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KOICA Ghana schools awardees on scholarship scheme
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Ghana has held an orientation programme for the latest recipients of the KOICA Scholarship Programme, a major category of its Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) Fellowship Programme.
The event marked the beginning of an exciting journey for 25 scholarship awardees, who were set to pursue advanced studies (Masters and PhD) in South Korea.
The orientation was a comprehensive session aimed at preparing the awardees for their academic and cultural experiences in Korea.
The event featured a series of informative presentations and interactive sessions designed to equip the scholars with essential knowledge and skills.
In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Korea to Ghana, Mr Kyongsig Park, congratulated the awardees on their achievement and reminded them of the significance of their roles in strengthening the partnership between Ghana and Korea.
He alluded KOICA Scholarship programme to the ongoing Olympic Games in France, sharing that it also brings together outstanding talents from 100 countries, all competing to gain more knowledge and experience in Korea.
He added that, “all awardees are the representatives of Ghana and must endeavour to succeed in this competition, as it will lay the foundation for a brighter future for Ghana.”
The orientation featured a special moment for the 2022 KOICA SP cohorts, who were officially inducted as alumni.
The KOICA CIAT Fellowship programme continues to be a beacon of educational excellence and international collaboration, offering Ghanaian public officials the chance to gain world-class education and bring back valuable expertise to support the development of their nation.
There were knowledge-sharing segments as key presentations focusing on the prospects of scholarships in Korea, providing the awardees with detailed information on the academic opportunities, cultural experiences, and career advancements available through the CIAT Fellowship.
This was led by Dr Lloyd G. Adu Amoah, Director of Center for Asian Studies at University of Ghana.
Ms Eunsoo Oh, the Deputy Country Director of the KOICA Ghana Office, delivered a presentation on KOICA’s values and integrity pledge, urging individuals and entities associated with KOICA to uphold these principles.
Another presentation offered a personal perspective, as a distinguished alumnus, Ms Abena Manso-Howard, recounted her experiences, giving the new scholars a firsthand account of life and learning in Korea.
By Michael D. Abayateye
The New Times Corporation (NTC) on Monday held its annual thanksgiving service, bringing together staff and management to reflect on the past year, express gratitude, and renew their commitment to the organisation’s growth.
At the service, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Board Member of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Madam Charity Binka, called for strong and intentional collaboration among staff, emphasising that unity and teamwork were crucial to transforming the corporation during its challenging times.
“This is a time to break silos, share ideas and work together as one team with a shared vision,” she said, adding that innovation and digital transformation must be embraced to secure NTC’s future.
Madam Binka expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the corporation and its employees despite financial and operational difficulties.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, God has sustained us. We are here today because of His grace,” she indicated, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of staff who have kept The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator among the country’s most respected newspapers.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, she encouraged staff to remain hopeful and confident that brighter days lie ahead.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. John Akorli of Word Divine International Ministry at Sukura, Accra, cautioned staff against excessive talking and gossip, warning that careless speech could create unnecessary problems.
Rev. Akorli further reminded staff that their identity should not be defined by past mistakes, family background, or negative labels.
He encouraged them to live confidently, depend on God’s guidance, and remain focused on their responsibilities, noting that spiritual awareness and discipline were essential to personal and organisational growth.
The service ended with prayers for unity, renewal, and a prosperous new chapter for the New Times Corporation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Catholic Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Bishop Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has expressed concern over the rising rate of divorce in the country, attributing the trend largely to inadequate knowledge about marriage and misplaced expectations of couples.
He said many marriages were collapsing because couples entered into the union without a clear understanding of the responsibilities, sacrifices and commitments that marriage demands.
The Bishop raised the concern while addressing congregants at the 50th anniversary of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina on Sunday.
According to him, marriage was increasingly being viewed through unrealistic lenses shaped by social media, peer pressure and material expectations, rather than mutual respect, patience and shared values.
“Many people go into marriage with expectations that are not grounded in reality. When those expectations are not met, conflict sets in and eventually leads to separation or divorce,” he observed.
The Bishop noted that some couples lacked proper preparation before marriage, adding that pre-marital counselling was often treated as a formality rather than an opportunity to gain deeper insight into marital life.
He stressed the need for churches, families and society to intensify education on marriage, particularly among the youth, to help them make informed decisions before entering into marital unions.
The Bishop also urged married couples to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and understanding, saying disagreements were inevitable but could be resolved through patience and commitment.
He urged couples experiencing challenges to seek counselling instead of resorting to separation, emphasising that strong families remained the foundation of a stable and progressive society.
By Kennedy Afedzi
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