Finally, we wish to acknowledge and thank the following organisations who by their support, have validated their understanding of the need to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in Ghanaian boarding schools.
Sory@Law Barristers & Solicitors
Sory@Law was founded in 2013 and is one of the leading law firms in Ghana. Its managing partners Thaddeus Sory Esq, has a profound interest in girl-child education and supported the Sunflower Project during its pilot stage for which we are eternally grateful.
Rhema Systems
Rhema Systems is a Ghanaian company, serving clients with Information Technology solutions in Ghana and beyond.
They are a Systems Integrator and we deliver technology solutions on various technology platforms such as IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Cisco and EmC, to mention a few. They have delivered projects in Ghana, Senegal, DRC Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, Chad and Gambia.
They have served their clients with solutions in ERP, Data Centre, Budgeting and Financial Management, IT security, Networking and Content Management Solutions.
Their passion for technology drives them to continue to innovate new solutions for their clients, however, they are passionate in supporting social causes such as child protection in boarding schools in Ghana which is a noble project they identify with and support.
Aviela (shea butter cosmetics)
Aviela is a trademark-registered natural beauty brand that was established in January 2008 in the United Kingdom. Their range of products are made with a high concentration of unrefined Shea butter, which is ethically sourced from an association of cooperative women from Guguru in Northern Ghana. All their products are handmade and are aimed at helping people with dry skin and those who suffer from dry skin conditions. The Aviela product range is currently retailed in natural health shops throughout the UK including shops like Wholefoods and Planet Organic.
DeSMAS
Deprived Single Mothers Assistance Scheme (DeSMAS) was registered in 2002 as a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to seek and assist deprived single mothers in distress. DeSMAS has implemented projects that promote the well-being of women and children. DeSMAS is a member of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe motherhood, Africa Microbicides Advocacy Group (AMAG), Coalition of NGOs in Malaria and Ghana Network of NGOs in HIV/ AIDS (GHANET). Generally, DeSMAS is interested in any project that would aid and liberate women and children in general and deprived single mothers in particular. The organisation also envisages women (whether single mothers or not) who are liberated, confident and economically empowered to independently raise responsible educated children to contribute to the socio-economic development of Ghana and the world.
List of Abbreviations
| ASB | Anti-Social Behaviour |
| C&YP | Children and Young People |
| CP | Child Protection |
| CSM | Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis |
| DSW | Department of Social Welfare |
| ECCD | Early Childhood Development and Care |
| FGM | Female Genital Mutilation |
| GES | Ghana Education Service |
| GEU | Girls Education Unit |
| ILO | International Labour Organisation |
| JHS | Junior High School |
| LEAP | Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty |
| MDG | Millennium Development Goals |
| MoE | Ministry of Education |
| MoGCSP | Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection |
| NDC | National Democratic Congress |
| NEPAD | New Partnership for African Development |
| NGO | Non-Governmental Organisation |
| NPP | New Patriotic Party |
| SDG | Sustainable Development Goals |
| SHS | Senior High School |
| UDHR | Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
| UK | United Kingdom |
| UN | United Nations |
| UNCRC | United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child |
| UNICEF | United Nations Children’s Fund |
| WASSCE | West Africa Secondary School Certificate of Education |
| WFCL | Worse Forms of Child Labour |
| WHO | World Health Organisation |
Profile of authors
Dr Prospera Dzang-Tedam
Prospera is the Lead for Social Work Practice Quality at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. Prior to this she was Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Northampton for 10 years. She has published widely in the areas of cultural competence, witchcraft-labelling and child safeguarding. Prospera conceived of the initial concept which resulted in the development of the Sunflower Project in an all-girls secondary school. As the lead consultant, Prospera was involved in all aspects of the project until August 2016 when the pilot phase concluded.
Mrs. Elsie Gaisie-Ahiabu
Elsie holds an MPhil in Social Work from the University of Ghana, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in the area of Population Studies. She is the Programme Coordinator of the California State University - Office of International Programmes at the Ghana Centre. She is also the founder and director of a local non-governmental organization (LNGO)-DeSMAS. DeSMAS or Deprived Single Mothers Assistance Scheme afforded her the unique opportunity to apply the principles and skills of a social worker in assisting single mothers and their children in deprived communities.
She has also coordinated various programs and projects, offered consultancy services, taught at tertiary level and has been involved in research aimed at improving the well-being of women and children. As a result of her keen interest in the welfare of children, she quickly bought into the concept of the Sunflower project proposed by Dr. Prospera Dzang-Tedam in 2014. She was the Project Manager and was responsible for ensuring that up-to-date and