UNITED WAY GHANA 2024 FIRST QUARTER NEWSLETTER

Table of Contents:

1. United Way Ghana Empowers 32 Women in Parkoso Through a Baking Training Program
2. Vivo Energy Ghana partners United Way Ghana to inspire young learners to embrace sustainable energy solutions
3. Standard Chartered Bank partners with United Way Ghana to Mark International Women’s Day 2024 by mentoring young learners from St. Kizito Catholic School, Kanda Cluster of Schools, and Lincoln Community School
4. TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC in Collaboration with United Way Ghana Celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 with Students at Accra Wesley Girls’ High School
5. Send forth for United Way Ghana Governing Council Member – Ms Adiki Ayiteye
6. Introduction of Mr Worlanyo Ocloo as the Board Chair of United Way Ghana
7. United Way Ghana signs Memorandum of Understanding with EngageNowAfrica and International Justice Mission
8. United Way Ghana partners with Academic City University College to Train Schools on Renewable Energy Modules
9. The Larry MacDonald Family and United Way Ghana launches an Improving Basic Education Program and an Economic Empowerment Program in Amoam Achiase Community, Ashanti Region

UNITED WAY GHANA EMPOWERS 32 WOMEN IN PARKOSO THROUGH A BAKING TRAINING PROGRAM

In a bid to uplift communities, United Way Ghana, renowned for creating life transforming opportunities in underserved areas, recently implemented a Baking Training Program for 32 women in Parkoso, a community within the Asokore Mampong municipality in the Ashanti Region.

As part of its strategic Improving Basic Education Program, United Way Ghana focuses on providing uninterrupted access to quality education for young learners while equipping parents and caregivers with essential skills for improved livelihoods through its Economic Empowerment Program.

The Economic Empowerment Program under the Improving Basic Education initiative in Parkoso selected 32 parents and caregivers for a 6-month training, covering baking skills, basic financial literacy, and business management. The graduation ceremony on January 19, 2024, marked the culmination of their training.

To support the graduates in establishing their baking businesses, United Way Ghana commissioned a bakery, The Parkoso Bakery which was set-up by United Way Ghana with support from the Traditional Leaders of Parkoso and Engage Now Africa on the same day. The bakery is equipped with the required tools, materials, and ingredients for producing various items like bread, pie, chips, cookies, jam roll, and more. The facility will also function as a Training Centre for individuals seeking to acquire baking skills.

Each graduate received a certificate, validating their training, and will receive guidance in registering their businesses. The initiative aligns with United Way Ghana's commitment to community development and empowering residents to enhance their quality of life.

A quote from a beneficiary

“I have always wanted to learn a skill that will help me to get something done every day to cater for my family. I am a mother of Four (4) children. I wasn’t working until United way Ghana introduced baking training in the community. Today I am graduating with baking skills and I will use this opportunity to thank our trainers and United way Ghana for supporting us all with these skills. I will also urge all of my colleagues who have acquired these skills to work hard with it so that we all become independent in our finances and also train others in the community with the skills we have acquired. Thank you.” - Madam Rebecca. 

VIVO ENERGY GHANA PARTNERS UNITED WAY GHANA TO INSPIRE YOUNG LEARNERS TO EMBRACE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

In line with its sustainability efforts towards the environment, Vivo Energy Ghana, the Shell Licensee is excited to announce a significant partnership with United Way Ghana to launch a renewable energy project at Enobal Basic School in La Dadekotopon.

This initiative aims to inspire the next generation to embrace sustainable energy solutions and raise awareness about environmental challenges and the importance of adopting sustainable energy practices within the school and the broader community.

Working closely with the Educational Director, Ghana Education Service of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly, the Vivo Energy Ghana renewable energy project for school children will feature a series of interactive workshops, educational tours, development of educational materials and hands-on activities designed to engage students in learning about solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. Through experiential learning opportunities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the environmental benefits and practical applications of renewable energy technologies.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU was signed in February 2024 committing both organizations to instill in the school children a sense of responsibility towards the environment and prepare them for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

"Partnering with the United Way Ghana on this renewable energy project underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability and community empowerment," says Kader Maiga, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana. "Together, we aim to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in young learners and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to build a greener future," he added.

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK PARTNERS WITH UNITED WAY GHANA TO MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024 BY MENTORING YOUNG LEARNERS FROM ST. KIZITO CATHOLIC SCHOOL, KANDA CLUSTER OF SCHOOLS, AND LINCOLN COMMUNITY SCHOOL. 

