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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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CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
