Marian Ewurama Addy, First Host of the National Science and Maths Quiz
Marian Ewurama Addy, born Marian Cole, was a renowned Ghanaian biochemist who made significant contributions to the field of science. She was the first host of the National Science and Maths Quiz, an academic competition aimed at promoting the study of science and mathematics among Ghanaian students. In addition to her hosting duties, Addy was also a pioneer in her own right, becoming the first Ghanaian woman to attain the rank of full professor of natural science. Her accomplishments and dedication to her field made her an inspiration to many young girls and aspiring female scientists who sought to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her Early Life Ewurama Addy, who was born on February 7, 1942 in Nkawkaw, Eastern Region of Ghana, was the daughter of Samuel Joseph Cole and Angelina Kwofie Cole. She attended St Monica’s Secondary School in Mampong-Ashanti between January 1956 and June 1960, where she excelled in sports and obtained her ‘O’ and ‘A’ level certificates. In addition, she attended the Holy Child Girls’ School in Cape Coast. Ewurama Addy earned a first-class honors bachelor’s degree in botany with chemistry from the University of Ghana, Legon. She later obtained a master’s degree and a doctorate in biochemistry from the Pennsylvania State University. Career Marian Ewurama Addy was the first female professor in the sciences in Ghana and the first female full professor of biochemistry at the University of Ghana. She also became the Head of the Department for Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology and retired in 2002 as a Professor of Biochemistry. She was involved in various organizations and committees, such as the Policy Committee on Developing Countries (PCDC), the National Board for Professional and Technicians Examinations (NABPTEX), the Science Education Programme for Africa (SEPA), and the Kwami Committee. Addy was a board member of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and a member of WHO Regional Expert Committee on Traditional Medicine. She was the Founder and First Executive Secretary of Western Africa Network of Natural Products Research Scientists (WANNPRES). Addy’s research focus was on the biochemistry of herbal medicinal products used by traditional medical practitioners to treat common ailments. She published 22 research publications pertaining to asthma, anaphylaxis, Type 2 diabetes, and hypertension in relation to herbal treatments. She was awarded Officer of the Order of the Volta for her contributions to science and girl-child education. One of Addy’s significant contributions was the National Science and Math Quiz show, which aimed to promote science and math to the public and influence more children, especially young girls, to pursue STEM-related fields of study. She served as the show’s first Quiz Mistress and made many appearances to the schools and clubs competing in the competition. Her influence in the general science knowledge of the youth of Ghana led to more females being interested and pursuing STEM-related fields of study. Awards & Honors READ NEXT ON: Monica Nancy Candny, First Class Maritime Engineering Graduate LASTEST POSTS:
Kundum Festival
The Kundum festival is celebrated by the Ahanta and Nzema people of the Western region of Ghana. It is celebrated to thank God for the abundance of food at the time of the harvest period in the area. Oral tradition and folklore claim that the festival got its start when the hunter Akpoley came across some dwarves dancing in a circle while on an expedition. He went back to his town and shared the dance with his people after watching it. The ritual dancing is connected to driving out the devil and evil spirits from cities and towns. The majority of the population of Axim and the nearby towns performs the dance during the festival. It originated with the Nzema people and advanced to the Ahantas in the Western region of Ghana. The festival lasts for four weeks, but the first three weeks see most of the action, especially the drumming and dancing, only at night and outside of the towns in a location called Siedu or Sienu. In each of the towns that make up the Ahanta and Nzema paramountcy, the festivals take place separately. Each town determines on its own which Sunday its local festival will begin. The attendees dress in distinctive attire, wear unique shoes, and occasionally wear masks. On the outskirts of the city, five different shrines are visited by musicians as the festival gets underway. Rum is poured on the ground as a libation and requests are made at the shrines for the town’s welfare. READ NEXT ON: Ngmayem Festival
Digya National Park
Digya National Park is Ghana’s oldest national park and the country’s second-largest protected wildlife park, covering an area of 3,750 km. The park was established in the early 1900s by British colonial officials on the Gold Coast and is located in the Brong Ahafo region. It was officially designated as a national wildlife park in 1971, despite having been in existence for almost six decades. Before being designated a national park, Digya National Park was home to human settlements engaged in livelihood activities like farming. However, the government, under the presidency of John Agyekum Kufour, was able to relocate all the settlers in 2006, leaving the park as an animal-only populated park. The park boasts a diverse wildlife population, including rare primate species, antelopes, and elephants. Over 200 species of birds and butterflies can also be seen within the park. Digya National Park is flanked on three sides by Volta Lake, making it one of the safest and most diverse animal parks in the country. It is also home to Ghana’s second-largest elephant population, making it a must-see for anyone hoping to see the gentle giant. So anyone visiting Ghana and looking for a wildlife adventure or just want to immerse themselves in Ghana’s rich biodiversity, be sure to visit Digya National Park during your stay in Ghana. READ NEXT ON: Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Ngmayem Festival
