Day: November 4, 2021

AS Roma youngster, Felix Afena Gyan has been handed a maiden Black Stars call up by Milovan Rajevac.

The Serbian on Thursday afternoon announced his squad for the final two games of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers scheduled for this month.

The 18-year old who made his senior debut for AS Roma against Cagliari last month has been handed a call up for the games.

After coming off the bench, Afena-Gyan played his part as Roma clawed back from a goal down to seal victory by the odd goal against Cagliari.

He was then given extra minutes as Roma succumbed to a slim margin home defeat versus AC Milan on Sunday.

Afena-Gyan whose popularity has soared this past few weeks will relish the opportunity to link up with Ghana’s established stars and tap a couple of good counsel while in camp.

He will also hope to impress Coach Rajevac during training to enjoy some game time during the matches.

Ghana will take on Ethiopia on Thursday, November 11 before facing South Africa on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at the Cape Coast stadium.

The Black are second in Group G with 9 points – one point behind leaders South Africa and must win both matches to make it to the next stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Joseph Wollacott (Swindon Town), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St.Gallen), Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen), Richard Attah (Hearts of Oak)

Defenders: Andy Yiadom (Reading FC), Philemon Baffour (Dreams FC), Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC), Gideon Mensah (Girondins Bordeaux), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew), Ismail Abdul Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko)

Midfielders: Baba Idrissu (Real Mallorca), Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Mubarak Wakaso (Shenzhen F.C), Edmund Addo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Daniel Kofi Kyere (FC St. Pauli)

Wingers: Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Dreams FC), Kamal Deen Sulemana (Rennes), Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha)

Strikers: Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Beitar Jerusalem), Benjamin Tetteh (Yeni Malatyaspor), Felix Afena Gyan (AS Roma), Caleb Ekuban (Genoa)

Source: Modern Ghana

Walewale (NE/R),– The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called on stakeholders to collaborate to protect the youth from the influence of violent extremists and terrorists.

This, the Commission noted, would prevent the youth from being recruited into violent groups to destabilize the country and cause destruction to lives and properties.

Mr Thomas Issahaku Imoro, the West Mamprusi Municipal Director of the Commission, made the call at Walewale in the North East Region during an engagement with members of the Interparty Dialogue Committee (IPDC) on the prevention of electoral violence and providing security to the Northern Border Regions of Ghana.

The event, which brought together traditional authorities, political party activists and the security agencies, among others were sponsored by the European Union.

Mr Imoro said violent activities in neighbouring countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso were being carried out by the youth with influence from extremists’ groups.

He said the Ghanaian youth were also vulnerable and needed to be safeguarded against such nefarious act.

He said political parties were key stakeholders in ensuring peaceful coexistence and urged them to educate the youth on the essence of peace to national development and disband all political vigilante groups.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Cosmos Awe, the West Mamprusi Municipal Police Commander, noted that all Ghanaians needed to be on the lookout for strange characters in their respective communities and report them to the appropriate authorities for investigation and action.

He urged communities to form watchdog committees to help the security agencies to flush out criminals in society.

He said, “crime has no political colour neither does it assume chieftaincy colouration. Therefore, residents must rise above pettiness and help form watchdog committees in their communities to curtail the spillover of violent extremists’ activities into the country.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

The human papillomavirus or HPV vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90%, the first real-world data reveals.

Cancer Research UK described the findings as “historic”, and said it showed the vaccine was saving lives.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by viruses, and the hope is vaccination could almost eliminate the disease.

The researchers said the success meant those who were vaccinated may need far fewer cervical smear tests too.

Girls are offered the vaccine between the ages of 11 and 13, depending on where they live in the UK. The vaccine has also been offered to boys since 2019 .

The study, published in the Lancet, looked at what happened after the vaccine was introduced for girls in England in 2008.

Those pupils are now adults in their 20s. The study showed a reduction in both pre-cancerous growths and an 87% reduction in cervical cancer.

“The impact has been huge,” said Prof Peter Sasieni, one of the researchers at King’s College London.

The reductions were less dramatic when older teenagers were immunised as part of a catch-up campaign. This is because fewer older teenagers decided to have the jab and ideally it needs to be given before they became sexually active.

Overall, the study estimates the HPV programme has prevented about 450 cancers and 17,200 pre-cancers.

Prof Sasieni says that is “just the tip of the iceberg” because those vaccinated are still young to be getting cancer, so the numbers will only grow with time.

Screening

At the moment, women are invited for a smear test every three to five years to screen for cervical cancer.

But Prof Sasieni says there “definitely” needs to be a rethink after these results.

He told me: “It should be a wake-up call to policy-makers, women will read this and think ‘why should I go for screening?’.

“I would hope we’d come back with a new screening programme, two to three times a lifetime and continue screening women who have not been vaccinated.”

This is not the final say on the HPV vaccination. There are still questions about how long protection lasts and whether there needs to be a mid-life booster.

There are also more than 100 types of human papillomavirus.

The UK started using a vaccine that protected against two of them and is about to introduce one that protects against nine viruses, including the main causes of genital warts.

The cancer-causing versions lead to dangerous changes to the DNA of infected cells that transform them into cancer.

This can happen in any infected tissue. The viruses can be spread through vaginal, oral and anal sex, so are also linked to anus, penis and some head and neck cancers.

However, 99% of cervical cancers are caused by human papillomaviruses. It is why more than 100 countries have starting using the vaccine as part of World Health Organization plans to get close to eliminating cervical cancer.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist for the UK Health Security Agency, said the findings were “remarkable” and showed the vaccine “saves lives by dramatically reducing cervical cancer rates among women”.

Michelle Mitchell, the chief executive at Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s a historic moment to see the first study showing that the HPV vaccine has and will continue to protect thousands of women from developing cervical cancer.”

Source: Modern Ghana

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Youth Activist, Kwabena Frimpong has rebutted claims by the Wa West MP, Peter Lanchene Toobu that the NPP has performed poorly in the area of job creation.

According to Mr Frimpong, the NPP in its first term created over a million jobs in all sectors.

He noted that in the health sector over 120,000 jobs were created for health professionals.

He added that the NPP even cleared the backlog of persons especially teachers, nurses and doctors who were not posted or recruited due to an IMF conditionality under the NDC from 2013 to 2016.

“Under the Mahama led NDC government after training as a health professional one would have to apply to regional health directorate after they have advertised for limited employment opportunities but today under the NPP government after training everyone is posting to work. All backlog created by the NDC have been posted and working,” Mr Frimpong stated.

He noted that the NPP had employed over a hundred thousand teaching and non Staff into the Ghana education Service including Graduates who are currently working at our various Senior High Schools.

In the security agencies, Mr Frimpong noted that over 11,000 people are being recruited into the security agencies not forgetting some health personnel who were recruited to work in Barbados.

Arguing further, the youthful politician said Hon Toobu should find out from the various agencies people who had been recruited and re-assigned to work since 2017 until date.

He noted that 100,000 youth have been given jobs under the Nation Builders Corps (NABCo).

“One thing the MP should know is that the fact a lot of people turned up for recruitment screening like we are seeing now doesn’t mean they are all not Unemployed, some employed but wants a better one. We have other professionals who want to join the security agencies, so Mr MP check your facts before talking,” he intimated.

Backing his claims with statistics from the famous satatista.com, the NPP youthful member stressed that the unemployment rate since the NPP assumed power had reduced drastically as compared to the eight years of the NDC.

In 2017, he indicate that the unemployment rate dropped to 4.22% from 5.45% the country recorded in 2016 when NDC was in power.

Subsequently, he noted that in 2018 the rate reduced to 4.16% with the country recording a decrease again in 2019 at 4.12%.

“However, the NDC under President Mahama in 2012 recorded a 5.99% unemployment rate and 6.27%, 6.53% and 6.81% from 2013 to 2015 respectively.

“From this statistic, it shows clearly that the NPP government has done better in terms of getting people recruited into job avenues and in the creation of jobs contrary to what the frustrated former Police Officer who is now MP is wanting to deceitfully paint to the public,” Mr Frimpong emphasised.

Source: Modern Ghana

Sogakope (V/R),- Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region say they are against the promotion of LGBTQ+ in the country and are in full support of Parliament to pass the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

Sogakope (V/R),- Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region say they are against the promotion of LGBTQ in the country and are in full support of Parliament to pass the Anti-LGBTQ Bill.

