Day: November 19, 2023

Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) members at the Ketu South Municipal Assembly are to resume work from Monday, November 20.

However, they would work only work from 1200 hours to 1700 hours each day.

The decision was taken after a series of engagements with the parties concerned, including a meeting at the CLOGSAG National Secretariat in Accra on November 15.

The workers have suspended work over what they claimed was an unsafe working environment as ‘the staff of some Departments at the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, Denu are being harassed and cited for noise making by the Magistrate Court’ which is in the Assembly Hall of the Municipal Assembly.

In a letter signed by Mr Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary, CLOGSAG and available to Ghana News Agency (GNA), the agreement was that Mr Maxwell Koffie Lugudor, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu South would handle any issues pertaining to the court, to which he gave his assurance.

‘The workers in the interim would report f
or work at 12noon to 1700hours each working day, until the court relocates to another place,’ the letter said.

Mr Lugudor, Ketu South MCE reacting in an interview with GNA, said the issue had been resolved for workers to resume work on Monday, adding plans were underway to get a court building project at Nogokpo operational to enable the Magistrate Court to relocate.

The relocation of the Magistrate Court depended on the operationalisation of the new court building as it would serve as the Circuit Court currently operating in a building at Tokor, initially meant for the Magistrate Court.

‘We have resolved the case and are now looking for a transformer to fix at the new court building to connect the place to the main grid. That project is from the local government fund, and we are working to get funds released to us so we can connect power, which is the only thing lacking, to make the place operational,’ he said.

GNA’s visit to the Nogokpo site showed a completed and fully furnished court building with anc
illary facilities including judge’s chamber, secretary’s office, registrar’s office, washrooms for staff and a security post.

The site, which also had a water tank mounted, a solar panel fixed as well as a generator set for emergency power supply, looked bushy and the authorities were in the process of clearing.

In December 2020, the Ketu South Municipal Assembly commissioned a new building at Tokor, designated as Circuit Court and inaugurated the Magistrate Court at the Assembly Hall to revitalise the Aflao District Court and the Circuit Court.

The two courts, the busiest in the Volta Region, were closed in March 2019 with pending cases transferred to Agbozume District Court and Keta Circuit Court for continuation in an exercise by the then Chief Justice, Madam Sophia Akuffo, to weed out courthouses that did not meet the standard of edifices for the dispensation of justice in the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, says the government will grant clearance to all public tertiary institutions in the coming months to enable them to recruit and replace critical staff.

Dr Adutwum made the statement in an address read by Professor Yayra Dzakadzie, the Deputy Director of Ghana Education Tertiary Commission (GTEC), during the 24th Congregation of more than 1,500 graduates of the Ho Technical University (HTU).

Three students graduated with a Master of Technology, 512 with a Bachelor of Technology, and 1,037 with a Higher National Diploma.

Dr Adutwum announced that all projects being executed under the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) by the government would be completed in due course, reassuring the management of the Ho Technical University.

The Minister said the government had paid some GHS 362,4 million as book and research allowances to eligible senior members of public tertiary institutions across the country.

He said the government was consecrated to creating fair op
portunities for staff members to advance in their careers, ensuring that educational institutions became self-sufficient in terms of human resources.

Government acknowledged that financial challenges sometimes become an impediment for prospective students to pursue tertiary education and has gone further to roll out the ‘No Guarantor Students Loan Policy’ to allow tertiary students in both public and private institutions to access and secure loans by only providing their Ghana Card, he said.

‘The good news is that the loan amount has been increased by 50 per cent and ranges between GHS1,500 and GHS3,000,’ he added.

Dr Adutwum said the Ministry of Education was committed to enabling all children to reach their full potential as valuable members of society by providing equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education and opportunities for lifelong learning.

To this end, he said the government was determined to provide adequate funding for Technical Universities, creating an environment that fostered relevan
ce to both national and international development through retooling, innovative, high-quality teaching and learning that is driven by ICT and research.

He commended the University for providing students with the practical, hands-on experience they needed to succeed in the workforce while congratulating the graduates, for making a positive impact in their chosen fields and being valuable assets to nation-building.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the Ho Technical University for its great work and reiterated his resolve to work together with management to achieve the government’s vision for the sector.

Professor Ben Honyenugah, the Vice Chancellor of HTU, mentioned some of the new programmes introduced as BSC Economics and Innovation, BTECH Biomedical Engineering, BTECH Real Estate and Facilities Management, and BTECH Architectural Technology.

He said the University had also made investments in improving its academic resources, including infrastructure upgrades of classrooms and ICT labs.

He appealed
for a hotel school facility for the Hospitality Management Department to aid teaching and learning and called for the release of funds for the completion of GETFUND projects.

