Day: December 23, 2023

It was a flawless stage craft masterpiece from Stonebwoy as he rocked the Accra Sports Stadium with the Bhim Concert-5th Dimension homecoming edition.

With over 35,000 patrons gathered at the nation’s Wembley, Stonebwoy dazzled fans with a ruthless live band performance for over an hour.

The highly anticipated concert lived up to the billing, especially after popular Jamaican artistes 10TIK and Jahmiel wow fans with some energetic performances.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Shoppers are seen walking from Roxy Cinema through to Tudu to Makola and Kantamanto Market as a result of the heavy traffic build up.

Sitting in the trotro is going to be a very frustrating exercise as the Sun, with its heat, gives only one option-a walk through the forest of shops to pick a few things for the Christmas.

The continuous humming of sound, fast movement of people and goods, including ‘Christmas goats’ and ‘fowls’ offer a lively spectacle of Makola and Kantamanto Street or Market in the heart of Accra’s business district, a few hours to Christmas.

The surge in human traffic adds an extra layer of excitement as shoppers navigate through bustling crowds to complete their festive purchases.

The festive period, however, come with its share of challenges.

Price fluctuations are observed as demand peaks during the final shopping hours, prompting shoppers to exercise caution, double-check prices, and engage in negotiations with traders who feel the pressure of the going down of the Sun – closing t
ime.

Cash transactions take precedence during the bustling period, with many traders favouring the efficiency of cash over mobile money.

This preference, while expediting transactions, highlights the need for shoppers to be flexible and adapt to the evolving dynamics of the holiday rush.Security is visibly heightened as police officers from the Accra Regional Command are strategically deployed to the Kantamanto Market area.

Their presence aims at ensuring law and order, managing the crowd, and fostering a secure shopping environment.

Amidst the holiday cheer, the perennial concern of pickpockets lingers. Shoppers are reminded to stay vigilant and safeguard their belongings, even with the visible police presence, underscoring the importance of personal responsibility during the bustling shopping spree.Transportation adds another layer of complexity, with taxis charging elevated fees and online car services proving elusive. Securing a ride becomes a time-consuming task, emphasising the need for shoppers to
plan ahead and exercise patience amidst the traffic situation across the central business district.

In some instances one could spend about 30mins in one spot and not moving.

Commuters are advised to find alternative means of transportation, which is either the use of motor bike with caution.

A number of shoppers are seen adhering to health measures of donning face masks, showcasing a positive response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s educational efforts amidst the harmattan season.
Source: Ghana News Agency

During his visit to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) on Saturday, President Rumen Radev addressed the the Bulgarian contingent at the base: ‘The deterioration of the security environment in a regional, global plan requires action accordingly, and you are here on behalf of Bulgaria to make our contribution as a country, a worthy, reliable member of NATO, a member of the EU, a country that contributes to guaranteeing peace, security and stability’.

The President held a meeting with KFOR Commander Major General Ozkan Ulutas, as well as with the national commander of the contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Boyko Tsvetanov. Radev stressed that without security and stability there is no socioeconomic development.

President Rumen Radev is on a two-day visit to Kosovo at the invitation of his counterpart Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.

Radev congratulated the servicemen from the Bulgarian contingent for being part of NATO KFOR and thanked them for the professional and responsible way of carrying out the mission. The President stated t
hat the mission is extremely important not only for ensuring security, stability, peace and freedom of movement in Kosovo, it has a huge effect on the security and stability of the entire region, including Bulgaria. He highlighted how fragile the security environment is in Kosovo and gave the example of what happened in Banska in September.

Radev expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the servicemen from the Bulgarian contingent in this multinational environment.

Radev noted that currently extremely important decisions are being made about the future of the Bulgarian armed forces. There are several important issues to be resolved such as the acceleration of modernization. Bulgaria will allocate more and more funds for defence, said Radev and pointed out that in 2024, 2% of GDP will be allocated to defence spending.

The President pointed out that until recently, attention was focused on the three major projects for the modernization of the armed forces – aircraft, ships, infantry fighting vehicl
es. ‘For several years now, I have been pushing for a focus on much cheaper small projects, but with a large asymmetric advantage and informational superiority,’ he added, noting that conflicts such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and what is happening in Israel have shown very clearly that cheap, affordable, commercial systems such as drones, which can achieve a huge effect in any military operation, are of great importance.

Radev noted that it is extremely important for this country to have the means to realize this, to have unmanned systems, autonomous systems, systems for radio-electronic warfare, for intelligence information, surveillance.

Radev also placed emphasis on staffing. The President appealed for emergency measures to attract qualified young people to the armed forces.

The President said that instead of the wold becoming safer, the security environment has deteriorated drastically, which means that the necessary attention and resources most be allocated in order to achieve highly prepared armed fo
rces.

