Day: June 9, 2021

Kadjebi (O/R),- The Kadjebi Census Implementation Committee (DCIC) members in the Oti Region has for the fifth time had a preparatory meeting with the District Census Officer and the District Field Supervisor.

This was to strategise on the forthcoming census and appraise themselves with the ongoing training of enumerators for data collection.

Mr. Alhassan Sulemana, the DCIC Chairman called on members to co-operate to have credible, accurate and reliable data for the District.

He said there was the need for team work, commitment and dedication to achieve desired results and to achieve results, letters were dispatched to faith-based organisations and information centres to help disseminate information on the Census.

Mr. Sulemana added that they also planned to visit the eight Paramount Chiefs in the District on Thursday, June 10, 2021 to brief them on the exercise and seek their support for successful exercise.

Mr. Gibril Fuseini, the District Census Officer applauded the committee members for being proactive and prudence in handling issues relating to the Census in the District.

He said the skillfulness and dexterity at which the Committee was working could not be underestimated and appealed to them to help garner accurate, factual and reliable data for development of the country.

Mr. George Bekoe, the District Field Supervisor said 201 potential enumerators were currently undergoing training to help collect data for the Kadjebi District.

He said their recruitment was purely done by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and that final selection for the main job would still be carried out by the GSS, so the stakeholders should bear with them during those hard times.

He also complained about the quantity and quality of food served to them and called for improvement.

Members of the Committee called on the GSS to provide funds for NCCE and ISD to help disseminate information on the exercise since the populace knew little on the 2021 PHC exercise.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana head coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor has offered his support to goalkeeper Razak Abalora following his blunder against Morocco on Tuesday night.

The senior national team engaged their Moroccan counterparts in an international friendly in Rabat.

However, an Abalora error meant Ghana left Rabat with nothing.

The goalkeeper has been under scrutiny after the game.

Akonnor nevertheless believes this is the period where the 24-year-old needs support.

“He made a mistake, he knows that himself but we are not in a position to kill him. We have to move on, we have to encourage him.

“He is a good goalkeeper and there is no doubt about that but we will not kill him.

“We have to encourage him to come good,” Akonnor said after the game.

The Black Stars will begin preparations for Cote d’Ivoire in another international friendly on Saturday.

The games form part of Ghana’s preparation for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra,- Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is planting more than 1.6 million forest trees in the 2020/2021 cocoa crop year on cocoa farms across the country as part of its National Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme.

COCOBOD is embarking on the rehabilitation programme to replace about 40 percent of the country’s cocoa tree stock which are either overaged or affected by the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD).

The farms undergoing rehabilitation are being replanted with high yielding, early bearing and disease-tolerant hybrid seedlings developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG).

For the 2020/2021 crop season, the Seed Production Division (SPD) of COCOBOD has produced 92 million seedlings for distribution to farmers across the country for planting.

These are estimated to be planted on about 83,636.36 hectares of cocoa farms which include CSSVD treated farms, over-aged and moribund cocoa farms undergoing rehabilitation, filling of vacancies in existing young farms, among others.

It is for this reason that COCOBOD has made it mandatory for the planting of temporary shade crops and permanent shade trees on all farms before the cocoa seedlings are transplanted.

While the temporary shade crops protect the young trees against the sun, thereby, facilitating high survival rates, the permanent trees, all of which are forest trees, provide shades and good temperature for the adult trees.

On average, about 20 economic trees are planted on every hectare of cocoa farm with 1,100 cocoa seedlings.

In the same way that cocoa seedlings are nursed and supplied free of charge to farmers, these shade trees are also provided by COCOBOD free of charge for planting.

Thus, with the estimated 83,636.36 hectares of cocoa farms being replanted for the 2020/2021 crop year, about 1,672.727 forest trees are being planted alongside the cocoa seedlings. This signifies the important role of the cocoa business in protecting our environment, ensuring a sustained green Ghana and promoting afforestation.

The Government of Ghana intends to plant five million trees on the 11th of June 2021 across the country as an initial programme under the Green Ghana Project.

Ghanaians are being mobilised all over the country to plant trees on that day and nurture them to maturity as a way of contributing to the preservation of the environment.

