Month: January 2023

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I’m the best person to lead NPP – Boakye Agyarko

A flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Boakye Agyarko, has said his over 40 years of unblemished service to the NPP make him the best person to lead the ruling party to victory in the 2024 general election.

He said as the party looks for a new leader to succeed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he is the best person to lead the party to that historic third consecutive victory in the general election.

“I have an excellent record of service to this tradition for over 40 years without blemish to be able to lead this party with a good understanding of its ethos of history and its layout to be able to take it in my hands and nurture it and continue to a fuller maturity,” he said.

Mr Agyarko, a founding member of the NPP, who was also the campaign manager for the 2012 general election and the Policy Adviser for the 2016 campaign that brought the NPP to power, said he had the zeal, the passion and the energy to serve his country at the highest level.

He was optimistic that his long service to the party would find favour with the delegates to grant him the leadership of the party.

New leadership style

The flagbearer hopeful, who was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic at his residence in Accra, said what he was bringing on board was a new leadership style that was committed to transparency, decisiveness, and inclusiveness.

He said he would prioritise all projects that were initiated since 1992 but were left unattended to and complete them for the satisfaction of Ghanaians for them to know that the promises that were made to them by the political class had been fully fulfilled.

He said if all these projects were completed, it would “improve our situation and our credibility as the political class and citizens of this country would respect our new promises”.

Interest

He said all the flag bearer aspirants who had expressed their interest could do what they intended to do but he was presenting himself as a unique person who had worked with the people in the trenches to build the party to this far.

“Considering my commitment and service to this party and the tradition as a child of this tradition from 1978 and having consistently served this party in various capacities and having worked with the grassroots of this party as a campaign manager and policy advisor over many years, I think it gives me a certain edge of knowing into details this party, its traditions, its ethos and makes me thick,” he stated.

Mr Agyarko said his training in economics, banking and finance gave him that edge to solve the problems of this country such as unemployment, underemployment, and underinvestment in infrastructure and added that he could manage the fiscals of the economy.

Unifier

Mr Agyarko said he had what could bring everybody on board and not tear the party apart.

He described himself as a unifier and someone who had empathy for the members of his party and the nation as a whole and would ensure their welfare and well-being.

“Generally, I feel that I have displayed to the party many a time that I am accessible, that I understand the issues, that I know the party well and have served long enough to know the people inside this party and I think that it is one of the things people feel comfortable about me,” he said.

He said President Akufo-Addo did not win the presidential primary because he was second in that contest with former President Kufuor but because of his hard work, service to the party and the fight for democracy and the fundamental rights of Ghanaians.

“So I believe that this party will continue to examine the record of service of all of us and make their determination accordingly,” Mr Agarko stated.

Source: Ghana Web

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Fishery Commission conducts IUU compliance simulation exercise

Tema, Jan. 31, GNA — The Fishery Commission, an implementing agency of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, has conducted a simulation exercise on Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the country’s territorial waters.

The exercise, performed in a commercial vessel, was to highlight the impact of illegal activities in the fishing sector and collectively find solutions.

As part of the IUU compliance simulation exercise conducted over the weekend, a Fishery team in collaboration with the Ghana Navy checked the Fishing License, Captain’s Certificate, Chief Engineer’s Certificate, Crew List, Life Jackets, Fishing Nets, and other requisite documents.

It was identified that the vessel was fishing within the Inshore Exclusive Zone, engaging in pair-trawling, and using an unprescribed net, among others.

Mr. Richard Klutse, Fishery Manager at the Ministry of Fisheries, said the exercise was to inject sanity into the maritime space as well as ensure that all industry players adhered to the laws governing the sector.

He said illegalities in the sector had undermined the contribution of the maritime sector to national development hence the need to regularly conduct checks to put other stakeholders on their toes.

Mr. Klutse told the fishing crew that they had violated the Fishery Act 2002 (625) by fishing in the Inshore Exclusive Zone and using illegal fishing nets.

He said it was against the law to use a monofilament fishing net in marine waters by industrial vessels saying that the Ministry would not relent on dealing with illegalities in the sector.