The Ngmayem Festival is an important cultural celebration in the Eastern Region of Ghana, specifically in the Manya Krobo area. The festival was created by Nene Azu Mate Kole in 1944 to replace an earlier festival called “Yeliyem” which focused on the consumption of yam. The Festival takes place annually during the month of October, primarily in Dodowa and the Shai towns of Somanya and Odumase. The festival lasts for a week and is usually observed between the final two Sundays of October. The name “Ngmayem” translates to “Eating the New Millet,” and the festival centers around the harvest of millet. During the Ngmayem Festival, the people of Manya Krobo come together to give thanks to their creator for a bountiful harvest and protection throughout the year. The festival is an opportunity for the community to celebrate their culture and heritage, as well as to share their traditions with others. The Ngmayem Festival is an important event that highlights the rich cultural traditions of the Manya Krobo people and serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and celebration. READ NEXT ON: Bakatue Festival
How To Rebrand And Launch A New Brand
There are many reasons you might think about rebranding and introducing a new brand. The steps in this manual can assist you in the process whether you’re trying something new or starting over. But before that, let’s look at the difference between a new brand and rebranding. Difference Between New Brand And Rebranding A new launch refers to the introduction of a product or service into the market for the first time. It typically involves a lot of marketing efforts to create awareness and generate interest among potential customers. A new launch is a crucial stage in a product or service lifecycle, as it can determine its success or failure. On the other hand, rebranding involves changing the image, name, logo, or any other aspect of an existing product or service to give it a fresh look and feel. The purpose of rebranding is to revitalize the brand, attract new customers, and retain existing ones. Rebranding can also be done to reposition a product or service in the market or to align it with changing customer needs or preferences. Both new launches and rebranding efforts require careful planning, market research, and a clear understanding of the target audience to achieve the desired outcomes. Before you start the rebranding process, it’s critical to know why you’re doing it. This guide can help you comprehend the main steps of the process of launching your new brand if you need assistance determining the reason for the rebrand. Let’s discuss the justifications for a rebrand. It’s crucial to understand your motivations before beginning the process. Because your current brand no longer accurately represents your vision, mission, values, and target audience, you might be thinking about rebranding. Other causes include: New areas: You may be relocating your corporate headquarters or seeking to enter international markets. You can rebrand to more closely reflect the culture and identity of these markets by researching them. Market Repositioning If your target market has changed, you’ll need to adjust your brand to meet its new needs. In this situation, having the research and data to support your rebrand is useful. A philosophical shift has occurred, necessitating a rebrand in order to reflect the new vision, mission, and values of your company. To ensure that your new messages are reflected in your brand, this frequently involves a complete rebranding of your business. When two businesses are combined through a merger or acquisition, the branding needs to be updated to properly appeal to the target market. When two businesses merge, a lot can change, making a complete rebrand the best course of action in this situation. You shouldn’t rebrand for a number of reasons. These consist of distraction, crisis cover-up, impact, or attention. In these situations, it is preferable to deal with the underlying problem rather than mask it with a rebrand. It’s best to maintain your current brand and work to change it to suit your needs. It’s time to start working on rebranding now that you are aware of why you want to do so and that doing so is the best course of action. Decide whether you want a partial or complete rebranding before anything else. Total vs. Partial Rebranding Remember that when you rebrand, many of your current customers won’t recognize you. You might be losing a lot of those customers if you completely rebrand your business. More can be lost the more established you are. A partial rebrand is a much better option in this situation. A total rebrand is the better option to pick from if you’re still in the early stages and need to completely revamp your business. Once you’ve made a decision, you should create a