News
Fashion designer reaches out to Hour of Grace Orphanage
A popular fashion designer in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region, Mrs Doris Bonney, has appealed to the public to show love to the vulnerable, especially children in the various orphanages in this era of COVID-19 pandemic.
According to her, there was nothing more noble than somebody spending a little time with the children in the orphanages and sharing life experiences and gifts with them.
She said, “None of the children at the orphanages decided on their own to be there, but circumstances have done so, and it is, therefore, important that we (society) get back to care for them.”
Mrs Bonney made the appeal when she presented food items and soft drinks to the staff and children of the Hour of Grace Orphanage near Huhunya on Wednesday.
The programme, which was part of her 45th birthday celebration, offered her the opportunity to visit the children and share her experiences in life with them.
She ate with the inmates and urged them to be respectful to everybody they came into contact to enable them receive the blessings of God to grow to become good and law abiding citizens of Ghana, in future.
Speaking to the Spectator on the reasons for celebrating her birthday at the orphanage, Mrs Bonney said, “Birthdays are happy and impactful occasions children always look forward to either from their friends, parents or themselves because they know that it would be filled with gifts, new dresses, and special food that they can share with friends.”
It is unfortunate that most orphans and the homeless people do not experience such special events, hence my decision to celebrate my birthday with the orphanage children.
“It is a great joy to celebrate your birthday with such underprivileged kids because it gives an idea of how to plan for your life,” she said.
She urged the public, especially the well-to-do in society not to be overwhelmed by their social status but rather be impressed by how they put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable.
Mrs Bonney said most of her birthdays had been celebrated in orphanages in places such as Bawjiase, Assin Fosu and Koforidua.
“Let us become windows to the orphans to enable them realise that they are not different but children of Ghana,” she added.
The Director of the orphanage, Mr Lawrence Gbengor, thanked Mrs Bonney for the gesture and appealed for support for the children.
He said the role of the society was to give the vulnerable children a helping hand to enable them feel comfortable in the environment they had found themselves in.
He said that Mrs Bonney would be counted among the people who cared for needy children in the society.
By Samuel Opare Lartey
News
University of Ghana opens maiden ‘Artify’ visual arts exhibition
The University of Ghana, in partnership with Nubuke Foundation and KGL Foundation, has launched a week-long visual arts exhibition titled ‘Artify’ on the University’s campus.
Running from November 26 to December 2, the event showcases drawings and paintings by eight visual artists selected by the University.
The artists participated in a two-week skills and business orientation training before the exhibition, where they were coached on art practice fundamentals, copyright and intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and business management.
The training was to help the artists upscale their craft and expand their client reach, equipping them to become more business-oriented art professionals.
The Artify project, under the theme Amplifying Art as a Business, was conceived by the University of Ghana’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (ORID).
Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, University of Ghana, said they aimed to equip them with the necessary tools and skills to thrive as artists and entrepreneurs.
“This initiative nurtures talent and fosters entrepreneurial spirit among young aspiring artists. Together, we cultivate creativity and transform passion into sustainable careers,” he said.
Prof. Asante said that the skills required to run an art business were often overlooked, as art was commonly perceived as a hobby that doesn’t necessitate specialised management skills.
He argued that by integrating business and project management skills into the art ecosystem in Ghana, more organisations and investors could be encouraged to support creatives.
Madam Odile Tevie, Director of Nubuke Foundation, called on authorities to create more platforms, similar to the Artify exhibition, where artists could showcase their work.
She advocated the establishment of visual arts spaces in communities, where local talents could receive training and be nurtured in their craft.
Mr Sedem Atsu Avornyo, one of the participating artists, praised the University and its partners for the initiative.
He noted that his knowledge and skills had been greatly enriched, better preparing him for the job market. –GNA
News
Don’t harass, visitors on period of election …Comptroller-General cautions Immigration staff
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, (Esq.), has asked personnel of the service, especially those at the various borders of the country, not to harass people who travel in and outside of the country during the election period.
The advice is to stem reports that usually characterise immigration operations in border communities in such crucial moments.
He gave the advice at the 2024 Comptroller-General’s end-of-year games held at the McDan La Town Park on Friday.
It was under the theme “Kick for unity, sports for peaceful elections.”
According to Mr Assuah Takyi, It was important for personnel of the staff to behave professionally and live by the high standards required to ensure peace and tranquility at the border towns where elections would be ongoing.
“I want to remind you of the roles and responsibilities expected from you. Don’t take advantage of the upcoming general elections to harass visitors and passengers going in and out of the country.
“Perform your duties professionally as immigration officers and, where necessary, assist other security agencies to maintain peace, law, and order before, during, and after the elections.”
“Be apolitical because your services are to Ghana first and only, and not to any individual or political party. As officers in uniform, don’t put up behaviours that would question your professionalism.”
“This is not a call on immigration staff alone. All the security agencies are poised to display high standards of professionalism to ensure that Ghanaians vote in a peaceful atmosphere,” Mr Takyi said.
Flanked by three-time African best player and former captain of the Black Stars Abedi Ayew Pele, who was the special guest of honour, the Comptroller-General stated that as officers and men in uniform, their duty to the country was to maintain peace, law, and order and not to be involved in dubious or political activities.
“If any of you want to do politics, resign and hand over your uniform to the service and go. This information should go out there to our officers across the country.”
Mr Assuah Takyi urged members of the general public to behave responsibly to make the work of the security officers simple and peaceful while cautioning potential troublemakers to have a change of mind because that would not be tolerated.
“The National Elections Security Taskforce (NESTF) met the political parties on Thursday to reaffirm our commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and adherence to the rule of law.”
“Our actions will be impartial and guided by the law, and anyone who decides to violate the laid-down laws will be made to face the law.”
Mr Asuah Takyi urged all to operate within the confines of the law to ensure a successful and trouble-free election.
By Raymond Ackumey
