Classroom block , KG facility for Tema Manhean Presby school

Jan -19-2023

Yohane Armah Ashitey (2nd from left), MCE for Tema, being assisted by Bernice Ofori (left), Tema Metropolitan Director of Education, to cut the ribbon during the handing over ceremony. Picture: BENJAMIN XORNAM GLOVER 

 

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has handed over a school project to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to help curb the shift system in the Tema Manhean Presbyterian Basic School. 

Funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the project comprises a 12-unit classroom block, a Computer Laboratory, an office and a storeroom. The Assembly also handed over a six-unit Kindergarten block with ancillary facilities to the same school. 

Handover 

The TMA Chief Executive, Yohane Armah Ashitey, who handed over the project last Monday, said the gesture was part of its mandate to provide quality education. 

He noted that prior to the execution of the project, pupils were running on a shift system that was detrimental to the academic progress of the learners. Mr Ashitey said on the contrary, those learners in other schools who operated on the straight day did better as compared to those running the shift system, adding that when he took over as MCE, he made it a point to end the shift system not only in the Tema Manhean community but throughout the metropolis so that no child was disadvantaged. 

“The children who will study in this facility will have the same opportunity, the same chance, the same examination and hopefully an improved outcome,” he said 

He said the assembly was poised to give the necessary logistics support to the Tema Metropolitan Directorate of Education to intensify the monitoring and supervision of schools to promote quality teaching and learning. 

Appreciation 

The Tema Metropolitan Director of Education, Bernice Ofori, expressed appreciation to the assembly for the projects, adding that it would enable learners in that part of the community to also access education and improve on their academic performance.  

 

Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

 

link:  https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/classroom-block-kg-facility-for-tema-manhean-presby-school.html

 

 

Mixed reactions greet new utility tariffs

Jan - 18 - 2023 

 

  The announcement by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) that tariffs are to go up effective February 1, is being kicked against by a section of the general public who say it will worsen an already difficult situation as, generally, the prices of goods and services have gone up. People expressed worry that the proposed increment would affect their budget which had already been impacted by an increment in VAT and other taxes. A section of the public the Daily Graphic spoke to across the country, made up of small business owners and traders, expressed reservations about the latest increases in utility tariffs, saying it would impact them negatively as the new tariffs would invariably affect their budget. “Schools just reopened and many of us have had to spend our resources on textbooks, school fees and other academic-related challenges. Cost of food remains very high, the new VAT has taken off and adding this tariff increment to our budget means we will be suffocating financially.” They have, therefore, called on the government to as a matter of urgency consider the plight of most Ghanaians and intervene by directing the PURC to rescind its decision. Background Last Monday, the PURC announced plans to increase electricity and water tariffs on February 1, 2023. The new tariffs will push electricity up by 29.96 per cent for all customers and water by 8.3 per cent. The increment was occasioned by the unstable exchange rate, rising inflation, generation mix and weighted average cost of natural gas. The commission approved varying rate adjustments including some reductions for selected industrial and commercial consumers as part of the ongoing restructuring of the existing water rate structure. Businesses suffering In Accra, Jemima Okang Addae and Linda Sah report that a beautician, Kwesi Mensah, said an increase in utilities was further going to increase the cost of living of the ordinary Ghanaian. He explained that the general increase in goods and services, depreciation of the cedi against the dollar, Domestic Debt Exchange and an increase in utilities would be too much of an economic burden for the Ghanaian people to bear at once. “Things are tough and we are struggling to barely survive. This new tariff will increase the economic burden. This will be unbearable. A trader at the Circle Market, Auntie Jemima, also said: “The cost of everything has gone up and it seems government wants to just add to our misery. Already VAT is up, prices of food remain high and now power and water too? If they increase the electricity bill, I will use “bobo” to cater for my daily needs. Those who need the light should go and pay for it,” she added. An employee at an eatery, Kwabena Johnson, said he was worried that the increment would affect people’s purchasing power and by extension, his business as people may want to save money on essentials. “Our businesses have suffered these past two years. The government should have compassion on us, considering the inflation rate and price hikes in goods and services. We are still unable to pay for some bills,” he said. A communications centre operator, Ablade Mensah, also questioned the timing of the PURC decision as the last increment came into effect only last September and wondered if the commission had assessed the impact of the increment on delivery of quality service which it always used as an excuse. “The PURC always comes up with ways to increase tariffs. At the end of the day, you do not see the services. Water is unavailable in some areas. Many people have challenges purchasing power and nothing has been done about it, Why increase the tariffs?” he asked. Passing on cost For Asheley Ashitey, a cold store operator at Tema Manhean, the increment in electricity tariffs would affect the price of frozen meat products, writes Benjamin Xornam Glover from Tema. She said the existing rates were already impacting negatively on her business and having to pay more for the service would further compound the situation. “I am already paying too much for electricity. I spend more than GH¢500 every two weeks on electricity and this upward adjustment will worsen matters. I will have no choice but to pass it on to the consumer," she said. Another cold store operator, Agnes Adjei, said the business was facing some challenges with the new VAT rates and having to add the new cost to their business was not welcomed. Michael Antwi also bemoaned the hike in water tariffs, stressing that it was as though the government wanted to recoup all the money from the free water Ghanaians enjoyed in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 more: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/mixed-reactions-greet-new-utility-tariffs.html

