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Diaspora African Forum honours Nana Yaa Sarpong with Women of Excellence Award At UNGA
Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, Founder and Head of Mission of the Diaspora African Forum (DAF) Embassy for the African Diaspora, has presented the prestigious Women of Excellence Award to Nana Yaa Sarpong, Founder of Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA).
The presentation took place during the Africa Media Leaders Roundtable held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The award celebrates Nana Yaa Sarpong’s contribution to advancing sustainable development, women’s leadership and transformative initiatives across Africa.
In presenting the award, Ambassador Bennett reinforced the importance of women lifting other women as they climb the leadership ladder.
WiSA is a Coordinating Pan-African Organization that work with other CSOs, Corporate Institutions, local and International Development Organizations and individuals to bring all women and women groups together (especially those at the grassroots level) to foster the achievement of the SDGs across Africa.
WiSA stands for the development of new perspectives and catalytic ideas towards accelerating growth for the achievement of the SDGs including Gender Inequality.
WiSA believes that to build a sustainable Africa, women must be pushed and supported to lead the drive for the achievement of the SDGs so we can leave this world in a better shape than we came to meet it. And this must be achieved alongside bridging the gender inequality gap through a two-pronged approach.
The awards are presented in two distinguished categories:
Living Legends Award, honouring pioneering women whose remarkable contributions have paved the way for future generations.
Women of Excellence Award, recognising women whose leadership, achievements and continued contributions are helping to shape Africa and the global African community.
The Living Legends category has previously honoured seven distinguished women including Chief Mrs. Dorothy Chinyere Anyiam-Osigwe, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, H.E. Joyce Banda, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and H.E. Ruth Sando Fahnbulleh Perry, among other iconic figures.
Through the recognitions, the DAF Embassy continues to spotlight women whose leadership, service and contributions represent important chapters in Africa’s continuing journey toward empowerment and development.
The Women of Excellence Award was conceived as a platform to recognise women of Africa and women of African descent whose contributions have advanced the struggle for political, social and economic independence through excellence and meaningful engagement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted two staff members of Aduman Senior High School over alleged sexual misconduct against a male student.
The teachers are Mr. Isaac Yankey and Mr. Palance Kwakye.
According to GES, Management received reports of the alleged sexual misconduct involving the two staff members against the male student.
Following receipt of the report, the matter was referred to the Police for investigation. The two staff members have since been arrested by the Police in connection with the alleged incident.
In addition, Management has interdicted the two teachers pending the outcome of the investigations.
The alleged victim has also been provided with psychosocial support to safeguard his well-being.
Management has assured the public that appropriate measures will continue to be taken to ensure that all students learn in a safe environment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ministry of Health has cautioned the public against a fraudulent fundraising campaign being aired on Ghanaian televisions, which falsely solicits money to support patients seeking surgical treatment through Mercy Ships.
Mercy Ships International, an international Christian organisation providing free surgical care and education across Africa, currently has its hospital vessel, The Global Mercy, docked at the Tema Port.
The vessel is expected to provide free surgeries to more than 2,500 Ghanaians over a 10-month period ending in June 2027.
The Ministry has clarified that patients scheduled for treatment were identified and pre-screened ahead of the vessel’s arrival through a coordinated process involving Mercy Ships and the Ministry, based on established medical and eligibility criteria.
According to them, Mercy Ships is currently operating at full capacity and is not accepting additional patients for the ongoing field service.
The Ministry emphasised that payments or registrations through third parties will not guarantee access to treatment.
The fraudulent broadcast, featuring an organisation identified as ‘HELP Save LIFE Foundation,’ solicits financial contributions through an MTN Mobile Money account.
“The Ministry wishes to state categorically that the campaign is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Mercy Ships,” the statement noted.
They reminded the public that all medical services provided by Mercy Ships are entirely free, and no patient is required to make payments, donations or mobile money transfers to access treatment.
Members of the public have therefore been advised not to make payments, share personal or financial information with individuals claiming to facilitate access to the services, or engage with similar suspicious solicitations.
The ministry encouraged the public to rely solely on official Ministry of Health and Mercy Ships communication channels for accurate information on medical services and patient access.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
