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Ancilla Primary & JHS holds graduation ceremony
Brass band of Ancilla School
Ancilla Primary and Junior High School (JHS), a reputable educational institution has held its annual graduation ceremony at Haatso in Accra.
Those who graduated were pupils in Kindergarten Two, Class Six and JHS Three.
The ceremony was under the theme “The Ghanaian Child: Security, Safety, and Sanitation.”
In his address the Guest of Honour, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Vance Baba Gariba, Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) urged the students to strive for excellence in all their endeavours.
“Embrace every opportunity to learn, to lead, and to make a positive impact in the world around you. The knowledge and skills you acquire here will serve as the foundation for your future achievements,” he said.
He reminded them that “Our school’s mission has always been to foster a nurturing environment where students can explore their passions and reach their full potential.”
“You have set an exemplary standard for your peers, and I encourage you to continue striving for excellence in all your endeavours,” he advised.
According to him “Education is not merely about accolades and awards but also about the Security, Safety, and Sanitation; they are the foundation upon which we build our communities and the future.”
He also acknowledged the collective efforts of teachers and other staff, parents and guardians for their invaluable support, guidance and encouragement to the students.
DCOP Gariba congratulated the students for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance which have led them to that moment of recognition.
The Chairperson, Dr (Mrs) Shirley Banini, Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) urged the students to continue to strive for excellence in their future endeavours through determination, perseverance, and passion for learning.
She expressed appreciation to the teachers and other staff, for their unwavering commitment to nurturing and educating the students.
“Your dedication and hard work often go unnoticed, but they are the cornerstone of our school’s success. Your ability to inspire and challenge our students is truly commendable, and we are all grateful for your effort,” she noted.
The Headmistress of Ancilla Primary and JHS, Sister Sussana Amoh said “Ancilla Primary and Junior High School is a reputable educational institution that has been serving the community for many years.
“Founded with the mission of providing quality education to students, the school has a rich history of academic excellence and a commitment to nurturing young minds,” she noted.
Sis Amoh also noted that the school’s curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning skills, preparing students for success in the modern world.
As part of the ceremony there were performances by the cultural, dance drama, musical and also a display by the school’s cadet and Brass band.
Scrolls and certificates were presented to students who graduated from KG2, Basic 6 and JHS 3.
The values of the school are simplicity, commitment, respect, justice, loyalty, unity and humility.
By Georgina Quaittoo
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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