JUNIOR GRAPHIC: Liberty Hills International School graduates learners (PICTURES)

Jan - 19 - 2023

Afia Schwar: Case on whether she goes to prison adjourned to January 31

 

Date: Jan - 17 - 2023

 Afia Schwarzenegger (2nd from Right) entering the courtroom

 

 

The case involving socialite, Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, popularly known as Afia Schwarzenegger has been adjourned to January 31, 2023. The Tema High Court was scheduled to determine her fate, today (January 17, 2023) as to whether she should is to go ahead and spend the 10 days imprisonment for contempt of court but a clerical error on the docket caused the court to adjourn proceedings for two more weeks. Afia Schwarzenegger is standing trial for a case of contempt filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako also known as Chairman Wontumi. Afia Schwarzenegger, who was also a panelist on the United Television’s(UTV) entertainment programme, United Showbiz broadcast in July 2022. during which she and the other panel members made commentary on a case pending before the court.

She was sentenced to 10 days in prison for contempt of court on December 1, 2022 However, Afia Schwarzenegger was absent on the day of pronouncement. She made an appearance on Tuesday December 20, 2022 in the company of her lawyer, Adrian Duke Amaning who moved a motion on notice for a variation of the sentence. Coming under Order 50 Rule 4(1) and Rule 5 of the High Court (Civil Procedures) Rules which deal with suspension of an order and discharge of a person committed, respectively, he prayed the court to suspend the sentence. Order 50 Rule 4(1) states that the court, which makes an order of committal, may by an order direct that the execution of the order of committal shall be suspended for such period or on such other terms and conditions as it may specify, while Rule 5 (1) states that the court may, on the application of any person committed to prison for contempt of court, discharge the person. Mr Amaning further indicated that his client had shown remorse and had since published her apology to the court. It would be recalled that Chairman Wontumi had dragged Afia Schwarzenegger and other contemnors including UTV to court after they ran commentary on a case pending before the court during an entertainment show, United Showbiz, broadcast on UTV in July 2022. The three contemnors namely Felicity Ama Agyeman, aka Nana Ama Mcbrown, Kwame Asare Obeng, alias Kwame A-Plus and Emmanuel Barnes alias Mr Logic were fined GH¢60,000 each (5,000 penalty units), a fine they have since paid. A fourth person, Fadda Dickson Narh, an Executive Producer of UTV, was pardoned by the court after the court held that he showed remorse by apologising on UTV before the case was brought to it. 

