Day: August 15, 2022

Accra, Aug. 15, GNA – Dr. Isaac Newman Arthur, a clinical psychologist, says that children may not have the built-in mechanism to cope with the pressures of life as public figures, urging celebrities to shield their children from their social lives.

According to the psychologist, who is also a medical doctor, exposing children to the constant scrutiny and criticism that characterises the social lives of celebrities, especially on social media, could lead to unhealthy exposure to stress and depression.

”Shielding your child from abuse, unhealthy exposure to stress, and keeping a private life is necessary for their own growth and sanity. Children are at different stages of development and, thus, may not be able to appreciate and handle some life stresses as well as adults can,” he told the GNA Entertainment in an interview.

Dr. Newman Arthur asserted that doing well to separate their private lives from their public lives as celebrities was necessary to aid the mental development of their kids and the sanity of the celebrities.

”Whatever negative experiences can negatively affect them later in life. It is the duty of every parent, regardless of their status, to take good care of their children,” he said.

He further urged celebrities to seek the frequent services of psychologists to help maximise their mental wellbeing and deal with interpersonal relationship issues, career issues, crises, trauma and also improve their performance.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A former Presidential Staffer, Rockson Bukari has backed calls for President Nana Akufo-Addo to reshuffle his ministers.

According to him, no government operated for six years without a major ministerial shakeup hence the urgent call for the president to reassign his appointees to help address the economic challenges the country is going through.

Mr. Bukari, who is also the immediate past Upper East Regional Minister, argued that the government must listen to the voices of the masses if the New Patriotic Party is bent on “breaking the eight in 2024.”

“Ghana is at a crossroads now and every Ghanaian is feeling a pinch of the economic hardships. Whether you are NPP or NDC, when you go to the market, it is the same prices that are prevailing, and we have a government who is in charge of this country to make sure that every Ghanaian has a comfortable life.”

“I want to remind President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the NPP gave birth to his government and that there is the need to listen to the voices of the people and that there is the need for immediate changes in his government”.

“There is an immediate need to make changes in his government because since 1992 we have not had successive governments ruling this country for almost 6 years without making ministerial changes. There is the need to make changes so that at least the NPP party will also be satisfied, in order to break the 8-year election jinx”.

Mr. Bukari, also appealed to Nana Akufo-Addo to champion unity of purpose to enable the party to break the eight.

“He (President Akufo-Addo) is the leader, so he should do well to make sure there is unity of purpose and human solidarity. He should look at things critically because there are too many “two faces persons,” in the NPP now trying to destroy this party.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, Aug. 15, GNA – The University of Ghana has launched a project dubbed, “TranSforming InSTitutions to Advance women leaders in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): Lessons from Ghana and Kenya” (SISTARS).

The project is funded by the International Development Research Centre of Canada to address systemic institutional issues pertaining to gender and leadership disparities in STEM through a cross-country landscape analysis of women of STEM in academia and industry.

The three-year project (2022 -2024) is being led by the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS) with support from, the Department of Geography and Resource Development, the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), and the School of Engineering, all from the University of Ghana. 

The Project partners in Kenya include; University of Nairobi, Africa Population and Health Research Centre, and Women in Water and Sanitation.

Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, highlighted the importance of STEM education to nations’ growth and development noting that over the past five years (2018 to mid-2022), the physical and mathematical sciences suffered a decline in the proportion of females as compared engineering.

She intimated the SISTARS project had come at the right time to complement the University’s fourth pillar in its Strategic Plan and understanding, and scientifically documenting the challenges women face in STEM would eventually influence national and institutional policies.

Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Acting Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, through a speech read on her behalf by the Deputy Director of the Ministry, Madam Linda Coffie, expressed support for the project.

She said: “The Ministry is of the firm belief that the overall goal and objectives of the project would be actualized to enhance women’s participation in STEM and overall gender mainstreaming across all sectors”.

Dr Dzidzo Yirenya-Tawiah, the Project Principal Investigator, revealed that there is under-representation of women in STEM and leadership positions in Africa.

“A 2021 UNESCO Science Report indicated that in Africa only 30 per cent of science professionals are women. In Ghana, out of the best ranked 3,000 best scientists, only 285, representing 9.5 per cent are females, she stated.

According to her sustainable development and economic growth could not be achieved unless women are empowered to contribute their quota to development.

