Lordina Champions Quality Education

The Council of Brong Ahafo Association of North America (COBAANA) has marked its 5th anniversary with a fundraising ceremony to mobilise funds for educational development projects in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The First Lady, Lordina Mahama, a native of the region, who was also the guest of honour, said one of the core objectives of the Lordina Foundation was to change lives through education.

She therefore commended members of COBAANA for using their rich cultural attributes to mobilise citizens and direct their skills and resources towards enhancing education in Ghana.

She made these remarks at the gala and fundraising dinner dance held at La Victoria Banquet Halls and Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada.

Lordina Mahama is with the Executives of COBAANA Association of BA citizens in Canada and North America

The First Lady said she was delighted at the elaborate programme COBAANA had outlined to engage citizens of Ghana living in the USA and Canada to focus attention on the promotion of education and seek support for educational initiatives in Ghana.

“So much is already happening in the area of education back home. This is the surest way we can effectively change people's lives. I believe in education. In my experience as a mother and First Lady, I know that a good education makes a big difference…So for the future of the Ghanaian economy and our society, we need quality education for every child. This certainly explains why in spite of all the pressures, Government spends the biggest part of the budget on education. It is estimated that one-third of Ghana's national budget is spent on education,” she said.

“As a nation, education must serve as a catalyst for eliminating ignorance, poverty, diseases, unemployment and gender inequality… One of the core objectives of my foundation is changing lives through education; not just education but through technical and skills-based training,” she added.

Mrs Mahama pledged to do her best to bring sustainable development to the region since the future of the region lies in the hands of its citizens.

In May 2015, COBAANA was formed and registered as a non-profit umbrella organisation purposely to mobilise indigenes and friends of the Brong Ahafo Region to support each other, promote B/A's culture and complement government's developmental projects in the region.

COBAANA organises annual fundraising and has, since 2012, shipped medical equipment worth over $100,000 to the Sunyani Regional Hospital.

The President of COBAANA, Alex Ankomah, said proceeds of this year’s fundraising would be used to support some rural elementary schools still studying under trees.