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Nana Kwesi Coomson wins Humanitarian Young Philanthropist of the Year
Corporate communications and corporate social responsibility executive, Nana Kwesi Coomson, has been honoured with the Humanitarian Young Philanthropist of the Year Award at the 5th edition of the Western Gospel Awards, held on December 20, 2025, at the serene Western Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi.
The prestigious recognition celebrates Mr. Coomson’s consistent and people-centred humanitarian work, particularly his commitment to empowering vulnerable groups in society. Central to this honour is his annual New Year Party for members of the Ghana Blind Union in the Western Region, an initiative that has evolved beyond celebration into sustainable empowerment. Through the programme, beneficiaries receive interest-free start-up loans to establish small businesses, enabling them to attain economic independence and dignity.
Mr. Coomson is also widely known for his enduring support for orphanages across Ghana. Notably, he undertakes the painting and refurbishment of the Egyam Orphanage every two years, alongside regular donations and interventions aimed at improving the welfare of children in institutional care.
Receiving the award in person, Nana Kwesi Coomson attributed his passion for service to values passed down through generations. Quoting 2 Timothy 1:5, he reflected on the faith and compassion he witnessed in his grandmother and mother, which continue to shape his life’s work. “This has been my story. I saw my grandmother support the less privileged in our community, and my mother constantly extending help to people. It has stayed with me,” he said. He further expressed gratitude to the people of the Western Region for their unwavering support and thanked the organisers for the recognition.
Beyond philanthropy, Nana Kwesi Coomson is also known for youth empowerment initiatives, including the annual ‘Yes We Can’ pep talk for BECE candidates, where he inspires young people to believe in their potential and pursue excellence against all odds. His work as an empowerment coach and social impact advocate continues to touch lives across the country.
Earlier this year, his contributions gained international recognition when he was honoured at the British Council’s Study UK Alumni Awards, which celebrate UK-educated professionals making significant positive impact in their home countries.
Nana Kwesi Coomson is a seasoned communications professional, corporate social responsibility advocate, and youth empowerment coach. He has built a reputation for blending strategic communication with purposeful social impact.
With a strong passion for humanitarian service, he continues to champion initiatives that uplift the vulnerable, empower the youth, and strengthen communities.
He is a Tullow Scholar who studied Corporate Social Responsibility and Energy at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, UK and a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellow who studied Business and Entrepreneurship at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, USA
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
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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
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