Mr Francis Edem Kumado, a Higher National Diploma Fashion Design and Textiles student, was adjudged the overall best student and valedictorian with a 4.95 grade point average.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Naa Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle, the Paramount Chief of Nandom traditional area and a Dermatology Physician has been eulogised by colleagues and friends during his 80th birthday celebration at his residence in Accra.

They described him as a patriot and a humanitarian.

Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, former Presidential Candidate for the Convention People’s Party said sometime in life one may meet somebody unexpectedly and that individual becomes a source of light, inspirational and guidance for the rest of the years.

‘Naa Prof Edmund Delle is an individual who has so many important qualities and after being on the air for some time you will get to realise the qualities and individual displays that help you to maintain your friendship, love and respect for him,’ he stated.

Mr Greenstreet pointed out that the Professor is a hardworking person, saying: ‘nobody would know that what Prof Delle achieved in his professional life is not just intelligence or luck, but the man worked so hard. Dr Delle after doing h
is daily mass at the Christ the King Catholic Church goes back to work full day.’

‘He is absolutely extraordinary I don’t know whether it is because he is a Vigan or because he has special prayers from Nandom or some special angels covering him. Nobody would know that the Professor has escaped about three of most serious accidents in his life.’

He said Prof Delle ‘is a man of integrity, kindness, charisma, and a man who always has time for every human being.

Mr Greenstreet said on the political front he is called ‘Gazeri bayaroba’ ‘small but not small’. So, ladies and gentlemen he is 80 years today I know the way he treats himself that Prof Delle with God blessings we shall come again and celebrate his 90th and the 100th birthdays.

He asked God to give him long life so he would be a blessing to many.

Prof Kwame Karikari, the Dean of Communication Studies of the Wisconsin University expressed gratitude to Naa Prof Delle for rendering wonderful health service to families and individuals who called on him.

H
e said what has endeared him to Prof Delle for all these decades was his dedication to the profession he had sworn to, because he had gone beyond one hospital or one clinic since graduating from college up to today by making it a project to be the peoples’ doctor.

‘Prof Delle has walked the length and breath of this country setting up many clinics, small consulting areas to service people in our urban and rural areas for almost half a century.

‘He has almost every week for many decades travelling around this country helping most of the time people who couldn’t pay anything much less talking. And this is a man I think one can call a honourable patriot. He has put his professional service to the service of ordinary people, middle class people, to people in the elite and many,’ Prof Karikari stated.

He said there were many dimensions to the Professor as he is the Paramount Chief of Nandom, adding; ‘I am not surprised that he is the Paramount Chief of Nandom. He is a man many of the presidents that we have had
in this Fourth Republic have respected and consulted in so many different ways.

‘So, Prof Delle or honourable Paramount Chief, my very good friend we thank God for blessing you with so many years and good health to celebrate your 80th birthday. We thank God that he will continue to endow you with more health, wisdom, strength and continuous generosity that you have shown for this decades.’

Naa Prof Delle in a message urged Ghanaians to have faith in God and put all their hope on Him for His blessings, saying; ‘It is through God that I am alive till today. I had 13 accidents including a plane crash but by the grace of God I am celebrating my 80th birthday.

He encouraged the citizenry to eat more vegetables, fruits and to undertake physical exercise to improve their health.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Bulgarian opera prima Sonya Yoncheva sang with children from vulnerable groups from the Geneva Conservatory of Music’s MusicEnsemble specialized educational project. The event was organized by UNICEF and held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, UNICEF Bulgaria said.

Yoncheva is the godmother and mentor of the young performers, she is also the Bulgarian national UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

On the eve of World Children’s Day, which is celebrated every year on November 20, Yoncheva joined representatives of UNICEF and other high-ranking representatives of the United Nations at special event called ‘Committed to the fulfilment of the rights of Every Child: an evening with the world-famous soprano Sonya Yoncheva, UNICEF Bulgaria National Ambassador’.

The event was held in honour of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Declaration (from 1924), which for the first time in history defined the fact that children have their own specific rights, as well as to mark the election of Bulgaria as
a member of the UN Human Rights Council (with a mandate of 2024-2026), which focuses on the defence of children’s rights, the fight against discrimination, the empowerment of girls and women, the promotion of good practices for the inclusion of children with disabilities in the education system.

Official guests at the event were Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe and UNICEF Representative to the UN-Geneva, and the Permanent and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bulgaria to the UN-Geneva Yurii Shterk.

The event was organized by the Mission of Bulgaria in Geneva and the UN Office in Geneva in cooperation with the Diplomatic Club in Geneva and the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, with the support of UNICEF Bulgaria.

Once again, on the occasion of World Children’s Day, UNICEF Bulgaria will join the global initiative to light up significant public buildings in blue. On November 20, at 6:30 pm,
the National Palace of Culture will light up in blue, UNICEF Bulgaria said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A total of 30 nurses, doctors and other paramedical staff had left the Agona Swedru Municipal Government Hospital to seek greener pastures, leaving a huge vacuum in the provision of health care services in the Municipality and its environs.

