Why are there Silly Fines at Rotary meetings?

Photo credit: Unsplash

Silly fines, as the name suggests are fines that members are charged at a meeting to help the club run its operations and projects. They are meant to make members laugh and have fun while the fines are being paid.

Silly fines are not supposed to be an instrument of punishment, where members are only fined for not doing something. Occasionally, members can be fined for not being appropriately 'dressed' as Rotarians (such as not wearing their pins). However that shouldn't be routine. A member can even be fined for being promoted at work, or looking radiant at a meeting. Another funny example can be fining bald members. 👨🏾‍🦲

To ensure that members enjoy giving these tokens to help their clubs, some clubs have decided to scrap the "silly fine" name and rather take "happy dollar" or "gratitude dollar" where members pay a token for something they are happy about, or grateful for.

The role of fine master is also not the preserve of the Sergeant-at-Arms. A different member can be chosen to play that role at every meeting to spice it up.

May we be encouraged to pay our fines, when we are charged at meetings, whether in-person or virtual.

Join us. #WeAreRotary

AngiLin FoodDrive donates to The Potters Village Orphange

 

Group picture with the Founder and children of The Potters Village orphanage

AngiLin FoodDrive, the humanitarian arm of AngiLin Catering Services visited the Potters Village Orphanage in Dodowa last Saturday, May 1, 2021 and shared love with them.

The group was joined by Nessa's Candlelight Foundation and made a donation of food items, toiletries, stationery and nose masks to the orphanage to mark their mid-year donation programme. The leader of the team, Angela Agyeman mentioned that the donation was different than the usual exercise the group used to carry out, as it didn't include cooked food. The group plans to hold such mid-year donations in the coming years, and encourages others to come on board in giving back to society.
 

Angela making the donation

Items presented to the orphanage

For over 3 years, AngiLin Catering Services has been organising food drives every December in suburbs of Accra. Last year, 700 packs of food packs, over 10 packs of drinks and water, and some clothing were shared in Nima and its environs, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. Another food drive is being planned for December, 2021. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to join in, and support the cause.

The manager of the orphanage thanked the groups for their kind gesture and mentioned that the school needed help to complete a building under construction and also to paint the Boys' dormitory.

Do follow and engage AngiLin Catering Services on all social media platforms @angilincatering.

The ‘Rotary’ book

 

Stamped inscription in donated books

The drums had been beaten for the lesson to be changed that late morning. My school used drums instead of a bell for announcements, and prompts to change lessons every forty, or forty-five minutes (I think). Next on the timetable was ‘Library time’. This was a period set aside every week for students to read a book from the school’s library. 

My school, Oninku Drive ‘2’ Basic school, located in Tema, has the motto Knowledge is Service. Readers are leaders, after all, and leaders are to serve, with the knowledge they acquire. For me, this library time was one of moments I looked forward to with happiness and impatience, as I got to read more books just like my friends who were patrons of the Community Library. I had accompanied a couple of them to the community library before but never got registered as a patron. 

My class prefect went for the box containing books for my class from the headmistress’ office. All the classes in my school had designated boxes based on content, book size, subject matter, et cetera. The boxes were silver in colour and had the names of the classes embossed on them for easy identification. I was one of the people to rush to the box when it was brought into the classroom, with excitement. I reached into the box and took a book to read and saw a stamped inscription, “Donated by Rotary Club of Tema”, on the first page, beneath the title of the book. I noticed other books also had the same stamped inscription on them. I do not remember the title of the book, but it was about some kid investigators who started their own private eye agency to investigate strange happenings in their neighbourhood. This was the first time I had heard of Rotary, without knowing who they were, or what it meant. I enjoyed reading the book – for the next three weeks – and went on to read other books donated by Rotary. 

Most of the books found in the libraries of government schools, at that time, were donated by individuals and organizations. I believe the case is still the same. I will always remember Gideons International and the little Bibles they distributed and donated to schools and other organizations. I never forgot the name Rotary though; and would see it again in the not too distant future. 

A couple of months later, I remember the first time some friends and I went to play around the Rotary Center in Tema, hunting grasshoppers and some rats (popularly known as ‘beela’). My friend Elvis has fond memories of such expeditions, and often teases me with it. The center was a huge place and my little mind mapped it to the book. I thought they were a book publishing firm. It will take me some years to know what Rotary is and what they are about. I will come to appreciate Rotary’s interest in Education and Literacy and the support they have given to the sector for over 100 years.

Crossing the river

 This is a recount of how death snatched my mother from me. It was part of a memoir writing project in 2004.

