Category: Education

The Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology (KNUST) has elevated the Department of Nursing to the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

The move is part of efforts to expand programmes, provide comprehensive professional training for students and build capacities of practising nurses and midwives to provide quality care to patients.

The school now has four departments – Public Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing, as well as Emergency and Critical Care Nursing.

Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, made this known at the 10th Graduation Ceremonies for the Ministry of Health Training Institutions in Kumasi.

She said admission into Bachelor of Science top up programmes for all diploma holders would now take two years instead of the three years and urged diploma holders in health care practice to take advantage of the opportunity to ensure continuous learning and professional development.

A total of 14,197 diploma nursing students from 76 Ministry of Health affiliate training instit
utions graduated at the ceremony.

Prof Mrs Dickson emphasizing quality education, said the KNUST upheld the highest standards in preparing the professionals it trained with 21st century employable skills, and was therefore, expected the same from her affiliate institutions as the school worked to achieve the mandate.

In this way, she noted, professionals, including health workers, could serve humanity in their most vulnerable state, adding that, the health profession was a calling to serve, alleviate suffering and to bring hope to the sick and the helpless.

‘The healthcare profession demands both technical expertise and a very profound sense of empathy which requires resilience in the face of myriad of challenges confronting healthcare delivery.

This notwithstanding, we are confident that the kind of rigorous training you have been exposed to, will help you to be up to the task in contributing effectively to enhance and improve the healthcare ecosystem in a more positive and inspirational way’, she stated
.

Ms Tina Gifty Naa Ayele Mensah, a Deputy Minister of Health, said the government was taking strenuous steps to revamp and open up the health sector to enable it to absorb the top-notch health professionals that the country craved for.

She said the healthcare landscape was evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities, and urged health professionals to stay curious and never stop learning.

Ms Ayele Mensah advised health workers to be agents of change, show empathy, and make integrity and kindness the hallmark of their profession.

The Deputy Minister encouraged graduate health workers to accept postings to anywhere they were sent to, particularly the deprived communities because the people needed them the most.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Special needs children at the St. Don Bosco Special School at Loho, near Wa, have received free communication screening to ascertain the level of support they need to enable them to participate actively in social and academic activities.

Teachers and caretakers at the school were also screened to be offered the required support and training to enable them to assist in the proper development of the children at the school.

The KHAD-SAN Africa, a Non-governmental Organization (NGO), organised the free communication screening for the school with support from the Beautiful Smiles Project and Albrim as part of efforts to contribute to the holistic development of the children.

Madam Salima Sidiki Sangari, the founder of KHAD-SAN Africa, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview during the screening exercise that the NGO had planned a series of interventions to aid the children in communicating effectively and the screening was the first step taken.

A total of 55 children at the school comprising children
with different conditions such as autism spectrum, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome among others went through the screening exercise.

‘The screening will help us know the category they are and there is support we give the teachers to help the children in the classrooms in their learning, communication and social interaction.

After the screening we will come back with the training, which is a very important part of the project’, she explained.

Madam Sangari indicated that some parents and guardians hid their children with such difficulties away from the public due to a lack of awareness of those conditions and the stigmatisation associated with having a child with such a condition.

She, however, said, ‘People with communication difficulties or special needs should not be kept hidden, there is help, and the earlier you seek help, the better and easier for the child to be free.’

Madam Sangari, a speech and communication therapist encouraged parents and guardians of such children in the Upper West Region no
t to ‘hide’ them in their homes but to take them to the regional hospital for support.

KHAD-SAN Africa is an NGO that seeks to support both children and adults with communication difficulties to communicate well whether through sign language, writing or verbal communication for people to understand.

Madam Sangari said her decision to form the organisation was to extend the speech and communication therapy services to people in the Upper West Region since the limited licensed therapists in Ghana were in other regions, especially the southern sector to the neglect of the Upper West Region.

Madam Faustina Kuubaare, a House Mother of the St. Don Bosco Special School, said they were going through a lot of challenges in caring for the children due to the communication and cognitive challenges of the children.

‘You will show them to do something like bathing, and at that moment they will do it, but once you leave him or her to do it by him or herself, he or she forgets’, she explained.

Madam Kuubaare, therefore
, expressed hope that the screening and support they would receive would help improve their social interaction to ease the challenges of the House Mothers.

