Italian-Ghanaians donate to Ghana youth

The Obrumankoma Cultural Foundation,a social group and charity for Mankessim inhabitants residing in Italy, Europe has made donations of sporting goods and musical instruments to the Centre for Human Development & Social Change,Ghana at Mankessim at the week end.

The presentation which was made by the organisation's C.E.O, Mr. James Fallon A. Kwesi Aminsah , a sports consultant and businessman who is currently on holidays in Ghana, represents the foundation's social commitments in the community. The equipment included 10 footballs, 2 sets of football jerseys, a full DJ sound system comprising of 4 bass speakers, 2 midranges, 2 highs,a mixer,three bass amplifiers,1 wireless microphone and lighting system.

Making the presentation at Mankessim at the week end at a presentation party, Mr. Fallon said that the foundation's support is to augument the CHDSC's efforts in its youth empowerment's programme known by the acronym S.P.A.C.E which means Sports, Performing Arts & Creative Education from time to time because of its significance and relevance to youth leadership training.. Receiving the donations, the project coordinator of the CHDSC-Ghana and an ex-assemblyman of Mankesssim,Mr. Dag Kofi Akyeampong thanked the foundation for its goodwill and timely support. He said, the donations had come at the opportune time to make a strong lasting impact on the youth at Mankessim and its surrounding villages.

Speaking on what challenges the SPACE Project is to address,he said,many Ghanaian rural youth and others living in slums in urban areas have potentials that are often left to waste for lack of opportunities. Mankessim as a commercial centre attracts people of all ages from all parts of Ghana and beyond. This making the place a fertile ground for all sorts of sociall vices. With no recreational facilities and no community centre of its own, Mankessim youth therefore,see the market as the only place to do something meaningful or woeful. These challenges lead to what is called child labour problems,social deviants behaviours and illicit sexual activities which is a high risk for HIV/AIDS pandemic. He continued that the project is aimed at empowering and creating opportunities for the community's economically disadvantaged children and the youth. This is to be achieved through sporting activities, music,dance ,drama, media literacy,science and the arts.

Explaining it further,Ms. Felicia Okine, the PRO of the CHDSC- Ghana,said the SPACE Programme is being replicated in other parts of the country in places such as Apam, New Edubiase, Sefwi Juabuso and in Kwadaso,Kumasi. She continued that plans are in place to start local chapters in Akrofuom near Obuasi,Larteh in Akwapim,Wuti near Keta and Offinso near Kumasi.

Nana Opamfo Abbam, Fiifi Quaison-Sackey and Regina Quaynin, the local SPACE representatives thanked Mr. Fallon and the foundation for the donations which they said would help them as they prepare to co-host the first Ghana's International Youth Cultural Conference on HIV/AIDS in July.