Coming of the Drums: Behind the scenes

While we eagerly wait for the DVD of the Coming of the Drums, I thought I'd post a few behind the scenes pictures. They were taking at various stages during rehearsals (click on each photo to enlarge; more after the jump). Enjoy!

Also, click here and here to check out more photos on our new Facebook page! And don't forget to like us!

Mini Seminar: The Pursuit of Happyness

On Friday we had our first ever Mini Seminar film show (pictures after the jump). We watched The Pursuit of Happyness, a film starring Will Smith and his son Jayden. It is inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner, a man who successfully established himself as a stockbroker despite being a single father battling homelessness. He later went on to set up his own stockbrokerage firm, Gardner Rick & Co. Despite numerous preparations, we were still unable to shake of the technical issues bug - this time relating to very quiet speakers. We will get there! After obtaining a different set of speakers from the head office, we were finally able to continue. Because of time issues however, we were unable to spend much time on the discussion at the end. The film spoke volumes on its own though - the value of having a tenacious, determined spirit; of holding onto your dreams; of never giving up. As Chris said, "Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something. Not even me. Alright? ... You got a dream... you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. You want something, go get it. Period."

Mini Seminar: Discovering and fulfilling your life mission

Last Friday (the 12^th of November), we had our first Mini Seminar of the year. It was, as you know, hosted by Harry McNinson who spoke on 'Discovering and Fulfilling your Life Mission'. Here's a sort clip (Note - the video will not show unless you have the latest version of Flash installed. Download it here):

Harry emphasised that although there are books that aim to help you discover your role/purpose/mission in life, these serve as only pointers. The only one who can really give you an insight as to why you are here on earth is the One who crated you. There is no real way around it. Like Harry said; the only way you'll know what a new invention is supposed to be used for is to hear from its inventor.

As he rightly pointed out, there are things you can do that will help you identify your life mission. Most important (after seeking spiritual answers) is to be open to opportunities. Never pass us the opportunity to try or learn something new because you never know where it will take you.

Finally, after having discovered your life mission, the next step is to fulfill it. Live it out. This, Harry explained, should not be difficult. Of course in life there are challenges and nothing is ever going to be simple from start to finish. But in fulfilling your life mission, you should find that things generally come easy. You are able to overcome challenges and you are filled with joy. If this is not the case, you might want to go back and ensure you're still on the right path. For more information, see the Discovering and Fulfilling Your Life Mission Cheat Sheet (your mentors should have a copy). Hit continue to see pictures. And don't forget to check out our Twitter page!

Mini Seminar: Photos

Here are some photos from the mini seminar we had today. I'll post a brief rundown of the days events and maybe a video soon, so look out for those!

Mini Seminar: Personal Finance (Photos)

We're getting closer and closer to knowing what the budget will be for renovating the library (see here for information on where we're at so far). In the meantime, these are photos from a Mini Seminar on Personal Finance, which was held on the 12th of February by Asana Pegobelgo.

Mini Seminar: STIs, HIV/AIDS, & Sexual Abstinence

On the 12th of March, all mentees participated in a 'mini seminar' on STIS, HIV/AIDS, and sexual abstinence. Although we started off with a few glitches including technical problems, once we got going everything ran smoothly.

The seminar was led by Abyna
Ansaa-Adjei (better known to many as Madam), a lady with a special interest in seeing youth make the absolute most of their potential. She started off with an interactive demonstration, dividing mentees into three groups. Each mentee in group one was given four different pieces of coloured paper. They were asked to exchange these among themselves. Group two were asked to go around asking people their names, and to write them down. Group three were asked to write down where they would like to be in 10 years.

After this was done and everyone was settled back in their seats, representatives from each group explained what they had done to the rest of the group. Madam then explained the purpose of each exercise. For group one, the different colours represented different sexual partners. For group two, she illustrated how names written down showed how STIs can spread from person to person. Finally for group three, Madam asked various mentees to explain how contracting HIV/AIDS can prevent them from becoming the person they had described themselves as being in ten years.










