News
Fashion designer reaches out to Hour of Grace Orphanage
A popular fashion designer in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region, Mrs Doris Bonney, has appealed to the public to show love to the vulnerable, especially children in the various orphanages in this era of COVID-19 pandemic.
According to her, there was nothing more noble than somebody spending a little time with the children in the orphanages and sharing life experiences and gifts with them.
She said, “None of the children at the orphanages decided on their own to be there, but circumstances have done so, and it is, therefore, important that we (society) get back to care for them.”
Mrs Bonney made the appeal when she presented food items and soft drinks to the staff and children of the Hour of Grace Orphanage near Huhunya on Wednesday.
The programme, which was part of her 45th birthday celebration, offered her the opportunity to visit the children and share her experiences in life with them.
She ate with the inmates and urged them to be respectful to everybody they came into contact to enable them receive the blessings of God to grow to become good and law abiding citizens of Ghana, in future.
Speaking to the Spectator on the reasons for celebrating her birthday at the orphanage, Mrs Bonney said, “Birthdays are happy and impactful occasions children always look forward to either from their friends, parents or themselves because they know that it would be filled with gifts, new dresses, and special food that they can share with friends.”
It is unfortunate that most orphans and the homeless people do not experience such special events, hence my decision to celebrate my birthday with the orphanage children.
“It is a great joy to celebrate your birthday with such underprivileged kids because it gives an idea of how to plan for your life,” she said.
She urged the public, especially the well-to-do in society not to be overwhelmed by their social status but rather be impressed by how they put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable.
Mrs Bonney said most of her birthdays had been celebrated in orphanages in places such as Bawjiase, Assin Fosu and Koforidua.
“Let us become windows to the orphans to enable them realise that they are not different but children of Ghana,” she added.
The Director of the orphanage, Mr Lawrence Gbengor, thanked Mrs Bonney for the gesture and appealed for support for the children.
He said the role of the society was to give the vulnerable children a helping hand to enable them feel comfortable in the environment they had found themselves in.
He said that Mrs Bonney would be counted among the people who cared for needy children in the society.
By Samuel Opare Lartey
News
Chief Imam endorses ‘Let Love Lead’s’ clean-up campaign at Nkrumah Circle
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has thrown his weight behind the upcoming city-wide clean-up exercise scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
The revered Islamic leader gave his blessing during a consultative meeting with organisers of the exercise, calling the initiative a “commendable national duty” that aligns with both religious and civic responsibility.
The clean-up, which marks the third edition of a growing sanitation drive, is being organised by community stakeholders and supported by civil society groups.
This year’s exercise is especially symbolic as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of the June 3, 2015 flood and fire disaster that claimed over 150 lives at the same location.
“The well-being of our people and the cleanliness of our environment are acts of faith and service,” the Chief Imam said.
“We must all come together—Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, and non-religious people alike—to honour the memory of those lost and prevent future tragedies,” He added.
Organisers, ‘Let Love Lead’, say the Chief Imam’s endorsement adds significant moral weight to the campaign, which already enjoys growing national support.
Engagements have also been held with traditional rulers, MPs, government officials, and social influencers to galvanise wider participation.
This year’s event is expected to go beyond sanitation. Side activities include medical outreach, disaster preparedness education, interfaith prayers, and donations to victims of the June 3 disaster.
Nene Lartey Osakonor I (Big Dawood), a traditional leader spearheading coordination, described the Chief Imam’s support as “invaluable.”
He said, “We are deeply honoured by the Chief Imam’s endorsement.
“His message is a powerful reminder that sanitation is not just a government or NGO responsibility—it’s a spiritual and civic duty,” he added.
More institutions, volunteers, and media houses are expected to join the campaign as the date draws near.
News
Speaker joins Ugandan Parliament’s inaugural sitting
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, was among distinguished African leaders who witnessed the Inaugural Sitting of the 5th Session of Uganda’s 11th Parliament yesterday.
The event, presided over by Uganda’s Speaker, Rt. Hon. Anita Anette Among, marked the beginning of the final legislative session before the country heads to the polls to elect new lawmakers.
Speakers and presiding officers from Namibia, Congo, East African Legislatures, Kenya’s Senate, South Sudan, and the Leader of the West Africa bloc of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) also attended the session.
In accordance with Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, President Yoweri Museveni delivered the State of the Nation Address, highlighting his government’s achievements.
Using pictorial evidence and videos, he showcased progress in infrastructure development, particularly road construction, and efforts to ensure food security.
The President also emphasized advancements in healthcare, including research initiatives and improved service delivery.
He further noted groundbreaking innovations in science and technology, such as the production and export of the Kirra electric cars.
President Museveni thanked Parliament for supporting government initiatives and pledged more developmental projects, including additional roads across constituencies. As Uganda prepares for elections, he expressed confidence in his National Resistance Movement’s performance while wishing all political parties well.
Following the address, Parliament is set to commence debates next week before receiving the President again for the budget presentation.
Speaker Among commended the President for his support to the legislature and urged Members of Parliament to uphold patriotism and dedicated service.
Bagbin Calls for African Unity
At a dinner hosted for visiting delegations, Rt. Hon. Bagbin, who also chairs the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), urged Uganda to remain committed to African unity and socio-economic development.
The event reinforced the spirit of Pan-African cooperation as nations strengthen parliamentary ties for continental progress.
