The United Nations Basic Millennium Development Goal of universal education and the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) system has come to a stand-still in sea-shore communities in Accra.
The inhabitants of these deprived societies, which include Chorkor, Jamestown and Teshie-Nungua, are mostly unemployed, fishermen or fishmongers who lack quality education and good livelihood.
They therefore adheres no importance to education and seek after their individual daily breads only.
The children, mostly found loitering at the beaches refuses to attend school on grounds of lack of money by parents, neglection, lost of passion for education and several non-educational accessibility problems.
The Chorkor suburb, a decade ago, was blessed with an education-free-no-paying educational academy through Alpha and Omega Academy.
The educational unit was established by Madam Gertrude Quartey in 1997, then a fibroid patient, who had been operated upon at the Tema General Hospital.
Believed to have established the educational unit under the directives of God Almighty, Madam Quartey, explains that God had a purpose for saving her life after several doctors proposal of surgery with fear of death, of which the very last was a success.
The school now serves 360 pupils, five voluntary youths in tuition, and has only one roofed-building and an attached hole-in canopy classroom for learning and administrative works.
The Christian schools close-by, was no substitute as educational minded families in the community could not afford the tuition fees.
Madam Quartey explained that the inhabitants of the suburb, needs education, not only in the classroom for children but social livelihood as well.
She explained that total negligence and laziness exemplified by most parents in the community, hinders educational development in the fishing community.
She also stated that most children avoid going to school due to financial difficulties.
“The children take it upon themselves to seek and sell charcoals among other small manual works for their meals in a day”, she added.
Alpha and Omega Academy was however registered as an association due to the immense support and intellectual development given to the children the deprived society.
Surprisingly, since the inception of the academy seven years ago, pupils do not pay tuition fee, except a feeding fee of 30pesewas a day of which 30 orphans are exempted.
The teachers receive monthly pay of ¢50 a month each, with no pay for the founder and principal of the school, Madam Quartey.
Madam Quartey outlined that the suburb was hostile to the educational academy.
She said, “Even inhabitants who offer services to us charges triple the price and landlords increase rent greatly”.
She stated that the current location of the academy is the fifth since inception seven years ago.
She however appealed for assistance to maintain Alpha and Omega Academy.
She as well prayed for education among sea-shore communities and change in mentality among the inhabitants.
The Academy is as well taking care of three teenage pregnant girls to ensure safety in their lives since they have been neglected by their families.
Characteristically of deprived communities, teenage pregnancy has greatly rose high in the sea-shore communities, leaving most of the young mothers live in danger.
The story at Christ the King of Kings Academy at Jamestown depicted no different fate.
The Academy, a three minute walk from the beach occupies the former GAPOHA warehouse building for children’s daily classroom activities.
Their classroom is demarcated by wood barns to differentiate various academic classes.
The principal, Mr. Emmanuel Ashie a physically challenged person, explained that, he established the school to help develop the fishing community children and to help curb risk faced by children at the beach.
He proclaimed that the school was a non-fee-paying school but one cedi is paid for feeding and teachers allowance.
He added that most families could not afford the cedi payment daily and decided to stop their children from attending but rather, join them either in selling or fishing at the beaches.
News @ BBwritez
Posts
All Comments
Thursday, October 14, 2010
JAPAN EMBASSY SUPPORTS DORMAA VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE
Japan has committed $103,388 to support the construction of a female hostel for the Dormaa Vocational Training Centre(DVTC) in Accra.
The amount will also be used to provide other ancillary facilities in the Dormaa West municipality.
An agreement to pave the way for the release and disbursment of the funds was signed at a ceremony in Accra.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Keiichi Katakami signed on behalf of Japan while Mr Richard Addo-Gyamfi, the Centre Manager of DVTC, initialled for the centre.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Katakami said the amount was provided by the Japanese Government under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGHSP).
He stated that girl-child empowerment had been a key to the holistic to national development and his country was proud to associate itself to such developments.
He added that the completion of the project would significantly increase female enrolment in the municipality.
He said that the recipient of the grant was mandatory to the judicious utilisation of the amount for the project.
The centre manager of DVTC, Mr Richard Addo-Gyamfi, who received the grant on behalf of DVTC, expressed profound gratitude to the Japan government for its approval of the project.
He, however, stated that a well-structured vocational training could equip the youth with employable skills.
He also expressed joy in the increased intake of girls for the centre, from in and outside the environs of Dormaa upon completion of the project.
The Dormaa West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Vincent Oppong Asamoah, gave the assurance that the assembly would work to implement the project as designed.
The amount will also be used to provide other ancillary facilities in the Dormaa West municipality.
An agreement to pave the way for the release and disbursment of the funds was signed at a ceremony in Accra.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Keiichi Katakami signed on behalf of Japan while Mr Richard Addo-Gyamfi, the Centre Manager of DVTC, initialled for the centre.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Katakami said the amount was provided by the Japanese Government under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGHSP).
He stated that girl-child empowerment had been a key to the holistic to national development and his country was proud to associate itself to such developments.
He added that the completion of the project would significantly increase female enrolment in the municipality.
He said that the recipient of the grant was mandatory to the judicious utilisation of the amount for the project.
The centre manager of DVTC, Mr Richard Addo-Gyamfi, who received the grant on behalf of DVTC, expressed profound gratitude to the Japan government for its approval of the project.
He, however, stated that a well-structured vocational training could equip the youth with employable skills.
He also expressed joy in the increased intake of girls for the centre, from in and outside the environs of Dormaa upon completion of the project.
The Dormaa West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Vincent Oppong Asamoah, gave the assurance that the assembly would work to implement the project as designed.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Kwaku Asamoah-Okyere inducted as new Methodist Church Admistrative Bishop
Story: Stephen Bonsu
The first and current general director of the board of ministries of the Methodist church Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Kwaku Asamoah-Okyere, has been inducted into office as the Administrative Bishop of the church in Accra.
Rev. Asamoah-Okyere, who earlier served on acting basis of his current position, from October 2009 to September 2010, was elected to serve on a six-year term of office, which begun on October 1st, 2010.
The Presiding Bishop of the church, The Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Kwaku Asante, inducting the new administrative bishop into office called on Rev. Asamoah-Okyere to be steadfast and humble before the Almighty Father irrespective of his already established long, calm and dedicative services of high prestige.
He added, “This is not just an appointment, but a call to graciousness of God and as such, begin from simplicity to heavenly favours as exemplified by Simone Peter upon his first encounter with Christ Lord”.
He however, prayed for God’s strength and power for the Bishop in performance of his duties as streamlined by the Methodist constitutional doctrine.
Responding to the call to servitude, Rev. Asamoah-Okyere said, “I am so persuaded and I am so determined by Gods Grace”.
He expressed gratitude to the Almighty and all wishers and prayed for continuous support of prayer
The new Administrative Bishop further outlined that the ministry is a holistic church that seeks to support its members in social, economic and spiritual needs and health.
He also noted out that the Christian ministry will initiate a strategic plan to create good relationship, nearness to and feeling of the presence of God among the Christian family under their protectorate.
He explained that the strategic plan will seek to guide the ministers of the church in leading the members spiritually, socially and economically.
He added that it will as well create an enabling environment for the church members to be in ministering.
Rev. Asamooah-Okyere added, “We the Methodist church, we talk about priesthood of all believers. It is for us to create the necessary atmosphere, for every member to feel obliged to preach the gospel”.
He called out to all Christians for teamwork as the principles of the Methodist church was never built on individuality but togetherness, which maps-up the Methodist church and its dioceses.
The induction ceremony, however, witnessed the attendance of several bishops across the country, converging at the Wesley Cathedral in Accra to give substantial support and pay homage to their new Administrative Bishop.
The first and current general director of the board of ministries of the Methodist church Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Kwaku Asamoah-Okyere, has been inducted into office as the Administrative Bishop of the church in Accra.
Rev. Asamoah-Okyere, who earlier served on acting basis of his current position, from October 2009 to September 2010, was elected to serve on a six-year term of office, which begun on October 1st, 2010.
The Presiding Bishop of the church, The Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Kwaku Asante, inducting the new administrative bishop into office called on Rev. Asamoah-Okyere to be steadfast and humble before the Almighty Father irrespective of his already established long, calm and dedicative services of high prestige.
He added, “This is not just an appointment, but a call to graciousness of God and as such, begin from simplicity to heavenly favours as exemplified by Simone Peter upon his first encounter with Christ Lord”.
He however, prayed for God’s strength and power for the Bishop in performance of his duties as streamlined by the Methodist constitutional doctrine.
Responding to the call to servitude, Rev. Asamoah-Okyere said, “I am so persuaded and I am so determined by Gods Grace”.
He expressed gratitude to the Almighty and all wishers and prayed for continuous support of prayer
The new Administrative Bishop further outlined that the ministry is a holistic church that seeks to support its members in social, economic and spiritual needs and health.
He also noted out that the Christian ministry will initiate a strategic plan to create good relationship, nearness to and feeling of the presence of God among the Christian family under their protectorate.
He explained that the strategic plan will seek to guide the ministers of the church in leading the members spiritually, socially and economically.
He added that it will as well create an enabling environment for the church members to be in ministering.
Rev. Asamooah-Okyere added, “We the Methodist church, we talk about priesthood of all believers. It is for us to create the necessary atmosphere, for every member to feel obliged to preach the gospel”.
