Day: March 7, 2022

Ghana has signed visa waiver agreements with eight countries; Qatar, Jamaica, Suriname, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Guyana, Venezuela and Malta.

This means that the aforementioned countries would be exempted from applying for visas when entering Ghana and vice versa, the Presidency said in a tweet.

According to the Presidency, the visa waiver agreements form part of measures put in place to improve service delivery to passport administration in both Ghana and missions abroad.

In a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb, it said, “Ghana has signed visa waiver agreements with Qatar, Jamaica, Suriname, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Venezuela, and Malta, officials from both countries carrying diplomatic, service and official passports will be exempted from applying for visas when entering each other’s countries.”

“Government has taken necessary steps to improve service delivery with regards to passport administration both in Ghana and its missions abroad. #BuildingGhanaTogether,” it added.

It would be recalled that in August 2021, Parliament approved a visa waiver agreement between Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agreement was in respect of diplomatic, service/special and ordinary passport holders.

The MoU was restricted to holders of diplomatic and other official passport holders and other public officials whose background and conducts were within the purview of the public and state security apparatus. 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

Aboadze-Abuesi (W/R), – The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shama, Mr Ebenezer Dadzie, has implored Ghanaians to collaborate with the government to bring back the wheels of economic prosperity in the country.

Mr Dadzie also encouraged the people to strive hard to protect the aspirations of the forefathers for self-rule, better life, accelerated national development and national pride.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf during the 65th Independence Anniversary Celebration under the auspices of Aboadze-Abuesi Area Council and School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) for Aboadze- Abuesi Circuit.

This year’s celebration was on the theme: “Working Together and Bouncing Back Better.”

The DCE said although the country had witnessed several military interruptions, they did not kill the fortitude and wish of the people hence the advancement in democratic rule.

He noted that the introduction of the government flagship programmes such as the Free Senior High School and the Planting for Food and Jobs had brought the nation back on track and made the people economically viable.

He mentioned the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) and the One District One Factory (1D1F) programmes, among others, as some of the interventions put forward by the government to create employment opportunities for the teeming youth.

Additionally, he said the government was seeking to rejuvenate the economy with the introduction of the “Youstart programme”, which would create millions of jobs for the youth and help them contribute their quota to the country’s development.

In the Shama district, Mr Dadzie said the assembly was instituting various measures to help improve the lives of the people through the establishment of a cocoa processing factory in West Park, a salt industry, and the promotion of Small Medium Enterprises and business management training.

Mr John Kingsley Arthur, the Stool Secretary of Aboadze, reiterated the need for students to take their studies seriously to be successful in future and to help contribute to the growth of the country.

He further advised them to desist from engaging in indecent behaviours that would derail their resolve to accomplish their aims and aspirations in life.

Mrs Josephine Theresah Mensah, the School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) for Aboadze-Abuesi, entreated the citizenry to endeavour to work together to develop the nation.

She urged the people to desist from acts and attitudes that would derail the development “we have yearned for.”

She advised Ghanaians to develop positive attitudes towards work and seek an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity, tolerance, patience and perseverance to move the nation forward.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Akatsi (VR), – Mr William Kpormatsi, a former Akatsi South Parliamentary aspirant of the National Democratic Congress, says he is ready to motivate and appreciate the youth, who acquire skills to enable them to become self-dependent.

“In my view, our children, brothers and sisters continue to run away from career and skills learning and so the few, who are committed to do so and graduate from same needed to be appreciated.”

He said God had given some of them excellent customer care services, others organisation of resources and the rest best skills in designing and urged them to form partnerships for the desired growth.

Mr Kpormatsi said this during the graduation ceremony of 50 apprentices from the Ghana National Association of Garment Makers at Akatsi in the Volta Region.

He urged the graduates to consider forming partnerships in two or three to enable them to pool their talents and resources together to establish and start their enterprises.

“I use this opportunity to urge every youth to accept the fact that, where Ghana has reached now, academic degrees should only be considered after skills training. We can finance the academics from our own labour,” he said.

Mr Kpormatsi challenged the young men to take training in the construction industry.

This, he said, should challenge the youth themselves not to abandon the skills in the industry for the foreigners.

Mr Mathias Agbalenyo, Chairman of the Association, on behalf of the other executives, expressed appreciation to Mr Kpormatsi for the support.