He cautioned the vessel owner and crew against flouting the country’s laws and encouraged them to adhere to the laws for the smooth running of the sector and prevent any uncomfortable situations.

Lieutenant Commander Priscilla Dzokoto of the Ghana Navy said after an Intelligence, a thorough investigation was conducted to ascertain the authenticity of the information and they proceeded to do their checks.

She said Ghana Navy collaborated with the Fishery Enforcement Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Maritime Authority.

She said all vessels engaging in illegal activities were arrested and taken to the harbour for further investigations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Stay away from indiscipline attitude on campus- lecturer urges students

Professor Robert Aidoo, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Agriculture and Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has counseled Ghanaian students to be of good behaviour in school.

He said as future leaders, the youth ought to demonstrate responsible attitudes and show that they could take up the mantle of leadership of the country.

Professor Aidoo gave the advice during a send-off ceremony in honour of Mr. Stephen Kwadzo Dandey, the Headmaster of Bibiani Secondary Technical School (BSTS) at Bibiani.

He said education was to provide good guidance to raise students to become useful to the family, society as well as the nation and not otherwise.

He condemned the unlawful attitude of some students in some schools in recent times.

Professor Aidoo cited the misconduct of some students of Krobea Asante Technical Institute in the Ashanti Region that led to the destruction of properties.

He said such irresponsible behaviours demanded a deterring punishment from the appropriate institutions to serve as an example to others.

The Professor believe that such punishment would go a long way to help promote discipline in the various schools.

For his part, Mr. Stephen Kwadzo Dandey thanked the almighty God for his love, mercy, and abundant protection upon him and his entire family throughout their four years stay in Bibiani.

He praised the Board of Governor, the School management, including teaching and non-teaching staff, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), the Government of Ghana, Philanthropist, Traditional Leaders, Clergy, the Member of Parliament (MP), the late MCE and other stakeholders who in a diverse way contributed and supported him to accomplish his goals.

Mr. Dandey highlighted the construction of the school fence wall, construction of six unit-classroom block, construction of six-seater water closet toilet facility, construction of new girls’ dormitory, construction of an ultra-modern kitchen, 10-unit solar powered toilet and biogas, school sick bay and dining hall as some of his major achievements.

The rest were construction of mechanized borehole, erection of school signpost by S.R.C 2020 year group, 67-seater school bus received from the government, introduction of new programmes such as Visual Arts and Electricals in the Technical Department, the performance of the students was very impressive in the WASSCE exams during his tenure of office.

Mr. Dandey mentioned some of the challenges confronting the school to include, inadequate classroom block, library, boys’ dormitory, an additional mechanized borehole to provide enough water for the students.

He, therefore, appealed to the school management and PTA to extend support to his successor to achieve his vision for the school.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Concerned youth group donates ICT devices to Ajumako Eshiem D/A Basic School

Ajumako (C/R), Jan 31, GNA – The Ajumako Eshiem District Assembly Basic School in the Central Region has taken delivery of a GHS4,100 multipurpose printer, three computers and a power stabiliser to aid teaching and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The cost of the items, totalling GHS7,050, were donated by the Concerned Youth of Eshiem, comprising past students and indigenes, to fulfil the school’s quest for an ultramodern computer laboratory.

In October, last year, through the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the school appealed for a computer laboratory to enhance academic activities in ICT.

For many of the schoolchildren, the ICT teacher’s laptop they see during lesson hours was the closest they had come to a computer.

Mr Isaac Kweku Esuon, the Chairman of the PTA, told the Ghana News Agency that about 520 pupils learned the practical subject abstractly and were compelled to imagine majority of the things they were taught.

He said the lab would offer hands-on training and hone the digital skills of the pupils to prepare them for the future “in the spirit of the national and global digital agenda.”

Mr Maxwell Affenyi, a former teacher at the school and leader of the youth group, who presented the items, said they would help the development and welfare of the school.

He observed that the printing of examination papers, for instance, was mostly the burden of the teachers, as the school lacked such equipment.

“The school is not allowed to take printing fees from parents or pupils to print examination papers and yet money does not come from any quarters for that purpose. This means that the money must come from the teachers who are already struggling,” he said.

