Head of State Awards Scheme will cover 500,000 youth by 2020 – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo Addo has assured management and Board of Trustees of the Head of State Awards Scheme that he will ensure that the scheme is adequately resourced in order to reach 500,000 Ghanaian youth by the year 2020.

As a first sign of his commitment to the scheme, he announced that he has taken an executive decision to move the Awards Secretariat to the Office of the President for direct supervision of the scheme by the Presidency.

Addressing attendees of a ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the Jubilee House to officially launch “Forum 2018” of the Head of State Awards Scheme, which is associated with the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards, United Kingdom, President Akufo Addo said the fifty year old scheme in Ghana which has programmes tailored to instilling the virtues of discipline, obligations of leadership and civic responsible in the youth, needs the full support of the leadership of the country.

To that end, the President indicated that as Chief Patron of the scheme, he will do all in his power to make the scheme successful.

“Our young people are our nation’s future and greatest assets. It is important that they develop the skills and competence to tackle life’s challenges and acquire appropriate values to make them good citizens,” the President said.

Board Chair of the Head of State Awards Scheme, Henry Minski, in his remarks stated that the scheme welcomes the commitment of the President and Chief Patron to turn the awards scheme around and to make it reach more young people between the ages of 14-24. He was hopeful that with the new commitment, the scheme will turn out more young heroes in Ghana.

On his part, the Chair of the Forum Organizing Committee and World Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) International Awards, Albert Essien, said young people live on hope whereas the old live on memories. He therefore charged the business leaders to join hands to give hope to the youth of the Republic.

The DoE Awards

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT in 1956, in conjunction with Kurt Hahn, the German educationalist. Both were concerned that young people’s development was lacking in certain key areas, and they resolved to create a programme that would be a ‘do-it-yourself’ kit in the art of civilised living’.

The subsequent spread of the Award across the globe is testament to the universal appeal of the programme and the vision of its founder. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh has remained committed to the awards since its birth over 50 years ago. He continues to be involved, particularly in recognising the achievements of award participants and the adults who support them.

The Head of State Award Scheme – Ghana

The Head of State Award Scheme – Ghana is a positive challenge that provides an ‘out of classroom’ self-development and learning opportunities for young people. It facilitates their personal development through life experiences, experiential learning and skills development. The Scheme offers an international accreditation and recognition to the positive things young people do, celebrating their individual differences and achievements outside the classroom for their own future.

Chief Patron and Patrons of the Award

The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, is the Chief Patron of the Award Scheme in Ghana. The Chief Patron serves as a source of inspiration to the young people who benefit from the scheme. He also appoints his representative onto the Board of Trustees, signs and presents the Gold Awards to deserving young people and hosts the annual Gold Award Ceremony.

To further support the quest of the award scheme to transform young lives, there are National Patrons who play advisory and ceremonial roles.

They actively support the operation and growth of the Awards Scheme, drawing connection from their wide range of networks. The National Patrons serve as a source of inspiration, act as the face of the Award Scheme when required, sign and present the Bronze & Silver Awards to deserving young people and also host events on behalf of the Awards Scheme.

The patrons are Otumfour Osei Tutu II, Asantehene; Lord Paul Boateng, Chairman, International Council; Hon. Isaac Asiamah, Minister of Youth & Sports; Hon Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Minister of Education.