In a statement expressing support for the project, the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, said “a Green Ghana is essential for the cocoa industry.

This is why our farmers are taught how to practice agroforestry to protect our biodiversity because the cocoa tree itself is a forest tree and it grows in harmony with the rest of the vegetation.

The cocoa trees are also a means for carbon sequestration which has become crucial in these times, as we experience changes in our climate.

It is also the policy of the Board that no farmer in any part of the country enters a protected forest for cocoa farming.”

As we celebrate Green Ghana Day, let us all reflect on the benefits of the ecosystem and work towards its preservation, he said.

There are an estimated 850,000 cocoa farmer households across the country.

Mr Aidoo urged COCOBOD District officers, technical staff and community extension agents to encourage and mobilize the farmers to take part in the exercise.

“If every farmer is able to plant at least 5 trees on the day and nurture them, cocoa farmers alone will be contributing about 4,250,000 trees to the Green Ghana Project, in addition to the more than 1.6 million being planted under the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme.

All other stakeholders on the cocoa value chain who may have the opportunity, are encouraged to plant a tree on the day and nurture it to maturity,” the statement said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema,- Mr Ambrose Dery, Minister for the Interior has called for strengthened collaboration and cooperation among partner institutions in refugee protection to safeguard the rights of refugees as prescribed by international and the country’s laws.

He said protection of the rights of refugees was non-negotiable as it was a value that had stood the test of time and was humanity’s long-standing tradition.

However, he noted that while ensuring that the rights of asylum seekers were upheld at the country’s entry points, the laws and security of the state remained in focus.

Therefore, he said it was imperative for the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB) to collaborate effectively to ensure that the rights of refugees and the security of the country was not compromised.

The Interior Minister was speaking at the opening of a high-level dialogue on the protection of refugees in international and Ghanaian law; aimed at enhancing cooperation among stakeholders.

The dialogue was organised by the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board and the Ghana Immigration Service, to advance strategies at strengthen cooperation among collaborators in refugee protection in the country.

He said in spite of the difficulties being experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries were still employing restrictive policies, adding that it was crucial that even in the crisis, there was need to uphold human rights standards as the country was witnessing the largest number of refugees ever.

Mr Dery added that refugee protection was not a matter of charity but an obligation under the 1951 Convention of Refugee Status and other binding regional instruments.

“All of us must work together, in the spirit of cooperation to ensure the effective protection of the fundamental human rights of refugees,” he said, adding that the Ministry would continue to identify areas of mutual collaboration with the UNHCR and other international partners to build upon the strong foundation already established.

Mr Dery said such discussions must take place periodically to enable ideas to be shared on the challenges encountered from reception of asylum seekers through to the provision of durable solutions for refugees.

“Partners should propose ways for collaboration to ensure appropriate and adequate capacity building of all actors in receiving asylum seekers,” he said.

He said Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) as a major partner in Refugee administration, did a phenomenal job in receiving and providing the necessary guidance to persons intending to seek asylum, adding that, the Ghana Refugee Board, on the other hand, had significantly reduced the waiting time between asylum applications and final adjudication.

“We have caseload of protracted refugee situations including; the Togolese, Sierra Leonean, Rwandese and Burundian refugees; we all agree that nobody should remain a refugee forever and it is my expectation that everything will be done to help bring their refugee status to an end,” he assured.

He noted that in the spirit of collaboration and capacity building, the UNHCR in 2020, under the “Solution and COVID-19 Assistance Fund” had started and completed numerous infrastructural projects for partners in refugee management.

Mrs Esther Kiragu, UNHCR Country Representative applauded Ghana for its formidable and progressive asylum policy and the country’s efforts in ensuring that the rights of refugees were adequately safeguarded, and their rights to basic health and education provided for them.

Present at the high-level dialogue was the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Charles Paul Abani, and the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, amongst other dignitaries.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Boomplay, Africa’s largest music streaming and download service, has partnered with Hitlab to offer artiste development to emerging Ghanaian artistes through a competition dubbed Digital Emerging Artist Showcase (DEAS).

The competition offers emerging artists a chance to win a recording contract with an international music label, partnership with Boomplay, to be mentored by award-winning singer, rapper, songwriter and producer, Akon, among other exciting prizes.

