Volta: Nneka Foundation ends Mega Camp.

The Nneka Mega Summer Camp 2023, held at its Youth Development Centre in the Afadjato South District, was a remarkable event under the theme 'Be Bold Stand-Up and be Counted' that brought together over 1,400 participants from all the districts they work in. 

Anloga, a new district, joined the camp this year after the successful mini-camp held at Dzelukope two months ago. 

The camp, which lasted for five days from the 17th to the 21st of September, provided transformative experiences for all the participants. 

The success of the camp was made possible through the collaboration of various stakeholders, including Education Directors, Girl-Child Coordinators, Teachers, school-based facilitators, and Parents. The   Foundation had planned to host 750 campers aged 12 and above, but over a thousand four hundred participants were in camp. Thanks to the able and committed volunteers, the participants were received and taken through their orientation smoothly. 

The five-day camp offered a wide range of activities that were carefully designed to promote holistic development and foster a sense of self-belief among the participants. They were engaged in interactive sessions focused on leadership and personal development. Expert facilitators guided them through educational talks, skill-building exercises, Mental Health Awareness, Reproductive Health sessions, and team-building activities. These activities aimed to equip the participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to become well-rounded individuals in the classroom and beyond. 

The Afadzato District Director of Education, Mrs. Akpene Yvonne Ame-Bruce, paid a visit to the camp and delivered an inspiring speech to the participants. She urged them to see the program as a life-transforming opportunity and encouraged them to take the moral and motivational lessons seriously. 

Mrs Ame-Bruce emphasized the importance of applying these lessons to better their lives and make a positive impact in their communities. The District Chief Executive of Afadjato South, Hon. Etornam Flolu also joined the Campers during their morning aerobic exercise, he encouraged them to prioritize their education and not to give in to social vices. 

One of the highlights of this year's camp was the reigniting of the Nneka Mock Parliament. This platform was created to identify, interact, nurture, and train young leaders in policy-making and engagement. During the first sitting, student MPs were sworn in to represent their districts and discuss issues of national interest.

 This initiative was spearheaded by Hon. Ramsey Prince-Benson YMP for Anlo. The aim is to empower young leaders and provide them with a platform to voice their opinions and contribute to the development of their communities and the nation as a whole. 

Mrs. Cecilia Fiaka, the founder of the Nneka Youth Foundation, expressed her vision to reach out to all children of school-going age, especially those in underserved communities in Ghana. She emphasized the importance of giving these children a mindset that will keep them in school, enable them to learn, and become responsible adults. Mrs. Fiaka also highlighted the Foundation's commitment to nurturing these children into young leaders. She announced that the Parliamentary sittings would be extended to all districts across the regions, providing a means to hold those in positions of power accountable. 

Overall, the Nneka Mega Summer Camp 2023 was a resounding success. It left a lasting impact on the participants, providing them with a platform for growth, learning, and meaningful connections. The camp inspired and empowered the participants to make positive changes in their lives and communities, this was possible with the support received from OLAM AGRI, Promasidor (COWBELL), TUISA HILFT Stiftung, the Office of Youth Member of Parliament for Anlo, and other individuals who have given to this course in one way or another. 

The Foundation deepens its relationship with its partners and sponsors as it continues its mission of transforming African children one at a time, igniting their fire and zeal for a brighter future.