He called out to all Christians for teamwork as the principles of the Methodist church was never built on individuality but togetherness, which maps-up the Methodist church and its dioceses.
The induction ceremony, however, witnessed the attendance of several bishops across the country, converging at the Wesley Cathedral in Accra to give substantial support and pay homage to their new Administrative Bishop.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Conform To Covenant On Force Evictions-Amnesty International, Ghana Warns
Story: Stephen Bonsu
Amnesty International, Ghana Section, has hinted to the Ghanaian government of its non-conformity to and breach of the United Nations (UN) covenant on ‘the right to adequate housing due to the government’s frequent deployment of forced evictions in the Accra Metropolis.
Article 11 (1) of the covenant noted out by UN stipulates that special attention should be paid to, “undertaking major clearance operations and should take place only when conservation and rehabilitation are not feasible and relocation measures are made”.
Also in the global strategy for shelter from 1988 to the year 2000, the general assembly adopted in its resolution 43/181, that, the fundamental obligation (of Governments) is to protect and improve houses and neighborhoods, rather than damage or destroy them.
The director of Amnesty International, Ghana Section, Mr. Lawrence Amesu, addressing the media, stated that “Government has not ensured full compliance with Ghana’s international and regional human right obligations and commitment as explicitly set-out in the treaties has rectified”.
With reference to Abuja and CMB forcible eviction, the director said that the action possibly deprives residence of their homes, including women and children, and in most cases with their means of earning their living.
He added that the eviction was done without enough notification or compensation or an alternative means such as relocation with accommodation.
“Forced evictions are un-tolerable under the UN treaty and as such, government must go through the rightful means of property eviction for national development”, he added.
He beckoned on the government to conform to the covenant and seek to redress its mode of eviction of homes for possible development as it is a violation of affected victim’s internationally enshrined humanitarian right.
He however added that Ghana has not yet committed itself fully to the abolition of the death sentencing penalty as agreed internationally.
Mr. Amesu therefore, questioned the reasons behind the detention of death sentenced inmates of the Ghanaian prisons since 1973, and further called on the government to incorporate the total abolition of the death penalty in the on-going constitutional review for full compliance of the treaty.
He also called on the government to ensure fast, free and fair prosecution of detained prisoners whose warrant card and document of arrest and prosecution has expired, cannot presently be traced or have no genuine evidence against, yet serving unspecified remand jail terms.
The Growth and Activism Coordinator, Frank Kwaku Doyi also added that “As with other rights, if the right to adequate housing is not being respected, protected or fulfilled by governments , then it is considered to be a human rights violation”.
He further noted out that informal settlers or squatters may not be forcibly evicted even if they are illegally occupying a land.
He explained that under normal circumstances, notifications must be made 90 days with frequent notification and alternative provision of accommodation before destruction of an individual’s property.
Although he reckoned the inability of the government to provide houses for every individual, Mr. Doyi added that the governed voted the government into power to prong them into development and improvement in future livelihood, but not problems of forceful evictions.
He added that, forced evictions through demolishing, mainly victims unaware, more often leaves victims with loss of valuables upon perpetrators invading their premises with an aim of helping out during the exercise.
Amnesty International, Ghana Section, has hinted to the Ghanaian government of its non-conformity to and breach of the United Nations (UN) covenant on ‘the right to adequate housing due to the government’s frequent deployment of forced evictions in the Accra Metropolis.
Article 11 (1) of the covenant noted out by UN stipulates that special attention should be paid to, “undertaking major clearance operations and should take place only when conservation and rehabilitation are not feasible and relocation measures are made”.
Also in the global strategy for shelter from 1988 to the year 2000, the general assembly adopted in its resolution 43/181, that, the fundamental obligation (of Governments) is to protect and improve houses and neighborhoods, rather than damage or destroy them.
The director of Amnesty International, Ghana Section, Mr. Lawrence Amesu, addressing the media, stated that “Government has not ensured full compliance with Ghana’s international and regional human right obligations and commitment as explicitly set-out in the treaties has rectified”.
With reference to Abuja and CMB forcible eviction, the director said that the action possibly deprives residence of their homes, including women and children, and in most cases with their means of earning their living.
He added that the eviction was done without enough notification or compensation or an alternative means such as relocation with accommodation.
“Forced evictions are un-tolerable under the UN treaty and as such, government must go through the rightful means of property eviction for national development”, he added.
He beckoned on the government to conform to the covenant and seek to redress its mode of eviction of homes for possible development as it is a violation of affected victim’s internationally enshrined humanitarian right.
He however added that Ghana has not yet committed itself fully to the abolition of the death sentencing penalty as agreed internationally.
