Naa Ayele Osabu

 An initiative to inspire the next genera­tion, especially teenagers, by indulging them in after-school activities and pro­grammes, is set to be launched on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

It would be launched by the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.

Dubbed, “Heal the world/Make it a better place”, the initiative undertaken by a youth based non-governmental organisation, would involve teenagers aged 11-17 years and se­lected from schools in the catchment area.

Speaking to The Spectator, Naa Ayele Osa­bu, the lead of the initiative, said it targeted kids in the Ga communities because there was a high prevalence rate of teenage preg­nancy and school dropouts in those commu­nities.

Additionally, she explained that with the introduction of the after-school programmes and activities such as karate, arts and crafts, the kids would have an experience that fostered discipline, sparked creativity, and develop their mental capacity to become more productive in their communities.

Furthermore, Naa Osabu said experts and professionals in respective programmes would be available to enrol participants and engage them.

The initiative, she said, was a long-term project to roll out in many other communi­ties globally and therefore urged all stake­holders to support to ensure its successful implementation.

Naa Osabu, who owns Ayele Kelewele (a local food restaurant) has had one of the most challenging experiences as a child. “It’s during these tough times that I figured it would be best to make an impact in the society while the business is yet to blossom, hence this initiative.”

“Being a Ga girl, I know the challenges a lot of these young kids face on daily basis. This project will give these kids in the Ga community an opportunity that will, equip them with skills, spark their creativity and achieve the dreams they never thought will be possible,” she stated.

 BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY

Some participants at the event

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Forshes Africa Founda­tion, has organised a breast cancer awareness campaign in Hohoe, and educated resi­dents on the need to ensure regular screening exercise for cancer for early detection and treatment.

The one-day cancer screen­ing exercise, which was under the theme: “Early detection save lives”, saw 50 women screened for the disease, and those who were suspected of early development of cancer were referred to the Volta Regional Hospital at Hohoe for further medical examina­tion.

Speaking at the programme, the Project Manager of Forsh­es Africa Foundation (FAF), Pastor Nana Jones Boame, stressed the need for women who were mostly victims of breast cancer to at all times take proactive measures to ensure they were safe from the disease.

Referencing Proverbs 27: 12 of the Bible which read “the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty,” Pastor Boame emphasised the need to be cautious and take preventive actions to avoid harm.

He explained that in the context of breast cancer, ear­ly detection through screen­ing was a wise and proactive step to potentially save lives through early diagnosis and treatment.

According to him, it was im­portant for breast cancer sur­vivors both male and females to share their experiences in order to offer hope to new­ly diagnosed breast cancer patients, saying breast cancer also affects men but was only prevalent among women.

An Oncology Nurse Special­ist at the Volta Regional Hos­pital, Mr Jonas Ntikie Njibe, explained that breast cancer simply occurred when cells in the breast grew uncontrolla­bly, which could affect men and women but commonly found among women, there­fore it was important for men to also screen and know their breast cancer status.

Mr Njibe said there was the need for people to adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer, including regular ex­ercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating balanced diet which were crucial means to reduce cancer in the soci­ety.

 From Samuel Agbewode, Hohoe