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‘Embrace children with special needs’

The Board Chairperson of Lower Pra Rural Bank PLC, Ms Felicia Aba Dawood

The Headmistress of Twin City Special School in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the Western Region, Mrs Crescentia Efua Bilson-Sai, has advised the public to embrace children with special needs and desist from stigmatising them.

She argued that stigmatisation was one major headache managers faced in integrating special needs children into the society, stressing “we should not shun them”.

Mrs Bilson Sai made this point in an interview with The Spectator last Thursday when the Lower Pra Rural Bank PLC, as part of its 40th birthday, donated assorted items to the Twin City Special School.

Mrs Bilson-Sai told The Spectator that students at the school were trained in vocational studies, including cookery and pillow making, and could be integrated into the home and function well, saying, “we can’t be managers but we can assist, and it’s a whole investment”.

She advised parents to show love to their special children and desist from dumping them at school and not visit them.

Some parents, she complained, visited their wards at school while others abandoned them.

“We need to visit them. They also need our love and affection. Most people think these children can’t do anything. We can train them to sell in the house or help in washing. Bring them to school, don’t keep them in your rooms,” Mrs Bilson-Sai added.

She expressed worry that special children were left alone roaming on the streets begging or parading funeral grounds, stating, “You will have some benefits if you treat them well.”

The headmistress said what the school needs is a dormitory block and a flour mixture to reduce the drudgery of going to the mill in town. The Board Chairperson of Lower Pra Rural Bank PLC, Ms Felicia Aba Dawood, said the donation was to show love to special children.

From Clement Adzei Boye, Sofokrom

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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.

Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.

He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.

“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.

President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.

He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.

He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.

“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23

Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.

The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.

The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.

It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.

The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.

Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.

CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.

Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.

In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.

He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.