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From Joana Kumi, Winneba

Students at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), have been sensitized on sexual harassment and the need to report such incidents without fear.

The event, organized by UEW’s Gender Mainstreaming Directorate in collaboration with Perfector of Sentiments (POS) and sponsored by Amplify Change, featured a panel discussion where experts shed light on the various forms of harassment and the legal consequences attached.

Legal officer at UEW, Lawyer Kwasi Ndom Dampson, underscored that sexual harassment takes both verbal and non-verbal forms and is often trivialized.

“Many people engage in harassment without realizing it. Offensive words, sexist slurs, sexually suggestive stares, and even nicknames like ‘sweetest,’ ‘sexy,’ ‘baby,’ ‘my girlfriend,’ or ‘my boyfriend’ can be considered harassment and carry serious repercussions,” he explained.

He further highlighted that society tends to downplay certain behaviors, but they can have severe legal consequences when reported.

“Under Article 15 of the 1992 Constitution, anyone found guilty of sexual harassment can face imprisonment ranging from a day to six months,” he warned.

Director of the Office for Institutional Advancement, Prof. Lucy Effah Attom, encouraged students to speak up when faced harassed.

“The patriarchal system often silences women, making them feel less human. But we must move past the stigma that discourages victims from speaking out,” she stated.

She also emphasized that power dynamics play a significant role in harassment, urging continuous education on the issue.

She urged UEW students “to read the school’s handbook on sexual harassment because ignorance will not be an excuse,” she added.

Madam Mercy Catherine Adjebeng, another speaker, noted that many cultural beliefs that treat women as property after a bride price payment must be challenged noting that “when you question such norms, you are often criticized, but we need to push for change,” she stated.

Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and senior lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies, UEW, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang, blamed entrenched patriarchal attitudes for perpetuating harassment.

“Men have been conditioned to believe they own women’s bodies. We need to reshape these beliefs through awareness,” he asserted.

He urged that men be included in all discussions on sexual harassment, as they are often the perpetrators.

“Men must be part of the education process. This is not just a women’s issue,” he emphasized.

The Founder and Executive Director of POS, Mr. Jonathan Osei Owusu, revealed that his organization is spearheading educational campaigns in five universities across Ghana—UCC, the University of Ghana, KNUST, UEW, and UDS—to intensify awareness of sexual harassment.

“Sexual harassment must be eradicated, especially in our educational institutions,” he declared.

He emphasized the importance of consent, stating, “Your body is yours. My body, my integrity—it’s mine.”

He called on institutions to take harassment seriously and ensure the safety of victims who come forward. “If we create safer learning environments, we build stronger societies,” he concluded.

source: Paliarment of Ghana

The family of the late former legislator for Biakoye Constituency, Hon Emmanuel Kwasi Bandua has paid a courtesy call on the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. The delegation led by Brigadier General Windfred Dzandu Hedidor officially informed him of the demise of the former Legislator. The final funeral rites is scheduled on1st March, 2025 at the Prince of Peace Methodist Church, Teshie Nungua.

From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast

The Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast (CIUCC) has inaugurated a Regional Training Center for Local Chinese Teachers in West Africa, marking a significant step in language education and international collaboration.

The event, held at UCC, brought together educators, diplomats, and students to celebrate the initiative aimed at strengthening linguistic and cultural ties between Ghana and China.

During the event, the Central Regional Director of Education, Mr. Emmanuel Essuman, emphasized the growing importance of Chinese in Ghana’s education system, noting its introduction as a secondary school elective.

He highlighted the need for qualified teachers to support student learning and cultural appreciation.

The center, he stated, is a strategic response to the increasing economic and diplomatic engagement between Ghana and China.

“Language is a gateway to global opportunities, and introducing Chinese into our curriculum broadens students’ prospects,” he remarked.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and the Confucius Institute for their support.

He emphasized that learning Chinese fosters cultural exchange and strengthens international relations. “Language reflects identity and heritage. By learning Chinese, we embrace knowledge that enhances Ghana-China relations,” he stated.

