News
NLA donates to NGO supporting mentally challenged

His love for the mentally challenged in society is unmatched as he has dedicated his personal time and resources to the welfare of the neglected in society.
Mr Eliasu Baba, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bahass Foundation in the Upper West Region is committed to ensuring that persons with mental health conditions are well catered for.
So contrary to usual practice where some people distance themselves from such persons in society on the streets, Mr Baba gathers these persons once every month and with the help of his staff, give them a warm bath, shave their hair and dress them up for homemade meals.
Even though he has no permanent place to keep them, he is able to provide their immediate needs and get their clothes changed to ensure that they are kept warm on the street and also make the beneficiaries feel loved.
It is, therefore, welcoming when the National Lottery Authority (NLA) donated assorted commodities valued at GH¢15,000 to the Foundation to hep support its activities in the region.
The donation which included bags of rice, oil, maize, bales of second hand clothing and detergent was meant to be distributed to persons with mental health conditions at Jirapa, Lawra, Nandom and the Wa Municipality of the upper West Region.
The Deputy Coordinator of the NLA’s ‘Good Causes Foundation’, Madam Ama Frimpong said the donation at Wa was to cushion the Bahass Foundation to provide quality care and support to the target beneficiaries in the region.
She said NLA had the mission of undertaking corporate social responsibilities as well as sustaining the gains in order to create shared values of social cohesion and national development.
She said persons with mental health conditions deserved love in order to feel good about themselves stressing that the Foundation would continue to identify and help vulnerable members in society.
She commended the Bahass Foundation for the great job they were doing and encouraged them to continue to work harder to ensure the wellbeing of persons with mental health.
Mr Baba who received the items thanked the NLA for the gesture and assured them that the items would be fairly distributed to the target group as the foundation was focused on putting smiles on the faces of persons with mental health conditions on the street.
He called on other well-meaning institutions and organisations to come to the aid of persons with mental health conditions and other vulnerable groups in the region and help provide a comfortable washroom for them.
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa
News
Invest in the welfare of children – UNICEF

The Country Representative for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ghana, Mr. Osama Makkawi Khogali, has urged the government and other stakeholders to invest more in the welfare of children.
He explained that Africa was home to a growing number of children, and by the year 2050, four out of every 10 children in the world will live in Africa.
This, he said, was a major reason why more investments are needed in children’s education, health, nutrition, safety, digital access, and job training.
Mr Khogali said this in a statement copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday June 16 to commemorate the Day of the African Child.
Every year on June 16, the Day of the African Child is celebrated to remember the brave children of the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa. These children stood up against unfair education and fought for their rights. Today, the day reminds everyone to stand up for the rights and welfare of African children.
Mr. Khogali said, “we must act now so that children would not only survive but grow and succeed. Africa’s future is global, and it begins with the children of today.”
The Country Representative for UNICEF said, in Ghana, children make up about 45 per cent of the country’s population, indicating that the future of Ghana depends heavily on how well children were supported and protected today.
He therefore called on governments, communities, families, and individuals to work together and make sure every child has access to good education, health care, safety, and opportunities.
“Helping children now is the smartest way to build a strong and successful country,” he added.
UNICEF is the world’s leading children’s organisation. It works in over 190 countries to protect children’s rights and ensure that every child has the chance to live, grow, and reach their full potential.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
First Lady, Lordina Mahama address 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit in Dubai

The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday, June 18, addressed the prestigious 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai.
The programme held at Hilton Hotel was attended by First Ladies from about 15 African and Asian countries.
The First Lady shared insights on strengthening healthcare systems, empowering women, and celebrating the impactful partnership between Ghana and the Merck Foundation over the past 13 years.
Mrs Mahama also underscored the critical role of First Ladies as Ambassadors for the “More Than a Mother” campaign, working to break the stigma around infertility and promote gender equality.
At the Committee Meeting held on Thursday, June 19, Mrs.Lordina Mahama through her presentation showed video documentary of her varied projects aimed at impacting lives.
The documentary showcased her extensive works in Education, health and other sectors of the country.
This received applauds and commendation from her colleague First Ladies and leadership of Merck Foundation.
Expressing gratitude to the Merck Foundation, she reiterated her and the Lordina Foundation’s commitment to strengthening collaboration for enhanced initiatives in health, education, and combating social stigma across Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Dubai