The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Western Region says the quality of water from the Pra River that is abstracted, treated and supplied to residents of Sekondi- Takoradi is getting worse day by day due to the activities of illegal miners.
Currently, the laboratory analysis by GWCL shows very high turbidity and colour values. The current Turbidity of the Pra River is 3,000 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) while the colour is 9,014 HU (Hezen Units).
In an interview with B&FT, the Communications Manager of the company in charge of Western and Central Regions, Nana Yaw Barima Barnie, said if the current trend continues unchecked it will get to a point where the company can no longer treat the Pra River to produce safe drinking water.
He explained that very soon the water pumps will not even be able abstract this kind of excessively polluted water, since they were designed to abstract water and not to de-silt it.
“The kind of water that is abstracted sometimes looks like mud, which is not meant for the pumps to abstract; and if it continues this way, the plant may be shut down as happened in the Eastern Region during the past. And that is the danger we are all facing in the country in terms of water supply,” he added.
“If it gets to a point where because of the activities of these illegal miners the quality of water is so bad that we cannot treat it, all they can do is to shut down the plant. And can you imagine what the repercussions will be if we have to shut down the plant even for one day? What will happen to the hospitals, schools and other institutions which rely so much on our water?” he asked.
He called for swift interventions to deal with the galamsey situation, as a lack of them will have dire consequences for the people in Sekondi-Takoradi – and by extension the entire nation.
“These galamsey activities are all over the country. The ban on galamsey was instituted five years ago, and there is no sign that we are winning the battle. We are destroying our own lives because water, they say, is life – and no human being can live the whole day without using water for one thing or another. Unfortunately, as a people we appear helpless in this situation,” he lamented.
He pointed out that the quality of water in all the river-bodies is deteriorating, and it behoves all stakeholders to help fight this menace of galamsey if the country’s future is to be secured.
The other is on Ghana’s thriving dancehall and reggae culture.
On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, the prolific songwriter made this statement while serving as a guest on Accra’s Hitz FM.
He began by recounting to Andy Dosty of Hitz FM his poor beginnings and his decision to pursue music.
As soon as he “was like 17, 18 years old,” everything began on the streets of Osu, which later became his home.
“From Container to Papaye to Towers, those were my zones. Maybe if I want to extend further, we’ll go to Blue Gate during evenings,” Patorankingindicated.
Despite the harsh circumstances under which he lived in Ghana, he explained he was depressed “because I was seeing people going through the same thing, you know.”
“I was on the street homeless for a very long time but still doing what I knew would actually change my life,” the Nigerian expressed his resolution adding he was, “trying to make music as well.”
“And you know the reggae/dancehall culture in Ghana is huge, which is a part that I chose,” with his hands, he demonstrated his efforts to master the music style and revealed an inspiration: “Shout outs to Blakk Rasta [and his show] Taxi Driver. I was glued to that [radio] programme.”
Blakk Rasta is a renowned reggae/dancehall artiste and radio personality currently hosting his Taxi Driver show on Class Media Group’s Class 91.3 FM.
“Shout outs to PY, Bless the Mic, for the countless opportunities,” he also added.
“Those were like the times I was listening to music [and] doing music as well,” the multiple award-winning singer noted.
The ‘No Kissing Baby’ hitmaker earlier disclosed he had initially come to Ghana to pursue tertiary education at the University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast.
Due to insufficient funds from his provider and father, however, he had to result to the street life in the capital city of Ghana, Accra, including “the only thing I know how to do that can actually change the face of my family, music.”
Patorankingis currently touring Ghana in promotion of his new single titled ‘Kolo Kolo’ which features the Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie, has been appointed as the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
According to a Graphic report, she replaces COP Isaac Yeboah who retired from active service on September 22, 2022.
The Ghana Police Service held a pull-out ceremony for COP Isaac Ken Yeboah Rtd. at the National Police Training School in Accra.
In attendance were the Inspector-General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, former IGPs – Patrick Acheampong and David Asante-Apeatu, former COPs and other senior police officers among others.
Until her elevation last year to head the Intelligence Department, she was the Director in charge of the Commercial Crime Unit under the CID at the National Police Headquarters.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has refuted reports that galamsey kingpin Aisha Huang returned to Ghana on February 27, 2022, despite her repatriation in 2018.
Mr. Ablakwa asserts that the Chinese nationalhas been residing between Ghana and Togo for more than three years prior to 2022, in violation of the Comptroller-General’s requirements for her repatriation from that country on December 19, 2018.
“We can confirm that Aisha Huang has footprints of her physical presence in Ghana from as far back as February 27, 2019 – yes, more than 3 years ago, and much longer than originally portrayed,” the North Tongu legislator wrote in a Facebook post.
“Our unimpeachable investigations reveal that even before Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo justified Aisha Huang’s doubtful deportation in April 2019 and long before President Akufo-Addo’s statement on the dubious deportation in September 2019, Aisha Huang was in Ghana travelling on multiple occasions between Ghana and Togo,” he added.
The Minority MP disclosed that Aisha Huang, whose real name is Ruixia Huang and not En Huang, was able to travel back and forth because she had two or more Chinese passports with her.
“One passport bears the name Huang En with passport number: G39575625. It was issued on January 14, 2010. Her other passport has the name Huang Ruixia. Its number is: EE9994609. This particular Chinese passport was issued on January 14, 2019,” he revealed.
According to him, strangely, “both passports have different dates of birth. In her En Huang passport (G39575625) she claims to have been born July 7, 1986 while in the Ruixia Huang passport (EE9994609) she claims to be much older, having been born on November 7, 1975.”
Since it has been rectified that Aisha Huang travelled through approved routes but with a forged document, as stated by government spokesperson on security and governance, Palgrave Boakye- Danquah, Mr Ablakwa firmly believes that her multiple trips to Togo and back to Ghana since February 2019 were not on the blind side of Ghanaian authorities.
“We come to the firm conclusion that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government ought to have known about her multiple travels between Ghana and Togo at a time we were told she had been deported to China because expert forensic analysis we have conducted on Ghana Immigration Embarkation and Disembarkation Stamps in her Chinese passport using the latest version of the globally acclaimed Video Spectral Comparator (VSC 8000/HS) confirms that all the Ghana Immigration Embarkation/ Disembarkation Stamps in her passport are genuine,” he explained.
He also alleged that Aisha Huang physically presented herself to Ghana Immigration officials at the Aflao border on February 27, 2019 and on April 28, 2019.
Mr Ablakwa argues that it is most bizarre that Aisha Huang’s biometrics didn’t raise alarm at the Aflao border immigration post considering that her biometrics had previously been captured at numerous locations, including at the Kotoka International Airport and the National Identification Authority (NIA).
He is of the assertion that the “galamseyer” had “collaborators within our security institutions” as “her well-stored details as contained in Ghana’s PISCES (Personal Identification Secured Certified Evaluation System)” failed to raise an alarm.
Meanwhile, Mr Ablakwa says investigations carried out by sources close to him have confirmed that Aisha Huang was indeed born on November 7, 1975.
“Her Ghana Non Citizen Identity Card has different information from her China Identity Card – she clearly told NIA officials she was born on July 7, 1986. Curiously, her En Huang passport had not expired on its scheduled expiry date of January 13, 2020 when she secured her Ruixia Huang passport on January 14, 2019,” he further claimed.
For the North Tongu MP, “it’s quite striking how she makes sure her Chinese passports are always issued on January 14.”
He has, therefore, called on the Chinese government to clarify the genuineness of both passports, and if they are genuine, “why Aisha Huang was issued a second passport when her earlier passport hadn’t expired.”
On the other hand, Mr. Ablakwa has questioned the government about why it didn’t “share intelligence on the notorious Aisha Huang with governments of neighbouring countries as is standard practice, which could have limited Aisha’s sinister movements in the sub-region.”
He is also upset that the many Ghanaian officials involved in this “cruel and embarrassing conspiracy against our republic” have not been fired and charged along with Aisha Huang in the current prosecution.
“It remains a mockery of humongous proportions that all of Ghana’s security ministers are still keeping their jobs. When nobody in authority is punished for this international disgrace and for this grand scheme which has left our environment and water bodies destroyed, the only logical interpretation is that national leadership, right from the Presidency, is complicit,” he added.
Aisha Huang, who was arrested on September 2, 2022, in Kumasi, has been arrested for undertaking mining without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation contrary to law, illegal employment of foreign nationals and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
The Attorney-General is responsible for the aforementioned charges against the Chinese national who is expected to reappear before the Accra Circuit Court 9, together with; Jong Li Hua Huang Jei and Huiad Hiahu on September 27, 2022, for reportedly engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals without a licence and mining without a licence.
On the charges against Aisha Huang, Mr Ablakwa claims that they are “deliberately scanty, narrow, and superficial with the obvious intention of protecting guilty accomplices in high places.”
According to him, the government “cannot be trusted on this and many matters,”, therefore, is calling for a full independent Article 278 Commission of Enquiry which must be broadcast live to all Ghanaians.
Following Aisha Huang’s return, it has been confirmed that the Chinese national was not deported in 2018 as stated by former Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo, but was repatriated.
Unsettled matters
In 2018, Aisha Huang was being prosecuted with four other Chinese accomplices; Gao Jin Chen, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Gao and Zhang Zhipeng for undertaking small-scale mining operations contrary to Section 99 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), among other charges.
Although it has been clarified that Aisha Huang was repatriated, nothing has been said about her four original accomplices.
Mr Ablakwa has called on the government to inform Ghanaians whether the four were also repatriated or not.
“The fundamental question that arises therefore is: what really happened to Gao Jin Chen, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Gao and Zhang Zhipeng? Like Aisha Huang – were they deported or repatriated? Did they flee or did they sneak out? Were they allowed to stay in Ghana all these years, and do we know exactly what they are doing in our country? If they ever left, have they also been allowed to sneak back in?” he quizzed.
Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Joseph Ade Coker has revealed that the arrest of over 76 alleged illegal forex operators (black market) is not a solution to the cedi depreciation.
This statement is in line with the arrest of over seventy six (76) alleged illegal forex operators known as ‘black market’ operators in Accra.
The exercise dubbed ‘Special Operation on Foreign Exchange Parallel (Black Market Operators’ was carried out by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in conjunction with the police.
The exercise in Accra took place around Rawlings Park, Tudu, Cowlane, Circle, Kimbu Market and Lava.
According to a statement issued by the BoG, the purpose of the operation was to clamp down on individuals and entities engaging in the business of buying and selling foreign exchange without a license from Bank of Ghana in violation of Ghana’s foreign exchange laws and regulations.
The Head of the Foreign Exchange Bureau Examinations Office, at the Bank of Ghana, Adjoa Konadu Torto, indicated that the exercise would continue in other parts of the country in the coming days.
In an interview on Atinka TV’s Morning Show “Ghana Nie” with host Ekourba Gyasi, Ade Coker noted that just like corruption, the operations of the ‘black market’ has been a part of the forex business from time immemorial.
Ade Coker hinted that if the foreign currencies are available at the forex bureaus, the black market will become “useless”.
“When the fundamentals are wrong, your foreign exchange will expose you. That is the truth of the matter. The forex business is run on a supply and demand basis, and these black market men give good rates. That is why people patronize them.
“It is a matter of making the currency available. If foreign currencies are always available at good rates, no one will patronize the services of these black marketers. “Some bank officials even direct clients to the black market,” Ade Coker added.
On Thursday, September 22, 2022, he made the assertion during Nana Romeo’s mid-morning talk show “Ayekoo Ayekoo” on Accra 100.5 FM.
The much-heralded flagship NPP free education program was questioned first by DKB.
“I often hear them claim that the free education program is losing money, but how can it be free education if the teachers are already getting paid?”
