RIGHT TO FOOD IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

DEMAND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE GUARANTEES ON RIGHT TO FOOD IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA – PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT TO THE 1992 CONSTITUTION OF GHANA

Position Paper

Food Security Advocacy Network (FoodSPAN), respectively an international human rights advocacy NGO siding with the poor to end poverty and a network of farmer, faith and technical based NGOs working in partnership to ensure food security in Ghana, while
Expressing our profound support for the review of the 1992 Constitution would like to make some proposals for the amendment of the 1992 Constitution to incorporate critical issues bordering on the welfare of all Ghanaians with regard to THE RIGHT TO FOOD.
Having noted that though the1992 Constitution provides constitutional guarantees on the Ghanaian citizens’ right to a basic standard of life, the RIGHT TO FOOD, a critical component in ensuring a basic standard of life to all citizens is not explicitly mentioned, thus the submission of this proposal of ActionAid Ghana and FoodSPAN for an explicit mention of the RIGHT TO FOOD in the Constitution of Ghana.
Having noted that Ghana has ratified the UN Declaration on Human Rights of which article 5(1) states: “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing…”, thus placing an obligation on the State to promote the fundamental human rights of its citizens and bring all municipal laws into conformity with accepted documents,
In commitment to the World Food Summit Plan of Action, 1996 and Millennium Development Goal 1 on the achievement of food security and eradication of hunger to half by 2015
Reaffirming the universal human rights provisions in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana place an obligation on the State to adopt a human rights approach to development.
ActionAid Ghana and FOODSPAN, informed by our collective experiences in the food and agricultural sector through twenty (20) years of advocacy, promotion of human rights and development activities towards a hungerfree nation, make the following recommendations to the Constitutional Review Commission:
1. That the ‘RIGHT TO FOOD’ of all citizens be expressly captured in the Constitution of Ghana as a fundamental human right.
2. Constitutional provisions mandating the respect, promotion and protection of the RIGHT TO FOOD of all Ghanaians be included in the Constitution of Ghana.
3. The Constitution should mandate duty bearers in the ministries of food and agriculture; land; environment; trade and industries; roads and highways; district and municipal assemblies and other related departments and agencies to create an enabling environment for the enjoyment, promotion and protection of THE RIGHT TO FOOD of all Ghanaians
4. Considering the invaluable contribution of women (especially rural women) to food and agriculture in Ghana, the Constitution should impose an obligation on Parliament to enact legislation:
(a) on land tenure security for women and other vulnerable groups in the food and agricultural sector
(b) to reduce psycho-social, cultural and economic constraints faced by women and vulnerable groups and enhance productivity of rural women and other vulnerable groups
5. The Constitution should impose an obligation on Parliament to enact legislation to ensure strategic and adequate budgetary allocation to the smallholder farmer sector since they are very significant to the food sub-sector.
6. The Constitution should mandate state agencies to put in place efficient monitoring and inspectorate services to ensure that the poor and vulnerable get access to resources allocated to them.
Wherefore, we the undersigned have set our hands hereunder:
1. …………………………………………………..
Name: Queronica Quarley Quartey
Organisation: ActionAid Ghana
Title: Right to Food and Climate Change Policy Advisor
and FoodSPAN Coordinator


2. ………………………………………………….
Name: Kenneth Amoateng
Organisation: Abibiman Foundation
Title: Ag. Chief Executive Officer
and FoodSPAN Steering Committee



--
"when the voice of the people become so loud the government has no alternative but to listen" Martin Luther King Jnr.

John F. Kennedy once observed that “our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man.”

Kenneth Nana Amoateng
AYICC West African Coordinator
Abibimman Foundation
Ghana National Youth Coalition on Climate Change (GNYCCC)
GCAP/MDGs-Ghana
FoodSPAN
IDAY-GHANA
P.O.BOX BT 1 Tema
Flat 1/A 74 Site 3
(OPP T.DC),Commmunit 1
Tema-Ghana/African
E-Mail: amoatengken@yahoo.com
http://www.abibimman.org
http://www.1010global.org/gh
Tel# 233-0303-213918
Mob:233244023651
skype:kenneth.nana.amoateng
I'm on assignment to my generation.

'WALKOUT'

TITLE OF PROJECT 'WALKOUT'

PROJECT DATE SATURDAY,

PROJECT VENUE TEMA MUNICIPALITY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project will through sports bring together children, youth and adults in the Tema Municipality to campaign against all forms of Indiscipline; child abuse, labour, trafficking, rape, murder, conflicts, wars and atrocities against humanity; and call for a total Walkout from these activities. Participants will undertake events such as Running, Walking, Soccer, Playing Cards, Tug of War, Horse Riding, and call for the commitment of all persons especially politicians and leaders of the land, children, young adults and to progress and development. Strengthening the appreciation and respect of human rights and empower young people to effectively deal with the challenges
of life.


The project seeks to enhance peaceful coexistence among the human populates and call for peace, unity and togetherness; in the family, schools, work places, communities, the nation and the world at large as the needed tool in the fight against Indiscipline. Promote the campaign against impunity; child abuse and labour; sexual abuse, commercialization and exploitation;
illicit drugs and child trafficking; children and youth involved in armed robbery and conflicts; and
other forms of evils in the various sectors of our society.

OBJECTIVES

To campaign against all forms of indiscipline, impunity and atrocities against humanity especially,
children and youth. To enhance the promotion of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation as central to the development of the nation and the improvement in the quality of life.


To provide participants a forum to effectively disseminate information about corruption and, children and adolescence issues especially broken homes, school drops outs and HIV/AIDS.

To empower participants to model higher responsible behaviour in their schools, homes and the community and in the large Ghanaian society. To enhance the cooperation and collaboration between the Foundation, families and the community, lobby for their commitment and support for children and young adults rights, publications and funding of projects that will explore such areas as education and training on children and adolescence reproductive and health
issues.



--
"when the voice of the people become so loud the government has no alternative but to listen" Martin Luther King Jnr.

John F. Kennedy once observed that “our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man.”

Kenneth Nana Amoateng
AYICC West African Coordinator
Abibimman Foundation
Ghana National Youth Coalition on Climate Change (GNYCCC)
GCAP/MDGs-Ghana
FoodSPAN
IDAY-GHANA
P.O.BOX BT 1 Tema
Flat 1/A 74 Site 3
(OPP T.DC),Commmunit 1
Tema-Ghana/African
E-Mail: amoatengken@yahoo.com
http://www.abibimman.org
http://www.1010global.org/gh
Tel# 233-0303-213918
Mob:233244023651
skype:kenneth.nana.amoateng
I'm on assignment to my generation.

INDISCIPLINE WATCH

INDISCIPLINE WATCH

(Providing a forum to showcase students photojournalism research)

This is a platform showcasing findings of an amateur photojournalism project by students. Students as stakeholders will share their views on the facts and effects of conflicts and wars and how the could be ameliorated.


WALKOUT

(Communicating the facts and effects of indiscipline through sporting activities)

This will use sporting activities as effective advocacy tools in disseminating messages on
discipline. A platform will be organised for young people, adults, opinion leaders, statesmen and other individuals to advocate on the dangers of indiscipline through sports. The events will include walking, running, tug-of-war, and soccer.

AIMS

The project seeks amongst others to; Unite the nation and communities as one family against
acts of indiscipline Emphasizing the role and importance of everybody in
the campaign against indiscipline


Provide a forum to identify and discuss common problems arising from indiscipline

Encourage involvement and responsibility in the advocacy on discipline and community development Support the agenda for positive behavioural change


OBJECTIVES

Campaign against and call for a total walkout from all forms of indiscipline and atrocities against humanity especially, children and young people.


Enhance the framework for the promotion of positive behavioural change central to the development of the ation and the improvement in the quality of life.


To provide a forum to effectively disseminate information about the dangers of indiscipline.
Empower the citizenry to model higher responsible behavior in schools, homes and the community and in the large Ghanaian society.


Put forward a framework for cooperation and collaboration between the Foundation and other
advocates, lobby for their commitment and support in exploring other areas and means of education and communication on positive behavioural change.

GHANA YOUTH ADVOCACY ON INDISCIPLINE

'WALKOUT' -

[ADVOCACY ON INDISCIPLINE)


PROJECT TARGET - YOUNG PEOPLE, THE MEDIA & GENERAL PUBLIC

MAIN THEME - ‘UNITING GHANA AGAINST INDISCIPLINE’

SUB THEME - THE POWER OF ADVOCACY, THE POWER FOR CHANGE,

PROJECT DATES - MAY

SPECIAL OCCASIONS - WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

BACKGROUND

Indiscipline in Ghana has assumed a dominant position on the population to the level nationwide campaigning in combating indiscipline. It has become a major cancer eating away the good,
peaceful and productive nation of Ghanaians. Indiscipline is killing our human resource
development, interpersonal relations, social,political and economic (national security), protection
and promotion of cultural heritages amongst others. It is quite unfortunate that the very pillar, which has kept our communities united, stabled and focused for centuries, has been weakened by the current trend of indiscipline.


Indiscipline has affected almost every part of the nation that conscious efforts from all stakeholders in curtailing it. The current breakdowns in the family system, both external and internal; intolerance, domestic abuses and spousal murders, extra-marital sex, multiple sex partners, increasing number of young people living and working on the streets, high drug
abuse and trafficking, increasing armed robbery cases, high rate of sexually transmitted infections and HIV infections amongst other. The rising number and magnitude of tribal and ethnic conflicts are very alarming.


Underling Causes

The most underling causes of indiscipline are poverty and intolerance on both the governing and the governed. The key principle is that progress in Ghana lies first and foremost, with Ghana. Most Ghanaian leaders have not committed resources towards real reform for genuine ownership of our own national development.


They have, for example, not;


Committed themselves to working with, and on behalf of, all their citizens.
Strengthen democratic governance. Build durable peace and security. Addressed the crises in health, environment and education.


The citizenry, on the other hand have not committed themselves to lead disciplined lives and advocate for practices and acts that are accepted and endorsed by religious, traditional and civic leaders as morally
right; which has the respect of all human rights as a cornerstone. They have accepted corruption, adultery, environmental littering, loitering, religious, ethnic and political sentiments, which have given in to tribalism, ethnic intolerance and xenophobia and others. They have not committed themselves to the development of themselves and their countries. This is evident in the number of negative factors stated above.

There is great power in individuals, working in good faith, to shape a better future. Most Ghanaians have not committed themselves unto good leadership, as there is no substitute for leadership. These have not allowed the young people in Ghana to learn and emulate
quality leadership skills and resulted in many high hopes and noble ideals have being frustrated on the shores of Ghana.


DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT


This project therefore intends to initiate the grass root education on the repercussions of indiscipline, necessary to build the confidence of people to advocate on positive behavioural change and tolerance in enhancing national development. It will teach Ghanaian and the world at large that advocacy based on diversity in ideas and ideologies in society offers those society different alternatives in problem solving.

The project will adopt a balanced and realistic approach in campaigning against indiscipline, and
incorporate research, experiences and opinions of people and communities who have suffered the atrocities of indiscipline. The project will provide an assessment of the impart of indiscipline on the communities and access, express choice among and advocates doing advocacy and education on issues such and civic education, human rights, peaceful
coexistence and others.


Methodology

An inter-disciplinary, practical and problem-solving approach will be used during the education. The project will therefore be very interactive, participative and reinforced by visual presentations,
discussions, case studies, and exchange of experiences, and field visits (Dramatisation, artwork,
amateur photography exhibition).

‘NKABOM’ JOURNEY FOR DEVELOPMENT (Promoting the Growth & Poverty Strategy and the Millennium Development Goals among Young People and Youth

ABIBIMMAN FOUNDATION
GREEN-LIFE CLUBS
(Sustainable Livelihoods, Peace & Development)



The Chief Executive Officer
P. O. Box BT 1, Tema, Ghana - W/A
Tel/ Fax: 233-22-213918, Mob: 233 – 243 922683
Email: abibifound@yahoo.com, abibimmanf@yahoo.com, abibimmanfoundation@gmail.com
Location: Flat # 1/A 74 (adjacent TDC), Site 3, Community 1, Tema
(Promoting the Growth & Poverty Strategy and the Millennium Development Goals among Young People and Youth)

(Promoting the Growth & Poverty Strategy and the Millennium Development Goals among Young People and Youth)

BACKGROUND

The United Nations at their Millennium Summit endorsed the eight (8) Millennium Development Goals with specific commitments and targets to be achieved by the end of 2015.
Ghana’s Progress towards the MDGs
Ghana’s strategy for achieving the MDG’s is embedded in its long term programme the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS). Country assessments put Ghana’s steady but not transformational progression at the top of the rankings in Africa, to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and reach middle-income status by 2015. Achieving a transformational change consistent with Ghana’s aspiration to be a middle-income country will depend on consistently improved service delivery across the public sector and outreach to non-state actors through public-private partnerships.
The National Development Strategy – GPRS I & II
Ghana’s first national Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS I) was finalised in 2002 with the aim of generating growth, controlling inflation and increasing expenditure on programmes targeting the poorest and most vulnerable in society. While much of the government’s macroeconomic agenda was achieved during the GPRS I period (2003-2005), reviews noted little room in the GPRS for addressing high-growth issues, as well as weak attention to gender equality, inclusion and social protection.

A second generation of GPRS was produced by government in the late 2005, with an ambitious overarching goal of raising average per capita income levels to middle income levels by 2015, i.e., from about US$ 400 to about US$ 1,000. The GPRS II (2006-2009) is an agriculture-led strategy which seeks to diversify the economy's structure from traditional cocoa to cereals and other cash crops for export markets. Other sectors considered to have long-term potential include: tourism, information and communication technologies, light industry based on textiles and garments, and value-added to minerals. The GPRS II emphasizes policies to promote equitable growth that will be sustainable over the medium to long term.
GPRS II presents its strategies and actions according to three thematic pillars:
• Private Sector Competitiveness
• Human Resource Development;
• Governance and Civic Responsibility.
GHANA’S POVERTY PROFILE AND CORRELATES OF POVERTY
Ghana’s detailed poverty profile and consumption-based poverty measures obtained with the GLSS of the Ghana Statistical Services (2007) show various characteristics, such as the gender of the household head and other demographic characteristics, as well as the education, employment, migration and land ownership of the head.
• Geographic location: the headcount in rural areas (39.2 percent in 2005/06) exceeds that of urban areas (10.8 percent), with poverty reduced substantially throughout the country since 12991/92.
• Demographic Characteristics (age, sex, marital status, and household size): a clear tendency of poverty increase with the age of the household head and household size, with larger households being much more likely to be poor than smaller ones. However, the likelihood of being poor in urban areas does not vary much between male-headed households and female-headed households. In rural areas, poverty affects more households whose head is male. Individuals who have never been married (and tend to be younger, better educated, and with a smaller number of children if they have any) are less likely to be poor, as are those who are separated or divorced.
• Education Level of the Head and the Spouse: the probability of being poor decreases with the education level of the household head, from primary, to secondary, and college / post-graduate studies. Households’ poverty also decreases with the education level of the spouse.
• Industrial Classification of the Head: Poverty measures are provided according to the industrial sector of activity of the household head. The highest being poor is among heads working in agriculture, followed by manufacturing and construction, whichever year is considered (1992, 1999 or 2005).
• Employment Status of the Head: Then lowest rates of poverty are observed among public sector workers (8% at the national level in 2005/06), followed by wage earners in the private formal sector (10%), the self-employed in non-agricultural activities (14%), the wage earners in the private informal sector (16%), the households with non-working heads (32%), and finally the self-employed in agriculture.
• Migration and Land Ownership: In 2005/06, the poverty headcount index has slightly lower among household who have migrated than among those that did not migrate since birth, which represents a reversal of the situation of the early 1990s. Also, land ownership is associated with a lower probability of being poor, as expected.

RELEVANCE OF THE PROGRAMME : YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUTH AND, GPRS II AND MDG’S
Young people and youth have key roles to play in the global campaign to achieve the MDGs which offers them the greatest opportunity for their needs to be met in a well fashioned, systematic and sustainable manner. Although there is a positive correlation between the achievements of the GPRS and MDG’s, and the development of young people and youth, they have not yet been fully integrated into the processes tailored at achieving the GPRS and MDG’s. The full participation and empowerment of young people and youth especially at the national and grassroots levels although may be seen as quite meager, is indispensable in sustaining the gains made in achieving the targets. Through education and consciousness, young people and youth could strengthen relationships between individuals, civil society, NGOs and governments, leading to an integrated approach to achieving the GPRS and MDGs. When youth are integrated into the design, implementation, monitoring and assessment of national processes, it does not only empower them as individuals, but also enhances the collective coherence of young people and youth as a group working together for the betterment of all.
ABIBIMMAN FOUNDATION’S INTERVENTION
Abibimman Foundation has over the past seven years been involved in the development of young people and youth through their active involvement in issues of national and international development concerns through its Thematic Programme Areas. These issues include HIV/AIDS, Trade, Higher Education Promotion, Environmental and Sanitation, Peaceful Coexistence, Reproductive Health and General Heath Promotion, amongst others. These Thematic Programme Areas seek to support, especially in Ghana, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) by the deadline of 2015, especially with and through young people and youth. The Foundation has therefore created the needed platforms and avenues for young people and youth to contribute to the discussions, actions and advocacy on the MDGs.
The Government of Ghana seeks to achieve the MDGs through its medium term programme, the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS). The Government has successfully completed and evaluated the GPRS I (2003-2005), and has began the implementation of GPRS II (2006-2009). The GPRS II has three cardinal pillars; Private Sector Competitiveness, Human Resource Development; Governance and Civic Responsibility. Almost two years into the implementation of the GPRS II, the necessary linkages between its three pillars and eight Millennium Development Goals have been problematic especially for young people and youth, and are therefore not very clear about their roles and responsibilities in their achievement.
Abibimman Foundation therefore through its programme, the ‘NKABOM’ JOURNEY FOR DEVELOPMENT, seek to create the needed linkages between the GPRS and MDGs, demonstrate the roles and responsibilities, and provide the needed avenues and opportunities for young people and youth to contribute meaningfully towards their achievement. The programme as its name implies will provide systematic and young people and youth friendly programmes, events and activities that best provide the focus and meaning of the GPRS and MDGs to both young people and youth, and adults alike. ‘NKABOM’ is an Akan word meaning ‘pulling together’, and both the GPRS and MDGs provide processes that allow group of people or nations to journey into their development. ‘NKABOM’ JOURNEY FOR DEVELOPMENT therefore seek to enhance the collective ownership of the GPRS and MDGs processes through the active involvement of young people and youth, who will then serve as facilitators in involving other immediate persons of influence such as parents and elderly siblings.
PROGRAMME’S THEMATIC AREAS

1. Frontline (Education, Career Development, Trade Issues)
2. Choice, Not Chance (General Health Education and Promotion)
3. Why HIV/AIDS?, Why Me? - (HIV/AIDS and Related Issues)
4. Our Environment, Our Development (Environment, Land and Development issues )
5. A Smile on All Faces (Cohesiveness, Peaceful Coexistence, Good Governance Promotion)
6. Without Substance Abuse (Preventing and Managing Drug and Substance Abuse and Effects)
7. Handle Life With Care (Counselling and Motivation on General Life Issues)
8. Before Disaster Strikes (Disaster Prevention and Management Issues)

GOAL
The programme seeks to create a platform to facilitate the urgently needed dialogue amongst young people and the key players in the GPRS and MDG’s processes - government, private sector, community groups, and civil society coalitions, to assess achievements and the way forward. Ensure effective young people and youth participation, engagement and ownership in the campaign to achieve the GPRS and MDGs. It also seeks to explore impact of fair trade the implementation and positive achievements of the GPRS and MDG’s, and change consumption pattern in favour of locally produced goods and services amongst other way forwards.

