Asogli Power, Ghana-Chinese Chamber of Commerce support flood victims (Daily Graphic, Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Page 23 )

 

The Ghana-Chinese Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and Sunon Asogli Power have donated relief items to victims of the recent floods in the lower Volta dam basin.

The support from the two firms to the flood victims in North, South and Central Tongu Districts, Anloga, Ketu South, as well as the Keta Municipality, was to alleviate their plight.

The Ghana-Chinese Chamber of Commerce donated GH¢ 500,000 and some relief items, while the China Jianxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Limited also donated GH¢ 50,000 to support the affected communities.

The items included 160 pieces of student mattresses, 90 bags of 25-kilogramme rice, 160 pieces of pillows, 20 boxes of cooking oil and six boxes of stationery.

A presentation ceremony took place at Sogakope to hand over the items to the beneficiaries.

Present at the event were the Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Chinese Embassy, Li Yaohong, the MP for the South Tongu Constituency, K. Mensah Woyome; the MP for the Central Tongu Constituency,  Hottordze Alexander Roosevelt, and the MP for the Keta Constituency, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpe.

Crisis

The President of the Ghana-Chinese Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, Yan Qun, who is also the Chairman of the Sunon Asogli Power, speaking at a ceremony to hand over the items yesterday, said in times of crisis, people needed to come together as a community, not only to offer their sympathies but also to provide tangible support to those affected.

He said the Ghana-Chinese Enterprise Chamber of Commerce was taking proactive steps to assist flood victims, particularly children and to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts."It is sad to witness that children of these communities could not go to school when the disaster occurred and were also prone to several diseases accompanied by the flood.

“It is our fervent hope that this donation would be channelled to the support of the education of the children in the affected communities," he said. 

Mutual friends

The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and a Director of the Sunon Asogli Power, Togbe Afede XIV, commended the Ghana-Chinese Enterprise Chamber of Commerce for rallying support for the victims.

He said China had been a friend of Ghana since independence and had been involved in various aspects of Ghana's development.

He noted that although the flood water had receded, the consequences still lingered on, including the loss of businesses, agricultural lands, negative impact on school and academic work, displacement, among others.  

The MP for the Ketu South Constituency, as well as the Public Relations Officer of the Tongu Chiefs Union, Abla Dzifa Gomashie and Togbe Ayensu Kokotako II respectively, expressed appreciation to the chamber for the gesture.

Tour

Earlier, members of the Ghana-Chinese Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and officials of the Sunon Asogli Power toured the Richard Novati Catholic Hospital and the Camboni Technical Institute in Sogakope, which were both impacted by the floods.

At the Richard Novati Catholic Hospital, the Medical Director, Dr Aaron Nii Tettey Oku, said although the facility started partial operations on December 1, 2023, some equipment had been damaged.

He said technicians were assessing the extent of damage, while the Catholic Relief Services had also made some funds available for the renovation of some residential facilities for staff. 

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-asogli-power-ghana-chinese-chamber-of-commerce-support-flood-victims.html

Tema Bethel Methodist Church marks golden jubilee (Daily Graphic, Monday, December 11, 2023 Page 69)

 

The Methodist Church Ghana, Bethel Society, has celebrated its golden jubilee with a call on its members to continue its quest of raising disciples for the Lord. 

The Bishop of the Tema Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Rt Rev. Samuel Ofori-Akyea, who made the call at the 50th anniversary thanksgiving service yesterday, said as part of the strategic growth plan, the church intended to increase its membership not just in numbers but also in substance and urged congregants in the Tema Diocese to play a critical role in the evangelism drive.

Members of the church, adorned in their anniversary cloth, sang songs of praise to God and made merry for all He had done for them in the past 50 years.

The theme for the anniversary was: "Bethel at 50, moving forward for Divine transformation and growth".

History

From a humble beginning under a shed at Community 8, Tema, Bethel Society nurtured by the St Paul Methodist Church, Community One, has over the years contributed immensely to the spiritual growth, social and economic empowerment of the people in its catchment area and beyond.

Rt Rev. Ofori-Akyea in an interview called on Parliament to speed up the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill into law.

The Bishop said irrespective of the subtle influence coming from some foreign partners and threats to withhold funding, among other things, the practice of LGBTQI+ was something that was frowned on by the cultural practices, as well as religious beliefs in Ghana; hence, it must not be allowed to fester.

He, therefore, encouraged Parliament to fast-track the process of passing the bill into law. 

Youth

Rt Rev. Ofori-Akyea also bemoaned the gambling and betting addiction among the youth which he said had severe consequences for younger individuals.

