Junior High School students in Akuapem North have received renewed encouragement to pursue academic excellence and responsible lifestyles through a mentorship and advocacy programme organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in collaboration with the MENPHYD Foundation.
The initiative, held at the Kwamoso Presbyterian Church, brought together selected students from seven junior high schools across the municipality with the aim of inspiring them to develop their talents, embrace education and prepare for future leadership roles.
Participating schools included PCE Demonstration JHS, Akropong; Nana Ankobea Fakyewa School; Saforo M.A. JHS; Kwamoso Presbyterian JHS; Yensiso Methodist JHS; Korkoomu M.A. JHS; and Mampong Nkwanta JHS.
The programme, themed around personal development and mentorship, was sponsored by the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North Constituency, Mr Sammy Awuku, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Bank for Africa and the MENPHYD Foundation.
Speaking at the event, Dr Bettina Ama Boohene Anda, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to empowering young people to take their education seriously and pursue their dreams with determination.
She explained that the foundation’s slogan, “You Can If I Can,” was designed to remind students that success is possible regardless of their background, provided they identify their abilities and work hard towards their goals.
Dr. Anda encouraged the students to believe in themselves, noting that individuals who have become professionals in fields such as medicine, law, engineering, aviation and education achieved their dreams through discipline and perseverance.
Sharing lessons from her own life, she recounted the difficulties she encountered while growing up and how persistence helped her overcome challenges. She disclosed that after completing medical training, she served as the personal physician to former President John Agyekum Kufuor during his time in office.
She cautioned the students against assuming that family wealth alone guarantees success, explaining that poor decisions and negative influences could prevent young people from achieving their potential.
Dr. Anda urged the students to remain curious, seek knowledge, ask questions and view setbacks as opportunities to improve rather than reasons to give up.
The Akuapem North Municipal Director of Education, Mr Laurence Dzah, praised the initiative and called for more consistent mentorship programmes to support students in making positive choices.
He identified challenges such as drug abuse, gambling, sexual irresponsibility and harmful peer influence as threats affecting young people and encouraged students to remain focused on their studies and avoid behaviours that could affect their future.
Mr. Dzah also urged parents and teachers to work together by understanding the changing needs of young people and providing the necessary guidance and support.
The Akuapem North Member of Parliament, Mr Sammy Awuku, stressed the importance of preparing young people for future leadership, saying today’s students would become tomorrow’s decision-makers.
He called on educational institutions and civil society groups to continue investing in mentorship initiatives that support the intellectual, emotional and social growth of students.
Other speakers, including Miss Sandra and Ms Emmanuella, shared motivational messages and encouraged students to apply the lessons gained from the programme in their daily lives.
As part of the initiative, each participating school received 15 storybooks to strengthen school libraries and promote a culture of reading among students.
