CLARiON Call For Change
The CLARiON CALL FOR CHANGE PROGRAMME
Thinking outside the box
The CLARiON CALL FOR CHANGE PROGRAMME is a highly innovative, transformational and enlightening Programme which:
- Champions women’s education
- Creates awareness on gender equality.
This Programme, whilst it forms part of the SDG’S CLARiFIED PROGRAMME, is particularly peculiar in the dynamic way it places emphasis on SDG‘s 4 which aims at ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning and SDG 5 which aims at achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
The first in the series of the CLARiON Call for Change Programmes held on 9thMarch, 2017 at the Jack and Jill School was a reverberating success.The Theme for the Programme was “Planet 50/50 by 2030: THE CLARiON CALL FOR CHANGE”.
Distinct role models carefully chosen for the Programme included; Mrs. Shamima Muslim Al-Hassan, an award winning broadcast journalist, Citi FM; Mrs. Patience Kwawu, a business woman; Mrs. Josephine Naa Sakua Hutton-Mills, Executive Director, Florets and; Mrs. Audrey Quarcoo, Deputy Director, Environmental Protection Agency.
Mrs. Shamima Muslim Alhassan in her highly researched presentation recounted how as a shy Geography student at the University of Ghana, Legon, she had, in order to overcome her shyness, auditioned with the campus radio station. Landing a part time job at the station helped transform Mrs. Muslim Alhassan into an award winning broadcast journalist (she won Barak Obama’sYoung African Leaders Initiative) and one of very few female presenters on primetime radio in Ghana. In short, Shamima encouraged the Participants to take advantage of opportunities that come their way and to be bold for change.
Recounting how she started business at the tender age of two years at her mother’s shop in Okaishie (a commercial district in Accra), graduating to become a “money puller” (one in charge of straightening crumpled cedi notes) at age four and a “money counter” by the age of eight, Mrs. Patience Kwawu, a successful businesswoman, kept Participants riveted on her experience. Her passion for and success at business did not stop her from pursuing a Master’s degree but rather helped her in that quest as well as in her work in the corporate world. To Mrs. Kwawu, research as well as networking was key in ensuring success.
For Mrs. Audrey Quarcoo, studying Mathematics and Statistics in a class comprised mostly of boys at the University of Ghana, was as challenging as it was fun. She encouraged Participants to take their STEM education seriously, saying that having a science and mathematics background equipped one to excel in other areas.
The transition from the formal to informal sectors formed the crux of Mrs. Josephine Hutton –Mills’ eloquently delivered story. She recounted how whilst a very young girl she followed her passion for flowers, established her own company, and won a contract to supply floral arrangements to a prestigious hotel in Ghana . She fine – tuned this passion into expertise by taking a course in Floristry in the UK. She did this alongside her work in several multi – national companies, before leaving to run her Events and Consultancy company full time. To Josephine, following and perfecting one’s passion was crucial for success.
Madam K.K .the Queen mother of Agbogbloshie market on her part encouraged Participants to take their education seriously.
The second in the series of the CLARiON CALL FOR CHANGE Programmes took place at the Achimota Senor High school on International Women’s Day, 8th March, 2018, under the Theme, “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives: THE CLARiON CALL FOR CHANGE.”(#pressforprogress)
The Programme which witnessed the participation of female students of Achimota School and St. Mary’s SHS; female porters (Kayayei); representative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and executives from the Agbogbloshie Market among others was a resounding success.
Our role Models for the Programme included Ms Patricia Safo, CEO Crystal Lake Tilapia.
For Patricia, being a founding Partner of Blue Skies Ltd and the first person to successfully commence aquaculture on the Volta Lake taught her resilience and persistence in the face of challenges such as losing $100,000.00 worth of tilapia through stealing.
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