Innovative students from Mamfe Methodist call on Prez

The evening after launching the Free Senior High School programme, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo received a surprise visit from some young female Ghanaian students who had made the country proud in faraway Ukraine.

They were students from the Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School in the Eastern Region who were raising the flag of Ghana high on the world stage. They were accompanied by former President Jerry John Rawlings.

The students – Eunice Hinson, Belinda Addy and Abena Frimpomaa Ewusi – who represented Ghana in the just-ended Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) world cup competition, had the opportunity to participate in the event after emerging winners in the national contest in Ghana.

Prez lauds students

President Akufo-Addo congratulated the team of girls from the Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School who made Ghana proud by placing fifth at the SAGE World Competition in Entrepreneurship in Ukraine.

He said their placing fifth out of 32 countries of the world was proof that everything he was doing in building on the good works of former presidents was taking shape and making sense.

The students, who represented Ghana and placed 5th from out of over 100 participants from all over the world, were sponsored to the competition by former President Rawlings.

Akufo-Addo elated

President Akufo-Addo, who was elated by the achievement of the students on the same day he formally commemorated the start of the Free Senior High School Programme, said his cup was overflowing with joy.

He said apart from the successful roll-out of the free SHS programme which had given him joy, he had been given another good news about the feat attained by the girls from the Mamfe Methodist Girls SHS.

“Your visit here today tells me that everything I am trying to do, building on the works that former Presidents have done, is taking shape and making sense.”

Purpose of visit

One of the students shared their experiences with those present.

The students were instrumental in using plastic waste to develop innovative and environmentally friendly products.

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International performance

President Akufo-Addo related that earlier in the day, the Free SHS programme was launched to provide the opportunity for everybody to be able to get exposure, knowledge and education so that no longer would money become a bar to talent and development.

The President said the government was trying to create the situation where young people could express themselves and bring their talents to the fore. He added that that was exactly what the girls from Mamfe Girls SHS represented and that was what occasioned his statement that his cup was overflowing.

The President said their achievement was good news for Ghanaians and exemplary. 

Former President Rawlings

Former President Jerry Rawlings in his brief response highlighted some issues facing the girl-child and added that in spite of what might be the challenges of the girl-child, the efforts of the girls were praiseworthy in the world competition.

He expressed optimism that if much more would be done purposively for the girl-child for their growth and development, then the quantum of the country’s development could be immeasurable.

The Headmistress of the school, Ms Agnes Amartey, thanked both Presidents for the very important roles they had played in the success of the school’s team.

She pledged that the school would continue to encourage innovation among its students in order to unearth more talents for national development.