News
Abubakar Zico Newton changing educational narrative in Madina Zongo
Chancing on a report indicating that people with pre-school experience were likely to be in school far more than those without pre-school education was the spark Ishaq Abubakar Zico Newton needed to turn around the fortunes of young people in Madina Zongo.
Growing up in the same community where pre-school was not valued as he himself was not a beneficiary, Ishaq Abubakar Zico Newton decided to change the narrative of the children with the help of his mother’s already established foundation.
The foundation started on the compound of his home as an afternoon classes for children in the community.
“It was the brainchild of my aunt who never had the opportunity to go to school but always felt that education was going to be the game-changer in the near future.”
With this in mind, his aunt started a free after school classes in the afternoon.
The classes helped children with their home works as their parents could neither read nor write. This single act by his aunt really impacted the lives of most children in the community.
“My mother took over after the death of my aunty when she returned from Germany and thought it wise to create a foundation around it. She named it ‘Mother for all Foundation.’’’
She later took the foundation to another level by supporting the foundation with books for the children and paying the teacher to continue the afternoon classes.
In 2010, King Zico, as he is affectionately called in the community, felt the need to support his mother’s idea and take the foundation a notch higher.
With his educational background, he turned it into a pre-school for children in Madina Zongo where children from the ages of two to five years have access to free pre-school education.
Currently, there are about 250 children in the school which initially started with only two children.
“The goal of the foundation is to educate and also help improve on the educational standard of the people within Madina Zongo,” he said.
According to Mr Newton, most of the people supporting the foundation were beneficiaries of the afternoon classes started by his aunt.
He said the foundation embarked on several projects including a ‘Readcamp’ aimed at enhancing the literacy skills of school pupils, a play-based training programme for educators and facilitators with innovative tools to transform classrooms.
“Other projects included mask up and sanitise campaign and covid-19 food relief project,” he stated.
He said that over the period of eight years, close to thousand youths and children have had their lives transformed through the foundation.
Background
Zico loves to describe himself as Zongo boy who at a point realised that actors of change are community people who wish to see the change in their communities.
He grew up from a very deprived family where he and his siblings as well as friends had to go look for mangoes in the bush and sell.
At other times “we looked for ‘alumi’ in the gutters and in people’s homes and at times we have just pick peoples cooking utensils at their blind side, crash them and sell,” adding that “that was how we survived.”
Education
King Zico never had a pre-school experience. He started school at Gospel International School in Madina Estates. After owing so much in terms of fees, he secured a scholarship from the school.
This followed the headmaster’s decision to allow him attend the school for free because it was obvious he couldn’t pay.
He move from there to the Faith Community Baptist School where he had my Junior High School (JHS) education
King Zico continued to the West African Secondary School (WASS) but could not write the final examination because “my name was synonymous to school fees arrears.”
King Zico later registered for Nov/ Dec and continued to the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) now University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) where he studied Diploma in Business Studies (DBS) with accounting option.
“I was of the hope that I will be able to secure a job with the certificate, but unfortunately, I did not, so I ended up on the streets again and did some basic jobs and finally enrolled myself into the African University College of Communication.’’
Hobby
At his spare time, King Zico loves to listen to music and enjoys rice and stew at any given time.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
President John Dramani Mahama has held bilateral talks with the President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, reaffirming the strong ties and shared values that continue to define relations between Ghana and South Korea.
During the discussions, President Mahama highlighted the historic connection between the two nations, noting their common commitment to democracy, human rights, and a shared historical experience.
He emphasised the opportunities for deeper cooperation, stating that Ghana’s rich natural and human resources, combined with Korea’s technological expertise and innovation, present a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership.
The President also underscored Ghana’s strategic role within the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose secretariat is headquartered in Accra, positioning the country as a gateway for production and exports into a market of over 1.4 billion people.
President Lee Jae Myung, in his remarks, described Ghana as a country that holds a special place in the hearts of many Koreans, highlighting decades of cooperation in areas such as maritime security, trade, and agriculture.
He also reflected on the longstanding cultural and economic connection symbolised by the popular “Ghana” chocolate brand made from Ghanaian cocoa, which has been enjoyed in Korea for over five decades.
Both leaders expressed optimism about expanding people-to-people exchanges, cultural engagement, and economic collaboration, with President Lee noting that President Mahama’s visit provides a timely opportunity to deepen practical cooperation that will directly benefit the citizens of both nations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed by the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates that two Ghanaian nationals sustained injuries following a drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport earlier today, March 11, 2026.
Against this backdrop, the Government of Ghana has strongly condemned any act that endangers civilian lives and critical infrastructure.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, March 11, such incidents pose serious risks to public safety and underscore the importance of ensuring the protection of civilians and vital international transport hubs.
Ghana’s Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates has led a delegation of the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai to visit the two injured Ghanaians in hospital.
Their injuries are not critical and are expected to fully recover soon.
“We therefore urge calm as we continue to extend consular assistance and collaborate closely with host authorities,” the statement added.
The Ministry has revealed that they are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities as required.
The Government of Ghana expresses its concern over the incident and conveys its thoughts to the injured individuals and their families.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the Government of Ghana’s commitment to the protection and welfare of Ghanaian citizens wherever they may be.
The Government of Ghana is actively supporting ongoing consultations within the UN to pass a resolution seeking a cessation of hostilities.
According to the Ministry they are offering the necessary leadership and coordination with Ghana’s diplomatic Missions and will provide updates on the matter as and when the need arises.
Government has reiterated its call for Nationals in the Gulf region to always exercise heightened vigilance and comply with directives from Ghanaian Embassies and local authorities.
