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Team Strongman Foundation fetes less privileged
The Team Strongman Foundation brought relief and festive cheer to vulnerable communities in Accra during the Christmas season after organising a multi-day outreach programme aimed at supporting the less privileged and strengthening community bonds.
The outreach, which spanned several days, featured a mix of entertainment, charity and social engagement activities that attracted residents of Korle Gonno and surrounding communities, particularly children and young people.
The activities opened with music, dance and storytelling sessions that created a lively atmosphere and encouraged community interaction.
The programme continued on Thursday with Christmas themed activities organised to entertain children and young people in the area.
On Friday, the Foundation organised a charity walk that led to the distribution of food and clothing to more than 1,000 less privileged persons living on the streets.
The walk began at Korle Gonno Okpotsu Park and passed through Accra High Street, Bishop, Tema Station, Makola, Rawlings Park, White Chapel, Timba Market and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital before returning to the starting point.
The outreach concluded on Saturday with fun games, adding a recreational dimension while deepening engagement with children and young people in the communities.
Speaking to The Spectator, the Founder of the Foundation, Mr Stephen Nii Afotey Odai, said the initiative was to give back to society and support vulnerable people during the festive season.
He said the outreach went beyond donations to inspire hope, strengthen community spirit and encourage compassion even after the festive season.
“Our aim is to remind people to look out for one another and to build a culture of care within our communities,” he said.
Mr Afotey noted that the outreach was an annual initiative and that this year marked the third edition, adding that the Foundation plans to expand its activities to reach more communities in the future.
A member of the Foundation, Ms Stephanie Birikorang, described the outreach as a fulfilling experience for volunteers.
She said interacting directly with vulnerable people reinforced the importance of kindness and collective responsibility.
The Assemblyman for Korle Gonno, Mr Ransford Nii Antie Quaye, commended the Team Strongman Foundation for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
Mr Quaye encouraged other organisations and individuals to support similar interventions, noting that such programmes complemented efforts to improve social welfare at the community level.
By Stephanie Birikorang
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President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
