Day: January 13, 2024

Make judicious use of academic resources and facilities at your disposal


Professor Q. Ben Hoenyenuga, Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University has advised students at the University to make judicious use of all academic resources and facilities at their disposal.

He also urged staff and other stakeholders to work together to enable the school to become a hub of innovation, advancing sustainable global development.

Prof. Hoenyenuga gave the advice in his new year message available to the Ghana News Agency in Ho.

He said the school management put in place adequate support systems and resources to effectively support training and development of staff and students.

The Vice Chancellor noted that 2023 was an eventful and fruitful year for the school.

‘The school stood tall among its peers by winning a lot of laurels and awards both locally and internationally last year,’ he disclosed.

Prof. Hoenyenuga said the University has introduced new programmes including NSCE in Illustration Tourism Marketing and NTEC in Refrigeration and Air Condition.

The others he continued were Bach
elor programmes in Estate and Facilities Management, Architectural Technology, Economics and Inovation and Biometrical Engineering.

He noted that this was to ensure that graduates of the school acquired the desired competency and skills to transform the economy.

Prof. Hoenyenuga called on the students to set new critical goals in the New academic year so as to consolidate and attain higher goals.

‘2024 is a fresh year, a new dawn and a new beginning, I am optimistic that with our collective effort we will achieve more positive results,’ he said.

Prof. Hoenyenuga extended his heartfelt appreciation to the governing council, academic Board, Management, Faculty, staff and all stakeholders for their support and collective achievements over the period and wished all a happy and prosperous new year.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vote Mubarik for loyalty and commitment -Aspirant


Mr Mubarik Abdullah Ciessey, an aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Sunyani West has stated that a vote for him in at the constituency’s primary will signify a choice of loyalty and dedication to the Party.

In an interview with Ghana News Agency at Fiapre, Sunyani West Municipality of Bono Region, Mr Mubarik, a Finance Officer and financial consultant, born and bred at Fiapre highlighted his grassroots background and his unflinching support for the Party since 1996.

He indicated his active participation in politics, serving as a polling agent and working in the interest of the Party.

Mr Mubarik recounted how his hard work was recognized and rewarded by the late Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, the former National Chairman of the NPP for his contributions and dedication to the Party during the Election 2000 victory.

The aspirant said since then, he had continued to work tirelessly for the Party by effectively contributing his quota to support fellow Party members in various ways
.

Mr Mubarik said his motto is ‘Party People and Constituents First’ and emphasised his candidacy was aimed at benefiting the primary interest of all constituents.

Among other objectives, the aspirant aimed to find modern ways to assist farmers and make the farming business easier, because there were lots of rural communities in the constituency and those basic forms of support were essential to boost farming to create wealth for farmers, but they currently lacked access to them.

Mr Mubarik observed most of the concerns raised by Party members were not very challenging and could have been easily resolved to satisfy them if the Member of Parliament had taken proper note of them.

The aspirant assured that if elected, he would continue to serve diligently by working tirelessly to meet the needs of constituents and ensure their voices would be heard.?

Source: Ghana News Agency

NDC government will pay Assembly members monthly allowances – Mahama


Mr John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said the next NDC government would pay monthly allowances of GHS1,000 to all Assembly members.

He said payment of the allowances would cost the nation an amount of GHS80 million a year.

Mr Mahama speaking in Hohoe to climax his two-day ‘Building the Ghana we want together’ tour to the Volta region, said government’s allocated budget would be reduced to cater for the allowances of the Assembly members.

‘The office of the President’s budget alone is more than GHS2 billion. We are going to reduce the President’s office expenditure to pay the Assembly members.’

Mr Mahama said the next NDC-led government would also make teacher licensure examinations coincide with final exams to prevent them from writing separate exams.

He said they would also substitute the teacher-trainee allowances with the student loan, while calling on the President and his Vice to pay the arrears owed trainees.

Mr Mahama said the GETFund had been collate
ralised hence all infrastructure in the education sector had been abandoned.

He said the next NDC government would make sure all ongoing and abandoned projects were completed before initiating new projects.

Mr Mahama called for an all-hands-on deck approach to finding solutions to bottlenecks associated with the Free Senior High Schools, adding that funding for basic level education had also reduced sharply under the NPP.