You are already getting paid, therefore I ask that you instruct them. Literally, education was free, but what exactly is free education?
He was stunned even further to find out government was “also feeding the children.”
“That is not free education. Why are you feeding them? No!”
The award-winning comic is of the belief, it is unnecessary to add the school feeding programme to the so-called free education programme.
“It is not necessary. It is extreme pressure. If it’s free education, free textbooks, free handouts, free books, free tuition, why are you adding food? No!” he barked.
“Okay, they say it is for boarders. How about day students?”
“It is pressuring the government for nothing. It is free feeding they are doing. I just got to understand it recently… Why are you feeding the person?”
Prompted by the host concerning the financial challenges in paying the caterers who handle the school feeding programme, the self-acclaimed King of Comedy stressed, “because it is an extreme burden. They eat every single day.
“They eat, they digest, they excrete,” he gestured a vicious cycle with his right hand fingers.
A 19-year-old Okada Rider has been remanded into Police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly robbing a carpenter of his iPhone 8 Plus mobile phone.
Ibrahim Hayford is said to have committed the act with one Sadik, now at large.
Charged with conspiracy to rob and robbery, Hayford has pleaded not guilty.
He is expected to reappear on October 4.
Prosecution led by Police Inspector Jonas Lawer said the complainant Frank Adjetey was a carpenter, residing at Teshie whiles Hayford and Sadik resided at Ashaiman Atadeka.
Inspector Lawer said on September 16, this year at about 8:30 pm, the complainant and his brother Emmanuel Adjetey closed from work at Dansoman, 14th Close, and they were on their way home.
On reaching a spot near the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association GAPFA) bus Stop popularly known as Blue Lagoon Bus Stop, they decided to engage the services of a bolt car to take them from Dansoman to Teshie.
Prosecution said the complainant removed his phone to call the Bolt driver.
It said Hayford and his accomplice Sadik, who were on a Royal 125 motorbike with registration number M21-GE- 8062, climbed the pedestrian walkway and snatched the complainant’s iPhone 8 plus valued GHS1,800 from him and they sped off towards Sakaman Traffic Light.
Prosecution said the complainant’s brother raised the alarm and the accused on reaching the Sakaman Police Barrier, was nabbed but his accomplice escaped.
A new song video by Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie was released today.
It was made for the song “Labadi,” which takes its name from a neighborhood in Ghana’s capital city of Accra.
The 3 minutes and 18 second music video, which features Cape Verdean model Alexys Jay, was mostly created by Capone with assistance from Babs Direction.
The song “Amapiano,” which will be officially released on audio streaming services on Friday, September 23, 2022, is the fifth song that Sarkodie and fellow Ghanaian King Promise have worked on together.
Before this new song, they have had ‘Double Trouble’ (2017); CCTV (2018); Can’t Let You Go (2018) and Anadwo (2019).
The music video for ‘Labadi’, a single releasedto herald a new album by Sarkodie called ‘Jamz’, was shot in Greece.
Thirteen Participating Financial Institutions (FPIs) and the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) have offered to contribute GH¢5 billion to the YouStart programme, the government’s entrepreneurial initiative.
Through the partnership, the PFIs would provide a loan facility of about GH¢5 billion in the next three years, ranging from GH¢100,000 and GH¢500,000 to businesses under the programme.
YouStart is an initiative through which the government intends to provide funding and technical support to youth and youth-led businesses to assist them in starting, building, and growing their own businesses.
The Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, who disclosed this during the signing of agreements with the Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) of the YouStart programme in Accra on Tuesday, said the government would provide GH¢3 billion while development partners provide GH¢2 billion to support the implementation of the programme.
The funds would be used to meet the working capital requirement of businesses, support their expansion needs and purchase of equipment or machinery to enhance productivity and create more well-paid jobs, especially for the youth.
Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, stated during his speech at the programme that the signing of the agreement demonstrated the government’s and the private sector’s commitment to strengthening links between education and job market stakeholders.
In addition to giving young Ghanaian entrepreneurs access to capital, training, and markets, he explained that the partnership would also enable the private sector to produce more respectable and long-lasting employment.
“Fundamentally, we had to adopt this approach because the pandemic taught us, we must re-orient our approach towards structural transformation and react with a clear plan to reap the benefits of our population dividend by building an Entrepreneurial State,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.
The partner banks are GCB Bank Plc, Absa Bank Ghana Limited, Access Bank Ghana Plc, Ecobank Ghana Plc, FBNBank Ghana Limited, Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited, and Universal Merchant Bank.
The others are Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited, CalBank Plc, OmniBSIC Bank Ghana Limited, Zenith Bank Ghana Limited, Bank of Africa Ghana Limited, ARB Apex Bank and GAB.
Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta noted that the three components of the YouStart programme (Commercial, module, District Entrepreneurship and YouStart Grace Modules) where to ensure that “no one is left behind in building Ghana as an entrepreneurial nation.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah, adding his voice, said the partnership was critical in the Government’s quest to build future entrepreneurs and make Ghana an entrepreneurial State.
He explained that the YouStart programme was to deliberately grow start-ups and make them contribute to the government’s agenda of creating three million jobs, but depend largely on the support of banks.
He, therefore, urged the PFIs to sustain their support for the programme and ensure its extension to entrepreneurs with businesses in rural areas to help create jobs and uplift many living in those areas from poverty.
The Chief Executive Officer of GAB, John Awuah, said the YouStart was “a positive development.”
He added that “Part of the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we need to have a home- grown economy, one that is owned and managed by Ghanaians.”
This signing serves as confirmation that the public and private sectors can collaborate to build the entrepreneurial nation that we have all been longing for, Mr. Awuah said.
He noted that the Banks had worked with the Finance Ministryto design the YouStart programme to help propel businesses forward, particularly younger and smaller businesses.
Providing a brief on the programme, Mr Andy Ameckson, Acting Coordinator, YouStart, said under the commercial part, Banks would provide loans to beneficiary businesses at interest rates lower than the market rate.
“There will not be any collateral for businesses to access loans under the programme, and the recovery is also dependent on the beneficiaries,” Mr Ameckson pointed out.
The pilot phase of the YouStart programme was implemented in February 2022, involving 85 young entrepreneurs, and currently awaiting the availability of the President for the launch and full-scale implementation of all three modules.
YouStart is a programme that seeks to support young entrepreneurs to gain access to capital, training and technical skills that will enable them to start, build and grow their own businesses.
This initiative targets young people and students between the ages of 18-35 years who have brilliant business ideas and viable businesses, to support these individuals to nurture, grow, and expand their businesses and create jobs in the economy.
Government, through the YouStart programme, intends to build an entrepreneurial nation by providing some of the key enablers that make entrepreneurship a success.
These include, access to finance and markets, mentorship, strategic partnerships and digital linkages, technical assistance; and business advisory support service.
The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) are the implementing agencies of the programme, whose goal is to create a Wealthy, Inclusive, Sustainable, Empowered and Resilient (WISER) society.
They would be supported by the National Youth Authority, Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service, and Nation Builders Corps (NABCo).
The Nation Builders Corps (NABCo), which was introduced by the government on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 to temporarily address graduate unemployment, officially ended on September 1, 2022.
However, the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Attahas admonished the NABCo trainees to take advantage of the government’s flagship YouStart programme.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday advocated for a more inclusive and effective global financial system that meets Africa’s liquidity and debt sustainability needs.
Addressing the 77th annual high-level debate of the United Nations General Assembly, he said the present global economic downturn, which has left many African economies in turmoil, was a pointer that the continent needed a stronger influence on the global economic order.
The high-level General Debates of the UNGA77 opened Tuesday, September 20, 2022 with the theme, “A watershed moment: Transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.” It would end on Monday, September 26.
Reinforcing his point, the President noted that the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the Russian war in Ukraine, had seen inflation rates surging a record four times higher in several African countries, including Ghana, making the cost of food very unaffordable, especially for the urban poor.
“Moreover, the spillover from central banks raising interest rates to combat inflation has been severe beyond borders, as global investors pull money out of developing economies to invest in bonds in the developed world.
“This has led to depreciating currencies and increased borrowing costs; meaning we need to raise and spend more of our own currencies to service our foreign debts in US dollars.”
President Akufo-Addo pointed out that making matters worse, was credit rating agencies that had been “quick to downgrade economies in Africa, making it harder to service our debts.”
He emphasised that the international financial architecture was skewed significantly against developing and emerging economies like Ghana, saying, “the tag of Africa as an investment risk is little more than, in substance, a self-fulfilling prophecy created by the prejudice of the international money market, which denies us access to cheaper borrowing, pushing us deeper into debts.”
“It has become clear, if ever there was any doubt, that the international financial structure is skewed significantly against developing and emerging economies like Ghana… The avenues that are opened to powerful nations to enable them take measures that would ease pressures on their economies are closed to small nations.
“The financial markets have been set up and operate on rules designed for the benefit of rich and powerful nations, and, during times of crisis, the façade of international co-operation, under which they purport to operate, disappears.
“These are the savage lessons that we have had to take in, as the world emerged from the grip of the coronavirus to energy and food price hikes, and a worldwide rise in the cost of living. The necessity for reform of the system is compelling,” he stressed.
Touching on the theme of the 77th session, President Akufo-Addo stated: “We do not have the luxury of being able to pick and choose which big problem to solve.
None of them can wait; the economic turbulence requires urgent and immediate solution; the turmoil and insecurity in many parts of the world require urgent attention; and so does the need to tackle the problems posed by climate change.”
“A watershed moment, indeed, it is, and history will judge us harshly if we do not seize the opportunity to make the changes that will enable us deal with the many problems we face,” he told the gathering.
Many of the speakers at the Assembly focused their debates on the war in Ukraine, the soaring energy and food prices, climate action and ending COVID-19 pandemic.
Black Sherif, a Ghanaian rapper, has stated that his most recent single was originally taken from his much anticipated next album, “The Villain I Never Was.”
He revealed this to 3Music executives in a private meeting that was set up so that he could play some of his unheard music.
Prince Benjamin of Class News cited video from the encounter, which according to 3Music affiliate Eric Toscar occurred about a month ago.
“Do you know why this song was made available? We removed this song from the album when it was put together. We removed it. Sherif informed Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu, the creator of 3Music Networks, that this music was not included.
“I told him I found myself unable to listen to any other song apart from this particular one after recording it,” he went on.
The singer-songwriter sought to impress on the individual how dear the song was but it did not work at the time.
When this happened, Blacko, as he is affectionately referred to, recalls, “I was not upset.”
“However, we were there one day when he came back to say we need to release this song next,” he added.
Curious, the ‘Kwaku the Traveller’ hitmakerqueried the unidentified figure, possibly Sherif’s record label A&R (Artiste and Repertoire executive), about the reason for the U-turn.
It turns out he had given the song another listen.
To Black Sherif,this confirmed how right he was about the song being special.
“When I wrote this song, where I was mentally, it was imperative to write this song,” he pensively recollected.
“It’s been five months since I [last] wrote a Drill song,” he indicated adding he recently has been “creating reggae songs” among others.
Sonically reminiscent of the Ghanaian music tradition called Adowa and titled ‘Soja’, the American-based Empire signee’s latest was released today Thursday, 22 September, 2022.
The immediate past Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Madam Elizabeth Agyemang, has expressed concern about indecent dressing among the youth, saying such practice has negative effects on individuals, the country, and the educational process.
Speaking at this year’s Youth and Children’s Week celebration on the topic “Today’s Youth and Social Media” at the Saint Paul’s Catholic Church at New Amakom in Kumasi, the former minister urged the youth to be decorous when it comes to their fashion sense and desist from blindly copying foreign cultures to the detriment of the country’s rich culture.
Social media refers to all applications and websites that enable people around the globe to interconnect via the internet, chat, and share content, video calls among many other functionalities it offers to its users.