OBJECTIVES
The project seeks to achieve the following objectives:
a. To enhance young people and youth curiosity, understanding, participation and monitoring the processes of the GPRS and MDG’s and their impact on them;
b. To showcase achievements, gabs and challenges in the implementation of the GPRS and MDG’s;
c. To generate dialogue between the young people and youth and, the key player in the GPRS and MDG’s that is policy-action-oriented and enhance youth participation in emerging opportunities;
b. To review progress and ensure reinstating the role and responsibilities of young people and youth;
c. To enhance local ownership of the GPRS and MDG’s process especially amongst the young people and youth to enhance patronage and consumption patterns that favours the local productive capacity;
d. To sound a wake-up call to governments and International Development Agencies to influence their stronger adherence to favourable policy positions towards the achievements of the GPRS and MDG’s

DIAGRAMMATIC PRESENTATION OF THE LINKAGES BETWEEN THE PROGRAMME THEMATIC AREAS, GPRS AND THE MDGs

PROGRAMME AGENDA
• The GPRS and MDGs and their relevance to young people and youth, and national development
• An understanding of the work of national and international institutions, department, agencies and ministries in the GPRS and MDGs
• Overview of national processes aimed at achieving the GPRS and MDG’s
• The roles and responsibilities of young people and youth in achieving the GPRS and MDG’s
• Strategies for effective young people and youth engagement
• Developing partnerships for promoting young people and youth participation
PRINCIPAL INSTRUMENTS
1. Policy-oriented research
2. Facilitation of dialogues and networking
3. Knowledge-and information sharing; seminars, fora, workshops exhibitions / fair, news paper publication
4. Campaigns, lobby and advocacy
5. Partnership development
6. Institutional support and services
7. Advisory services
PARTICIPATION
• Young People and Youth in and out of school
• Ministries, Departments and Agencies of State
• UN Agencies
• International Development Partners
• Private Sector
• Civil Society
• General public
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
The programme with the implementation period of five (5) years will be implemented in three (3) pilot phases, with each phase divided into segments. The programme will have a total of ten (10) six-month segments. Detail planning and budget for phase I will be used as baseline for projecting those of phases II and III.
• PHASE I
Phase I will cover a period of twelve (12) months with two (2) six-month segments and will be executed within the Tema Municipality.
In Segment I, eight (8) schools, made up of two (2) Senior High Schools and six (6) Junior High Schools (two (2) Private Schools) will be selected for the programme. Each school will be assigned one of the Millennium Development Goals to work on, with the Senior High Schools assigned Goals One (1) and Eight (8), and linking with the Junior High Schools. Each School’s project’s events and actions will best draw inferences on the impact three pillars of the GPRS II (Private Sector Competitiveness, Human Resource Development; Governance and Civic Responsibility) on the achievement of that goal and possible impact on the development of young people and youth. Each school will be networked with key and relevant state and non-state stakeholder institutions and organisations, especially the private sector, whose work touches on the achievement of a goal for effective collaboration and partnership to enhance community ownership. Platforms will be created for each school around key moment of the gaol working on. A Weekly newspaper for young people and youth, ‘The Youth Agenda’ of the programme will offer each school at least a page to publish issues around each of the goals.
In Segment II, four (4) additional schools will be added unto each of the goals, bringing a total of five (5) schools per goal and a total of forty (40) schools in the Municipality.r of institutional challenges during the implementation period.
1. The Foundation needs to develop and improve its capacity to respond to the ever more sophisticated demand from partners and clients.
2. The Foundation needs to increase in quality and quantity its logistical needs to meet the demands of each segment and phase of the programme.
3. The Foundation needs to make better use of the expertise available in both state and non-state institutions and organisations in furtherance of the programme.
4. The Foundation needs to continue to diversify its funding sources
5. The Foundation needs to review its institutional structure to meet the demands of the programme at each phase.

GHANA YOUTH MOTIVATION FORCE

ABIBIMMAN FOUNDATION GREEN-LIFE CLUBS
(Promoting Livelihoods, Peace & Development)
(Student’s Wing)

YOUTH MOTIVATION FORCE (PHASE 1)
REPORT ON ONE DAY COUNSELING AND FREE HEALTH SCREENING FOR PUPILS AND STUDENTS IN THE TEMA MUNICIPALITY

DATE: MARCH 17 2007 VENUE: CHEMU SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL - TEMA



Healthy minds in healthy bodies of young people and youth are vital in ensuring any national development agenda. The one day counseling and free health screening for pupils and students in the Tema Municipality is a pilot of the foundation’s drive to promoting higher education and skill training whiles encouraging young people to be concerning about their health; i.e. have regular medical check-ups. The event stimulated interest in higher educational attainment by motivating its participants (from classes of Primary 4 to Senior Secondary 3) unto devoting their time, energy and resource into attaining higher education; guiding and counseling them on subject and course selection and related employment opportunities; available tertiary institutions, courses offered and entry requirements; and the dangers of absenteeism, examination malpractices, drug abuse, sexual involvement on educational pursuits amongst others.





