The Importance of Education

Ebenezer Otoo, a Ghanaian teacher emphasizes the importance of investing in education. An increased in finance for education can add to students' leaning and increased teacher's spirit. This can increase students' knowledge and push them to lean, while giving teachers the strength and confidence to keep working.

Some of the challenges Otoo and other teachers face in Ghana are politician interfering, a lack of resources (textbooks and teachers cannot use their own money to by textbooks, and infrastructure. If teachers do not have the equipment they need, they cannot do anything about it. 

To counteract these challenges, the government should increase its investment in education. With the funds and resources students can learn more, which is important for their future. This can impact their future positively. In addition, these funds can impact future students. They can be better equipped and crate a better life for themselves. Not only students can develop from teaching, but society as a whole. The world can change with more funding for education.

Sources:

We need to invest in education | Africa Renewal (un.org)

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Women Against Adversity

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee became Ghana's first female ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in New York in the year of 2015. She reflected on this experience as it was international Women's Day. 

She was excited to have recognition in her career, but some people were surprised seeing a woman in that position. Those who opposed her position thought New York would be too and for her and there should be male ambassador instead. She had to show her male colleagues that she capable by doing more. It took a lot of years to show her Ghana at the UN. 

Pobee knows firsthand the difficulties and challenges women face firsthand when it comes to conflicts. Those challenges could put stops for women in political and peace process, for example, cultural or not having the space to lead and participate. This must change as women's voices can show different ideas and perspectives. She met many women, specifically African women who shared her same struggles as her role at the UN. In 2012, women demanded to be at the negotiation table as they were not invited. This was a great step for women's voices to be heard. 

Peace is likely to last if women are involved in the process. This is shown through research when women participate in peace negotiations. 

Women's voices are important to be heard and empowered because peace will be long-lasting. 

Sources:

Women Hold Up Half the Sky | Africa Renewal (un.org)

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Pages of Modern Artists

Orlando Mensah is a founder and artistic director of Manju Journal. His debut book Voices: Ghana's Artists in Their Own Words, published by Twentyfour Thirtysix entailed Ghanaian artists, which featured 80 interviews of artists, curators, and gallerists. Mensah founded Manju Journal in 2015 to celebrate contemporary Africa. He describes Ghanaian art as "deeply rooted in its cultural heritage". The art in Manju Journal represents people of African ancestry and capture the essence of Ghana's culture and history. 

In the past European colonizers brought back art from Africa and studied the art. This separated the artist from their art leaving them unnamed and uncredited. Presenting artists art in books and articles allows their voices to be heard and to show the beauty of the world, in this case Ghana. This is very important to show culture, narratives, and history through art, which shows a glimpse of Ghana. This also allows to showcase not only Ghana, but the whole African continent respectfully. This showcases what is not published in Western media. 

There is a future of Ghana with flourishing art and media. 

Sources:

Ghana's Most Exciting Contemporary Artists, in Their Own Words                                                      - Africa.com (www.africa.com)

Ghana’s most exciting contemporary artists, in their own words | Dazed (dazeddigital.com)

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Support for Climate Change Adjustment

Ghana was able to obtain finical support for climate adaptation and migration endeavors. This was occurred in the 2023 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group (WBG) Annual Meetings. World Bank's International Finance Cooperation (IFC) is the leader of the funding for Ghana's execution for various climate change initiatives. This was to fuel sustainable growth, encourage a suitable planet, and create employment opportunities. This would be an amazing impact not only for Ghana, but as Africa as a whole. This opportunity is great for design and understanding financing, specifically carbon credit financing. In addition, long-lasting resources and creative financial ideas for climate mitigation and adaption. This cause is aligned with electronic vehicles and solar energy, which is crucial for longevity and growth, but there needs to be transparency for the resources and proper use of the funding by the government and leadership. Immediate climate change concerns should be addressed, but long-erm longevity for climate change should be implemented as well. This would not only help in the present but the future as well. 

Sources:

Ghana has Secured Critical Financing Support for its Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Endeavors - Africa.com (www.africa.com)

Ghana Secures Financing For Climate Initiatives At IMF/WBG Annual Meetings - Forbes Africa

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Economic Success with Ghana and the Diaspora

Lorraine Wright-Boateng MBE, founder of a Strategic Advisory Practice, is leading a mission for more business and investment opportunities in Ghana. Wright-Boateng goal is for nations, Ghana and the UK to form stronger connections. She wants to bridge that gap. In addition, she aims to facilitate the difficulties of exploring Ghana's business and investment environment. People in Ghana are frustrated and leave in fear, so Wright-Boateng wants to ensure that they do not feel that way. Thats here passion, which is great because Ghanaians should not be taken advantage by people especially between the UK given the two nations' history.  This could also help Ghana economic wise. 

President Nana Akufo-Addo issued a campaign, which allowed African diaspora to view Ghana, gain citizenship, and reconnect with their heritage. This happened in 2018. Lorraine Wright-Boateng has becoming a prominent person for giving out strategic guidance for property investment and expanding business in Ghana. 

Wright-Boateng had misconceptions of Ghana when it came to investing. She has since learned that Ghana has a growing economy, young and growing population, stable political system, and the systems in the country work. This is preferable for foreign investment. 

Ghana is open to investments, such as the "Year of Return" initiative. About 1,500 African Americans relocated to Ghana since the success on the initiatives, such as "Year of Return" and efforts of people like Wright-Boateng. This is great because people can connect with their heritage and culture and appreciate it. This can also help in investment opportunities. 

Sources:

Lorraine Wright-Boateng (www.africa.com)

253 Words

Newfound Hope for Suicide Decriminalization

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention designed September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day as a day to end the stigma of suicide and to spread the message that it can be prevented. The message of their cause was heard in 2023. 

People were fearful for not only themselves, but their loved ones for receiving punishments, which stopped them from seeking out help, but soon a new optimism was discovered for those suffering in silence. This hope was found due to United for Global Mental Health and Global Mental Health Action Network collaborating to work with countries that categorize suicide as a criminal offense. This is significant because suicide should not be seen as a crime, but rather a public health concern. 

The country Ghana was one of the countries that was pressed on by joint action and was able to make great reforms of suicide decriminalization in March 2023. These legislative changes not only gave people a chance to come forward to gain support, but also was a step to end the stigma of suicide. This was also a huge step because suicide attempts were still illegal in former British colonies, so Ghana is breaking away from old British legislation and its past as a former British colony under that ideation. Additionally, this raises hope to other African countries. This demonstration of suicide prevention and decriminalization is not only positive and important in countries of Africa, but it also provides help for those who also suffer in silence in other countries across the world. 

Sources:

Ghana has been Among a Few States who have made Landmark Reforms to Decriminalise Suicide - Africa.com (www.africa.com)

From Ghana to Guyana, hope mounts in fight against suicide criminalisation | Mental Health | Al Jazeera

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The Youth of Ghana

 Ghana has a youth robotics team that was preparing to compete in Singapore from October 7th to the 13th this year at FIRST Global, which an annual international robotics competition in Olympic style were youths from all around the world are brought together that have a passion for STEM held at the Singapore EXPO. This gives thousands of children from across the world to experience their passion for STEM and further their knowledge and experience. 

In 2017, the team for Ghana was the only all-female team for Africa at the FIRST Global competition that was held at Washington D.C., USA. The Ghanaian robotics team for this year was comprised of five students who attend Achimota Senior High School, which is located in Accra, Ghana. This school is mentored by STEMbees, which is an organization that promotes STEM education among African women. This is important because this further African women's education and give them an abundance of opportunities.

Speaking of STEMbees, the organization led a fundraising campaign for financial help and support from companies and people who are passionate for education, innovation, and empowering young women in the STEM field. This campaign was to raise money for a trip for the team and two coaches or mentors. This was a great opportunity for the Ghanaian team and for the future of young women pursuing STEM. I hope they keep doing fundraisers every year for not only young Ghanaian women, but other young women across Africa. 

Sources:

Ghana's Youth Robotics Team Prepare to Compete in Singapore - Africa.com (www.africa.com)

256 Words