NASA astronaut Christina Koch reflects on transformative University of Ghana study abroad experience
via GhanaWeb1 min read
An old video has resurfaced showing Christina Koch, a mission specialist on NASA's Artemis II mission, discussing her study abroad program at the University of Ghana in 2009. Koch described this experience as one of the most impactful and perspective-gaining of her life, comparable to her space travel. The program, offered through her school, NC State, left a lasting impression on her. Koch was part of the four-member crew on the Artemis II mission, a 10-day spaceflight around the Moon, and was the only woman on board the Orion spacecraft during the mission. In 2019, while on the International Space Station, she shared images of Ghana from space and spoke about her connection to the country, highlighting its beauty and the influence her time there had on her outlook.
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President John Dramani Mahama, the family of the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills, government officials, and other dignitaries gathered at Asomdwee Park on Thursday to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the former President's passing. The annual wreath-laying ceremony honored the late statesman. President Mahama and members of the Mills family wore white, while many mourners wore traditional red and black. President Mahama stated that the greatest way to honor Professor Mills is by living according to his values of integrity, humility, tolerance, and service to the vulnerable. He added that history judges leaders by the depth of their convictions. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Government of Ghana, Parliament, the Mills family, the National Democratic Congress, and other institutions, as attendees reflected on the life and legacy of Ghana's third President under the Fourth Republic.
Ghana's Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, expressed disappointment over the use of public loans for non-essential government expenditures like vehicle purchases, conferences, and foreign travel. Speaking on Citi FM, Dr. Forson emphasized that borrowed funds, approved by Parliament, should be directed towards projects that provide tangible benefits and support national development, rather than recurrent spending. He stated that the government is committed to financing priority projects but will not support using borrowed money for avoidable expenses such as consultancy services and overseas conferences, as these loans must ultimately be repaid by Ghanaian taxpayers. Dr. Forson also indicated that the Ministry of Finance has enhanced its oversight to ensure ministries, departments, and agencies do not incur debt without proper authorization, safeguarding public finances by ensuring loans are used strictly for their intended developmental purposes.
The New Patriotic Party-USA NPP-USA Branch has commenced its annual conference in Westborough, Massachusetts. This three-day event gathers delegates, chapter executives, party leaders, members, and invited guests from across the United States. The conference aims to strengthen the party and advance its mission under the theme, "Rooted in the Values of Our Founders, Rising to Secure Ghana's Future." It will serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning, positioning the NPP-USA branch to contribute to the New Patriotic Party's vision for Ghana's development. Activities include policy discussions, leadership engagements, networking sessions, and presentations on issues affecting the party and the Ghanaian diaspora. Delegates will deliberate on strategies to enhance party organization, communication, grassroots mobilization, inter-chapter collaboration, and support for party activities in Ghana and the United States. Senior party officials, distinguished speakers, and key stakeholders are expected to share insights on national development, party organization, and the Ghanaian diaspora's role in supporting Ghana's democratic progress.