later lowered down to the grave. Debbie’s mother, Mrs Dinah Wule, could not help but to wail throughout the service.
The funeral was attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Tongu, Mr Joe Gidisu, and Mr Patrick Boamah, the MP for Okaikoi Central.
The various tributes from family and friends described the deceased as friendly and caring.
“She made an impact on everyone she met,” said friends from her alma mater, the Holy Child Senior High School in Cape Coast.
Students from Elizabeth Frances Hall of the University of Ghana said their departed mate would always remain in their hearts.
Debbie’s stepfather, Mr George Laing, said she was full of great potential and promise. “Debbie will be sorely missed by everyone in our family,” said Mr Laing.
Described by friends as enterprising, Ms Benaye was a promising student who wished to be a lawyer, after completing her degree in arts. She was four months into the four-year course when death’s icy hands snatched her away with her friend, Lordina Fobi.
Ms Benaye and her friend Lordina were killed when the taxi in which they were travelling collided with a waste disposal truck at the traffic intersection.
The students were returning to the university campus at the time of the accident.
The truck driver Kwaku Ababio, 47, is currently on GH¢15,000 bail.
Tears, grief and a sombre atmosphere filled the auditorium of the Light of Life Gospel Mission Church at Lapaz in Accra, when friends and family members of Debbie Akosua Denkyira Benaye, a first year student who died in an accident on January 18, this year, gathered to bid her farewell.
Debbie, 18, was one of the victims who died in the accident at the Okponglo traffic light in Accra in the early hours of January, 18 2013.
Family members, fellow students from school and friends struggled to hold back their tears.
Nothing was as painful as to watch her mother seeing her daughter being put into a coffin and later lowered down to the grave. Debbie’s mother, Mrs Dinah Wule, could not help but to wail throughout the service.
The funeral was attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Tongu, Mr Joe Gidisu, and Mr Patrick Boamah, the MP for Okaikoi Central.
The various tributes from family and friends described the deceased as friendly and caring.
“She made an impact on everyone she met,” said friends from her alma mater, the Holy Child Senior High School in Cape Coast.
Students from Elizabeth Frances Hall of the University of Ghana said their departed mate would always remain in their hearts.
Debbie’s stepfather, Mr George Laing, said she was full of great potential and promise. “Debbie will be sorely missed by everyone in our family,” said Mr Laing.
Described by friends as enterprising, Ms Benaye was a promising student who wished to be a lawyer, after completing her degree in arts. She was four months into the four-year course when death’s icy hands snatched her away with her friend, Lordina Fobi.
Ms Benaye and her friend Lordina were killed when the taxi in which they were travelling collided with a waste disposal truck at the traffic intersection.
The students were returning to the university campus at the time of the accident.
The truck driver Kwaku Ababio, 47, is currently on GH¢15,000 bail.
Federation of the Disabled condemns remarks by traditional ruler, Daily Graphic Pg 32, Tuesday February 5, 2013
The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) has condemned remarks made by the Paramount Chief of Seikwa in the Brong Ahafo Region, Nana Kwaku Dwomo Ankoana II, that it is an “abomination” for the President to nominate a disabled person for the position of Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.
The federation threatened to embark on a massive demonstration nationwide should the President be influenced by such remarks to change the nomination of Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa, a visually-impaired person.
Nana Ankoana ll is said to have called on the President on a radio station to reassign Dr Daannaa to a different ministry to appease chiefs in the country because of his handicap as a visually-impaired person.
Nana Ankoana is also said to have called on other chiefs in the country to condemn the nomination of Dr Daannaa, since traditions and customs did not permit people with blemish to occupy such positions.
At a press conference in Accra yesterday to voice their concerns, the President of the GFD, Mr Yaw Ofori Debrah, called on the National House of Chiefs to implement Article 26(2) of the 1992 Constitution which states that “all customary practices which dehumanise or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person are prohibited”.
“GFD will like to call the National House of Chiefs to comply with Article 272(c) of the 1992 Constitution which recommends the evaluation of traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that are outmoded and socially harmful,” he said.
