WASCAL PARTICIPATES IN GERMANY – GHANA 60TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

WASCAL participated in the Germany Goes Ghana- Open Doors, Open Minds event in Accra to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Germany and Ghana under the auspices of the German Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Christoph Retzlaff.

Dr. Divine Odame Appiah, an alumnus of WASCAL, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Climate Change and Land Use, participated in the discussion forum that sought to deliberate on opportunity creation in Ghana. In his submission, he emphasized on the need to develop a problem-solving attitude among the youth in the country. He explained that YOUTH is an acronym which denotes “Young (Y), Outstanding (O), Unique (U), Talented (T), and Happy (H). Young (Y) defines the age category of before adulthood. This he said, is the stage where youth is at its best and both positive and negative energies could be released, depending on the mindset and perspectives about life and what they want to become. Outstanding; Youth are expected to exhibit excellence in whatever they do. Whatever they do, must be done with utmost precision so as to stand out. Unique; youth are what they present themselves to be. Dr. Appiah underscored the fact that, as a young adult/youth, no one can be you and that everything that belongs to you is exclusively your attributes and character. Hence you are the product of your character and there is no room to blame someone for your failures. This also means, you are the architect of your successes as well. Talented; every human being is endowed with some skills, talents and abilities that distinguishes him/her from others. It is up to the individual to discover that special gift that sets him/her apart from other. It is also essential to channel these gifts into profitable ventures. Happy; happiness is relative; however, a general connotation will be when the individual is satisfied and fulfilled in whatever he/she does. When a task is accomplished, it brings a sense of happiness to the individual.

Dr. Appiah linked his submission to the scholarship being offered by WASCAL through its Graduate Studies Programme which is aimed at building the next generation of West African Scientists to help solve the challenges of climate change in the sub-region, under the sponsorship of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Germany goes Ghana – Open doors, Open Minds attracted students, graduates, young professionals as well as the general public from Ghana.  The objective of the event was to create awareness among the Ghanaian youth about the opportunities available to them as a result of the German-Ghanaian bilateral cooperation and to exhibit some of the major achievements after 60 years of a vibrant, dynamic and divers bilateral relationship.