He pleaded and cautioned teacher unions to give the NDC a bit of a honeymoon to put in place measures and bring the economy back on its feet.

Mr Mahama said he was being measured in the promises he made because everyone was aware of the crisis in which the country had been plunged.

He said the District Assemblies Common Fund was not forthcoming and the percentage had also been reduced, making life difficult for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Mr Mahama said the next government would review the Disability Act, gaps in its implementation and enforce its provisions to cater fully to
PWDs.

He said the NDC would also legalise okada and tricycles and regulate their activities to enable occupants get insurance covers in case of accidents.

Mr Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, Hohoe National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate on his part, said the Party would take the seat from the New Patriotic Party.

He said the NDC’s efforts in areas of education especially in the Hohoe Constituency remained unprecedented.

Mr Tsekpo on behalf of the traditional leaders and people, appealed to Mr Mahama to ensure they expedite action on UHAS campus at Fodome, upgrade the Alavanyo EP Technical and Vocational Institute, and build two new e-blocks.

He also asked for completion of the Eastern Corridor Road to help transform the economy in line with the Party’s 24-hour Economy Policy and improve the Municipality’s tourism potential.

Mr Tsekpo assured that no form of inducement would deter the Party from winning the parliamentary seat in the 2024 general elections.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Monetization of politics: A threat to democracy – NCCE Director


Mr Awudu Dramani Sam, the Western North Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has described as dangerous, the situation where money changes hands in Ghana’s election processes.

He said the monetization of the country’s political system posed serious threat to the time-tested democratic dispensation.

‘Ghana’s Fourth Republican Constitution has survived over three decades, and every effort must be made to preserve it for posterity,’ he recounted.

Mr Dramani Sam said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after the celebration of the Constitution Day at Sefwi Wiawso, the Western North regional capital.

He said NCCE working theme was; ‘Together we can Build Ghana: So get involved.’

Mr Dramani Sam explained that monetization of politics breeds money laundering, bribery, vote selling and buying, which are all major indicators of corruption.

The Regional Director stated; ‘It’s sad to note that wrong people with money, win power and mismanage the economy, while the r
ight people who have no money to influence the electorate, are denied the opportunity to serve the country.

‘In effect, the phenomenon breeds corruption, produce wrong leaders, and retards the country’s transformation agenda.’

Mr Dramani Sam indicated that going forward, the NCCE would collaborate with the media, to intensify its public education, to sensitize the citizenry on the need to help eradicate this political canker.

‘The media is an important collaborative partner of the NCCE, and we hope to strengthen this working relationship, to enable us reach out to the larger Ghanaian populace, to rise up to their civic responsibility of righting the wrongs in our society,’ he said.

He appealed to government and corporate bodies, to provide the NCCE with logistical support to enable it function effectively.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Keta and Anlo MPs want their coastline protected


Mr Richard Kwame Sefe and Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, Members of Parliament of Anlo and Keta Constituencies in the Volta Region have appealed to Mr John Dramani Mahama to protect their coastlines if elected as President.

Mr Sefe indicated that one major problem facing the two constituencies was how the tidal waves had destroyed portions of their land.

They made this appeal at Tegbi during a ‘Building Ghana Tour’ by Mr Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.

‘Anlo, Keta, and Ketu South have been under serious threats in recent years and if care is not taken, we may lose a greater portion of the land to the sea,’ Mr Sefa noted.

They further called for a sea defense wall to be constructed from Fuveme through Atorkor, Woe, Keta, Kedzi, Adina, and Blekusu to Aflao to protect the Volta Region coastline if the NDC returned to power.

Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, MP of Keta also touched on other major projects such as dredging of the Keta Lagoon to allow it to absor
b more water intake to avoid future flooding as well as breed abundant fish for fishermen.

‘Not forgetting the much-anticipated Keta Habour, His Excellency these are our major concerns for now,’ he stated.

Mr Mahama, during his tour to the Volta region on Thursday, interacted with stakeholder groups including traders unions, fisher folks, religious leaders, and traditional authorities to listen to their concerns which he intends to input into the party’s 2024 manifesto.