Chinese Director of CIUCC, Professor OU Yamei, outlined the economic benefits of Chinese proficiency, citing opportunities in trade, diplomacy, and translation.

She expressed confidence that the center would produce skilled professionals to facilitate Ghana-China business relations. She also highlighted CIUCC’s commitment to expanding Chinese language education, with 15 centers already operating across Ghana.

Additionally, she noted that fluency in Chinese offers scholarship opportunities for Ghanaian students to study in China, allowing them to immerse themselves in its culture while advancing academically and professionally.

Director of the Confucius Institute Ghana, Professor Amo Ofori, highlighted Ghana’s long-standing trade relationship with China, emphasizing that Chinese proficiency is essential for strengthening business partnerships.

He noted that mastering the language would help Ghanaian entrepreneurs navigate trade negotiations and expand their presence in the global market.

Kenya’s Fintech Revolution: $1.2 Billion Investments in 2024 Propel Innovation
Kenya is setting a remarkable pace in Africa’s fintech industry. In 2024 alone, fintech startups in the country attracted a record-breaking $1.2 billion in investments—a 30% surge from the previous year. This landmark achievement highlights Kenya’s role as a leader in the continent’s digital financial ecosystem. Companies like Flutterwave, Chipper Cash, and homegrown innovators are spearheading this charge, showcasing the potential of African ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Rise of Kenya’s Fintech Ecosystem
Kenya’s fintech ecosystem didn’t emerge overnight. The journey began with the groundbreaking mobile money platform M-Pesa, which transformed the way people access financial services. Launched in 2007, M-Pesa allowed users to send and receive money via mobile phones, bypassing the traditional banking system. Its success inspired a wave of innovation, setting the foundation for a thriving fintech landscape that today includes insurtech, agritech, and AI-powered credit solutions.

Why Kenya’s Fintech Success Matters
Kenya’s mobile-first approach to financial inclusion is more than a local success story—it’s a model for the entire continent. Over 60% of the population now accesses financial services through mobile platforms, making Kenya a blueprint for countries seeking to bridge the financial inclusion gap. Startups are expanding beyond payments to solve broader societal challenges, such as insurance for underserved populations, access to agricultural tools, and tailored credit scoring powered by artificial intelligence.
By leveraging mobile technology, Kenyan fintechs have addressed challenges such as limited access to formal banking, high transaction costs, and a lack of credit history. These innovations are driving economic growth, reducing poverty, and creating opportunities in both urban and rural areas.

The Role of M-Pesa in Kenya’s Fintech Dominance
It’s impossible to discuss Kenya’s fintech rise without highlighting M-Pesa. As one of the world’s most successful mobile money platforms, it has achieved global recognition for its impact. Over the years, M-Pesa evolved from being a simple money transfer service to a comprehensive financial tool offering savings, loans, and even healthcare payments.
This foundation has encouraged a new generation of fintech startups to think bigger. Local companies are using the mobile-first framework to expand into areas like micro-insurance and digital banking. M-Pesa has essentially democratized financial services, inspiring entrepreneurs across the continent to dream of scalable solutions for their own markets.

Kenya’s Billion-Dollar Fintech Boom in 2024
Kenya’s $1.2 billion fintech investments in 2024 were fueled by major funding rounds secured by startups like Flutterwave and Chipper Cash. Flutterwave, for example, has become a Pan-African payments giant, streamlining cross-border payments and enabling businesses to expand. Meanwhile, Chipper Cash, a fintech focused on free money transfers, has gained traction with its user-friendly app.
What’s particularly striking about these investments is their diversity. Unlike earlier years, where funding focused primarily on payments, recent investments have expanded to:
• Insurtech: Providing affordable insurance to underserved communities.
• Agritech: Offering digital tools and credit for farmers to increase productivity.
• AI-powered credit scoring: Improving loan accessibility with smarter, data-driven algorithms.
Such diversity not only strengthens Kenya’s fintech ecosystem but also showcases its adaptability to market demands.

