Profile
Irene Nartey: Empowering single parents to live more productive lives
Raising a child is a difficult task especially for single parents who have to explore every possible means to help their children or wards succeed in life.
In view of this, the Reenart Foundation, a Non-governmental Organisation headed by Miss Irene Nartey, is trying to change the narrative by supporting mothers to take good care of their children.
The Founder, in an interview with The Spectator, said that the organisation had been supporting single parents since its inception and that they played an important role during the COVID-19 lockdown last year by giving emotional and financial support to single parents.
Foundation
According to her, the foundation was established out of her life encounters. Miss Nartey became a single mother after divorce. She recalled being pregnant at time of the break up – a situation which, she said, came with lots of stress.
Having endured this challenging moment to give birth to her child successfully, she started the initiative to support other women who could be going through unfortunate situations.
The organisation’s single parenthood project themed: “Not an Outcast but The Real Super Heroine” is aimed at preparing single parents especially women to take care of their children and help deal with negative social stereotypes.
She said the organisation had earmarked some financial packages and training programmes for single mothers in six regions namely Eastern, Central, Oti, Western North, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions.
“We want to kick start this project in September to avert the damage that has been caused by this epidemic called single parenting. We want women to know that single parenting is neither their fault nor that of their children,” Ms Nartey noted.
Training
She said that it was part of their plan to “improve the psychological welfare of single parents and give them the right mindset so they can start to build a fruitful life that would impact positively on their children.”
The programmes would include wig making, decor, bead making, basketry, among other handicrafts that would enable the women earn better livelihoods and income.
Ms Nartey lauded single mothers who, in spite of the odds, had provided the needed parental care to create better future for their children but maintainted that a lot more had to be done in empowering struggling single mothers, including teenagers who had become mothers against their will.
She said that negative social tags associated with single mothers could have “damaging effect” on the mental health of some women as well as their children who “suffer all sort of discrimination in society.”
Statistics
Quoting a survey conducted in 2014 by the Better Care Network, she noted that “one in every four children did not live with either of their biological parents.”
“About 24 per cent of children aged between 0-17 were living with only their mothers and five per cent with only their fathers.
“Most single mothers are based in rural/urban communities whose income is not enough to give the best quality of care to children who are malnourished and consequently a delay in their physical growth,” she stated and cited unplanned births, failed marriages, death of spouse, among other factors as part of the reasons some women turned single parents.
Background
Ms Irene Nartey, born to Madam Emmanuella Lawson and Mr.George Nartey, hails from Kodiabe in the Yilo Krobo District in the Eastern Region. She started basic education at St. Mary Junior High School and continued at Forces Basic School, Burma Camp.
Due to iil health, at the time, she did home schooling and later sat the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinination (WASSCE) as a private candidate and excelled.
After working for a while at a private television station and radio station, she enrolled at Trans African University College to persue Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in Mass Communication.
Ms. Nartey runs Reenart Multimedia Company, a company that won the 2019 Event Brand Management award at the Entrepreneur Africa Awards held in Lagos, Nigeria. It again won Ladies in Business Magazine Award held in Dubai.
She owns an event production company which runs the African Wedding Makers Awards, a scheme that honours wedding service providers in Ghana.
She is keen on human resource development and building capacities of individuals but looks forward to making more positive impact through her foundation.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Profile
Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana’s first deaf Lawyer
In a landmark moment for Ghana’s legal landscape, Juventus Duorinaah Esq., has etched his name in history as the country’s first lawyer with a hearing impairment.
His journey from a humble background to breaking barriers in the legal profession serves as a powerful inspiration for countless individuals in the disability community, proving that determination and resilience can defy societal expectations and create pathways to success.
For Juventus, the recognition as Ghana’s first deaf lawyer feels surreal.
“It feels like a dream,” he reflects, acknowledging the stereotypes surrounding deafness and the humble background from which he hails.
Juventus’ passion for law sparked in 2008 while seeking admission to the University of Ghana (UG). Although he initially faced challenges due to the nature of the application process, the help of his older brother and his determined spirit led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012, followed by a Master of Laws at Cardiff University in 2014.
His passion for the study of law became highly intense when he had to study alongside qualified lawyers from several jurisdictions, even though he did not have a legal background. Here, he faced the unique challenge of studying without sign language interpreters, relying instead on a palantypist to transcribe lectures.
Juventus’ role model was his professor and mentor, Professor Luke Clement, who profoundly inspired him in shaping his understanding of law and human rights.
He remembers Prof. Thomas Stephens from the University of Ghana School Of Law, who inspired him with his way of dressing, in-depth knowledge of the law and engagement with students.
He recounts the enormous challenges he encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when lectures moved online, and Dr Stephen’s tremendous support to ensure things moved quickly and smoothly for him.
“I also had the chance to have a few classes with the Dean himself, Prof. Raymond Atuguba. He taught the course such that some of us never felt scared as other lecturers made the course,’ he recalled.
Juventu’s academic journey was fraught with challenges, particularly in communication.
The year 2007 was the last time he studied with deaf peers. He was often the only deaf person in his classes throughout the following years of his education, which made interaction with peers difficult.
Despite these hurdles, he remained high-spirited, studying late into the night and seeking help from kind classmates when necessary.
Reflecting on his academic experience at UG, he connected his affection for the university to his older brother, who is also an alumnus. He felt inspired to be a student of the premier university, saying he would choose the University of Ghana any time, any day, if given the chance to further his studies or work.
The University Of Ghana School Of Law, along with its Dean, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the Director of Legal Education of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Bramiah Oppong, and his capable team, including the Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the Ghana School of Law and the Office for Students with Special Needs (UG), made significant contributions to his journey.
Prof. Atuguba acknowledged Juventus’ achievement as evidence of the university’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Commenting on how the school accommodated his special needs, Prof. Atugugba explained that ‘In the case of Juventus, we worked closely with him to understand and address his special needs, ensuring he had access to the teaching and learning resources in the appropriate formats that would support his academic journey.
Professor Atuguba noted that Juventus’s journey is just beginning, and the future holds promise for him and the many lives he aims to touch along the way.
Juventus’s close friend, Ida Esi McOwusu Esq., described her first encounter with Juventus as ‘intriguing.’ “My first meeting with Juventus was in class, where he sat right in front of me in first year,” Ida reveals. She was intrigued and wanted to find out more about him, especially how Juventus navigated his way to this level. “I got closer and we became friends from there,” she remarked.
Mr Francis Kweku Essel, Juventus’ interpreter, shed light on the primary challenges he faced in carrying out his job, particularly the complex nature of legal terminology and concepts. This validates Ida’s comment on the interpreters’ lack of legal background as a challenge Lawyer Duorinaah encountred.
Juventus dreams of becoming a judge and aims to enhance justice delivery while serving as a role model for young people with disabilities.
He is currently mentoring a group of young deaf students interested in pursuing law, hoping to pave the way for future generations. What’s next for Lawyer Juventus? His next step is to complete his pupilage, after which he can decide further his legal career.
Profile
Dr. Christopher Baasongti Beyere …A visionary leader who triumphs through adversity
DR. Christopher Baasongti Beyere, the Member of Parliament-elect for Techiman South Constituency, is a trailblazing leader whose journey to political prominence is as inspiring as his contributions to health and education.
A man of resilience, intellect, and service, Dr. Beyere’s story exemplifies the triumph of determination and commitment over adversity.
A Multifaceted Leader with Transformative Achievements
Dr. Beyere’s professional and academic accomplishments are vast and impactful. He is a PhD holder in Global Health from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, where his research on motivation policies for Ghanaian health workers reshaped staff development strategies.
A man of interdisciplinary expertise, he also holds an MSc in International Health from Brandeis University, an MA in International Human Resource Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, and a BSc in Information Technology from Methodist University.
His academic journey culminated with an LLB from the University College of Science, Arts, and Education, the Gambia Law School, Banjul, making him a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of The Gambia, called to the Bar in November 2024.
Dr. Beyere’s work in the health sector has transformed Ghana’s healthcare landscape.
As Executive Secretary of the Health Training Institutions Secretariat, he spearheaded numerous initiatives, including upgrading post-basic programs to degree and master’s levels, introducing male midwifery training, and establishing the “Best Health Tutor Award” to motivate educators.
His efforts also led to the construction of a 75-bedroom guesthouse for principals of nursing training schools, showcasing his dedication to improving infrastructure and capacity for education.
In his role as Vice President of the University College of Science, Arts, and Education in Sunyani, Dr. Beyere has continued to champion educational innovation, ensuring that academic and non-academic functions align with the institution’s mission to nurture future leaders.
The Political Journey: Resilience and Triumph
Dr. Beyere’s political career has been marked by both challenges and victories. In the 2020 parliamentary election, his initial bid to represent Techiman South faced fierce resistance.
The election was fraught with controversy, culminating in a narrow defeat to Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who polled 49,682 votes against Dr. Beyere’s 49,205. The results were contested, leading to a protracted court case that added to the emotional toll of the loss.
However, Dr. Beyere’s resilience never wavered. With renewed vigor, he returned to the political arena in 2024, determined to serve his people. This time, he secured a decisive victory, polling 44,986 votes across 282 polling stations, surpassing his perennial opponent, Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, who garnered 43,730 votes.
His triumph was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the people of Techiman South, who recognized his vision and trusted his leadership.
A Leader of Compassion and Vision
Dr. Beyere’s political success is rooted in his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. During his time at the Gambia Law School in Banjul, he was beloved by his colleagues for his humility and sense of camaraderie. These qualities have endeared him to his constituents, who see in him a leader committed to their welfare.
Beyond his political and professional achievements, Dr. Beyere has consistently demonstrated a passion for empowering others. His initiatives in education and healthcare, coupled with his international collaborations, underscore his dedication to creating opportunities and driving sustainable development.
A Future of Hope and Progress
As he takes his place in Parliament, Dr. Beyere is poised to bring transformative leadership to Techiman South. His vision for the constituency includes advancing healthcare, education, and infrastructural development while fostering a sense of unity and purpose among his people.
Dr. Christopher Baasongti Beyere’s journey—from overcoming electoral challenges to becoming a symbol of hope and progress—is a shining example of what perseverance and dedication can achieve. With his wealth of experience, both locally and internationally, he stands ready to champion the aspirations of his constituents and contribute to Ghana’s growth.
