First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who serves as a patron of the institution, has unveiled the logo for the 50th anniversary celebration of SOS Children's Villages in Ghana. The event, held in Accra, commemorated the significant milestone of the organization's unwavering dedication to providing care and protection for vulnerable children over the past five decades.
In her address, Mrs. Akufo-Addo praised SOS Children's Villages for serving as a beacon of hope, compassion, and transformation in the lives of countless children in need. She highlighted the institution's commitment to ensuring that ‘No Child Grows Up Alone', acknowledging its impactful program initiatives that have positively influenced the welfare of children across various SOS Villages in Tema, Asiakwa, Kumasi, and Tamale.
Furthermore, Mrs. Akufo-Addo commended SOS for its holistic approach, not only focusing on the Villages but also implementing child protection and community intervention programs. These efforts, she noted, align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals five, three, four, eight, ten, and seventeen, aimed at contributing to Ghana's development agenda.
Expressing concerns about the existing development gap in meeting the SDGs by 2030, Mrs. Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of coordinated stakeholder partnerships and coherence to achieve these targets. She called upon benevolent institutions, businesses, and individuals to collaborate with SOS Children's Villages in Ghana to provide every Ghanaian child with a nurturing environment conducive to their growth and development.
Mr. Alexander Mar Kekula, the National Director of SOS Children's Villages in Ghana, introduced the concept of the 50th anniversary logo, themed “SOS Children's Villages, celebrating 50 years of transforming lives in Ghana.” The logo, featuring the map of Ghana, a cyan ribbon, and an embedded '50th', symbolizes the institution's strong connection and commitment to the country, unity, protection, and support provided by SOS Villages, and the duration of the celebration respectively.
Guest speaker Mr. Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi, also known as ‘Bola Ray,' praised SOS for its dedication to ensuring every child belongs to a family and is embraced with love and care. Mr. Yves Hanson-Nortey, Member of Parliament for Tema Central, and an alumnus of SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College, commended the institution for instilling values of service and integrity.
The 50th anniversary celebration will feature various activities including floats across all program areas, an open house for association interaction with beneficiaries, a football competition between the Villages, coding for kids, and an awards and dinner night, reflecting on SOS Children's Villages' enduring legacy of transforming lives in Ghana.