To commemorate this year’s Women’s Day, Standard Chartered Bank joined forces with United Way Ghana to conduct a two-day engagement with young learners from St. Kizito Catholic School, Kanda Cluster of Schools, and Lincoln International School. The activities included interactive workshops on leadership, career guidance sessions, and a community service project. The goals of these activities were to promote youth empowerment and encourage them to motivate themselves to higher heights. 

On the 7th of March, 100 young learners from St. Kizito Catholic School and Lincoln Community School rallied at Standard Chartered Headquarters to engage with 50 employee volunteers. This engagement, dubbed ‘Time with the CEO,’ involved the young learners having a sit-down session with the CEO of Standard Chartered, Mansa Nettey. She shared her personal journey, emphasizing the importance of education and hard work. After this inspiring session, the learners were divided into several groups to engage with the employee volunteers. In these groups, the learners and their employee volunteers began discussing personal values and deciding which values to hold on to. For some of these learners, having such a discussion was novel, exposing them to a new and unique way of thinking. 

The following day, 50 volunteer employees from various Standard Chartered branches across Accra went to St. Kizito Catholic School to engage with the girls from the school and girls from the Kanda Cluster of Schools. At the beginning of this session, the employee volunteer had a panel discussion with the girls, covering topics such as career aspirations, overcoming challenges, and the importance of education. During this session, the girls were told the purpose of the gathering and had the theme explained to them. After a meaningful session, the girls were put into groups where they got a chance to engage with the employee volunteers. In these breakout sessions, the girls had in-depth conversations about being focused.

TOTALENERGIES MARKETING GHANA PLC IN COLLABORATION WITH UNITED WAY GHANA CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024 WITH STUDENTS AT ACCRA WESLEY GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL. 

This year, female employees of TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC celebrated International Women’s Day with the theme ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ a powerful call to action that resonates deeply with the mission of United Way Ghana. Our shared goal is to inspire and empower young girls, making them aware of post senior high school opportunities available and encouraging them to prioritize their education. These objectives align perfectly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4, 5, and 17, which focus on health, education, gender equality, and partnership for the goals.

On March 15th, Employees of TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC joined forces with United Way Ghana to engage the final year students of Accra Wesley Girls Senior High School in a self-development mentoring session. The session revolved around setting post-graduation success goals and working towards them. The forty (40) employee volunteers from TotalEnergies Marketing Ghana PLC played a crucial role, actively engaging over 220 final year students. The atmosphere was electric with excitement as the learners welcomed the volunteers onto their campus, eager to see what the day had in store. 

SEND FORTH FOR UNITED WAY GHANA GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER – MS ADIKI AYITEVIE

Ms. Adiki Ayitevie's seasoned expertise in developing and steering comprehensive sustainability, external relations, and communications strategies is truly remarkable. As a strategic leader, she has demonstrated a unique ability to synchronize corporate objectives with environmental stewardship and societal value creation. Her tenure at Newmont Africa Operations was a testament to her proficiency, where she crafted and implemented external relations, communications strategies, and Sustainability & External Relations (S&ER) frameworks and policies that not only fortified the company's license to operate globally but also left a lasting impact on its operations.

At the core of her expertise lies her mastery in stakeholder engagement, a skill that she has honed to perfection. Her ability to orchestrate collaborations and alliances has significantly accelerated strategic business objectives and elevated the organization's brand and reputation. Her strategic visions have been translated into actionable programmes that have resonated across national and regional spectrums, optimizing stakeholder relationships to foster community resilience and corporate success, a testament to her exceptional abilities.

In the communications space, Ms. Adiki Ayitevie's acumen is evident in the design and execution of robust, integrated strategies. Her approach consistently aligns employees with business strategies, as demonstrated by the successful employee wellness initiatives and improvements in safety culture under her leadership. These initiatives have improved the workforce's well-being and contributed to a more productive and engaged workforce, a testament to her ability to drive positive change within an organization.

Resource optimization has been a hallmark of her approach, with proven results in cost savings through strategic in-house management and implementation of impactful communications & sustainability practices. This success underscores her efficiency and ability to deliver results. 

She is adept at risk communications and corporate social responsibility, ensuring that corporate actions align with sustainable development goals (SDGs) that yield not only business efficiency but also social impact.

Her tenure on the United Way Ghana Governing Council began in 2013.