Dr. Katie Bryant, the Programme Officer of the International Development Research (IDRC -CRDI) of the Government and People of Canada and Prof Faith Karanja, the Chair and associate Professor, Department of Geospatial and Space Technology, University of Nairobi joined the launch virtually.

Dr Bryant noted that the University of Ghana has many women in high-level management and governance positions.

She pointed out that the IDRC has an ongoing established long working history with the University of Ghana and various partners in Kenya.

“Currently, IDRC is directly supporting five projects at the University of Ghana and many others, indirectly,” she added.

She, therefore, encouraged the project to develop, implement, and study innovative interventions that could retain and advance women’s leaders in STEM careers and called on policymakers and organisations to develop frameworks that promote women in STEM leadership.

On her part, Prof Faith Karanja said women and girls had the undeniable right to study science, work in science and most importantly, lead in science.

She said she expected that the partnership with the University of Ghana team would ensure better research outcomes.

The Director of IESS, Prof Kwasi Appeaning Addo said IESS had been working hard over the years to achieve its mission by undertaking innovative research such as the SISTARS project to inform policy.

He stated that IESS had trained women in environmental science who are playing leadership roles in both academia and industry and therefore, emphasised the need to do more for equitable representation in leadership and decision-making positions, in STEM related industries and institutions.

Prof Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, the Provost, College of Basic and Applied Science said he was hopeful the project would bring an end to some of the challenges women in STEM face in their daily work.

“l am also hopeful that project will also help discover some emerging challenges and solutions that male counterparts in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics face,” he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Communicators of the ruling New Patriotic Party and government spokespersons have been challenged to propagate the many achievements of the Akufo-Addo led government to secure victory for the party in the 2024 general elections.

Nana Kofi Akomea Jnr, the 2nd Vice Chairman of the NPP in Fanteakwa South and also a government spokesperson indicated the only way for Ghanaians to retain the party in 2024 is how communicators are able to sell the good works of the current government.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bryt FM Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma, Nana Kofi Akomea Jnr indicated that the opposition NDC is engaging in cheap propaganda to downgrade the hard work of the government, hence the need for communicators to act swiftly.

He stressed the NPP has achieved a lot within its six years in governance and therefore the current global crises cannnot be used as a yardstick of its performance.

“We have performed creditably well within this six years of being in power and I think party communicators must work on propagating to Ghanaians what Government has done so far,” he said.

However, the Government Spokesperson appealed to the party’s leadership to continue and strengthen support for party communicators in order to make them deliver on their mandate as well.

Source: Modern Ghana

Ho, Aug. 15, GNA – Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister has called for collaboration between the Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and Presiding Members in the performance of their roles to facilitate rapid development.

He said they must forge unity and galvanise all resources available to champion the aspirations of the people.

Dr Letsa was speaking at a Conference of Presiding Members in the region in Ho.

He said MDCEs and PMs must be bold to communicate the challenges the country was facing to the citizenry to get them to support the plans and activities of the Assemblies through the payment of fees and levies as well embarking on self-help projects with some form of assistance from the Assemblies.

He said the negative impact of Covid-19 on the economy aggravated by the Russian-Ukraine had affected inversely balance of payment situation, the exchange rate regime, and the supply, and demand of food as well as gas and oil products.

The Regional Minister said the situation had negatively affected the financial resources available to the District Assemblies for development and added that there were efforts by the government towards restoring the country on a path of sustained growth for the benefit of all.

Mr Patrick Kwame Ahiabu, Dean of PMs, said the Conference was to take decision on how scarce resources could be maximised and revenues mobilized at the district assemblies for their effective running.

He said the region was well endowed with fertile lands, which could support most traditional crops but due to land litigation and delay in adjudicating land issues, it was not helping investment and called for a crusade to change the status quo.

Mr Ahiabu noted that the timespan of the “Agenda 111” projects in the region might be affected since some districts were in court over ownership of land.

He commended the Regional Minister for the good work in terms of bringing investors into the various districts in terms of agriculture, tourism, education, and health.

The Conference was themed: “The Ravaging Effects of COVID-19, the Russian-Ukraine War and the Scarcity of Resources for Development, the Role of the Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and Presiding Members (PMs).”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Aug 15, GNA – The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smivic Communications Limited, Ms Victoria Akosua Amankwaa, has called for support for women Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). 

That, she said was critical to the growth of businesses, especially women SMEs in the country’s quest to create more jobs and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Ms Amankwaa , therefore, called on all stakeholders, including the Government to place Ghanaian women at the centre of the country’s economic development agenda by creating the enabling environment to empower women entrepreneurs. 