He was accompanied by Mr Fiafi Fofo Kwetey, National Secretary, Mr Kofi Humado, former MP for Anlo, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, Mr Mawutor Agbavitor, Volta Regional Chairman and other party executives.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Elections security is both covert and overt – GFL advises EC


The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has called for the adoption of both covert and overt surveillance security systems throughout the electoral process.

The GF therefore called on the Electoral Commission to ensure the sanctity of elections by maintaining international best standards.

Mr Abraham Koomson, GFL Secretary General, explained in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tema that covert electoral surveillance security systems are carried out without the subject’s knowledge, that is, electorates, political parties, and other interested parties, while overt surveillance is performed using devices that are visible and obvious to all.

Mr. Koomson explained that both systems have their major advantages and expressed concern about the EC’s proposed amendment to depend on covert security surveillance systems for Elections 2024.

The GFL Secretary General explained that overt security featured in elections, including the use of indelible ink on the fourth finger after casting the ballot, were evidenc
e to the voter, the contesting candidate, and other stakeholders. This sense of assurance made it difficult for the voter to attempt to vote again, as the indelible ink served as a form of physical authentication.

He said these elements would be compromised with the EC’s intent not to use the overt security features, which were the indelible ink on the fourth finger of the electorate after voting in Elections 2024.

Mr. Koomson stressed that with the African electoral system, which is loaded with suspicion and sometimes attempts by ruling parties and opposition parties to take advantage of the system, it was apparent for the EC to continue with the two-way security systems on election day: covert and overt electorate observation.

He also called on the stakeholders in Ghana’s electoral system to steer the country out of the potential political turmoil before, during, and after the December 7 polls, ‘since the major political parties are well armed to win the elections through whatever means possible.’

The G
FL Secretary General noted that Ghana’s Electoral Commission needs help; the National Peace Council and Tradition Leaders must roll out and intensify mediation efforts between the EC and other stakeholders, especially the major political parties, as the ground is becoming fertile for violence to erupt once again.’

He also called on the EC to exhibit neutrality both in public and in private and advise senior electoral officials as well as commissioners to reduce the incidence of conflict, antagonistic posture, and pronouncements, and stop media wars with political parties. ‘EC is not contesting the election in 2024 but is expected to play a neutral role in election management functions.’

He also called on both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership to demonstrate political maturity, stressing that ‘it is exactly when partisan pressures are high that electoral stakeholders must create an enabling political environment for people to express their views devoid of per
sonality attacks, arrests, and security brutalities.’

Mr. Koomson also called on the government to protect the rights of all citizens before, during, and after the December polls: ‘Ghanaians must be allowed to engage in peaceful, lawful electoral engagement and campaigning; citizens must not be hindered from exercising and defending their legitimate right to express their views, especially dissenting positions.’

‘We must strengthen state institutions to perform their duties without interference and political manipulation,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

‘Dormaahemaa’ accepts newly enstooled Abesim queen-mother as ‘Kyidomhemaa’


The Dormaahemaa Odeneho Akosua Fima Dwaben II, has accepted Nana Konama Biyaa II, the newly-enstooled queen-mother of Abesim as the Kyidomhemaa of the Dormaa Traditional Area in the Bono Region.

The Paramount Queen-mother took Nana Biyaa II through some traditional rites at a colourful ceremony held at her palace at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region to seal her recognition, amidst dancing and singing of melodious songs of joy.

Known in private life as Mrs. Yvonne Konama Damoah Ayisi, a Manageress of the Accra-based Agricultural Materials Limited, the new ‘Kyidomhemaa’ occupied the stool left vacant by her late grandmother, Nana Yaa Pomaa.

The late Nana Pomaa, who ascended the Abesim queen’s stool in 1978, reigned for 43 years and died in 2021, after a short illness. She was 66 years old.

The royal gates and kingmakers of Abesim selected Mrs. Ayisi, and her candidacy received approval from Osagyefo Osaedeeyo Agyemang Badu II, the Paramount Chief and Odeneho Dwaben II, th
e Paramount Queen of Dormaa Traditional Area.

With her acceptance to the Dormaa Traditional Council, Odeneho Dwaben II stressed it behooved the chiefs and people of Abesim to revere and support the new queen-mother to rule the people.

