Asogli Education Fund supports 100 students

The Asogli Education Fund has given financial support to 100 students in the Ho Municipal area towards their education in various academic institutions.

The beneficiaries, made up of 30 university students, 20 polytechnic students, 15 Colleges of Education students, 25 Senior High School students and 10 Nurses Training College students, received a total amount of GH¢65,400.00.

Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, urged the students to make good use of the opportunity and justify the investments made in their education.

He asked them to do away with bad practices that could distract their studies.

Mr Paul Tsekuma, the Administrator of the Fund, said the Board was tracking academic performance of all beneficiaries to ensure that they excelled in their academics.

Madam Theresa Foli, a parent of one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the Asogli Education Fund for the support and pledged the preparedness of the parents to ensure that the investment was not in vain.

Meanwhile, a press release signed by Mr Stephen Tetteh, the Secretary of the Asogli State Council, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, (GNA) said so far, 1,230 beneficiaries of the Fund had completed their courses, with some pursuing further studies outside the country.

The release said Togbe Afede had also established Education Endowment Funds in the Mawuli, OLA, Mawuko Girls and the Kpedze Senior High Schools, to help raise academic performance.

GNA

African University Day and Innovation Week Celebration launched

Kenyatta University Gate in Kenya 

The Association of African Universities (AAU) has launched the 2016 edition of its annual African Universities Day Celebration with an objective to promote critical dialogue among stakeholders on how to improve higher education in Africa.

The event, which is scheduled for Monday, November 7 to Saturday, November 12, focuses on the need to stimulate job creation for the youth.

It is under the theme “Entrepreneurial Learning and Communities of Practice”.

Professor Etienne Ehouan Ehile, Secretary General of AAU, at a press briefing in Accra, said the association recognized that for higher education institutions to adopt innovative strategies to improve their educational outcomes, there would be a need to work closely with stakeholders.

He explained that working more closely with various stakeholders, especially from industry, would ensure the relevance of their curricula.

He said, however, that this year’s celebration sought to explore solutions relating to the churning out of graduates who could make a change in their communities through problem solving and entrepreneurship.

Prof Ehile said the Day created awareness on the importance of higher education for Africa’s development as well as celebrated the success stories of higher education across the continent.

“Universities in Ghana are specially invited to join the Secretariat of the Association in marking the day through an innovation week being hosted by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), University of Professional Studies (UPSA), and the Wisconsin International University in Accra, Ghana,” he added.

Ms Nodumo Dhlamini, Director in charge of ICT Services and Knowledge Management at AAU, said the university had partnered with the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) to host the MEST/ AAU talks on November 7 at the MEST Incubation Centre at East Legon.

"The talks will discuss how we can best prepare African youth for entrepreneurship where participants will be industry players, staff and students from UPSA, Wisconsin International University, GIMPA as well as AAU Staff," she stated.

She said on Wednesday, November 9, AAU would also partner with GIMPA to host an Inter- University Challenge whereby three student teams representing the three universities would be given an entrepreneurial challenge to solve and would be scored on their problem solving/ critical thinking/innovativeness, among others, by selected judges.

Ms Dhlamini explained that the challenge was related to African higher education.

She again told the media that UPSA would host the main African Universities Day event on Friday, November 11, featuring a high level panel discussion, which would dwell on “Entrepreneurial Learning and Communities of Practice”.

"The event will also include the award ceremony for the winners of the inter-university challenge," she said, adding that on November 12, the AAU would host a moderated one-and-a-half hour twitter discussion on the theme.

The AAU is the apex organisation and forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among institutions of higher education in Africa.

GNA

National Summit on future of Tertiary Education opens

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Minister of Education, has opened a three-day summit, in Accra, for stakeholders to make recommendations to inform a draft National Vision and Plan for Tertiary Education.

The Summit would also propose an implementation framework, and to also provide input into the current efforts at developing a long-term national development plan for the nation.

It is on the theme: “Crafting a National Vision and Plan for the 21st Century”.

