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ROFAC creating safer communities within Ada, Madina-Adenta enclave
The infectious smiles and beaming grin on the faces of children is one of life’s greatest joys. It also has a way of brightening even the darkest days.
Most children have their smiles dimmed because their parents have no means of providing them with their basic needs and rights.
While some have lost their childhood to struggles of life, others have lost it to the cruelty of abuse, neglect and harsh realities of poverty.
Helping bridge the gap by putting smiles on faces of less privileged children, Reach out for a Child (ROFAC) is gradually becoming a household name in the Greater Accra Region, especially within the Ada and the Madina- Adenta enclave.
With the aim to improve education, healthcare, and facilities for the underprivileged group in Ghana, ROFAC believes that by improving school infrastructures, learning will be attractive to children, thus increasing attendance and providing a pleasant and safe learning environment.
Yvonne Mawufemor Pedersen is an Acute & Emergency Care Nurse (RN, BSN), working in one of the first and largest super-hospitals in Denmark.
How it started
Life in Denmark is far from life in Ghana, where Yvonne grew up.
In 2008 while living in Denmark, Yvonne watched a “United Danish Appeal For Funds” program on television, raise funds to support third world countries, targeting all countries that appear on “The Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development” (OECD), list of third world countries, Ghana was on the list. The television program lit a fire of curiosity in me, but also a level of rage of helplessness.
Growing up in Ghana I knew of some of the challenges some children were subjected to, having to skip school to sell on the streets and in markets to help support the rest of the family. Some, runaways due to domestic violence and abuse. Inadequate infrastructure in most schools didn’t make school attractive either.
I have always had the drive of “Florence Nightingale” I wanted to do something. I wanted to contribute to shifting the narratives of the less privileged. These, and the television program I saw in 2008, contributed to a visit to Ghana, earlier than planned.
The Charity
Reach Out For A Child- (ROFAC) is a small Danish registered charity, started in 2009 by Yvonne Mawufemor Pedersen, a Ghanaian/Togolese resident in Denmark.
The charity was initially formed to raise funds for street children and head potters, after being inspired by a trip while visiting family in Ghana, and sourcing out how to shift the narratives of the above-mentioned group of people. As a result, ROFAC, Ghana was established in the same year, now our partner in Ghana.
Astonishingly, the original target funds were exceeded, and we decided to expand our support to single mothers. We started to raise funds to support the target group, meeting them in the rural areas before their migration to the capital.
As our understanding of rural communities in Ghana grew, so did the scope of our projects, because we understand, there are many factors that contribute to getting a child off the streets and into a classroom, therefore we expanded further to supporting hospitals and schools in rural Accra with teaching aids, hospital equipment’s and giving health education.
As well as lessons in first aid and CPR. This not only includes knowledge to our direct beneficiaries alone, but also that of their families and wider community.
We also, in partnership with our local partners, tailor internship programs for nursing students from Denmark to Ghana.
Our project and since 2009, ROFAC has helped many families in various communities through our numerous projects, and we are determined to ensure that this continues despite challenging circumstances we sometimes encounter.
Through her initiative, ROFAC has over the years, donated school furniture and writing boards for teachers and pupils at the Nuhalenya D/A Primary School in the Ada district, explaining that the organisation has been part of the growing process of the school since the year 2018 for which the head teacher, Mr Narh, together with teachers and some opinion leaders had always expressed their gratitude to the team.
School practicing how to resuscitate
Speaking to The Spectator in Accra last Thursday, Ms Pedersen said the organisation has also begun teaching Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in some basic schools, including Nuhanenya in Ada District and Pauline Queensland schools at Agbogbloshie in the Greater Accra Region to equip young learners with essential skills that can help save lives during cardiac emergencies.
CPR is a lifesaving emergency procedure performed when the heart stops beating.
Introducing the CPR programme in the basic schools, she indicated would not only empower the children with practical knowledge but also promote a culture of safety and responsibility.
In this cause, ROFAC has been advocating the subject matter to teach students the basic steps of CPR, including chest compressions and rescue breaths.
She mentioned that to educate children on recognising emergencies and the importance of seeking adult help will increase awareness of heart health.
As part of the safety measures, ROFAC has also introduce the idea of using child friendly mannequins for the learners to practice chest compressions and breathing techniques under the guidance of medical trainers.
The programme, she said, emphasises on safety, including how to avoid panic and handle emergency situations calmly. The schedule for subsequent teaching children CPR will potentially assist in saving lives within their families and communities.
