Month: April 2024

Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the Chief Justice, has called on the judiciary to endeavour to uphold the principles of equity, and remain impartial in the dispensation of justice.

‘Magistrate, lawyers, and the entire judicial staff must strive to uphold the principles of equity, transparency, and impartiality as they strive to protect the rights and liberties of citizens,’ she advised.

Justice Torkonoo entreated the staff of the judiciary to also work in humility, and allowed integrity to remain their hallmark in the justice delivery system.

Describing employees of the judiciary as ‘guardians of the law, entrusted with the responsibilities of protecting the rights and liberties of fellow citizens’, the Chief Justice called on them to conduct themselves responsibly both in the courtroom and outside the courtroom.

Justice Torkonoo gave the advice in a speech read on her behalf by Justice Gabriel Nene Kwao Mate-Teye of the High Court at the inauguration of the Dormaa West District Court and
a bungalow at Nkrankwanta in the Bono Region.

The District Assembly funded the construction of the court and the bungalow through the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).

Your conduct, both inside and outside the court has the power to shape lives, communities and the fabric of society, or cause your registries to deny the rights and entitlements of a nation,’ Justice Torkonoo stated.

She indicated the establishment of the court marked a significant step forward in the nation’s collective journey towards ensuring accessibility and fairness in the dispensation of justice.

‘Today justice has been brought to the door step of the people in the area eliminating the barrier of distance and inconvenience’, she stated, saying ‘the inauguration is a testament of the judiciary’s commitment to extending the reach of justice to every corner of the nation’, she stated.

Justice Torkonoo expressed her gratitude to the district assembly for funding the project, saying the courthouse represented a steadfast commitment t
o upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice was not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right accessible to every individual.

‘The opening of a new courthouse represents a triumph of our values, signifies unwavering dedication to building a society where fairness prevailed, where the law is applied equitably and where everyone’s voice is heard,’ she stated.

The court will serve as a true reminder that despite the challenges that any community may face there’s a forum of resolving conflict leading to stronger and more resilient societies, she stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Nneka Youth Foundation (NYF), in collaboration with the South Tongu District Directorate of Education, has organised a three-day sleep-in camp programme for the youth in a bid to address some pressing societal issues.

With a focus on empowering 500 youth aged 12 and above, the programme tackled issues ranging from child marriage and teenage pregnancy to drug abuse and violence against women.

The Foundation unearthed a concerning upsurge in traditional practices detrimental to youth well-being, sparking nationwide concern through several meetings, surveys, and interviews.

The participants were equipped with essential skills and knowledge to navigate these challenges.

The camp also featured interactive sessions on leadership, personal development, sexual orientation, and reproductive health.

The participants were also given vocational and entrepreneurial skills training, including the creation of reusable sanitary pads.

Madam Cecilia Fiaka, the Executive Director of NYF, said the Foundation plans to
establish the Nneka Youth Parliament for Basic schools, to provide an advocacy platform against child marriage and other pertinent issues in the Tongu Districts.

She said the Nneka Youth Foundation had laid the groundwork for lasting change, fostering growth, learning, and meaningful connections within the community.

The Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), Marie Stopes, AWO Global Family, and the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS), ensured a comprehensive approach to the youth empowerment.

Madam Celestine Sewoenam Korsi-Agordo, the District Health Director of South Tongu emphasised the importance of community engagements and education to sustain positive outcomes.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Wise Bediako, the President of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) for Nkwanta South Municipality in the Oti Region, has urged his colleagues to accept postings to rural communities to help develop these areas.

Mr Bediako said national service personnel could have a great impact in rural areas, by providing the much-needed support in areas such as education, health and agriculture.?

He said personnel and professionals could also derive immense benefits by accepting postings to rural communities.?

Mr Bediako at the first general meeting with members of the national service personnel, said the presence of national service personnel in the rural communities where there was often?a lack of resources and manpower was very key.

He said serving in these areas could provide valuable experience and skills that could benefit national service personnel in their future careers.?

‘Giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the lives of those in need is very important to the develo
pment of a nation.

I therefore encourage my colleagues to embrace this opportunity of serving in the rural areas to make a difference in the lives of others,’ he said.