For a person to be a member of any social media, he or she has to first signup and then sign in to access content and be able to share and chat with other users of that social media platform.
Some of the common and widely used social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat many among others.
For some 20 years now, social media has gained growth and fame worldwide.
Despite the fact that almost everyone in the community is connected to at least one social media platform, the youth are the leading and most fanatic of these social platforms to the point that they even social network, while in class or even church.
Despite the good uses, social media has proved to have negative effects on the youth. Discussions continue to be engaged as to whether to go on using the sites or stop or even moderate their usage, particularly among the youth.
It is in light of this that the Saint Paul’s Catholic Church at New Amakom in Kumasi celebrated this year’s Youth and Children’s Week under the theme, “Today’s Youth and Social Media”.
A forum held under the theme was attended by children and various youth wings of the church and parents.
The Executive Director of Child and Family International, Madam Clara Puni Nyamesem who was the resource person, explained how social media affect children and youth upbringing, while some parents and the youth took advantage of the open forum to contribute to the discussion.
Madam Nyamesem urged parents to frequently check and regulate activities of their wards in accessing social media platforms.
The immediate past Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Madam Elizabeth Agyemang noted with concern the growing phenomenon of indecent dressing by young ladies in the name of fashion and blamed the development on the unregulated use of social media by the youth.
The World Bankhas confirmed that the administration of President Akufo-Addomade effective use of the funding it received from the Bank to assist in containing the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak.
The World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Pierre Frank Laporte, speaking to the press, revealed that the World Bank had held Ghana accountable by reviewing all relevant paperwork and receipts to determine how the funds were used.
“We know each and every dollar that is spent and accounted for. We
have done the necessary audits. There are always a few things here and there and some documentation that needs to be followed,” he said.
Pierre Frank Laporte added that because of these precautions, his organization is very satisfied that its resources were used in accordance with the applicable procurement requirements.
However, the government has not spent all the World Bank COVID-19 relief funds it received to combat the virus.
“All the funds for COVID-19 were not spent. There were immediate things to be spent on, but there was also construction and procurement of equipment. We don’t feel that our resources have not been properly spent,” he explained.
His remarks come at a time when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration is under fire for allegedly misusing COVID-19 funds.
Former President John Mahama, delivering a speech at the 24th African Business Conference organized by the Harvard Business School in April this year, accused President Akufo-Addo of channelling some GH¢33 billion earmarked to offset the pandemic’s grave implications into his 2020 re-election bid.
For this reason, Mr Mahama believes the said amount is yet to be accounted for.
“Ghana’s fate was easy to predict with the cavalier handling of the economy by the current administration. We went into the pandemic without adequate buffers, and have emerged with a terribly battered economy,” he said.
“To make matters worse, the pandemic windfall of over GH¢33billion, which could have cushioned the economy, remains unaudited and is believed to have been used largely in the quest to win the 2020 elections at all cost,” the former President explained.
In 2020, the World Bankprovided $100 million to Ghana to assist the country in tackling the pandemic.
This financing package included $35 million in emergency support to help the country provide improved response systems.
In addition to the emergency facility, a $65 million contingency emergency response component was triggered by the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID) to support critical activities such as laboratory equipment and chemicals, essential medical equipment and supplies, including test kits and personal protection equipment.
In June 2022, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, in his address to Parliament on Wednesday, June 22, said an amount of GH¢11.16 billion was allocated for expenditures related to COVID-19, however, GH¢12.04 billion has been expended so far.
Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has lamented the state of affairs in the current education system where students are reluctant to ask questions of their teachers.
The Minister, who doubles and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, believes that reluctance must be done away with if fully rounded children relevant to society are to be nurtured.
He disclosed in an address that in all the times that he has visited schools back home and decided to teach, none of his students had ever asked a question after he had taught and asked if they had any questions.
“I go to schools upon schools and I speak with the students and when I finish speaking with them, I say who has a question for me? No hands goes up. A hand is yet to go up in all my encounters in Ghanaian classrooms.
“We have tamed the children, we just want them to write down what we tell them, at the day of the exams we say you are the best student the country has ever known.
“That kind of education system cannot transform Ghana, that kind of education system is not going to get us critical thinking individual especially as we are in the 21st Century, Education 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution,” he stressed.
He asserted that it is only through critical minded students that poverty can be fought and defeated, advocating further that Ghanaian and African school should gravitate towards what he called, an “assertive curriculum.”
“A curriculum that empowers the African child to ask questions and to challenge the status quo. Respectfully within the African context, but not a curriculum that tells the African to be quiet and not say anything when the adult is speaking,” he added.
He was speaking on Tuesday, September 20, at the United Nations Educational Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the event was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Launch dubbed “Rewiring education for people and planet Report,” I pointed out the need for a new way of working that reimagines education in a win-win partnership with the entire 2030 Agenda,” he posted on his social media handles.
According to Ghanaian singer Camidoh, pictures of rapper Sarkodie smoking a cigar are always lovely.
Critics recently accused Sarkodie, CEO of SarkCess Music, of propagating a hazardous habit that could have a negative impact on impressionable followers when images and videos of him holding or smoking a cigar were published.
It would seem that Camidohhas a different perspective.
He spoke while a guest on Lexis Bill’s drive-time show on Accra-based Joy FM.
When I see that, “that’s always a nice look,” he added.
Chuckling, he added, “It’s nice. It looks good. It looks papi-ish.”
The ‘Sugarcane’ hitmaker also indicated Sarkodie “also inspires me with his work ethics.”
Asked if he would “do a cigar-shoot sometime,” he answered, “Maybe, if my stylist wants me to, then I will do it.”
On whether he smokes or not, he shrugged, “No, I don’t smoke.”
He explained he would only use the cigar for props.
“[I’d have it] for props. Most people would do it for props. Even though they don’t smoke, they’d do it for props,” he went on.
“If the story that we’re trying to portray had to have me portray that then, I mean, this is what we’re here for so, we’d do it.”
The Ghanaian singer-songwriter’s latest song is titled ‘Kaba’ produced by Ugly & Tough.
The Management of Seven Seas Salt Mining Company Limitedat Laklevikope in the Volta Region has blamed the death of four persons on the activities of the residents.
The management said a number of dykes have been dug by residents along fish ponds owned by the community members.
A mother and her three children, drowned on Saturday, September 17, after they fell into a pit that the residents say was dug by the Seven Seas Salt Mining Limited.
Residents have suggested they will protest the activities of the company as well as pursue legal action.
The company has however rejected the accusation.
The Public Relations Officer for the Company, Adams Mensahsaid “where the incident happened, they have a fish pond which members of the communities dug.”
He however admitted that there were no warning signs in place, as complained about by residents.
“We actually came up with a warning signpost. In actual fact, our plan was to start planting them on Monday. Unfortunately, the incident occurred on Saturday,” Mr. Mensah said.
He added that the company would offer the support needed by the affected family.
“Whatever we can do to assist the widower, we are ever ready to do that,” Mr. Mensah assured.
A former president of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto, has called on Ghanaians to be circumspect in their critique and general assessment of the judiciary as a collective.
He believes that as a critical branch of Ghana’s democratic experiment, tasked with dispensing justice, any efforts that undermines their authority could ultimately lead to chaos if people take the law into their own hands.
He stressed in an interview with Accra-based Joy News (September 21) that Ghana’s history of the murder of three judges in 1982 is a sign post as to why people who seek to denigrate the judicial arm of government must tread cautiously.
Asked whether the three judges murdered in 1982 were corrupt, the reason some ascribed for their killing, he responded in the negative and described them as “impeccable,” having has a personal relationship with them.
“Oh my goodness, if one is talking about impeccable, in terms of character, those three they are exceptional. In fact, those three, I know them personally so I can vouch. In fact when Acheampong arrested some of us who were in the Movement for Freedom and Justice, William Ofori-Atta and I went to court to challenge our detention.
“I was then in James Fort prisons, Paa Willie was in Ussher Fort Prisons, Agyapong was the judge, before whose court the case went to and my lawyer was my own cousin Tsatsu Tsikata and his brother Fui,” he added.
From the history, he stressed that it was important to caution Ghanaians that, “judgement can be given against you. We have set up a whole hierarchy of court system, you can go to the High Court and win or lose. You have the right to appeal,” to the higher courts.
“So, let’s be cautious when we are making statements, because when you are preaching hatred, the danger is that it is not necessarily you who is going to take the law into your own hands for vengeance, it can be any kind of crazy individual,” he stressed.
The 1982 murder of High Court judges and retired soldier
On Thursday, June 30, 1982, on the eve of the 22nd anniversary of Ghana’s Republic, the three judges; Mr Justice Fred Poku Sarkodie, Mrs Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addo and Mr Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong, all judges of the High Court and Major Acquah, a retired army officer, were brutally and savagely murdered on the night of their abduction at the Bundase Military Range in the Accra Plains.
The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), appointed a Special Investigation Board with a former Chief Justice, Mr Justice Samuel Azu Crabbe, as chairman to investigate the murders.
The outcome of the investigation led to the prosecution and execution of Joachim Amartey Kwei, a member of the PNDC, Lance Corporals Samuel Amedeka and Michael Senya, and two ex-soldiers- Jonny Dzandu and Tony Tekpor.
The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, is disgruntled over government’s decision to slap a 35% penalty on duty on imported used vehicles which are between one to five years old.
According to him, the act is not fair because not every Ghanaian can afford a brand-new car.
He also stated that if the government wants to encourage local investments, it should not be to the detriment of indigenous businesses.
“Wherever the manufacturing and assembling companies come from, there are used car companies there, but why are they not telling their governments to slap higher tariffs on the used cars?
“This is clearly due to the fact that not everybody can buy a brand-new car. If you have locals dealing in used cars, you don’t come up with punitive measures because you’re asking automobile companies to invest in Ghana,” he is quoted by myjoyonline.com.
Kennedy Agyapong also bemoaned the waivers foreign businesses are given whiles citizens are made to pay huge taxes.
“How can you slap an additional 25% on 1-5 years cars and leave 6-10 years cars? We must always put the citizens first in every decision we take as this is the case in every country. It’s quite unfortunate that it is only in Ghana we tend to put foreigners ahead of our own people,” he said.
However, the Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) has stated its displeasure over the introduction of the penalty.
Deputy General Secretary of the dealers, Clifford Ansu, according to myjoyonline reports said, “We’re against this aspect of the law. For instance, a vehicle between 1-5 years attracts a penalty of 35% on duty. We’re even struggling with the existing duty and when it is implemented before the year ends, it will surely collapse our business.”
Themed: “Fueling Change Makers”, the students presented solutions to challenges facing agriculture, solar energy, sanitation and hygiene.
The solutions were in the form of mobile applications, appliances, products and services.
Winning team
The ladies from Serwaa Kesse Girls’ SHS pitched on a product they had manufactured called Seksolin.
Seksolin is a device that would convert solar energy into electrical energy to power electrical appliances and also be used for clean cooking.
The confidence, innovation, and business acumen of the team set them apart from the other competitors.
The Northern Business School took home the Academic City Excellence in Teamwork Award and the Aburi Girls SHS picked the Tomorrow Foundation Award (Tech – Innovation Award) while PRESEC, Legon, also took home the Project Management Institute Educational Fund Award (Project Management Award).
Additionally, the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Award (Entrepreneurial Spirit Award) went to Archbishop Porter’s Girls; Northern Business School won the Primetime Limited Award (Excellence in Marketing Award) and Peter Gbedemah won the Public Choice Award.
Rev. Fordjour urged schools to take advantage of such competitions, stressing that he was amazed at the level of knowledge the competing students had exhibited.
“Initially, we all thought money was the only thing needed to change the world, but what I have seen today clearly shows that ideas are also vital. I am really impressed,“ he said.
The Executive Director of JA Ghana, organisers of the competition, Abeiku Greene, expressed his gratitude to all the participants.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, is not a politician; however, there is little contention regarding the significant role he has played in the framework of Ghana’s politics.
In this story which GhanaWeb first published on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, but sourced from mynewsgh.com, a fair idea of one of such instances that the Asantehene’s influence came to bear is given.
According to the report, Otumfuo’s influence got the World Bank to pass Ghana as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) during the era of President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Nana Agyenim Boateng, a communications team member at Manhyia Palace, also known as the Amoamanhene, is reported to have made the revelation.
Read his full account of the story below:
His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of the Asante Kingdom, heavily influenced the World Bank’s decision to allow Ghana to gain Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) status with just a phone call after President John Agyekum Kufuor and his entire government machinery exhausted all avenues available to them at the time.
A communications team member from the Manhyia Palace and sub-chief Amoamanhene, Nana Agyenim Boateng, made the shocking revelation about the influence wielded by the respected King to the advantage of the country.
Former President of the Republic of Ghana John Agyekum Kufuor and his government in the year 2001 joined the HIPC.
According to Mr Kufuor, the move was to serve as an opportunity to take a breather to pursue medium to long-term targets and not just a “political gimmick or trick”.
At the time, many Ghanaians, especially the opposition, strongly opposed the decision by the Kufuor administration to opt for HIPC, but the government insisted it was necessary considering the state of the economy at the time.
However, revealing the brain behind the success of the World Bank deal, Nana Agyenim Boateng clearly noted that it took Otumfuo’s phone call to complete everything.
“This is an available record and not from me. After the Assessment by World Bank, there were some deficiencies in our economy. At the time, Asantehene did not go to Washington; it was just a telephone call. He called James D. Wolfensohn, the World Bank Boss at the time and told him this was the situation, and the World Bank cancelled our debt, and Ghana went HIPC. It’s on record”. Nana Amoamanhene Nana Agyenim Boateng revealed this in an interview with Hello FM in Kumasi, monitored by MyNewsGh.com.
“The social intervention Asantehene did was not for Kumasi alone but the whole country”, he added.
Public sector employees in the country want an increase of over 20 percent in their salary for the year 2023 as a replacement of the 15 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) which ends in December this year.
According to the workers, any figure below 20 percent will be a greater disadvantage to their financial status since a figure around 20 percent is insufficient to match the current hiking price of goods and services in the country, Ghanaweb reports.
On July 14, 2022, a consensus was reached between the government of Ghana and all Organized Labor Unions in Ghana to pay a 15 percent Cost of Living Allowance to all public sector workers after Teachers’ Unions embarked on a nationwide strike to compel the government to accept the initial bid of 20 percent.
They expected an increase in the salary for the 2023 year, the employees mentioned that the leaders of Organized Labour groups should not come into congruent with the government on a figure less than 20 percent since the price of commodities will not reduce.
Among other reasons, the workers stated that the inflation rate in Ghana is clear evidence that the union leaders should not accept any lower percentage that will be proposed by the central government if they sit to negotiate the increment.
“Assessing the state of Ghana’s economy and the pace at which price of goods is going up each day, increasing public sector employee’s salary to 100 percent will not match it because the value of the salary in monetary term is already low going into the new year,” one said.
Another worker mentioned that “Fifty percent is quite considerable because we had increases on goods and services which were over fifty percent. Even though the 50 percent is woefully inadequate yet we will manage”.
“I expect nothing less than 20 percent increment bearing in mind Ghana’s inflation rate and the depreciating cedis against the dollar”, a worker said.
Workers who commute from a distance to their place of work every day also added that the high increase in transportation charges every month is a bigger challenge for them mentioning that daily fare for a month is a burden on their salary.
The employees also added that utility tariffs keep surging every month which they said has made the salary meager against their expenditure.
However, the government has offered the employees four percent and seven percent for 2021 and 2022 respectively noting that the impact of COVID-19 had made it impossible for the government to go beyond ten percent for each year.
At the end of this year, the government is expected to announce the increase in salary for public sector workers after deliberation with Organized Labor to take effect from January 2023.
British-Ghanaian actress Ama K. Abrebrese has highlighted the importance of film in selling a country’s identity and tourism.
According to her, films have so much potential in aiding nation-building; hence, she is encouraging the Ghanaian government to tap into the industry and invest in it.
“I know some people think that film is just for entertainment but the film is more than that. It promotes your country and your culture. People watch films and they will be like I want to go to England and where Harry Porter was filmed because they love Harry Porter.
“So there is so much; films can be used in terms of not only nation building but growing across the diaspora and even promoting tourism,” she said in an interview with Noella Kharyne Yalley on ‘Xclusives.’
She also explained her seeming hiatus off the film scene and, according to her, she has been occupied with a number of exciting projects she is working on.
“I have been producing quite a number of things. When [I am] busy working, I don’t go to events. So I have just been working, I have some exciting things coming up,” she hinted.
Meanwhile, she has called on those who speak ill of Ghanaian films to stop belittling the movies from the industry.
The actress, who has featured in ‘The Burial of Kojo’ ‘A Sting in a Tale’ and many others said, in as much as some people are not fans of Ghanaian films, others love it.
“You don’t have to like my work. It is not my fault that you don’t like everything because it is Ghanaian. Just do not down it. That is my issue.
“Sometimes you find a Ghanaian denigrating somebody’s work which probably the person used their last penny to produce,” Ama K. Abebrese said.
She added that “until you step into a producer or a director’s shoe, you wouldn’t know the sacrifices they’ve made.
“Any producer will tell you the challenges or what they have to go through to get their film made with very little support because of their passion. Just because you do not like it, doesn’t mean somebody won’t love it.”
‘Xclusives’ airs on Joy Prime on Saturdays at 3 pm and on JoyNews at 7:30 pm.
The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council has partnered with the Torchbearer International Agricultural Science and Technology (TIAST) group to organise the Eastern Regional Agribusiness Investors Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday at Koforidua.
The event which was organised for two days, was intended to ensure the progress of the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Agenda started in 2019, an initiative intended to leverage on improved agricultural value addition as pathway to developing agricultural industrialisation in the region.
Themed: “Achieving Agricultural Industrialisation through the Eastern Commodity Satellite Markets: Financial and Technical Support from TIAST,” the event brought together agribusiness men and women who came to showcase and manage their products as well as municipal chief executives, agricultural extension agents, agricultural regional and district officers who came to grace the occasion.
Speaking at the conference, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong stated that the event would boost agricultural industrialisation, contribute to the local economic development of the districts as well as promote value addition to agricultural produce.
“It would also enhance the supply of good quality agricultural produce for processors and consumers and link small scale farmers and processors to markets,” he said.
The minister indicated that there was a paradigm shift in agriculture from just primary production to value addition, adding that “the only way a small holder farmer can maximise profits in a perfectly competitive market where the market dictates the price is by product differentiation through value addition, branding and packaging with special emphasis on quality.”
Mr Acheampong said it was therefore, gratifying to have TIAST Group partnering with the Eastern Commodity Satellite and added that the event was in direct response to the ever-increasing demand for quality and safe foods, and the opportunity it would bring to the region in terms of industrialisation and job creation.
He said the event inspired by instinctive creativity and exemplary commitment of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision would contribute significantly to agricultural productivity, revealing that the region can boast of three out of six agro ecological zones in the country, making it conducive for the production of nearly all crops grown in the country.
Mr Acheampong was grateful to TIAST group for such partnership and stated that even though their main targets was large scale investors, they should design a concept that would embrace the small scale processors playing key roles in the Eastern Commodity Satellite Markets.
For her part, the Chairperson for TIAST Group, Ms Lisa Hao stated that her outfits looked forward to partner investors, entrepreneurs and farmers in the region to transform the sector positively.
“In a space of 10 years we are looking forward to creating one thousand factories, one million job and ten billion US dollars in West Africa. With our 70-80 financial support, technical service and offtake service, our partners are assured of a great agricultural experience.”
She indicated that their partnership with the RCC was to support the agribusinesses to add more value to their raw products, link them to stable markets by giving them the platform, adding all was geared towards discovering the wealth of the agriculture sector for the benefit all.
How would you feel when a globally celebrated music icon slides into your inbox to initiate an appreciative and soul-lifting message to encourage and add weight to your hard work to even strive further and higher? That’s the exact adrenaline rush gushing through Adudebi Zonjon.
Like a high-moment scene from a movie, multiple award-winning American rapper Fat Joe slides into Denmark-based Ghanaian act Adudebi Zonjon. For a moment, it was hard to believe, but when reality slaps you in the face there’s a wake-up call. It was such a humbling moment for him.
Permit me to zoom in on a few pointers that might strike your interest. First of all, since the ‘Lean Back’ hitmaker initiated the conversation, it draws your attention to him being the genius that he is. Probably, it’s your first time hearing about him but he has been around for years. He did a brand transitioning from DXD (Dawuni x Dawuni) to Abudebi Zonjon.
The transition was a result of a gross transformation over the period to reinvent himself, embrace his alter ego, stay hungry, consistent and keep doing good music. The aftermath is what you and I are both witnessing now. Chances of Fat Joe connecting him to bigger brands, platforms and networks of incredible geniuses who are capable of making superior statements with superior acts like Abudebi Zonjon.
Abudebi Zonjon wasn’t expecting this height and level of powerful words of encouragement, mutual respect and an official endorsement from the American rap legend. Be it as it may, he always had a preprogrammed mindset, a picture-perfect direction and gradually invaded territories who are generally embracing him as their own in Europe and every other place he finds himself. This can only be attributed to his years of experience as a national asset, creative genius, and artist.
It’s no surprise Abudebi’s craftsmanship has gotten wild recognition from a music giant like Fat Joe because a lot has been invested into his craft. Yet it’s a big deal and a good look for his brand as an artist. Drawing down the curtains, Abudebi Zonjon is laced up to release a new single somewhere next month as a follow-up to ‘1 Step and Here We’re’. To draw down the curtains should we expect a collaboration from Fat Joe and Abudebi Zonjon?
Residents of Mankessim are yet to recover from shock after the news about the exhumation of the body of a trainee nurse broke out in the area.
One of the residents who was overwhelmed by the shock of the incident was the son of the prime suspect in the murder of Georgina Asor Botchwey, Nana Clark Onyaa.
According to the Assemblyman of the area, Alex Kojo Appiah, the son of Nana Clark, who was present when the deceased’s body was exhumed from inside his father’s building, collapsed out of shock and had to be given medical attention.
“When I came to find out that the body had been exhumed and taken to Cape Coast, I inquired of the whereabouts of his children. I was informed that the son fainted when the body was exhumed and had been rushed to the Roman Hospital for medical attention,” the Assemblyman said.
Nana Clark, the Tufuhene of Ekumfi Akwakrom, was recently arrested at a hideout in Akwakrom in the Ekumfi District.
His arrest followed the confession of an accomplice in the kidnap, murder and secret burial of Georgina Asor Botchwey.
The second suspect in the case is Pastor Michael Darko Amponsah, popularly known as Osofo Kofi.
Osofo Kofi, according to reports, is the fiancé of the deceased’s elder sister.
The Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr George Yaw Boakye, has said the region is one of the three regions in the country that was benefitting from the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre (GIDC).
Others were located in the Eastern and the Greater-Accra regions to provide quality healthcare to residents in those areas and beyond.
Mr Boakye stated these on Tuesday when he inspected the GIDC at Goaso Municipal Hospital (GMH), as part of his two-day official working tour to the Asunafo North Municipality.
He said the 100-bed capacity hospital, which was 95 per cent complete, has been developed in response to COVID-19 pandemic to serve Ahafo Region and the rest of the middle belt.
The Regional Minister indicated that the facility was developed by the Ghana COVID-19 private sector fund, an initiative committed to provide a prompt response to the hardship caused by the pandemic.
Mr Boakye stated that the contractor used resource-efficient designs and technologies such as energy-saving lighting system, insulation and low-flow plumbing fixtures to lower the hospital’s utility cost.
“The hospital which will cater for all manner of infectious disorders will soon be handed over to the Goaso Municipal hospital,” he emphasised.
The Regional Minister was optimistic that the facility which was built in a serene environment would provide comfort, security and fast recovery for patients, adding that the COVID-19 relief fund is really impacting lives.
Mr Boakye expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for honouring the people of Ahafo with such a landmark health infrastructure saying that “we are all indebted to him”.
He urged residents of the newly created Ahafo region to be patient with the government to redeem the various promises made to them during the electioneering campaign.
Every night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the stretch will be closed.
“This is to help the contractor launch the interchange’s metallic steel beams.
Drivers are urged to abide by traffic diversion signs and, whenever possible, take alternate routes to their destinations, according to a public announcement issued by J.O. Amoo-Gottfried, interim director of the Department of Urban Roads (DUR).
This is in spite of police presence to control the flow of traffic to ensure order and the smooth movement of vehicles.
Second phase
The launch of the beams to serve as decks for the road on which the asphaltic concrete will be laid is part of the second phase of the road project.
Construction works on the second phase of the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange project began in February last year.
The second phase covers the third tier of work from the interchange towards the Abossey Okai road, as well as underground storm drains from the Hyundai stretch of the roundabout to Mpamprom, near the Kaneshie Market.
This phase of the project involves the construction of a third-tier flyover from the Abossey Okai Central Mosque side of the road towards the ISTC Yard.
It also involves the widening of the road into a three-lane dual carriageway, with provision for bus rapid transit facilities.
It will also see the widening of the Awudome Cemetery and the Nii Teiko Din roads into dual carriage lanes, as well as improvement of the Kaneshie Market Terminal.
The ground level will have a re-modelled roundabout.
Engineers working on the second phase of the project told the Daily Graphic last month that they were on course to meet the March 2023 completion deadline.
They estimated the current state of the project to be about 64 per cent complete.
First phase
The first phase, valued at $35 million and completed in November last year, five months ahead of schedule, involved the construction of the second tier interchange from the Graphic Road towards Kaneshie — east to west.
It also involved the construction of two (5 x 2 metre) 550-metre viaducts and ramps between Graphic Road and the Dr Busia Highway (Kaneshie-Mallam Road).
Rationale
The construction of the interchange became necessary to eliminate one of the major bottlenecks on the Ring Road in Accra — congestion — and improve traffic flow at the intersection of four major roads — the Graphic Road, the Kaneshie-Mallam Road, Ring Road West towards the Nkrumah Interchange and Ring Road West Extension towards Abossey Okai.
On completion, there will be the erection of an appropriate monument in memory of Emmanuel Odarkwei Obetsebi-Lamptey, one of the Big Six of the country’s independence struggle, after whom the interchange is named.
The Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange project is being executed by QGMI, with FAS Consult Ltd as consultants.
The DUR, an agency under the Ministry of Roads and Highways, is responsible for the project.
Another Ghana and Nigerian collaboration is on the way as Stonebwoy, has expressed his intention to collaborate with Nigerian Afrobeat singer Oxlade on his “Therapy” single.
A few weeks ago, the Bhim President delivered a stunning song titled “Therapy.”
The Award-winning dancehall crooner graced the speakers of his followers and music enthusiasts with the smashing, which is steadily making outstanding success on the music market.
The song has dominated all digital streaming services and continues to project and extend its wings outside of Ghana’s boundaries, advancing Stonebwoy’s musical career.
Oxlade, a singer from Nigeria, posted the song on his Twitter page, and Stonebwoy responded by saying he wanted to work with him on the remix version.
Oxlade in the comment section dropped a handshake emoji which implied that he is up for the remix.
This won’t be Oxlade’s first Ghana Collaboration. Recall that he was featured on Sarkodie’s “Non-Living things” which was released in 2021.
Award-winning Ghanaian musician, released his first single “Therapy” for the year on My 3, 2022 and it has amassed over 1million views on YouTube which was shortly after Stonebwoy sealed a music distribution deal with Def Jam Recordings and Universal Music Africa.
Therapy is an Afrobeat-inspired record, infused with different sweet melodies, acquiring production from IzyBeats, who blessed the track with so much quality sound and fitness.
Stonebwoy is a household name in Ghana Music Industry, his name comes straight to your mind anytime you hear tracks like; “Activate”, “My Name”, “Run Go” and many more credited to him, he has written his name on the minds of many music listeners.
Moreover, this masterpiece serves as a follow up to his song, Nukedzor (What’s Up), which features hard-working and brilliant music entertainers including Joey B and British minstrel, Abra Cadabra, still buzzing around.
Stakeholders in the arts industry have advised Ghanaians to take interest in the industry and invest in it to ensure its success.
They expressed disappointment in the way the country’s arts works were transported or shipped outside the country for foreigners to appreciate and patronise.
They made this known at the “Art in the City” event organised by So Fraiche Media in collaboration with Bambou Events in Accra on Tuesday.
Art involves a diverse range of activities including creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas.
Ms Annabelle Obiri, Founder, Trybe Africa, said most Ghanaians preferred investing in other industries other than the arts industry because they were oblivious of its essence and the impacts it had on the country.
Meanwhile, she said the arts industry had the potential to draw different regions and tribes together, with culture promoted in an effort to create a new national identity.
As such, Ms Obiri emphasised the need for art education for artists as well as other stakeholders to make novices knowledgeable in what the industry stood for.
Cyril Ofori, Managing Director, So Fraiche Media, indicated that arts industry was a much closed society with a few people understanding its essence.
He underscored that it was for that reason people from the diaspora and most foreigners who appreciated the meaning and essence of most art works patronised them the most.
“Seeing a lot of the arts leaving the shores of Ghana to other countries, asan art enthusiast it kind of made me feel saddened that a lot of these amazing arts were shipped outside and that those who could be potentially interested in buying were mostly left in the dark,” he stated.
“So Arts in the City is to open the window for anyone interested in arts to invest in arts and understand that there is a big movement going on in the industry in Ghana and if they are not able to capitalise now it will be too late,” he added.
Mr Ofori said both artists and other stakeholders in the industry needed to come to the understanding that their efforts would pay off in some years to come.
“You just have to look at artists whose works are going for half a million dollars. These guys started maybe some five or ten years ago selling their pieces for maybe GH₵200 or GH₵500 and even in some cases giving it away for free,” he stated.
Mr Ofori said it was for that the event was organised to propel Ghanaian Artists and expose their works to the international markets.
The event which brought together stakeholders and patrons of the industry also saw the exhibition of works by some artists.
The urgent necessity for the international financial system to be changed in order to accommodate expanding and developing economies has been emphasized once more by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He asserted that “the need for system reform is compelling” and that the current framework was heavily skewed towards emerging and developing nations like Ghana.
He continued by saying that tiny countries did not have access to the same pathways that were open to large nations, allowing them to take actions that would relieve pressure on their economy.
He further said the structure, from its prejudiced tags, denied Africa access to cheaper borrowing and pushed the continent deeper into debt.
Earlier in the day, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres; the President of the United States, Joe Biden; the Presidents of Iran, Ebrahim Rais; Hungary, Katalin Novák; Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, and Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, had taken turns to make statements in the General Debate at the assembly.
He described the situation as savage lessons that African nations had to take in, as the world emerged from the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic to energy and food price hikes and a worldwide rise in the cost of living, noting: “The necessity for the reform of the system is compelling.”
Credit ratings
“To make matters worse, credit-rating agencies have been quick to downgrade economies in Africa, making it harder to service our debts. The tag of Africa as an investment risk is little more than, in substance, a self-fulfilling prophecy created by the prejudice of the international money market, which denies us access to cheaper borrowing, pushing us deeper into debts,” the President added.
Background
This is the fourth time the President has made this call.
At the Summit on Financing African Economies in Paris, France on May 18, last year, he said the Bretton Woods Conference, which took place as World War II drew to a close, created a global financial architecture which had, over the last 77 years, proved to be unfavourable for Africa.
There too, he called for the restructuring of the global financial architecture.
At the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 6, this year, the President urged members of the union to work collectively to reform the global financial architecture and build and strengthen the union’s financial institutions.
At the 57th African Development Bank and the 48th African Development Fund Annual General Meetings in Accra on May 24, this year, the President threw the challenge again to the global community.
COVID-19
Quoting from the World Bank observation last Thursday, that the global economy was enduring its steepest slowdown since 1970, President Akufo-Addo recounted how COVID-19 had brought in its wake serious health issues, coupled with a devastating global economic pandemic.
He explained that high budget deficits were no longer the concerns of only developing nations, and that by 2021, COVID-19 had pushed Africa into the worst recession for half a century, with a slump in productivity and revenues, increased pressures on spending and spiraling public debts confronting the continent without relent.
War in Ukraine
He noted that while grappling with the consequences of COVID-19, Russia invaded Ukraine, aggravating the already difficult situation.
“It is not just the dismay that we feel at seeing such deliberate devastation of cities and towns in Europe in the year 2022; we are feeling this war directly in our lives in Africa. Every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in Ukraine hits our pockets and our economies in Africa,” he explained.
He said several African countries had inflation rates surging three to four times,
The Central Regional Centre for National Culture (CNC) has organised a graduation ceremony for more than 70 ladies who enrolled to take part in a year’s C-Carl Oparebea Annual Marketable Skills Training held in Cape Coast, the Central Regional capital.
The programme provided hands-on training for the women to acquire skills in bead making, crocheting, basic sewing, decoration, facial makeup, painting, hair dressing, dreads locking, hair braiding and fascinator making.
This year’s event, the sixth to be organised under the C-Carl Oparebea Skills Training was on the theme: “Promoting Economic Growth and Development Through Arts and Culture.”
The acting Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture (CNC), Ms Salamatu Alhassan, in her address, noted that the skills training was part of the Centre’s contribution towards reducing unemployment in the Cape Coast metropolis.
She indicated that the training was in line with the core mandate of the National Commission on Culture under which the CNC falls in implementing government policies and programmes.
“The responsibilities of the Centre for National Culture with regard to promoting youth in the arts arena cuts across all spheres of education,” she said.
The practical aspect offered as part of the training, she said, was imperative in providing an opportunity for people to acquire employable skills to operate their own businesses.
Ms Alhassan indicated that, past trainees from the programme, were excelling in their respective businesses and were also impacting the lives of individuals by training them, saying, “However, some of them are facing challenges of funding as a start-up.”
He appealed to the government to resource the centres across the country in order for them to function effectively.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, in an address read on her behalf, commended the CNC for initiating and sustaining the programme aimed at identifying, developing and rewarding creative talents in the region.
“The flagship programmes are highly commendable as they are in line with government’s realignment of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under the supervision of the Ministry of education,” she stated.
She further said: “The government has been working to promote skills training and development for industrialisation and generate greater awareness of the importance of TVET.
Mrs Assan expressed the readiness of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in supporting the CNC as it strives to make an impact and supports the growth of the region and the nation in general.
She called on residents in the region to assist in creating a congenial atmosphere that would ensure steady growth and development of their societies.
“This will help to compliment the government’s efforts to extend development to every part of the country,” she said.
Although he hasn’t formally stated it, Mr. Asiedu Nketia has been rumored to be considering running for the NDC’s national chairmanship.
However, he has stated that he will not run for re-election as the party’s general secretary in the national executives elections on December 17, 2022.
