Day: May 19, 2022

Tamale, May 19, GNA – Youth Against Drugs (YAD), a youth focused project, has been launched in Tamale by the Active Youth Global (AYG) in collaboration with Total Life Enhancement Centre, Ghana (TOLEC Ghana).

The project seeks to raise awareness on the risks associated with illicit drugs on human health among the youth.

The year-long project, which would end in March 2023, also seeks to mentor youth against drug abuse and giving them experts’ information on drugs to empower them to serve as peer educators.

It is being implemented within the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnarigu Municipality in the Northern region, the North East and Savannah regions.

Miss Rahama Issah, Executive Director of Active Youth Global, at the launch of the project, said 40 Senior High Schools within the three regions would be engaged as part of the project.

Ms Issah said it would also engage trade unions, tricycle riders and other youth, who were prone to being influenced to abuse drugs.

She said drug addicts had wrong information about certain drugs, which called for the need to provide them with the right information so they could refrain from drug abuse.

Professor Baba Sulemana Mohammed, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, University for Development Studies, said drug abuse was a public health concern given that the youth were actively involved.

He lauded the project and said it would help caution prospective drug abusers and give attention to the well-being of the youth.

Mr Peter Amadu Mintir, Executive Director of TOLEC Ghana, said the project prioritised improving mental health of students by creating awareness on the hazards of drug abuse in the targeted population.

He added that “the development and implementation of the project shall respect the principles of equality, non-discrimination and access to information.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Huni-Valley (W/R), May 19, GNA- Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL) Damang Mine, through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), has distributed farm inputs worth over US$ 80,000 to 360 farmers in the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipality.

The items included 407 gallons of fertilisers, 900 boxes of insecticides and 90 pieces of mist blower machines.

The gesture falls under its cocoa farmer’s support programme intended to boost cocoa production in AGL’s host communities.

Speaking at the distribution event, Mrs Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, the Acting General Manager, AGL, said the basic objectives of the programme were to select and support 120 cocoa farmers annually with the needed inputs, boost annual cocoa production of beneficiary farmers by at least three percent, and help sustain employment in cocoa production.

According to Mrs Kuutor, since 2018, a total of 600 cocoa farmers, cultivating a combined farm size of 1,200 acres, had benefitted from the programme.

She said each beneficiary farmer received support for three consecutive years before exiting to make room for a new batch of 120 farmers.

AGL had focused on agriculture, specifically, the cocoa sector and through the GFGF, the company had supported cocoa farmers in the catchment of the Mine with free cocoa inputs, she stated.

Mrs Kuutor said the initiative followed the Government’s policy reforms towards cocoa fertiliser support.

In 2021, AGL included the insecticides and fungicides based on a request by the leadership of the Damang Mine Consultative Farmer’s Association (DMCFA).

She mentioned that “each of our nine catchment communities will receive a minimum of six machines to be used by all cocoa farmers within the community and not just those who are beneficiaries of the programme.

“This approach is to encourage co-operative farming and farmer’s interdependence for technical knowledge.

“The district office of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division – COCOBOD will manage the mist blowers. This will be modelled after the government’s mass spraying and spraying gang structure to ensure proper use and maintenance of the machines,” she noted.

Since 2018, Mrs Kuutor emphasized that over US$ 265,000 had been channeled into the cocoa support programme, adding, an assessment from the first batch of beneficiaries showed a 33 percent increase in cocoa production and a seven percent increase in incomes.

She expressed the hope that the next assessment in 2023 would show even better results.

Mrs Kuutor said as part of AGL and its Foundation conscious efforts to increase women participation, 36 percent of the 360 farmers who received the inputs this year were women.

“AGL is committed to the continuous development of its catchment communities. However, we can certainly not do everything the communities would need, but we pledge to do our best in an honest and transparent manner,” she said.

Mr Michiel van der Merwe, the Acting Vice President in charge of Operations, Gold Fields, West Africa, also suggested that since land had become scarce due to population increase, farmers should embrace new technologies and innovations to maximise growth and increase production.

Dr Isaac Dasmani, the Municipal Chief Executive, Prestea Huni-Valley, encouraged the farmers to lift up their game and enhance production through new knowledge.

Nana Kwabena Amponsah IV, the Divisional Chief of Bosomtwe Divisional Area, urged the beneficiaries not to belittle themselves as farmers since they work in a sector that served as the bed-rook of the country, urged them to use the inputs to boost their productions.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, May 19, GNA – The city of Accra has been selected as a recipient of the Global Cities Fund (GCF) for Migrants and Refugees to help respond to the unmet needs of migrants, refugees, and internal displaced people (IDP).

