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600 graduate from Liberty Specialist Institute
A TOTAL of 600 trainees graduated last Saturday during the 38th graduation ceremony of the Liberty Specialist Institute in Koforidua.
They were trained in various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, including Hospitality and Catering Management, Fashion Design Technology, Hairdressing, Information Technology, Cosmetology and Electrical Engineering Technology.
Out of the total number, 115 completed a three-year regular course, while 394 were admitted and trained under the Ghana TVET Voucher Project, a donor-supported initiative implemented by the school and its partners.
These beneficiaries underwent eight months of intensive training. Additionally, 154 trainees were enrolled through the Ghana Jobs and Skills Apprenticeship Programme, completing a one-year course in similar disciplines.
Twenty others, admitted through the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) Programme, received six months of training.
The ceremony featured an impressive display of practical skills as the graduates mounted an exhibition showcasing their work in fashion design, hairdressing, cosmetology and other areas.
The Principal of the Institute, Mr Emmanuel Danso, highlighted the school’s long-standing contribution to vocational training since its establishment in 1987 by Mr and Rev. Mrs Ametameh in partnership with donors.
He noted that the institute has trained thousands of students over the years and remained committed to expanding skills training to support national development.
Mr Danso described the graduation as a significant milestone that reflected the institution’s dedication to providing multiple pathways for skills development and youth empowerment.
He explained that in light of the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative, it had become critical for young people to acquire practical, digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills to meet emerging industry demands.
TVET institutions, he emphasised, were essential in realising the 24-hour economy, as they played a key role in job creation, economic development and addressing youth unemployment.
Mr Danso also appealed to the government to include private TVET institutions in the Free TVET Education Policy to ensure that students from schools like Liberty Specialist Institute can benefit fully from national training interventions.
The Director of the Institute, Rev. Mrs Edna Akofa Ametameh, encouraged the graduates to uphold the values they have acquired and to use their skills to advance their personal development while supporting others.
She described TVET as a major driver of the global economy, noting that digitalisation has further strengthened opportunities for the youth.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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