The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, a patron of the SOS Children’s Villages in Ghana, on Friday unveiled the logo for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the institution.
The SOS children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at a risk of losing it in Ghana since 1974.
Activities lined up for the golden jubilee celebration include a float through the principal streets across all SOS programme locations in the country, sports competition, launch of 50-year anniversary book, coding for kids competition among students of the SOS-Hermann Gmeiner schools, a conference on alternative care in Ghana and an award and dinner night to climax the anniversary.
In her remarks, the First Lady stated that SOS children’s villages in Ghana have been a beacon of hope, compassion and transformation in the life of countless children in need of care and protection and their families in local communities.
This social development organization, she said, was built on the principles of providing love and respect in a secured and loving family environment for children in need.
“The programme initiatives of SOS children’s villages have left an indelible footprint on the landscape of child welfare as it works to ensure that no child grows up alone.”
“As we reflect on the work and impact of SOS children’s villages in Ghana, we see a legacy of quality childcare that has shaped the destinies of children who found solace and a sense of belonging within the warm embrace of SOS families,” she added.
According to Mrs Akufo-Addo, the organisation’s commitment to child protection, family strengthening, youth development and community empowerment has been unwavering, resulting in countless success stories, adding that through various child protection and community interventions, SOS has extended their reach beyond the confines of the children’s villages.
She said, “I commend SOS Children’s Villages in Ghana for its flagship community intervention programmes geared towards strengthening families to better care and support the holistic development of children.”
The complimentary role played by the organisation towards the provision of quality inclusive education through Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions for many deprived communities, improving school infrastructure to boost teaching and learning experience, providing in-service training for teachers as part of capacity building, she said, showcased the commitment to the future of children in Ghana.
The First Lady appealed to benevolent institutions and individuals to join hands with SOS children’s villages in Ghana in its noble mission.
On his part, the National Director of SOS Children’s villages in Ghana, Mr Alexander Mar Kekular, said the organisation remains committed to promoting child protection initiatives in the country.
He revealed that the theme for the 50th anniversary celebration was “SOS Children’s Villages, celebrating 50 years of transforming lives in Ghana”.
A brand ambassador of the SOS Children’s Villages in Ghana, Mr Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi, also known as Bola Ray, commended the institution for its role in protecting children and supporting families across the country.
He assured that he would continue to give off his best in supporting all initiatives of SOS children’s Villages in Ghana.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