He urged parents to instil in their children a sense of discipline worthy of emulation and also advise their children on the risks of gambling, betting and cyber fraud, among others.

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul K. Boafo, in a goodwill message read on his behalf by the General Director for Ministries, Very Rev. Dr William Mpere-Gyekye, urged the youth and children of the society to learn of the faith and commitment of the elderly in the activities and history of the church.

He also called on the leadership of the church at all levels to take time to teach the young to uphold the cherished traditions of the church. 

Social, spiritual impact

The Superintendent Minister of the Tema North Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana, Very Rev. Emmanuel Ohene-Gyimah, said the church had used its evangelical drive to transform lives and elevated human standards among its members and the communities, leading to the establishment of other Methodist societies at other places.

The Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Jonathan E. Inkoom, said having chalked up successes over the years, the church deemed it expedient to celebrate its golden jubilee with a year-long programme, which started in February this year, with many activities.

Mr Inkoom said the legacy project for the celebration was the acquisition of a new bus to aid the spiritual, economic and social work of the church. 

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-tema-bethel-methodist-church-marks-golden-jubilee.html

 

 

Tema Methodist SHS celebrates 40th anniversary, calls for support (Daily Graphic, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Page 28)

 

Management of the Tema Methodist Day Senior High School (MEDASS) in the Greater Accra Region has appealed to the government to address the infrastructure needs of the school.

The Headmistress of MEDASS, Juliana Nancy Frimpong, who appealed during the school's 40th anniversary, emphasised the urgent need for steps to be taken to address the infrastructure deficit confronting the institution.

The school currently has a student population of 1,400.

However, inadequate infrastructure has made the delivery of teaching and learning increasingly difficult, leaving both teachers and students to contend with numerous hardships.

She noted that the absence of an assembly hall and a bigger canteen forced students to eat their meals under trees, leaving them vulnerable to the elements and compromising their learning experience.

The headmistress lamented the stalling of some projects including a 20-unit classroom project by the Methodist University Ghana, a three-unit classroom block under construction by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, the construction of a 14-seater washroom facility in the school, which was being funded by the African Development Bank, the construction of the school gate and a wall at the back of the school to prevent intruders from entering the compound, as well as a six-unit GETFund classroom block and called for their rapid completion.

She indicated that a refurbished ICT laboratory was awaiting the supply of computers from the Ghana Education Service (GES), adding that the school also lacked a functional bus and pick-up to transport students and administrative staff.  

The guest speaker at the event, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Cape Coast, Dr Alberta Bondzie-Simpson, noted that the infrastructural conditions of schools directly impacted the performance of students.

“A calm, spacious, well lit and visually appealing campus with useful and well-maintained facilities such as classrooms, labs, well-stocked libraries, cafeterias or canteens, sports and social amenities, washrooms, administrative offices, storage and multi-purpose spaces and teachers’ lounges go a long way to improve the physical and psychological well-being of both staff and students,” he said.

Dr Bondzie-Simpson, an old student of MEDASS, said private-public partnerships could also be exploited by galvanising support from private businesses that might have an interest in educational development through their corporate social responsibility platforms.

Intervention

The President of the MEDASS Old Students Association, John Asseph, said the former students, realising the infrastructure deficit, had rolled out a fundraising programme to build a GHS25 million multi-storey project, including an assembly hall, a canteen, classroom and offices to improve the school's infrastructure needs.

The architectural design of the new MEDASS, which was unveiled, was scheduled to be completed in 10 years when the school celebrates its golden jubilee.

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/education/ghana-news-tema-methodist-shs-celebrates-40th-anniversary-calls-for-support.html

Former parliamentary aspirant for Sege quits NPP after losing primary (Daily Graphic, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Page 19)

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Sege Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Eunice Lasi, has announced her resignation after losing the party’s primary last Saturday.

Ms Eunice Lasi, an aspirant in the just concluded parliamentary primary of the party, announced her resignation on Monday, December 4, 2023, in a letter addressed to the General Secretary of the NPP.

She polled 170 votes against 293 secured by the winner, Dodzi Korku Numekevor, in last Saturday’s December 2, 2023 election.

Barely 72 hours after that election, she announced her resignation from the NPP, citing alleged bias against her.

“It is with good intentions that I wanted to serve my beloved party and my constituency but I have had lots of setbacks which I would no longer want to endure.