The woman who gave me life

It was after I had entered Junior High School that my mother started experiencing sharp pains in her joints. She therefore had to visit the hospital frequently. Within some weeks, she had a swelling on her forehead. She became weak to the extent that, she had to lean on the walls of the house to enable her walk steadily. her condition deteriorated and finally, she was bedridden. Seeing my mother in such a state upset me greatly but I had a strong conviction that she would pull through.

Due to this new development, my mother had to be moved to my grandmother's house at Community 7 in Tema. I visited my mother in the afternoons after classes. During vacations, I stayed with my grandmother to enable me attend to my mother. I washed her clothes, served her food and even bathed her. There were days I would lock myself in my room and cry. there were times also when I would get fed up with her constant calls for attention; this made me sad as she was a woman who hated to be a burden on others. I was the only 'family' she had as I am her only child.

This routine continued for the next two years. I got to my final year in Junior High School and school reopened for the first term on the 5th of January, 1998. I was then staying at my grandmother's. In that fateful Monday, I said goodbye to my mother and promised to come back on Wednesday. "Oh Kafui, why don't you come tomorrow?", she asked. I told her not to worry and that she would see me on Wednesday. she persisted for some time and finally gave in. 'Hmm' was the last sound I heard from her before I left for my father's place.

The 7th of January, a Wednesday, is a day that will always remain in my memory. It had started as a normal school day and I was getting acquainted with my new class and my new role as the Assistant School Prefect. At about 2pm, during extra classes. I felt as if a hammer had been used to hit my head. I felt feverish and started shivering vigorously. I was taken home by some of my classmates. My stepmother was rather surprised to see me home early and questioned my friends, inquiring from them what the problem was. She gave me some pain killers and I slept till evening. When I got up, I remembered I had to visit my mother, but decided to go the following day as it was rather late. My dad had returned from work and had a look on his face I had never seen before. There was a distant look in his eyes and he had that 'I pity you' stare. I didn't care much about it as I thought it had to do with my sudden sickness in the afternoon. He told me he was going to my grandmother's place and I asked him to apologize to my mother on my behalf and to tell her I would see her the following day (Thursday). All I got for an answer was a nod.

My father returned late in the night and went straight to his room. I could hear him talking in an undertone to my stepmother. That night I dreamed of my mother. In the dream, she was all smiles and advised me to be respectful, hardworking and to have faith in God.

The next morning, my stepmother called me and my step-siblings and told us that my mother was no more among the living. I sat in the sofa for almost an hour before the message sank in. I decided not to go to school. I therefore went with my stepmother to my grandmother's house. On reaching the house, my grandmother started crying loudly calling my name amid sobs, "Kofi! Oh Kofi!" I entered the room where my mother used to sleep while my stepmother exchanged greetings with the elders of the family. The room was empty. My mother's things had been packed into a trunk and the bed was neatly laid. the room smelled of Detol (a disinfectant). I quietly came out of the room and realized that everybody was looking at me. Most of the had tear-stained eyes due to the copious amounts of tears they had shed. I took a seat beside my grandmother who had finally stopped shedding tears. She pulled me closer to her and calling my mother's name, Mamavi, she told me the last word my mother uttered before her demise was my nae, Kafui. She then narrated the circumstances in which my mother died. I was struck most by the time of her death, which was at 2pm. This was the exact time I had fallen sick in school the previous day. The saying, "Blood is thicker than water", became evident to me.

I came to the realization that I had become mother-less (even though, my stepmother was around). It was then that I realized that I never really appreciated my mother as I should have when she was alive and I missed her greatly. I still do.

The date for her burial was three days after her death, 10th January, 1998. She was laid to rest at the Kpone Cemetery near Tema. It's unfortunate that I couldn't go to the cemetery to see where she was buried. I never got to visit it. May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

How my mum sustains Customer Experience (CX)?

Snapshot of my mum's charcoal table

For as long as I can remember, my mother's charcoal business has helped in seeing my siblings and me, through school. It's a family business we are proud of. I have wondered how she's sustained her customers over the years. Here are some strategies she's applied to retain and grow her customer base, while ensuring they are satisfied with the product and her services:

Make sure the product is always available

One evening, I sold the last charcoal on the table, and wondered when my mum would be able to travel to Mamfe or any of the charcoal-producing towns in Ghana to buy more sacks. The following day, she went to the Tema Kwasiadjoaso and returned with five sacks of charcoal. She had actually gone for it so she sells it for the market lady. I was disappointed and didn't understand why she did that, more so when I realised she didn't make any profit on them. She noticed my displeasure and explained that the move was meant to retain her customers. Imagine what will happen when they come to buy charcoal and she has none -- she'll lose them to her competition. She jokingly asked, "If I lose them, and I am finally able to travel and buy my own stock, would I go round door-to-door or with a gong and ask my customers to come buy charcoal from me?"