She admonished the Abesim sub-queens to respect the newly enstooled queen-mother, warning that she would not tolerate any form of disrespect and indiscipline towards Nana Biyaa II.

Odeneho Dwaben II also entreated the Chief of Abesim, Barima Kumi Acheaw III to also draw closer and work in unison with the queen-mother to push the development of Abesim and the Traditional Area forward.

Barima Acheaw III, who led a delegation of chiefs and queens to the Dormaahemaa’s palace, expressed appreciation to Odeneho Dwaben II and Osageyfo Agyemang Badu II for their support towards the enstoolment of the Abesim queen-mother.

He promised to support the queen-mother to achieve her vision for the area and assured him to bring the people together for development.

On her part, Nana Biyaa I
I also thanked Odeneho Dwaben II and the Dormaa Traditional Council for the confidence reposed in her and promised to serve the people in humility and respect.

Source: Ghana News Agency

NHIA commissions new office complex at Agotime-Kpetoe


The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commissioned a state-of-the-art office complex for its staff at Agotime-Kpetoe in the Agotime-Ziope District of the Volta Region.

The facility would offer management and employees of the Authority in the district a comfortable setting to carry out their responsibilities and provide the public with high-quality services.

Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the NHIA who commissioned the facility stated that the government was dedicated to making sure that citizens had access to high-quality health care.

He said leadership was all about serving the needs of the people, so they would keep working to give the people the best possible service.

The CEO urged the citizens to utilise the National Health Insurance Scheme to solve their health concerns, pointing out that it was the primary means of obtaining healthcare.

He said the goal of politics was to make people’s lives better, and it was crucial to prevent party politics from undermining
politicians’ sense of duty to serve the public interest.

Dr. Okoe Boye commended the Authority’s management and staff in the area for their diligent effort and urged them to keep up the good work.

He revealed that between October and December of 2023, the Authority disbursed GhS820 million to healthcare facilities to maintain operations and supply citizens with essential health services.

The CEO issued a warning to health facilities that were still charging people for services, stating that warning letters had been given to certain facilities about this and that they would be kicked out of the programme if they refused to heed to their warnings.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, praised the government and the Authority for the facility and urged that the Ho Municipality receive one as well.

He commended the managers of the scheme in the region for their efforts and asked them to keep up the good work in providing the people with high-quality services.

The Minister said the Coordinating Co
uncil was prepared to provide the Authority with the assistance they need to successfully carry out their mandate.

Mr Joseph Homenyah, Volta Regional Director of the NHIA commended the CEO for his excellent and successful leadership, which he said led to the completion of the structure.

He gave the CEO assurances about their tenacity and dedication to giving the public improved services.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Farmers trained in Agri-business skills to increase productivity and incomes


More than one thousand farmers have received series of trainings in Agri-business to improve on productivity, business management and incomes levels to reduce food insecurity in Northern Ghana.

The participants were drawn from Binduri, Tempane, Garu districts in the Upper East Region and the Karaga district of the Northern Region under an ongoing project called Cultivating Productivity and Resilience to Mitigate Food Insecurity in West Africa. The project aims to improve food security in some African countries tagged to be food insecure.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program is being coordinated by the 1890 Universities Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense, USA, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical University and the CSIR- Savannah Agriculture Institute, Ghana.

Among the topics covered are agri-business skills, marketing, budgeting, quality and quantity control.

Professor Osei- Agyemang Yeboah, an economist and social scientist at the North Carolina Agricultu
re and Technical University and Lead Person for the Africa Region also took the trainees on the essence of production for high income and profit making, marketing and client targeting and the need for consumer preferences before choosing the type of enterprises.

Prof. Yeboah who spoke in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the goal of the project was to increase on- farm and off-farm businesses, and promotion of value addition with emphasis on improved nutrition and food security for households. This will enable the farmers to have portions of their products to be sold locally, nationally or internationally for a good income.

He said, the project was engaging the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) in the promotion of protein-based foods and fats to supplement the nutrition requirements for children and women with emphasis on reducing malnutrition.

To this end, he noted that in 2022 the project was able to feed over 500 school children in Kumbungu district through the maize and soya be
ans produce by the farmers. The farmers were trained to prepare Tom Brown and the women were trained on how to prepare meals from Tom Brown. According to him, this was successfully carried out with the Women in Agric Development (WIAD) unit of MoFA and Nutrition Unit of the Ghana Health Service.