Mr Jonathan Setrakor Ocloo, the District Chairman of the PWDs, said accepting LGBTQ would only complicate issues of members’ health.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said there was already existing stigmatisation against PWDs and adding LGBTQ practices would only exacerbate their woes.

“PWDs still suffer from stigmatisation in some societies and practicing LGBTQ would denigrate the status of PWDs more in society,” he said.

Though the nature of some disabilities made it difficult for some members to find sexual partners, accepting LGBTQ culture would definitely not be the way to go since it could worsen the health of PWDs or inflict more physical pains on the person who could be lured into practicing it.

Mr Ocloo called on all PWDs to reject LGBTQ practices since it might worsen their situation both physically and emotionally.

He said PWDs were already being treated unfairly by some sections of society and found it difficult to meet their health needs so adding any more complications in the name of acculturation would gravely affect their well-being.

In August, this year, some parliamentarians laid a Private Members’ Bill before Parliament, known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021.

The Bill seeks to criminalise the activities of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI), as well as individuals and organisations that advocate or promote the act in the country.

The 36-page Bill is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, proscribe LGBTQ and related activities, propaganda of, advocacy for or promotion of LGBTTQQIAAP and related activities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra,– Alhaji Baba Issah, National Public Relations Officer for the National Council of Zongo Chiefs (NCZC), says the Council has no sympathy for advocates of the LGBTQ+ agenda as Islam was against such acts.

Accra,– Alhaji Baba Issah, National Public Relations Officer for the National Council of Zongo Chiefs (NCZC), says the Council has no sympathy for advocates of the LGBTQ agenda as Islam was against such acts.

He said the LGBTQI was not a human rights issue but an interest of a very insignificant group of Ghanaians, who wished to impose their will on the bigger population.

“Ghana is a religious country and the Council sees those advocating these rights as people with hypocritical stand and we must not allow them to impose their will on us.”

Alhaji Issah said this at a prayer session organized by the Council in collaboration with the Coalition of Muslim Organisations on Wednesday, in Accra to invoke Allah’s protection against LGBTQI activists in the country.

He said the session was also to thank Allah for guiding the Council for the past 15 years and also to pray for all departed souls of the Council.

He said, “As a country, there are so many issues we must be concerned about. Those advocating this must channel their energies into other pressing issues of human rights, including education and child labour.

He said the issue of LGBTQI was an issue of concern and the Council was solidly behind the passage of the Bill before Parliament and urged Members of Parliament (MP) to also push for its passage.

“The LGBTQI issue has generated so much concern from the public, and as such we appealing to the MPs to rally behind the current bill for it to be passed into law. And religious bodies must continue to send the message across that the country would not accept this act.”

Alhaji Issah noted that past generations were destroyed by the practice and the passage of the bill into law would have a positive impact on the lives of future generations.

He also appealed to parents to educate their children to shun such ideas be imposed on them.

“As parents, we must be responsible for our children. Educate and enlighten them on issues like LGBTQI ; let them know it is a no go area, so when they are approached by these advocates they can state and stand firmly on their grounds to resist them.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra– Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of Mission accredited to Ghana have urged Ghana to use her influence to end sanctions on Zimbabwe.

The envoys in a communique issued at a press conference in Accra, said they were soliciting for the usual support and solidarity of the Government of Ghana and its people in alignment with the collective global commitment “to leave no one behind”.

The SADC Heads of Mission who issued the communique comprised of Mr Kufa Chinoza, the Zimbabwean High Commissioner to Ghana and Chairperson of the Association, Mr Richard Mwanza, the Zambian High Commissioner to Ghana, Madam Grace Mason, the South African High Commissioner to Ghana; Madam Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, the Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana and Mr Joao Domingos Baptista Quiosa, the Angolan Ambassador to Ghana.

The Envoys reiterated this call after their meeting marking the 25th October Zimbabwe Anti-Sanction Day.

The communique said Ghana’s support was in line with the practical furtherance of the spirit of multi-materialism.

“We call for the urgent removal of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, for the good of the country itself and its people as well as for the good of the region and the world.”

