Ghanaian Youth Honoured at Graduation

By Emmanuel Okai

In every church area there are children who are friends to many people. Several years ago I met such a little girl called "Awura" (Lady)
Anna. It was her smile and her calm disposition that caught my attention.

Anna started attending WCG services and activities when she was less than five years old. Even though her parents were not members, she regularly attended with her guardian and mentor, Solomon Ayitey, a pastor in the Accra congregation, and his wife, Charlotte. She attended three youth camps after graduating from the childrens’ "YES" Bible classes and was baptized in 2000. Anna is truly a WCG kid.

On March 15th 2003, Anna made history and gave the WCG in Ghana further reasons to praise God. On that day she graduated in psychology and the Study of Religions with first class honours, and, in the words of the Deputy Registrar of the University of Ghana, ranked "among the best in your graduating class" of 2,249 students. The university is the premier tertiary institution in the country where some of the best students in Ghana are enrolled each year in dozens of faculties and schools.

Anna was chosen from among 300 students who made first class
honours by the university authorities "to present the Valedictory Address to Congregation 2003, on behalf of the graduates of 2002."

In her speech, Anna praised the hard-working lecturers, whom she described as "excellent intellectuals who strive under difficult conditions and with scarce resources" to provide them their degrees and diplomas. On behalf of the graduating class, she promised  they
would make the best of the opportunities that came their way, and
support in turning the economy of Ghana around. Her speech, even in this secular academic environment gave testimony to the work of Christ in her life. She concluded with a prayer: "that Almighty God who knows our hearts and thoughts will bless us with wisdom and knowledge, and make us hard-working, responsible and dedicated citizens."

When I asked Anna what encouragement she would like to give to members of the body of Christ this is what she wrote: "I would like to say to our parents, guardians and elders that they should
never stop encouraging us. We young people can be very stubborn about listening and taking advice about education and  life in general. They should never give up on us, because we will always need them.

To the youth, especially the women, please remember that the sky is the limit and therefore never think that you can settle for the least because you are a woman. You can go to any height you decide, and in this century, education is very important if you want to survive the pressures and demands of this age. Make sure you listen to advice from you elders. You can learn much from their experiences, and be careful of the friends you move with. Finally, remember God is and should always be first. Before you start anything, especially your studies, ask Him to bless you with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He will never fail you."

Anna is currently serving as a teaching assistant in the Psychology
Department of the University of Ghana as part of her mandatory National Service. She still attends WCG services in Accra and her smile is still as ever.

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