Some of the children who interacted with the GNA had unclear speeches while others could talk but did not make any meaning in their speeches.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The 1998-year group of Benkum Senior High School Old Student Association (BOSA) has successfully addressed water scarcity at their alma mater by providing a mechanized borehole.

The initiative, costing approximately GHS 27,000.00, was commissioned on December 2, as part of BOSA 1998’s special project to commemorate their 25th anniversary.

The project aims to serve the school’s student population of over 3,000, alleviating the water scarcity and sanitation challenges currently faced by the institution.

Speaking during the project handover, Ms. Irene Naa Lamley Jones-Nelson, the President of BOSA 1998, emphasized that the borehole initiative was a symbol of appreciation to their alma mater for its role in shaping their lives.

She stated that water, being essential to life, was chosen as the starting point for their charitable deeds to the school.

Ms. Jones-Nelson expressed her elation and fulfilment at the completion of the project, noting that it was made possible through the collective resources contrib
uted by group members worldwide.

She conveyed the group’s commitment to undertaking more projects in the future as gestures of gratitude and support for their beloved alma mater.

On behalf of the Headmaster of Benkum Senior High School, the Assistant Headmistress Academic, Ms. Esther Akoto, conveyed sincere gratitude to BOSA 1998 for their swift response to the water challenges faced by the students and staff.

She highlighted the negative impact of water scarcity on academic productivity, with students spending valuable study or rest hours in search of water.

Ms. Akoto further explained that the school’s reliance on the Ghana Water Company Limited sometimes led to disruptions in water supply, affecting both staff and students.

The project commissioning ceremony featured Ms. Irene lamley Jones-Nelson, Ms. Esther Akoto, and Mr. Bernard Dormekpor, Assistant Headmaster Administration, cutting the ceremonial tape to mark the successful completion and inauguration of the mechanized borehole project.

The water
initiative marks the beginning of BOSA 1998’s ongoing commitment to supporting their alma mater, reflecting their dedication to the betterment of the school community.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Hello World, a not-for-profit organization, equipping youth with skills in coding and artificial intelligence, has donated 60 computer sets to two senior high schools to aid teaching and learning of information and communications technology.

The beneficiary schools are the Nkoranza SHS in the Bono-East Region and St Jerome SHS at Abofour, in the Offinso South District.

Each school received 30 modern computers, a printer, a scanner, a photocopier machine, and a stabilizer.

The organization has also improved internet connectivity, fixed new security doors and windows, tiled floors, and provided fans and air conditioners for the computer laboratories of the beneficiary schools.

Mr. Evans Adusei Jnr, Founder of Hello World, at two separate ceremonies to officially inaugurate the refurbished laboratories, indicated that the organization had carefully targeted to create an environment that would enable the students to use the devices to their full capacity.

‘We want to foster an atmosphere of learning and inn
ovation, ensuring that the infrastructure supports the limitless potential of each student.’

He said the organization would commit to enhancing access to cutting-edge technologies to bridge the educational gap and help young minds thrive in advancing the digital world.

Mr Adusei Jnr, said Hello World, would work to create a network of technology education hubs, each contributing to the empowerment of the youth.

Mr Collins Adu-Yeboah, Headmaster of Nkoranza SHS, said in the realm of education, the importance of technology could not be overstated with the rapid evolution of the digital age.

He was hopeful that computers would assist in empowering students with the skills necessary for success in the 21st century.

Mr Adu-Yeboah commended the organization for providing such educational resources, which had capacities to grow and pave the way for innovation and discovery.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Greek Minister of Defence, Mr Nikos Dendias, has visited St Nicholas Charity Foundation in Tema Newtown, following on from his previous visit this year.

During the visit, the Minister promised to assist in building a football pitch in the future. This will be in addition to a basketball court, which is currently under construction.

The Minister has taken a close interest in the school and has been very moved by the efforts being made to ensure the motto EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN EDUCATION is maintained.

Mr Dendias was in Ghana for the United National Ministerial Summit to support Peace Operations, which took place on 5th December.

He also held bilateral meetings with Dominic Nitiwul Minister for Defence Ghana and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

Despite the busy schedule, the Minister and his delegation, including the Greek Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Athanasios Kotsionis and Mr Evangelis Ntemiris ADC took time to visit the school to see at first hand the continuing progress being made
by the children.

The Minister was met in the traditional fashion with the school brass band and Navy cadet Corp marching him into the school and a church service held at the St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Tema.

There was also a short cultural display, including a Ghanaian cultural dance, a Serra Pyrrhic Dance (performed at the Athens Olympics 2004), and memory verses by the smaller children.

The Minister took the opportunity to visit the Basketball court which is being constructed from donations previously given by the Ministry.

The court will be named after the Greek famous basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Mr Dendias was particularly impressed that both 2022 and 2023 graduates from St Nicholas junior secondary had all passed their Basic Education Certificate Examination and secured places in Senior secondary schools.

He congratulated the school and staff for the hard work and effort in giving a chance to the children of the area living in disadvantaged conditions and for many the graduates will b
e the first in their family, attending senior secondary school.

In attendance were two former Ghanaian footballers of the Greek team Olympiakos Peter Oforikwe and Kofi Abonsa who promised to hold football workshops for the children.

Dr Evangelos Kyriakidis of The Heritage Management Organisation, with the support of the Mellon Foundation was in attendance and is in Ghana embarking on a three-year programme for capacity development in the heritage management sector aiming to contribute to a dynamic sustainable ecosystem.

Deborah Eleazar, Trustee of the UK registered charity took the opportunity of thanking the Minister and his delegation for their support and to also mention the founders of the school Captain Panagiotis Tsakos , The Maria Tsakos Foundation, Tsakos family for their constant involvement and help and Mr Evangelos Mytilineos , their Foundation for the classrooms, school bus and ongoing assistance with the contribution of the HC Mrs Marianna Gavriel.

Each child was given a gift from the Ministe
r and the children presented an original African Icon of the patron saint St Nicholas whose name day was being celebrated on 6th December to the Minister to celebrate his name day.

Ongoing fundraisers continue in the United Kingdom with various organisations including the Baltic Caledonian Society, in the USA through King Baudouin Foundation as well as other initiatives. The school is anxious to secure the running costs for 2024 and to continue the good work being done.

There was talk as to whether a study should be done on the school to see if the school origins and results could be used as a blueprint for other marginalised areas.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has conferred honorary doctorate degrees on three prominent Ghanaian women for demonstrating commitment to humanitarian causes.

They are the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, Ghana’s first female Speaker of Parliament, and Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, the nation’s first female Chief Justice.

The three personalities were cited for their exceptional professional work which has left indelible marks in their respective fields and society at large.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was on hand to give moral support to the First Lady as well as the other recipients.

Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong, the Chancellor of UPSA, described the event as historic given the fact that it was an all-female affair – depicting the vital role women played in the nation’s development agenda.

He commended the honorees for their dedicated services and commitment to duty, saying the nation was blessed to have had such knowledgeable and hardworking
personalities.

‘As a champion of social causes, your contribution to humanity has been very impactful in the country and you have been commended for advocating the fight against malaria in Ghana.

‘You spearheaded the health education agenda in 2017 by establishing the Rebecca Foundation, a non-governmental organisation to enhance government’s efforts among women and children in Ghana,’ a citation presented to the First Lady read.

Since becoming the First Lady some seven years ago, Mrs Akufo-Addo has been instrumental in working for the betterment of women and children, initiating some transformative projects at the Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals, Ghana’s two largest referral hospitals, to enhance maternal and childcare.

‘You are also a founding member and Chairperson of the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation, a charity established in 2005 that supports the national efforts to reduce malaria infections in infants and young children.

On Justice Bamford-Addo, a citation presented to her rea
d: ‘Your remarkable achievements paved the way for a new dawn of women justices in Ghana’s Supreme Court.’

‘In recognition of your remarkable service to Ghana, in October 2011, you were honoured by President John Evans Atta-Mills with the Companion of the Order of the Volta, the highest in the order of Volta awards.

‘You retired from public service in October 2004, after 43 years as a practising lawyer and 13 years as the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Ghana.’

For Justice Theodora Wood, a citation presented to her saluted her for being an ardent advocate of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

‘You have contributed immensely to advancing the cause of ADR both locally and internationally.

‘During the span of your career, you occupied many international positions. Your good work was highly recognised in and out of Ghana, including the Order of the Star of Ghana, the nation’s highest honour in 2007, and in August 2008, you were awarded a Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Ghana,’ the ci
tation noted.

Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of National Security, lauded the honorees for their patriotism and commitment to the nation’s growth.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, was hopeful the awards would motivate the younger generation of professionals to strive for excellence in their work.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa School of Petroleum Studies has organized a research results dissemination workshop for stakeholders in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply chain.

It was on the theme ‘safety assessment of the existing LPG supply chain for safe sustainable clean energy in Ghana. A case study of the Western Region’.

Participants included; the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Ghana National Fire Services (GNFS) National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and hotel owners.

The research was conducted in the Western Region and some areas the team visited were Tarkwa, Takoradi, Asankragwa and many others, to help identify the safety and technical-related issues associated with the existing LPG supply chain.

Professor Richard Amorin, Vice Dean of the School of Petroleum Studies explained that from the survey, it was clear that most domestic users of LPG in the Western Region lacked basic knowledge on the safe usage of th
e gas.

He said ‘I think the findings have shown clearly that indeed usage is not as bad as one may perceive but the problem is how people are using the cylinders.

‘Currently when you look at the urban communities many people are using LPG for their vehicles and cooking. We need to sensitize more communities so they can all come on board to help end the deforestation process that is ongoing’

For the refilling aspects, he said ‘we need to review the cylinders that are in the system, is good that the government has initiated the cylinder recirculation model but how soon will it get to all of us, so until then, the current system needs to be upgraded’

Professor Amorin indicated that after the research they recommended that as the Government was determined to increase access to domestic LPG usage to 50% by 2030, the move should be commensurate with sufficient safety protocols to minimize the LPG-related casualties recorded in the country.

In a speech read on behalf of Professor Micheal Affam, Dean Office of R
esearch, Innovation, and Consultancy said the workshop was made possible with the support of the Ghana Chamber of Mines Tertiary Education Fund.

He said over the past three years, the fund has supported 40 faculty members and 80 post graduate students with funding to enable them conduct research that is of relevance to the mining industry and for national development.

‘One of such projects is what we are about to listen to, learn from and take home with us useful information and skills in the effective use of LPG’ he stated.

Prof. Affam said the assessment examined by the study included LPG storage, filling, distribution, and retail facilities for both domestic and commercial purposes, for safe, sustainable, clean energy for all. It also assesses the safety knowledge and use of domestic cylinders for safe usage across the region and by extension Ghana.

The project evaluated the safety of the LPG value chain for safe, sustainable clean energy for all to meet the SDGs 7 and 13. It is gratifying to note that
apart from the Knowledge transfer a team from the GNFS will demonstrate how to fight LPG fire, he said

Prof. Affam implored the trainees to take the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and educate other members of the public to avoid casualties resulting from the wrongful use the LPG, adding, ‘I thank the Ghana Chamber of Mines for their immense support to the UMaT in diverse ways and also congratulate the research team for a good job done’.

The Tarkwa Divisional Officer of the GNFS (DO) Grade II Alex Assiem in his presentation advised that cylinders be transported in an upright position and stored in a well-ventilated place to prevent the accumulation of gas vapors.

Mr David Amankwa, District Manager of DVLA Tarkwa, on his part stated that LPG systems should be installed and maintained by certified professionals who adhered to local regulations and standards.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Frederick Sarfo, Vice Chancellor of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) has asked the alumni of the university to focus on their place in the overall development and reputation of the school.

He said alumni played critical roles in the development and transformation of a university, and there was a need for the AAMUASTED alumni community to form a formidable force to support the school.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the alumni of the university in Kumasi, he said the management of the university was firmly behind the leadership and the entire members of the association to provide the needed support for the growth and development of the new university.

He said the placement of the alumni association and its issues under the Directorate of Research, International Programme and Institutional Advancement, as well as the appointment of an Assistant Registrar to be responsible for alumni affairs, were a clear manifestation of th
e premium management placed on the affairs of the association.

The meeting was under the theme: ‘Towards the growth of a new university: The role of the alumni.’

Prof. Sarfo said plans were underway to provide an office for the alumni association and commended the members for their continuous support of the university.

Prof. Isaac Boateng, Acting Director of the Institute of Teacher Professional Development and Life-long Learning, called on the leadership of the alumni association to set up an online system that would ensure continuous contact with students after graduation.

They should also consider establishing an alumni conference at the university to encourage networking of alumni and offer career guidance and mentoring to continued students at the university.

Ms Millicent Pimpong, Vice President of the Association said plans were underway to renovate the abandoned hostel at the Autonomy Hall annex to serve students.

The leadership was also planning to organize professional development programmes fo
r members and alumni homecoming activities as part of efforts to reach more alumni of the university.
Source: Ghana News Agency