The personnel left between 2022 and June 2023.

Dr Julius Abuku, Medical Superintendent of Agona Swedru Municipal Hospital, made this known when the Swedruman Council of Chiefs paid a courtesy call on the management of the Hospital at Swedru.

The visit was to enable the chiefs to know the current state of the health facility, its achievements and challenges.

Dr Abuku disclosed that the mass exodus of the medical staff had seriously affected work at the various wards of the facility and that the situation had compelled workers to carry out compulsory overtime.

He said management had sent petitions to the Regional Health Directorate in Cape Coast and Ghana Health Service (GHS) head office in Accra for replacements.

The Medical Superintendent said measures were in place
to retain staff to include the institution of award schemes and other motivation for the workers.

He said despite the mass exodus, they had been able to work to reduce maternal and child mortality and high birth rates through quality family planning education.

Dr Abuku said the management through prudent applications of internal resources had also embarked on many projects to improve the structures of the facility.

The washrooms attached to the Out-Patient Department (OPD) had been reconstructed to replace the existing ones, which had been overused due to the influx of patients to the facility.

Management had through its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and other sources renovated Doctors’ bungalows and flats for other staff as part of the efforts to motivate them.

He said the theatre and OPD would also see major rehabilitation works, adding that the incinerator had been faulty for a long time and needed to be replaced.

The Hospital was constructed in 1958 and some of the machines like the X-ray machine
had become outmoded.

Dr Abuku appealed to well-meaning indigenes to help purchase new X’ Ray machines and others to facilitate smooth operations at the hospital.

The government should, as a matter of urgency, replace medical staff who have left to ensure quality health care delivery.

He said the Hospital served as a referral point for other districts, including Agona East, Gomoa Central, and Awutu Bawjiase in Awutu Senya West.

Dr Abuku commended the Agona West Municipal Assembly for the provision of four bungalows for doctors.

Nana Kweku Esieni V, Nifahene of Agona Swedru, who led the chiefs, appealed to the government to post some medical staff to replace those who have travelled outside the country to seek greener pastures.

The chief urged the people to appreciate the work of nurses, doctors and other paramedical staff as they worked under strenuous conditions to give care.

Nana Esieni urged the government to endeavour to post nurses and doctors to enhance health care delivery in the Area.

Source:
Ghana News Agency

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to stakeholders in the energy sector to support the implementation of the Ghana Energy Transition Investment Plan (GETIP).

This would enable the country to achieve the vision for a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.

The President made the call at the Seventh Ghana Energy Awards (GEA) at the weekend in Accra.

The event was held on the theme; ‘Ghana’s Energy Transition Framework: Sector Institutions as a Building Blocks for the 2030-2024 Targets.’

President Akufo-Addo said the GETIP framework, unveiled during the Global Africa Business Initiative event in New York last September, would ensure the nation’s journey to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

He said the plan was in line with Ghana’s national development agenda as well as the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

‘The framework outlines how we will implement low carbon solutions in major sectors of our economy such as oil and gas, industry, transportation, cooking, agricult
ure, and power.

‘It also highlights the essential investments, regulatory initiatives, institutional arrangements, and capacity building requirements needed to facilitate this shift.

‘It is a flexible and dynamic tool that will be updated and modified as we learn from our implementation experience and as new technologies and possibilities emerge,’ he said.

With the anticipation that some 550 billion dollars, the equivalent of 10 percent of Ghana’s annual GDP, would have to be raised over the next 40 years, the President said although the national framework was ambitious, it was attainable.

‘This may appear huge, but it is less than what will be spent if we carry on unconcerned. Furthermore, the framework will have long term advantages for our economy, society and environment. It will increase our energy security, diversify our energy mix, create jobs, boost health, help to eradicate poverty and safeguard our natural resources.

‘It is a living document that will be reviewed regularly and evaluated to ensu
re that it remains relevant and responsive to our changing circumstances and goals, ‘ he stated.

President Akufo-Addo said the framework would position Ghana as a world leader in energy transition and Ghana ‘will be amongst the first countries both in Africa and beyond, to attain universal access to clean and modern energy by 2023’.

‘Ghana will be amongst the first countries to use carbon capture, utilization and storage technology to decarbonize our energy industry, and to that end, the country will demonstrate to the world that low carbon development can be pursued without sacrificing economic growth or social progress,’ he said.

The President rallied support from all stakeholders, both domestic and foreign, to achieve the goal of zero net emission by 2060.

‘The cooperation and support of all parties, domestic and foreign, are needed to achieve this goal, but we require the dedication and effort of every Ghanaian citizen who is the primary beneficiary and agent of this shift.