Zooming Out: Kenya as Africa’s Fintech Blueprint
Kenya’s influence in the fintech world goes beyond its borders. With mobile penetration exceeding 100% and over 60% of its population using digital financial services, the country serves as a testbed for fintech solutions that can be replicated across Africa.
Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa are already adopting Kenya’s mobile-first strategies to drive financial inclusion. For example:
• Nigeria is leveraging mobile payments to bring banking services to its unbanked population.
• South Africa is expanding its digital banking sector using similar AI-powered credit models.
Kenya’s success proves that financial inclusion isn’t a pipe dream. By focusing on innovation and accessibility, it’s possible to achieve widespread adoption, even in regions with limited infrastructure.

What Lies Ahead for Kenya’s Fintech Sector?
The future of Kenya’s fintech industry looks incredibly promising. With investments continuing to pour in, startups are exploring emerging technologies like blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning. These advancements will likely lead to even greater innovations, from decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms to predictive analytics in agriculture.
Furthermore, the government’s supportive policies, such as tax incentives for tech companies, are creating an environment conducive to growth. If Kenya continues on this trajectory, it could solidify its position as Africa’s go-to hub for fintech innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions
How has M-Pesa contributed to Kenya’s fintech success?
M-Pesa revolutionized financial services by offering mobile-based money transfers, loans, and savings. It inspired startups to innovate and expand the fintech ecosystem.
Why did Kenya attract $1.2 billion in fintech investments in 2024?
The surge in funding reflects the success of mobile-first solutions and the expansion into new areas like AI-powered credit scoring and agritech.
Which startups are leading Kenya’s fintech wave?
Key players include Flutterwave, Chipper Cash, and local innovators focused on micro-insurance, digital banking, and payment solutions.
What makes Kenya a fintech model for Africa?
Kenya’s mobile penetration, widespread use of digital financial services, and innovative solutions have made it a blueprint for financial inclusion across the continent.
What role does the government play in Kenya’s fintech ecosystem?
The Kenyan government supports fintech growth through policies like tax incentives and digital infrastructure development, encouraging innovation.
What’s next for Kenya’s fintech industry?
Future trends include blockchain, IoT, and machine learning, which are expected to drive further innovations in areas like decentralized finance and predictive analytics.

Digital storytelling represents a revolutionary approach to narrating stories, merging traditional storytelling methods with modern technology to craft immersive and engaging experiences. By using a combination of multimedia elements—such as text, images, audio, video, and interactive features—digital storytelling has transformed the way audiences consume and interact with content. In the realm of online journalism, this approach has become indispensable, offering a dynamic way to communicate information while catering to the needs and preferences of diverse audiences.

At its core, digital storytelling begins with a strong narrative. The story must have a clear purpose, compelling structure, and emotional resonance. Traditional journalistic principles, such as accuracy, clarity, and relevance, remain central to crafting a digital narrative, ensuring the integrity of the content. Narratives can take different forms depending on the type of story being told. For example, breaking news might follow the inverted pyramid structure, where the most critical information appears first, while feature stories may adopt Freytag’s pyramid, emphasizing a dramatic arc. Regardless of the structure, the goal is to engage the audience emotionally and intellectually.

The integration of multimedia elements is a defining feature of digital storytelling. Text often serves as the backbone, providing context and depth. It is complemented by images, which evoke emotions and offer visual clarity. Photographs or illustrations, carefully chosen and placed, can amplify the impact of a story, drawing the reader’s attention to key moments or themes. Videos, on the other hand, bring dynamic visual storytelling into play. They are especially effective in capturing real-time events, conducting interviews, or offering in-depth explorations of complex topics. Audio, whether in the form of voiceovers, soundscapes, or music, sets the tone and atmosphere, making the narrative more immersive. Interactive features such as clickable maps, timelines, data visualizations, or quizzes actively engage the audience, transforming them from passive consumers into active participants.

One of the key strengths of digital storytelling is its adaptability to different platforms. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok demand concise, visually driven content that resonates quickly with audiences, whereas a website or blog allows for long-form, scrollable narratives. For instance, Instagram stories might feature short videos or infographics to explain a concept, while a news website could host an in-depth investigative report with integrated multimedia. In an age where mobile devices dominate content consumption, optimizing stories for mobile viewing has become a necessity. Ensuring that content is accessible, readable, and visually appealing on smaller screens is a vital aspect of digital storytelling.