Respect and Cherish your customers

Every morning, I observed my mother interact with customers while she packs the charcoal on her table. A couple of these customers were very punctual as they came to our home earlier than my mother began her work. I observed how they shared family issues and the interest my mother took in their lives, sharing in their joys and sorrows. The relationships grew from business to personal ones. This was good for business as referrals came in. On our part as her children and 'employees', we were made to understand what a smile can do to enhance the customer experience. We learnt to be fair but firm with the customers as some took our business for granted and may buy on credit and never pay. There were times some customers came to buy the charcoal in very bad moods. Our calm and respectful nature was the remedy.

Give value

Some customers usually came to buy the charcoal with nothing to carry them in. I realised my mum started keeping the polythene bags she got from vendors at the market whenever she buys groceries for our home. These polythene bags were used to serve her customers. She made sure nothing got wasted. There were roasted plantain sellers who loved the smaller sized charcoal, and there were chop bar operators who loved the bigger one. For some of the customers who liked to buy a sack from time to time, my mother showed them how to tell good charcoal from bad ones (even when they were in a sack).

Request for and act on feedback

My mum encourages feedback from her customers with respect to the charcoal they've bought or how her 'employees' relate to them. This informed her decisions on changing a particular supplier, or scolding us for being disrespectful and unprofessional.

I decided to share this, as I reflect on how some organisations pride themselves with qualifications of their staff, but fail to perform such little acts to enhance the customer experience they so desire to achieve.

Book sense no be sense o.

My bank account is anemic, and so what?

Credit: etsystudio.com

I have always struggled when it comes to savings. I am a financial illiterate. I. Need. Help. I am at a point where I live from hand-to-jaw – not even close to hand-to-mouth.  :-smile

Anyway, whenever I find myself in dire need of money to survive, God comes through – through fellow human beings. Good people exist in this wicked world. Believe that.

This morning I woke up with no with electricity. The power units had run out. The 10% reserved on the card is what is powering my laptop as I type this. Well, this afternoon I joined a number of my Club members to visit an ailing member. After the visit I decided to go eat fufu and come home to rest. After all I won’t eat in the evening. Just when I got to the restaurant, the member who owns the place ensured I ate to my fill, without paying. She has no idea of my situation.

Good people.

After thanking her, I boarded a taxi and handed GHS5 to the driver. There was a gentleman by me who also handed GH5 to the driver. The driver then explained he had no change for both of us. We we told him to get some when he gets to town and we alight. This other gentleman implored the driver to take GHS2 for both of us instead of the GHS3.2 for two passengers. The driver saisd no, so I brought out GHp50 and handed it over to the driver to add to my GHS5 so he gives me the GHS3 he had in his hand. I will alight first in any case. He refused. I got to my destination and the gentleman took my GHp50 and asked me to keep my GHS5. He will pay for me.

Good people.

You see, I am not saying it is alright to have an anaemic account. Get help. Get financial literacy training. I. Need. Help. I need to plan my finances. There are good people, but you can also be one. Don’t always be at the receiving end. Be a giver too. Be good people.

What is design thinking?

My sketchnote of the keynote address at #DTGC2017

Design thinking to me is a methodical way of critically understanding a problem, and crafting creative solutions to them. It relies more on expressing empathy with your clients, understanding the root of their need/problem, and prescribing innovative and sustainable solutions to them.

At yesterday's Design Thinking Conference in Accra, organised by the Ashesi Design Lab and the Ghana Design Network, participants were introduced to the concept of design thinking and the steps involved in harnessing its simple but effective ideals in solving problems. 

After the introduction, participants were then put into four groups: service design, product design, policy design, and program design. In teams of 5 - 8 people, participants were to design a solution to solve the plastic waste problem Accra faces.

Chart used by my team for our pitch.

My team, A-Z Recyclers (from the service design group), proposed a behavioural change as the solution to the problem. This change would be ensured by distributing dustbins to homes, offices, and at vantage points across the city to be used solely for the collection of plastics. 

These would then be collected by employed individuals/volunteers. Consumers are given incentives (bags/cartons of water, recycled plastic products).

We collect the plastics, recycle them into pellets, and sell them to makers of plastic products such as @trashybags.

My friend Julius (@juliussap) recorded this video of the pitch. 

Voter experience: #GhanaDecides 2016

Showing off my political manicure

Today's elections went on smoothly as expected.
I got to my polling station at 8:47am and voted at 10:12am.

