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Street Academy Spreads Hope, Feeds Over 400 Children at 25th Annual Dinner
STREET Academy, a non-governmental organization (NGO), brought joy to about 400 vulnerable children last Saturday at its 25th annual dinner party, held as part of Christmas festivities. The feast was designed to assure the children that society cares for them and values their wellbeing.
A variety of local dishes were served, carefully selected to match the children’s preferences. Ataa Lartey, Executive Director of the Academy, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the children, drawn from the Arts Centre community and surrounding areas, shared a meal and moments of joy.
“The initiative is meant to make the children feel valued and included in society. We might not be their biological parents, but it is our responsibility to help them grow, to shape and nurture them,” he said.
Mr. Lartey added that the initiative would continue with similar activities on December 26 and January 1. He explained that the programme aims to support families who lack the means to care for their children during the festive season and inspire the children to work hard and contribute positively to their communities.
Beyond feeding, the programme seeks to nurture the children into responsible citizens. He cited past beneficiaries who had excelled, including Abraham Mensah, a silver medalist for Ghana at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, as a product of the Academy.
STREET Academy operates as a three-year bridge programme preparing children for mainstream education, the public school system, and vocational training. The initiative targets the most vulnerable children and is fully free, providing sponsorship for books, uniforms, and two meals daily.
Dr. John David Arnold, CEO and Founder of Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. (PPEP), a longtime sponsor of the Academy, noted that partnerships with STREET Academy had helped develop its infrastructure to improve the children’s welfare.
“Through our collaboration, we realized the children needed essential facilities such as a kitchen, toilets, and a clinic,” Dr. Arnold said. “It has been a fulfilling partnership, and we are proud to support the Academy.” He added that PPEP provides monthly financial support to sustain the Academy’s operations and ensure the wellbeing of the children.
By Spectator Reporter
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The Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