The national commander of the contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Boyko Tsvetanov, presented to the President and the Bulgarian contingent the objectives and tasks of the mission, as well as its structure. He noted that there were currently 33 people in the base, and a day ago some of the servicemen left for Bulgaria.

Radev presented an honourary plaque as a sign of appreciation to Boyko Tsvetanov. On his part, Tsvetanov also presented a plaque, that of the contingent, to Radev.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Fire outbreaks recorded nationwide in 2023 have reduced compared to figures in 2022, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), has said.

Mr Julius Kuunuor, the CFO, said the fire outbreaks declined by a margin of 274, representing?4.92 per cent for the first eleven months of 2023 as the Service recorded 5256 incidents compared to 5,530 recorded in the same period of 2022.

‘This is due to the extensive Public Fire Safety Education carried out nationwide. Through the timely intervention of the Service, property worth millions of cedis were salvaged,’ he said.?

Mr Kuunuor said this at the Service’s festival of Nine Lessons and Carols and its 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service where distinguished fire officers who had just retired were Awarded.

Some young service personnel were also honored.

The theme for the occasion was: ‘Reflect the qualities of God our Maker’, which aimed to encourage the Service men to emulate the qualities of God as a Rescuer?

He said the Ghana
National Fire Service attended to 532 road traffic accidents from January 1, 2023 to?November 30, 2023 and recorded a total of 2,557 injuries and 263 deaths.

The Chief Fire Officer said the Service also performed 177 rescue duties and recorded 129 injuries and 40 deaths.

Those operations include drowning in wells, rivers, dams, bees attack and people trapped in elevators.?

The Service also undertook 17,877 Fire Safety Education in Public, Private institutions and other places such as markets, churches, mosques and schools in various languages nationwide.

In terms of Human Resources Development, 1, 000 recruits and 339 Officer Cadets were trained at the Fire Academy and Training School at James Town, Accra, however,?the Service had lost 37 of its personnel in the course of the year (18 Senior Officers and 19 Junior Officers) as at?November 30.?

Mr Ambrose Dery, Minister for Interior, commended the GNFS for the dedicated service and unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of communit
ies.

Speaking on his behalf,?Mrs Doreen Annan, Acting Chief Director, Ministry of the Interior, said: ‘Let us embrace the spirit of gratitude, unity, and commitment as we look forward to a safer and more secure future for our beloved nation.’

Mrs Annan urged the public to install smoke detectors in homes and workplaces, regularly check and maintain electrical appliances, exercise caution when using open flames and educate families on emergency evacuation?procedures.?

Senior retired officers, including DCFO Gilbert Wiafe, DCFO Obeng Dankwa Dwamena, DCFO Paa Kwasi Adutwum amongst others were awarded for their selfless service and dedication.?

They took home Smart TVs, a plagues and citations.?
Source: Ghana News Agency

Sandem-Nab, Nab Azagsuk Azantilow II, Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, has called on government to complete the several uncompleted projects scattered across his traditional area.

He mentioned uncompleted administrative offices in Sandema, the Builsa North Municipal capital, broken bridges, abandoned Nursing Training College project, accommodation blocks for second cycle institutions among other structures left uncompleted.

The Paramount Chief acknowledged the development load on government but emphasised the need for such critical projects which stalled years ago to be completed to propel growth and economic activities in the area.

Nab Azantilow II made the call in his address at this year’s Feok festival celebration in Sandema on the theme: ‘Exploiting our natural resources for a better development’.

Feok in Buli language means abundance of food, and the festival, which is celebrated annually in December by the Chiefs and people of the area, is in memory of t
he victory over slave raiders led by Babatu and Samouri in the 19th century.

The festival, which attracted sons and daughters of the area from across the country and beyond, was the singular most significant event in Builsa land which gives the people of the area a true sense of identity, solidarity and offered indigenes opportunity to realign themselves with their ancestry and family relations.

The Paramount Chief, who touched on roads, said the Chuchuliga-Sandema-Weisi road construction which stalled several months ago, had been ‘A great source of displeasure not only to the citizens, but also to the travelling public and industrialists desiring to partner government in development.

‘We are therefore appealing to government to ensure its completion to make life bearable,’ Nab Azantilow, who is also President of the Builsa Traditional Council, said.

Erratic power outages in the area, which compelled residents to demonstrate in August 2023 to register their displeasure about the situation, was of conc
ern to the Paramount Chief.

He noted that ‘Life is becoming burdensome for the people of the traditional area as we experience very frequent electricity outages which results in heavy losses of our electrical gadgets.’

He reiterated several appeals to the government as a matter of urgency, to establish electricity sub-station in the traditional area to provide reliable, stable, and efficient energy for the growing domestic and industrial needs of residents.

He further requested the government to establish a branch of GCB Bank to augment the Builsa Community Bank, which is the only Bank in the area, ‘We are also requesting government for the establishment of a branch of GCB Bank in Sandema,’ he added.

Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Regional Minister, congratulated the Builsa Traditional Council and its President for a successful Feok festival celebration, and used the occasion to call on Chiefs in the Region to develop succession plans to their skins to ensure peace in their respective traditional areas.

Mad
am Vida Akantagriwen Anaab, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, said the Feok festival had over the years been a major uniting and rallying point of development for the people of Buluk, and commended the Paramount Chief and the Traditional Council for the show of leadership.

She said the Akufo-Addo- Bawumia-led-government was blessing to the people of the Builsa land as it experienced ‘massive progress’ across sectors in both the Builsa North and South Districts.

She said the two Districts had benefitted from the US$150 million, World Bank credit facility for the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project in 48 Districts across the Upper East, Northern, Upper West, North East, Oti and Savannah Regions.

Madam Anaab said SOCO projects including the construction of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, school blocks, market stores among other structures across the two Districts were ongoing.

The MCE, who is Chairperson of the Municipal Security C
ouncil, said the Municipality continued to enjoy peace.

‘The peace and security we are enjoying is as a result of our collective and collaborative efforts, and I entreat all to continue to support in whatever way to promote peace and tranquility in all our communities at all times,’ she said.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition has called for the establishment of a specialised anti-corruption court to strengthen the fight against corruption.

This was part of several recommendations from the GACC contained in its Corruption Report 2023, ‘Reflections on the State of Corruption in Ghana,’ which was launched as part of activities to mark the 2023 International Day Against Corruption and made available to the Ghana News Agency.

The GACC is a coalition of 13 organisations, made up of seven civil society organisations, five state actors, and one private sector body, with the vision of a corruption-free Ghana.

It added that the state anti-graft agencies and the judicial arm of government must deepen their collaboration to ensure that perpetrators of corruption and corruption-related offences were adequately punished.

‘There is a need to be more radical in our efforts to achieve results.

in the short term if Ghana is to deliver a big blow against corruption.’

It added that to achieve these, an
other important recommendation was for the passing of a Corrupt Practices Act and a Conduct of Public Officers Act.

GACC indicated that it agreed with the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) that ‘legislative measures are essential for the establishment of a stronger legal framework and more effective mechanisms to combat and penalise corruption and corruption-related offences.’

The GACC also called for a holistic approach to the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP II) to ensure the availability of the requisite buy-in and resources, both financial and non-financial, to ensure effective implementation.

It stated that regulatory reforms must be made to ensure that public officers found culpable of audit offences are prosecuted, especially in the wake of wanton disregard for the Auditor-General’s recommendations for administrative and audit reforms.

‘State institutions must compulsorily create, strengthen, and work with internal audit units to perform oversight functions internally,’ it added.

The recommendations also included institutionalising a value system that prompts a person whose conduct in public office comes into disrepute to resign or recuse themselves from further administration of the office they occupy.

On the issue of political party activities, they suggested that the government must take measures to forestall abuse of incumbency and electoral corruption during the 2024 general elections.

GACC further recommended that political parties should take responsibility for providing logistical support to delegates during internal elections.

Meanwhile, Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh, the GACC Executive Secretary, expressed concern about Ghana’s consistent fall below 50 points on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) table despite the relentless advocacy of anti-corruption bodies.

Mrs Narteh noted during interaction with Ghana News Agency as part of GACC activities to mark this year’s International Day Against Corruption that anti-corruption stakeholders were concerned about the apparent st
agnation of the fight against corruption in the country.

She noted that corruption had negative impacts on every aspect of society and was profoundly intertwined with conflict and instability, jeopardizing social and economic development and undermining democratic institutions and the rule of law.

The 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) highlighted the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development.

She explained that GACC, in collaboration with its Local Accountability Networks (LANets) and with funding support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, commemorated 2023 International Day Against Corruption in some districts across the country.

She said until all stakeholders committed holistically to the fight against corruption, all efforts would amount to only scratching the surface of corruption instead of winning the fight against it.

Mrs. Narteh mentioned that prosecution had always been a major challenge in the country because there were several repor
ts of corruption, but jailing offenders is rare, hence the call to set up Anti-Corruption Court.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Senior Staff Association of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has held the 2023 end-of-year dinner and awards night, with 30 retired senior staff receiving awards for their contribution towards the development of sports in Ghana.

In attendance were the retirees, dignitaries, other guests and Professor Peter Twumasi Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA).

Speaking at the ceremony, Madam Christiana Naa Merley Ashley said the programme was part of her campaign message.

‘During my campiagn, I promised to bring the retirees together for us to learn from their experiences and this event is a testimony to that.’

She said, ‘this award is so dear to my heart, and I wish I can orgnanise it twice a year. Our retirees outside think we have forgotten about them, but today they were sharing tears of joy at my office’.