I had misplaced voter ID card and therefore went to the polling station with my passport.
I initially didn't want to vote, but decided to test the system and see if I could really vote without my voter ID, especially as I didn't partake in the verification exercise.

My polling station in the Brong Ahafo region -- Mmredane -- was really organised.
This year, there were two queues. One for those whose names fell within the A-G alphabets, and the other H-Z.
This allowed for the smooth election process that took place.

An observation though is that voters sometimes got confused as to the correct queue they had to join. Most thought the queues used first names, others thought their surnames had to be used.
We however discovered that the EC officers were using the very first name on the voter ID card and not first names or surnames.

I was disappointed because we registered by filling a form that explicitly asked for surnames and first, and middle names. I therefore expected the cards to be printed with the same template. Anyways...

I left the polling station immediately after voting as I wasn't playing any social media reporting role as I did for GhanaDecides in the 2012 elections.

I have been glued to my TV set since.

Press Release: Information Skills - Competence in Research

 The Goethe Institut in Ghana is organising a 3-day information Skills workshop from August 23 - 25, 2016. It takes place at the Institut from 9am to 6pm daily.
This is a free workshop targeting individuals that deal with research on a daily basis: university tutors, writers, librarians, journalists, bloggers, among others.

Rouven Rech, a German documentary film maker, is the main facilitator for the workshop. The head of Library & Information Centre at the institute, Gudrun Widlok, is the coordinator.
Rouven will be teaching participants where and how to obtain information, evaluate and analyse it, and how best to use it. His unique skills as a documentary filmmaker would be greatly brought to bare.

This is the first part of a series of workshops the Institut is organising this year. The other workshops would be facilitated by the German journalist Nataly Bleuel, and the Wikipedia Group Ghana, respectively.

A participant of last year's workshop shared his experience here. 

For participation, please send a brief letter of motivation and an overview of your field of work to: info[at]accra.goethe.org

Slangish

In the January issue of The Rotarian magazine, author Frank Bures shared his insight into the growing distance between words and their meanings.

I shared my opinion on his article, which got published in this month's edition of the magazine (with the same title as this blog post). Read on:

Frank Bures' article on "Frankenwords" {January) and how they're affecting our culture resonated with me. 

It brought to mind another aspect of word creation that is taking Social media (specifically instant messaging) to a whole new level -- the creation of shorthand.

As a social media enthusiast, I find myself in a number of online groups where issues of interest are discussed on a daily basis. The WhatsApp platform is one where I'm in almost 20 groups.

I come across a lot of shorthand that either annoys me or does not make sense at all. Because of this, I often have to seek clarification before getting the importance of the message. 

Nowadays,  apparently, it's normal to see "girls" spelled "gels", "boys" spelled "bois",  "you" is "yu" (which conventionally, should at least be "u"), "all right" is now "ayt", and some other crazy and confusing ones like "naa" for "no" (note that Naa is a name for a Ga girl in Ghana).

Most of these are created on the spur of the moment by the individual sending the  message.

This irks me a lot, especially when letters of the new shorthand are equal to or even longer than those in the actual word.

In the case of the shorthand, not only is meaning distorted, it actually has a negative effect on the writing skill of its creators and users. As an educator, I've come across some of these while grading students' papers, and it really gets me down. It's a personal assignment I've given myself now, to prompt people to use full words when chatting and occasionally use conventional shorthand.

I will like to hear your thoughts on this phenomenon as well, via the comments section. Thanks

TOURISM: Duasidan Monkey Sanctuary

Trying out a selfie. Didn't work out well. :-)

Duasidan is a community in the Dormaa District of the Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana. It is approximately 10Km along the western end of the Dormaa-Gonokrom Road. Do keep an eye out for the Customs check point. The road to the community is immediately after it (on the left).
The sanctuary, which is a small forest preserved as an ancestral grove, has three species of monkeys:

• Campell’s monkey (Kwakuo in Akan)
• Spot-nosed monkey (Ahenhema in Akan) and
• Olive Colobus monkey (Asibe in Akan)

The monkeys were discovered by the ancestors of the community, over a century ago. They are considered sacred and therefore are not to be harmed, or killed by anybody. To paraphrase the words of a guide at the sanctuary, “If you plan to kill, or harm any of the monkeys, you won’t live to execute that plan.”

Female Campell feeding her young

I've got my eyes on you, tourists!

The community has a number of objectives which personally I think would go a long way to develop the community, while placing the sanctuary (launched in 2007) at par with its sister sanctuary at Buabeng-Fiema. These include:

• Building a guest house to accommodate and entertain tourists
• Seek financial help from NGOs and the District Assembly
• Solicit technical assistance from the Wildlife Division and Government.

