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Naa oo Naa Foundation hosts maiden ICT and career support programme for visually impaired
The Naa oo Naa Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable groups, has held the maiden edition of its “Sight Beyond Eyes” ICT and Career Support Programme for visually impaired persons in Ghana.
The initiative, held at Ghana National College, offered ICT training, mentorship, and career guidance, and also provided laptops and learning materials to support the academic journey of visually impaired students.
The programme seeks to promote inclusion, highlight powerful disability-success stories, and support Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across educational institutions. It further aims to emphasise that disability is not inability, and that providing equal opportunity is essential for national development.
Organised in partnership with the Pan-African Professional Alliance at Pennsylvania State University (USA) and Franco Trading Enterprise, the event brought together mentors, professionals, and visually impaired learners.
A visually impaired lawyer and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mr. Carruthers Tetteh, shared his inspiring journey. Once fully sighted, he lost his vision at age eleven, a development that forced him to move from regular school to a specialised institution. Despite the setback, he refused to abandon his ambitions.
Now a member of the Foundation’s Board and head of its Persons with Special Needs Unit, Mr. Tetteh recounted how resilience and hard work carried him through secondary school to the University of Cape Coast, where he graduated with First Class Honours in Law. Today, he is a practising lawyer and the first visually impaired person to lecture in Law in Ghana.
He urged students never to allow disability or circumstance to limit their aspirations, stressing that “with the right mindset, support, and determination, one can rise above any challenge,” and encouraged them to recognise the power within themselves.
The programme’s career session featured Ms. Sabina Sabia Bolsong Young, a private legal practitioner, and Mr. Frank Boakye Yiadom, APR, a Corporate Communications expert at UCC.
They guided students through academic planning, career pathways, and strategies for excellence at the tertiary level. They encouraged participants to identify their strengths early, seek mentorship, and make use of available support systems.
Project Manager of the Foundation, Mr. Fredrick Quaicoe, explained that the initiative was designed to equip visually impaired students with practical ICT skills, prepare them for higher education, and position them competitively for the job market. He appealed for increased financial and logistical support from individuals, organisations, and state institutions to expand the programme.
Joining virtually from the USA, Dzigbordi L. Dzakpa, a lawyer and researcher at Pennsylvania State University, spoke on “The Critical Role of Digital Literacy in Enhancing Independence and Inclusion.” She noted that digital competence is no longer optional but essential for meaningful social and economic participation.
Additionally, Dr. Francis Wiredu, a Clinical Optometrist at Healthy Eyes Eyecare & Optical Centre, delivered a session on proper eye-care management.
The Foundation’s Director of Communications and Public Relations, Ms. Catherine Antwi Boasiako, emphasised that inclusive empowerment remains a key pillar of national development. She encouraged stakeholders to incorporate disability inclusion at all levels of planning, decision-making, and implementation to ensure that no Ghanaian is left behind.
The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