Mr. Amesu therefore, questioned the reasons behind the detention of death sentenced inmates of the Ghanaian prisons since 1973, and further called on the government to incorporate the total abolition of the death penalty in the on-going constitutional review for full compliance of the treaty.
He also called on the government to ensure fast, free and fair prosecution of detained prisoners whose warrant card and document of arrest and prosecution has expired, cannot presently be traced or have no genuine evidence against, yet serving unspecified remand jail terms.
The Growth and Activism Coordinator, Frank Kwaku Doyi also added that “As with other rights, if the right to adequate housing is not being respected, protected or fulfilled by governments , then it is considered to be a human rights violation”.
He further noted out that informal settlers or squatters may not be forcibly evicted even if they are illegally occupying a land.
He explained that under normal circumstances, notifications must be made 90 days with frequent notification and alternative provision of accommodation before destruction of an individual’s property.
Although he reckoned the inability of the government to provide houses for every individual, Mr. Doyi added that the governed voted the government into power to prong them into development and improvement in future livelihood, but not problems of forceful evictions.
He added that, forced evictions through demolishing, mainly victims unaware, more often leaves victims with loss of valuables upon perpetrators invading their premises with an aim of helping out during the exercise.
Agbogbloshie Exotic vegetable Group Donates to Osu Childrens Home
Story: Stephen Bonsu
THE Agbogbloshie Co-operative Exotic Vegetables Farmers and Marketing Society Limited, has donated non-perishable foods and exotic vegetables amounting to ¢800 to the Osu Children’s Home in Accra.
The association, which has the widest exotic vegetable market in West Africa comprised of farmers and root producers of their products, hence, deemed the kind gesture as their widow’s mite to the poor.
The donated food items included two bags of 25kg rice, a gallon of oil, baskets of cucumbers, carrots, cabbages, yellow melon, green beans, squash, pepper, cauliflowers and spring onions among others.
Briefing Daily Graphic after the donation, the chairman of the Agbogbloshie Co-operative Exotic Vegetable Farmers and Marketing Society Limited, Mr. George Opare Asante explained that the donation calls on the general public to see it as a responsibility to help the vulnerable especially the orphans in the society.
“This is what we sell and produce and helping others like donations at least, helps advertise and bring us out to the world aside other undeniable benefits”, he added.
The chairman was also of the view that the food items will help develop and supplement the children with a balanced diet for healthy growth.
He noted out that the producers of the exotic vegetables are given enough education in their cultivation of their farm produce for human consumption.
The Head Supervisor of the Osu Children’s Home, Mrs. Sharon Abbey, who received the donation, expressed sincere gratitude to the donors for their kind gesture.
Mrs. Abbey, however, recalled the excitement in receiving such balanced nutritional food supplements for the home as several donations had always comprised of non-perishable foods and items.
She added, “In order to prepare a balanced diet for the children, we need to box the mills with fresh vegetables and these vegetable donations will immensely support us“.
The Head Supervisor further called on all and sundry to come to the children’s homes aid as government’s aid to them is limited.
THE Agbogbloshie Co-operative Exotic Vegetables Farmers and Marketing Society Limited, has donated non-perishable foods and exotic vegetables amounting to ¢800 to the Osu Children’s Home in Accra.
The association, which has the widest exotic vegetable market in West Africa comprised of farmers and root producers of their products, hence, deemed the kind gesture as their widow’s mite to the poor.
The donated food items included two bags of 25kg rice, a gallon of oil, baskets of cucumbers, carrots, cabbages, yellow melon, green beans, squash, pepper, cauliflowers and spring onions among others.
Briefing Daily Graphic after the donation, the chairman of the Agbogbloshie Co-operative Exotic Vegetable Farmers and Marketing Society Limited, Mr. George Opare Asante explained that the donation calls on the general public to see it as a responsibility to help the vulnerable especially the orphans in the society.
“This is what we sell and produce and helping others like donations at least, helps advertise and bring us out to the world aside other undeniable benefits”, he added.
The chairman was also of the view that the food items will help develop and supplement the children with a balanced diet for healthy growth.
He noted out that the producers of the exotic vegetables are given enough education in their cultivation of their farm produce for human consumption.
The Head Supervisor of the Osu Children’s Home, Mrs. Sharon Abbey, who received the donation, expressed sincere gratitude to the donors for their kind gesture.
Mrs. Abbey, however, recalled the excitement in receiving such balanced nutritional food supplements for the home as several donations had always comprised of non-perishable foods and items.
She added, “In order to prepare a balanced diet for the children, we need to box the mills with fresh vegetables and these vegetable donations will immensely support us“.
The Head Supervisor further called on all and sundry to come to the children’s homes aid as government’s aid to them is limited.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments