|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), in collaboration with HUSS Petroleum and other partners, has organised a two-day educational outreach programme for pupils in Anomabo aimed at promoting child safety, responsible festival participation and practical vocational skills development.
The engagement, brought together pupils from Anomabo Methodist, Anglican and Catholic Basic Schools as part of a wider community outreach initiative linked to research findings on the Okyir Festival.
The programme sought to deepen pupils’ understanding of the cultural significance of the Okyir Festival while addressing concerns over negative behaviours often associated with festive celebrations.
During the first day of activities, the UPSA team presented findings from a community survey conducted on the Okyir Festival, highlighting the festival’s contribution to cultural preservation, social cohesion, economic activity and youth learning.
The researchers also identified challenges associated with festival celebrations, including peer pressure, substance abuse, poor sanitation, indiscipline and unsafe behaviour among some young people.
Pupils were encouraged to embrace discipline, respect for cultural values, environmental cleanliness and responsible use of social media during festivals and other public events.
As part of the sensitisation programme, officers from the Mankessim Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service educated the pupils on child protection, personal security and gender-based violence.
The police team, led by ASP/Rev. Hayford Alavi, Divisional Crime Officer, and PW/C/Inspr. Vida Collinson Coffie, Divisional DOVVSU Investigator, advised the pupils to avoid risky situations, report suspicious conduct and seek support from trusted adults whenever necessary.
The officers also appealed to parents, teachers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in protecting children during festivals and social gatherings.
On the second day, pupils participated in practical Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sessions facilitated by FRAME Educational Consult.
The learners engaged in hands-on activities involving the production of slippers, ribbons and other handicrafts aimed at developing creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial skills.
Facilitators, including Professor Alexander Preko, Dr Theophilus Gyepi-Garbrah and Dr Patricia Muah, commended the pupils for their enthusiasm and urged them to apply the lessons learned towards personal development and responsible citizenship.
The programme received support from the headmasters of the participating schools and the Catholic priest of Anomabo Catholic School.
The initiative was sponsored by UPSA, HUSS Petroleum and several private sector partners, including Amplio Ghana, Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, Tanink Ghana Limited, Gaso Petroleum Ltd and Affluence Global Ltd.
Organisers expressed appreciation to the Ghana Police Service, sponsors, facilitators, teachers and community leaders for their contribution to the successful execution of the programme.
They reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining similar engagements to promote cultural education, child protection and practical skills training among schoolchildren in communities across the country.