I have not been treated fairly ever since I decided to contest in the Sege Constituency on the party’s ticket and as a matter of principle, I humbly request you to accept my resignation as a member of the party,” she said,

She further indicated in the resignation letter which was copied to the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NPP that in the run-up to the 2023 parliamentary race, she received an indefinite suspension letter from the constituency executives, stating various reasons

Recall

It would be recalled that in July this year, the NPP in the Sege Constituency suspended Ms Lasi indefinitely for misconduct.A statement signed by the Constituency Chairman, Augustus A. Adjaottor, indicated that the decision to suspend Ms Lasi was a result of her consistent “insulting outburst on social media, specifically shared on various WhatsApp platforms in the constituency” which has caused “internal apathy among the party base.”

She referenced that in her resignation letter and said she sensed it was another scheme to get her out of the race but said she persevered and fought ahead.

Ms Lasi further stated that some constituency executives on the day of the election influenced the process with money and alleged threats and she believed the ill-treatment meted out to her by the leadership of the party in the constituency did not pave the way for a level playing ground in deciding who emerges the party’s parliamentary candidate for the Sege Constituency, hence her decision to quit the party.

via:  https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-former-parliamentary-aspirant-for-sege-quits-npp-after-losing-primary.html

APC announces road map for internal elections (Daily Graphic, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Page 18)

 

The All People’s Congress (APC) has released the timetable for the internal elections to prepare the party for the upcoming general election.

The founder and leader of the APC, Hassan Ayariga, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said the timelines for the party's internal elections ahead of the 2024 general election have started with the party organising elections at the various polling stations across Ghana.

This process, Mr Ayariga said, would end by December 30, 2023. 

He said the APC has fixed January 8 to 13, 2024 to complete all constituency executive elections, adding that regional elections would be held on the between January 26 and 27, 2024 to be followed by a National delegates congress which has been slated for February 10, 2024.

“Currently, parliamentary candidate primaries are going on in the various constituencies across Ghana and the party is using this press conference to urge all aspirants to continue with their good work and support for the party,” he said. 

Mr Ayariga also urged all parliamentary aspirants who intended to contest on the ticket of APC to visit the party headquarters and pick up their forms.
 

Economic woes 

Touching on the economy, the founder and leader of the APC said Ghana was bleeding and the next generation has nothing to hang on.

He further indicated that Ghanaians have lost hope in those who wield political power in the country.

“Our youth are crying for jobs and opportunities to build their future.

Sadly those in power have no clue about good governance and leadership,” he said.

 Mr Ayariga indicated that the economic situation was worsening by the hour and transferring poverty to the younger generation partly due to lack of jobs and opportunities. Our future leaders are now gamblers and resorting to betting, a situation he said was dear to his heart. 

“Unfortunately, the two major political parties are proposing tax incentives to lure our children and grandchildren into playing lotto, instead of providing jobs, opportunities, support and assistance to help them combat this dangerous addiction.They are rather encouraging them with flimsy tax promises,” he said. 

He said both the NPP and NDC politicians have sinned against this nation, adding that the country’s debt stock was now GH¢ 600 billion, representing 75 per cent of GDP with nothing to show for the borrowing.

Mr Ayariga said inflation was almost 48 per cent and Ghana has been downgraded to CCC+ by Standard and & Poor's which means the country cannot afford to even pay interest on borrowing. “Ghana is not credible enough to borrow.”

 He identified corruption as one of Ghana’s biggest problems, adding that mismanagement and wastage of government resources was on the rise leading to wrong decision-making and failure. 

“The battle against corruption and poor economic performance cannot be won until there is a radical public service reform especially in Local Government. A strong Government Machinery is very essential in state building.”

“Interestingly these same leaders that have brought us this far have presented themselves again to be voted in 2024 as our leaders.We cannot demand better leadership and change when we don’t make that choice of change we need.The APC and Hassan Ayariga is your HOPE for 2024 and beyond,” he said.

He disclosed that the APC would in February next year hold a lecture on the theme: “I am not here to blame anyone” to offer alternative economic solutions to the ailing economy and the way forward for the nation.

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-apc-announces-road-map-for-internal-elections.html

Empower girls in ICT to bridge digital divide(Junior Graphic, Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Page 4)

Judges entreated to ensure safety of journalists Daily Graphic, Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Page

Judges play an essential role in ensuring the safety of journalists, the Director of UNESCO Accra Office, Edmond Moukala, has said.

He said by bringing perpetrators of attacks against media practitioners to book, they created a safe environment for journalists to practise their trade without fear or favour.

It also ensured that international laws were respected in national decisions involving freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, Mr Moukala added.

The director was speaking at a three-day workshop for judges on freedom of expression, Artificial Intelligence and the rule of law in Tema, Greater Accra Region, yesterday.

The workshop was organised by UNESCO, a specialised agency of the UN that promotes international collaboration in education, science and culture, in partnership with the Judicial Training Institute of Ghana.

In attendance are 30 justices from Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, who are exploring international standards on press freedom in a democratic society as interpreted by international organs such as the UN Human Rights Committee and the African Commission/Court on Human and People’s Rights. 
 

Freedom of expression 

The director further said that issues of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists were significant and demanded the attention of duty bearers, arbitration authorities and security services.

He, however, said judicial systems worldwide were confronted with constantly changing communications environment, hence the judiciary must navigate between intersecting rights to privacy and the right to access to information.

Mr Moukala also said UNESCO had a global mandate to “protect the free flow of ideas by word and image”, adding that it was in that context his outfit was working to advance those fundamental freedoms by building the capacity of members of the judiciary to prevent indiscriminate actions against freedom of expression.
 

Yellow journalism

The Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Justice Omoro Tanko Amadu, said while the media continued to play pivotal roles in national development, the growing practice of yellow journalism was frustrating the process.

“I have observed very distasteful, inciteful, hateful and defamatory commentary and reportage churned out by some journalists or media houses targeted at private individuals, public persons and the institutions they head.

“All these incidents make a sad story of the risk and dangers we are subjecting our beloved democracy to.

“Attacks and threats on journalists and the media are, however, never an option and must, therefore, not be encouraged to rear their ugly head nor prevail,” he said.

The director urged all persons who were affected by bad journalism to seek redress through appropriate state organs and the formal court system.

In the recent 2023 Annual Global Press Freedom Assessment report, Ghana dropped to the 62nd position, down from its previous 2022 ranking of 60th position.
 

Collaboration 

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said his outfit would continue to engage prosecutors to be firm and resolute in proffering right charges against attackers of journalists and media houses.

“This is because the public is of the view that very often, the kind of charges preferred against such persons are weak, leaving the bench with no option than to give out sanctions that are not deterrent enough.” he said

The minister urged the participants to strike a balance between protecting individual rights and addressing the potential risk and harms associated with Artificial Intelligence technology and use

 

via:  https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-judges-entreated-to-ensure-safety-of-journalists.html

APC lays claim to 24-hour economy policy (Daily Graphic, Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Page 19)

The All People’s Congress (APC) has laid claim to the 24-hour economy policy stressing that the party has since 2020 outlined that vision to help save the economy and bring Ghana to prosperity. 

The founder and leader of the APC, Hassan Ayariga, speaking at a press conference in Accra clarified that the 24-hour economy and production policy was crafted by his party under which companies, businesses and workers would ran a three-shift system for people to work eight hours daily.

The press conference came at the back of a recent debate among political parties, especially the NDC and NPP on the practicality of the policy.

Mr Ayariga also explained that the 24-hour production policy was designed to put Ghana’s workforce into three groups called the three-shift system, where every Ghanaian would work eight hours daily.

He said the shift would start from 6 a.m to 2p.m, with the second shift beginning work from 2 p.m to 10p.m. and the third continuing from 10p.m to 6a.m, making it a 24-hour cycle.

Productivity

Mr Ayariga said the policy was to increase productivity and create jobs through production, manufacturing, construction, services and industrialisation, as well as have a vibrant economy during the day and night.

"African nations including Ghana sleep 16 hours and work eight hours.

 A nation that sleeps more than it works cannot be economically independent and achieve economic development and growth," he said.

Mr Ayariga noted that Ghana was not producing enough due to inadequate manufacturing jobs.

Consequently, 80 per cent of Ghanaian youth were unemployed. 

"Ghana imports practically everything including food to consume.Our country is a dependent nation and in serious crisis, the reason behind my 24-hour economy proposal in the APC's 2020 manifesto." he said. 

He explained that the main aim was to increase productivity, create jobs through production, manufacturing, construction, services, industrialisation as well as have a vibrant economy during the day and night. 

Flexibility

Mr Ayariga said the policy would allow flexibility of working hours, reduce corruption and stop the delays in government businesses.He said businesses, workers and companies would operate fully, saying “not a situation of putting up two people to run night shift by some institutions as claimed by people on the other side as 24-hour economy policy”.

He maintained that restaurants, transport services, security and law enforcement agencies and hospitals would all ran full capacity under the policy.

He said while there might be potential challenges implementing the policy such as safety concerns, infrastructure challenges, legal and regulatory issues, these could be addressed through proper planning, consultation and preparation. 

