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VCF marks 5th anniversary with durbar
The Volta College Foundation (VCF) marked its fifth anniversary in grand style with a durbar at Adidome in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region over the weekend.
The durbar, chaired by Togbe Asamoakanta, a Sub-Divisional Chief of Adidome, had as Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Gabriel T. K. Atokple, the Volta Regional representative on the Council of State.
picture with pupils of Adidome Methodist
and Presbyterian Basic School
on the front row) with national
executives and zonal leaders
Addressing the gathering, Mr Atokple commended the Foundation for aligning its initiatives with Ghana’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), describing this as a clear demonstration of purpose and a results-oriented approach.
He singled out the anniversary project — the provision of a mechanised borehole for the Sokode-Ando community — which is also expected to address the water needs of the local health centre as outstanding. In a surprise gesture, Mr Atokple pledged to personally bear the full cost of the project. He also promised to collaborate with the Foundation in future interventions across the Volta and Oti regions.
The President of the Foundation, Mr McThompson Agbeti, acknowledged the group’s achievements over the past five years but also pointed out the ongoing challenges, particularly in financing projects.
Among the Foundation’s notable interventions are the renovation of a toilet facility for female inmates at the Kpando Prisons, provision of learning materials to deprived schools in Ketu South, support to the Three Kings School for the Blind in Central Tongu, donation of relief items to victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage, aid to the Children’s Ward of the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, and sanitation campaigns in Ho and Hohoe.
The chairman of the occasion commended the Foundation’s impressive track record, particularly given its relatively young age. He pledged both the support of his traditional area and his personal professional assistance to help the group realise its objectives.
As part of the four-day celebration, the Foundation organised a free health screening for residents of Tsetsekpo near Adidome in partnership with the District Health Directorate. Residents were provided with free medications.
The festivities also included an awards and dinner night, where 10 individuals and zones of the Foundation were honoured for their dedication and contributions. Among those recognized was the Founder of the group, Mr Richmond Ameko, for his vision and dedication to the organization.
The celebration climaxed with a friendly football match, where the VCF team was defeated 5-1 by the Adidome Unity Club, a Division Two side
By Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