“Implementing a CPR programme in basic schools is a valuable investment in public health and safety. It empowers students with essential life-saving skills and fosters a sense of responsibility and confidence. By integrating CPR education into the curriculum, schools contribute to building safer communities,” she explained.
Ms Pedersen further indicated that the programme not only prepares children to respond to emergencies but also cultivates a generation of informed and proactive individuals.
ROFAC also embarked on another project by donating a laboratory incubator to the Duala Medical Clinic based at Burma Camp in Accra.
This follows a request made by the medical doctor in charge, Dr Awura Adjoa Nunoo, for the equipment for services at the facility.
By Lawrence Vomafa-Akpalu
Profile
From herding cattle to Yale Law: Frederick Adongo’s inspiring journey backed by Alhaji Agongo’s philanthropy
In today’s social media-craze world, motivational stories are not in short supply but only a few of them tickle real emotions. Frederick Agaaya Adongo’s story is one of the rare exceptions.
Last week, beneath the historic elm trees at Yale University’s graduation ceremony, the once cattle herder stood tall in his academic regalia, the same hardened hands that once held farm tools in rural Zorkor in the Upper East Region now clutching a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from one of the world’s most prestigious institutions.
“This is nothing short of exhilarating,” the cheerful graduand said in an interview, recalling his emergence from a humble background – the dusty paths of his remote village, where dreams often wither under the harsh sun – to becoming the first Ghanaian in almost four decades to graduate with LL.M from the prestigious Yale Law School.
“I had no professional ambitions growing up. I would say my journey to law school was divinely orchestrated,” he said.
A key part of that divine orchestration is the unwavering support of renowned businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Seidu Agongo, whose generosity transformed the cattle herder’s dream into an extraordinary reality.
Between farm, cattle and classroom
Growing up in rural Ghana, Frederick said his early life revolved around farming and animal husbandry.
He recalled dividing his time between school, herding cattle, and going to the farm, costing him precious learning time.
Despite these challenging circumstances, he persevered through basic education, eventually stopping cattle herding in his final year in Junior High School (JHS) to focus on the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Predictably, funding his education was a constant struggle. “With contributions from family and other benevolent people, I managed to meet all my financial obligations to complete high school,” he said, though that meant a bigger hurdle was ahead.
At the University of Ghana, he said relied heavily on support from chaplains and members of the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
The Agongo factor
Frederick’s life changed dramatically when a senior at the University of Ghana recognised his potential and recommended him to Alhaji Seidu Agongo – a moment he describes as “a significant turning point in my life.”
“Since knowing Alhaji Agongo, he has paid my school fees and provided for my needs throughout my educational journey,” Frederick explained. “I didn’t have to worry about the burdens that otherwise would have made it difficult for me to focus on my studies,” he said.
The result is an improbable Yale Law School star, now a symbol of possibility and a beacon of hope for rural youth across the nation.
The story of Frederick, who Alhaji Agongo neither knows nor has ever met, is one of many by a philanthropist who believes in sharing himself to help make society better.
He has sponsored hundreds of children across the country through various levels of education, paid the bills of hundred more people and constructed and furnished a state-of-the-art block for the Children’s Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
Alhaji Agongo has also funded several females, widows and single mothers through vocational training and entrepreneurships as part of his commitment to helping create an equitable society.
“Frederick is an exceptional talent and the least I can do is to support him shine,” he said. “Through that support, he will make his family and society better and the world will be the bigger beneficiary,” he added.
Making history at Yale
For Frederick, Alhaji Agongo’s presence in his life led him into a land of possibilities.
After successfully completing his law degree in Ghana, he said he was faced with offers from both Yale and Harvard Law Schools but settled for Yale for its intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes.
“My checks also strongly suggest that since 1987, we have not had a Ghanaian in the programme,” he notes proudly.
As the only African in his cohort, Frederick decided to “take the road less traveled,” breaking a 38-year absence of Ghanaian representation in Yale’s prestigious LL.M. programme, a journey smoothen by constant financial and moral support from Alhaji Agongo.
For him, the LL.M. holds immense personal significance, more so from Yale.
“Yale Law School not only imparts profound legal knowledge but also instills in us the responsibility to use that knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges. Coming from a background where higher education seemed like an unlikely dream, the opportunity to now be part of a community that strives to create meaningful change in the world is nothing short of exhilarating,” he said.
Genuine philanthropist
For Frederick, Alhaji Agongo’s success story highlights the transformative impact of a man’s philanthropy that extends far beyond his personal.
“Alhaji Agongo is a genuine philanthropist,” Frederick said, noting the distant nature of their relationship.