Dr Yidu Dzene, the Programmes Deputy Director of Education in charge of Statistics and Planning in the Nkwanta South bemoaned how some of the service personnel rejected postings to rural communities.?

He said over the years national service personnel had had great influence on the communities in which they served and as such had become agents of change in those areas, becoming alarming when others failed to serve.?

Madam Olivia Yawa Aglago, the Oti Regional Feeding Programme Coordinator, advised the national service personnel to take up other opportunities while serving to avoid depending on the government for employment after their term.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Military Academy organised an Inter-Company Novices Boxing Competition for Standard Military Course 63 at the Ranger Baba Square, Teshie-Accra.

The four-day event is intended to practice officer cadets or unarmed combat, building their endurance and instilling confidence in the face of adversity.

Flt. Lt. Karl Atsu Olagboye, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the 2024 Inter-Company Novices Boxing Competition, in an interview with the GNA Sports, said the boxers were cadets for the Ghana Army Force Cadets, Air Force Cadets and the Navy Force Cadet Academy.

He said the GMA partnered with the Ghana Boxing Authority and the competition was also opened to the general public as compared to the previous years which was restricted.

He said, ‘Boxing is going to shape the armed combat skills of the Cadet because it is not every time that you have to fight with arms certain times you may have to fight without arms and boxing is an event that cumulates activities that are supposed to train the cadet an
d arm combat’.

He said boxers would be awarded at the end of the competition and they would be expecting about 85 bouts.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in partnership with the Ministry of Transport of Cameroon, has launched an initiative to address the gender gaps within West and Central Africa’s maritime security sector.

A Code of Practice for Women, Peace, and Security Practitioners was launched as part of the initiative to propel women into leadership roles in the sector.

The Code, developed by KAIPTC with funding from Denmark, represents a significant leap towards gender parity in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Mr Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallé Bibéhè, the Minister of Transport of Cameroon, in a speech read on his behalf by the deputy director in Charge of Navigation, Security and Protection of the Maritime Environment and Inland Waterways at the Ministry, Elvis Hene Ngwane emphasized the Code’s potential to equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge to become maritime security decision-makers.

He said that equal opportunities for training and advancement were crucial
for achieving gender-based development within the sector.

Mr Elvis Hene Ngwane (left), Deputy Director of Navigation at the Ministry of Transport, Cameroon, supported by Air Commodore Akrong (right) to launch the Code.

The Minister applauded KAIPTC’s initiative, highlighting its potential to bring about tangible improvements through a more balanced and representative maritime security force.

He urged stakeholders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to adopt and utilize the Code, emphasizing its role in fostering regional security, peace, and development.

Col. Bell Bell Emmanuel, Head of Information Management at the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) for the Gulf of Guinea, addressing calls for revisions to the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, a decade-old maritime security protocol, expressed the ICC’s intention to use KAIPTC’s Code as a reference point for integrating gender considerations into the revised Yaoundé Code.

Air
Commodore David Akrong, the Deputy Commandant, pointed out the initiative’s strategic focus on the Gulf of Guinea, a region grappling with complex challenges like piracy, illegal fishing, and environmental degradation.

He observed that while the issues disproportionately impacted coastal communities and maritime professionals, including women, current policies often overlook the potential contributions of women in finding solutions.

With the support of the Cameroonian and Danish governments, KAIPTC is confident that widespread adoption of the Code across West and Central Africa will empower women to play a more significant role in all aspects of maritime security.

The Code of Practice for Women, Peace, and Security Practitioners emphasizes four key areas: participation, protection, prevention, relief and recovery.

It is aligned with UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, providing a roadmap for achieving gender equality within maritime security.

It seeks to address the historical underrepresent
ation of women in maritime security positions.

The launch in Cameroon marks the first of seven planned ceremonies across the West and Central Africa regions.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The United Nations has disseminated results for the first year of implementation of the Organisation’s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) agreement with Ghana.

The UNSDCF, which is being implemented from 2023-2025, was signed on 28 April 2023 to galvanise progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.

The UN held a dissemination dialogue with civil society organisations in Accra on Monday, during which the outcome of the framework in the first year of implementation was shared.

