Former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh has officially launched her foundation in a bid to build the capacity of young underprivileged females in Ghana.
The foundation is to help underprivileged females to be innovators and visionary leaders by empowering them to achieve equal opportunities and rewards in building an equitable society.
The foundation dubbed: Deb- foundation which she received as a present on her 60th birthday from his son and his wife also seeks to provide mentorship and coaching opportunities to young females in order to develop their academic excellence, virtue development, altruism, and volunteerism to prepare them for successful future.
Delivering her address during the launch, Prof. Edu-Buandoh who is the executive director of the foundation noted that the foundation was initiated as a result of her love to train the younger generation.
She was hopeful that the foundation would impact society positively.
“I was deeply touched because I saw that it’s a gift that will keep giving to others and I also saw it as a great tribute to my life. So we are out to support underprivileged female students to finish their education. We are also out to coach them, to direct them in their academic choices, in their social choices, to develop the sense of giving back to society and to have integrity in their own lives.”She said.
She also said part of the foundation’s objective is to motivate young female students who will go through the University of Cape Coast and go through her department (which is the department of English at UCC) as top students since students who do well should be awarded.
“So it is not going to be like the other awards we see. We want to give them an award that will develop their personality. So when we roll out our awards, and when we start our activities, we would need the media to support us so that we will build our society. And I will count on all of you to help the Dora Edu-Buandoh Foundation to be a good foundation for the people of Ghana.” She continued.
Prof Edu Buandoh indicated that the foundation also has plans for a 100 girls’ seminar, coaching on education and social changes, and volunteerism, and as such, they will hold programs going forward for the next six months.
Chairman of the event, Dr. Louis Doe- Atiatorme indicated that although women in education have increased over the years, it is important they receive mentorship in order to pursue fulfilling careers that will be beneficial to society.
“It is important that when we are able to support them to obtain higher education whether in liberal education, Stem, or technical and vocational education, we take the next step and mentor them into meaningful career and social pathways. Then we can support them to become leaders of their generation.” He said.
On her part, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku- Agyemang was a special guest at the launch. She lauded Prof. Edu- Buaduoh for the initiative, reiterating that educating females is important to developing a nation.
She emphasized that Prof Edu-Buandoh has chosen the right focus, which resonates very much with what we think the country should be doing.
“And one of the things that also impressed me is the way you are closing the gap between the generations, those of us who are much older, who have had so much experience. What we do with it is to share, is to mentor, is to coach. It’s not always about the money.” She continued.
At the launch, funds were raised for the foundation ahead of its activities at the end of the event which includes 100 girls’ seminar, coaching on education and social changes, and volunteerism.
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Source: Emmanuella Ama Gyamfi/ATLFMNEWS
