News
NGO enhances youth ICT competence in Wa
As part of efforts to enhance the computer skills and competencies of the youth in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region, a non-profit information technology-based organisation, Yison Tech Hub, has organised a free 10 weeks intensive training on web incubation and business development for the youth in the municipality.
The organisation which sought to empower the youth in the areas of innovation, creativity technology and entrepreneurship took the participants through practical and theoretical lessons to prepare them for the job market.
The training formed part of a series of training programmes earmarked for the youth in the area by the organisation.
The Chief Executive Officer of the entity, Mr Issahaque Serikpera Naa, who made this known on Tuesday during an interview with The Spectator here stated that although they aimed at improving the Information Technology (IT) skills of the youth, his outfit was roping in more young women to actively participate in the training programme.
“We do not want the youth to be unproductive that is why we have spread our tentacles to include people who have completed Senior High School and tertiary institutions as well as unemployed graduates, among others,” he said.
He said that the training would continue unabated to ensure that a greater number of the youth were equipped with IT skills and were capable of starting their own businesses, adding that the organisation was putting measures in place to cater for unmarried young ladies with babies.
“Participants do not need any skills to be able to join the training, we only need your commitment, because we are out to train the youth and equip them with knowledge, skills, disposition and confidence in both technology and entrepreneurship,” Mr Naa stated.
He mentioned that they were dedicated to promoting technology innovation for rapid prototyping of budding ideas, innovation of local businesses, technical support for startups and promotion of youth entrepreneurship in the region.
He appealed to the various participants who would take part in subsequent training programme to put in more efforts in order to build their skill and become ambassadors of the training.
From Lydia Fordjour and Rafia Abdul-Razak, Wa
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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