Stephen Schandorf, the General Manager of Onua Group, has expressed that the recent establishment of the Onua Foundation signifies another significant achievement in the history of Onua TV and FM.
He noted that the introduction of the Onua Foundation, which took place on December 8th, is an integral part of the narrative of these stations. Onua FM embarked on its journey seven years ago, while Onua TV commenced four years ago.
According to Mr. Schandorf, the impetus behind Media General’s decision to establish local language stations was motivated by a strong desire. This desire aimed to foster a distinctive connection with the audience, comprehend the community on their own terms, and achieve tangible outcomes.
Mr. Schandorf emphasized that the establishment of these stations was driven by a commitment to engaging with the community in a unique manner and delivering results, as media has the power to bring about meaningful change.
“Onua has been where the people are, in the markets, at their workplaces, in the communities, in the hospitals and CHPS compounds and their churches among others. Onua TV and FM have become familiar with needs of their audiences.
The unveiling of the Onua Foundation is aimed at fostering collaborations with individuals and organizations to enhance the well-being of our community. Recent statistics reveal that in the year 2023, approximately 2.99 million people in Ghana were grappling with extreme poverty, with the majority situated in rural areas.
Among these, roughly 2.8 million families were living on a daily income of less than GHC23 (equivalent to 1.90 U.S. dollars), predominantly in rural regions.
Additionally, around 214,000 individuals facing extreme poverty were identified in urban areas. The launch of the Onua Foundation underscores a commitment to address these challenges and work towards creating meaningful opportunities for the betterment of the lives of the people we serve.
“The World Health Organization (2018) reports that over 40% of Ghanaians do not have access to essential health services, exacerbating the burden of poverty on individuals and households.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (2017), about 13% of children in rural areas have never attended school, highlighting the educational disparities that perpetuate poverty. Low productivity, climate change impacts, inadequate access to modern farming techniques, and limited market access contribute to rural poverty.
“The World Economic Forum’s Inclusive Development Index (2018) ranks Ghana relatively low in terms of income distribution and wealth equality, reflecting the challenges of income inequality,” he said in the address during the launch of the Foundation.
Mr. Schandorf also emphasized that there are numerous challenges that require a collective effort from the community, and this is precisely what the Onua Foundation aims to achieve. The Foundation is committed to collaborating with society to address and overcome these challenges for the betterment of the community.
“Organisations that are not involved in impacting lives are missing out. Onua Foundation is here to stay to impact the lives of communities and help to address some of the challenges stated above. That is why we have as the Foundation’s tagline, ‘BOAFO PA’- Good helper,” Mr Schandorf stated.
With its recent launch, the Onua Foundation is dedicated to carrying out humanitarian initiatives in collaboration with listeners, viewers, clients, and the public. The foundation aims to champion social inclusion and ensure equitable access to fundamental necessities of life, focusing particularly on supporting the underprivileged and deprived communities across Ghana. This commitment reflects the foundation’s dedication to making a positive impact on society through collaborative and meaningful initiatives.
Source: Ghana360news.com
