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Street Academy supports over 4,000 children to school with learning material

A section of the children receiving their books

Street Academy, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has presented over 4,000 learning materials to more than 400 pupils in Accra to motivate them to learn as they return to school.

The learning materials, worth over GH¢45,000.00 include exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, among others.

It was supported by Nii Boi Abbey and Ms Melani Lea Mennella, a Human Rights lawyer and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seapro Trade.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ataa Lartey, Executive Director of the Street Academy, said the support was in line with the institution’s mission to use education, culture, and sports to expose the hidden talents of the less fortunate children living on the streets of Accra.

He said the books would also serve as motivation for the pupils to remain committed to education and “know that someone cares and loves them.”

Ataa Lartey added that, “as schools reopened last Tuesday, September 10, the students will be equipped with the materials at hand to start their academic work.”

According to him, the Academy submits names of children to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to be enrolled into the public school, adding that “this year we have sent 18 children to the public school and it is the responsibility of the school to provide them with learning materials.”

He therefore encouraged the children to focus on their academic work to become better citizens and contribute to Ghana’s development agenda.

Ms Melani Mennella said every child had the right to education and therefore, there was the need to support them in school.

She said the learning materials would reduce the burden on parents as most of them found it difficult to provide their wards with learning materials when school reopened, and urged the students to make good use of the items as education was the key to success.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Academy, saying that the materials would help them study better and keep up with class exercises.

The Street Academy is a three-year bridge programme preparing students for mainstream education, the public school system, and vocational training.

Committed to the most vulnerable children, the Street Academy is 100 per cent free, sponsoring books, uniforms, and two meals a day. –GNA

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Greater Accra Regional Minister calls on traders to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has called on traders in the city to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion and maintain cleanliness in market centres.

Speaking with traders at the Kaneshie Market on February 4, 2025, during a tour of selected market centres to assess sanitation challenges, reinforce government commitment to address indiscriminate refuse disposal, and improve market conditions, the minister called for collaboration between traders and local authorities to address sanitation and maintain order.

She assured the new government’s commitment to addressing urban challenges and improving market conditions in Accra as part of its broader agenda for a cleaner city.

“We are here to engage you in a conversation about our mission to improve cleanliness in Greater Accra. We are taking into account the conditions of the roads, your problems, and your suggestions. Most walkways have been taken over by traders instead of serving their original purpose, which leads to traffic congestion. We want to understand your challenges so that we can find the best way to assist you,” the Minister stated.

The Minister who was accompanied by officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council ( GARCC) led by the Chief Director of the GARCC, Mrs. Lilian Baeka, some staff from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) and other sister assemblies in the Region used the opportunity to enquire about the state of waste disposal within the market and the efficiency of refuse collection by the assemblies.

“Does it take long for the refuse to be collected after it is gathered? These are some of the issues we want to address,” she added, inviting traders to share their thoughts.

The President of the Greater Accra Markets Association, Mrs. Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan who welcomed the minister, expressed gratitude for the visit and assured traders commitment to rally support behind her as a woman in leadership.

”In the market, we face numerous challenges we wish to discuss. There are various groups of traders with some selling at the top, others beneath, while some can be relocated, others should be removed. However, we must follow due process to ensure that people’s livelihoods are not affected. She cannot do it alone, and we are ready to support her efforts,” she stated.

She noted that efforts to regulate trading activities, especially on the Kaneshie overhead footbridge, had proven difficult despite continuous engagements with the police.

Madam Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan identified street trading as a major concern, explaining that it had significantly affected business inside the main markets.

“Our major problem is those selling outside. Because of them, the market is now dry. Almost everyone has moved onto the streets. They are our brothers and sisters, and we want them inside the market. There are a lot of vacant spaces they can occupy,” she said.

On sanitation, she remarked that significant progress had been made, stressing that previously, the Kaneshie market was associated with rubbish, but the story had changed for good.

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President John Mahama submits list of Deputy Ministers

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 13 people to serve as deputy ministers in his government.

In accordance with Articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the Constitution, President Mahama submitted the names of the underlisted to Parliament, through the Speaker, for prior approval to serve as Deputy Ministers.