Gender
Unique wives honour husbands for their marital commitment
Fifteen distinguished married women have honoured their husbands with gifts to express their love for long and dedicated services and contributions to their stable marriages.
The special event was an initiative of Bishop Dr Ellen Dua-Agyemang Akoto founder of Kings Universal Chapel (KUC) and Mount Horeb Glory Ministry (MHGM) at Odumase- Sunyani.
The celebration dubbed “Couples Appreciation Day” was under the theme “Remember like it’s yesterday’’.
The purpose of the programme was to create the awareness for married couple to understand the need to express their love while the other partner was still alive.
It was also an opportunity for married women to cherish and adore their husbands who had been able to marry them for a decade.
Among other criteria were a husband who practices monogamy, a husband who has been able to educate the children to the tertiary level and other responsibilities.
The longest couple had married for 56 years and the freshest among the 15 couples was only three months in marriage.
The crowning of the ceremony was the Diamond Award given to a couple who had been married for 60 years and given birth to 12 children out of which nine had survived.
The man, Mr Emmanuel Kwame Obiri is now 96 years while the wife Mama Esther Kyeremaa, is 80 years.
Bishop Dr Dua-Agyemang Akoto addressing the gathering said “Most often a sweet tribute is read after the death of the husband to show that he was the best when he was alive.”
She said this platform was to enable spouses to express their love in a form of presentation of gifts to appreciate their husbands irrespective of the challenges they had encountered.
She said that gift was a language to express love and respect to the receiver.
Bishop Dr Dua-Agyemang Akoto said she would be reaching out to as many married couples as possible so that such an event could address some marital issues.
She noted the event was going to be organised twice in a year during Christmas and Easter festivities and the target group would be middle age and old couples to share their love stories for others to learn and fraternise since they have limited outing activities.
She called on well-meaning Ghanaians who have interest in sustaining and reconciling marriages to bring out the beauty in both Godly and socio-economic perspective to collaborate with her vision in achieving this feat.
The Dwantoahemaa of Sunyani Nana Boah Boahemaa applauded the initiative and indicated that it would help complement the efforts of the traditional authority in solving disputes.
Other women also presented gifts to special men who had made positive impacts in their lives.
Gender
Faith Dzakpasu receives huge global recognition
Ghana’s 2023 Best Teacher, Faith Aku Dzakpasu, has been named in the top 50 shortlist for the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize.
Organised by Varkey Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the award is given to an exceptional teacher making significant impact on students and the community.
She was selected from over 5,000 nominations and applications from 89 countries across the world.
Now in its ninth year, the one million dollars Global Teacher Prize is the largest prize of its kind.
She made the mark following an incredible teaching philosophy which focuses on innovative and inclusive strategies tailored to meet the diverse needs of students.
She also employs research-based methods like Layering Text, Cross Text Analysis and tools such as ChatGPT to simplify complex concepts.
Speaking to The Spectator in Accra on Monday, she explained that her classroom fosters creativity, active participation and hands-on learning, integrating digital tools like Canva and 3D modelling software.
“I have also established centres for supporting students with learning disabilities and offers creative modules to help all learners succeed, regardless of their challenges,” she stated.
“Being selected for this award is a remarkable milestone in my teaching journey as I look forward to impacting on children and society at large,” she stated.
She encouraged teachers to be committed to their duty and go the extra mile to impact knowledge into children.
“We must continue to find new way to make teaching and learning more flexible and understandable,” she stressed.
“Visually engaging classroom designs and inclusive methods would consistently boost attendance, confidence and academic performance,” she explained.
On her own, Mrs Dzakpasu founded the Street School Project, bringing education to street children and the Creative Aid Agenda, which has trained over 4,200 individuals in entrepreneurial skills like biodegradable paper bag crafting.
She also established the Mother of Many Missions orphanage project, supporting orphans with essentials and education. Her “Reinventing Behind Bars” initiative empowers incarcerated women with self-care and reintegration tools.
Ms Dzakpasu, is a teacher at Doblo Gonno Methodist Basic School in the Ga West Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Gender
SDA Women’s Ministries observe International Day of Prayer
The Women’s Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church observed the International Day of Prayer on March 1 at various SDA churches across the country.
The event, held on the theme ‘Reach Out,’ was aimed to empower women to spread the gospel, hope, kindness, and compassion to those in need.
Delivering the sermon at the New Life SDA Church last Saturday, Dr Mrs Cecilia Agyei Darko, former Acting Principal of the SDA College of Education (SEDACOE), encouraged women to stand firm in their faith because God allowed them to go through tribulations and trials to strengthen their faith in Him.
According to her, there would be times in their lives when they might lose a dear one, but even in those difficult times, they must still be thankful to God.
The former Acting Principal encouraged the women to reach out to the poor and vulnerable, and share their testimonies to inspire others.
Dr Darko, therefore emphasised the need for the women to carry with them a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to reach out to those in need.
As part of the programme, the women also lifted prayers for the nation and for leaders who would prioritise the welfare of citizens.
They also thanked God for a peaceful election.
The International Day of Prayer served as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, hope, and compassion in the face of adversity.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
