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Nana Afrakoma II, empowering needy young women with employable skills

Nana Afrakoma II
Dreams do come true and it is even more fulfilling and gratifying when the reality of the dream impacts lives positively.
That is the case of Nana Afrakoma II, Queen Mother of Akwamu Traditional Area, who has served her people in this capacity since 1964.
She was only 18 when the huge crown of Queen Mother of the revered ‘Akwamu State’ in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region was placed on her head.
It was a huge responsibility which the young Queen Mother took while looking out for opportunities to realise her dream of empowering needy young people in the area through skills development and training.
In pursuance of her dream after 59 years of various strides, Nana Afrakoma II, through the Ohemea Afrakoma II Foundation, established a vocational training centre to provide educational space for the people.
The Nana Afrakoma II Vocational Training Institute, officially opened in 2021, is targeted at providing employable skills to the needy young people, especially women, in the area.
The skills being tutored at the Institute range from hairdressing to fashion and beads making.
The Institute currently has a student population of 30, with the first batch scheduled for graduation on November 25 this year.
In an interview with The Spectator, Nana Afrakoma II said the Institute was also established with the intents to tackle the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy in the area.
The consequence of rising cases of teenage pregnancy in the area, she explained, was a corresponding increase in school dropouts, hence the decision to train the beneficiaries to be able to care for their wards.
“Our interest now is providing young men and women who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy with employable skills and a means to improve their livelihood.
We have, within the past two years, enrolled 30 students in the Institute at no cost. The 12 who have completed the training would be graduating on November 25,” Nana Afrakoma II noted.
She said although the Institute was initially established for the indigenes of Akwamu, it was currently providing skills training to young people from the whole of the Asuogyaman District, including Senchi, Atimpoku and other neighbouring communities.
In addition to the training, she noted, the graduates are supported with start-up capital to enable them commence their business operations.
“We don’t want to train and leave them to their fate. We want to see them flourish and able to care for themselves and their offsprings.
For those in fashion, we will give them sewing machines while those who trained in hairdressing will be supported with hair dryers. Those in beads making will also receive support to be able to start their business,” Nana Afrakoma II said.
Although free for the students, she said, the running of the Institute had come at a huge financial cost to the Paramountcy, which has continuously provided financial support, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also deploying its resources to help the Institute meet it objectives, the Asuogyaman District Assembly and other voluntary donors.
“We are grateful to the Akwamu Paramountcy for the continuous support as well as the UNFPA which has taken a genuine interest in what we do here.
The Assembly has also donated a four-classroom block to be used as one of our training centres. So yes, despite the financial burden, the support from everyone, including voluntary donors, has made it possible for the school’s survival,” Nana Afrakoma II added.
She said in addition to providing the young people with training on employable skills, sensitisation on the dangers of teenage pregnancy has been heightened to prevent others from going through similar experiences.
The Queen Mother called for increased support to enable the Institute develop its 30-acre land to be able to expand and admit more young people who hold an interest in pursuing any of the skills development programmes.
By Claude Nyarko Adams
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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.