The initiative was launched in 2021 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) by the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40 Cities in partnership with the Robert Bosch Stiftung (RBSG).

The Inclusive Climate Action (ICA) chapter of the GCF, drives financial and technical resources to African cities addressing the needs of migrants and displaced people affected by the climate crisis.

Accra is expected to use the funds to survey migrants working in the city’s informal waste economy and facilitate their access to financial inclusion, healthcare, and childcare overall waste management practices.

Speaking after the selection, Mrs Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, said; “The Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees will empower us to better understand the experiences of Accra’s migrant communities, especially those in the informal economy displaced by the climate crisis, and mould our services and programmes around their needs while making our city more ecologically sustainable.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has set up a three-member Committee to be chaired by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio to find lasting solution to the Bulgarian Embassy land case as recommended by the Sole Inquirer in his report.

This move comes as an outcome from the meeting between the Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria with accreditation to Ghana, Yanko V. Yordanov and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor on Tuesday, 18th May, 2022.

Addressing the media, Mr Jinapor gave an assurance that government and the Ministry are committed to working together to find amicable solutions which will completely put the matter to rest, just as the Sole Inquirer has recommended.

“you will recall that Justice Retired Kwasi Anto Ofori-Atta recommended that I use my good office to find an amicable solution to this issue and this is what has culminated to this meeting with the Bulgarian Ambassador,” he said.

The Minister said the meeting has further strengthened the already long standing and cordial relationship between the two countries and hoped that a more far reaching outcome will evolve from the encounter. “I look forward to building a relationship that goes way beyond the land matters into discussing bigger issues”

The Minister expressed his profound gratitude to the Envoy for his leadership, sense of solidarity and corporation and on behalf of the Government and people of Bulgaria the Minister also thanked the President for showing tremendous skill and diplomacy in his leadership and his involvement in dealing with the matter.

He assured the Envoy that the desire of the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in solving the matter is one that he in his capacity as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, will follow through to the latter.

The Bulgarian Ambassador to Ghana, Yanko Yordanov in his initial comment thanked the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the President of the Republic for their personal intervention and commitment in resolving the impasse between the Bulgarian Embassy and the private developer.

“Bulgaria is thankful to each and every Ghanaian institution, Parliament and especially the Presidency and I’m very hopeful that with the support of these institutions, we will find a lasting solution to this,” he stated.

Mr Yordanov also assured the Minister that people affected in the Bulgarian Embassy demolition and to an extent, Bulgaria, understand that the Government of Ghana had no involvement in the demolition exercise and, therefore, should be rest assured that the situation will not mar the 60 years of relations between the two countries.

The other two members of the three-member Committee are Mr. Maxwell Adu-Nsarfoa, Technical Director for Lands at the Ministry and a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, May 19, GNA – The Ga East Municipal Assembly (GEMA) has donated GHS35,474.40 to the East Kwabenya Residents’ Association (EKRA) to support the construction of the East Kwabenya Police Post.

The donation forms part of the Assembly’s effort to address the priority needs submitted by the various Residents’ Associations (RA) in the Municipality.

Presenting the cheque to the Association, GEMA Chief Executive (MCE), Madam Elizabeth Kaakie Mann, said the donation was also to encourage residents and other philanthropic organizations to embark on self-help projects in their communities to complement the Assembly’s development efforts.

She said EKRA, last year, submitted a request for support for the construction of a permanent Police Post to replace the old “Container Police Post” which had existed since 2007, serving the security needs of residents of East Kwabenya and beyond and contributing immensely to the overall provision of security in the Municipality for nearly two decades.

The MCE commended the Association for their commitment towards the development of the area and emphasized the need for the Police Post, saying it would help enhance security within the Municipality.

She urged other RAs in the Municipality to emulate the example of EKRA, however, acknowledging that she was aware of such self-help projects in their respective jurisdictions.

Madam Mann reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to the development of the area, saying that the Needs Assessment carried out by the Assembly on the various RAs came in handy and called for patience and continued support.

“As an Assembly, we are supposed to support all the departments, so this is just one of those. Per the needs assessment, we have in our records, need for roads, streetlights, among others. For East Kwabenya, their need was a Police Post, and we are starting now.”

She added that the Assembly was also issuing a permit for the construction at no cost and promised to provide further assistance.

Mr Charles Debrah Asante, Chairman, EKRA, said in 2018 the Association was informed of the decision by the Police Administration to withdraw the personnel and collaborate afterwards to find a permanent structure due to health and safety concerns.

He expressed delight at the gesture by the Assembly and thanked the MCE and Management for not reneging on their pledge to support the project.

“We are most grateful for this support. The Good Lord has heard our prayers and we’ve been able to break the ground. With the support that we have had so far, we are going to start the project immediately”, he added.

He appealed to residents, companies, businesses and other stakeholders in the area to lend their support to their cause, indicating that the Association intended to embark on a community tour to solicit for project funds.

Mr. Asante also appealed to the MCE and her team to work on the main road through the community which links the Ashongman Estate, Kwabenya roads and the construction site.

Mr Thomas Appiagyei, Patron of the Association, appealed to the Assembly to repair their community roads and requested for a proper construction and beautification of the Musukoo Roundabout.

The Kwabenya District Police Commander, Superintendent Kombat Damontin, lauded the efforts and determination of the Association to construct a fit-for-purpose Police Post.

He promised to relentlessly push the Police administration to support the project and post personnel to man the facility even before completion.

Mr Bright Paul Mintah, Assembly Member for Kwabenya, commended the Association for the initiative and pledged to organize a stakeholder-engagements to solicit support for the execution of the project.

The MCE later cut the sod for construction to begin.

The Association was formed in 1998, initially as a watchdog committee to address the security needs of the early occupants of the area because of the high crime rate then. It is one of the oldest amongst the over 60 RAs in the Municipality.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Actor turned preacher, Majid Michel has disclosed how kissing scenes in movies are not fake.

He says they are real and heavenly.

Speaking in an interview on Kantanka TV sharing how his movie, ‘Emerald’ saw him going all emotional when he shot a love scene with Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji.

“When you watch Emerald, and you watch the love scene that was the first love scene I shot with Genevieve, I carried my emotions, a hundred percent, into the movie. Genevieve was my idol.

“Kissing scenes in movies are never cut and paste, they are real. When you talk about kissing in movies, trust me, it feels like heaven,” he stated.

The ‘Crime to Christ’ star indicated that he hasn’t quit acting but wants to place more focus on preaching the word of God.

He added that his sermons are usually themed around his personal life experiences including some social vices he was involved in years ago.

Source: Modern Ghana

A leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has described the government’s One District-One Factory (1D1F) initiative as the “biggest” rollout of factories in the history of Ghana.

Mr Otchere-Darko asserts that the first president of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, could not even have achieved a quarter of the feat chalked by the Akufo-Addo-led government as far as the 1D1F project is concerned.

In a tweet on Thursday, 19 May 2022, President Akufo-Addo’s cousin said: “This is the biggest rollout of factories in the history of Ghana and the Gold Coast”.

“Not even Nkrumah achieved a quarter of this in his nine years from Independence. Even better, all financed through credit from [the] government but privately owned.”

The 1D1F initiative is a key component of the industrial transformation agenda of the Akufo-Addo-led government.

“This is the biggest rollout of factories in the history of Ghana and the Gold Coast. Not even Nkrumah achieved a quarter of this in his 9yrs from Independence. Even better, all financed through credit from Govt but privately owned. pic.twitter.com/FhE8N37j8U— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) May 18, 2022.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Asante Kotoko Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nana Yaw Amponsah has been left angry following Ghana Football Association’s decision to postpone their game against AshantiGold SC.

The Porcupine Warriors were scheduled to be hosted at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium in the matchday 29 games later today.

In a statement by the FA, the game has been postponed based on advise from security agencies.

However, Nana Yaw Amponsah believes the Ghana Football Association shouldn’t have postponed the game between them and their regional rivals.

“The timing of the verdict of Ashantigold’s ban is irrelevant and the Ghana FA should have done further consultations before releasing the ban,” he told Peace FM.

He further stated that the decision will affect subsequent games of the Miners in the ongoing campaign.

“Banning Ashantigold in the middle of the season for match-fixing is not a good idea and if the FA thinks that’s what the club is doing then the ban will urge them to engage in more match manipulations”.

According to him, the Kotoko team arrived in Obuasi on Wednesday ahead of the Thursday clash and the decision to postpone the game at the eleventh hour is a bad thing to do.

“We were only informed on Wednesday evening about the postponement of the match against Ashantigold on Wednesday evening and that has destructed the team because we prepared adequately for the match and now the FA has spoiled everything and our plans.”

“So is the FA going to postpone all Ashantigold games from now on, if so then what was the essence of postponing our clash and I think they didn’t do due diligence on the release of the ban”.

“They should have waited for the season to end because we’re left with six matches to the end of the season.”

Source: Modern Ghana