Head of State Awards Scheme Will be Adequately Resourced to Reach 500,000 Youth by 2020 - President Akufo Addo
President Akufo Addo has assured management and Board of Trustees of
the Head of State Awards Scheme that he will ensure that the scheme is
adequately resourced in order to reach 500,000 Ghanaian youth by the
year 2020. As a first sign of his commitment to the scheme, he announced
that he has taken an executive decision to move the Awards Secretariat
to the Office of the President for the direct supervision of the scheme
by the Presidency.
Addressing attendees of a ceremony held at
the Banquet Hall of the Jubilee House to officially launch "Forum 2018"
of the Head of State Awards Scheme, which is associated with the Duke
of Edinburgh International Awards, United Kingdom, President Akufo Addo
said the fifty year old scheme in Ghana which has programmes tailored to
instilling the virtues of discipline, obligations of leadership and
civic responsible in the youth, needs the full support of the leadership
of the country. To that end, the President indicated that as Chief
Patron of the scheme, he will do all in his power to make the scheme
successful.
"Our young people are our nation's future and
greatest assets. It is important that they develop the skills and
competence to tackle life's challenges and acquire appropriate values to
make them good citizens," the President said.
Board Chair of
the Head of State Awards Scheme, Henry Minski, in his remarks stated
that the scheme welcomes the commitment of the President and Chief
Patron to turn the awards scheme around and to make it reach more young
people between the ages of 14-24. He was hopeful that with the new
commitment, the scheme will turn out more young heroes in Ghana.
On his part, the Chair of the Forum Organizing Committee and World
Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) International Awards, Albert
Essien, said young people live on hope whereas the old live on memories.
He therefore charged the business leaders to join hands to give hope to
the youth of the Republic.
The DoE Awards
The Duke of
Edinburgh’s International Award was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
KG, KT in 1956, in conjunction with Kurt Hahn, the German
educationalist. Both were concerned that young people’s development was
lacking in certain key areas, and they resolved to create a programme
that would be a ‘do-it-yourself' kit in the art of civilised living’.
The subsequent spread of the Award across the globe is testament to the
universal appeal of the programme and the vision of its founder. HRH
The Duke of Edinburgh has remained committed to the awards since its
birth over 50 years ago. He continues to be involved, particularly in
recognising the achievements of award participants and the adults who
support them.
The Head of State Award Scheme – Ghana
The Head of State Award Scheme – Ghana is a positive challenge that
provides an ‘out of classroom’ self-development and learning
opportunities for young people. It facilitates their personal
development through life experiences, experiential learning and skills
development. The Scheme offers an international accreditation and
recognition to the positive things young people do, celebrating their
individual differences and achievements outside the classroom for their
own future.
Chief Patron and Patrons of the Award
The
President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, is the
Chief Patron of the Award Scheme in Ghana. The Chief Patron serves as a
source of inspiration to the young people who benefit from the scheme.
He also appoints his representative onto the Board of Trustees, signs
and presents the Gold Awards to deserving young people and hosts the
annual Gold Award Ceremony.
To further support the quest of the
award scheme to transform young lives, there are National Patrons who
play advisory and ceremonial roles. They actively support the operation
and growth of the Awards Scheme, drawing connection from their wide
range of networks. The National Patrons serve as a source of
inspiration, act as the face of the Award Scheme when required, sign and
present the Bronze & Silver Awards to deserving young people an
also host events on behalf of the Awards Scheme. The patrons are
Otumfour Osei Tutu II,
Asantehene; Lord Paul Boateng, Chairman, International Council; Hon. Isaac Asiamah, Minister of Youth & Sports; Hon Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education
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