The GFD has over the years advocated that persons with disability be part of governance.
“Describing persons with disability as persons with blemish is an unfortunate statement and should not have come from a traditional authority that should be revered and accepted everywhere, every time and by everybody as a unifier, a builder of an inclusive society, and a provider of vision and direction,” the President of the GFD said.
Mr Debrah said the nomination of Dr Daannaa by the President had demonstrated the confidence in the ability of the disabled.
In some African countries, Europe, and the Americas, persons with disability have been appointed into various positions to enable them to contribute to national development. For instance, South Africa has ministers and 17 Members of Parliament with disability.
On behalf of all disabled movements, he thanked the President for nominating Dr Daannaa and for recognising his expertise and capabilities.
He appealed to the President to consider more persons with disability with qualifications and experiences for deputy ministerial and other positions.
“By including persons with disability in his appointment, the President has actually demonstrated his readiness and willingness to build an all-inclusive society via an all-inclusive government,” he said.
He appealed to the President and the public to ignore such comments and support Dr Daannaa for him to play his part in the implementation of the Better Ghana agenda.
Dr Daannaa has been working at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs for 17 years.
He is currently the Director of Research of the ministry and serves as an advisor to the National House of Chiefs.
A former Chief Director of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture who worked with Dr Daanaa, Ms Lillian Bruce-Lyle, said the nominee was competent and had rich experience to do the job as a minister.
The federation threatened to embark on a massive demonstration nationwide should the President be influenced by such remarks to change the nomination of Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa, a visually-impaired person.
Nana Ankoana ll is said to have called on the President on a radio station to reassign Dr Daannaa to a different ministry to appease chiefs in the country because of his handicap as a visually-impaired person.
Nana Ankoana is also said to have called on other chiefs in the country to condemn the nomination of Dr Daannaa, since traditions and customs did not permit people with blemish to occupy such positions.
At a press conference in Accra yesterday to voice their concerns, the President of the GFD, Mr Yaw Ofori Debrah, called on the National House of Chiefs to implement Article 26(2) of the 1992 Constitution which states that “all customary practices which dehumanise or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person are prohibited”.
“GFD will like to call the National House of Chiefs to comply with Article 272(c) of the 1992 Constitution which recommends the evaluation of traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that are outmoded and socially harmful,” he said.
The GFD has over the years advocated that persons with disability be part of governance.
“Describing persons with disability as persons with blemish is an unfortunate statement and should not have come from a traditional authority that should be revered and accepted everywhere, every time and by everybody as a unifier, a builder of an inclusive society, and a provider of vision and direction,” the President of the GFD said.
Mr Debrah said the nomination of Dr Daannaa by the President had demonstrated the confidence in the ability of the disabled.
In some African countries, Europe, and the Americas, persons with disability have been appointed into various positions to enable them to contribute to national development. For instance, South Africa has ministers and 17 Members of Parliament with disability.
On behalf of all disabled movements, he thanked the President for nominating Dr Daannaa and for recognising his expertise and capabilities.
He appealed to the President to consider more persons with disability with qualifications and experiences for deputy ministerial and other positions.
“By including persons with disability in his appointment, the President has actually demonstrated his readiness and willingness to build an all-inclusive society via an all-inclusive government,” he said.
He appealed to the President and the public to ignore such comments and support Dr Daannaa for him to play his part in the implementation of the Better Ghana agenda.
Dr Daannaa has been working at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs for 17 years.
He is currently the Director of Research of the ministry and serves as an advisor to the National House of Chiefs.
A former Chief Director of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture who worked with Dr Daanaa, Ms Lillian Bruce-Lyle, said the nominee was competent and had rich experience to do the job as a minister.
SDA Ghana launches 125th anniversary, Daily Graphic, Pg 32,February 6, 2013
The Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) has launched its 125th anniversary celebrations, with a call on its members and Christians in general to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ and live Christian lives in order to lessen corruption and evil in the country.
