Diaspora News of Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Source: Joe Kingsley Eyiah

'The best opportunity for any child in Ghana is to be able to read and write' - Hon. Thomas Seshie

The Consul General of the Republic of Ghana in Toronto, Hon. Thomas Seshie The Consul General of the Republic of Ghana in Toronto, Hon. Thomas Seshie

The Consul General of the Republic of Ghana in Toronto, Hon. Thomas Seshie has called on philanthropists in the Toronto Ghanaian community to support the Endless Possibilities organization based in Toronto to continue its good work of providing school materials such as backpacks and books to vulnerable school children in Ghana.

He said these school materials will go along to improve the literacy level among children in our country. Hon. Seshie then remarked, “The best opportunity for any child in Ghana is to be able to read and write!”

The Consul General was addressing philanthropists who attended a fundraiser in support of school children in Ghana held by the Endless Possibilities organization in Toronto. The function which took place on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the Forum Banquet Hall in Toronto was attended by dedicated community members including professionals, businessmen/women, parents and some youth.

Hon. Seshie cited his previous experience with some illiterate population in Ghana including old people when he used to be the Regional Director of the Non-Formal Education program and stressed the joy of some old women who learned how to read and write. Such women could read and write in their local languages with delight. They then became more interested in their children schooling.

“If you can read then you can write and as such you can express yourself better as a responsible citizen of your country. Who knows what the children in Ghana would be in the near future if we equipped them with the skills of reading and writing,” he stressed.

He then praised all teachers and added that those who don’t directly teach the children in the classroom can give their money and other resources to support the children in the classroom.

Earlier during the function, ‘Hurricane’ Anna Aidoo (aka Eno Abena) who is the founder of the Endless Possibilities organization took the philanthropists gathered through the journey of how her organization has been on the ground in Ghana since 2003 helping vulnerable school children in the suburbs of Accra with backpacks full of basic school materials and library books.

She pointed out that the journey which began with only three children now has over three hundred children! It has, therefore, become difficult to support the growing numbers without the help of philanthropists hence the invitation to caring members of the Toronto Ghanaian community to become members of her organization.

Ms. Aidoo said that the organization has employed ten enthusiastic youth in Ghana to assist with the work among the children in Ghana. The organization will have to spend $1000 every month to maintain those youth workers in Ghana. She, therefore, appealed for sponsors who will donate at least $20 each month or any one-time substantial donations to that cause.

She hinted that though she has formed some partnerships with the York and Queens Universities to advance the goal of the organization, she strongly believes in the Toronto Ghanaian community to make Endless Possibilities successful in its work in our homeland Ghana.

Ms. Anna Aidoo also praised the efforts of the Brookview Middle School in Toronto in organizing a book drive for the children in Ghana through Endless Possibilities.

Other speakers at the event included Professor Dr. Kofi Barima from Canada who now lectures in Ghana and Mr. Kabu Asante, a Toronto businessman who is an Executive of African Canadian Development Association. They all spoke highly of the good work that Endless Possibilities organization is doing among children in Ghana and asked those at the function to support the worthy cause.
DJ Shortee, a popular entertainer based in Toronto provided danceable music of the 70s and the 80s to lighten up the function. There was a lot to eat and drink that evening!