‘I’m happy we met them, enjoy and learn from them. They have rich experience and I want to get more and learn more from them, to make my work very rich.’

Mr. Avio Song a r
etired staff who has worked for 25 years thanked the organisers of the programme.

He said, ‘I feel very happy that this thing has come on at least for today I have an answer for what my boy used to ask me years back, that daddy! what shows you have work with NSA before?’

‘But for today I have something to tell him that my efforts have been recognized.’

‘And this is a refreshing for most of us and we thank the organisers, the President of the senior staff association, the Director general, we pray that many more of such things should come on.’

The programmed was sponsored by National Sports Authority, Stanbic bank, Jolly Homes, Golden Coast Hotel, Cave and Gardens Gh Ltd, Egalite, Soccer box, Stephen Asante Bekoe, Jolly Homes, Ocean Spray, Condor Peak, Estracie event and ushering agency.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Friday appealed to traditional authorities of communities on the fringes of the University to help the school protect its lands from encroachers.

The communities are Sokode Etoe, Adaklu Kodzobi and Ho.

Prof. Aziato made the appeal when Togbe Dzegblade IV, Chief of Adaklu Kodzobi in the Adaklu district and his elders made a call on the top hierarchy of the University in Ho.

Prof. Aziato stated that what was happening at other Universities in the country should be ‘a wakeup call for us to start securing the over 700 acres of our lands so as not to be overtaken by events.’

She said the University was lucky to be situated between the three traditional areas and was hopeful that they would collaborate with them to secure the land.

The Vice Chancellor pledged to solidify the already cordial relationship between the three traditional authorities and the school.

She lamented the absence of a Council for the Univers
ity saying, ‘it made the school an orphan.’

Prof. Aziato also lamented the infrastructure deficit of the school adding that out of the 13,000 students who applied for the school last year, only 1,700 were admitted.

She appreciated Togbe Dzegblade’s participation in all activities of the University adding ‘we feel proud when we see our traditional leaders seated at our functions.’

Togbe Dzegblade said their visit was to reciprocate the visit paid by the Vice Chancellor and her team when she assumed duty as the Vice Chancellor.

He used the opportunity to congratulate Prof. Aziato ‘for being the first female and daughter of the land to head the school.’

Togbe Dzegblade pledged their resolve to help the University ward off encroachers of the school’s lands.

The chief on behalf of his community presented several items including a cow, yams, crates of soft drinks and packs of bottled water to the leadership of the University.

Prof. Aziato, who received the items on behalf of her colleagues expressed h
er appreciation for the gifts saying, ‘you have surprised us, God richly bless you.’
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has presented the 2023 Overall Best Farming Institution award within the Metropolis to the Sekondi College (SECKO).

The award, which formed part of the 39th edition of the Farmers’ Day celebration, was in recognition of the College’s outstanding contributions to the development of agricultural production in the Metropolis.

The STMA’s Overall Best Farmer award was initially presented to Mr Stephen Osagyefo Rowell, the Head of Agricultural Department of SECKO, but was later stripped of the award.

This was after investigations by the STMA proved that Mr Rowell presented farms belonging to the College as exhibits to the Metropolitan Agricultural Extension Agents to be considered for the award, and subsequently stripped of same.

Madam Grace Alswell-Aidoo, Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the STMA, speaking at a brief ceremony to present the award to the College, said the initial awardee presented exhibits which did not belong to him personally, so
the awards committee found out and took the necessary actions.

‘The former award winner actually made the Assembly believe as though he owned the farms, but after investigations proved otherwise, we decided to do the right thing by taking the award from him and give it to the actual winner,’ she said.

She noted that it was appropriate that the award be given to the rightful winner to encourage them to do more.

Mr Daniel Asimenu, Director of Agriculture at the STMA, said the award was to motivate the College to continue making strides in the agricultural sector within the Metropolis.

He urged other institutions to emulate the good steps of SECKO by blending academic work with agricultural activities to help produce their own produce to feed themselves.

Ms Guddy A. Kermah, the Head of the College, commended the STMA for taking the necessary steps to give the award back to the deserving winner.

She said the College had been into farming since 2003, and that it was not the first time that SECKO had be
en recognised for its agricultural excellence.

She indicated that: ‘The Metropolitan Agricultural Extension Agents visited our farms to assess them for consideration for the award, but we were surprised that we did not receive anything because we knew our farms met all the criteria.’

Ms Kermah expressed joy that the College had been giving what it deserved and pledged her commitment to ensure the school continued to work hard to receive bigger awards in future.

This year’s Farmers Day celebration was on the theme: ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience’.

The College received knapsack sprayers, pairs of wellington boots, cutlasses, bags of organic fertilizer, a motor tricycle and a certificate of recognition among other prizes.
Source: Ghana News Agency