“Youth are the torchbearers of the 2030 SDGs Agenda – young people all over the world are contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” – United Nations
Here is how Spring-UP Global Network is contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4:
Since 2019, the Spring-UP Global Network (SUGN) has provided teaching and learning materials to seven (7) schools and orphanages in Central, Ashanti, Volta and the Greater Accra Regions of Ghana and has impacted a total of 2425 beneficiaries through 13 projects and 4 flagship programmes namely:
- iRead iLead Campaign
- Mentor Me
- Back to School Drive
- Jaa Ojoormo (Share Your Blessings – End of Year Christmas Party with Children).
As part of the iRead iLead Campaign, the Network has commissioned two libraries; the first in Yevi D/A Basic School (Volta Region) in February, 2021 and the second in Agbekotsekpo D/A Basic School (Greater Accra) in March, 2022. The indispensable contributions of our volunteers towards these projects include advocacy and fundraising as well as regular visits to beneficiary schools to coordinate the activities of the established reading and writing clubs alongside teachers in the schools.
In addition to providing career and mentorship programs to children in rural Ghana, these 17 young educators and mentors across Ghana are renovating and building school libraries and nurturing the reading habits of children through reading and writing clubs
Meet these superb SUGN volunteers:
- Akorfa Ama Akoto
Akorfa Ama Akoto is a Child Education and Youth Advocate. She founded Spring-UP Global Network (SUGN) to improve quality education in orphanages and hard-to-reach primary and secondary schools in Ghana. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of SUGN, she empowers Youth who volunteer with SUGN with skills in leadership and project management.
Akorfa has volunteered with several NGOs and holds a certificate in NGO Project and Operations Management with the Cambridge Center of Excellence, Accra. She is a YALI alumna and a Savvy fellow. She has represented Youth on various projects including representing Ghana as the Education Ambassador with Fatima Al-Fihri Open University.
She currently works as a Communications Assistant at Ghana’s Education Ministry. She is also the owner and creative writer at www.akorfaakoto.com. She speaks Mandarin and has experience working with Chinese owned multinational firms in Ghana. Akorfa believes the world will nurture more assertive children when the reading and writing skills, as well as mentorship for children is prioritised. She holds a B.A in Chinese and Sociology from the University of Ghana and currently an M.A in Social Policy Studies student also at the University of Ghana, where she is researching on left-handed children and the biases they endure in society.
- Eunice Adwoa Larbie
Eunice Adwoa Larbie is an entrepreneur and a Property Valuations and Estate Management Professional who believes in coaching and mentoring children in oprhanages and hard-to-reach areas. Eunice is currently the General Secretary and Mentor Me Project Lead of SUGN where she coordinates the organization of career and mentorship guidance sessions of the organization.
Eunice holds two degrees, BSc. Land Economy and MSc. Project Management, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She is also a Professional Member of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors.
- Erica Amoasiwa Aggrey
Erica Amoasiwa Aggrey is a 3rd year Social Work student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Erica is currently the Deputy Secretary for Spring-UP Global Network, where she maintains and documents the activities of the NGO including the duty roster of volunteers. She is an outspoken person who has a passion for humanitarian services. Erica has volunteered with several NGOs in the education sector. She believes that children are the future, this is why she volunteers her time and skills to see children in Ghana get the best of education possible.
- Gideon Wortey Narh
Gideon Wortey Narh is the Membership Director of the Spring-UP Global Network. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire and Disaster Management from the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana. Gideon is the owner of Giddmas Coldstores (Fish and Meat) and he loves to Volunteer, Dance and Listen to good soothing music. Gideon counts his educational background and struggles as his greatest motivations to volunteer and give back to society. Fun fact? Gideon can beat your favourite comedian in a comedy slam show.
- Chentille Ruth Attiogbe
Chentille Ruth Attiogbe is a Teacher, Postharvest Technologist and an Agribusiness Consultant. She is currently the Regional Coordinator (Ashanti) for Spring-UP Global Network and a member of the Ghana Girl Guide Association, an organisation that champions the rights of girls and young women. She started her career with Ministry of Food and Agriculture and has worked with the German Cooperation (GIZ) among other private institutions. She believes heavily in the power of agricultural productivity and its many potentials. She is an avid reader and loves to travel. Her travel experience spans over 3 countries and 20 cities of the world.
- Gifty Asantewah Kankam
Gifty Asantewah Kankam is a graduate of the University of Ghana where she pursued a BSc. in Administration. She currently works as an Accounts Officer and the Finance Lead for the Spring-UP Global Network. She dreams of seeing SUGN partner with worldwide organisations like the UN to increase its impact. She takes keen interest in child education, women economic empowerment, financial inclusion and anything technology. Gifty is currently learning python programming language and having mad fun getting stuck on her assignments.
- Eric Kwesi Darko-Oppong
Eric Kwesi Darko-Oppong is a Business Development and Leadership Development enthusiast who believes in enhancing the education experience of children and the youth. He has volunteered with NGOs including PeaceJam Ghana and the Rotary Club of Kanda. Eric currently volunteers as the PR and Corporate Affairs Lead of Spring-UP Global Network, a role that allows him to support the communication strategy of the NGO. He believes that every child deserves access to quality education no matter where they find themselves.
- Osborn Doetser Apeku
Osborn Apeku is currently a Fellow of the Lead for Ghana Fellowship program. Writing, watching and playing football stand out among the many things he loves to do. One of his cherished stories “People don’t look like how they feel” was recently published in the first edition of the “Creative Resistance” anthology. He shares in the belief that “Today’s readers are tomorrow’s leaders” and wants to contribute in every way through his volunteering with SUGN. Osborn holds a BSc. in Food Science and Technology from the KNUST.
- Godwin Adablah
Godwin studied Mechanical Engineering in KNUST where he is currently pursuing an MPhil Degree. Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Godwin gives time and resources to see the changed he craved for when he was just a boy. He loves books and would rather die and be buried in a library. He dreams of seeing SUGN move from building school libraries to building community libraries for underprivileged children.
- Emmanuel Kundo
Emmanuel Kundo is an Accounting graduate and a candidate of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He is dedicated to supporting businesses thrive especially in finances, operations, and strategic management to achieve sales. To him, the world would be a lot better if we all lift each other up in little ways hence his commitment with Spring-UP Global Network. He was driven by his desire to see education reach the younger generation to volunteer with SUGN. Emmanuel is ardently hopeful that together, we can sow more seeds of hope.
- Dorinda Seyeram Potakey
Dorinda Seyeram Potakey takes a keen interest in innovating approaches to solve problems, Events Organization and Training and Education programs. Her utmost pride resides in her beadmaking project which enabled her train several women who now make a living out of beadmaking. Dorinda believes everybody deserves to live within their rights. She would stand up for herself and the people around her, how she got nicknamed “Miss I know my right”. She is a Master’s in Project Management graduate from GIMPA.
- Solomon Martey
Solomon Martey is a graduate of the Kinbu Secondary Technical School. Solomon has always yearned to help others reach their potentials and goals as he works on developing himself too. He believes that life is more meaningful when you pull someone along as you climb the ladder of life, reason he volunteers with the Spring-UP Global Network. He is admired by many for his kindness and open mind.
- Sharon Naa Dede Bonney
Sharon Naa Dede Bonney has a background in Banking and Finance. She is currently pursuing a degree in Fashion Designing from the Radford University College. She takes delight in bringing the fashion ideas of her clients into reality. Off her busy schedules, she takes time to volunteer because she believes that is part of her Christ-like calling. Fun fact? She is a whole vibe and her dance moves can pull a whole crowd.
- Stephanie Aseye King
Although Art and craft making interests her the most, Stephanie has a background in Procurement and Supply Chain Management. She is currently a fuel station Supervisor. She sees her work with SUGN as the best way to respond to her inner voices and give back to society. She is admired by many for her skills in art and painting. In the next 10 years, she wants to see her work with SUGN extend to more schools and communities across Ghana with more volunteers and donors.
- Eyram Scotia
Scotia Eyram is currently an HR and Corporate Communications Manager who is strongly motivated to give back to society through volunteer works like that of SUGN. Eyram counts everyday as an achievement and strives to make the most of every day. She dreams of not just volunteering, but innovating ways to make volunteering attractive and beneficial to the youth. Eyram holds a BA in Economics and Spanish and an MBA in Human Resource Management.
- Jemima Oduro
Jemima Oduro is a UK based Nurse who holds a BSc. in Nursing from the Pentecost University, Ghana. If there’s anything Jemima enjoys, it’s the sensorial pleasure of mating spices and ingredients in the kitchen and the ecstasy of watching sportsmen make magic happen. Although not physically present, Jemima volunteers through advocacy and believes that distance is not a barrier to making impact that matters. Fun fact? She can pull your body parts apart with tease.
- Charlotte Afua Ansah
Charlotte Afua Ansah currently works as a Community Development Manager with Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) innovating ways to improve community life in the Osoroase Krobom Community. She is a graduate from the University of Ghana where she studied Family and Consumer Sciences. In her free time, she loves to volunteer, read, listen to music and get into new adventures.