 

LINK  https://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/afia-schwarzenegger-case-on-whether-she-should-go-to-prison-adjourned-to-january-31.html

TDCL rolls out plan for affordable housing

Date: Jan - 16 - 2023

Edward Boateng (left), Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority, interacting with Fatimatu Abubakar (right), Deputy Minister of Information, and Alice Abena Ofori-Atta (middle), Managing Director, TDC Company Limited, after the news conference. Picture: MAXWELL OCLOO 

 

 

 The TDC Company Limited (TDCL) has expressed its unwavering commitment to bridge the housing deficit in the country through the construction of affordable houses for the public. The Managing Director of the company, Alice Abena Ofori-Atta, said the Community 26 Kpone affordable housing project and the Community 22 housing scheme, among other projects, were some of the areas that the company had chalked up some successes in the drive to offer affordable accommodation to the public. Ms Ofori-Atta said this when she took her turn at the Meet-The-Press series of the Ministry of Information in Accra yesterday. She said the construction of affordable housing units had yielded positive results since the inception of TDCL, adding that in the over 70 years history of the company, each project delivered by TDCL was as a result of decades of experience and expertise in building and providing housing. Ms Ofori-Atta said the company would continue to do its best to ensure that it achieved its noble mission of creating and managing unique and sustainable urban settlements to meet the evolving needs of our residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

Completed works The Manager in charge of Corporate Planning of the company, Akwasi Boachie, in a presentation, said in terms of affordable housing, the company recently completed a gated-community at Community 26 in Kpone. The apartments of that community comprise studio apartments, one-bedroom standard, one-bedroom special and two-bedroom facilities numbering over 2,000 housing units. He said the project — started in 2007 — was handed over to the TDCL in 2015 for completion, and was solely financed by TDCL through internally generated funds. Mr Boachie said for a record time, they had sold almost half of the anticipated 2,000 housing units. He said the company also embarked on a 204 housing units at Tema Community 22 under the National Homeownership Fund, which was inaugurated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in October 2020, constituting the first phase of the project. A second phase, he said, was underway, and would comprise a total of 201 housing units made up of two and three-bedroom apartments. He said with the deployment of flexible payment platforms, it was easier for potential home owners to access their houses and make payment with ease. Housing deficit The Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Edward Boateng, said in spite of the existing huge housing deficit that still confronted the country, the TDCL had played its part in helping to address the situation by managing to deliver and bridge the gap, especially for the middle and lower income earners. He said a look at the revenue mobilisation drive of the TDCL suggested that it was no wonder that the company emerged the best performing state-owned enterprise in the maiden Public Enterprises League Table Awards. The Public Enterprises League Table is an innovation by the minister of public enterprises to assess the performances of specified entities regarding compliance. Haphazard development The General Manager in charge of Operations of the TDCL, Samuel Asante, responding to a question of haphazard development in Tema, said although the master plan for the development of Tema was in place, there were some miscreants in the society who operated on the blindside of the TDCL to circumvent the system. He said that notwithstanding, the TDCL — through its development taskforce — had been conducting regular exercises to check the activities of encroachers. The Deputy Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, commended the management of the TDCL for striving to be self-sustaining, and encouraged the public to patronise the TDCL in order to access affordable housing units. 

 

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/tdcl-rolls-out-plan-for-affordable-housing.html

