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Dr. Abena Nyarkoa launches Nkunim Educational Project in Ghana
Ghanaian UK-based lecturer, Dr.Abena Nyarkoa has launched Nkunim Project, to foster education equality amongst students in Ghana.
The Nkunim initiative is aimed at promoting inclusive, equitable teaching in mainstream education and bridging the educational gaps for students from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking at the launch which took place at the British Council last Friday, Dr.Abena Nyarkoa said, everyone wants to join the winning team, adding that in most schools attention is always paid to those who are needy but brilliant children.
She queried “Who will cater for the vulnerable, adamant, those who are not brilliant? They mostly end up repeating the class or are suspended from school.”
According to her, “This is what I did at my PhD level when I came to Ghana to collect data. What I realised was when a child is physically disabled, when I child is deaf or blind, they take them to either School for the Deaf or Blind, what happens when the child is mild autistic, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,(ADHD) what if the child was born with Dyslexia (a learning difficulty).
Dr.Nyarkoa added that these children are mostly integrated into mainstream learning without anyone providing for them.
She said there is a difference between disability and disorder, adding that everyone is different and must be catered for when it comes to learning.
Dr.Nyarkoa further urged parents and stakeholders in the academic spaces to pay attention to the non-academic needs of children, adding that it is the reason the Nkunim Project was birthed.
This, she said, was a direct result of the findings after she undertook her project in Ghana.
According to her, at the heart of the Nkunim Educational Project is, “education is a fundamental right, not a privilege.”
Dr.Abena Nyarkoa noted that they are on a mission to tackle the growing disparities in educational opportunities, guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 & 5.
“Our goal is to create an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality learning environment in mainstream education, ensuring that every child, regardless of their socio-economic status, has access to the tools they need to succeed,” she added.
Speaking at the event, Oheneyere Gifty Anti recounted how her similar support to some individuals over the years has helped shape their lives and career.
She advised Dr.Nyarkoa to seek some psychological support for these individuals she would be supporting.
“There would be attacks, and the terrain is rough, but with determination and resilience you would overcome, because what you are doing is needed, and would go a long way to help others,” she said.
Nkunim is a visionary non-profit initiative dedicated to reshaping the landscape of education in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa.
They seek to work closely with the government of Ghana and other governments in the region to provide quality and equal access to mainstream education to help unbridled the potential of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The NKUNIM project is a movement that is committed to education quality, thus it is for anyone and everyone who wants to see more levels of quality and fairness in public education.
Their name, ‘Nkunim,’ symbolizes triumph and victory, reflecting our commitment to overcoming educational inequalities and unlocking the boundless potential of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
