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Thank you mothers; Bless your hearts
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Much of the world’s most important work is done by people who don’t get much recognition. Teachers, farmers, labourers, military personnel, emergency responders, and so many others who all play such vital roles in our society, yet they often do it quietly, without the appreciation they deserve. And for no one is that more true than for mothers.
Pausing once a year to give mothers much-deserved thanks is completely appropriate. And maybe instead of being our annual day to honour mothers with flowers and cards, Mother’s Day should be our annual reminder to honour them every day; in whatever way will help them feel loved. When children (young and old) spend time with their mothers, to listen and learn from them, to remember something their mothers taught them, and to wrap their arms around their moms and express love these are the love notes that mean the most to mothers.
Every day of the year, mothers worry about whether they are good enough, loving enough, firm enough, involved enough, or involved too much. We can help them see that they are just right. Every mother knows she cannot solve all the problems her children face. But that will never stop her from trying to help, even when her efforts seem to be neither noticed nor appreciated. But along the way, she learns how to listen more than speak. She learns to understand more than correct. She learns to see possibility when others lose hope. In short, she learns how to love.
In the end, when a mother stops to evaluate her life’s work, her satisfaction comes less from flowers and cards, as nice as such things are, and more from the love that has flowered in her soul: the love she feels for her family and the love they return to her. A mother is a living example of the kind of love that the Apostle Paul called charity: She suffers long. She is kind, humble, and unselfish. She rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, and endures all things (see 1 Corinthians 13:4–8). And she didn’t get that way by being a mother one day a year. Every day, she can receive and give charity, the greatest reward of motherhood.
Mothers, by their very nature, are always thinking of others. Years of sacrificing and serving, of loving and giving, have taught them that their joy is increased as they bring joy to others. One man learned this lesson from his mother in an interesting way, long after he was grown, married, and had children of his own. By this time his mother was elderly and residing in an assisted-living centre. The son had brought his family to see her on Mother’s Day, which wasn’t unusual; they came to visit her often.
But this time, soon after welcoming them with open arms, the frail woman picked up the phone and began calling a neighbour. When her son asked what she was doing, she just smiled. No one answered the phone, but every few minutes, even though dialling was difficult for her, she called again and again and again. At last, her friend answered the phone. “Please come and join us,” the mother said. “My son and his wife and family are here. Come over!” And then the son knew why his mother had been so persistent in calling. She knew that her friend might not get any visitors, and she did not want her to be alone on this special day. She could have just enjoyed her family’s company; no one would have blamed her for wanting them all to herself. After all, it was Mother’s Day, and they had come to see her. Instead, she reached out to someone whose needs were perhaps greater than her own. The friend came over, and together the family and the two mothers talked and visited, laughed and reminisced, enjoying a beautiful afternoon together. There was more than enough love and joy to share on this never-to-be-forgotten Mother’s Day. This captures so well what it means to be a mother—and a grandmother. They think of others. They love and give and spend time caring for others. As a result, their circle of goodness ever expands to include those who might otherwise be left out. That’s why their hearts are so big, because they are so often reaching out instead of focusing on themselves. A mother’s heart enlarges the world with love and joy.
No matter the language, culture or continent, what a difference a mother makes. She is the purveyor of love and tenderness, which prompts nation after nation from Ghana to Guyana from America to Angola, Thailand to the pacific island of Tahiti to honour mothers with a day of tribute once a year.
The Twi word for mother or mum is Obatan. Think about it; she is the one person who loves us unconditionally, who cares for us without limits, who never tires of us and makes us smile time and time again.
Each one of us holds in our hearts special memories of our mothers and of those who have also stood at our sides; grandmothers, aunts, sisters, neighbours, even teachers. These women have held us accountable, taught us the basic strengths of society like truth, honour, mercy, goodness and loyalty. I think of my own grandmother, mum and aunties attending to my basic needs since I was brought to this beautiful earth. They have been cheering me on ever since.
So to all mothers everywhere; Dear mothers, please kindly close your eyes to the many noises and disorder around, forget for a moment the things you haven’t been able to do, and know that you are loved, that your sacrifice is of great worth, and that you are more than good enough. God bless mothers everywhere.
By Samuel Enos Eghan
Mr Issahak Ibrahim, the Atwima Mponua District Chief Executive (DCE), has stressed the need to invest in initiatives that will encourage school children to read at all times.
He said a nation that invested in reading invested in its future, since a reading child was a potential future leader.
Speaking at the District Reading Festival for 32 schools in the district, at Nyinahin, he said reading strengthened literacy skills and inspired young leaders to unlock their full potentials while nurturing a lifelong love for learning, which leads to success.