The National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) is jointly organising the summit with the Ministry of Education, and the Trust Africa of Senegal, which has brought together about 150 participants from academic institutions, civil society organisations and associations, think-thanks, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the private sector, Parliament and the media.

It is a follow-up on the National Policy Dialogue on Tertiary Education that was held in 2013.

Addressing the Summit, Prof Opoku-Agyemang said the country had invested tremendous resources in tertiary education over the years and it was expected that the interventions would turn into new knowledge generation, innovation and skill acquisition.

She said crafting a national vision and Plan would require massive effort and investment by all stakeholders, and, therefore, commended the organisers of the programme.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang explained that the collective expertise and wisdom gathered at the summit would lead to the effective resolution of the challenges facing the country’s higher education.

He expressed the hope that he outcomes and input into the draft Plan would also bring about the required transformation to enable the Universities to remain relevant and lead in knowledge promotion for national development, comparatively to what pertained in the global arena.

She pledged her support towards the adoption and full implementation of the final policy document that would ensue so far as it addresses the major objectives as outlined in the rationale for the Summit.

Prof Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, the Chairman of the National Council for Tertiary Education, said the Summit would provide an opportunity for stakeholders in education, policy-making, industry and civil society to deliberate on the sub-thematic areas of the draft document.

These covered postgraduate training, research and development, funding, private sector participation, diversification and differentiation, he said.

He gave the background of the Council, which was established by the NCTE Act of 1993, (ACT 454) to oversee the proper administration of institutions designated as institutions of tertiary education in Ghana and to advise the Minister of Education on the development of the institutions.

He said the NCTE was committed to providing leadership in tertiary education by advising government and all relevant institutions to enhance access, quality, equity, relevance and governance, and promised to ensure that the outcome of the summit was incorporated into the 40 years Plan of the National Development Planning Commission.

GNA

Assifuah Ghanaian striker scores in Sion 5-2 victory

Ebenezer Assifuah was on target for Sion as they defeated FC Schaffhausen on Wednesday in the Swiss Cup.

Ghanaian forward, Ebenezer Assifuah registered his name on the scoresheet when his side FC Sion walloped FC Schaffhausen 5-2 on Wednesday in the Swiss Cup.

The golden ball winner of the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup brought life back to FC Sions game in the 102nd minute of extra-time at a time they were trailing the lower division side by 2-1 to restore parity in the game.

Assifuah goal revived Sions' hopes, as they went ahead to score three goals in the process to progress to the next stage of the contest.

Unemployed remanded for alleged robbery

An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday remanded one Adolph Yankah for robbing one Theophilus Odotei of his Itel mobile phone worth GH¢250.00.

Adolph pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded by the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh to reappear on November 17.



Prosecuting Police Chief Inspector Kwabena Adu, told the court that the complainant is a student at La, whiles the accused person is unemployed and lives at Nungua Kantamanto.

He said on September 12, the complainant and a witness in the case visited Nungua Junction Mall to buy some items.

He said while at Nungua Kantamanto, the accused person and his two accomplices now at large attacked them and snatched the complainants Itec phone worth GH¢250.00.

The prosecution said the complainant and the witnesses attempted to chase the robbers to collect the phone, but the accused pulled out a knife and threatened the complainant.

He told the court that the complainant became afraid and retreated.

Police Chief Inspector Adu said the complainant made a report to the police and whilst investigations were ongoing the accused person committed another offence and was sent to the police station.

He said the complainant and his witnesses came to identified the accused who stole his phone.

GNA

US-based Ghanaian model gets featured on Nicki Minaj’s Instagram page

US-based Ghanaian model Esi Kokua gets featured on Nicki Minaj’s Instagram page after the just ended Halloween.

This year's Halloween celebrations just got better for some people and Ghanaian-US based model, Yazzistush is as she mimicked her friend, American singer, Nicki Minaj.

This beautiful gesture got Minaj to feature her friend, Esi Kokua on her Instagram social media page the following day as a sign of love.

playUS-based Ghanaian model Esi Kokua gets featured on Nicki Minaj’s Instagram page after the just ended Halloween.