Launching the celebration, the President of the Ghana Union of the SDA, Pastor Samuel Adama Larmie, said corruption and evil had become the order of the day and yet there were many who professed Christianity.
“Today, millions have abandoned the Christian standard of conduct and are bartering the sweet and sacred experiences of marriage and parenthood for the bitter remorseful fruits of lust,” he said.
“The ideals that make our social relationships safe and happy are breaking down under the influence of passion unrestrained by moral and religious principles,” he added.
Pastor Larmie said if Christians proclaimed the message of God and lived it, evil in perilous times could be lessened.
According to the President, it was for that reason that the celebration was on the theme; “Proclaiming and Living the Christian life”, to rededicate and evaluate the lives of members of the church.
The programmes lined up for the celebration include a national clean-up campaign on March 3, a national blood donation on March 16, revival and spiritual camp meetings from August 1 to August 31, evangelistic campaigns from September to November and the climax of activities on December 7.
Other activities to be organised at regional, district and local levels include musical concerts, health expos, youth rallies, choir and singing rallies, symposia and seminars.
Pastor Larmie urged members of the church to reach out to the unbelievers and celebrate with the intention of rededicating and evaluating their lives.
It is exactly 125 years since the establishment of the SDA Church in Ghana after its establishment in America. Thus, as the World Church celebrates its 150 years of existence, Ghana celebrates 125 years.
The SDA mission started in Ghana in 1888 through an indigene called Francis Dolphin, who picked up a Sabbath tract along the coast of Apam in the Central Region. However, in 1894, the first missionaries, Edward L. Sanfrod and Karl G. Rudolph, arrived at Apam.
With about 700,000 membership, the SDA has about 3011 worship centres nationwide.
The church has over the years built over 600 basic schools, 14 senior high schools and three tertiary institutions, which include the Valley View University, Asokore College of Education and Kwadaso Nursing Training College.
As part of the SDA’s contribution to health care in the country, the church has 12 hospitals, 10 clinics and two health assistant schools with one pharmacy.
Launching the celebration, the President of the Ghana Union of the SDA, Pastor Samuel Adama Larmie, said corruption and evil had become the order of the day and yet there were many who professed Christianity.
“Today, millions have abandoned the Christian standard of conduct and are bartering the sweet and sacred experiences of marriage and parenthood for the bitter remorseful fruits of lust,” he said.
“The ideals that make our social relationships safe and happy are breaking down under the influence of passion unrestrained by moral and religious principles,” he added.
Pastor Larmie said if Christians proclaimed the message of God and lived it, evil in perilous times could be lessened.
According to the President, it was for that reason that the celebration was on the theme; “Proclaiming and Living the Christian life”, to rededicate and evaluate the lives of members of the church.
The programmes lined up for the celebration include a national clean-up campaign on March 3, a national blood donation on March 16, revival and spiritual camp meetings from August 1 to August 31, evangelistic campaigns from September to November and the climax of activities on December 7.
Other activities to be organised at regional, district and local levels include musical concerts, health expos, youth rallies, choir and singing rallies, symposia and seminars.
Pastor Larmie urged members of the church to reach out to the unbelievers and celebrate with the intention of rededicating and evaluating their lives.
It is exactly 125 years since the establishment of the SDA Church in Ghana after its establishment in America. Thus, as the World Church celebrates its 150 years of existence, Ghana celebrates 125 years.
The SDA mission started in Ghana in 1888 through an indigene called Francis Dolphin, who picked up a Sabbath tract along the coast of Apam in the Central Region. However, in 1894, the first missionaries, Edward L. Sanfrod and Karl G. Rudolph, arrived at Apam.
With about 700,000 membership, the SDA has about 3011 worship centres nationwide.
The church has over the years built over 600 basic schools, 14 senior high schools and three tertiary institutions, which include the Valley View University, Asokore College of Education and Kwadaso Nursing Training College.
As part of the SDA’s contribution to health care in the country, the church has 12 hospitals, 10 clinics and two health assistant schools with one pharmacy.
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