The event archived high patronage especially among the Basic Schools. Although we sought to counsel over one thousand and two hundred (1,200) youth participants and involve over one hundred and twenty (120) Resource Persons and thirty-five (35) Health Personnel, seven hundred and ten (710) pupils and students with twenty five (25) student nurses and five (5) resources persons participated.

General Forum
This session provided general information on importance and current trend in academic pursuits and requirements; challenges and opportunities. The two-hour-section helped participants to have a general understanding and contributed with questions.


Focused group discussion
The Basic School pupils and students had their section in the main auditorium. They were encouraged on the need to be hardworking and level headed in school and also the need to be respectful to their teachers and parents. He used various illustrations to encourage the participants to be determined to succeed stressing that it was one of the primary ingredients to success Senior Secondary student participants were to be clustered into a separate classroom. Mr. Alex Wiafe of the University of Ghana Counseling and Placement Centre guided the participants on course selection and courses to be studied in order to pursue certain specific courses in the university, in the polytechnics and consequently land particular jobs.




Free health screening
The health screen started first with an eye screening, followed by general health check up which ranged from body mass Index (BMI), oral hygiene and care, to check for haemoglobin (Hb), blood pressure (Bp). All the seven hundred and ten (710) participants were screened. Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) was made available and twelve (12) participants from the second cycle institutions made use of. The teachers also took the opportunity to be screen.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Participant were encouraged and challenged to pursue higher education not only for their own benefit but for the development of the societies and the nation as a whole
2. Participants were advised on the various courses to pursue in other to be in particular jobs
3. Participants were advised as to how to choose careers to pursue based on their abilities and strengths
4. Seven hundred and ten (710) participants had to opportunity to screen their eyes and also have general health screening.
5. Teachers and resource persons present also had the opportunity to screen for their blood pressure.
6. Students and resource persons also had the opportunity to be counseled and tested for HIV.

SHORTFALLS AND LIMITATIONS

Various limitations and problems were met before and during the program. Paramount among these were;

• Financial and logistical constraints:
It was difficult to raise fund to support and implement the project to its fullest. Most organization expressed interest in supporting the project but in the end did not support the project. The project was thus, run on a contingency budget resulting in other shortfall.

• Late distribution of forms:
The Foundation was unable to distribute and follow up the forms for participants earlier, thus, some student who wanted to participant in the program could not because they did not get the needed information to inform their decisions.

• Absences of most Resource Person:
Most of the expected resource persons from the corporate bodies could not turn up thus rendering the program to be without the expected number of resource persons,.

• Refreshment for participants
Although the Cocoa Processing Company Ltd served all participants with chilled cocoa drink for free, the unavailability of solid food and enough water for participants who had spent close to eight (8) hours at the program was burdening.


WAY FORWARD

The various shortfalls and successes have been taken into accounts which are guiding the Foundation to charter the following course of action among others to ensure the successful implementation of subsequent programs;

1. Form a consortium of resource persons for the implementation of subsequent programs
2. Raise a seed fund to serve as a base support for the subsequent programs.
3. Ensure early preparations and distributions of letters and participation forms to afford more students to participate in the program.
4. To set up the Foundation’s counseling centre at the venue of the first program; Chemu Secondary School to help students any time they feel the need for counseling and guidance.
5. Ensure the provision of food and water for participants at subsequent programs.

APPRECIATIONS

The program is considered as being successful because most of its aims were achieved and this success was jointly due to the support of the following individuals and organization;

• The Tema Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service
• COMBACEPH, School of Nursing, University of Ghana.
• Counseling and Placement Centre, University of Ghana
• Cocoa Processing Company Ltd.
• Chemu Secondary School
• Hotel Joecarl Ltd.
• DABS Medical Supplies Ltd.
• Heads and staff of all the participated schools
• Mr. Alex Wiafe - Counseling and Placement Centre, University of Ghana
• Mrs. Faustina Oware-Gyekye - COMBACEPH, School of Nursing, University of Ghana