She said this at the launch of the 2022 SHE Summit in Accra, which was aimed at promoting equality between women and men as a precondition for sustainable development. 

She said: “Women are the pivot for national development, therefore, we must all come together to ensure that the supporting atmosphere is there for them to fully utilise the opportunities in the business environment.” 

“Also, there should be access to investments, subsidies, and new income generating opportunities, particularly to women in rural areas who are disadvantaged due to a lack of property, access to agricultural land and advisory services, and quality education,” Ms Amankwaa said. 

The CEO noted that the SHE Power summit would offer a platform for participants to share best practices and success stories that showed how women set up and sustain their entrepreneurship ventures. 

She explained that the women empowerment initiative would identify creative and innovative young women with profitable business ideas through the “Women CEO Challenge,” and supported financially to build sustainable businesses.  

The three-month competition would see the business ideas of the young women entrepreneurs scrutinised, and the 20 finalists, supported to be financially independent to employ others. 

The summit was organised by Smivic Event Management under the auspices of Smivic Communications Limited. 

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Aug 15, GNA- Mr Prince Bagnaba Mba, President of Forum for Equity, a human rights Non-Governmental Organisation has appealed to Ghanaians living abroad to make meaningful contributions towards the resuscitation of the economy.

“Every strange situation requires strange steps and solutions, and for me the meagre contribution of every Ghanaian living in and outside the country can change our fortunes in succeeding days.”

Mr Mba who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the global economic crisis and internal initiatives said Ghanaians were generally generous and such a step could make a meaningful impact on the economy.

“Voluntary Contributions from Ghanaians living abroad and at home can resuscitate the economy and put it back on track. We are all aware of the laudable policy implementation of the government and the urgent need for voluntary contributions to keep up with the pace after unanticipated COVID-19 and the Ukrainian-Russian war.”

Mr Mba said the Ministry of finance could therefore come out with a package for patriotic Ghanaians, home and abroad to contribute at least one USD1 or more per month for one year.

“An estimated three billion dollars or even more could be realised to continue and complete viable ventures and projects which would eventually engage our ever growing youthful population.

“In times of emergency, we need to encourage one another, avoid passing the buck and put the love for the general welfare of the majority of Ghanaians first. This is the time to apply the principle of Ghana beyond Aid.

“Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora are encouraged to join in the crusade of one dollar to keep the black star shining. “

He believed that though not compulsory, many Ghanaians were soft-hearted towards the country and could even contribute in hundreds of dollars, pounds and Euros for national growth and development.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Anaji(WR) Aug. 15, GNA- Some five Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have qualified for the SNV’s Boosting Green Employments and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Incubation Programme in the Western Region.

The Lanto’s Creative Concept, E-Powers, Dukez Fashion, Davidtron Engineering Services and Yonell Ventures became the successful applicants to form the Cohort Four under the four-year European Union-funded project to promote GrEEn businesses, give hope to migrant and ensure environmental conservation and sustainability.

Mr Richmond Andoh, the Finance Manager at Duapa Werkspace said many reviews and consultations went into the selection of participants which ensured that women were given a fair representation.

He said the members of the Cohort would be taken through proper record keeping, access to funding opportunities, and develop their pitching skills and market linkages, among other things.

The Cohort four Incubation Programme is on the theme “Creating wealth from waste” and would train the SMEs in the Agric Sector, Renewable Energy, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

“With this project nothing goes waste, for example under agriculture, if you are in the poultry farming business, we are looking at the processes where you can be able do your business such that other waste products become a resource for you to benefits”,Mr Andoh pointed out.

He said so far, 14 SMEs in the Western Region have benefitted from the SNV GrEEn Incubation Programme under the different Cohorts.

According to him, the Duapa Werkspace joined the SNV GrEEn incubation project in 2020 and had since hosted three cohorts successfully.

Mr/Erasmus Ackon, Chief Executive Officer of Duapa Werkspace encouraged the SMEs to ensure proper bookkeeping and make it a point to grow and expand their businesses through proper business development strategies.

“We are here to always assist you with the requisite knowledge, Skills and information”, he added.

Mr Kwame Asare Yeboah, an Energy Expert who took the participants through renewable energy sources encouraged the SMEs to take full advantage of the opportunities given them to maintain and expand their businesses.

Source: Ghana News Agency