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Go beyond degrees to lead Ghana …Afenyo-Markin charges youth
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MR Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader in Parliament, has urged Ghana’s youth to look beyond their academic laurels and take responsibility to lead the country.
He said, “Beyond the degree lies leadership. Beyond the degree lies innovation. Beyond the degree lies responsibility.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin made the remarks last Saturday when he delivered the keynote address at the “Beyond the Degree Conference 2026” in Winneba.
He lamented the high rate of youth unemployment in Ghana, citing a report by the Ghana Statistical Service which indicated that youth unemployment remained disproportionately high compared to other age groups.
“The government, through the Minister of Health, told us last year that it cannot employ all 74,000 trained nurses by the end of 2026. Similarly, thousands of teacher trainees remain at home, waiting for opportunities that have not materialised,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, emphasised that education must be understood as more than classroom learning or the certificate received at the end of studies, but as a foundation for responsible citizenship and leadership.
“The true purpose of education is far greater. Education shapes the mind to think critically, the heart to act ethically, and the hands to work diligently,” he said.
He urged the youth to develop competence, integrity, and resilience, and to take initiative in shaping the country’s future.
“Ghana needs a generation of young leaders who are committed to shaping institutions, influencing policy and holding systems accountable,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, technical skills, and digital innovation in creating opportunities for the youth.
“The future of Ghana cannot be built by job seekers alone. It must also be built by job creators,” he emphasised.
—GNA
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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