“Since knowing him, we have only spoken on the phone; he has never met me and has nothing to gain from me for helping me. Yet he constantly checks up on me to ensure that I am comfortable and provides whatever I need,” he said.
Frederick revealed that Alhaji Agongo has similarly supported numerous other students whose educational journeys might have been “prematurely truncated but for his benevolence.”
Message to the youth
For Frederick, his situation is a powerful testament of how one’s background means less to his/her future.
“One is not defined by their circumstances,” he said.
“We need to only push ourselves to our elastic limits in the pursuit of our goals,” he said.
He stressed the importance of mentorship and humility, noting that the youth needed to get mentors who can guide them in whatever field they choose to pursue.
“We just need to humble ourselves and be ready to learn from mentors, friends, and colleagues. And we will attain greater heights,” he said.
On what next, he said he return home to work while exploring opportunities for further studies.
While at it, his story stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, the impact of philanthropy, and the heights that determined Ghanaians can reach with proper support.
By Spectator Reporter
Profile
Dr Okai-Mensah spearheading attainment of SDG 12 in Ghana
It has long been the passion of Dr Mrs Christiana Konamah Okai-Mensah to contribute meaningfully to national development, particularly through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
This goal emphasises the importance of efficient resource use, waste reduction, and the promotion of sustainable practices.
Inspired by a heartfelt birthday message from Rev. David Aboagye Danquah, a Presbyterian Minister, Dr Okai-Mensah, was further encouraged to turn her vision into action—transforming textile waste into valuable products to benefit society and the environment.
The beginning of a vision
Dr Okai-Mensah’s journey began with a simple but impactful initiative at Accra Technical University (ATU), where she works as a lecturer.
She founded a student club that focused on incorporating waste textiles into fashion projects. This laid the foundation for what would become the Reclaim Textile Network (RTN) Ghana, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to combating textile waste through upcycling, sustainable fashion education, and inclusive community innovation.
In an interview with The Spectator, Dr Okai-Mensah said with over 92 million tons of textile waste generated globally each year, much of it is offloaded onto developing nations.
She said Ghana, and its cities, particularly Accra, has become a major dumping ground for discarded second-hand clothing—putting immense pressure on landfills sites and governments as a whole.
The Reclaim Textile
Network (RTN)
Established as a response to this growing crisis, she said RTN Ghana aims to divert textile waste from landfills and instead channel it into creative reuse programmes.
According to her the organisation empowers youth, artisans, students, women, and underserved communities to transform fabric cut-offs into eco-conscious products with both social and economic value.
Dr Okai-Mensah who is a lecturer at Accra Technical University said RTN’s objective was to showcase up-cycled products, highlight student creations, launch the Textile Waste-to- Product challenge, and promote community training and advocacy
“In just one year, RTN has reached over 1,500 students across 11 institutions, including five senior high schools, tertiary institutions, two churches, and a rehabilitation centre,” she said.
These engagements, she said have built practical skills and raised awareness about sustainable practices.
Challenges and call for support Despite the significant impact RTN has made, Dr Okai-Mensah notes that the organisation faces serious challenges, primarily due to limited resources.
Currently, RTN operates with only one full-time staff member and three part-time assistants, with fabric waste collected manually using her private vehicle.
“So far, funding has come entirely from my personal resources, with support from my husband, Mr Kwasi Okai-Mensah,” she revealed. “We need stakeholders to come on board to scale this impact.”
Dr Okai-Mensah advocates the integration of textile upcycling into school curricula, citing its affordability and environmental benefits. She calls on the government, private sector, and corporate organisations to support RTN’s initiatives.
Academic and
Professional contributions
Dr Okai-Mensah is a distinguished academic and leader in textiles and fashion design technology. Her research spans sustainable textile practices, design innovation, and the technological advancement of Ghana’s textile and fashion industry.
She has published extensively and participated in numerous international conferences.
Educational Background
Dr Okai-Mensah has an MPhil in Art Education, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), 2013–2015, MA in Adult Education, University of Ghana, Legon, 2011–2012, BA in Art (Textiles), KNUST, 1996–2000, Teacher’s Certificate A, 1989–1992
Global recognition
In 2007, she proudly represented Ghana in the Thread Project – One World, One Cloth (Lienzo Luminoso – Cloth of Light), a global initiative promoting unity through textiles.
Her leadership and experience continue to earn her recognition as a valuable advisor and thought leader in sustainability and education.
Personal Life
Born in Berekum in the Bono Region, Dr. Okai-Mensah is married to Mr Kwesi Okai-Mensah and blessed with three sons. Her hobbies include singing and mentoring young minds. Her favourite dish is fufu with chicken light soup.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