INTRODUCTION OF MR WORLANYO OCLOO AS THE BOARD CHAIR OF UNITED WAY GHANA

We're thrilled to announce the appointment of Worlanyo Ocloo as the new Board Chair of United Way Ghana. With a diverse background spanning cross-cultural communication, conflict management, and marketing communications, Mr. Ocloo is well-equipped to lead our organization into its next chapter of impact and growth.

As the lead consultant of "Revived," an organization dedicated to transforming conflicts into growth opportunities for couples and multicultural teams, Mr. Ocloo has demonstrated a keen understanding of human dynamics and the power of effective communication. Additionally, his role as Co-founder of Topdog Africa Limited, a prominent Marketing Communications Company serving Ghana's leading brands and corporate organizations, showcases his strategic vision and leadership capabilities.

Mr. Ocloo's dedication to community service is evident through his extensive involvement with various organizations over the past 15 years. From serving as a United Way Ghana lead volunteer to itsExecutive Director and Deputy Vice Chair, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to making a difference in underserved communities.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Ocloo is deeply invested in philanthropy and education. He currently serves on the board of Dieudonne International School and acts as a patron for the Woenam Foundation, a children-led NGO focused on addressing child hunger and malnutrition in public schools across Ghana.

With his wealth of experience and passion for improving relationships and communities, we are confident that Mr. Ocloo will lead United Way Ghana with integrity, vision, and compassion. Join us in welcoming him to this pivotal role as we continue our mission to create positive change and transform lives across Ghana.

UNITED WAY GHANA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ENGAGENOWAFRICA AND INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION

United Way Ghana has signed Memorandums of Understanding with EngageNowAfrica Ghana and International Justice Mission to collaborate on several economic empowerment projects directed towards survivors of Anti-Child Trafficking in Ghana. These partnerships are in line with the organization's goal to promote partnerships for development with strategic key organizations within the development sector.

This Memorandum of Understanding provides a framework for the interventions scheduled to reach survivors of child trafficking in Ghana, specifically reaching survivors in Greater Accra Region, Volta Region and Central Region. The project will be working to provide skills to these survivors and support them with tools required to flourish within their areas of engagement.

UNITED WAY GHANA PARTNERS WITH ACADEMIC CITY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE TO TRAIN SCHOOLS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY MODULES

United Way Ghana and Academic City University College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work on the Vivo ‘Green4Clean’ Project with schools in Accra. This partnership will provide school children and teachers with sustainable energy solutions, enhance energy conservation awareness, and develop practical skills contributing to a greener future and more sustainable communities.

The Memorandum of Understanding which was signed at the Academic City campus in Accra, is set to run from June 2024 to December 2025. The partnership on the Vivo ‘Green4Clean’ Project will further support the government’s renewable energy initiatives through increasing awareness creation and education, promoting environmental awareness, encouraging collaboration and introducing students to potential career opportunities.

The Vivo ‘Green4Clean’ Project which is funded by Vivo Energy Ghana, is working with the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Future’ and will provide educators and students with hands-on experiences through workshops, projects, and field trips. The goal is to cultivate a generation of young learners who are knowledgeable about sustainable energy solutions and motivated to act as green ambassadors within their communities.

THE LARRY MACDONALD FAMILY AND UNITED WAY GHANA LAUNCHES AN IMPROVING BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM AND AN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM IN AMOAM ACHIASE COMMUNITY, ASHANTI REGION 

The Larry MacDonald Family, in partnership with United Way Ghana, launched a state-of-the-art Reading Centre, STEAM Lab, and Training Centre in the Amoam Achiase community in the Ashanti Region. This initiative represents a significant investment in the future of the community's children and youth, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and fostering a love for learning and innovation.

The newly inaugurated facilities include a comprehensive Reading Centre stocked with a wide range of books and digital resources, a cutting-edge STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Lab equipped with modern tools and technology, and a Training Centre designed to offer various vocational and skill development programs.

Ms. Faustina Abbey, Executive Director of United Way Ghana, stated, “The Improving Basic Education (IBE) Program, supported by the Larry MacDonald Family, embodies our commitment to improving educational outcomes and empowering communities. The Reading Centre, STEAM Lab, and Training Centre will serve as hubs of learning and development, helping to bridge educational gaps and foster a culture of innovation.”

These projects are being implemented in partnership with Engage Now Africa, Ghana Library Authority, Ghana Education Service, The Municipal Assembly of Ejisu, The Traditional Leadership of Amoam Achiase, The Unit Committee members of Amoam Achiase, and the Assemblyman of Achiase.