By Edward Dankwah, GNA
Accra, Feb 22, GNA – The Greater Accra Regional Scout Council has marked this year’s Founder’s Day in honour of Lord Robert Baden-Powell with a renewed commitment to expand scouting activities and strengthen membership across the region.
Speaking at the 2026 Founder’s Day Celebration Funfair in Accra, Mr Joseph Kwakye Agyei, Regional Commissioner of the Council, said although the official day falls on Sunday, March 22, the event was held earlier to encourage greater participation by schoolchildren.
He said the annual commemoration, held in honour of the Founder of the Scout Movement, continues to promote discipline, leadership, patriotism and service to society among young people.
Activities for the day included horse riding, a bouncy castle, lime and spoon race, musical chairs, smartness in scouting competitions, treasure hunt, marbling, a beauty contest (Mr and Mrs Scout), face painting and other fun activities.
Participating schools and scout groups included St Theresa School, Morning Star School, Hill View School, Peter and Paul School, Ridge Church School, Living Star School, 56th Accra Scout, 23rd Garrison Scout, Marristar Scout and Rosalie Brown Scout.
Mr Agyei reiterated that scouting is guided by the principle that it is “fun for the children, job for the adults,” emphasising the responsibility of adult leaders to create meaningful and enjoyable experiences for young members.
He described the movement as a disciplined global community that trains children to become responsible citizens and effective leaders.
He said regional gatherings such as the funfair help to reinforce unity and identity within the movement, noting that “this brings all of them together to know that Scout is one umbrella,” and helps children appreciate the nationwide reach of scouting.
The Regional Commissioner acknowledged recent challenges, including a shortage of leaders due to travel and work commitments, which affected participation levels.
However, he said efforts initiated last year to revive scouting activities were yielding positive results.
He revealed that participation had risen sharply from about 50 children at last year’s Founder’s Day event to nearly 500 pupils this year.
Mr Agyei said the Council was engaging the Ghana Education Service (GES) to secure official clearance for scouting activities in public schools.
A pilot project in a school within the Odododiodio Constituency has been completed, and discussions were underway to extend the programme across the Greater Accra Region.
He appealed to the government to expedite processes to enable a full rollout of scouting in public schools so more children could benefit from its values and leadership training.
Mr Michael Opoku Mensah, Regional Secretary of the Council, said 10 out of Ghana’s 16 administrative regions currently had active scouting operations, following adjustments linked to the creation of new regions.
He said efforts were ongoing to expand activities nationwide.
He added that scouting continued to offer valuable exposure and opportunities—including travel, volunteer service and international engagement—contributing significantly to leadership and personal development.
The Council, he noted, intends to step up publicity and make future Founder’s Day celebrations bigger as part of efforts to revitalise scouting within the educational system.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah