Day: October 27, 2022

Kumasi, Oct.27, GNA – The teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will continue to be the priority of the government’s reform agenda in the country’s educational system.

 

To this end, the government is creating an enabling environment by expanding science resource centers of some existing senior high schools to increase science enrolment and the quality of instructions.

 

In addition, the government is constructing 10 STEM Schools, including ones solely for girls, at various stages of development.

 

 

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, stated this in an address read on his behalf at the closing of the 2022 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) competition at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

 

He said the government, in the short term, had introduced the pre-engineering programme for secondary school graduates with non-science backgrounds to help them pursue engineering at the tertiary level.

 

Dr Adutwum said the one-year training course which was being piloted at the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, and the Pentecost University had been “a game changer” and was already directing attention of more students into STEM, a situation likely to solve most of the country’s technological and economic needs.

 

The Minister commended Primetime Limited, producers of the NMSQ and other sponsors for promoting the learning of science and mathematics by organizing the annual event.

 

He described the event as one which had developed the minds of several thousands of students, good thinking and improved scientific minds about the things around us.

 

The 2022 NMSQ saw the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC) winning, Prempeh College and Adisadel College placing second and third positions respectively.

 

Mr Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah, Chief executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), commended the late Professor Ewurama Addy, the first NMSQ host, for the role she played in nurturing students in natural science, especially, female scientists in STEM.

 

He said regardless of the outcome of participation in each year’s competition, NSMQ ignited a passion to continue a search for knowledge.

 

Mr. Danquah said that was why the GNPC had aligned with the programme’s producers to promote the study of science and mathematics, which were the bedrock of existence for every society.

 

“GNPC, as the national oil company, recognizes the urgent need to maximize local content and local participation for the people of Ghana, through developing expertise in STEM within the value chain, for job creation,” he observed.

 

Professor Oheneba Boakye Agyei, Otumfuo Hiahene, said the study of science was undoubtedly the basis of development and wealth creation, and commended the organizers and sponsors of the Quiz for such initiative.

 

 

Source: Ghana News Agency

 

Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, former Member of Parliament for Ketu South, and General Secretary aspirant of National Democratic Congress (NDC), says when given the nod, he will improve the regional balance of the party.

The former Minister of Food and Agriculture and of Transport declared his intention to contest the position following the decision by the incumbent, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, to exit the post to join the chairmanship race.

Mr Kwetey, in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said a vote for him would be a vote for a trusted hand to deepen NDC’s regional roots.

“My track record as the Propaganda Secretary, the unforgettable role I played when I was sent to the strongroom in 2008 and in the collation of results of the party in 2012 leading to our success in both elections is there for all to see,” he said.

Mr Kwetey said in this critical time when the party needed to hinge its campaign on the economy, he was the right man for the job.

“But there’s more. The NDC has people in top positions of the party coming from Savanna, Northern, Central and other regions. We (Volta Region) are the pillars of the NDC and we need to be represented in the five top positions of the party.”

“Ellecting me, a native of Ketu South and Volta Region as the Chief Executive Officer of the party will tell our people that we’re not just for voting.”

Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, called for unity in the party and urged losers in the just-ended constituency executive elections not to despair because that was not the end of the road.

“Let’s be united for NDC’s victory in 2024. We must be watchful to ensure that nothing untoward happens because in the end, it must be the interest of the party superseding that of individuals.”

 

 

Source: Ghana Web

 

The National Chairman aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has pledged to return the party to power in 2025 if elected for the position.

Additionally, he would implement a number of reforms that would encourage participation and promote transparency and accountability.

Launching his campaign for the National Chairmanship position in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Nketiah, popularly referred to as “General Mosquito”, indicated that he would offer the necessary leadership that would re-organise the NDC into an attractive and formidable party that provided opportunities to all.

“We have a daunting task facing us as a party to remove the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from office and lead the country to economic recovery; we must be properly organised with leadership that is disciplined, transparent, accountable, fearless, courageous and hardworking to lead the NDC with a chairman who is not compromised.

“I will push for the introduction of term limits for office holders in NDC to encourage more members to participate and make office holders accountable, under my tenure, the NDC will undertake a mass registration of party members to build a more integrated database to reduce disputes about membership and enhance dues collection.

“The NDC will implement strategies that will curb monetisation of internal elections to ensure those office holders are elected on merit, continue with financial reforms to give branches, constituencies and regions autonomy to be able to undertake projects and programmes that build the grassroots level,” Mr. Nketia pointed out.

He noted that the party would work to revive the NDC Heroes Fund, which was established to provide relief to members and their dependents who were impacted negatively in the course of their work for the party.

As the General Secretary of the party for 17 years, Mr. Nketia touted his achievements as were testament to his understanding of the political scene, desire to build the capacity of the youth in the party, part of the executives that steered the party from opposition to victory in 2008 and retained it in 2012 despite divisions which threatened sustenance of the NDC.

He further touted he also led the acquisition of the ultra-modern head office of the party to ensure efficient and effective administration, as well as the establishment of the Institute of Social Democracy to deepen knowledge about the party’s ideals.

“I led the charge for regional, youth, and women representation in the expanded national executives of the party, introduction of the Electoral College system to ensure all members play a role in the election of executives, an efficient system that matches the vision of the party to win power and govern the country to growth and development is,” Mr. Nketiah intimated.

 

 

Source: Ghana Web

 

The Minority in Parliament has said contrary to a comment by its Deputy Whip endorsing the candidature of Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia in the National Democratic Congress’s chair race; the caucus has not taken any such a decision.

A statement from the caucus said Mr Ahmed Ibrahim’s claim was untrue.

The statement said neither has the caucus met on the matter or taken a decision on it.

The caucus noted that its leadership “has no position on any of the candidates vying for the respective positions in the party.”

“We, accordingly, urge our rank and file and the public to disregard the purported statement made during the launch”, the caucus added.

Meanwhile, the caucus said Mr Aahmed Ibrahim has apologised for the gaffe.

Mr Asiedu Nketia is seeking to oust incumbent Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo from the seat.

Also in the race is a former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashittey.

 

Source: Ghana Web

 

 

Member of Parliament(MP) for Tamale North Alhaji Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini has called on the government of Ghana to consider increasing the number of days for all excavators in Ghana to be registered with local Assemblies.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor has issued what seems like a detailed process for registering for all excavators with local Assemblies by November 2, 2022.

Also, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his tour of the Eastern Region last week announced a ban on the production and importation of Chamfine Machines into Ghana.

The move is part of the Government’s effort to fight the menace of illegal mining which has destroyed water bodies and forest reserves.

Reacting to this, the Tamale North Member of Parliament congratulated government but indicated that if the orders are not cosmetic, it will be imperative that government increases the number of days for the registration of excavators with the Local Assemblies.

“Refreshing as this may seem, considering that we suggested similar on 3rd October, 2022, we are of the belief that anything that is required to be done, must be done well.

Therefore it is noted that given that the Assemblies may not already have the structure in place to register and monitor the deployment of these excavators, the time given for compliance is too short. Also, we note that there are hundreds of thousands, if not more, excavators in Ghana and in order for this directive not to remain cosmetic, like others before them, but to be comprehensively complied with, 10 days doesn’t seem adequate and feasible.”

Read His Statement Below:

On October 3, 2022 in a response to the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources call on all, not to make the fight against Galamsey partisan, made the following proposals for the consideration of the President and Minister.

Hon Minister please,

deal with Wontumi, his Companies and others; that’s how your flowery political rhetoric will reflect in deed.

Like all destructive substances and machines, lead a policy position on the importation, deployment and use of Excavators and Chamfine Machines in Ghana. Like guns etc, their unbridled use have become a threat to life.

Adequately resource and restructure the Minerals Commission, the Inspectorate Division especially, to professionally recruit and train guards in every mining District, like the Forestry Commission’s Forestry Guards.

Convince your Cabinet to institute a, non political interference, house cleaning of all Security Agencies. Disarm and strip the uniforms of the crooks and thugs in the Services.

Like Cocoa, pre-finance gold purchases and restructure licensing to ensure purchases are made only from licensed small scale miners, operating legally.

This was published by many newspapers and online portals under different captions;

Galamsey fight: Deal with Wontumi and his companies – Suhuyini to Lands Minister – MyJoyOnline.comYour fight against galamsay must go beyond flowery speeches, Jinapor told
https://www.mynewsgh.com/your-fight-against-galamsey-must-go-beyond-flowery-speeches-jinapor-told/ Ghanaweb and MyNewsGh.com

It is surprising, but refreshing, that a government which for so long have been intolerant of divergent views, this week, had both the President and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources announcing interventions similar to proposal 2. “Like all destructive substances and machines, lead a policy position on the importation, deployment and use of Excavators and Chamfine Machines in Ghana. Like guns etc, their unbridled use have become a threat to life.”
The President, HE Nana Akufo-Addo was heard on radio during his tour of the Eastern Region last week announcing a ban on the production and importation of Chamfine Machines into Ghana.

Yesterday the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources issued what seem like a detailed process of registering all excavators with local Assemblies by Nov 2, 2022.

Refreshing as this may seem, considering that we suggested similar on 3rd October, 2022, we are of the belief that anything that is required to be done, must be done well.

Therefore it is noted that given that the Assemblies may not already have the structure in place to register and monitor the deployment of these excavators, the time given for compliance is too short. Also, we note that there are hundreds of thousands, if not more, excavators in Ghana and in order for this directive not to remain cosmetic, like others before them, but to be comprehensively complied with, 10 days doesn’t seem adequate and feasible.

I wish to however commend the thought behind these announcements from both the President and Minister aimed at sanitizing the use of Chamfine Machines and Excavators in the country.

These two equipments, as described in the proposal 2; like guns, have become a threat to life and their unbridled importation, deployment and use in the country must be regulated.

I will take the opportunity to remind the government that the five suggestions included the need to; deal with its Ashanti Regional Party Chairman and other so called untouchables in illegal mining. etc.

 

Source: Ghana Web