Diaspora chief seeks US partnerships to support education in Manya Krobo

A Krobo traditional leader based in the United States is seeking financial partnerships with American organisations and individuals to support brilliant but underprivileged students in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, warning that poverty is forcing many academically gifted children to abandon their educational ambitions.

Nene Nyuborku Asafo Adjei I, the Dangme chief for Washington State, USA, and development chief for Manya Krobo, said he was engaging political representatives, organisations and other stakeholders in the US to secure sponsorships for students who cannot afford university education, senior high school or vocational training.

According to him, several young people in the area have demonstrated strong academic abilities but are unable to progress because their families lack the financial resources to support their education.

"There are so many children with good grades in school, but due to financial support or the type of families they come from, their education dies off," he said in an interview.

He expressed concern that the situation was depriving talented young people of opportunities to realise their potential and contribute to the development of their communities.

Nene Nyuborku Asafo Adjei I believes that supporting such students would go beyond helping individuals, arguing that investment in education and skills training could strengthen the Manya Krobo Traditional Area and contribute to Ghana's broader development.

Chief takes personal responsibility for students' education

Although his appointment to the traditional position is relatively recent, the chief said his commitment to improving educational opportunities in the community began long before he assumed the role.

He disclosed that he had personally financed the education of several students, supporting beneficiaries at different levels, including universities, senior high schools, technical institutions and vocational training centres.

The sponsorships, he explained, had so far depended entirely on his personal resources, with no institutional or external financial assistance.

However, he now wants to expand the initiative by building partnerships with organisations and prospective donors in the United States who are willing to invest in the education and future of young people in his traditional jurisdiction.

He acknowledged that securing international support required more than simply presenting a request for assistance, explaining that potential sponsors needed credible evidence of the challenges facing the community and assurances that their contributions would reach the intended beneficiaries.

"They need videos and proof. I have to prove with so many things that what I am saying is the truth. I also have to prove to them that the people are willing and that when they get the push, they will do it," he stated.

To address this, he said he was documenting conditions in the community and gathering evidence to demonstrate the need for intervention.

He believes such documentation would help build confidence among prospective partners and make it easier to secure meaningful support for the initiative.

Education seen as answer to youth delinquency

Beyond improving academic opportunities, Nene Nyuborku Asafo Adjei I believes expanding access to education and vocational training could help tackle some of the social problems confronting young people.

He identified burglary, street violence and teenage pregnancy among the concerns that could be addressed by providing young people with opportunities to acquire practical skills, pursue further education and secure sustainable livelihoods.

He attributed some of these challenges to poverty, inadequate parental support and limited opportunities for young people who complete basic education but cannot afford further training.

His concerns come against the backdrop of wider youth development challenges in Ghana.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service's 2021 Population and Housing Census, unemployment among young people aged 15 to 35 stood at 19.7 per cent, rising to 32.8 per cent among those aged 15 to 24.

Ghana Statistical Service

Similarly, the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey reported that 15 per cent of women aged 15 to 19 had experienced pregnancy, underscoring the need for sustained interventions to improve opportunities and support for young people.

Ghana Health Service+1

Although these figures are national statistics and do not represent the specific situation in Manya Krobo, they provide a broader picture of some of the youth development concerns confronting the country.

The chief is therefore appealing to individuals, development organisations and members of the Krobo diaspora to support efforts to provide financially disadvantaged young people with access to education and vocational skills training.

He believes that giving young people the opportunity to learn and become economically independent could help reduce their vulnerability to social challenges while preparing them to contribute meaningfully to society.

Chief wants Krobo identity preserved beyond Ghana

Beyond his educational development agenda, Nene Nyuborku Asafo Adjei I said promoting Krobo culture and identity among Ghanaians living abroad was another important aspect of his traditional responsibilities.

He welcomed the growing involvement of Krobo people in the diaspora in traditional activities, describing their participation as an important way of keeping the community's heritage alive beyond Ghana's borders.

He cited his coronation in Edmonton, Canada, last year as an example of efforts to strengthen traditional identity and bring Krobo people abroad closer to their cultural roots.

According to him, such activities are particularly important for younger generations born or raised outside Ghana, as they provide opportunities to understand their heritage and maintain a connection with their ancestral communities.

Nene Nyuborku Asafo Adjei I expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between traditional authorities, diaspora communities and development partners would open new opportunities for education, cultural preservation and economic development in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area.