Interactivity is another hallmark of effective digital storytelling. By including elements that allow users to interact directly with the story, journalists can create a deeper sense of engagement. For example, a map that tracks the progress of a natural disaster or a timeline of historical events allows readers to explore information at their own pace. Similarly, tools like quizzes or polls encourage audiences to participate actively, making the storytelling experience more personal and memorable.
The benefits of digital storytelling are manifold. One of its most significant advantages is audience engagement. By combining multimedia and interactive elements, storytellers can capture the attention of diverse audiences and make complex topics more digestible.

A well-crafted story that incorporates visuals and sound can also establish a strong emotional connection with the audience, leaving a lasting impression. Furthermore, digital storytelling is inherently accessible, as it can be tailored for various devices and platforms, ensuring that audiences across the globe can access the content. Another key benefit lies in the ability to analyze audience behavior through analytics tools. These tools provide insights into how users interact with content, helping journalists refine their storytelling techniques to better meet the needs of their audience.

To create compelling digital stories, journalists and content creators rely on a variety of tools. For content creation, software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro is essential for video editing, while Canva and Adobe Spark are popular choices for designing graphics and visual elements. Audio production tools such as Audacity and GarageBand are used to create soundscapes, voiceovers, and other audio features. For interactive storytelling, platforms like Flourish, Story Map JS, and Thing Link allow journalists to add layers of engagement to their narratives.

Meanwhile, publishing platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and social media channels serve as the primary means of distributing digital stories to a wide audience.
Despite its many advantages, digital storytelling is not without challenges. Ethical considerations are paramount, as journalists must balance storytelling with factual accuracy and ensure that their narratives respect privacy and cultural sensitivities. For example, adding dramatic elements to a story should never come at the expense of truthfulness. Technical barriers also pose a challenge, as access to high-quality tools and training can be costly or time-consuming.

Additionally, in today’s saturated media environment, audiences are often overwhelmed by content, making it difficult for stories to stand out. To overcome this, journalists must continually innovate and find fresh ways to engage their readers.
Emerging trends in digital storytelling are reshaping the landscape of online journalism. Immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are gaining traction, offering audiences the chance to experience stories in entirely new ways. For example, VR can transport viewers to the frontlines of a conflict, while AR can overlay digital elements onto real-world environments to enhance understanding.

Another trend is the rise of short-form content, driven by platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. These platforms prioritize bite-sized narratives that can be consumed quickly, making them ideal for today’s fast-paced digital environment. Data-driven storytelling is also on the rise, with journalists using tools like Tableau and Python to visualize and present complex data in engaging formats. Moreover, artificial intelligence is increasingly playing a role in content creation, from automating scriptwriting to generating visuals and subtitles.
Examples of successful digital storytelling abound. The New York Times is renowned for its interactive long-form pieces, such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Snow Fall,” which combines stunning visuals, interviews, and video to immerse readers in the story of an avalanche.

Similarly, BBC Stories leverages short-form videos and infographics optimized for social media, while National Geographic excels in visual storytelling through its use of breathtaking photography and compelling narratives.
For those looking to get started in digital storytelling, the journey begins with learning the tools of the trade. Experimenting with multimedia tools such as Canva, iMovie, or even a smartphone camera can help budding journalists develop their skills. Building storytelling techniques through practice and feedback is equally important, as is sharing content on platforms like Medium or YouTube to reach an audience. Analytics tools provide valuable insights into what resonates with readers, enabling creators to refine their approach and improve over time.

In conclusion, digital storytelling is a powerful tool that combines the art of storytelling with the capabilities of modern technology to engage, inform, and inspire audiences. By mastering this craft, journalists can create impactful stories that resonate deeply with readers while adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether through immersive VR experiences, data-driven narratives, or short-form social media content, the possibilities of digital storytelling are virtually limitless.