Profile
Mrs Gifty Dansoah Appiah – raising the next generation of God-fearing children
It has always been the wish of every good mother to properly cater for her children financially and spiritually. This is what Mrs Gifty Appiah is doing.
For 20 years, Mrs Appiah has been working to create a safe environment for children to thrive and achieve their dreams.
She began her career as a Programmes Officer of African Centre for Human Development. Today, she serves in her new role as the National Director of Compassion International Ghana, a Christian Child Advocacy Organisation at Madina, Accra.
Mama Gifty, as many call her, partners some government agencies and civil society organisations to reach out to deprived children, especially those in the rural communities.
She had previously performed similar functions at other non-governmental organisations and has been steering the affairs of Compassion International for the past three years.
Journey
Mrs Dansoah Appiah, speaking to The Spectator, admitted that it had not been easy in her pursuit to meet the needs of the less-privileged in the community she operates.
She said that notwithstanding the challenges, the non-governmental organisation was determined to extend support to hard-to-reach areas, as it had taken upon itself to reduce poverty, increase access to education and mitigate the impact of sexual violence against young girls.
Poverty, discrimination and other forms of inequalities, she noted, had denied thousands of children their right to education while thousands of children under five years still died from preventable diseases in this nation.
“This and many other factors are the reasons for my relentless efforts to embark on a mission to create a better future for these children.
“I wake up every day, I dream every night about what we are going to do to protect and support our young children in the country and the world as a whole. But in all this, we are able to get them by the grace of God,” she said.
Compassion International
Apart from its corporate social responsibility (CSR), Compassion International has partnered local churches to deliver holistic child development interventions to children and the youth, and to address the cognitive, spiritual, physical and socio-emotional needs of young people.
Operating with the tagline: ‘Releasing Children from Poverty in Jesus’ Name’ , Mrs Dansoah Appiah was impressed that their benevolent spirit was helping to transform the lives of children for the better.
“We want our children to grow up to become responsible Christian adults and serve as agents of transformation in communities they find themselves. We ensure that every child we serve is loved and protected. Children are precious gifts of God, and if we serve them we are, by extension, serving God,” she stressed.
Expressing delight in the positive and efficient role she continued to play at Compassion International, Mrs Appiah called on well-meaning individuals and other non-governmental organisations not to relent in their effort to lessen the plight of needy children.
Impact
Mrs Dansoah Appiah said that Compassion International had contributed a total amount of about GH₵200,000.00 to the COVID-19 Fund, Ghana Health Service and Noguchi Memorial Institute to help combat the spread of the disease.
“We have provided targeted food response to our beneficiary households to the tune of GH₵ 1.8 million. We have also provided face masks for all our beneficiaries amounting to GH₵ 1.2 million,” she noted.
This, she explained, was done through the benevolence of individuals, church and other foreign donors based in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, and Switzerland.
Education
Mrs Dansoah Appiah holds Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Transportation Planning and Policy from the University of Newcastle, UK, and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Planning from the University of Ghana. She is a product of Aburi Girls’ Secondary School in the Eastern Region.
As the former Acting Country Director of World Vision Ghana between 2014 and 2015, she was recognised for her innovation and contribution to child well-being and poverty reduction due to her exemplary leadership. Early this year, she won the prestigious International Nobles Award for ‘Men and Women of Integrity’.
The mother of four said that being a leader was a privilege which she did not ” take lightly”, because it was not everybody who came from a rich home and that she would continue to be a role model for the youth.
“I like the opportunity Compassion International offers me to contribute to this noble cause. I must always be the voice for the voiceless and reflect the Christian values in me as a follower of Jesus Christ,” she added.
Advice
Mrs Dansoah Appiah advised the youth to remain patient in life and steadily work towards their goals “since with God, everything is possible”.
“Life is not a competition. We are all uniquely created by God and He has space for each of us in this life. Identify your life purpose, work towards it with integrity, sacrifice and discipline. Surround yourself with quality people who make positive contribution towards your goal,” she said.
Mrs Dansoah Appiah, who hails from Kwahu Asakraka in the Eastern Region, is married to Apostle Samuel Otu Appiah, Head of the Winneba Area Head of the Church of Pentecost. They have four children who are Dr Jedidiah, Joel Otu, Jaydrein and Janel.
By Geoffrey Buta
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.