Mr Ibrahim, therefore, enjoined teachers, parents, pupils and all stakeholders in the district to inspire every child to discover the limitless possibilities that begin with the act of reading in order to make it reflect the shared commitment to building a generation of confident readers, critical thinkers and lifelong learners in the society.
He pledged his commitment to support and empower more children and help them to achieve higher educational laurels in the area, while championing the cause of reading among children to achieve the related benefits.
“I remain committed to supporting educational initiatives that would empower our children with the knowledge and skills they needed to succeed in an ever-changing world,” he stated.
The festival was organised by the District Directorate of Education in conjunction with the ISMAT Foundation, a local educational non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded by the DCE, to support needy learners in the district and beyond.
The festival was under the theme: “Turn a page to begin a journey.”
The festival was aimed at encouraging and motivating the interest of pupils in reading and general learning.
All the 32 participating pupils from four zones within the district received school bags, exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, mathematical sets and certificates.
Lawal Kwame from the Botrampa D/A Basic and Sadique Bamba from the Mpasatia African Faith Preparatory schools in the Nyinahin Zone, emerged first in the KG One and two classes, whilst Alice Fosu, Beatrice Sarfowaa and Priscilla Agyemang from the Adiembra Anglican Basic School also in the Nyinahin Zone, came first from Basic One to Basic Three classes respectively.
Ernest Duah from the Mampong Abebrese D/A and Blessing Sika from the Sreso Presby School in the Sreso Zone as well as Eric Osei Agyemang from Adiembra Anglican Basic School came first in the Upper Primary department.
Ms Ama Adwubi Asafu-Adjaye, the District Director of Education, commended the DCE for the programme, which was the first of its kind after the year 2022 one, which was supported by the USAID.
She said a Basic One boy called Obed Awuku from Mampong Abebrese D/A Basic School climbed from the district through a Regional contest, won and placed second at the national level in the year 2022 as one Salam Mohammed of the Otaakrom D/A Islamic Basic School, who also emerged as the 2024 winner in the district also placed fifth among the 16 regional participants even though they had a very short notice for preparation.
She said other achievements encouraged her and her management to make the programme an annual event in June and July as part of the activities on their academic calendar and a source of pride for the district.
She, therefore, encouraged the teachers to work harder to produce talented kids for higher achievements from the area. -GNA
The forecourt of the Gbewaa Palace, was a mixture of rich tradition and emotional scenes as thousands of mourners concluded the three-day adua for the late Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Yaa Naa Abukari II.
For the period, the Gbewaa Palace became the spiritual and cultural heartbeat of the Dagbon Kingdom as Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, politicians, security personnel and ordinary citizens united in prayer for the repose of the soul of the revered monarch.
From dawn each day, streams of mourners, mostly dressed in traditional smocks and black attire, steadily filled the palace grounds and adjoining streets, transforming the royal seat into a sea of mourners.
Men, women, youth and children sat under canopies and open spaces while verses from the Holy Qur’an echoed across the palace, creating an atmosphere of reverence and reflection.
The air occasionally reverberated with ceremonial gunshots and traditional warrior displays, symbolising honour, bravery and the rich cultural heritage of the Dagbon Kingdom.
The adua, observed in accordance with Islamic tradition following the burial of the Yaa Naa, was attended by eminent Imams and Mallams who offered continuous prayers, seeking Allah’s mercy and eternal peace for the departed King.
Throughout the three-day observance, a steady flow of dignitaries visited the Gbewaa Palace to pay their respects and sign the book of condolence.
Among them were the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John Mburidiba; the Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu; and the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who joined members of the royal family, traditional rulers and mourners in honouring the late Yaa Naa.
Security remained tight throughout the mourning period, with the Ghana Police Service deploying 450 personnel to ensure law and order.
The officers were stationed at strategic locations, including the Gbewaa Palace, major entry points into Yendi and other key installations, where they managed traffic, maintained public order and provided security for thousands of mourners and visiting dignitaries.
Beyond the official ceremonies, the event reflected the deep respect the people of Dagbon and Ghanaians at large had for the late monarch.
The conclusion of the three-day adua marks another important milestone in the funeral rites of the late Yaa Naa and signals the gradual transition towards the customary processes leading to the selection and enskinment of a new Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom.
Although the formal three-day prayers have ended, mourning activities continue, with the seventh-day Islamic prayers expected to draw another large gathering of traditional authorities, government officials, religious leaders and well-wishers from across the country.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Yendi
