Profile
Abraham Korbla Klutsey – YPSA‘s Man of Peace
The Good Book, in Matthew 5:9 describes peacemakers as children of God and this description definitely covers unique people who have the characteristics of reconciling people and making peace in society for unity: Mr. Abraham Korbla Klutsey fits perfectly into that category of people.
In his efforts to support, peacebuilding and reduce conflicts for the development of Ghana and Africa at large, Mr Klutsey founded the Youth for Peace and Security Africa, YPSA.
The YPSA, which was registered in Ghana in 2012 as a non-profit organisation has ‘Safe and developed Africa’ as its vision runs with the slogan, ‘making Africa safer for better development’.
He told The Spectator that, though he wanted to be a pilot or scientist in future, he had no regret as a conflict mediator and peace building agent as saving lives and maintaining peace have become his preoccupation.
Approach to peace
The approach employed by the YPSA to ensure that there is a minimal to zero financial cost in peacekeeping missions are the following: There should be no danger to the lives of peacemakers, and there should be a prompt action to prevent injuries, loss of lives, and damage to properties.
The team engages the inhabitants of communities in a coordinated network, equip them with basic skills and responsibilities to prevent and resolve violent and bloody conflicts as well as crimes in their own communities.
“Because the people live in the communities, it comes at no extra cost and danger acting as peacemakers. They, therefore, maintain peace promptly, safely, effectively, and at low or no cost. When people feel involved in the process, they stay involved for the long term”, he said.
In 2013, during tension and violence in the century-old Alavanyo and Nkonya bloody conflict, in the northern-Volta of Ghana, YPSA responded to help the people lay down the foundation for a lasting peace and also to prove the efficacy of its underlining operational mechanism in preventing and resolving violent conflicts.
The project, which was self-funded by YPSA, engaged the chiefs, opinion leaders and elders of both traditional areas, the youth groups and associations, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, the Volta Regional Peace Council, the Police and the Military on peacekeeping mission, the Biakoye District Assembly and the Hohoe Municipal Assembly.
And with the active inclusion of the people, a roadmap was drawn for a lasting peace and development to end the conflict. For this timeous progressive move by the organization (YPSA)
Achievement
The Biakoye District Assembly’s recommendation highlighted the major progress and success made during the project. The Council of State of The Republic Of Ghana in 2015 made findings into the project and concluded in it report that YPSA has the capacity and the potential to make a useful contribution towards the restoration of peace in conflict zones.
Mr Abraham Klutsey was given the with Ghana Peace Award. In 2016 and 2018 where the Executive Director of YPSA was invited by ECOWAS-GIABA to participate in efforts towards tackling terrorism and financial crimes in West-Africa. These for a were held in the Republic of Benin and Senegal.
Projects
In 2020, he was again by the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission of Ghana to a forum on tackling proliferation of arms in Ghana.
During the 2020 general election of Ghana, the organisation launched the ‘Stop the Violence before It Happens’ Project recruited Safety and Peace Ambassadors across the country to prevent electoral violence in their respective communities.
In 2021, YPSA has initiated a project in the Alavanyo and Nkonya communities to expand, strengthen and train the existing networks to make sure violence never returns to the communities even if issues remain unsolved.
Youth for Peace and Security-Africa (YPSA), through its networks, now has members and volunteers in over 25 African countries. The organisation has branches which are registered in Ethiopia and Nigeria. YPSA believes that Africa can attain social stability and development if the vision and resources of the youth are harnessed to prevent and resolve violent and bloody conflicts.
Background
Mr Abraham Kobla Klutsey He hails from Apipe in the Volta Region and attended Saint Paul’s Secondary School, Denu at 2004 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Ghana.
He is not married and has no kids: He is the second of five siblings. His hobbies include; travelling, biking, and listening to classical, reggae and country music. He aspires to work hard and open branches of YPSA in all the African countries.
Mr Klutsey has authored a book “Peacebuilding at the Edge of Death” which is listed on amazon.com.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
IN the annals of Ghana’s sporting history, certain individuals stand out not merely for participating in sport, but for transforming it.
Rev. Emmanuel D. Niikoi is one such figures. Revered as the father of modern netball in Ghana, is widely credited with rescuing the game from near extinction and transforming it into a vibrant, structured and nationally recognised sports discipline.
His journey reflects vision, resilience and an unwavering commitment to youth and sports development.
Netball was introduced to the then Gold Coast by Christian missionaries alongside formal education. By the 1960s and early 1970s, the sport had gained remarkable popularity in schools and colleges, ranking second only to football and, in some institutions, rivaling it in appeal.
However, during the 1974/75 academic year, the Ghana Education Service (GES) took a policy decision to step down netball in favour of basketball development. The decision dealt a severe blow to the sport.
Between 1975 and 1985, competitive netball virtually disappeared from Ghana’s sporting calendar.
That decision of the GES can be blamed for the current state of the sports that is producing heroines across the globe.
The revival of the game can be traced to 1985 during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
At the time, Rev. Niikoi was serving as Chief Editor (News) in the Radio Newsroom. Understanding both the historical importance and untapped potential of netball, he championed the inclusion of a netball tournament as part of the anniversary celebrations. The event reignited public interest and reminded many of the sport’s former glory.
Crucially, Rev. Niikoi did not allow the momentum to fade after the festivities. The GBC netball team formed for the tournament, aptly named “Golden Hands,” became the cornerstone of a national revival campaign.
With determination and personal sacrifice, he led tours across the country, using the team as a practical training platform.
He personally taught sports teachers under the GES the official rules of netball, reintroduced structured competition, and restored confidence in the sport’s viability.