What is my GROW Model?

Credit: Coaching Journey

Yesterday, Barcamp CapeCoast had a discussion on the theme, “Equipping the Youth to plan their Future Today”.

It was a successful, insightful programme – as ALL Barcamps in Ghana are.

The main speaker at the event, adviced barcampers to find out who they are, and what they want to be while in school. I suggested further, that attendees do a stakeholder mapping, by asking family and friends to tell them the qualities they see in attendees. This will help attendees understand how they are wired, thus pursing stuff they are passionate about.

"I will advise that you find who you are and what you want to be while in school" - @niiobodaisquire #bcCapecoast pic.twitter.com/McL9IQGgEA

— #Ghana #NVDay15 (@Barcampghana) September 12, 2015

Stakeholder mapping is KEY. Helps u understand how u r wired. Ask family/friends 2 tell u ur abilities #bccapecoast https://t.co/MxooL2DALV

— Kafui (@Qaphui) September 12, 2015

In this post I share how we can apply the GROW model to achieving our visions/plans.

So, let’s say I want to be a Data Scientist, what do I do?

Goal - How SMART is my goal? How would I know I’ve succeeded in achieving my goal?

I want to be a Data Scientist by December, 2015. I would know I’ve succeeded when I’m able to perform data analysis, and create visualisations that contribute to development (in health, education, and other sectors of interest).

Also, being useful to organisations, either as a freelance data scientist, or in-house data analyst will indicate my achievement of my goal.

Reality – What is currently happening in my life (work/school/home)? Have I already taken any step towards my goal? Does this conflict any other goal that I have?

My job gives me enough time to pursue this goal if I want to. As a student, you’d have enough time too. This goal fits perfectly into my career development plans, so no conflicts there. I’ve got basic statistics, mathematics, and programming skills. Currently, there are a number of books and online courses I could use to help me achieve my goal. However, I’m not doing that because I spend a LOT of time on social media, instant messaging, and watching TV Series. I am yet to take any step to achieve my goal.

Options - What else can I do, differently? Any constraints with this option(s)?

Based on my current reality, I can reduce the time I spend watching TV Series and movies. I will take online Data Science courses available on Udacity, edx, and Coursera, while reading books and blogs on the subject.

I will find datasets, or create my own, and use them in personal projects, thus creating a portfolio.

I will also join Data Science groups, forums online, and contribute to them.

A constraint would be the availability of reliable internet connectivity, and constantly motivating myself when progress is slow.

Will – What do I need to do now, and when? How can I keep myself motivated? When do I review my progress?

I look forward to dedicating 4-6 hours a week, to study Data Science (including the R and Python programming languages). While studying, I will also use the Pomodoro Technique to help me be focused on my studies.(This app switches off internet data while you use it).

I will do well to contribute to Data Science groups I will join, frequently. I will review my success weekly. I am sure my plan of action will yield 90-100% success rate.

It is my hope this helps someone out there as it has helped me – and still does.

Do share your thoughts via the comment section. Thanks

Why my (2) barbers cannot charge me equally

Credit: Pinterest

Some days ago, I overhead a conversation where a rep of an institution had tried to justify why his outfit was charging its customers a certain amount for services rendered.

He compared his institution to another that delivered far better services than his.

His mistake.

You see, I've got two barbers who are good at their jobs. They both deliver the same services, but the quality of their service delivery, differ.

The first one has an air-conditioned salon, nice sitting area, with newspapers and magazines, and a fully stocked fridge of customers' favourite drinks.
He uses smaller clippers, rather than razor blades in trimming the edges of customers' hairs. Instead of the 'usual alcohol' used by the second barber after a shave, he uses Nivea's after shave. He disposes off the heated towels used on cleaning clients' head before applying hair cream to it. He's got a back up electricity power system that ensures customers are attended to, even when dumsɔ hits.

My second barber doesn't have these investments to enhance his service delivery. He therefore cannot charge the same rate as my first barber.

In service delivery, we are sometimes tempted to charge rates based on what our competitors charge, without doing.a proper homework on improving our services to match the rates we are charging.

GhanaThink Foundation's #JCIP is a career booster

GhanaThink Foundation's JCIP is a career booster | Create infographics

Meet the 10 enterprising SHS interns of the JCIP

The first ever paid internship for Senior High School students in Ghana, being run by the Junior Camp Ghana initiative of the GhanaThink Foundation has passed its first month. Another month awaits. Here are the first 10 interns of the JCIP, sharing their reasons for applying to the programme:

Felix Dewornu, Lamudi Ghana (Alumnus, St. Augustine's College) "I see the JCIP as a networking platform to create relationships that would go a long way to help me identify my innate skills, and map them to my future career goals.I see myself in the military, with a degree in Pharmacy. I hope to further my education while in the military, and enter the corporate world as an entrepreneur. My hobbies are reading,watching movies,playing video games,playing and watching soccer. My favorite position is right full back(2) and my favorite team is Chelsea fc, my favorite Chelsea player is Willian Borges da Silva."

