Heroes give us hope for the future
Last Friday saw the conclusion of the latest episode of the MTN TV programme, ‘Heroes of Change’, which rewards deserving people nominated by their communities.
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In her remarks at the end of the programme, Dr Doris Dartey, a member of the National Media Commission who was a juror on the show, said something profound about her experience. She said that those heroes showed that there was hope for our country.
It was an insightful statement despite its simplicity. It was a reminder of two things; one, that we are better than we think, and two, redemption always comes from within.
The mood in Ghana today is not a pleasant one; there is too much gloom. It is a combination of several factors that have to do with the economic austerity that we are going through.
Last week, a renown clinical psychologist advised religious leaders to preach messages of hope to lift the gloom that appears to envelop the country.
Part of the reason for this gloomy outlook is the high expectations Ghanaians tend to have. I remember a group of Ghanaians being accosted by a Liberian woman on a flight to Monrovia because she felt we did not sufficiently appreciate what we had as a nation.
The Ghanaians had been going on as usual, criticising the President (Kufuor) and his government. After listening to us for a while, the lady rose to her full height and told us off.
This led to a wide-ranging discussion which drew in almost all the passengers who were mostly West African citizens. The others all ganged up against the Ghanaians and in an ironic twist started counting our blessings for us.
One of those blessings is that Ghanaians are a very hospitable people with a lot of fellow feeling and empathy. I know that the above statement will choke some folks in their throats because dog-eat-dog Ghana does not look like a place where people have much empathy for one another.
However, the external veneer of hustle and hardness which is the adopted Ghanaian persona in Accra and the urban areas does not tell the full story of who we are.
We may hog the road and deny traffic access to our fellow road users; we may seek unfair advantage in every situation but that is not the whole story. Up and down this country we have many men and women – unsung heroes, who are doing heroic work in their communities.
I am happy to introduce a few of those people who made the final cut at the MTN Heroes of Change Final.
First in the roll call is Madam Paulina Opei, the Founder of "Save Our Lives" who won the Top Prize of GH¢100,000, a plaque and citation which were presented by the CEO of MTN, Mr Eben Asante.
Dr Emmanuel Bidzakin is a 37-year-old medical doctor who has established the only hospital in his community at Nakpanduri in the Northern Region.
He and his team have seen about 96,520 cases since they set up the facility two years ago and have reduced incidences of maternal deaths and preventable diseases that used to plague the people.
Meet Mr Emmanuel Quartey, an artist from James Town in Accra. Using his own money and donations from friends he has set up a project, JAYNII Streetwise Foundation, which has rescued over 50 young people from street crime by using his artistic talent to train them and give them a purpose in life.
Take a bow for Mr Isaac Adjaottor of Ada Foah in the Greater Accra Region who is a health worker. He has set up the Rural Community Development through which he has distributed over 5,000 mosquito nets and supported street children and physically challenged people in his community.
Next is Mr Nayina Karim, a 46-year-old social entrepreneur from Karaga in the Northern Region. He has established a rehabilitation centre for malnourished children from his own resources.
Since he established the centre 12 years ago, he has successfully rehabilitated 1,453 children. Currently, he has 105 children in the school, ranging from nursery to class six.
The next hero is Mr Nicholas Kuma, 48, another social entrepreneur from Bolgatanga whose project is a child advocacy group which provides education, health care and other needs for the children in his community.
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Currently, he has succeeded in rescuing more than 500 children from illegal mining operations and reintegrated them into the school system.
Let us applaud Apam-based Pastor Joseph Jehu-Appiah of the Victory Bible Church (Elohim Sanctuary) who has set up the Mephibosheth Training Centre dedicated to caring for physically challenged children within the society. The children are schooled at the centre and provided with clothing, food and housing facilities.
Let us meet Mr Paul Semeh, a social worker from James Town in Accra who has used resources he has mobilised from his family, community as well as charities abroad to set up the Streetwise Children Empowerment Fund, which focuses on poverty reduction through direct support and skills training.
Another hero is Ms Paulina Opei, a 57-year-old nurse from Anwia Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region who has established an orphanage for abandoned children. Only one child, a six-month-old HIV baby has died at her establishment which was set up 22 years ago.
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Next in our parade of heroes is Mrs Salome Francois, a retired radiographer from Accra who established the now famous New Horizon School at Cantonments in Accra. She has received many national and international awards for her pioneering work among children special needs.
Her work has largely contributed to the removal of the stigma that used to be attached to such children.
Ms Yvonne Boaduaa of Begoro in the Eastern Region has used her occupation as a dressmaker to provide training for physically challenged people in her community.
Her NGO, Nyakonton Rehab, has rid the town of street begging as the physically challenged people there are all busy learning or working to earn a living.
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It has to be said that the finalists represent thousands of other heroes who are spread out across our country. They are people distinguished by their ordinariness. They have become heroes and not celebrities. It is on the shoulders of such people that our hopes for the future lie.