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A 25-year promise kept: Aurora Commodore-Toppar unveils legacy court at Aburi Girls’ Senior High School
Aburi Girls’ Senior High School at the weekend became beneficiary of a new state-of-the-art multi-purpose basketball court, handed over by an alumna from the “Millennium Beacons” class of 2000 and current Treasurer of the Ghana Basketball Federation (GBF), Madam Aurora Commodore-Toppar.
Madam Commodore-Toppar conceived the idea which is now known as the “Aurora Legacy Project,” shortly before completing the school.
The handover ceremony, filled with emotion, saw Madam Commodore-Toppar supported by her father, Mr Emmanuel Martey Commodore-Mensah, a former Board Chairman of Hearts of Oak, executives of the Aburi Girls’ Old Girls Association (AOGA) 2000 year group, led by Madam Akua Boahemah Owusu Sekyere, the school’s former headmistress, Mrs Alice Prempeh-Fordjour, and members of the Radiant Way Baptist Church, all celebrating a dream born from a moment of vulnerability.
The arena is situated on the school’s Upper Court and boasts modern features like fiberglass backboards, breakaway rims, and durable acrylic coatings, making it suitable for various sports including volleyball, tennis, badminton, and handball, ensuring a safe and long-lasting surface for generations of Aburi Girls to enjoy.
Madam Commodore-Toppar, the captain of the school’s championship-winning basketball team in the year 2000, recounted emotionally that she made the life-altering promise when she faced a period of intense illness while preparing for her final exams on the staircase leading to the school’s Lower Court.
“The dream was born in 2000 when I was about to write my final exams and kept falling ill. So, on the staircase leading to the Lower Court, I stood and made a pledge to God that He should see me successfully through the exams, and after that, I would honour Him with a personal pledge,” she stated.
Moreover, she announced the initiation of a Phase Two of the project, which will include the installation of tiered bleacher seats for players and spectators, to solidify the court as a truly complete, modern facility.
By Raymond Ackumey
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MR Samuel Yao Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, has stated that HIV does not define a person, but “dignity, respect and love do.”
He reminded Ghanaians that no one should face discrimination because of his or her HIV status.
Mr Atidzah said this in a statement in Ho of the Volta Region to commemorate World Zero Discrimination Day.
The Day was initiated by UNAIDS in 2014 and celebrated annually on March 1 by the UN and other Organisations to promote equality, inclusion, and peace for everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.
It highlights the need to end discrimination laws and actions, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS stigma.
This year’s day is on the theme: ‘People first: Standing united for dignity, equality and inclusion.’
Mr Atidzah urged all to stand together to end stigma and discrimination and promote inclusion, support People Living with AIDS in their communities.
“We have often been quick in judging people just because he or she has contracted the HIV virus; we’re in a haste to brand them as people lacking dignity.”
“We must also not lose sight of the fact that it is not every patient that attract the disease from sexual inter-course. There are those that were born with it and those who were cut by affected by objects,” he explained.
He advised all to know their status through HIV Self-testing kits, adding “it is private, confidential, safe and empowering.”
The Executive Director urged both young and old that taking charge of their health was a sign of strength and not shame.
“I urge all and sundry to get tested now, know your status, protect yourself and protect others,” he noted. –GNA
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THREE inter-related books chronicling the political history of Ghana’s Heads of State are set to be launched this month.
The books offers readers an in-depth account of the country’s constitutional and military leadership from independence to the Fourth Republic.
Authored by former Presidential Reporter of The Ghanaian Times, F. Baffour Opoku, the books explore the ideologies, leadership styles, achievements, challenges and international engagements of Ghana’s past leaders.
The first book, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s First, Second and Third Republics, examines the administrations of Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Kofi Abrefa Busia and Hilla Limann, highlighting key political and socio-economic developments during the First, Second and Third Republics.
The second publication, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, provides insight into leadership under the Fourth Republic, covering the era of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The third book, Military Rule in Ghana between 1966 and 1993, documents significant political events during periods of military governance.
It discusses the leadership of Joseph Arthur Ankrah, first Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC); Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, second Chairman of the NLC; Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC) and later the Supreme Military Council (SMC); Frederick William Kwasi Akufo, Chairman of the reconstituted SMC; and Jerry John Rawlings, who led both the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
According to the author, the books provide detailed, one-stop information on the activities and governance records of each Head of State during their respective tenures.
In addition to political analysis, the books feature biographical accounts of the Heads of State, as well as colourful photo albums capturing significant national events during their tenure.
Mr Opoku notes that as Chief Executives of the nation, the leaders profiled in the books served with dedication and commitment, and their contributions to nation-building deserve recognition and documentation for present and future generations.
The launch is expected to attract political figures, academics, members of the media and the general public.
By Spectator Reporter
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