These efforts culminated with the formation of the Netball Association of Ghana in 1988, now known as the Netball Federation of Ghana.
In 1990, the association gained formal recognition from the National Sports Authorities, previously known as the National Sports Council (NSC), restoring netball’s status as an official sporting discipline.
This milestone marked the rebirth of organised netball in Ghana and cemented Rev. Niikoi’s place as founder of the national governing body.
Revival soon transitioned into consolidation. Over the years, Rev. Niikoi consistently lobbied educational and sports authorities to reintegrate netball into major school competitions.
His advocacy led to the sport’s reintroduction into the National Basic Schools Sports Festival, the Senior High and Technical Schools Sports Festival, the Colleges of Education games, and competitions under the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA).
Today, netball is played across the entire educational structure in Ghana, from basic schools to public universities, a testament to his sustained and strategic efforts.
On the continental and global front, Ghana is a full member of World Netball and was a founding member of the Confederation of Africa Netball Associations (CANA), now Africa Netball.
In 2004, Ghana hosted the inaugural Africa Netball Cup of Nations in Accra and emerged champions after defeating Namibia in the final. The victory not only boosted Ghana’s sporting image but also validated years of groundwork.
In 2007, Rev. Niikoi was elected Director of Marketing and Media for CANA, serving a four-year term and contributing to the sport’s development across the continent.
In 2019, following governance reforms required by the International Olympic Committee to lift sanctions related to state interference in sports administration, national federations were mandated to adopt independent constitutions. Under this new framework, the Netball Federation of Ghana successfully drafted its constitution and conducted elections.
On June 19, 2019, Rev. Niikoi was elected the federation’s first President under the independent constitutional order which is symbolic and deserved recognition of decades of service.
Beyond netball administration, Rev. Niikoi also served two terms spanning eight years from March 2018 to March 2025 as an Executive Board Member of the Ghana Olympic Committee.
His presence on the board ensured that netball maintained visibility within Ghana’s broader Olympic movement.
A Bachelor of Arts graduate in Combined Honours (History and Law), Rev. Emmanuel D. Niikoi has trained numerous coaches and umpires nationwide, strengthening the sport’s technical foundation and ensuring sustainability.
His leadership style combines administrative discipline with grassroots engagement, making him both a strategist and a mentor.
From dormancy to dynamism, the resurgence of netball in Ghana bears his unmistakable imprint. Through advocacy, institution-building and capacity development, Rev. Niikoi has secured a lasting legacy.
Today, every netball match played in Ghana, whether at a basic school court or a university festival stands as living testimony to his vision and perseverance.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
AUTISM Awareness Care and Training (AACT) is Ghana’s first autism-focused centre, playing a pioneering role in the care, education, and advocacy for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Established in 1998, AACT began as a parent-support and training initiative at a time when autism was poorly understood in Ghana. Many families raising autistic children faced stigma, isolation, and limited access to information or professional assistance.
Over the years, the organisation has evolved into a full-fledged autism care and training centre, responding to the growing demand for specialised services and sustained nationwide awareness.
AACT is currently located in Haatso, Accra, where it operates a structured day programme serving about 25 learners daily. The centre provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children with autism are guided to develop essential life, social, and functional skills.
Programmes at the centre focus on independent living skills, vocational and pre-vocational training, functional academic skills, and therapeutic interventions. These activities are tailored to the individual needs of each learner, recognising that children on the autism spectrum learn and develop at different paces.
According to Abeiku Grant, Head of Programmes at AACT, the centre’s philosophy is centred on ability rather than limitation.
“Every autistic child is different,” he said. “Our work is to support them at their own pace and help them discover what they can do, not to focus on what they cannot do.”
Beyond centre-based services, AACT places strong emphasis on autism awareness and advocacy, particularly within schools and communities. Many children with autism in Ghana continue to face rejection and exclusion due to stigma, misinformation, and the lack of trained personnel in educational institutions.
In 2025, AACT reached over 20 schools across the country, providing autism education to teachers, students, and school administrators.
The organisation also runs free teacher training programmes, equipping educators with practical knowledge and basic tools to support autistic learners in inclusive classroom settings.
“Many schools tell us they are not resourced or trained to handle autistic learners,” Mr Grant explained. “Instead of waiting for change, we decided to go to them and train teachers for free.”
AACT also engages learners directly, addressing widespread misconceptions about autism, including the false belief that autism is contagious or caused by bad parenting. These outreach programmes aim to build empathy among students and promote peer support for autistic learners in mainstream schools.
Another major challenge confronting families is limited access to autism services, especially outside Accra. With most autism centres concentrated in the capital, many families from other regions are forced to travel long distances or keep their children at home due to cost, stigma, or lack of support.
“Education is not meant only for typical children,” Mr Grant stressed. “Children with autism also have the right to education and care. No child should be hidden because of lack of understanding or opportunity.”
As part of its outreach work, AACT supports parents to overcome stigma and encourages social interaction for children with autism, believing that community engagement is essential for development and confidence building.
In December 2025, the centre received what it described as its largest donation of the year, raised by children from the Unmasked Mentoring initiative. According to the organisation, the donation was particularly significant as it demonstrated empathy and social responsibility among young people.
As a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, AACT depends largely on donations, partnerships, and goodwill to sustain and expand its work. Current needs include a minibus for community-based social activities, expansion of its facility to accommodate more learners, sponsorship support for children from financially challenged families, and funding to scale autism awareness programmes nationwide.
Looking ahead, AACT envisions a Ghanaian society that is inclusive, informed, and supportive of persons with autism.
“Our goal is a Ghana where children with autism are accepted and supported,” Mr Grant said. “Every child has potential. All they need is understanding, opportunity, and care.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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