The Ghanaian-New Yorker has a bite into everything entertainment from overwhelming photos shoots, music videos, and magnificent beating faces, among others.
Yazzis as she fondly called runs her company called, 'Sugarkoated', a stylish-trending beauty outfit which is based in NYC but ships worldwide. She also has international Pop-up shops in Nigeria and Ghana; she constantly visits West Africa to keep her clients stylish with the latest trends and current beauty secrets.
playUS-based Ghanaian model Esi Kokua gets featured on Nicki Minaj’s Instagram page after the just ended Halloween.



The first quarter of 2017 looks very promising for Yazzistush because she has a line-up of events which will start materialising then.

Opinion: Why Kumasi is better than Accra - any day

It could be boredom, it could be searching for a better job, or it could be love. Hundreds of Ashantis will leave their home, heading South to Accra each week.

Back in 2013, I was one of them.

Propelled by boredom of my home, and the need to have fun adventures, I packed my bags and took a VIP to start my new life in Odorkor in Greater Accra.

I was lost, overwhelmed and surrounded by Gas and Fantes. Over the past three years I’ve found my feet, had my adventures, by mostly, I have learnt to appreciate my region.

Born and schooled in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, I have always thought I was missing and ‘wasting’ the greater part of my youthful days.

I thought that my age mates in other regions always had their groove on, going to beach parties, shopping at the mall and other fun trips.

Moving to the Greater Accra Region has been an eye opener for me. Never a day goes by without missing Oseikrom, my beloved city.

Ashanti Region is the hub city of all ethnic groups, we warmly accommodate people from other regions. In every constituency, people from different tribes and religions live in peace and unity. We believe relation is not only defined by blood.

From tuo zaafi to fufu, banku to fante fante, waakye to jollof rice, gari foto to gari and beans, food from all tribes in Ghana are prepared in a healthy environment and served in the high streets for my kingsmen. No wonder strangers find it difficult to leave whenever they visit because they enjoy their local favourite dishes with a different touch.

In Accra, the food is limited and expensive. There’ a lack of choice that I miss from my days in Kumasi.

When it comes to clothing, the quality and affordable ones can only be bought in Kumasi. From new clothes to secondhand ones, Kumasi girls always have a wide range of options to choose from.

Personally, in my three years in Accra, I have never purchased clothes here. Not even underwear!

Lake Bosomtwe, Manhyia Palace Museum, Komfo Anokye sword site, Kumasi Military Museum and others tourist sites can be found in the Ashanti Region.

As much as we have accepted modernization and technological advancement, we uphold our traditions and cultural heritage. Otumfuo, Ashanteman, subordinate chiefs and religious leaders are involved in decision making. We pour libations and perform certain ritual when necessary. Some of the powerful and spiritual pastors in the country are located in my region.

Let’s face it: Aside the English Language, the most popular local language is Ashanti Twi. It is the most easy to learn and understand language regardless of your mother tongue.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prempeh College, Opoku Ware, Yaa Asantewaa, St. Louis and other award-winning school are located in the Ashanti Region. Almalters from such prestigious institutions are leaders and role models for the youth in Ghana and across borders.

The infrastructural developments are beyond measure, tarred roads, hospitals, shopping malls, market centers, clinics are all up to standard.

In my experience the price of commodities in Kumasi, even rent of houses is very affordable in Kumasi compared to some other regions.

Living in other regions is quite challenging for some of the Kumasi folks but we always find a way to settle peacefully.

For me, I moved to Accra basically to satisfy my curiosity. Life without adventures and risk taking can be considered boring. As they say, travel and see; travelling across Ghana exposed me to different cultures, different people. I had an in depth knowledge and experience of the way of life of people as I journeyed on.

Truly, I can’t call myself a true Ghanaian if I restrict my movement to my region alone.

For me, you may wonder why I bother with Accra, the truth is I have more exploring to do here. I want to have a better feel for the capital, so when I return to my life in Kumasi, I will be look back at Accra and be able to know what I am talking about when I tell all, Kumasi beats Accra.