The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has lauded the Management of Potter’s Village, an orphanage, for their commitment and dedication towards changing the lives of people, especially the vulnerable children in society.
She said what the management of Potter’s Village at Dodowa in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region had done for the inmates of the home for the past 25 years had brought significant change in the lives of the individual children whose lives would have been destroyed, miserable and wretched.
The minister made the remarks in an address read on her behalf by a staff member of the ministry, Prince Acheampong, at the 25th anniversary of the home at Dodowa on the theme: “One Heart, a World Transformed.”
She said any effort that had to do with empowering, promoting and protecting the rights of women, girls, men and boys, and appreciating their immense contributions, was very important to the government and herself as an individual, and, therefore, commended the Potter’s Village for their continuous commitment in appreciating the importance of women and girls, men and boys in diverse ways.
Collaborators
The Executive Director of Potter’s Village, Nana Ama Adu Owusu, praised the collaborators for their immense contributions towards the growth of the home since its establishment.
The collaborators of the Potter’s Village include the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection, the Social Welfare Department, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Health, Christian Council, Ghana Traditional Council and Foreign Volunteers, among others.
She said the home’s vision included creating a more conducive environment for traumatised children, capacity building for staff, expansion of community support services, establishing a vocational school, launching the Potter’s Village Alumni Network, expanding to other regions and introducing an annual general meeting for partners of the home.
“The work cannot be carried out in isolation.
The Potter’s Village has been upheld through the compassion and generosity of partners like you. Every meal served, every book given and every safe bed provided reflects the choice of someone who decided to care,” she said.
Appeal
The executive director called on the government to go beyond monitoring and extend a helping hand of practical support, whether in resources, logistics or partnerships to institutions such as Potter’s Village, which were caring for vulnerable children and women.
The Managing Director of Panbros Salt Industries Limited, Michael Odartey-Wellington, who was the guest of honour, applauded the founder, the late Dr Jane Irina Adu, who set up the institution and was committed to providing care, shelter and support for the vulnerable in society.
Two beneficiaries of Potter’s Village, Doris Neequaye and Sarah Blessing, who passed through the institution, testified at the event about how helpful Potter’s Village had been in shaping their lives.
