News
Street Academy Spreads Hope, Feeds Over 400 Children at 25th Annual Dinner
STREET Academy, a non-governmental organization (NGO), brought joy to about 400 vulnerable children last Saturday at its 25th annual dinner party, held as part of Christmas festivities. The feast was designed to assure the children that society cares for them and values their wellbeing.
A variety of local dishes were served, carefully selected to match the children’s preferences. Ataa Lartey, Executive Director of the Academy, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the children, drawn from the Arts Centre community and surrounding areas, shared a meal and moments of joy.
“The initiative is meant to make the children feel valued and included in society. We might not be their biological parents, but it is our responsibility to help them grow, to shape and nurture them,” he said.
Mr. Lartey added that the initiative would continue with similar activities on December 26 and January 1. He explained that the programme aims to support families who lack the means to care for their children during the festive season and inspire the children to work hard and contribute positively to their communities.
Beyond feeding, the programme seeks to nurture the children into responsible citizens. He cited past beneficiaries who had excelled, including Abraham Mensah, a silver medalist for Ghana at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, as a product of the Academy.
STREET Academy operates as a three-year bridge programme preparing children for mainstream education, the public school system, and vocational training. The initiative targets the most vulnerable children and is fully free, providing sponsorship for books, uniforms, and two meals daily.
Dr. John David Arnold, CEO and Founder of Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. (PPEP), a longtime sponsor of the Academy, noted that partnerships with STREET Academy had helped develop its infrastructure to improve the children’s welfare.
“Through our collaboration, we realized the children needed essential facilities such as a kitchen, toilets, and a clinic,” Dr. Arnold said. “It has been a fulfilling partnership, and we are proud to support the Academy.” He added that PPEP provides monthly financial support to sustain the Academy’s operations and ensure the wellbeing of the children.
By Spectator Reporter
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