Benjamin Kornu, Hatua Solutions (Alumnus, St. Mary's Seminary High School) "The JCIP I believe would help me gain skills, and experience needed to achieve my dreams. I trust the programme will help me get an ideal idea about my career goals. I want to become an IT Engineer in future, with a great interest in humanitarian development. I enjoy playing soccer,watching movies, playing the comic relief, and using the computer."

Georgina Damilie, Agripro (Alumna, Accra Girls' High School) "I relish the immense networking opportunity the JCIP promises to provide me. I hope to learn of relevant skills and trends that would inform my career decisions. I’ve developed a curiosity for journalism and communications related careers, and hope to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism and marketing communications."

Felix Gborglah, Impact Hub Accra (Alumnus, Pacesetters Senior High School) "I see the JCIP as a platform to ‘test drive’ possible jobs based on my interests. The possibility of gaining new insights that can’t be got from the classroom is an attraction of mine to the programme. I aspire to become a medical doctor, to help fight diseases and find permanent solutions to some tropical ones."

Cedric Nudanu, Jovago Ghana (Alumnus, St. Martin's Senior High School) "I applied to participate in the Junior Camp Internship Programme because of the experience and exposure I believe I’d gain. I also see it as a launch pad into my tertiary education and career. I want to become a lawyer in future, to help promote justice in my community. I have interests in Archaeology and Heritage Studies."

Maame Yaa Serwaa Bona-Mensa, iSpace (Alumna, Archbishop Porter's Girls Senior High School) "I am optimistic the JCIP would help me focus my interests better to achieving my career goals. I believe it will improve my networking skills as well, while making me discover my strengths and weaknesses. My career interests are diverse: Engineering, Music and Arts, and Film-making! My hobbies are; listening to music, writing my journal and poems, acting in my mirror, taking pictures, reading interesting books, watching interesting movies, funny videos and music videos."

Ishmael Adjei, Oilseed Investments (Alumnus, Osu Presbyterian Senior High School) "I believe the JCIP would set me apart from other candidates as I progress in life. Networking with my fellow participants and other stakeholders is also an attraction for me applying to the programme. I aspire to be an investigative journalist in future, and harbour a passionate interest for graphic design, which I wish to use to enhance communication of information to the public. I enjoy advocating on radio and on social media too as well, aside that, I also like designing and writing poems in relation to issues affecting young people and the world at large. I envision a world where, children enjoy their rights and other policies also work."

Thomas Agoe Armah, Agripro (Alumnus, Nungua Senior High School) "I applied to the JCIP to experience the work environment and also gain a great insight into my chosen field. I look forward to honing my skills and meeting other individuals from different backgrounds. I hope to attain the highest academic laurel I can, and work in the medical or agricultural fields."

Thelma Agbakpe, Impact Hub Accra (Alumna, Keta Senior High & Technical School) "I see Ghana as a country where there’s more talk, and less action. I applied to the JCIP as I believe it would help me perfect my potentials which would be geared towards making a positive impact in my community. I am looking forward to studying English at the university and see myself as a public speaker, author, and lawyer."

Sheilla Gyamfi Lamudi Ghana (Alumna, Swedru Senior High School) "I see the JCIP as a platform, to enable young people develop their skills and talents while waiting to further their education. I look forward to networking with other individuals and putting into practice what I learnt in the classroom. I want to study Business Administration, and build a career in Organizational Planning and Management."

Sobolo chemistry, and flour dough physics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Students and teachers will celebrate the achievements of Lab_13 Ghana, a pilot project which has been running in the Bosomtwe District since March, on Saturday 1 August.

Lab_13, a space dedicated to practical experimentation and hands on learning, is aiming to change the way science is taught in schools, starting with the Bosomtwe District.
Pushing books aside, instead of pictures of circuits, students of Lab_13 Ghana have wired up standing fans, handkerchief driers, and moving boats. Instead of reading about how aeroplanes can fly, students have explored principles of aerodynamics with paper aeroplanes, ping pong balls and straws.

