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Dr. Abena Nyarkoa launches Nkunim Educational Project in Ghana
Ghanaian UK-based lecturer, Dr.Abena Nyarkoa has launched Nkunim Project, to foster education equality amongst students in Ghana.
The Nkunim initiative is aimed at promoting inclusive, equitable teaching in mainstream education and bridging the educational gaps for students from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking at the launch which took place at the British Council last Friday, Dr.Abena Nyarkoa said, everyone wants to join the winning team, adding that in most schools attention is always paid to those who are needy but brilliant children.
She queried “Who will cater for the vulnerable, adamant, those who are not brilliant? They mostly end up repeating the class or are suspended from school.”
According to her, “This is what I did at my PhD level when I came to Ghana to collect data. What I realised was when a child is physically disabled, when I child is deaf or blind, they take them to either School for the Deaf or Blind, what happens when the child is mild autistic, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,(ADHD) what if the child was born with Dyslexia (a learning difficulty).
Dr.Nyarkoa added that these children are mostly integrated into mainstream learning without anyone providing for them.
She said there is a difference between disability and disorder, adding that everyone is different and must be catered for when it comes to learning.
Dr.Nyarkoa further urged parents and stakeholders in the academic spaces to pay attention to the non-academic needs of children, adding that it is the reason the Nkunim Project was birthed.
This, she said, was a direct result of the findings after she undertook her project in Ghana.
According to her, at the heart of the Nkunim Educational Project is, “education is a fundamental right, not a privilege.”
Dr.Abena Nyarkoa noted that they are on a mission to tackle the growing disparities in educational opportunities, guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 & 5.
“Our goal is to create an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality learning environment in mainstream education, ensuring that every child, regardless of their socio-economic status, has access to the tools they need to succeed,” she added.
Speaking at the event, Oheneyere Gifty Anti recounted how her similar support to some individuals over the years has helped shape their lives and career.
She advised Dr.Nyarkoa to seek some psychological support for these individuals she would be supporting.
“There would be attacks, and the terrain is rough, but with determination and resilience you would overcome, because what you are doing is needed, and would go a long way to help others,” she said.
Nkunim is a visionary non-profit initiative dedicated to reshaping the landscape of education in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa.
They seek to work closely with the government of Ghana and other governments in the region to provide quality and equal access to mainstream education to help unbridled the potential of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The NKUNIM project is a movement that is committed to education quality, thus it is for anyone and everyone who wants to see more levels of quality and fairness in public education.
Their name, ‘Nkunim,’ symbolizes triumph and victory, reflecting our commitment to overcoming educational inequalities and unlocking the boundless potential of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