Under the UNSDCF agreement with Ghana, the UN will deploy an estimated US$517m over the cooperation period around three key pillars of work; Inclusive Economic Transformation; Equitable Access to Services; and Durable Peace in Ghana and the Sub-region.

The framework focuses on key issues such as financing, the environment and climate, digitalisation, urbanisation, data for decision-making, and strengthened partnerships across all pillars.

It also outlines the UN development
system’s integrated contributions to the Sustainable SDGs along with a commitment to leaving no one behind, a human rights-based approach to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and to building resilience, sustainability, and strengthening accountability.

Key results

Disseminating the findings at the workshop, Ms Gifty A. Tetteh, Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, UN-Ghana, said more than 105,000 micro, medium, and small enterprises and farmers had been supported to enhance their productivity and adoption of innovative practices for environmental, social and economic sustainability.

She said more than 6.3 million people had received access to basic services while more than 102,000 women-led businesses had been supported to improve their productivity through digitisation and access to finance.

The UN said more than 290,000 women and youth had accessed crucial services in HIV prevention, family planning, and gender-based violence, while more than 157,000 beneficiaries received cash transfers,
including 129,000 females meeting their food and nutrition needs.

More than 2.9 million vulnerable people, comprising 640,000 pregnant women have been enrolled on the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Under education, Ms Tetteh said the UN leveraged its leadership of the Education Sector Development Partners Group, which enabled Ghana to mobilise a grant of $72m from the Global Partnership for Education.

Under peace and security, the UN said it mobilised $3.5m for peace-building efforts and supported the establishment of two regional peace councils to address critical conflict drivers among other interventions.

Under climate change, the UN supported the Government of Ghana to broker investment deals with bilateral investors towards the realisation of $500bn for pipeline projects in Ghana’s energy transition plan.

Mr Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator to Ghana, said the UN was committed to supporting Ghana to meet its development targets under the SDGs to drive inclusivity and deliver prosperity f
or all.

He emphasised the need for Ghana to ‘turbo charge’ the implementation of the SDGs and rallied CSOs and other relevant stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the frameworks to ensure that no one was left behind.

‘If we are to make progress, then we have to double down on the things that will make a difference and really not focus on the things that are not making a difference,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A project aimed at empowering rural women and improving their livelihoods through alternative interventions has been launched at the Pelungu Community in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region.

Dubbed, ‘Sustainable Project in Northern Ghana (SPRING Project),’ the one-year project targeting Female Headed Households (FHH) at the Pelungu community has a goal of increasing household income and well-being of 50 Female-Headed Households (FHH) in the area through enterprise development and Agribusiness.

The project will facilitate and empower the beneficiaries to go into Shea and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) processing.

As a result, the project had procured new Shea processing equipment to help reduce the laborious routine the women go through in processing shea butter.

Trax Program Support Ghana (Trax Ghana) is implementing the project with funding support from Tools for Self-Reliance, United Kingdom.

Speaking at the launch of the project at Pelungu, Mr Vincent Subbey, the Director of Trax Ghana,
said the project would also organise a capacity building training programme on Shea and OFSP value chain and training on maintenance of Shea processing equipment.

‘Capacity building on OFSP recipes and market opportunities, OFSP demonstration in two schools with School Feeding Programme, participation in Network meetings, capacity building on tree growing, organizational development, business development, life skills, strengthening and supporting Village Savings and Loans Associations, vine multiplication, distribution and cultivation and farmer exchange visits will also be part of the implementation strategies’, he stressed.

He stated that one of the key implementation strategies is to organise a stakeholder Conference in Bolgatanga, the regional capital, for the creation of networks and market linkages among the beneficiaries and other major stakeholders.

The Director said among the project outcomes were to ensure functional business group, well maintained shea processing equipment, quality and quantity
production of Shea, access to market and fair trade, household consumption and sales of OFSP products, new and sustainable businesses and improved household income and wellbeing of the women and their families.

Trax Ghana, a non-profitable organisation, was established in 1989 and works with smallholder farmers to achieve food security and wealth creation.

Thematic areas of the NGO include Sustainable Land Management, alternative Livelihoods, youth Education, Commodity Enterprise development, Gender equality and Community Empowerment.