After a lively start that engaged all present, it was time to get down to some serious business. From definitions to the social attitudes that allow sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS to run rife, Madam gave an informative talk that addressed it all.

Student Perspectives – Kinbu Library

A form two student, Elizabeth felt that the library was not an interesting place to be because the books were outmoded, and also not relevant for the courses they studied. She felt that if there were some new and interesting books in the library more students would be encouraged to read. She added that she sometimes spent her break periods in the library. She did mention that the library period had been taken from their time table this term.

Julien Kofie, a second year high school student said he never visited the library because he’d heard the library did not have the economics and geography textbooks he needed. He rather frequented the Ghana Library to study and conduct his research. He mentioned that he would visit the library often if the textbooks he needed was provided.

SHS3 Home Economics student Kafui admitted that she does not use the school library because the books are archaic. She stated that they do not have a library period any more. The last library period they had was when she was in SHS2. She says she would like to see books that are more relevant to her course in the library.

Written by Abena, David and Elinam.

Library campaign visit Kinbu

OK, formalities over. Now it's time to get to the real meat of the blog - and update you on what the 'campaign groups' have been doing. On Thursday the 18th of February, a few senior mentors went to visit the Kinbu Library to get an idea of what needs to be done.

The English teacher Mr Alfred Vaeta kindly took us round. Many mentors made comments about the fact that the library seemed to be in better shape than they had first thought it would be, but there was still a lot that needs addressing.

The first thing we noticed after walking in (after our eyes adjusted to the dim lighting) was that there was a lot of dust around. Despite the fact that the library is dusted every morning, there was dust everywhere. There are no nets on the windows, only rather flimsy looking curtains - an obvious cause. The windows cannot be shut to keep dust out as hardly any of the fans work, and it would get unbearably hot.

Walking around, a few intriguing items caught our attention. Clearly, the school’s storage had spilled into the library, but even that did not explain the presence of some rather fascinating items which included (of all things) a car engine. There were boxes of assorted rubbish, a couple of old speakers, piles of brooms and other cleaning equipment… many things that should have no permanent place in a library. Interestingly we noticed a library store, but this was full of – yes you guessed it – more junk.


There don’t seem to be any plans for these things in the immediate future. Of the several donated books that 'cannot be used by Kinbu students', Mr Vaeta seemed to allude to the fact that they would be thrown away! After calling him on this, he briefly mentioned they could be donated, but many mentors were unconvinced of this.

After talking to the students, it became obvious that many changes need to be made, and fast! You can read a brief selection of their thoughts here.

Introducing this year's mentors!

Senior Mentors

Sophia Aboagye

 David Agbenyega is a Project Officer at Ghana Opportunity Network.He hates  mangoes and always has a tie in his bag. He is a proud Akora (alumni of Achimota  School).

Sampson Akligoh works in the Research department at Databank as an Economic Analyst.He thinks English football is boring and supports Barcelona. He enjoys riding bicycles in parks.

Adobea Akuffo

Dorothy L. Ametefe is an Equity Analyst who works in the Research department of Databank. She loves to socialise with people from different cultures and backgrounds and enjoys classical and jazz music.

Abena Asamoah-Okyere

Priscilla Asibey

Kofi Baidoo

Abena Biritwum is a Financial Analyst working in the Corporate Finance department of Databank.

Sally Debrah

Thomas Esso

Bismark Gyekye

Selasie Kwashie is in charge of Operations for DUES Desk. He believes that work should be done regardless of circumstances, and he doesn't give up on tasks assigned either by himself or as a result of job demands.

Joshua Mensah

Wilhelm Nyako describes himself as friendly and dynamic. He works in the Research department at GMet (Ghana Meteorological Agency) as an Assistant Meteorologist. He is also a private tutor.

Ben Opia-Mensah

 Alieu Senghore works as the Assistant Vice President of Databank's Corporate Finance  department. He was previously a financial analyst. He enjoys reading autobiographies, financial journals and history and political books. He is a football fan who plays once in a while.

