News
MAMA DZIDOASI, A RISING QUEEN OF SUBSTANCE
At the tender age of 19, while studying Marketing at the then Institute of Professional Studies (now University of Professional Studies, Accra), Ms. Claudia Etornam Kudzi (as she then was) was enstooled Mama Dzidoasi I, Queen of Abansi-Asedukluvi in the Gbi Traditional Area of the Volta Region.
By that title, she is a Sub-Divisional Queen of Gbi Abansi.
The young and beautiful queen completed her course in 2010, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and later acquired a degree in law at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) at Greenhill, near Accra.
Meanwhile, between studying marketing and law, Mama Dzidoasi was awarded a Diploma in Commonwealth Youth Programme by the University of Ghana, Legon, in 2008.
She is currently pursuing a Barrister-at-Law degree at the Ghana Law School, Makola, in Accra.
Born in Hohoe on November 29, 1986, Mama Dzidoasi, a product of Ho Mawuli School, is now serving her second term as Chairman of the Volta Region Lands Commission.
Even though she considers baking a hobby, she has managed to turn that pastime into a lucrative business and is now the owner of E Cakes Ghana, a baking company with a shop in Accra.
The elegant sub-divisional Gbi Abansi queen is a royal from both the paternal and maternal sides.
Her paternal grandfather, the late Mr. Felix Yao Kudzi was the first Asofoatse of Gbi-Abansi while her maternal great grandfather, Mr. Daniel Zikpi Anyigba was the first Asafoatse of Gbi Kpeme
Mama Dzidoasi is the mother to Golda Klenam Afua-Sampo Dogbatse, who was born in 2014.
The queen is admired and revered for her enormous developmental roles from the day she occupied the stool.
In 2007, for instance, she co-organized a seminar for chiefs and queens of Hohoe Municipal Area as part of the Ghana @50 Celebration.
She successfully solicited support from the Austrian Embassy in Accra, through the Volta Foundation, to build a six-unit environmentally-friendly latrine for the people of Abansi-Adzage Kofe.
Mama Dzidoasi again secured support from Tigo and the Ghana AIDS Commission, and through collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and her office, Dzidoasi Community Development Project, organised an AIDS Day quiz to mark World AIDS Day, for Junior High Schools in the Hohoe municipality in 2012.
In 2019, the queen was a member of the Gbidukorza (Gbi Festival) National Steering Committee and coordinated the Miss Gbi Beauty Contest.
It was all pomp and pageantry when the former board member of the St Theresa’s College of Education, Hohoe, launched the 15th-anniversary celebration at Hohoe on Sunday.
The grand event is slated for mid-2022.
In a chat with The Spectator, Mama Dzidoasi said that supporting communities with library and ICT projects would continue to be part of her prioritised ones.
She announced that GH¢15, 000 had already been raised as seed money for the area’s breast cancer fund project, and pledged to continue to support young women to acquire entrepreneurial skills to make them financially self-reliant.
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, HOHOE
The Bunbong community in the Northern Region was filled with excitement over the weekend as residents gathered at the forecourt of the Bunbong Chief’s Palace to celebrate the annual Linujil festival.
The festival, hosted by the Chief of Bunbong, Uborr Wumbe Dawuni, brought together different tribes including Konkomba, Dagombas, Gonjas, Fulbes, and the Anufus from neighbouring communities to celebrate culture, unity, and tradition through dance, drumming, and colourful performances.
In his address, Uborr Wumbe Dawuni expressed gratitude to the people of Bunbong and surrounding communities for their continuous support. He said the Linujil festival was not only a moment of celebration but also a time to reflect on the community’s values of peace, unity, and respect.
“The Linujil festival reminds us of who we are and where we come from. It strengthens our bond as one people and encourages the younger generation to preserve our cultural heritage,” he said.
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf, commended the Chief and people of Bunbong for keeping their cultural heritage alive and praised the hardworking farmers for their dedication to yam production.
Mr. Adolf further emphasised that health and education remain key pillars for building stronger communities, assuring the people that government would continue to support them in achieving their developmental goals. He also applauded Rocky Dawuni for his outstanding performance and for promoting the image of Northern Ghana on the international stage.
Mr. Angelo Yossi Dogbe, representative of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, commended the people of Bunbong for using the Linujil festival to promote cultural tourism and community pride.
Mrs. Cary Sullivan, co-producer of the event and founder of Afro Funke, described the Linujil festival as an inspiring cultural experience that reflects the heart of Ghana’s creative energy.
A major highlight of the event was an electric live performance by Ghanaian music star and son of the land, Rocky Dawuni, whose vibrant show captivated the audience. He was joined on stage by Alidu Mohammed of Playing for Change fame, adding even more excitement to the night.
By Geoffrey Buta, Bunbong
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
A new policy from the Ministry of Education (MoE) about the compulsory use of Ghanaian languages as the medium of instruction in basic schools has stirred controversy among the populace, especially parents.
The announcement, made last month by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, aims to improve foundational learning and preserve Ghana’s rich linguistic heritage.
The move has been welcomed by some parents, applauding the efforts to keep the local language alive and help children learn and speak them. However, several concerns have been raised in opposition, forcing the ministry to clarify certain parts that seemed not to have been understood.
While some welcomed the move, citing better comprehension and cultural connection for young learners, others raised concerns about its practicality in diverse classrooms.
In a swift reaction, the MoE, through its Deputy Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, clarified that the new directive issued by the sector minister was strictly limited to the earliest stages of basic education and does not extend across all levels.
In separate interviews conducted by The Spectator, parents remained divided on the policy and proffered diverse solutions to ensure its effectiveness.
“My daughter speaks Twi at home, so learning in Twi will help her grasp concepts faster,” said Mrs. Efia Asante, a mother of two. In her view, since her daughter already has a good grasp of the Twi language, it would be easier for her to understand the teachers.
Mrs. Rebecca Asare told The Spectator she shares the ministry’s explanation, saying that it is important to adopt measures that encourage young children to speak the native languages.
In sharp contrast, Mr. Albert Agyekum from Ablekuma commended the idea but questioned: “Can one teacher speak all the languages in a diverse classroom?”
Mr. Amoako Mark, whose child attends a school without a Ga teacher, wondered how his ward, who speaks only the Ga language, would cope under such circumstances.
Nii Amui also questioned how teachers in a class with children speaking different languages would manage if they cannot speak more than one local language.
Other parents also raised issues about regional language adaptation. Miss Eliza Vikporho argued that children naturally learn the dominant language of their environment. “If you live in the Volta Region, you learn Ewe. That’s how it has always been. Why make it compulsory?” she asked.
Still, others believe the policy could foster unity and elevate lesser-known Ghanaian languages.
By Beatrice Wonovi Kpeglah
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