The organisation has over the years offered scholarships to a lot of deprived students and empowered the Kambusigo community in the Bongo District with green house project and also compost making project.

Pognab Akosua Nabil, the Queen mother of Pelungu, expressed happiness about the project intervention and hoped that the intervention would contribute to mitigating the women plight.

Mr Francia Datuogha, the Assemblyman for the Pelungu Electoral Area, thanked the NGO and
the funding agency for the support and pledged that the District Assembly would complement the efforts of the implementing agency to ensure that the project makes a significant impact in the community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Manhyia Palace Museum, Kumasi is to be reopened on May 1, 2024 as part of Silver Jubilee celebrations of the ascension Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene (Asante King) to the Golden Stool.

Hosted by the Asantehene, the museum will unveil refurbished facilities and historic Ashanti heirlooms to the public in its new Homecoming exhibition.

The momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the Ashanti Kingdom’s cultural heritage as British institutions, in a landmark agreement, have returned 32 royal treasures plundered from the Asante Kingdom 150 years ago.

The works, featuring 15 items from the British Museum and 17 from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V and A), are now at the Manhyia Palace Museum on a three-year loan.

The Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles repatriated seven artefacts in February 2024. Homecoming commemorates these initiatives under Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s leadership.

Looted by British military forces from the Asantehene’s court during the 19th century Ang
lo-Ashanti Wars, Homecoming exhibits the relics in their homeland for the first time in 150 years.

They include the sword of state known as Mpomponsuo and the gold badges of officials authorised to purify the king’s soul.

The collection also features a gold lute-harp presented by Asantehene Osei Bonsu to British diplomat Thomas Edward Bowdich during an 1817 trade treaty.

Each offers visitors a rare glimpse into the splendour of Ashanti history and culture.

Mr Ivor Agyeman-Duah, Manhyia Palace Museum’s Director and chief negotiator for the Asantehene, described the impact of the agreements.

‘These partnerships go beyond the Ashanti Kingdom,’ he explained, referencing ongoing international movements to repatriate cultural artefacts to their rightful origins.

’50 years since Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II first requested the return of the items from the British Museum in 1974, Homecoming renews our connections to Britain and the United States, in the spirit of progress and cooperation.’

The Fowler Museu
m personally returned the treasures to the Asantehene on 8th February. They include a royal stool ornament from Asantehene Kofi Karikari’s private collection, who ruled during Kumasi’s sacking.

Agyeman-Duah continued: ‘Although the British Museum’s laws forbid the permanent removal of objects, thanks to the mutually beneficial cooperation between Otumfuos Opoku-Ware II and Osei Tutu II, and the British Museum and V and A, items removed 150 years ago are home from three museums.

‘We now look forward to more dialogues and stronger relationships with all custodians of Ashanti treasures.’

Opened by Otumfuo Opoku Ware II during his Silver Jubilee in 1995, the museum was originally the first Manhyia Palace, built by the British for Asantehene Nana Prempeh I in 1925 to replace the royal palace they destroyed during the Yaa Asantewaa War in 1900. Nana Prempeh I accepted it only after paying its costs in full.

Visitors can explore expanded spaces and see photographic and regalia displays, lifelike mannequins of th
e 20th and 21st-century Asantehenes and Asantehemaas (queen mothers), and captivating narratives chronicling the legacy of the Ashanti kingdom, including its history with the British Empire.

Source: Ghana News Agency

MTN Ghana in partnership with Mobile-Web Ghana has held a mentorship programme for over 70 girls in selected Junior and Senior High Schools (SHS) in Accra.

The mentorship programme dubbed: ‘Girls in ICT’ was held to commemorate International Girls in ICT Day 2024 on the theme: ‘Leadership’, which underscores the critical need for strong female role models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

Madam Cynthia Mills, Economic Empowerment Advisor, MTN Ghana Foundation, speaking at the event, said they were committed to empowering the girls to take up the challenge and venture into STEM courses as opportunities in the industry were enormous.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), participation of women in ICT-related fields continued to be low and nearly absent from software development, engineering, technology research, academia as well as highest levels of policy making.

The mentorship programme involved students from selected JHS and SHS and mentors from
MTN Ghana, who took the girls through leadership roles to inspire them to become leaders, particularly taking a bold step in STEM-related courses.