It was the 61st graduation ceremony of the Association, which was held at the Akatsi Main lorry station.

Donations were received from dignitaries who were present at the event.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra,— Ms Brigitte Dzogbenuku, Founder and the Executive Director of Mentoring Women Ghana, says women and girls must break the bias first for men to emulate.

She said until women decided to be bold and speak out, no one would do it for them.

Ms Dzogbenuku said this at the 2022 Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk organised by the Mentoring Women Ghana in partnership with Vital Voices Partnership to mark the celebration of the International Women’s Day in Accra on the theme: ‘‘Break the Bias.’’

The Walk, supported by the Future US State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership, Lucozade and Coca Cola, is a mentoring programme held annually for emerging young ladies in 62 countries.

The International Women’s Day is instituted by the United Nations to globally celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

It is celebrated on March 8, every year, to also rally support at all levels to ensure that the rights and empowerment of women in all areas of national development are prioritised.

Ms Dzogbenuku said women and girls could break the bias by being fearless and bold, consequently, changing the trajectory the world was taking.

She said Vital Voices recognised that while women required professional support and advancement, they also desired personal and emotional support from other women as well. 

The Executive Director noted that mentoring enabled established women leaders to inspire, encourage and help others tackle the challenges in their professional and personal growth. 

She said mentoring helped strengthened a mentee’s motivation and capacity for meeting challenges, exploring new ideas, and making important decisions. 

Ms Dzogbenuku said it could facilitate new connections and networks and broaden their horizon for personal and professional achievements. 

Mentoring, she said, provided an opportunity for emerging women leaders to gain confidence and skills to thrive as leaders.

Madam Stephanie S. Sullivan, the United States (US) Ambassador to Ghana, underscored the need for mentees to be open and curious, as well as authentic without making unhealthy comparisons.

She noted that setbacks and challenges, which were bound to come, were learning opportunities to grow, therefore, they must be determined to go through them to succeed.

Ms Sullivan urged the mentees to look for opportunities while seeking others to mentor and break through.

Mentoring Women Ghana runs mentoring programmes to empower young women and girls into leadership, and into making a difference in their communities.

Vital Voices Global Partnership invests in women leaders who are solving the world’s greatest challenges, including gender-based violence, climate crisis and economic inequities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema, – The Adjei Kojo Basic School in the Tema West Municipal Assembly has been adjudged the 2022 Municipal Independence Day March Past champion at the basic level while Lashibi Community Senior High School won the second cycle trophy.

At the basic level, Tema Community 3 Basic School took the second position, and the Salvation Army Junior High School (JHS) was adjudged the third.

At the second cycle level, Life International School and Lyron International School took the second and third positions respectively.

Other schools that participated in the 65th Independence Day parade included: Baatsonaa JHS, Sakumono JHS and Old Lashibi JHS.

Ms. Anna Naa Adukwei Addo, the Tema West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), identified peace and unity as key for the nation to bounce back together for accelerated holistic development.

She, therefore, called on the citizenry to adopt peaceful means in addressing domestic, national, political, religious, traditional, and labour issues.

“There is beauty in diversity when we all blend towards a national interest,” she said.

Speaking at the Klagon Tema West Municipal Assembly School Park to mark the 65th Independence Day Anniversary on the theme; “Working Together, Bouncing Back Better,” Ms. Addo urged the citizenry to renew their faith towards the progress of the country.

The Tema West MCE urged Ghanaians to embrace the odds and challenges being imposed on us through global events, saying “this is the time for us to work together as one people with a common destiny to ensure that the country bounces back on an economic recovery trajectory.”

The Tema Senior High School (TEMASCO) cadet held spectators spell-bound with heart-warming displays.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ahwerease (E/R), – Mr Frank Aidoo, Akuapim South Municipal Chief Executive, has urged citizens to assume control of their economies to support the government’s efforts to build a resilient economy as Ghana celebrates 65 years of independence.

“As individuals, we need to take charge of our personal economies and from time to time assess our output and ask ourselves if we are doing much for ourselves and by extension our country,” he said.

In marking Ghana’s 65th Independence Day, the Akuapim South Municipality brought together 15 selected schools of different educational levels, four cadets corps and other professions to participate in the celebration characterised with a march past and other interesting event.

