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Work begins on SDA Church vocational training school construction
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The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church last Wednesday cut sod for the construction of a $312,000 vocational training school at Effiduase in the New Juaben North Municipality to address youth unemployment.
The project, funded by the Global Mission Impact Fund of the General Conference of the SDA Church with support from the East Ghana Conference, the South Ghana Union Conference, and WAD, is expected to be completed by the end of July.
Dubbed ‘Breaking the poverty cycle’, the facility is designed to train more than 3,000 community members and promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
In his address, Pastor Prof. Owalabi Oyeleke Alabi said the project was mission-oriented and represents the church’s way of giving back to society.
Pastor Prof. Alabi called on leaders to uphold accountability, transparency, and honesty so that “the glory of the Lord will be seen in the community.”
He also advised the youth not to let their current circumstances determine their future.
“If you cannot change the living conditions and situation through government, be part of governance. Through your effort, change the future of any community or country you find yourself in,” he said.
The Project Coordinator, Elder Enoch Agyei-Darko, said the project was spearheaded by the Newlife SDA Church in Anlo Town and was rooted in addressing real socio-economic challenges.
He explained that the project will deliver practical, income-generating skills through vocational training in areas such as hairdressing, dressmaking, ICT, catering, bakery, water production, block molding, welding, and sign writing.
These initiatives, he said, will empower beneficiaries to secure employment or establish their own businesses, creating a ripple effect of economic independence within the community.
He noted that the classrooms will accommodate 300 learners at a time, allowing the same number of new students to enroll every six months.
Elder Agyei-Darko added that the project emphasizes life-skills development, financial literacy, health awareness, parenting, and personal development to ensure beneficiaries were not only economically empowered but also equipped to make informed and responsible life decisions.
He stressed that the project’s success will depend on collective commitment from the church, the community, and stakeholders.
He called for continuous collaboration, strong monitoring, efficient use of resources, and community ownership.
The ceremony was graced by the President of the East Ghana Conference, Pastor Dr. Samuel Bonya Arloo; the South Ghana Union Conference President, Pastor Col. Peter Nyarko Duodu; Newlife District Pastor, Pastor Osei Bonsu Sarpong; traditional leaders; Newlife District elders; church members; and community members.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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