“The Envoys would therefore like to join other SADC Missions, on the third consecutive year, around the globe in reiterating their call for the lifting of the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe imposed by the United States, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK),” the Communique said.

The background was that the 39th Summit of the SADC Heads of States and Government held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in August 2019, declared the 25th of October of every year as the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanction Day.

It said the Day was effectively designated for the collective expression on the disapproval of the continued economic embargo on Zimbabwe by the US, the EU and the UK.

It said the current visit to Zimbabwe by Madam Alena Douhan, the UN Special Rapporteur, at the invitation of the Government of Zimbabwe, was a welcome development with further hopes that her findings and recommendations would lead to a positive outcome and relief, for Zimbabwe, from more than 20 years of sanctions.

The communique said the sanctions had continued to hamper recapitalization and modernization of Zimbabwe’s industries at a time the nation was seeking effective participation in the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

It said the ongoing and devastating COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively impact on the health, education and sanitation infrastructure.

It noted that resultantly, the country suffered an estimated $21 billion reduction in gross domestic product (GDP) over the 20-year period of isolation.

It said SADC’s solidarity with Zimbabwe arose as well from the realisation that sanctions against Zimbabwe had also impacted the broader SADC Region, most notably by way of Zimbabwe failing to meet agreed regional macro-economic convergence and other integration targets, even prior to COVID-129, thereby negatively affecting overall regional economic performance.

It said Zimbabwe had been unable to meet agreed tariff-phase down schedules under the SADC Trade Protocol, the Tri-Partite Free Trade Area (TPFTA) and the AfCFTA.

It said the SADC Region had also noted the commitment by the Zimbabwean Government to dialogue through its engagement and re-engagement drive as evidence by the dialogue process between Zimbabwe and the EU, the UK and the International Financial Institutions.

Mr Chinoza, who read the communique, also appealed to ECOWAS to join SADC in the fight to get the illegal sanction lifted from Zimbabwe.

Mr Quiosa said countries in the SADC Region were united in their efforts to get the sanction lifted from Zimbabwe and appealed to other African nations to join the fight in getting the Zimbabwe sanction removed.

“United we stand. And Africa needs to unite itself in common causes; and this one is a common cause not just for SADC as it is today but for the whole of Africa. We need to come together and fight for what we believe is right”.

Madam Mason said SADC and the rest of Africa were together in the cause of getting Zimbabwe’s sanction removed.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Kumasi,– Ms Josephine Nkrumah, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has urged staff to stand out wherever they find themselves as civic educators.

She said they were model citizens whose duties were to teach other citizens how to live with the right civic dispositions and values, hence they must always show the way in terms of good citizenship.

The Chairperson, who was addressing recruits of the Commission at an orientation workshop in Kumasi, said as staff of the NCCE, they could not educate the public on their civic responsibilities and exhibit a contrary lifestyle in their communities and workplaces.

The three-day workshop sought to walk the participants through the operations of the Commission and what was expected of them as new staff.

The ability to educate the citizenry on their civic duties, according to the Chairperson, should be a way of living for the NCCE staff.

“You must not only prepare when you are attending a programme or about to engage the media.

Your civic education skills must be part of you such that you can deliver whenever the need arises,” she counselled them.

The Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land, she noted, was the basic tool of the NCCE and that all their activities must be anchored on the Constitution.

She said the work of the Commission was broad and required commitment, dedication and hard work on the part of all workers to collectively prosecute the mandate of the Commission as specified by the constitution.

As young people, who are abreast with Information Communication Technology (ICT), they must take advantage of technology to enhance their performances and by extension improve efficiency in the operations of the Commission.

Ms Nkrumah said despite the challenges that the commission faced, public expectations were huge and charged the workers to give off their best under the circumstances.

“The life of a civic educator is not a glamorous one because there are many times you would go on the field and you have to visit places you never expected and you would meet certain facet of society you never thought of but it is up to you to make it exciting or as boring as you want,” she reminded them.

She said all those experiences were part of the learning process and an avenue to grow as a civic educator and urged them to brace up for all kinds of experiences as they started the journey with the NCCE.

The Chairperson further entreated the new staff to work closely with their Regional and District Directors to make the presence of the Commission felt in their respective regions.

Source: Ghana News Agency