Hope, thankfulness...As Christians usher in New Year

Christians across the country ushered in the New Year with watchnight services that attracted thousands of patrons. The watchnight services travelled into January 1, 2023, with congregants offering prayers of thanksgiving to God for protecting them and wishes of breakthrough and divine favour in the coming year. There was heavy security at the designated worship centres, with the police and other security officers on guard against possible attacks and criminal activities. Central themes that ran through messages from the clergy ranged from hope, forgiveness, love, optimism to renewal of mindset. Greater Accra From the Greater Accra Region, Juliet Akyaa Safo reports that members of the Liberty Centre Assemblies of God Church at Abeka filled the 2,500-capacity chapel for the occasion. In his sermon, the Senior Pastor of the Church, Reverend Dr Sam Ato Bentil, called on Christians to renew their minds and heart to receive a transformation in the New Year. He said that would enable them to know the perfect will of God. Rev. Dr Bentil also urged the church members to reflect on the word of God and have the confidence that they would succeed in anything they put their minds to. From the Perez Chapel International, Emmanuel Bonney reports that the Founder of the church, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, gave the assurance that God would be faithful to His people this year. He said although 2022 was eventful with issues such as the Russian-Ukraine war, floods and natural disasters, global economic crisis and the depreciation of the cedi against the dollar, God kept His word in the midst of the challenges. "The God who kept His word in 2022 would surely do it again the coming year,” he said. Archbishop Agyinasare told the congregants that they should trust in God because He would surely make His word come to pass in their lives. “God will be faithful to fulfill His promises and covenants, be faithful to preserve them from evil, be faithful to answer their prayers, keep them from overwhelming temptations, trials and tests, and forgive their sins,” he said. The General Overseer of The Lord’s Pentecostal Church International, Apostle Eric Essandoh Anim Otoo, said “We are grateful to God for ushering us into the new year, 2023. “The Lord has been gracious and merciful to us in all ways, and we need to be grateful to Him. We can look forward in hope for a fruitful year despite the seeming challenges that surround us,” he added. He said this could be possible if the society put its trust in the Lord. “As we prepare for general election next year as a nation, we need to prepare ourselves for a very peaceful election by conducting ourselves very well and be guided in our utterances with seasoned words,” he said. Praise, adorations At the Hope Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Sakumono Estates, worshipers welcome the New Year with prayers, praise and adorations to God for seeing them through the previous year, reports Benjamin Xornam Glover. In a sermon titled: "More Than Conquerors”, Rev. Mrs Sylvia Emily Akuffo Anning Bonsu reminded the congregants that irrespective of the challenges in the previous year, God had gone ahead of them and won victory. "You are entering a new year with confidence because the Lord is with you. You are more than a conqueror. God will surely give you victory in 2023," she said. The Sakumono District Minister of the PCG, Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko, also in a New Year message, expressed appreciation to the congregants for the massive participation in activities of the church, especially outreach events, prison and hospital visitation, among others.

Ashanti Region From Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Emmanuel Baah reports that the General Overseer of the Calvary Charismatic Church (CCC), Reverend Ransford Obeng, cautioned the citizenry to be wary of the craze for quick wealth. He observed that although people aspired to make progress in life, it ought to be done in “a more decent manner”. “All the wealth that is made on a silver platter cannot last,” he said, while delivering the sermon during the New Year service at the church’s auditorium at Ayigya. He also advised unemployed youth to tread cautiously in their quest to seek employment “because rushing for non-decent and dangerous jobs which guaranteed quick successes today would rather dwindle your fortunes and ruin their lives”. During the service, Rev. Obeng laid hands on some ‘Christmas babies’ and prophesied that through Christ, they would live to see nothing but victory. Central Region From Shirley Asiedu-Addo in Cape Coast, there were exciting church services for the Christmas Sunday, the watch night service and and New Year’s Day. In a sermon titled “Repositioning ourselves for the new thing God will do” at the Abura District of the Cape Coast Area of the Church of Pentecost, the Area Head Pastor, Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, urged Christians to increase their devotion with the Lord. He admonished Christians to remain resolute in the walk with God going into the New Year, and advised them to see God as their redeemer. The Head Pastor of the Redemption Baptist Church in Cape Coast, Rev. Dr Isaac Mills-Owoo, said despite the economic challenges, the Lord would guide Christians and provide for them. Upper East Residents in the Upper East Region, especially those in Bolgatanga, celebrated Christmas and welcomed the New Year with joy and excitement after attending services in their respective churches, reports Gilbert Mawuli Agbey. As Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, many residents flooded various churches to give thanks and praises to God for his protection and blessing throughout the year. During the 31st watch night, churches in the regional capital held services to usher in the New Year, with many filled to capacity, and some congregants compelled to stand outside to take part in the service. Volta Region Alberto Mario Noretti reports that churches in Ho in the Volta Region kept vigil to usher in the New Year, with intercessory prayers for the nation. At the Dela Cathedral of the Eangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, at Ho-Kpodzi, the scene was reminicent of a carnival. Some members of the congregation followed the service on a giant screen on the forecourt of the chapel, which was filled beyond capacity. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the church, Rt Rev. Dr Lt Col Bliss Divine Agbeko (retd), called on Ghanaians to “demonstrate gratitude to God for bringing us this far”. “Let us continue to pray for wisdom for leadership to make the right decisions for the nation,” he said. LINK: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-hope-thankfulness-as-christians-usher-in-new-year.htmlJan - 04 - 2023  

 