She said girls had always feared undertaking Science and Mathematics-related courses, having very few professionals in the industry, hence, the partnership to encourage them and assist them to take up the challenge, was key.

‘We want to encourage them not to fear sciences, and that there are various fields that they can branch into once they are able to take on these courses, so we are encouraging the ladies to be active in this regard,’ she said.

Madam Mills said MTN Ghana had been empowering young girls in STEM education for the past five years in partnership with the Ministry of Communications, which had been positive.

The Economic Empowerment Advisor said in most cases they followed up on the schools they supported to find out how they were doing and then also encouraged the students to contact mentors for further engagement.

She urged the young girls not
to fear STEM courses.

Ms Florence Toffah, Director, Mobile Web-Ghana, said most of the girls needed mentorship programmes to inspire them to be able to take up the STEM challenges, as technology had more potential for the girl child than ever imagined.

She said the main aim was to get women, who were into leadership positions to be able to inspire the girls, adding that despite the high Internet penetration in the country, only a few girls were into ICT or STEM education, creating a huge gap in the industry.

She said statistics showed that by stage three, the confidence in Mathematics dropped significantly and ‘so the reason for the programme is to be able to get role models who are in leadership positions in STEM to be able to motivate these girls’.

The Director of Mobile Web-Ghana said feedback from previous programmes with girls had been positive.

‘There is a huge opportunity in ICT for everyone, let us expose our girls to the good aspects of the internet and the good offer that ICT can offer them, le
t us expose them at an early stage and as they grow, l am sure that they will find a leadership role in STEM which is more rewarding, fulfilling and exciting,’ she added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday cut the sod for the construction of a two-storey block to serve as the centre for training street children at the Sempe Cluster of Schools at Mamprobi in Accra.

The Centre will also provide skills training for street children and marginalised teenagers in and around the Mamprobi enclave.

The project is being facilitated by Reverend Andrew Campbell, the Founder of Mother Theresa Soup Kitchen Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, and King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II Foundation, which would provide skills training for the teenagers.

The future plan is to build a training centre at Adenta, where residential facilities will also be provided for the teenagers.

During the sod-cutting ceremony at the Sempe Cluster of Schools in Mamprobi, Dr Bawumia said the project hoped to take children off the street and provide them with employable skills.

‘This is in line with government policy on Gender, Children and Social Protection where major interventions hav
e been made under our administration,’ he said.

‘We hope to do even more come next year when I form a new government.’

Dr Bawumia encouraged all well-meaning Ghanaians to support a worthy cause to help develop the country.

‘We can help everyone out of poverty and other challenging situations by taking up a project like what Father Campbell did when he arrived in Ghana in 1971.’

Dr Bawumia was delighted for being a Patron of the Father Campbell Foundation, to enhance advocacy and improve interventions for leprosy, street children, rural development, and child health.

The Vice-President expressed government’s commitment to facilitating the provisions of the Foundation and, thus, lauded Rev. Campbell for representing the very least downtrodden in the society.

‘We, therefore, cannot let him down on this mission,’ Dr Bawumia added.

‘We can also notably mention Christ the King Soup Kitchen as a bold move to end ‘streetism’ in Ghana. When this project takes off, Mother Theresa Soup Kitchen will be the biggest
action by a private individual and an NGO against the menace of street children in Ghana,’ the Vice President stated.

‘I am not surprised that the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has the same vision as Father Campbell and myself.’

‘We saw the need to help the less privileged and with our collaborative effort this is what we are producing by the grace of God and the support of Nii Ga.’

The Vice President said it was a worthy cause and dovetailed into Government’s programme for the re-development of the enclave.

‘I assure you that the ongoing GetFund Projects will be expedited and completed. The security concerns bordering on access to the school and Project site will be dealt with by the construction of a fence wall around the entire enclave.’

Dr Bawumia said the hospitality school with Austrian funding would also be situated right in the enclave to complement the efforts of Father Campbell.

Reverend Father Campbell, the Founder of Mother Theresa Soup Kitchen, highlighted the activities of th
e Foundation including feeding more than 800 street children during the COVID-19 pandemic, and bring hope and dignity to the teenagers.

Source: Ghana News Agency