“And so, this multipurpose printer will do our children and the teachers a lot of good,” he added.

Mr Affenyi, however, said the school needed more support and called on the public to assist.

“As we can all see, three computers are woefully inadequate for the entire school to manage. We need to buy more, and more importantly, we need a computer laboratory for the school,” he said.

Madam Linda Sam, the Assistant Headteacher, who received the items, expressed gratitude to the group for improving on the welfare of the children.

“You do not find this in many places. We are immensely grateful for the show of love and care. May God bless everyone who was involved in this wonderful project.”

She pledged the school’s commitment to taking good care of the devices to ensure they served the purpose for which they were procured.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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David Abagna signs four-year deal with Al Hilal?

Accra, Jan.31, GNA – Sudanese side Al Hilal has completed the signing of Real Tamale United Skipper, David Sandan Abagna on a four-year deal.

The deal would last until 2027.

The midfielder ended his marriage with the Tamale-based side after three years with brilliant performances.?

The 24-year-old played a key role in Ghana’s campaign at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria, which saw him being named man of the match in the clash against Sudan.?

The Black Galaxies man managed to score a total of nine goals with three assists in all 16 appearances for RTU in the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League.?

His efforts got him a place in the Black Stars squad for the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon but failed to continue due to an injury he picked at training.

Abagna since his return from injury, has been impressive in the 2022/23 league season, bagging three goals in eight games played for his side.

To his achievements, the player would leave the betPawa Ghana Premier League as a one-time winner with WA All Stars and also the young player of the year in the 2018 SWAG Awards.?

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Tamale SHS Home Economics block officially inaugurated by Geodrill

Accra, Jan. 31, GNA – To meet the demand of a growing student body for Home Economics courses, Geodrill Limited donated an amount of GH?210,000, for the construction of a Home Economics Block at the Tamale Senior High School (SHS).

The donation, given in two tranches of GH150,000 and GH?60,000 ensured the construction of a befitting block for the school’s Home Economics Department, furnished with modern facilities for over 600 students taking the courses.

It is a vital subject teaching life skill such as cooking, budgeting and textiles while empowering students, particularly young women, to take control of their own lives and make informed decisions about their futures.

Attending the official opening ceremony for the Home Economics Block, on behalf of Geodrill Ltd. was the Director of Human Resources, Mr Iddi Baah-Kurey.

In his speech, he explained that the donation formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and aimed to contribute to the socio-economic development of Ghana.

Mr Baah-Kurey praised the management of the school, the 1983 Year Group, in particular Dr Abdallah Ali- Nakyea, for supervising the construction and delivering it on budget and within schedule.

Mr Baah- Kurey said he was impressed with the outcome, adding, “This contribution will go a long way in ensuring that more students, particularly young women, have access to the valuable knowledge and skills that this subject provides.”

A refreshed Home Economics block allows students to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills, which can be applied in a variety of careers.

From fashion design and interior decorating to food science and nutrition, the skills learned in home economics classes can lead to a wide range of career opportunities and contribute to development in the Northern Region.

Rev. Edward Azeka, a former Headmaster of Tamale SHS, observed that Geodrill Ghana Limited’s presentation came at an appropriate time and praised the company for its generosity.

At the launch, the current Headmaster, Mr Mustapha, praised his predecessor for collaborating with good corporate entities such as Geodrill to realize the project “ The project is a dream come true as it will help the school achieve the vision of training students to become self employable after school”.

Geodrill Ltd. was recently adjudged 1st runner-up for Best Performing in Local Manufacturing of Mining Supplies and Support Services category at the 2022 Ghana Mining Industry Awards in Accra.

The mining services company pledged to continue its contributions to developing the human resource base in Ghana and the African Region.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Ahwerease?Darman?Football Club wins special gala competition

?Ahwerease?Darman?(E/R),?Jan. 31,?GNA –? Ahwerease?Darman?Football Club on Saturday beat Adoagyiri?Densuso?Football Club 2-1?to win a special gala competition at Ahwerease?Darman?Dompreh?Stadium in the Eastern Region.?