‘We need Ghanaians to acce
pt this vision of Ghana’s energy future as low carbon, resilient and affluent. We rely on Ghanaians to implement energy saving practices and attitudes in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

‘We need your help to implement the policies and programmes that will make this transition easier, and we need you to hold the government accountable,’ he said.

President Akufo-Addo said the energy transition framework was more than just a document, ‘it is a statement of our resolve and desire to secure a brighter future for ourselves and for future generations.’

‘It is an expression of our patriotism and responsibility to safeguard our country from the dangers of climate change. It demonstrates our global leadership and excellence in promoting the universal agenda for sustainable development and I urge you all to join me in making this framework a reality,’ he added.

Mr Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, Deputy Minister for Energy, said Ghana’s position on energy transition ‘must indeed happen.’

‘But it must happen on
our terms particularly when Ghana and by extension, Africa, and the developing world have played only a minimal role in the processes that have led the world to its present situation,’ he stressed.

The deputy minister said the Ministry would continue to provide leadership and guidance to bring the vision for a dynamic and fit for purpose energy sector, that is responsive to the 21st century opportunities and realities.

‘We will continue to work with stakeholders and relevant public and private sector institutions in our quest to give energy transition true meaning that reflects the collective aspirations and needs of our citizens,’ he said.

The energy personality of the Year, female category, went to Kadijah Amoah, the chief executive officer of Aker Energy and the energy personality of the Year, male category, went to Edwin Alfred Provencal, the managing director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST).

Dr. Ben K. D. Asante, CEO of Ghana Gas was adjudged the chief executive officer of the Year,
petroleum division, whilst the award for the CEO of the Year, power division went to the managing director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama.

Emmanuel Aboagye-Wiafe, the business editor of Asaase Radio received the award for the ‘energy reporter of the year.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The chiefs, queens and people of Ve Traditional Area in the Afadzato South District of the Volta region, have marked the 25th anniversary of the Ve Lukusi Dodoleglimeza on the theme: ‘Ve Lukusi Dodoleglimeza: 25 years of re-awakening’.

It marks the great migration by the people of Agbaladome (Agbaladomeawo), then staying in the Western side of Notsie, currently in the Republic of Togo led by Atrawlui Akpakpau, the Chief Priest of Tagbo (the deity of Ve) assisted by the Elder Adzamela and the Logba fetish priest Akpana Dzekpakpa.

While they were at Notsie, they earned the name ‘Veawo’ (wohawovea) meaning, (they have a rare or uncommon nature), because of their said dexterity.

This was strengthened further in the manner they successfully engineered such a large-scale migration without the knowledge of the tyrant Togbui Agorkoli.

Togbuiga Delume VII, Fiaga of Ve, in an address read on his behalf by Togbe Akoto VIII, Ve Miamefia and Chief of Ve Agbome, said the Ve Lukusi Dodoleglimeza was always marked to fo
ster peace, unity and development.

He said the government’s Agenda 111 district hospital in the Area was steadily progressing due to the peace and unity among the people of the Area.

Togbuiga Delume commended the government for the newly commissioned court complex and a judge residence for the district.

He appealed to the government for a facelift of the Ve Secondary School in terms of infrastructure and a school bus.

He expressed displeasure about the progress of construction works on the Eastern Corridor Road.

Nana Soglo Alloh IV, Otekple of Likpe and President of Likpe Traditional Council said the festival was not only an occasion for merry-making but also to rekindle the cultural spirit in the Ve people.

He said the serene area had vast potential for eco-tourism and medium-scale brown rice cultivation and urged the people to take advantage and build guest houses and hospitality centres to support the eco-tourism industry.

Nana Alloh noted that the people of Ve pledged their support and loyalty to t
he government and assured their total commitment as partners in the development of the country.

Mr James Etornam Flolu, Afadzato South District Chief Executive (DCE), said the progress of work on the Agenda 111 hospital, which stood at 60 per cent had been on the priority list of the government to be completed.

He said the project would be completed, commissioned and ready for use by June 2024, adding that it would be the biggest-ever government project initiated in the District.

Mr Flolu said access to water was a major problem of the district and added that plans were underway to mitigate the issue.

Mr Maxwell Matthew Prempeh, President of Ve Lukusi Improvement Society (VELIS), said as the area strived to improve the festival and development, they needed to remain peaceful.

He said if chiefs of the various towns in the Area, and the youth and Development Associations played their parts effectively, the Society would be able to fund all activities of the festival and whatever monies generated would be u
sed towards the growth of Ve.

The Lukusi Dodoleglimeza resumed on November 22 – 29, 1998 after a 20-year break and has since been marked annually.

The festival was characterised by drumming, dancing and a display of traditional cultures that portrayed the escape from Notsie.

Prizes were also given to students from the area, who excelled academically.

Source: Ghana News Agency