News
Accra High School celebrates 101st Founder’s Day
The 101st Founders’ Day of Accra High School (AHISCO), a second cycle institution, was celebrated last saturday in a colourful celebration on the school’s grounds in Accra.
Old students (Onukpai) dressed in the school’s anniversary cloth, along with current students, staff, management, and well-wishers, graced the occasion, which had as its theme “Restoring discipline in Accra High School: The role of stakeholders.”
The Special Guest of honour, Onukpa Rt Rev. Borlabi Bortey, Bishop of Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, expressed concern about the current state of the evolving world which makes it difficult to train children in this present age.
He, however called on teachers to be role models to the students as their mistakes can mar the lives of their students.
Additionally, he asked parents to help with their wards’ discipline and to provide the resources they need to pursue their academic goals.
The event’s chairperson, Onukpa Mrs. Jennifer Naa Barkey Anane-Nsiah, Head of Human Resources Department of Channel One TV and Citi FM, also voiced concern about the startling rise in indiscipline in Ghanaian society and urged all Onukpai, teachers, and students to work together to foster discipline in the school community.
The students received behaviour advice from Professor Francis K.E. Nunoo, the acting deputy Director General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and director of tertiary education at the Ministry of Education.
Prof Nunoo who is also board chairman of the Fisheries Commission advised them to refrain from loitering, jumping, and scaling walls.
The Chairman of the Celebrating Year Group (CYG) ‘4 Steering Committee, Onukpa Dr. Tsatsu Nukunya, spoke on behalf of the year groups that organised the event, CYGs 1974, 1984, 1994 FOCUS, 1994 SSS, 2004, and 2014.
“We have taken note of your unwavering commitment, endless hours of work, and dedication to making our celebration a success,” he exhorted them.
Ms. Evelyn Sagbil Nabia, the Headmistress of AHISCO, promised to collaborate with all parties involved to transform AHISCO into a prestigious school in Ghana.
On behalf of the Founder’s family, Onukpa Rev. Conrad Rowland Roberts, Supernumerary of the Freeman Methodist Church, Ofankor – Taifa Circuit, delivered a speech wishing the school well.
The school choir entertained the crowd with lovely music while the army cadets put on an amazing show.
Three Year Group Executives totalling nine were inducted.
There was cake cutting and champagne was popped to celebrate the occasion.
News
Empowering Communities: Yagaba Kubori Benefits from Educational and Hygiene Support
The Yagaba Kubori constituency came alive with hope and transformation as Empower Africa Alliance and Derby’s Foundation carried out a monumental Community and Schools Engagement Tour.
The tour, held in collaboration with the Honorable Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif, left an indelible mark by addressing critical educational and hygiene needs in the area.
At the heart of the initiative was the distribution of 2,000 exercise books to schoolchildren and 1,000 sanitary pads to both students and women in the community.
Beyond donations, the initiative focused on empowering young minds with education on the importance of schooling, menstrual hygiene, and reproductive health.
The highlight of the event was the heartfelt interaction between Christabel Derby, founder of Derby’s Foundation, and the young girls, encouraging them to overcome challenges and chase their academic dreams. “Every book donated here represents a brighter future, and every pad symbolizes dignity and empowerment for our girls and women,” she remarked.
The support of the MP for the constituency underscored the government’s dedication to youth and gender empowerment.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the organizations, stating, “This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of creating an inclusive and progressive constituency. Together, we are empowering our youth to lead tomorrow.”
The tour extended its reach beyond schools, touching the lives of women in the community who benefited from the hygiene supplies and awareness sessions.
The initiative not only broke barriers around menstruation but also planted seeds of self-confidence and ambition in the minds of many.
This impactful project showcases how grassroots efforts can catalyze transformation in underserved communities.
Empower Africa Alliance and Derby’s Foundation have set the stage for lasting change, proving once again that collective action can uplift entire generations.
News
Excessive make-up can interfere with biometric verification — EC cautions women
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has cautioned women not to apply a lot of makeup on Election Day, else they would be left disappointed.
According to the Commission, the Biometric Verification Device (BVD) may be unable to capture such women because of the over-application of cosmetic material on the face.
Mr Fred Tetteh, the Deputy Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of the EC, who gave the caution, said such women cannot vote in case the finger print and manual exercise fail.
Explaining at a briefing session on Tuesday, Mr Tetteh stated that the BVD has only three features, which is the finger print, facial recognition and manual.
According to him when the BVD fails to capture the finger print, it resorts to the facial identity which becomes problematic when there is too much makeup.
It was themed: ‘Strengthening Advocacy for Gender-Representative and Inclusive Governance in 2024 and Beyond.’
The aim is to increase the participation and representation of women and women with disabilities within all decision making spaces of Ghana’s governance system.
Mr Tetteh advised women to be modest with the makeup when going to vote.
“I beg the women to stay away from the ‘pancake’ and others. It is just an election day; kindly minimise the polishing so that you can vote freely without any hitches and stress.”
Additionally, he said when both fingerprint and facial recognition fail, then one has to go through manual verification which usually comes with doubts.
He noted that the EC was putting in place structures to ensure a peaceful and transparent elections, which would be friendly for observers and polling agents who would also be expected to obey the rules.
In a welcome address, the Head of Programmes for ABANTU for Development, Mrs Grace Ampomaa Afrifa, urged key stakeholders, chiefs, the media, religious leaders and other influential people in society to educate people about the need to maintain the peace of the country even beyond the exercise.
The Coordinator for Affimative Action Law Coalition, Becky Ahadzi Esq., stated that it was unfortunate that Affirmative Action Law was passed after the primaries, limiting the number of females’ candidates in parliament.
The session was organised by ABANTU for Development, a non-governmental organisation, that focuses on supporting community led- development initiatives in Ghana and Africa with support from STAR Ghana Foundation.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