Meanwhile The USAID and United states Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified the five Northern regions of Ghana to be food unsecured and that several activities were implemented to promote climate smart agriculture to increase food production.

According to Professor Yeboah, agri-business management has been added to the project’s activities to build the skills of farmers to run their farms and ranches as businesses properly.

‘This is because farming cannot be sustainable if the farmers keep on doing the same things, they were doing almost twenty years ago.’

‘That’s why everywhere including Ghana and all former Department of Agriculture and Economics have changed to Agri -business so that farming is seen a
s business and not just for livelihood activity ‘. He spoke.

He said farmers still had challenges with contract farming which is part of marketing. He said working in groups or cooperatives has a critical mass to push a lot of their challenges through to the policy makers. He urged the farmers to produce in large quantities to increase profits and carry some level of processing to increase the longevity of the food.

Dr Issah Sugri of CSIR-SARI advised the farmers to take advantage of the knowledge and skills provided by the project to increase their farm productivity and its associated benefits.

Source: Ghana News Agency

GJA urges journalists to be mindful of their conducts in this election year


Mrs Linda Asante Agyei, Vice President, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has emphasised the need for journalists to be mindful of their conducts in this election year reiterating that ‘The GJA does not, and will not, condone unprofessional conduct.’

She added that ‘the GJA will not shield or provide cover for deviants of professionalism’ hence need for journalists to be extra circumspect in their reportage on the elections to promote peace.

She said, ‘let us ensure balanced reportage and also address issues critically for a peaceful poll and desist from doing things that may cause confusion and violence’ emphasisng that ‘We should not give our platforms to political extremists to foment trouble.’

Mrs Asante Agyei was speaking at a training workshop for journalists in Tamale on Friday on the theme: ‘Promoting Peaceful Journalistic Media Platforms Ahead of Elections 2024’.

The day’s training workshop was organised by the GJA as part of its Journalists for Peaceful Discourse project, which is supported b
y the United States Embassy, Ghana.

Participants were drawn from the five regions in the north, and representatives of some political parties including NPP, NDC, CPP, PNC, PPP from the Northern Region.

The 10-month projects, seeks to train journalists across the country to promote violent free and credible elections in 2024 through well-informed, fact-based and non-partisan election reporting.

Mrs Asante Agyei said the only way the country could have a credible, free, and fair election was through the practice of professional journalism adding ‘As journalists, we must be circumspect in the questions we ask and the information we put out there, lest it fuels violence and destroy the beautiful democracy.’

She was hopeful that the training would equip participants to uphold the tenets of press freedom and freedom of expression while promoting professionalism and ensuring that the country’s democracy was once again safeguarded and secure even beyond the 2024 general election.

Bishop Professor Albert Lugutera
h, Council Member, Northern Regional Peace Council, who spoke on ‘Protecting peace in Ghana, the stakes, and the role of the media’, urged journalists to engage in deliberate selective reporting and use of editorial discretion to advance and maintain peace in the country.

He also urged the media to educate the population on tolerance, embracing diversity and encouraging peaceful resolution of differences in preventing conflicts.

Mr Albert Yelyang, National Network Coordinator, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP – Ghana), who spoke on ‘What is/and how must journalists respond to the security situations’, advised journalists to be mindful of their choice of words so as not to be accused of inciting the public and or pitching populations and or groups against one another.

He urged editors to thoroughly cross check information before publication advising journalists to build their capacities on issues to be well informed and grounded in such issues to enhance their reportage.

Mr Nelson Adanuti, Edit
or at Diamond FM and Vice Chairman, GJA, Northern Region, who spoke on ‘Fact checking to counter misinformation/disinformation and mal-information in elections coverage’, urged media practitioners not to be conveyor belts but rather fact-check claims to better inform the public.

He emphasised that ‘Inasmuch as breaking the story is the ultimate goal, we should be mindful of getting it right.’

Mr Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, Chairman, GJA, Northern Region, urged media practitioners to be fair and firm in covering the elections.

Representatives of the political parties gave assurance of their commitment to ensuring violent-free elections.

Source: Ghana News Agency