plan. The following are the steps to remember: Re-establish Your Market And Audience It’s time to conduct a thorough analysis of your audience. This may not be what you initially believed after careful investigation and thought. Make sure you have the information to support your research so you can identify your target audience. By doing so, you’ll be able to best adapt your new content to this market. Reassess Your Mission And Goals Your company’s “what,” or what it stands for, is your vision. Everything from branding to corporate culture and hiring practices will be impacted by this. How will you carry out your vision, which is your mission? This is the road map for your business’s progress and realization of your vision. Finally, your values are what drive you. These are the motivations behind your desire to realize your vision and the basis of your business. Rename Your Business It’s best to keep your company’s name if you can rebrand without doing so so that your previous clients can still recognize you. But if your company has undergone significant change to the point where the name no longer applies, it’s time to begin the renaming process. This can be accomplished by creating original words, repurposing existing words, studying other languages, etc. There are so many different ways to come up with a new company name, and it might be beneficial to involve your staff! Renew The Brand’s Identity Now for the enjoyable part. You can start working on developing your brand identity once you have your roadmap and target market. This includes the logos, colors, and typography that will be used consistently throughout your visual materials to build brand cohesion. These will serve as the new face of your brand, whether you can produce them internally or must hire a design firm. Credit: Scott Jones READ NEXT ON: Does Every Business Need Social Media?
5 Steps To Achieving Mental Health
Maintaining good mental health is essential for leading a happy and fulfilling life. In today’s fast-paced world, people often overlook the significance of mental well-being. However, there are some practical steps that individuals can take to enhance their mental health. The following five steps are backed by research and evidence and can help individuals to feel more upbeat, positive, and capable of making the most of life. 1. Form relationships with others Your mental health depends on the quality of your relationships. They can: -assist you in developing a sense of self-worth and belonging-allow you to express yourself and your positive experiences-allow you to support others and receive emotional support yourself 2. Engage in physical activity Being active is beneficial for more than just your physical fitness and health. There is evidence that it can also enhance your mental health by: -raising your self-esteem -assisting you in setting and achieving goals or challenges-causing chemical alterations in your brain that may help to improve your mood 3. Acquire new abilities According to research, developing new skills can also enhance your mental health by-increasing self-esteem and confidence-supporting the development of your sense of purpose-facilitating social interaction 4. Give to others Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental well-being by:-creating positive feelings and a sense of reward-giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth-helping you connect with other people 5. Concentrate on the present moment (mindfulness) Your mental health can be enhanced by paying more attention to the here and now. This encompasses your body, your surroundings, and your thoughts and feelings. Many people refer to this awareness as “mindfulness.” You can experience more happiness and self-awareness by practicing mindfulness. It may enhance your outlook on life and alter the way you approach difficulties. In sum, mental health is crucial for living a satisfying and fulfilling life. By taking the five practical steps mentioned above, individuals can take control of their mental well-being and make positive changes. By forming relationships, engaging in physical activity, acquiring new skills, giving to others, and practicing mindfulness, individuals can improve their mental health, increase their happiness, and change the way they approach difficulties. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize one’s mental well-being by incorporating these steps into their daily routine. READ NEXT ON: 5 Healthy Eating Routines That Will Transform Your Eating
Ghana Produces The Nation’s First Locally Trained Geriatrician
Geriatricians are specialized primary care physicians who possess additional education and training in the care of elderly patients. These medical professionals are particularly adept at managing complex health issues in individuals who are 65 years and older. Dr. Lenusia Ahlijah, who is the first geriatrician trained locally, explained that her journey toward becoming a geriatrician was a challenging one that required her to undertake the training in stages. Nonetheless, Dr. Ahlijah finds the provision of healthcare for elderly patients to be a rewarding experience. It involves interacting with them, attending to their needs, and advocating on their behalf. Ultimately, such care can significantly improve the quality of life for elderly individuals. Dr. Ahlijah further noted that the Ghana College of Physicians has also begun training geriatricians to provide healthcare and represent the