Aba Tetteh is a Systems Administrator at Dwadifo Adanfo, a microfinance company in Kaneshie. She likes to try anything out for the fun of it, so long as it doesn't go against her Christian beliefs.

Junior Mentors

Bernard Agyeman

Jeffrey Akoamah

Philip Alimo studies Business Administration at Ashesi University College. He is also a practicing sports journalist, analyst and presenter at GBC (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation). He says one hundred years from now, it will not matter what car he drove, what kind of house he lived in, how much money he had in his bank account or what his clothes looked like; but the world will be a little better because he was important in the life of a youth.

Nana Ama Andoh

Jimmy Appiahene

Francis Arthur is studying HND Accountancy at Accra Polytechnic. He is in his final year. He is an Arsenal fan and is entrepreneurial minded.

Kofi Awuku-Sao is an energetic and motivated prodigy. He believes in integrity, humility, Christ-like leadership and excellence. He has a flair for reading and writing. He is passionate about the plight of the under-privileged in the society and seeks to work together with like-minded people to develop Africa. Kofi is currently a studying Business Administration at the University of Ghana. He hopes to redefine the insurance industry in Ghana and the skyline of West Africa, and enjoys playing basketball, meeting new people and sharing ideas.
Alberta Boateng

Clarissa Botchwey is currently studying English. She likes having fun, but she takes her work seriously.

Emmanuel Buabeng

Thomas Ewusi

Felix Fosu
Bridget Gbesemete

Gladys Gaisie is currently in her final year at Methodist University. She studies Accounting. She describes herself as a smart lady who gets along with everyone.

Rebecca Inkumsah is a Junior at Ashesi University College who aspires to be an International Financial Analyst and is a lot of fun to talk to. She loves to meet new people since she has grown up with the idea that 'variety is the spice of life'. She is always eager to meet and learn from new people. "AND don't forger guys", she says, "success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm".

Mahmoud Jajah

Albert Kodjoe is studying Banking and Finance with Economics. He is a proactive person who is always looking for means by which to improve himself.

Paulina Kumah is at the end of her third year at Valley View University. She is studying Business Administration (Accounting). Paulina got involved with the YLMP because she loves kids and young people. She believes that to have the best future, a good foundation must be built from a young age. She loves Maths and Economics... and Jesus too!

Falilatu Lawal is in her third year at the University of Ghana, studying Political Science. Falilatu is a firm believer in hard work. She enjoys meeting new people and loves banku.

Ruth Lodo is studying Accounting at Methodist University. She's in her final year. She is always ready to learn new things and is happy to help others achieve their goals.

Russell Mensah

Nana Yaw Nketia

Peter Nomo

Peace Vidger

Godfred Nyaku

Nathaniel Oduro

Nana Akua Oppong

Nicholas Osuteye

Kwabena Owusu-Adjei
Francis Tetteh
Rachel Tutuani 
Deborah Sarpong

Kenneth Richardson  is a final year student at Regent University College, and can't believe he's about to finish. Two people he'll like to share a table with are Kwame Nkrumah and Sir Alex Ferguson. He thinks bungee jumping is a really cool sport and that there isn't much to it. is in his penultimate year at the University of Ghana. He is studying Political Science. He likes integrity, research, and learning about investment.

Thelma Owusu-Abrokwa studies French and Psychology at the University of Ghana. She loves singing in choirs. is currently in his final year at Ashesi University College. He supports Arsenal FC, and his favourite personality is Sir Winston Churchill. 

Anthony Tawiah is a student/entrepreneur in his final year at Regent University College. He is studying Management with Computing. He is a passionate young person who has resolved not to be a victim of the system but to be part of a solution to create a positive impact on his generation. He lives as "a pilgrim not in control, a steward not an owner, and a soldier without security".

Samson Tingbani studies at the University of Ghana. He is an AIESECer, and is guided by the words "Live in the future but do not forget the past as those who forget the past are bound to repeat their mistakes".