Related: Asiedu Nketia: I won’t seek re-election as NDC General Secretary
Asked if it was true that he was going for the national chairman position, he said it was not time for a comment or a declaration of that interest.
When the opportunity comes, and the time is ripe, the public will know about it, he said.
Answering a question on discussions within the NDC that it would be problematic for him or anybody to compete the current national chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo who is likely to seek re-election, Mr Asiedu Nketia said he disagrees with that notion.
He said the history of the NDC does not support that position.
It is rather the opposite way, which is likely to be problematic if the party decides to block people with interests from competing.
He said there were precedents, which resulted in difficulties for the party on two occasions as witnessed in year 2000 and year 2005.
On those occasions, he said it brought about a “split” when there was an attempt to “gag everybody else”, and the leadership decided on who should take over.
He mentioned “the Swedru declaration” as the first occasion when former President Rawlings declared that Mills should take over from him.
The second one, he said was in 2005 when the then national chairman, Dr Obed Asamoah had wanted that he and his team be retained and that resulted in a fight and “violence” within the party.
On all those occasions, he said it resulted in a split when Goozie Tanoh and his team in 2000 decided to break away to form a new party and Dr Obed Asamoah and his team also broke away in 2005 to form a new party.
Apart from that, he said on all occasions that the party allowed open competition, there has been peace in the party, so he thinks no one should be blocked from competition.
He said “appeasement” does not solve a problem “so I believe that it is time…”
Mr Asiedu Nketia said there was no need to block elections in the party, and used himself as an example.
When many people in the NDC had said the general secretary position was solely for me [Asiedu Nketia], “did anybody block people from competing me. Even my deputy [Koku Anyidoho] competed with me, was he blocked by anyone,” he asked.
When Mr Asiedu Nketia was pressed further he reiterated that he will not seek re-election for general secretary, but on the issue of the chairmanship race, he said the party has not opened nominations yet.
Residents of Lakpleku in the Ningo-Prampram District have appealed to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to provide the community with enough pipe stands to ensure that every household gets regular water supply.
Lakpleku is a community located on the Tema-Aflao highway, a few kilometres from the Bundase Military Camp.
Mr Samuel Narh, Assemblyman for Lakpleku, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview, said even though the adjourning settlements have pipe-borne water, the community’s single pipe stand made it difficult for residents to get their share of water.
MrNarh indicated that the entire area has only one pipe stand which residents relied on, and pleaded for two additional stands to help the residents in the community.
He noted that water was being rationed in the district, and therefore the community received its share twice weekly, which he said made it difficult for residents to get water. When the tap is opened, residents form long queues for hours to get some of the water from the only pipe stand.
The Assembly man said even though he raised the issue and sent a written request to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, it was yet to do anything about it.
Touching on other issues facing the community, he said a six-classroom block unit which commenced under the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for the Djinahor-Lakpleku D. A. Primary, the only school in the community, has been abandoned.
He said the project which was at its roofing stage has been abandoned for over six years now, and several questions raised on it by him at the Assembly have not yielded any result.
Mr Narh, therefore, appealed to the government, Ministry of Education, corporate organisations, and individuals to help complete the project to accommodate the growing school population.
It appears to be an exciting week for music enthusiasts as some of their favourite Ghanaian artistes drop new songs.
The excitement has double with the announcement by award winning rapper Sarkodieof the release of a new tune, ‘Labadi’ on Friday, September 23, 2022.
The SarkCess Music headline act and Africa’s most decorated rap artiste, Sarkodie took to his official social media pages to announce the completion and the official release date for his next single.
Captioned; ‘Labadi’, the upcoming single features top Ghanaian singer, songwriter and Legacy Life Entertainment superstar,King Promiseand it’s off his forthcoming album “Jamz”.
From the details he shared via his verified Instagram page, ‘Labadi’ will be available for purchase and streaming on all digital music stores from Friday, September 23, 2022.
”Sarkodie hasn’t dropped a single project yet, this should inform you that #Labadisong isn’t just any song….it’s a proper banngerrrr. You heard me right” a tweep wrote and another added that “These duo again? anything they touch is a banger. #labadisong this friday naa its really a #JAMZAlbum”
The Vodafone Ghana Music Award for “Artiste of the Decade” is also considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance and one of the most successful African rappers of all time.
There has been some hype that cloves aid in vagina tightening. The rumor has it that if you soak cloves inside water for 2 to 3 days. The resulting water is used by our women to wash the vagina in anticipation that it will tighten the vagina and removes the odor. How true is this rumor?
As part of my literature review on this important subject, I found no evidence that cloves affect vagina tightening. However, there are many benefits we derived from cloves. In this article, I review the scientific benefits of using cloves.
For instance, Clove oil contains a chemical called eugenol that might help decrease pain and fight infections. Eugenol has also been described as a natural anesthetic and can reduce pain.
Two animal studies (Ali et al.2014; Kuroda et al. 2012) found that the compounds in cloves may have numerous health benefits, such as support to liver health and lowering blood sugar levels.
Clove origin is traced to the Middle East and is considered Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine due to its purported aphrodisiac properties and ability to treat headaches and indigestion. It is a spice for cooking with the species name Syzygium aromaticum. It is predominantlygrown in India and Madagascar.
Cloves, science
Immune support, fights bacteria
Cloves are loaded with antioxidants, especially the type called eugenol, which is a phenolic compound that can lower oxidative stress. This compound is present in concentrations of 80%–90% in clove bud oil and 82%–88% in clove leaf oil. One study by Nassar et al.(2007) also reported that there are other bioactive compounds isolated from clove extracts including flavonoids, thymol, benzene, and methylene chloride. Another study by Nagababu et al.(2010) also found that due to its antioxidant nature, eugenol can avert the development of chronic diseases and may help promote healthy aging.
Cloves also contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals, hence when you use whole or ground cloves to add flavor to your food can provide some important nutrients. For instance, USDA found that
One teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves contains:
Calories: 6
Carbs: 1 gram
Fiber: 1 gram
Manganese: 55% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin K: 2% of the DV
(Takeda, 2003; Palacios, 2006)study reported that manganese is an essential mineral for maintaining brain function and building strong bones Apart from being a rich source of manganese, cloves are only used in small amounts and do not provide significant amounts of nutrients.
Shan et al. (2005) also found that Cloves are loaded with antioxidants and these antioxidants reduce oxidative stress helping fight chronic disease(Pham-Huy et al. 2008). One test-tube study also found that eugenol, a natural compound in cloves that prevents oxidative damage caused by free radicals is five times more effective than vitamin E, another potent antioxidant( Nagababu et al. 2010). One article by Dr. Josh Axe(2019) also reports that eugenol also acts as a natural germicide due to its antimicrobial properties. This makes it similar to raw garlic, another type of bulb that contains immune-boosting compounds, such as allicin, that fight bacteria growth.
Another study by Carrasco et al.(2010) also stipulates that cloves are loaded with other compounds with similar effects. For instance, averts the proliferation of some harmful microbes that may cause oral or gastrointestinal infections and diseases. The researchers also found that clove buds have immunostimulatory activities that can help promote immune response mechanisms. This is one reason why Clove extract and oil have found their way as a food preservative as they have the potential to help keep the growth of bacteria, including listeria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus, under control. These can contribute to food poisoning. Clove is also popular around the world in dentistry since it fights the formation of gum disease. For instance, Nzeako et al.(2006) found that the properties of cloves could even help promote oral health. Additionally, another animal test-tube study by Cai and CD(1996) reported that the compounds extracted from cloves were found to stop the growth of two types of bacteria that contribute to gum disease.
Kothiwale et al.(2014) human study using 40 people and tested the effects of an herbal mouthwash consisting of tea tree oil, cloves, and basil for 21 days. The study reported that there were changes in gum health, as well as the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
Cloves, cancer prevention
Liu et al. (2014) test-tube study found that clove extract keeps aggression of tumors and promoted cell death in cancer cells. A previous test-tube study found the same results, demonstrating that concentrated amounts of clove oil caused cell death in 80% of esophageal cancer cells ( Dwivedi et al. 2010).
Fast forward, Hussain et al. (2011) test-tube found that due to the presence of eugenol in cloves it has anticancer properties. This antioxidant property promoted cell death in cervical cancer cells. Let me state that these test-tube studies used highly concentrated amounts of clove extract, clove oil, and eugenol. A previous study by Hartnoll, G(1993) found that a high level, of eugenol, is toxic and overdosage on clove oil can cause liver damage, especially in children. There is a need to conduct studies to determine how lower amounts may affect humans.
Cloves, liver support
Studies have found that the compound eugenol has the locus standi to support the liver. For instance, one animal study(Al-Okbi et al. 2014) fed rats with fatty liver disease mixtures containing either clove oil or eugenol. They found that both mixtures enhanced liver function, decreased inflammation, and lowered oxidative stress. On the other hand, Ali et al.(2014) animal study also found that the eugenol found in cloves can reverse signs of liver cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. Do remember that these are animal studies only and human studies are limited.
Though human studies are limited, two earlier studies (Rompelberg et al. 1996; Harrison et al. 1990) found that taking eugenol supplements for 1 week decreased levels of glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), a family of enzymes involved in detoxification that’s often a marker of liver disease. The antioxidant potential helps cloves to decrease stress( Medina and Moreno-Otero, 2005).
As previously stated, there is a tendency that eugenol can be toxic in high amounts. This was reported in one case study in a 2-year-old boy given 5–10 mL of clove oil which caused serious liver damage( Hartnoll and Douek, 1993)
Cloves, sugar
Kuroda et al. (2012) animal study found that clove extract helped moderate blood sugar increases in mice with diabetes. Khaffer et al.(2017) test-tube and animal study examined the effects of clove extract and nigericin, a compound found in cloves, both on human muscle cells and in mice with diabetes. The study found that cloves and nigericin increase the uptake of sugar from the blood into cells, increase the secretion of insulin, and improve the function of cells that produce insulin. A previous study by Prasad et al.(2005) noted that clove’s essential oils, due to eugenol and acetyl eugenol, aid positively modulate pathways involved in glucose homeostasis, and can decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. Finally, Mohan et al.(2019) pilot study found that clove extract decreased pre- and post-prandial blood glucose levels in both healthy and pre-diabetic volunteers.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for transporting sugar from your blood into your cells. The proper functioning of insulin is essential for maintaining steady blood sugar levels. In combination with a balanced diet, cloves could help keep your blood sugar levels in check.
Promote bone health
Certain compounds in cloves have been shown to help preserve bone mass in animal studies. For instance, Karmakar et al. (2012) animal study found that clove extract high in eugenol improved several markers of osteoporosis and increased bone density and strength.
As stipulated in the nutritional profile, Cloves are also rich in manganese, giving you 30% of the Daily Value in just 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of ground cloves. Additionally, Manganese is a mineral that’s involved in the formation of bone and is incredibly important to bone health.
For instance, Bae and Kim (2008) animal study found that consuming manganese supplements for 12 weeks increased bone mineral density and bone growth. Let me state that current research on the effects of cloves on bone mass is typically limited to animal and test-tube studies. Hence, extensive research is needed on humans for assessment.
Pain-Relief/Analgesic Effects
Clove, and especially clove oil, has long been used in dental care due to its natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its antiseptic and antibacterial effects.
Alqareer et al.( 2006) found that cloves support dull aches, reduce swelling and provide relief from discomfort in those with toothaches, skin breakouts, headaches, and sometimes other conditions. It can also help prevent plaque from forming on teeth, which may cause painful cavities(Axe, J, 2019).
Support stomach ulcers
They are also called peptic ulcers, stomach ulcers are painful sores that form in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Studies stipulate that they are normally formed due to reductions in the protective lining of the stomach, and factors such as stress, infection, and genetics could be the trigger. For instance, one animal study by Santin et al.(2011) which used essential oil from cloves demonstrate the ability to enhance the production of gastric mucus.
A previous study by Kaunitz et al.(1999) found that gastric mucus acts as a barrier and averts attrition of the stomach lining from digestive acids. A subsequent animal study by Agbaje et al.(2008) found that clove extract support stomach ulcers and displays possessions the same as the many anti-ulcer medications. It is worth noting that the studies were based on animals and human studies are needed. This notwithstanding, they provide a clue on the many anti-ulcer effects of cloves and their compounds.
Take Home
From studies, no single study demonstrates cloves water or any of its directives can tighten the vagina. However,studies have demonstrated the health benefits of Cloves such as blood sugar lowering and stopping the growth of bacteria and antifungal effect which can be used to fight vagina infections. Hence, women can add cloves to their daily diets to help them fight gynecological issues and not tighten the vagina. Though, there are other natural ways to aid vagina tightening such as Kegel exercises or soaking in baths of vinegar dissolved in water is a popular and easy home remedy for a tight vagina. Aloe vera gel can be diluted in a bowl of water and used as a wash for the vaginal area. The astringent property of Aloe vera is known to help tighten the tissues. These remedies followed over some time can help restore vaginal tightness.
NB:
Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.
The author is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare and President of Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation. E-mail: collegeofholisticmedicine@gmail.com.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana.
DCFO Fiadzo, who is also an Anlo native, continued, “Let us move forward in togetherness, as development can only thrive in an environment of unity and among people devoted to a shared purpose and agenda.”
Speaking at the 2022 Hogbetsotso Za launch in Tema yesterday[September 21, 2022], DCFO Fiadzo—who is also the Director of Research and Information Technology for the Ghana National Fire Service—explained the event’s goals.
Hogbetsotso, undoubtedly the biggest event on the calendar of the people, which also features prominently on the country’s tourism calendar, is used to commemorate the historic migration of the Ewes from Notsie.
It is also used to remind the people of the values, norms and traditions on which the Anlo State was founded.
This year’s festival, which will be climaxed on the first Saturday of November with a durbar at Anloga, is on the theme: “60 years of Anlo Hogbetsotso za: Uniting for development, sustaining our unique cultural commonwealth for future generations”.
History
DCFO Fiadzo retraced the history of Anlos and how the area used to be the centre of commerce, education, farming and fishing.
“All Anlos must resolve to contribute to making Anlo great again. A great Anlo makes all Anglos great, and a weak Anlo makes all Anlos weak. There is no exception to this rule. So let us contribute our ideas and resources to the Anlo State,” he said.
On education, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer said: “Every household and individual must resolve and make it a point to facilitate our children’s acquisition of education, for education is one thing no one can take away from you.”
He further advised the people to cherish and protect the beautiful environment they had been entrusted with.
“Indiscriminate bush burning, the destruction of water bodies, the wanton killing of animals, cutting of trees and destruction of the ecosystem are crimes against nature.
“We must stop the destruction of nature and protect the land God has entrusted into our hands,” DCFO Fiadzo added.
Activities
Activities lined up for the festival include a congress of chiefs, a health screening, the Hogbe Marathon, street arts festival, a durbar for schoolchildren and the Miss Hogbe Beauty Pageant.
The Spokesperson for the Awoamefia, Togbui Agbotadua Kumassa, in an overview of the events, said the festival was returning this year after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said Ewe values and heritage were being lost and the festival presented an opportunity to create awareness of them.
He added that while the area had its fair share of under-development, the people believed that reviving their heritage would go a long way to influence growth.
The Chairman for the event, Torgbi Gbordzor III, the Dusifia of Anlo, called on well-meaning citizens of Anlo to make financial contributions to support the various activities lined up for the festival.
The Ewefia of Ashaiman, Torgbi Exa Foli Aheto, stressed the need for unity among leaders within the Anlo State.
A total of 35 persons perished and 207 others suffered injuries in 4,065 fire outbreaks across the country within six months of this year as against 3,307 outbreaks recorded the previous year within the same period.
This represent an increase of 22.9 per cent.
The cost of damage was pegged at GHC 30,197,948.20
Some of the causes of the fires recorded were domestic, bush, electrical, commercial, vehicular, arson, unattended fire and natural causes.
The Ashanti Region recorded the highest with 725 cases followed by Greater Accra Region with 700 recorded cases.
The Ashanti Region recorded the highest with 725 cases followed by Greater Accra Region with 700 recorded cases.
The head of Public Relations of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Timothy Osafo-Affum disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday.
He said the increase in recorded cases were as domestic fires, adding that during the raining and harmattan seasons, a lot of electrical appliances were not used properly resulting in fires.
The PRO stated that as part of efforts to help curb the menace, the GNFS would intensify its sensitisation programmes to the public, collaborate with stakeholders to accomplish its goals.
“There have been recent cases of tanker explosion and we continue to engage tanker drivers on best safety practices to ensure sanity in the industry,” he added.
He said 60 per cent of fire outbreaks were preventable if the public adhere to the fire safety practices.
ACFO Osafo-Affum stated that fire outbreaks affects the country’s human resource and the economy.
ACFO Osafo-Affum mentioned a major challenge of the Service as prank calls, adding that some of the public misuse the emergency lines which affects the operations of the Service.
He called on the public to collaborate with the Service in ensuring that lives and properties were saved.
“Fire safety is a collaborative efforts and all must partner the service in ensuring that lives and properties were saved in the country.
He advised the public to make fire safety issues a priority and called the Service on emergency numbers 192,112.
ACFO Osafo Affum assured of the GNFS determination to ensure that fire outbreaks in the country were reduced and urged the public to have positive attitudinal change towards fire safety issues.
A total of 4,065 fire outbreaks have been recorded from January to June 2022 resulting in 35 deaths and207 injuries throughout the country.
Similarly more than 500 homes are struck by fire in Ghana every year, this was recorded in a book, titled “Fire and Life Safety Guidelines for Children, a Handbook for Teachers and Parents”, authored by a Fire Protection Engineering Consultant, Mr Emmanuel Ebo Budu-Mensah and launched on Thursday in Accra.
The 112 page-book, highlighted the basic fire safety guidelines for children to help educate and improve their knowledge on fire safety whenever they came in contact with fire.
Mr Budu-Mensah, the author’s maiden book proved the importance in educating children on how to prevent fires as well as reducing the risks for fire in homes to make a lifesaving difference.
During the event, the author said parents played a significant part by helping young children understand the dangers of fire and what to do if there was a fire outbreak.
“The messages in the book is very simple and easy to teach the children, so every home and institution should have a copy of the books since our environment is no more save for habitation due to some unsuitable activities,” he stated.
He stated that, his inspiration was drawn from a little girl who was able to escape a fire outbreak with her family unhurt after a he gave a lecture in the little girl’s school on how to escape fire outbreaks.
Launching the book, the Dean Marine Engineering, Regional Maritime University (RMU), Dr York Abaidoo, said the 14 chaptered book was timely and perfect for all including children, to learn and be abreast with the guidelines on fire safety.
The Greater Accra Regional Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Alhaji Nuhu Gibril, said it was time for individuals to have attitudinal change in order to reduce fire outbreaks.
“Now countries are moving from firefighting to fire prevention so we must all get involved in this initiative, the book is very comprehensive so I urge everyone to have a copy,” he advised.
21st of September on the United Nations calendar is celebrated as the International Day of Peace. The UN General Assemblyhas declared the day as one devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, by observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
The main purpose of this is to achieve world peace.
Edem Farrie is a UN Youth Ambassador who also is a reporter with GH One television, and a fashion model. As an ambassador, her role is to join the universal call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and security.
She shares a message about world peace. In her message, she made this statement: “Fellow youth, peace is critical to security, and security is critical to peace.
In solitude, gather your thoughts and be reflective upon the causes of our chaos and the gravity of our losses as humans. In times of dispute, use reasoning and dialogue for your resolutions.
When blades are drawn, blood is likely to spill. Be still, be collected and be a champion for peace and the security of humanity. Thank you, Youth Network for UN Security Council for your commitment to resolution 2250).
Edem Farrie has worked on intriguing stories which relate to general health, women in society, and COVID-19; given talks at various seminars on domestic violence against women and engaged in philanthropic activities as well.
He believes that this will materialize once the African Continental Free Trade Area is established (AfCFTA).
Herbet Krapa urged businesses on the continent to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Continental Free Trade Area while speaking at the Ghana-Denmark Business Forum.
“We must create, build, develop and maintain long-lasting partnerships to leverage the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA,” part of the tweet read.
AfCFTA was introduced in 2018 and aims at creating a single market for Africa, as well as, ensuring the free movement of goods and services on the continent.
This free movement of goods and services will help expand Intra-African trade.
This implies that goods will be sold at a relatively cheaper price because of the increase in production which will in turn create both direct and indirect jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.
The free trade area also provides traders and/or importers an opportunity to stay competitive.
Businesses when conducted in a free and safe environment will help reduce poverty in member states as well as create sustainable development.
“This is clearly due to the fact that not everybody can buy a brand-new car. If you have locals dealing in used cars, you don’t come up with punitive measures because you’re asking automobile companies to invest in Ghana,” he is quoted by myjoyonline.com.
Kennedy Agyapong also bemoaned the waivers foreign businesses are given whiles citizens are made to pay huge taxes.
“How can you slap an additional 25% on 1-5 years cars and leave 6-10 years cars? We must always put the citizens first in every decision we take as this is the case in every country. It’s quite unfortunate that it is only in Ghana we tend to put foreigners ahead of our own people,” he said.
However, the Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) has stated its displeasure over the introduction of the penalty.
Deputy General Secretary of the dealers, Clifford Ansu, according to myjoyonline reports said, “We’re against this aspect of the law. For instance, a vehicle between 1-5 years attracts a penalty of 35% on duty. We’re even struggling with the existing duty and when it is implemented before the year ends, it will surely collapse our business.”
A 31-year-old teacher, Idowu Daniel, was on Monday, September 19, 2022, slapped with a seven-year jail sentence by an Ikeja Special Offences Court for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student within the school premises.
The convict was charged with defilement.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo held that the prosecution failed to establish the charge of defilement against the convict, as the victim was unable to show up in court to testify.
She said the confessional statement by the defendant, which was made voluntarily, showed that he sexually assaulted the minor.
“The defendant admitted to having fondled the breast of the victim twice and tried to have sex with her but he could not penetrate as she was a virgin.
“The defendant is hereby convicted on the charge of sexual assault of a child,” she held.
In his defence, the convict pleaded for mercy when asked if he had anything to say.
“My lord, I am very sorry for what happened. I promise it will not happen again,” the convict told the court.
The judge also lashed out at the convict for touching the survivor in a suggestive way, adding that he would have gotten life imprisonment if the minor had testified in court.
“You are a teacher and you were touching the breast of your student. You would have gone for life imprisonment if the victim had come to court to testify.”
Justice Taiwo, who had earlier sentenced the convict to five years imprisonment, however, increased his jail term to seven years without an option of fine after saying that he had been in custody for three years.
The convict, who lives at the Abule-Egba area of Lagos, was tried for a charge of defilement.
Daniel was 28 years old when he committed the offence on June 27, 2019, at 9:25 am.
He unlawfully had carnal knowledge of his student in the biology laboratory at Anastasia Comprehensive College, Abule-Egba, Ikeja.
He was remanded sometime in July 2019, by Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat, in Kirikiri Prisons.
Multiple award winning Ghanaian singer, Ahmed Muhajid Bello, known within the showbiz circles as Fancy Gadam is 10 years old since bursting onto the music scene.
As part of activities lined up to celebrate his 10 years on the music scene, Fancy Gadam will hold a musical concert at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on October 22, 2022.
