News
Ancilla Primary & JHS holds graduation ceremony
Brass band of Ancilla School
Ancilla Primary and Junior High School (JHS), a reputable educational institution has held its annual graduation ceremony at Haatso in Accra.
Those who graduated were pupils in Kindergarten Two, Class Six and JHS Three.
The ceremony was under the theme “The Ghanaian Child: Security, Safety, and Sanitation.”
In his address the Guest of Honour, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Vance Baba Gariba, Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) urged the students to strive for excellence in all their endeavours.
“Embrace every opportunity to learn, to lead, and to make a positive impact in the world around you. The knowledge and skills you acquire here will serve as the foundation for your future achievements,” he said.
He reminded them that “Our school’s mission has always been to foster a nurturing environment where students can explore their passions and reach their full potential.”
“You have set an exemplary standard for your peers, and I encourage you to continue striving for excellence in all your endeavours,” he advised.
According to him “Education is not merely about accolades and awards but also about the Security, Safety, and Sanitation; they are the foundation upon which we build our communities and the future.”
He also acknowledged the collective efforts of teachers and other staff, parents and guardians for their invaluable support, guidance and encouragement to the students.
DCOP Gariba congratulated the students for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance which have led them to that moment of recognition.
The Chairperson, Dr (Mrs) Shirley Banini, Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) urged the students to continue to strive for excellence in their future endeavours through determination, perseverance, and passion for learning.
She expressed appreciation to the teachers and other staff, for their unwavering commitment to nurturing and educating the students.
“Your dedication and hard work often go unnoticed, but they are the cornerstone of our school’s success. Your ability to inspire and challenge our students is truly commendable, and we are all grateful for your effort,” she noted.
The Headmistress of Ancilla Primary and JHS, Sister Sussana Amoh said “Ancilla Primary and Junior High School is a reputable educational institution that has been serving the community for many years.
“Founded with the mission of providing quality education to students, the school has a rich history of academic excellence and a commitment to nurturing young minds,” she noted.
Sis Amoh also noted that the school’s curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning skills, preparing students for success in the modern world.
As part of the ceremony there were performances by the cultural, dance drama, musical and also a display by the school’s cadet and Brass band.
Scrolls and certificates were presented to students who graduated from KG2, Basic 6 and JHS 3.
The values of the school are simplicity, commitment, respect, justice, loyalty, unity and humility.
By Georgina Quaittoo
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