In a statement, Tosin Sorinola, Artist and Media Relations Director for Boomplay, said, “DEAS has launched at a time when the need for improved digitization of music processes is at an all-time high. What Hitlab has created here is novel and it transcends what is obtainable as of now.

We are excited to play a crucial part in propelling emerging artists to the global stage through mentorship opportunities and securing partnerships with top producers and music executives globally. I urge emerging artists to take advantage of this once-in a lifetime opportunity.”

The Digital Emerging Artist Showcase (DEAS) is the first international competition for emerging artists with a fully digital application process. Artists can submit their songs for analysis through Hitlab’s artificial intelligence, Digital Nuance Analysis (DNA) technology, which ranks submitted songs to showcase their potentiality in an international market. Metrics such as production (beat, mastering), are considered in the fully-digital analysis.

The 2021 edition of DEAS Africa is scheduled to run until 30th October 2021 and thereafter all winners will be announced via the same platform. Early entries, however, stand a chance to be considered for MIDEM Africa and MIDEM Digital platforms.

To submit songs, interested artists will have to part with a small submissions fee. All songs submissions must be made via www.deas.hitlab.com

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Source: Ghana Web

Dr Randy Abbey believes the Black Stars $25m budget for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] and the 2021 World Cup qualifiers was poorly communicated.

President Akufo Addo as part of his effort to win the Afcon and better Ghana’s record in the history of the World Cup, a $25m has been proposed for the Black Stars.

This budget was unveiled at a breakfast meeting between Corporate Ghana and the Chief Executive Officers from state institutions.

The meeting took place at the Jubilee House to discuss how funds could be raised for the Black Stars ahead of upcoming competitions.

The idea was to involve corporate organizations so the financial burden on the sports ministry is eased allowing them to also focus on other sports.

Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif admitted that the Black Stars will be eyeing the ultimate prize in the upcoming tournaments but will need huge investments to achieve that.

“It is the dream of the nation to win the Africa Cup of Nations again in Cameroon next year, and to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”

“These campaigns require a substantial amount of investment to be able to execute this mandate and government alone cannot shoulder this responsibility at the expense of other sporting disciplines.

“Supporting the Black Stars will enable government to use the sports budget to support other disciplines especially as we gear towards the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“Historically, the Black Stars have performed well every time corporate Ghana has backed them and it is our hope that you will do same again,” the Sports Minister added.

But according to Dr Abbey, who is an Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association [GFA] believes the communication for the budget was not properly delivered.

“If you examine what the President proposed, I don’t have a problem with it but I think the communication was a problem,” he told Kumasi based Pure.

“The Black Stars is the biggest brand among all the national team and if you check their travelling expenses, it is not easy.

“It is unfortunate that next year, we have two crucial competitions which is the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup in Qatar.

“These games that everyone would love to see the Black Stars there but I think the rants about the budget is unfortunate.

“I think the communication for the budget for the Black Stars was poorly communicated looking at the channel of communication but I think we should reason through because the expenses on the Black Stars is huge.”

Mr Abbey also revealed that they are engaging government to help inject money into the local league.

“We have been engaging government to help inject money into the local league,” he said.

“When we took over office our first interaction brought the amount to the clubs when the Covid-19 struck but we are still in talks with them to come to help and the local league.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the meeting stated that government will provide $10 million of the required amount with a 5-member committee, headed by the Sports Minister, expected to raise the remaining $15 million.

The committee includes deputy minister of youth and sports designate, Evans Bobie Opoku, Ghana football Association head Kurt Okraku, head coach Charles Akonnor and former Ghana international Sammy Kuffuor.

Source: Modern Ghana

Moree (C/R), – Mrs. Ellen Osei, the Abura Asebu Kwamankese (AAK) district Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has told parents to discourage their teenage wards from cohabitating.

She said the act bred insubordination, disrespect, reoccurrence of teenage pregnancies, school drop-out, untimely death and early Parenthood.

She was speaking to parents and students during the School Performance Appraisal Meeting (SPAM) at Moree in the AAK district of the Central Region.

“The cycle of poverty would in no way escape us if this act continue in our societies; help in any way you can to break the chain of cohabitation from your own homes “she added.