 

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-apc-lays-claim-to-24-hour-economy-policy.html

 

 

 

PNC joins calls to suspend reopening date of schools(Daily Graphic, Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Page 18)

 

The Peoples National Convention (PNC) has expressed concern over what it describes as the untimely and rushed approach adopted by the Ghana Education Service (GES), pressuring first-year students and their parents to quickly report to school merely three days after releasing school placements. 

The party said it was unfortunate that a number of students had found themselves placed outside their regions or vicinities with no prior consultation or input from them.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the PNC, Janet Nabla, she said parents have had to grapple with the mammoth task of finding the necessary financial resources to cater to the associated responsibilities.

“It is undeniable that such an abrupt and unreasonable expectation puts undue strain on families,” She said

The statement said the PNC firmly believed that the Ghana Education Service should give due attention to the voice of the Speaker of Parliament, as they were the representatives of the people.

The statement joined in urging the Ghana Education Service to consider postponing the reporting deadline to January 3, 2024

She said the extension would offer both parents and students sufficient time to adequately prepare for the upcoming academic year, thereby alleviating the stress and anxiety caused by the current situation.

Ms Nabla further urged the GES to prioritise the well-being and academic success of students and make a concerted effort to address the concerns raised.“This will ensure that the education system remains inclusive, fair and accessible to all Ghanaian children without leaving others behind,” the statement said 

The PNC further indicated that the future of Ghana’s educational system depended on collaborative efforts between the GES, parents and students, without allowing any party to become too powerful and abuse the others.

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghana-news-pnc-joins-calls-to-suspend-reopening-date-of-schools.html

Sarkodie and friends rock ‘This is Tema Festival’ (Showbiz, Monday, December 4, 2023)

 AWARD winning Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie delivered back to back performances on the dawn of Sunday, December 3 at the second edition of ‘This is Tema' Festival held at the Chemu Park in Community Seven, Tema.

From 2:40 am to 4:10 am when he announced his presence on the giant stage, the rapper backed by a live band thrilled his fans with hits from his repertoire, a performance that saw the audience singing along with him all the way.

‘This is Tema' Festival was initiated in 2019 by Sarkodie who was born and bred in Community 9, Tema to show appreciation to his home base fans.

 As Sarkodie later explained on stage, the festival was put on hold due to COVID -19 and other engagements but he indicated his intention to sustain the festival which this year, started from Saturday evening all the way into Sunday dawn when Obidi as Sarkodie is sometimes known, wrapped up with his song ‘Country Side’ which features Black Sherif.

The Chemu Park was packed with loads of people from Tema, Ashaiman, Nungua and other communities who came to watch Sarkodie and a host of other artistes who came to support the festival.

Sarkodie shared the stage with acts including Eyfa, EL, Paedae, HipHop musician, Medikal, 'Effiakuma Love’ crooner, Kofi Kinaata, Donzy, Kumasi-based Kofi Jamar, and Kweku Flick to add pizzazz to the festival.

Others were ever exciting Pappy Kojo, Yaw Tog, Maya Blu, Asakaa Boys, Darkovibes, Hip Hop and Afrobeats artiste Kofi Mole, Kwame Yogot of ‘Biibi Besi’ fame, Dope Nation, Quamina MP, among many others who offered patrons a thrilling experience.

There is no doubt revelers had a great time dancing and singing along to their favourite songs. The food and drink vendors were a welcome addition to the festival.

Preceding the festival, Sarkodie who started his craft in Tema, accompanied by his wife Tracy staged a health walk and hosted a football gala to keep touch with his boyhood neighbourhood that birthed his career

 

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/sarkodie-and-friends-rock-this-is-tema-festival.html

Sarkodie leads health walk In Tema. Billed to entertain fans in This Is Tema Music Festival (Showbiz, Friday, December1, 2023)

 

Award winning Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie on led his fans in and around Tema in a health walk dubbed Sarkathon today.

The event which is a prelude to the Tema born artiste's free musical show 'This is Tema' Festival saw many people, especially the youth, walking through the various communities in the Tema Metropolis.

Sarkodie started his craft in Tema and to keep touch with his boyhood neighbourhood that birthed his career, he started the festival to give back to the society.

The return of This Is Tema festival, slated for the Chemu Park in Community 7 would feature both up and coming artistes and some A listed musicians on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

The venue for the event has been prepped up with the mounting of a huge stage with accompanying logistics such as state of the art lightening and public address systems.

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/sarkodie-leads-helath-walk-in-tema-billed-to-entertain-fans-in-this-is-tema-music-festival.html