General News of Monday, 7 January 2019
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
2019-01-07
Dr Kwabena Adjei, founder of Toku Foundation
A new Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Toku Foundation was on Friday, January 4, 2019 launched at the Trasacco phase one garden.
The Toku Foundation which was registered in September 2018 is passionate about the education and wellbeing of the African child, with focus on the Ghanaian girl child.
The vision of the foundation is to provide quality education and girl child empowerment; helping underprivileged but brilliant children in the society to realize their dream of attaining the highest possible form of education through scholarship schemes.
The Toku Foundation has provided educational support for many young people over the past 15 years and following its official launch, the Foundation is poised to do more for girls all over Ghana.
Addressing the guests at the ceremony, founder of the foundation, Dr Kwabena Adjei said, individuals and organizations can support the Foundation’s efforts through donations towards fees, books and other educational materials.
‘’Assistance can also take the form of mentorships by women in leadership roles, with well established businesses etc., to have open discussions with them, develop and empower them on how they can become successful in life and role models to others in the near future,’’ he said.
The founder stated that Lack of education is one of the reasons why 1.4 billion people around the world are in extreme poverty.
“Education is a companion which no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy and no enemy can conquer. Education is something that can never be stolen from you.” Dr Adjei added.
Dr. Adjei went on to express his worry that it is heart-warming to observe many young girls, especially those is the rural communities in Ghana, have the desire to complete school but sadly, they drop out of school due to several factors, supreme among them is poverty.
He went on to point out some few factors such as social and some cultural beliefs, practices and attitudes often do not favour girls in their pursuit of education as compared to boys.
He said, ‘’Some deep rooted gender norms also prevent some households from sending their girl child to school believing that the only place for the girl is the kitchen.’’
The Foundation also believes in keeping needy children to stay healthy and strong in order to focus on their education, as such they have partnered with Empress Multimedia in their maiden charity event dubbed “THE ORPHANGE LEAGUE” by sponsoring the enrolment of 300 orphans form 5 orphanages unto the NHIS scheme.
