Sonya Hinton, the special guest of honour at last weeks OLA Kindergarten Centre of Excellence opening ceremony, has been the Education Advisor for the Fast-Track Transformational Teacher Training (FTTT) programme since 2012. Sonya was first introduced to Sabre’s work when she attended the opening ceremony of the Sabre built Ayensudo Islamic Kindergarten whilst on a visit to Ghana.

Sonya was keen to help in anyway she could and was soon invited to become the Education Advisor for the FTTT programme. Sonya works in a voluntary capacity with the team in Ghana to design and deliver the training content for workshops and travels out to Ghana 3 or 4 times a year to provide in country support.

The huge amount of time and effort Sonya has dedicated to FTTT over the last few years was recognised and celebrated at the OLA opening ceremony where she was presented with a Citation of Honour by the OLA College of Education Principal, Sister Elizabeth Amoako-Arhen.

“You have been an Education Advisor and Trainer with the Sabre Team in training Early Childhood teachers for our noble college; and have thus contributed immensely towards the Ghana Education Service operational plan to scale up the quality of kindergarten education in the country.

You are legendary among OLA College trainers and mentees. Your innovative and progressive pedagogy has contributed to the growth of Early Childhood transformational training in our College. We are inspired by your legacy of activity-based learning. Indeed, your contributions have extended far beyond OLA College of Education”

This recognition given to the incredible amount of work Sonya has done voluntarily and continues to do for the FTTT programme was the perfect way to bring the opening ceremony to an end.

On top of all of this, Sonya is also celebrating her 80^th birthday this month, which the FTTT team helped her to celebrate in the office last week with lots of cake and presents.

A very Happy 80^th Birthday to Sonya and medaase pa pa pa (thank you very much) for all of the work and time you have dedicated to Sabre, we could not do it without you!

Sonya said: “The Opening of OLA Kindergarten was a wonderful celebration demonstrating the collaboration of the Community, Ghana Education Service, OLA College and all branches of the Sabre team. The Construction team looked so proud as they collected their certificates; Professor Anamoah-Mensah’s speech reflected powerfully the underlying principles of the FTTT team’s training; the children too, in their performances, showed the confidence the teachers on the programme are encouraged to nurture and all around were faces wreathed in smiles as the keys of the building were handed over to the District Director’s representative and Sister Elizabeth, the Principal of OLA College. Delightful music and singing from the students led by one of our College Trainers accompanied the ceremony.  I had the great honour of being presented with a framed Citation in recognition of my 80th Birthday by Sister Elizabeth, followed by a special lunch in the College Board room. In all a very memorable occasion.”