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Aim Higher and Use Your Education to Serve Communities – Ambassador Maher
Ambassador of Lebanon to Ghana Mr. Maher Kheir has challenged students to use the knowledge gained through education to serve their communitites for development.
Education, the backbone of every society’s growth, he says, could transform the Ghanaian society if academics looked beyond their personal growth and served humanity.
He was speaking at an academic seminar organised by the University of Media, Arts and Communications Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ) for beneficiaries of the Lebanese Scholarship Programme.
The seminar, a part of the Lebanese Community Scholarship Programme, is held annually for post-graduate students at UniMAC-IJ to deepen educational cooperation efforts between Lebanon and Ghana.
It also allowed students to present findings of their respective research, a comparative analysis on Lebanese and Ghanaian topics.
Ambassador of Lebanon HE Maher Kheir commended the students for exploring different cultures in an attempt to bridge the gap between the two countries.
Lebanon, he noted, is committed to supporting the education of brilliant-but-needy Ghanaian students.
“Education has always been central to Lebanon’s identity. It shapes minds, opens doors, and builds bridges across cultures. Through these scholarships, Lebanon shows its commitment to supporting young people who carry the promise of leadership and service” he stated.
He stressed that “this seminar is especially important for our Lebanese Community and Ghana. It is not only an academic meeting – but a space to exchange knowledge, share achievements, and to inspire one another.”
Ambassador Kheir also emphasised the need to invest in research for nation building and cultural co-operation to build bridges between peoples.
He challenged the students to “keep aiming higher, and always remember that education is not just for personal growth, but also for serving communities and humanity at large.”
On her part, Director of the Centre of Gobal Education and Collaboration (CGEC) Dr. Lawrencia Agyapong expressed gratitude for the support given to UniMAC students over the years.
She praised the continued support of the Lebanese Community for this initiative and commended Lebanese Ambassador HE Maher Kheir for launching the seminars and research program four years ago as part of the scholarship scheme, describing it as a valuable addition to academic co-operation.
To further develop their professional competencies, she appealed to the Ambassador to consider opportunities for UniMAC students to pursue internships at the Embassy.
Dean of the Graduate School Dr. Benedine Zanu extended profound appreciation to the Lebanese people for more than a decade of trustworthy relationship with UniMAC and providing access to higher education through the scholarship platform.
The enduring ties, she noted, has produced several wins including academics, scholars and industry leaders across the journalism and media fields.
She added that the seminar strengthens the fraternal bonds that Ghanaians and Lebanese share as it also gives positive prospects to the future of the scholarship.
On behalf of the Lebanese Community, Mr. Naaman Ashkar lauded the beneficiaries for honouring the confidence reposed in them by excelling with distinction in their post-graduate programme.
He assured that the Lebanese Community are committed to promoting education and will continue to support more students to access higher education in Ghana.
The participating students, Priscilla Amoah, Antoinette Osei Banahene and Richard Gyamfi Sarfo, presented different research works spanning topics such as media representation, media coverage and cultural identity of Lebanese Community.
Following the students’ presentations, Ambassador Kheir urged them to stay curious in pursuit of knowledge adding “Each one of yo has demonstrated remarkable commitment. Continue to ask questions, refine your ideas, and broaden your horizons.”
The seminar, an initiative of the Lebanese Ambassador Maher Kheir, is another window to deepen the educational and cultural co-operation between Lebanon and Ghana.
The Lebanese Scholarship Programme marked its 10* Anniversary last year with the official launch of the “Lebanese Scholarship Alumni Network(LESAN)”, a social impact organization which will undertake humanitarian projects to develop society.
The prgramme which is in its 12th
year has awarded scholarships to more thansix hundred (600) students across several schools and disciplines such as law, journalism, media, language, performing arts, public relations, and film and television production.
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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