interests of senior citizens. This move is particularly significant as the majority of older people suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and mental health issues. Unfortunately, many elderly individuals are often neglected as others may be too preoccupied with work or other commitments to offer them the help they need. In light of these circumstances, geriatricians play a critical role in bridging this gap by providing specialized care to the elderly. Their training enables them to address the unique needs of elderly patients and provide them with the best possible care. Therefore, the increasing availability of geriatricians is a positive step towards ensuring that senior citizens receive the attention and care that they require. What Does a Geriatrician Do? Specifically, they concentrate on the following areas that tend to affect older adults in greater numbers: READ NEXT ON: Ghana Hosts the 3rd AAA Conference
Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary that is situated between 06°54.595’N and 001°17.340’W, about 80 km northeast of Kumasi. The 53 km² Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary, which has four different types of vegetation including Riverine Forest, Rain Forest, Woodland Savanna, and Grassland Savanna, was established in 1975. Numerous bird species, crocodiles, baboons, Mona monkeys, Buffalo, Red River Hogs, Maxwell’s Duiker, Red Flank Duiker, Bushbuck, and Monitor Lizards are among the animals that can be found on the reserve. The reserve is home to a variety of tourist attractions, such as the Lion Stone, Stone Bridge, Bomfobiri and Wala Waterfalls, and Caves. Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Game Viewing, Bird Watching, Camping, and Swimming are all possible activities. The crocodile is adopted as the reserve’s emblem. The month of November, which is the dry season, is the best time to see the animals at the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary. This is as a result of animals moving farther into the forest during the rainy season. READ NEXT ON: Kumasi Zoological Gardens
Kumasi Zoological Gardens
Kumasi Zoological Gardens (Kumasi Zoo) was opened as a result of a decision taken in July 1951 by the Asanteman Council to preserve Ashanti culture, foster social research, and publish journal notes on Ashanti customs and other matters of general interest. The Zoo was officially opened in 1957 with the purpose of displaying indigenous wild animals of Ghana in captivity (including free roaming Pea-fowls) with the view to demonstrating the linkage between wildlife and culture and thereby emphasizing the need for wildlife conservation. The Zoo was managed at different times by the then Kumasi Municipal Council and the Forestry Department and since 1974 managed by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission (formerly Department of Game and Wildlife) till date. The Zoo occupies a prime site in the center of Kumasi, providing one of the few green urban areas in Kumasi for both local citizens and visitors. It is situated in Kejetia, a suburb of the central business area of the Kumasi Metropolitan Area, and is located between 6° 34’ N – 6° 46’ N and 1°30’ W – 1°44’ W in Ghana. If you’re seeking a day trip away from your current location, or happen to be in Kumasi already, visiting the zoo is an educational and enjoyable activity for the whole family. Credit: Ghana Districts READ NEXT ON: Paga Crocodile Pond
Paga Crocodile Pond
Paga Crocodile Pond is a sacred pond in Paga in the Upper East Region of Ghana, which West African crocodiles inhabit. Due to the friendliness of the reptiles, it has become popular among tourists and the pond is now reliant on tourism to ensure the population of crocodiles remains fed and healthy. It is also known as Chief’s pond. The pond is 44 kilometers (27 miles) outside Bolgatanga, the regional capital, in Paga, in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Wild West African crocodiles live there; some of them can live up to 90 years. The crocodiles are so docile that neighborhood kids can swim in the pond next to them without getting hurt. Paga, nearer to the Burkina Faso border, has a long history of serving as a commercial hub. The Westerners used Paga as a gateway to the Gulf of Guinea, which points north, during the era of the slave traders in the mid-1800s. Despite being friendly, Paga crocodiles occasionally mistake people for other animals. However, there have never been any fatalities in such accidents in recorded history. There are numerous crocodile ponds in the suburbs in addition to the main one in the center of Paga town. Visitors are welcome to sit next to, pet, and photograph the crocodiles. When the guides blow a loud whistle, the crocodiles, which are free to roam throughout the pond, come to the shore. After the guide has given the tourists a chicken, the tourists can take pictures while holding the crocodiles’ tails. There are worries that the pond has become overly dependent on tourism. The keeper, Salifu Awewozem, stated in 2009 that the elderly crocodiles need specialized care, and the only time extra food is given to the reptiles is when visitors pay for the chickens to pose for pictures, which is when the crocodiles are paid. Paga offers visitors the chance to view preserved slave camps. They also take pleasure in evening drumming and dancing by any local ethnic group. READ NEXT ON: Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary
