Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - The first-ever Ghana Orphanage
Olympic Games festival will be organised in Accra in May this
year. The Games which have been christened the 91Accra Orphanage
Olympics' is expected to bring together many Orphanages in the
country to participate in sporting events as well as music, cultural
displays and talent exhibitions. Integriti Media, which is an avant-garde media organisation
registered in Ghana, will in collaboration with stakeholders such as
government ministries and agencies, corporate Ghana, international
aid agencies and participating orphanages ensure the success of
the games. The participating orphanages would engage in match-past,
football, handball, volleyball, tract events, basketball as well as
indoor games such as ampe, ludo, chess, scrabble and snake and
ladders. Mr Kojo Olabode-Williams, Lead Project Manager in charge
of Accra Orphanage Olympics in a statement released by Integriti
to GNA Sports in Accra said there would be exhibitions of
artefacts and products developed by some of the orphanages. "This time around, we want to change the status quo and
encourage corporate bodies to go a little further by helping
discover young talents from participating orphanages in various
sporting disciplines. Mr Olabode-Williams it will also present them with the
opportunity to participate in healthy sporting events with their
colleagues from other orphanages. The event also presents Corporate Ghana, an opportunity to
uplift the level of their supports for orphanages from mere
donations to providing long-lasting impact by helping discover
talents and promoting health and socialization among orphanages." The Project Manager said the event will also serve as a major
avenue for them to discharge and implement their Corporate Social
Responsibility to the benefits of all participating orphanages.' Ms Mama Owusu, an Education Advisor with the Japan
International Cooperation Agency, JICA, said 91The event is a true
attempt by all participating stakeholders to impact and trigger huge
positive difference in the lives of children in our orphanages and
homes. This event hopes to become an annual feature on the
Ghanaian calendar'. The Organising Committee of the event comprises veteran
event planners, media practitioners, project managers, sports
activists, international volunteers and social workers. The event will build on its successes and maximise its impact
on a yearly basis and with time, would export the impact to other
parts of Africa. Mr Leonard Smith, Coordinator for the participating
international volunteers, lauded the initiative and pledged his
group's commitment to the success of the event. He encouraged corporate institutions to open up their
philanthropic hearts and commit to the success of the event as part
of the corporate social responsibility to children, who represent
the future of Ghana. Mr Smith also encouraged orphanages to see the event as a
unique opportunity to socialize, exhibit talents and promote healthy
living through sports amongst member institutions.
