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Kezia Sanie, a global humanitarian figure supporting underprivileged in society
Ms Sanie in a group picture with some of the students
Kezia Asiedua Sanie, a young entrepreneur has set out to create a safe haven for the less privileged in society with the goal of becoming a global humanitarian figure through her charity works.
With a passion for supporting the less privileged, Kezia at age 16 together with her Senior High School (SHS) mates in Wesley Girls started the journey to touch lives.
In 2016, they made their first donation to some needy children in Ashaiman. In the same year, Kezia and friends presented some items to about 100 children in James Town, Accra.
Kezia then formed the ‘For the Future (FTF) Ghana, a charitable organisation dedicated to addressing child poverty and educational inequalities in Ghana. Before completing SHS, Kezia and her friends managed to donate to five different schools.
The 23-year-old has since become a beacon of hope and inspiration within her community and beyond.
Kezia, a law student and advocate for quality education recognises the transformative power of education and the importance of respecting children’s rights.
She believes that every child deserves access to quality learning opportunities and through FTF Ghana, has provided essential support and opened doors of opportunity for over 4,000 underprivileged children.
Ms Sanie also teaches and mentors about 15 children from the slums who have shown massive improvement. That includes a two-year-old Elizabeth Botwe and young Prince Kojo.
Her innovative and holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by these children has garnered widespread global recognition and support.
Ms Sanie is a trustee for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award known in Ghana as The Head of State Award Scheme which empowers young people to explore their full potential and find true purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. She is the youngest member on the board.
She is also a member of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum and a sought-after speaker at events and schools, where she shares her experiences, inspire others, and encourage them to take action.
Through other initiatives spearheaded by Ms Sanie, including Click4Change, EmpowerHer Period and others, she had impacted over 5,000 children in education and livelihood support.
She received some recognitions for her work including the Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 by the Young Achiever’s Awards and the Pan African Community Influencer of the Year 2022 by Pulse Africa.
In 2023, Ms Sanie was named a Top 10 finalist by the Chegg.org Global Student Prize and a Top Five finalist for the .ORG Impact Awards Rising Star Category by Public Interest Registry. She also won the Agent of Change award by Women’s Choice Africa and the Unsung Hero of the Year award at the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS) Annual Conference and Dinner in Kigali, Rwanda.
Ms Sanie’s story is a testament to the transformative power of one person’s dedication and vision. Through her work, she has become a driving force for change, inspiring over 500 other young people to join in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable society where every child can thrive.
Ms Sanie believes that every child has a unique gift and only requires support to unearth and polish it for the good of the society, hence positioning herself to support thousands of children around the world.
Ms Sanie is looking forward to building a resource centre that would assist children across Africa and beyond and provide them an enabling environment to unearth their talents and grow.
She loves listening to gospel music, reading and visiting the beach when she is not engaged in charity works.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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.