Rubben?Segbe?and Balack?Sasu?scored for Ahwerease?Darman,?while Paa?Kwesi scored the lone goal for Adoagyiri?Densuso.

Captain Isaac Bello of Ahwerease?Darman, who received the trophy on behalf of the?team?expressed gratitude to Mr. Frank?Annoh-Dompreh, the Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri?and the sponsor of the competition.

Captain Bello gave the assurance that the team would continue to perform well to qualify to?the?first?division and appealed to the MP for assistance.?

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh?pledged to organise periodic gala competitions among sports teams in the constituency to unearth talented footballers for the country and advised the youth to get actively involved in sporting activities instead of wasting their energies on vices.?

He urged the people of Ahwerease?Darman?to maintain the stadium.?

Other teams which participated in the football gala competition were Amanfro?Young Stars F/C, Bank Road F/C of Nsawam, and Adoagyiri?Zongo F/C.?

In another friendly football encounter at the same venue, Good Foundation F/C of Nsawam beat NPP Executive of Nsawam/Adoagyiri?2-0 while Ahwerease?Darman?Ladies F/C beat Nsawam Ladies F/C 4-0.?

They were all presented with medals.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Ghanaians urged to undergo frequent arthritis diagnoses

Accra, Jan. 31, GNA—Dr Maame Boatemaa Amissah-Arthur, a Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist of the Nuffield Clinic, has called on Ghanaians to undergo frequent arthritis diagnoses to save their lives and contribute to national development.

She said the disease when detected early could be managed or treated than to wait for it to become chronic before seeking medical care.

Dr Amissah-Arthur made the call at the Arthritis Awareness and Free Medical Screening organised by the Rotary Club of Accra-La East in partnership with Accra Spintex Road and the Nuffield Clinic in Accra on Saturday.

The medical screening forms part of activities marking this year’s celebration of Arthritis Awareness Day which falls on Thursday, February 2.

This year’s Arthritis Awareness Day celebration is on the theme’ Diagnose Them Early and Treat-To-Target’.

Dr Amissah-Arthur said arthritis could affect any of the joints including those in your feet, adding that joint damage from the disease can cause pain, swelling and physical changes to the joints.

She said arthritis was a general term that describes more than 100 rheumatic diseases that affected the joints.

Dr Amissah-Arthur said the main symptoms of the disease were pain and swelling in one or more joints.

‘Arthritis can be acute (sudden and short term) or chronic (gradual and long-lasting) with most types of arthritis, the joints become worn down or damaged over time’, she said, adding that, ‘this is one reason arthritis is common as people age, although there are types of arthritis that are related to other causes, including genetics’.

Dr Amissah-Arthur said the joints are covered with articular cartilage, a connective tissue that covers the surface of bones in a joint with the primary function of reducing friction during joint movement.

She said arthritis can affect one or more of the joints of your foot and that you may have symptoms in one foot or both feet, the disease will cause the joints to wear down and lose their cartilage, as a result the bones will rub against each other.

‘If you experience foot pain or find you are having gait problems, call a healthcare provider. Arthritis can cause severe pain, affect your mobility and lead to joint damage’.

‘Seek immediate medical care to rule out infection if you have a fever and any part of your foot is hot or inflamed’, Dr Ammisah-Arthur said.

Rotarian Julia Asante Anim, President of the Rotary Club of Accra-La East, said the free medical screening and the Arthritis Awareness talk forms part of Rotary’s Corporate Social Responsibilities.

She said the month of January had been dedicated by the Club as Vocational Service Month to show love and compassion to the society.

Rotary Club had been also supporting so many communities with their service Projects to help improve the standard of living of the communities and gave the assurance that the Club would continue to offer support for the many communities in the ensuing years.

Mr Albert Agbemenu, President of the Accra Spintex said the Club also partnered the other institutions to commemorate their 10th anniversary celebration.

He said over the years the Spintex club had been offering assistance to many inmates including the Amedzope, Osu and the Kumasi Prisons.

About 150 people drawn from the Osu community and its environs received free medical screening and were also registered unto the National Health Insurances Scheme (NHIS).

Source: Ghana News Agency