News
3-day capacity-building workshop for Scout, Guide leaders ends
A three-day national capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping Scout and Guide leaders with relevant 21st-century skills has ended in Accra, with an emphasis on youth empowerment and national development.
The workshop, held last weekend by the Scout and Guide Fellowship Ghana (SGF-Gh), brought together adult leaders and volunteers from across the country to strengthen their competencies in leadership, digital literacy, critical thinking, civic responsibility, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and community engagement.
According to organisers, the initiative forms part of SGF-Gh’s long-term strategy to close leadership gaps in schools and communities, while reinforcing the values and principles of the scouting and guiding movement.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the President of SGF-Gh, Mr Andrew Botchway, said the workshop was a deliberate effort to rebuild capacity within the movement and prepare leaders who are capable of guiding the next generation.
Mr Botchway called for greater collaboration among stakeholders in the movement, noting that unity was key to reviving the visibility and impact of scouting and guiding, which he said had declined in recent years.
He disclosed that Ghana plans to host the 2027 International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF) World Conference. Additionally, plans were underway for a major international jamboree in 2026, dubbed“The Ghana Experience’’, which is expected to attract global participants.
The SGF-Gh President also called for stronger support from both government and the private sector to sustain initiatives that promote leadership development and volunteer service among Ghanaian youth.
The Executive Secretary of SGF-Gh, Ms Stephanie Birikorang, described the workshop as more than just a training programme. She said it was a platform to inspire responsible leadership and empower participants to effect positive change in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
We are not just here to enhance skills,”she said.“This workshop is about strengthening the spirit of service and citizenship that defines our movement, and equip ourselves with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead better and serve more.”
Ms Birikorang noted that the sessions—delivered by experienced facilitators and partners—were essential for remaining proactive and relevant in a rapidly changing world. She added that the workshop also served as a space for networking and collaboration among scouts, guides, and community leaders.
Also present at the opening was the International Commissioner of the Ghana Girl Guides Association (GGGA), Ms Sylvia Nicole Eshun, who underscored the importance of the Girl Guiding movement in shaping empowered and responsible young women.
She appealed to parents, educators, and local leaders to support the guiding movement, emphasising that it offers young girls a unique opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and become change-makers in society.
By The Spectator Reporter
For generations of graduates, the University of Ghana has shaped some of life’s most meaningful moments.
It is where lifelong friendships were formed, marriages began, business ideas took shape, partnerships were built, entrepreneurs nurtured, and identities discovered.
UG became a shared home, one that inspired pride and a deep sense of belonging. Yet, as the years pass and life takes alumni into different careers, countries, and seasons, many gradually lose touch with the University and with one another.
On 28 May 2026, the University of Ghana will officially launch the University of Ghana Global Alumni Network (UGA Network) App, a digital platform designed to foster and strengthen lifelong connections between the University and its alumni worldwide.
The launch, scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana, marks a significant shift in alumni engagement and development, from fragmented, informal networks to a single, trusted, and official digital home for all Legonites.
For years, alumni engagement has largely depended on WhatsApp groups, social media pages, and independent alumni groups.
While these channels have kept conversations alive, they have also created fragmentation, making it difficult to maintain accurate records, share official updates, and mobilise alumni for mentorship, networking, and institutional development.
The UGA Network App was developed to address this gap.
It provides a secure platform where alumni can register, verify their alumni status, update their profiles, reconnect with classmates and year groups, and stay informed about university and alumni initiatives, all in one place.
At the heart of the UGA Network App is a simple idea: alumni should never feel like outsiders to the University they helped build.
Designed with alumni experiences in mind, the platform makes it easy to rediscover old bonds, build new professional relationships, participate in alumni events, and contribute meaningfully to the University’s advancement.
Whether a recent graduate navigating early career decisions or a seasoned professional seeking to give back, the app creates space for every alum to belong and participate.
The UGA Network App is the official alumni engagement platform of the University of Ghana, managed by the Institutional Advancement Directorate, in collaboration with the Information Technology Directorate.
Built on a verified and secure alumni database, the platform protects personal information while ensuring credibility and trust for users.
As the University prepares to unveil the UGA Network App, alumni are invited to register, reconnect, and belong.
The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) to suspend the implementation of its proposed 0.75 percent fee on direct wallet-to-bank transfers pending further consultations.
The proposed charge was scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2026.
In a press release issued by its Communications Department, the central bank said the decision to halt the implementation was to allow for further engagement on the matter.
According to the Bank of Ghana, the move forms part of efforts to ensure that any changes in charges within the mobile financial services sector are introduced fairly and in a way that protects consumers.
The Bank said it remains committed to safeguarding the financial wellbeing of users of mobile money and other digital financial services.
The proposed fee had generated public discussions ahead of its planned implementation date.
However, the Bank of Ghana did not indicate when a final decision on the proposed charge would be announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
