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Cherryfield Montessori, Veron Preparatory School holds graduation ceremony

Cherryfield Montessori School held its 6th Graduation ceremony last weekend at the school’s premises located at ACP-Pokuase in the Ga-East Municipality in Accra.
The theme of the occasion was “Blended Learning: A Catalyst for Quality Education In the 21st Century.”

Cadet at parade
The Proprietress and CEO of the school, Ms. Magdalene Dzifa Adzanu, urged the pupils to fuse their “creative skills with hard work as they grow up”
“The combination of creativity and innovation is essential and brings about progress…for examples, like a football team, eleven creative players cannot play if there is no hard work put into the team,” she said.
Mr Pius Hadzide, the CEO of the National Youth Authority (NYA) in his address charged educational institutions to train students with the required skills needed on the job market in order that they would not be rendered unemployed after school.
Veron Preparatory
Similarly, Veron Preparatory School, at Mataheko in Accra held its 25th graduation ceremony with a call on parents to maintain and instill social values in their children to promote social harmony.
Furthermore, parents have been urged to devote quality time to their children in view of their busy schedules at workplace and market.
It was held under the theme: “Nurturing Future Leaders with Care and Discipline”.
In a key note address, the Guest Speaker, Madam Emelia Anane-Frimpong, a School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) who made the call, said those binding social values such as offering one’s seat for the elderly, taking off one’s hat to the elderly among others must be restored for the good of society.
She advised parents to constantly instill moral discipline in their children to ensure good upbringing, adding that without discipline one could suffer ill-fated consequences regardless of the person’s social standing.
Madam Anane- Frimpong further urged parents not to neglect the core functions of parenthood but strive to be there for their children at all times.
She advised parents to try hard and meet the educational needs of their children as government alone could not shoulder the responsibility adding that early morning breakfast should also be given to them before leaving for school.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr. Evans Osei Agyemang said nurturing the children who were the future leaders with care and discipline was the core focus of the school.
He said the school would from next term introduce Arabic language at the basic level which would give the children a firm foundation to build their academic aspirations, stressing that Arabic language was gaining global significance for business communication.
In a closing remark, the Assembly Member of Gbortsui Electoral Area, Mr Emmanuel Quaye asked parents never to relent in caring for their children.
By Spectator Reporters
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GoldBod Taskforce Cracks Down on 10 Chinese gold smugglers in Western Region

In a bold move against illegal gold trading, the Ghana GoldBod Taskforce has made headlines by executing a significant operation in Asankragua, a town in the Western region of Ghana.
The regulatory body apprehended ten Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling gold, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against illicit trade and resource exploitation in the country.
The operation was a meticulous sting, showcasing the commitment and precision of the GoldBod Taskforce.
In all, authorities seized an impressive 1.3 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately GHC1.4 million along with GHC1.3 million in cash and a selection of casino cards.
The materials recovered suggest a potential linkage to organized crime and money laundering activities, raising alarms about the depth of illegal operations within Ghana’s gold industry.
Addressing the media shortly after the bust, Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.), the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, expressed the board’s dedication to enforcing the GoldBod Act 1140.
According to him, this critical legislation explicitly prohibits foreigners from engaging in local gold trading, a measure designed to protect Ghanaian miners and bolster the economy.
The CEO emphasized the importance of upholding the law to safeguard the nation’s resources from exploitation.
“Today marks a significant step in our fight against illegal gold trading,” Gyamfi asserted. We will not tolerate any individual or group that seeks to undermine our laws and exploit our resources. The GoldBod Taskforce is here to protect our gold from illegal exploitation, and we will hold accountable anyone who bypasses our regulations,” he said.
He added that this operation signifies a profound shift in Ghana’s stance on illegal gold trading, which has long threatened the nation’s wealth and the livelihoods of countless local miners and businesses.
“The arrest of the Chinese nationals also sends a clear message: the era of unchecked smuggling is coming to an end,” he concluded.
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus

The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.