By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Bolgatanga, May 14, GNA – The management of Village of Hope (VoH), a non-profit organization, has inaugurated a six-member Board of Directors in Bolgatanga to oversee the management of Hope Children’s Place, a residential childcare facility in the Bongo District.
The newly constituted board comprises professionals and community leaders committed to advancing child welfare in the Upper East Region.
The members are Pastor Roger Akumse Ayillah of the Church of Christ in Bolgatanga, Pastor Andrews Abdulai Alhassan of the Church in Yendi, Mr Edwin Nboba Azieko, a nursing tutor, Mr Amoak Afoko, a legal practitioner, Mr Sualisu Yussif, an administrator, and Mr Williams Apateba Anamboro, a teacher.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the inauguration ceremony, Mr Fred Asare, Group Managing Director of VoH, explained the transition of Hope Children’s Place into the Village of Hope structure.
He said the home was originally established by the Church of Christ in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, USA, and had operated independently for 16 years.
According to him, the American founders decided to merge the facility with Village of Hope in Gomoa-Fetteh to streamline operations and enhance local impact.
“Recognizing that both projects shared the same denominational roots, leadership concluded that consolidating under local Ghanaian management would allow for more efficient resource allocation and oversight,” Mr Asare stated.
He noted that Village of Hope was widely recognised for its holistic approach to child welfare, emphasizing not only shelter but also quality education from the basic level through Senior High School, as well as access to quality healthcare.
“We are confident that this board, composed of experienced and mature citizens of Northern Ghana, will lead with excellence so that all things are done to the glory of God,” he added.
Before the inauguration, the management team toured the Bongo facility to inspect infrastructure, including three residential homes, a chapel, office space, and storage units.
The team also interacted with the children, encouraging them to take their studies seriously and show respect to their caregivers.
While acknowledging that the facility had served the children well over the years, Mr Asare said there was an urgent need for modernization. He explained that the immediate focus would be on renovating and expanding existing structures to improve living conditions, followed by medium-term plans to broaden the scope of services offered.
Mr Asare disclosed that Hope Children’s Place currently supports 40 children. Of that number, 38 reside at the facility and attend local primary and junior high schools, while two are pursuing higher education at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Navrongo.
He further revealed that two former beneficiaries had recently graduated and transitioned into independent living with support from the organization.
Pastor Ayillah, who was unanimously selected as Board Chairman, expressed gratitude on behalf of the board members for the opportunity to serve.
He assured the leadership of Village of Hope that the board would work diligently to advance the organization’s mission and vision in the Bongo District and ensure that every child under their care had the opportunity to thrive.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Audrey Dekalu
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