The Director said the high disregard for authorities especially teachers and the elderly in the society could partly be blamed on the sexual experiences teenagers had had with their cohabitees.

She urged parents and guardians not to shirk their responsibilities because others would take undue advantage of their teenagers which would later having untold hardship.

Mrs. Osei urged all students to tread cautiously on their engagement with friends, confide in their parents and seek information before making decisions.

“You need to also be determined to complete your education with good grades to make your parents proud and contribute your quota to the growth of the Nation”.

Mrs Olivia Koranteng, the Headteacher of Moree Methodist Basic School urged students to take their studies seriously and be determined to come out with flying colours.

She pleaded with the Government and other stakeholders to complete an 11-unit classroom block for the school to aid effective teaching and learning.

“Our classrooms are too small to contain our numbers, which is a potential to reducing our contact hours with our students” she indicated and called for quick intervention.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana Boundary Commission marks 11th African Border Day under the continental theme “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”

The Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC) on 7th June, 2021 marked the annual commemoration of African Border Day, a day set aside by the African Union (AU) to sensitize the Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and relevant stakeholders on border issues, as well as the importance of continental, regional integration and cross-border cooperation.

The day, celebrated annually on 7th June, aims at highlighting the role of the AU Border Program (AUBP) and the AU Convention on Cross-border Cooperation (the Niamey Convention) which facilitates and supports the demarcation and delimiting of African boundaries and the development/promotion of cross-border cooperation among States; while also encouraging additional efforts for their implementation.

As part of efforts to comply with and implement both the AUBP and the Niamey Convention as necessary mechanisms for the transformation of boundary zones and cross-border areas into spaces conducive to regional and continental integration, the Ghana Boundary Commission was reconstituted by the Government of Ghana with the mandate of determining, demarcating and delimiting Ghana’s land and maritime boundaries; as well as settling boundary disputes all in accordance with accepted principles of international laws and good neighbourliness. The Commission’s establishment is particularly important due to growing boundary issues and challenges such as removal or displacement of international boundary pillars and disputes over ¬trans-boundary resources among others.

Recognising the key role of Africa’s rich culture, arts and heritage as catalysts for integration, resilience and socio-economic development of the African continent and also in helping to promulgate the AU Agenda 2063 of “a continent of seamless borders and management of cross-border resources through dialogue”, this year’s Africa Border Day celebration is on the theme “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building Africa We Want”.

African arts, culture and heritage has proven its resilience, having not only survived through the Covid-19 pandemic, but also contributing to the fight against it. Indeed, they were the instrumental avenues for Covid-19 information dissemination and the perfect companions during the lockdown periods, having adapted to the pandemic and employing the use of modern technology such as digital platforms to create new “borderless” spaces.

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the diverse boundary issues that many African countries are grappling with, the theme presents the African States with an opportunity to consider the Creative Arts Sector as a mechanism to bridge the artificial borders. Especially with borders closed and movement restricted, African societies can begin to explore creative and innovative ways through their shared culture, arts and heritage as channels for educating stakeholders on boundary management issues, border sensitization, integration, resilience and post-Covid recovery.

In commemoration of the 11th African Border Day, the Ghana Boundary Commission calls for a re-examination of the role of the Cultural and Creative Arts industry in boundary management. More so with the signing and coming into force the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which is aimed at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s position in the global market, investing in the Creative Arts and employing it as tools for conflict prevention and cross-border cooperation is a creative, forward-looking, and innovative way of bridging and rebuilding African economies across borders in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic.

About Ghana Boundary Commission:

The Ghana Boundary Commission is a Government of Ghana entity responsible for demarcating, delimiting and managing Ghana’s international boundaries; as well as settling boundary disputes between Ghana and her neighbouring countries in accordance with accepted principles of international law. The Act establishing the Ghana Boundary Commission (Act 795) was passed by Parliament and the gazette notification issued on 26th March, 2010. Since its establishment, the Commission has undertaken a number of activities including physical boundary pillar audits, a survey of boundaries among others; with the aim of promoting regional integration, improving peace and security, and advancing cross border cooperation with its neighbouring countries.

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Source: Ghana Web