Among some of the schools were Aburi Presbyterian Senior Technical School, Adonten Senior High School, Diaspora Girl’s Senior High School, Aburi Girl’s Senior High School, Gyankama Methodist Junior High School, P. W. C. Demonstration, and Aburi Presbyterian Junior High School.

Commanding the 65th Independence Parade, on the theme: “Working together; bouncing back together,” was young Ms Salis Alhassan Amina Jerry, a third-year Visual Arts student of the Adonten Senior High School.

Twelve awards were presented to the best three primary schools, Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools and cadets, who performed well in the march past.

Mr Aidoo observed that most citizens had the perception that government should be responsible for every aspect of their lives, adding, “It is time to wean ourselves off the idea that the government should be responsible for every aspect of the individual’s life.”

He was pleased with the support so far rendered to the municipality in terms of road construction, upgrading of the main health facility to a 60-bed capacity and construction of several schools.

He expressed hope that the construction of an ultramodern court complex, “which is about 80 per cent complete and a completed magistrate bungalow,” would lift the municipality into a first-class community.

However, he called for the total support of citizens to assist the government to implement its policies and programmes for the municipality.

“On a special day like this, we need to remind ourselves that whatever we do as citizens no matter how big or small, has a direct effect on the country,” he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cape Coast, – Mrs Leticia Saka, Headteacher of Philip Quaque school, the first elementary school in West Africa, has applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his commitment to renovate the historic school.

President Akufo-Addo, in his 65th Independence Anniversary address to Ghanaians on Sunday, pledged to renovate the historic edifice to commemorate the Anniversary.

“Let me announce to the good people of Cape Coast that in commemoration of this occasion, the government has decided to rehabilitate in full, the Philip Quaque Boys School, the first primary boys’ School in our country as its anniversary gift to Cape coast,” he announced.

Elated by the President’s decision, Mrs Saka said the intervention will shore up students’ enrolment, reduce absenteeism and sustainably improve the quality of teaching and learning.

She said the move would enhance security in the school and ease the constant fear among students and teachers as a result of the recent falling off of some old pillars supporting the structure.

Additionally, it will rekindle the pioneering role of early educationists that has earned the ancient city the accolade “citadel of education” in Ghana.

That will give a strong boost to the region’s quest to promote quality education and educational tourism to ease development, she said.

The historic school was established in 1766 and named after an African priest, missionary and educator in Cape Coast, Philip Quaque, the founder.

The over 250-year-old school, located some few meters away from the Cape Coast Castle, has produced renowned personalities, including the former Speaker of Parliament, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes, former Chief of Staff under ex-President Jerry John Rawlings’ administration, Nana Ato Dadzie, and Oguaa Omanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II.

A visit by the GNA to the school revealed that since its establishment, the school which now has a population of 284 and 18 teachers had not received any facelift.

A greater part of the roofing had ripped off, dangling windows, exposed electrical cables and multiples of deep cracks on the walls are threatening the lives of the occupants.

Again, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the pillars seem to be losing the fight against the sea breeze and time, while rings of craters of water and gullies had prevented the pupils from engaging in extra-curricula activities.

Broken walls and old tainted asbestos roofing sheets also tell stories held over two-and-a-half centuries of the existence of the school.

Source: Ghana News Agency

South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka broke the men’s 50km record in his first race at the distance.

The 37-year-old won the Nedbank Runified 50km (31 miles) in Gqeberha in two hours 40 minutes 13 seconds, beating the time of 2:42:07 set by Ethiopia’s Ketema Negasa last year.

Mokoka competed in the marathon at the 2012 and 2020 Olympics and 10,000m at the 2016 Olympics.

“I’m tired. It’s a long way, but I enjoyed it,” he said.

World Athletics added the 50km distance to the list of events for which world records are recognised in July.

Ethiopia’s Amelework Fikadu Bosho dominated the women’s race to win in 3:04:58, almost four minutes ahead of second-place but 34 seconds short of the world record.

Meanwhile, double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge won on his Tokyo Marathon debut in 2:02:40, while fellow Kenyan world record holder Brigid Kosgei won the women’s race in 2:16:02.

Source: Modern Ghana