We must come back home and pay our dues. The children here need us. Many of us didn’t come from wealthy backgrounds; we have been exactly where these children are today. It is only because of hard work that we are in a position to return, give back, and show our gratitude. I am truly happy to be with you today.”
“I was born and raised in Accra, and that is where I built my business. For a long time, everything I did was confined to where I lived. I gave to those around me, but often, the appreciation wasn’t there—it was treated as just another gesture.
It took a conversation with my auntie, the former Director of Education Stephanie Mosore, to change my perspective. She told me, ‘My daughter, you have to come back home and give to your own people.’ She saw the need here, and she guided me back to my roots.
“This year, I reached a milestone: my 50th birthday. Usually, I host a big party where people come to eat and celebrate. But this year, I chose differently. I told myself, ‘No, I will go home and give to the needy children so my heart will be at peace.’
Today, I am donating 158 school uniforms and 80 pairs of shoes for the children. This is just the beginning.”
“Coming here today allowed me to see the reality of these children’s conditions with my own eyes. I am going back to my friends, family, and my contacts in the diaspora to tell them the truth: our people in the North need our support. We cannot forget where we came from.”
Addressing the gathering at Duusi, the chief of Duusi, Chief Peter Gbambila connected the donor’s journey to a much larger historical narrative. He noted that while many identify with the coastal regions, the true roots of many in the diaspora lie in the North.
“I am happy you have found your roots,” Chief Gbambila stated. “I want those outside to know they are not just from Cape Coast, Accra, or Kumasi. They are from the North. Many African Americans trace back to this place; we had the great slave market at Salaga, from where people were transported south. We are grateful you have remembered where you belong.”
The Chief spoke candidly about the structural challenges facing his people, dispelling myths about the cause of local hardship. He highlighted the following:
The community is built on hard work, primarily through farming, unreliable rainfall often leads to poor harvests, despite the people’s efforts and in the entire community of Duusi, only a handful of individuals hold formal government positions.
Chief Peter Gbambila acknowledged the “brain drain” that often occurs when successful individuals move away. He observed that those living outside the community often contribute more to their new surroundings than to their birthplace. He urged the media and other organizations to follow Mrs. Johnson’s lead.
“The poverty here is very clear, but we are not lazy,” the Chief emphasized. “We hope the media carries this message to other philanthropists and NGOs who have the heart to come and assist us.”
In his closing remarks, the Chief offered a formal blessing and thanks for the uniforms and shoes provided to the school children.
“On behalf of the people of Duusi—and especially the little ones—we say a very big thank you for remembering us. We hope this is just the beginning of more to come.”
Madam Christina A. Ayinzoya (Ms), the District Director of Education, provided a heartfelt perspective on how physical needs—like clothing and food—directly impact a child’s ability to learn.
Madam Christina A. Ayinzoya, the District Director of Education, expressed profound gratitude to Mrs. Johnson Mmalebna Aboma for the donation. She noted that the lack of proper clothing often causes emotional distress for students, which hinders their education.
“As we arrived, I saw a number of students with torn uniforms,” Madam Ayinzoya observed. “I saw one girl who felt sad because the back of her uniform was torn. This donation will go a long way in influencing attendance. Having these uniforms—and the footwear too—makes me very excited.”
Beyond the donation, Madam Ayinzoya used the platform to appeal directly to parents and guardians. She emphasized that the community’s responsibility doesn’t end when the child receives a new uniform; it begins with support at home.
She urged parents to ensure children are well-fed so they have the energy to focus. She noted that many children are “overburdened with household chores” after school, leaving them no time for homework. She reminded the community that parental energy is temporary, but the education of a child is a permanent investment.
Madam Christina A. Ayinzoya concluded by highlighting the stakes of modern education in the Talensi District. She prayed for the continued support of philanthropists like Mrs. Aboma to ensure children can take their studies seriously.
“Whether we like it or not, these children are the future of tomorrow,” she stated. “There is a vital need for parents to invest in that future today.”