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Develop interest in volunteerism – Mr Ashiagbo
Mr Ashiagbo
The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Mr Dela Ashiagbor, has urged the youth to develop interest in volunteerism to shape a better future for themselves and others.
According to him, volunteering provides young people with opportunities to develop essential life skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork and time management, which are skills valuable for their personal growth.
He made the call in an interview with The Spectator yesterday in Accra.
He said “engaging in volunteerism empowers the youth and equips them with important life skills, fostering empathy, and inspiring a sense of social responsibility.”
“By actively participating in their communities, young people can contribute to positive change. Helping others and being part of something bigger than themselves brings a sense of joy and satisfaction that can positively impact their lives,” he said.
Explaining, Mr Ashiagbor noted that volunteering also provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment to young people, adding that knowing their efforts and making positive differences in the lives of others could boost their self-esteem, confidence, and overall happiness.
Volunteering, he said often offered young people a chance to network with professionals and organisations in various fields, making it easy for them to gain valuable insights into different industries, explore potential career paths, and even find mentors who could guide them in their educational and professional pursuits.
He explained that by actively participating in volunteer activities, young people become more aware of the problems faced by others, such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, or educational disparities.
This awareness, he noted, could inspire them to become advocates for change and contribute to building a better society.
He therefore called on the government to focus more on encouraging volunteerism, by mobilising citizens to actively participate in community initiatives, such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, and infrastructure development.
This collective effort, he stressed, could contribute to the overall well-being and progress of the country.
Touching on the need for perseverance among the youth, he stated that determination was crucial for accomplishing goals, adding that “while setting goals is important, it is the consistent effort and dedication that allow individuals to overcome obstacles, stay focused, and make progress towards their objectives. Without hard work and perseverance, goals may remain unfulfilled or only partially realised.”
Mr Ashiagbor indicated that there was more space to accommodate all interested persons willing to join the volunteers of the Ghana Red Cross Society “so that together we can champion the good cause of saving lives.”
By Raissa Sambou
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