230 Babies ‘arrive’ on Xmas, New Year

Jan - 04 - 2023

Ghana recorded 230 new births in nine major health facilities across the country on Christmas, Boxing and New Year days over the Yuletide. Female babies formed the majority of 126, with the males numbering 104. At the country’s premier hospital, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Augustina Tawiah and Maclean Kwofi report that 82 births were recorded on the three ‘special’ dates. Eight of the births — three males and five females — were recorded on New Year’s Day, while 14 babies of eight females — including a twin set — and six males were recorded on January 2. Sixty deliveries were recorded at the hospital on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. According to the Public Relations Unit of the hospital, the first child delivered on New Year’s Day, a female, was at 1:20 a.m. From Sunyani, Biiya Mukusah Ali reports that 10 babies — made up of six females and four males — were delivered at the Sunyani Regional Hospital on Christmas and Boxing days. Seven of the babies, comprising five females and two males, were born on Christmas Eve, while two males and a female were also delivered on Boxing Day. All the 10 babies and their mothers were in good health when the Daily Graphic visited the facility during the period. Some of the mothers and their babies had since been discharged. A midwife in charge of the maternity of the hospital, Mrs Rebecca Asare, advised pregnant women to visit the nearest health facility as soon as they conceive. The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi recorded 23 babies on both Christmas and New Year’s Day, reports Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. While 14 babies — six males and eight females — were delivered on Christmas Day, nine — six males and three females — were recorded on New Year’s Day. Koforidua From Koforidua, Haruna Yussif Wunpini reports that 30 babies were delivered at the Eastern Regional Hospital and the Koforidua Polyclinic during the Yuletide and on New Year's Day. They were made up of 16 males and 14 females. Out of the number, 13 were delivered normally, while the remaining 17 were through caesarean section. Of the 30 new deliveries, the Eastern Regional Hospital recorded 27 new births, while the Koforidua Polyclinic recorded three. Lower deliveries The Senior Staff Midwife in charge of the afternoon shift of the Delivery Ward of the regional hospital, Faustina Donkor, said this year's number of deliveries was lower than that of last year. She explained that education on family planning, especially to women, had led to the reduction in pregnancies and subsequent new births. Municipal division At the Koforidua Polyclinic, a medical officer, Ruby Dornyo, attributed the low number of births during the festivities to the carving out of a new municipality, the New Juaben North Municipality from the original New Juaben Municipality. She explained that as a result, some expectant women opted to deliver at the health facilities in the newly created municipality. Thirty-eight new babies were delivered at the Bolgatanga Regional and the Bongo District hospitals on Christmas and the New Year days, reports Gilbert Mawuli Agbey from the Upper East Region. Eighteen of the babies were delivered at both health facilities on Christmas Day, while the remaining were delivered on New Year’s Day. They were made up of 20 females and 18 males. Two mothers, who successfully went through delivery on Christmas Day, Mary Nyaabila and Clementia Ayine, thanked God for seeing them throughout their period of pregnancy and safe delivery. From Cape Coast, Shirley Asiedu-Addo reports that 22 babies were born on Christmas and the New Year days at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Thirteen babies, made up of eight males and five females, were born on Christmas Day, while nine, made up of four males and five females were born on New Year’s Day. There was no maternal or baby mortality on the days at the hospital. The Public Relations Officer, Fred Nyankah, said the babies and mothers were doing well. Meanwhile, MTN Ghana Foundation has presented 25 hampers to babies born on Christmas Day and Boxing Day at the Cape Coast Teaching and the Cape Coast Metropolitan hospitals. The gesture was to show love as part of the telecommunication company’s social responsibility activities. The hampers contained baby dresses, pomade, powder, socks, diapers, scratch cards, toiletries and other baby essentials. At the Tema General Hospital, the facility recorded 17 births on Christmas Day, consisting of six males and 11 females, reports Benjamin Xornam Glover. Statistics obtained from the Labour Unit of the hospital indicated that six of the deliveries on Christmas Day were through Caesarean section. On Boxing Day, eight more deliveries of six females and two males were recorded at the facility, bringing the total deliveries for the two days to 25 compared to 27 deliveries recorded in 2021. 

 

Link: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/230-babies-arrive-on-xmas-new-year.html