The closing ceremony will be held at the lab's host school, Agape Academy, Jachie, Bosomtwe District, and will take place between 9am and 3pm. The programme wil be run by the Lab_13 Ghana Student Management Comittee, 7 students from JHS1 and JHS2 who oversee the running of the lab space.
The ceremony will showcase some of the activities LAb_13 Ghana have carried out over the last four months and will include speeches from the Students Management Committee, science demonstrations, and cultural displays. Work from the Lab_13 students will be exhibited, including boats from the Lab_13 Titanic 2015 inter-schools boat making competition, and inventions and creations from the Lab_13 Saturday Science Club.

The Lab, which has been been working closely with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has provided hands-on learning opportunities to over 800 students from 30 different schools overt the last four months.

Saviour Okine, alumnus of KNUST, and Scientist in Residence of Lab_13 Ghana, is one of the facilitators making the lab a success.

The ability to solve problems through practical scientific approaches is a prerequisite in the development of generational leaders. Lab_13 Ghana gives students the opportunity to question and to experiment, it provides a space where they can harness the skills they, and Ghana, need for success, growth and positive change.

Teachers in the Bosomtwe district have been extremely positive about the lab.
Obed Adjei, Science Master at the Future Academy, Adagya said, "There has been a tremdous impact on my students from the Lab_13 Ghana project. Not only has Lab_13 helped encourage as an interest in science but it has also improved the confidence levels, communication skills and practical abilities of my students."

The end of term celebration will mark the end of phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 was supported through an online crowd-sourcing campaign run by UK Science charities, Lightyear Foundation, and Ignite Futures.

Moving forward the project is looking for support through local sponsorship. Phase 2 of the project sees the Lab expands to ore districts through the support of an Advisory Board made up of Ghanaian experts in education, science and industry.

Gameli Adzaho, member of the Ghanaian Advisory Board for the project said, "As a science educator, I recognise the potential of the Lab_Ghana model in transforming the cognitive and problem-solving skills of the pupils under training.
Having interacted extensively with Lab_13 Ghana junior scientists and SiRs, I have no doubt the project is igniting dreams and shining the spotlight on the brilliance of the pupils and the difference they can make to Bosomtwe and beyond.
we want to take this further afield, maybe one day to the other parts of Ghana. What we need now are funds and other logistics to bring our aspirations to life. Too many times good ideas in Ghana wither away due to lack of support.
The Ghanaian Advisory Board is committed to partnering with interested individuals and organisations to ensure that the project thrives and continues making the amazing impact already in motion."

ENDS

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For further information, please contact the Lab_13 Ghana:
Lab_13Ghana(at)lightyearfoundation(dot)org

A bit of me revealed?

Last night, my friends (university classmates) on WhatsApp put me on the group's 'Hot Seat'.
This is a practice we began last week to get to know ourselves better and also get answers to some questions we've long wanted to ask one another.
Here's a record of how mine went. I understand it's the first round of questions for me. (oops!)

What Yahoo! can learn from a kelewele seller

Yahoo! says Flicker isn't available in Ghana

 Naa Merley is one of the earliest Kelewele sellers in her neighbourhood.
She enjoyed a greater share of the market until other Kelewele sellers began operations in the same neighbourhood. Naa wasn't disturbed because she still had customers loyal to her 'brand'.

Then reality hit.

Customers were patronising other vendors who had both kelewele and groundnuts for sale. They no longer bought Naa's kelewele, as it meant they had to go to another place to get the groundnuts.

The above scenario is what Yahoo! is facing. As a Yahoo! Mail user in Ghana, I am able to download and use the mobile app, but then I'm surprised I can't download and use the Flickr app -- Yahoo! says it's unavailable in Ghana.

I. Don't. Get. It.

If I can use the web versions of both services in Ghana, why can't I equally use the mobile apps?

Yahoo! Mail App is ready to be installed.

Customer retention is based on value being got out of using a product. If Yahoo! is really looking at gaining popularity and usage for its photo-sharing app Flickr, it has to make it available in countries -- like Ghana -- where photo marketing; local content creation using pictures is gaining ground.

Live blogging of #BlogCamp15: Social media for good

Projected banner for #BlogCamp15

The 4th Blogacamp to be held in Ghana takes place outside Accra -- for the first time.
The venue is the College of Science auditorium at the KNUST.

The event began this morning with a photowalk by social media enthusiasts in three areas of Kumasi: Suame, Adum, and Asafo.
A link to the pictures will be updated soon.
For updates, checkout #BlogCamp15 on Twitter.

A panel discussion on Social media for good is ongoing. Three panelists from PZ Cussons, Blogging Ghana,and the creative art industry are sharing how they use social media in their work, for the good of all.
PZ Cussons applies Social media in it CSR

• Cussing Baby Ghana
• Recipes of Life Ghana
• Cared Ghana

These have widened the reach of the company in interacting with its customers.