The concert is being organised by the artiste to celebrate his achievement on the music scene, entertain his fans and also to thank them for supporting him throughout his music career.
The Tamale-based musician, who is credited with a number of hit songs, said: “The concert would be one of the biggest ever to be held in the country, and the target is to fill up the stadium to the rafters.”
As one of the most sought-after performers from the Northern Region, Fancy Gadam will be performing to over twenty thousand music lovers at the anniversary concert.
He is expected to entertain music fans with his popular dancehall songs such as ‘Turn Up’, ‘Concrete’, ‘Bie Gya’, ‘Naayo Koomi’, ‘We Dey Collect’, ‘Naawuni Yiko’, among others.
Speaking in an interview ahead of the concert, he said, “My dream was to become one of the biggest music stars from the north, and so far the dream is on course, and I would like to say a big thank you to all my fans.”
He has won many awards which include Hiplife Song of the Year and Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year with his hit song, ‘Total Cheat’ at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
He has also appeared on many musical concerts held in the country and performed with music stars like Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Samini, among others.
Fancy Gadam has had collaborations with popular musicians like Sarkodie, Mr Eazi, Patoranking, among others, and popularly referred to as the ‘King of the North’ in the music industry.
Fancy Gadam first burst onto the Ghanaian music scene in 2012 with his hit song ‘total cheat, featuring heavy weight Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie.
According to him, the government is compelled to support the corporation financially for 15 years beginning in 2011 and ending in 2026 by the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA), Act 815 section 7 (3).
“GNPC’s operations are pretty difficult.
According to its own statute of organization, PNDC Law 64, GNPC should be financed by loans by borrowing money on the financial market and investing it in its operations. If it is successful, it should then repay the loans and distribute any profits to the state as a dividend.
However, the PRMA altered that somehow and declared that the government will feed them for 15 years with a silver spoon.
“However, we have not seen how GNPC has laid the way to enable it generate revenue and pay dividend to the state when weaned off in 2026. And so, my fear is that by end of 2026, GNPC will not be ready to be taken off the budget; so we may have no option than to extend the time – which would be very unfortunate,” Steve Manteaw added.
Citing examples from best practices elsewhere, he indicated that BP PLC is a British company that is headlining their oil and gas operations, while ExxonMobil is also playing active role for the USA. These firms also go outside their jurisdiction to operate and generate more revenue and repatriate profit to their country, and so GNPC is supposed to grow to such status and generate revenue for the state; but as it remains, the manner of operation only gives room for foreigners to generate revenue and repatriate same to the detriment of the nation.
The Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GhEITI) 2019 report, launched recently, indicated that the corporation received a total amount of US$279.23 million for the full year of 2019.
Dr. Manteaw believes that if stringent measures are not taken to diagnose the operation and use of GNPC revenue of which some are used for quasi-financial projects, it cannot be weaned off government subvention.
Transfers to GNPC from the government as required were in two forms; the share of petroleum revenues ceded to GNPC for the financing of Ghana’s production and development cost, and a portion of the net of petroleum revenues after equity financing ceded to GNPC for their day-to-day operations based on Parliament’s approval.
GNPC is entitled to a maximum of 55 percent of the net cash flow from the carried and participating interest after deducting the equity financing cost (including advances and interest of the carried and participating interests of the Republic).
This arrangement would be in place for 15 years from date of the promulgation of the Act in 2011. Thus, it is expected that the funding arrangement will cease in 2026, he explained.
The GhEITI report found out that GNPC has engaged in several quasi-fiscal expenditures (QFEs) such as road construction, building infrastructure projects, among others, and transactions with other SOEs.
It is, therefore, recommending that GNPC should be reimbursed with all its QFEs advances as soon as possible. Where such reimbursements cannot happen in the short term, government should enter into repayment agreements to ensure that within a reasonable timeframe, GNPC is able to access the money to ensure that it is able to use it for the purpose for which it was allocated in the first place.
Again, it urges government to cease forthwith, the practice of urging GNPC to engage in quasi-fiscal spending any time it needs to meet a contingency.
He called for all stakeholders to stand up to diagnose the problems of the corporation and find solutions to ensure that the country would not have to extend the timeline.
He also emphasised that it was time to discourage political interference in the operations of entity and allow it to operate as a professional corporation.
Although almost half of the world’s population has access to the internet, just approximately 20 percent of people lack access to digital education, she noted.
On September 22, Mrs. Boateng claimed at the Accra launch of a new mobile application called “Nimde3” that it can considerably help close this divide while granting access to digital literacy for the people of Ghana and all of Africa.
“The rationale behind developing this mobile application is to bridge the literacy app and offer access to education. We are targeting to reach some 1 million people who can gain access by using the mobile application which offers wide-ranging IT education,” Francisca Boateng said.
“Nimde3’s goal is to educate masses with basic to intermediate Information Technology skills which can be done through respective local and foreign languages such as Ga, Ewe, Dagbani, Akan, Hausa and among others which are yet to be updated on the application in due course.”
The Executive Director further touted the mobile application as one that is endowed with other key features and urged persons who seek to acquire more knowledge in IT to make use of the app.
We’re optimistic of achieving 1 million target with ‘Nimde3’ app – Francisca Boateng
Former Black Stars management committee member, Moses Armah Parker has said the current Black Star squad will surpass Ghana’s best finish at the World Cup set in 2010.
The Medeama owner believes the Black Stars look much strong with the inclusion of Inaki William and Tariq Lamptey, who recently switched nationality.
“Current Black Stars setup will beat the previous record set in 2010. Otto Addo is a great coach. With likes of Inaki Williams, and Tariq Lamptey coming in, it makes us much stronger,” told TV3
In 2010, Ghana came close to becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup but suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay.
Ghana will look to beat the record in the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group H World Cup alongside Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament is scheduled for November 21 to December 18.
Tedd George stated that Ghana’s government is likely to prioritize the payment of the loan before it repays the IMF.
“The government will do everything in its power to get the facility repaid. It might even repay [COCOBOD] before it repays the IMF, and the IMF might even support this,” he added.
Director of Communications for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has noted that the national team will be unbeatable at this year’s World Cup with the current squad named by the technical team.
In an interview on SVTV Sports, Asante Twum indicated that the technical team have gone through a lot of processes to come up with the current squad and is building a strong team to represent Ghana. He mentioned that with such top football professionals playing for some of the leading clubs in the world, the Black Stars stand a chance at the upcoming tournament.
“I think we have a good team. I think we are building a very strong team. A team with Joseph Wollacot, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Baba Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Ambrosius, Salisu, Dziku, Inaki Williams, Issahaku, etc.
These are top professionals, and if you are able to build a team out of these names, you will definitely be unbeatable. We have quality in the team. Age is on our side. On average, we have a team that has 22-year-olds. It indicates that the future is bright and the future stars tomorrow,” the Communications Director said.
Moreover, the host of SVTV Sports, Oscar Nuwati, quizzed Henry about the speculations of adding more players to the current Black Stars squad. However, Asante Twum disclosed that there won’t be any more additions to the squad before the World Cup tournament in Qatar.
“As things stand, I can confidently say no. We’ve gone through a long journey with the qualifications and have tested the players. I’m sure your question has to do with bringing in some of the players whose names have popped up, but as things stand, I don’t think that is likely to happen.
I wouldn’t say when a player is doing well in Europe or the domestic front, he wouldn’t be given the chance. I’m not in a position to say that. Anything is possible,” Henry added.
As a result, it has requested that the welfare of waste management workers, including those employed in the informal sector, be enhanced by giving them access to the necessary protective gear and clothing. It has also requested that they be paid more than the national minimum wage of GH 365 in order to raise their morale.
The Director of Research and Policy at the TUC, Dr. Kwabena Nyarko, said last Tuesday at the C40’s Inclusive Climate Action Conference on Social Dialogue in Accra: “Many places in the country are filthy, but if you think deeply about it, you will find that the filth is linked to many of the health issues we have in this country.”
“Endemic diseases, like cholera, typhoid, and malaria, are linked to dirt, therefore we must recognize and make waste management a crucial service and make sure that workers are appropriately compensated,” he continued.
The conference was organised by C40 Cities, in collaboration with the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), both non-profit entities, with the support of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The C40’s Cities Inclusive Climate Action programme aims at promoting collaboration between the AMA and informal sector waste workers for optimisation and climate resilience.
Exploitation
Dr Nyarko said in spite of the fact that metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies continued to give out lucrative waste management contracts to big companies, the condition of service of workers was nothing to write home about.
“In most cases, these workers work without appropriate protective clothing and equipment, with some of them collecting waste with their bare hands.
“They do all of this and at the end of the day they receive pittance, some as low as GH¢200 a month, a stain on the status of the companies and owners they work for,” he added.
Important role
In a speech read on her behalf, the Chief Executive of the AMA, Elizabeth Sackey, said informal waste workers played an important role in waste management in the country.
“Their work is important in improving sanitation in our communities and ultimately helping the city achieve its greenhouse emission reduction targets,” she said.
The Inclusive Climate Action City Advisor at C40 Cities, Josephine Agbeko, said waste optimisation through informal waste sector engagement was important to deliver the AMA’s climate action plan.
“It will ensure that the people who are usually under-represented but highly impacted by climate change and climate action in our communities are given the chance and the space to participate in decision-making processes,” she said.
Nurses, doctors, and pharmacists participated in the training, which was thus far organized for healthcare personnel in the lower, middle, and high belts of the nation.
It does so against the backdrop of worries from experts that one of the causes of the delayed treatment of childhood cancers was the inability of medical staff to quickly identify the early warning signs of the disease in children and, as a result, make an immediate referral to the appropriate medical facility.
The Deputy Programme Manager and National Focal Person on childhood cancer at the GHS, Dr Wallace Odiko-Ollennu, who disclosed this in Accra, last Tuesday, explained that the essence of the training was for healthcare workers to be alerted about the disease and quickly refer children who were presented with the signs to the right health facility for treatment to begin early.
Memorial lecture
Dr Odiko-Ollennu said this at the second annual memorial lecture in honour of the former Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr Jacob Plange-Rhule, who is reported to be very passionate about childhood cancers and for a long time held the hope that childhood cancers were curable, even before there was confirmation of this.
The lecture was on the topic, ‘The Global Initiative of Childhood Cancer (GICC): Through the lens of policy, national response and the service provider,’ and Dr Odiko-Ollennu spoke from the national response angle of GICC.
He explained that they were seeing a lot of cases of childhood cancers being presented late for treatment and that was accounting for the deaths and low cure rate of childhood cancers in the country.
He said it was the main priority of the GHS now to make sure that people in the community, healthcare workers and everybody were made aware of the warning signs of the disease, hence the training.
“The Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer aims for 60 per cent survival rate for children with cancer in Ghana. Our current survival rate is 20 per cent and we need to get 60 per cent. To get there, we need to overcome some obstacles on our path including early warning signs.”
Barriers to childhood cancer treatment
He mentioned other barriers to early childhood cancer treatment in the country as misinformation about the condition, financial constraints and abandonment of treatment to seek spiritual help.
For her part, a Paediatric Oncologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Catherine Segbefia, said whether childhood cancers were curable or not, cancer cells were bad and expressed the hope that the country could get to a point where every child with cancer would have the potential for survival.
The immediate past Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, Prof. Margaret Lartey, stated that as the Ghana Health Service trained the health force, it should also look at building excellent centres and creating good referral systems.
A nephrologist by specialisation, the late Prof. Plange-Rhule, who succumbed to death due to COVID-19 in 2020, was described by his colleagues as one who showed qualities of a leader, a diligent academician and one of the foundation members of the Faculty of Internal Medicine.
Present at the lecture was his wife, Dr Gyikua Plange-Rhule, the President of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr John Nkrumah Mills, practising medical practitioners and survivors of childhood cancers as well as their parents.
