EDUCATION: CULTIVATING PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABILITY
“This is a very special impact update. For us, we smile like proud parents as we look at the pictures of each of the staff members featured. These are past scholars who are now both skilled and committed to assisting poor communities meet their basic needs in a sustainable manner, in Christ’s name. They do their work with excellence and compassion. They are innovative, collaborative, creative and flexible. They have already accomplished so much, and as you look at their young faces, you – with us – will look forward to seeing them continue to develop and have a continued impact in the communities we serve.
And then, we smile again as we look at the young girls at the bottom of the page of this report who are in the midst of gaining the skills they need to succeed. We see the hope for a better future in their faces and are excited about the impact they too will make. Many of the students who have been assisted over the years are the first in their family or the first in their community to complete high school or university. 2022 marks a record year since the sponsorship has been extended to 42 scholars. Forty of these are in university or college. Thank you for your investment in the lives of these young women and men. Together, we celebrate their success!”
DR. DAVID & BRENDA MENSAH
GRID & NEA Executive Director & Program Coordinator
For over three decades, we have been cultivating pathways for individuals to grow and expand their knowledge, skills and resources and transform the lives of their families and communities.
One of the things that we have done to achieve this is to sponsor brilliant students in need in our catchment area. Some of these students have taken up jobs with NEA upon completing their studies. They are giving back to the community by serving through the different sectors and programs.
Administrator, Leyaata Hospital
Accountant
Chief Carpenter
Mushroom Production Specialist
Hospitality Assistant
Accounts Clerk
Aquaculture Assistant
Gender Officer
Hospitality Team Lead
Project Manager & Fishery Sector Team Lead
Community Liaison
Some of these graduate scholars are very excited to be serving at the Leyaata Hospital, which will open in August.
Dr. David Aduwia was one of the scholars sponsored by our long-time partner, The Makbraneth Foundation, to study medicine. In 2020, he gained admission to the Postgraduate Training Program at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in General Surgery. His studies are based at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
He is currently doing his district rotation at Battor Catholic Hospital in the Volta Region.
His operating room will be ready and waiting for him at the Leyaata Hospital when he completes the program in 2023. In the meantime, he is part of the hospital’s interim Executive Committee and making a contribution already to the operational planning for the hospital.
Extending practical, hands-on training and education is part of our ongoing programs.
We continue to equip men and women to manage and expand their skills.
As we open the doors of the Leyaata Hospital, a delegation of Ghana Health Team leaders from Canada and the UK has been invited to attend. They will be working alongside our local Ghanaian health professionals during the final opening preparations and serving patients. Their goal is also to break ground for the Leyaata Education Centre.
“Opportunities for ongoing continuing medical education of future health professionals in Ghana are paramount to the quality of care delivered at the Leyaata Hospital. As international partners, our goal is to help build this state-of-the-art educational centre of excellence and support the teaching, training, and capacity building within its walls for many years to come. The Leyaata Education Centre is an important stepping stone to sustainable health care in Ghana.”
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana
This year, in partnership with the Government of Canada, another 250 women will receive training on clearing land, planting, harvesting, drying and storing peanuts and will participate on reproductive health, safe food preparation, human rights and advocacy workshops, through the Babanayaa Project.
Last year, two women had their farms destroyed by cattle being grazed by nomadic herdsmen and were compensated by their communities for their economic loss. It is almost unheard of in project communities for people to be compensated for these losses. It was a huge win for the project! Such a great indicator that women farmers are
accessing the knowledge and voice they need to advocate for their rights within their communities. This is a lesson learned that will be shared with all the new women farmers.
Through the Babanayaa Project, two girls were also given opportunities to pursue late secondary education and nine young women were awarded post-secondary education scholarships.
Secondary School
(General Science)
Secondary School
(Home Economics)
HND Hotel, Catering & Institutional Management
BSc. Tourism Management
Registered Nursing Assistant
Registered Midwifery
BSc. Midwifery
Field Technician (Certificate)
Registered Nursing Assistant
Diploma in Health Information Management
BSc. Social Change Communication