Blogging Ghana has helped in the application of social media in politics. Remember GhanaDecides in 2012?
This project helped educate the electorate on their rights and responsibilities. It also helped to push 'responsible' citizen journalism.
Another project of theirs is InformGhana.

The third speaker uses plastic for furniture and other cool stuff. He uses social media to learn new stuff, market himself and his projects, and networking. He believes social media  is a great resource.

Do we feel social media has made us 'non serious'?
A participant thinks it really hasn't as it helps relieve some stress.
Another doesn't think it's either here or there. So long as we are discussing issues of relevance.
How has social media helped in solving unemployment?
Yes it has. A number of people are now creating and managing content for organisations. This is even increasing the ROI of such companies.
A panelist believes Googling is also a way of getting information and ideas on how to implement ideas an individual may have. He uses his story of getting a name for his project as an example.
Crowdsourcing.

For bloggers looking at getting a piece of the digital marketing growth in Ghana, they are advised to position themselves very well by creating a niche for themselves as 'experts' in a particular field Hatfield relevance to an organisation's marketing goals.
Nehemiah thinks children should not be left out of the social media crusade. "If they can be guided to learn how to code, they equally can be guided to use social media."

Messages from sponsors:
Jeanne from the U.S. Embassy is glad to be a part of this event, especially with the female presence. She believes that the creation of local, relevant content is imperative.
On the YALI fellowships, she mentions that the number will be increased for next year.

#####Breakout sessions #####
So topics for the sessions are:

1. Blogging 101

How does one at start a blog in 5 steps?

• Think about what you want to say
• Name your blog
• Sign up with a blogging platform
• Create content regularly
• Share your work with the world

2. Can Social Media cause change

I am participating in the second session.

Edward asks whether it is enough to talk about issues on Social media, and whether this is enough to cause change. Is it enough to create awareness?

Always think it's not just creating awareness, but how touching -- how affective --how substantive is your message?
A participant believes that the awareness of a campaign lies on two things, logic and emotions. This awareness also needs to be targeted at a particular group/audience.
The more voices we have speaking on an issue, the higher probability there is for change to occur. Some participants believe that, but Eddie thinks otherwise. He thinks more voices joined the #BringBackOurGirls chants, but little efforts were made in rescuing them. Do you agree?

Do you feel that social media is to account for the public figure who 'branded' 30+ year old Ghanaian spinster as prostitutes?

Some campaigns that have influenced participants, on Social media:

• Ebola
• Nepal's earthquake
• #NoChobo

Currently, we have the gangs of the photowalk competition presenting their pictures. The story of the #suamegang is a compelling one.

Children playing in dangerous environment, and accidents/injuries occurring.
The #Asafogang's theme is Resistance. A historical perspective of the Asafo market area is the basis of their presentation.
The #Adumgang showcase a clean central business district.

The Winner will be chosen soon.
And the winners are:
Suame Gang
Asafo Gang
Adum Gang
My team and I are leaving for Sunyani soon.
I hope this live blogging of today's event has been fun.

Did I mention that the transportation of the Sunyani team was sponsored by Blogging Ghana?

Final day of Information Skills Workshop: Internet Research

Rouven & Gudrun, with some participants

To get a complete sense of the need to get information from all angles necessary for a research, Rouven took participants through Internet research today.

Google -- for most researchers -- has become the go-to place. However the engine doesn't have all the answers to questions a researcher has.
Participants were also advised to turn off instant results occasionally so as to get exactly what they were looking for.
This guide shows how one can apply some operators in their queries on Google Search to help them get better results. Additionally, one can also take this self-paced Google Search online course. I highly recommend it. ;-)

Here are some links one can use to augment the information Google has to offer:

• Crawli (in German)
• Yahoo!
• Twingly (for finding blogs)
• DuckDuckGo
• Metacrawler (this searches other search engines)
• Search Engine Guide
• ipl2 (Internet library good for academic research)

The 'perception' that an information found on the Internet must be correct needs to be watched. To test participants, Rouven gave a number of tasks on verifying information found online.
This. Was. Interesting.

Two resources one can consult to check domain ownership are WHOis.net and IANA WHOis Service.
Also read this blog post on how to verify a tweet.

This workshop has been fun, educative, and inspirational. It's my hope that my colleagues at the workshop -- and myself -- will go on to enrich our research careers, by applying all that we learnt.
As for you my fellow reader, I'm sure these posts of mine equip you as well to enrich your research approaches as well.
Thanks.

Related stories:

Day 2 of Information Skills Workshop: Field research

How do you tell stories through research?