A scene during the film screening
The US Embassy in Accra has held a special screening of the documentary “Young Washington” for selected students of Accra Girls Senior High School among other dignitaries at the American Space as part of Freedom 250.
The screening was followed by a discussion facilitated by Hannah Fitter, Regional Public Engagement Specialist for Coastal West Africa at the US Embassy.
In an interview, Ms. Fitter said the film carries key lessons on leadership, self-belief and perseverance for Ghanaian youth. “Learn from those who have been through similar trials and tribulations, but then also be brave to set your own path forward,” she advised.
“Some great takeaways, all on their own. The importance of optimism, the importance of seeking mentorship.”
She praised Ghana’s education system, noting that access to affordable high school and university education is a blessing that offers the youth a platform to progress, despite peer and celebrity influence.
“The power is with the people here in Ghana when they vote. The power is with the people when George Washington said to his fellow soldiers, ‘I’m here with you, I fight with you, we are one and the same.’ It doesn’t matter who I’m born to. We are all equal citizens,” she noted, drawing parallels between American and Ghanaian democracy.
Ms. Fitter expressed hope that the female students would take inspiration from Washington’s confidence in his own worth. “I hope they take away that George Washington understood his worth. When someone said, ‘I don’t know if you can do this,’ he knew he could, and so he had faith in himself to be brave and stand up for what he believed. I hope that the young women here will also continue to understand that they have immense worth,” she stressed.
She revealed that the Embassy is working to establish a film club at its American Spaces to continue exposing students to inspirational films. “We are trying to start a film club here. We’re really grateful that the State Department works with creative industries in the US to give access to licenses that would normally be quite expensive. We’re looking forward to continuing to show films here, whether ‘Young Washington’ or other films. Stay tuned,” she added.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke