Month: December 2023

The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Mr John Allotey, has handed over essential logistics valued at more than GHS1.82 million under the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project to facilitate effective monitoring and patrol in the landscape.

The items include 42 motorbikes, 22 tricycles, and 3,200 watering cans and are to enable forest protection teams to cover larger areas, respond swiftly to wildfire alarms, convey seedlings and ensure the sustainable management of forest resources, especially the rehabilitated sites.

The items were officially handed over to the Forest Services Division and Wildlife Division.

‘With these additions to the Commission’s logistical capabilities, we are better equipped to combat illegal activities that pose a threat to our forests.

‘I entreat us all to ensure proper upkeep of the items, deploy them for community use and perform routine maintenance,’Mr Allotey said.

The Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project (GSLERP) is one of the offshoots the C
ountry’s REDD+ Strategy launched in 2016 to create a pathway for implementation of projects that reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation whilst sustainably preserving the forest and enhancing forest carbon stocks.

It is being implemented in the Northern Savannah Zone and aimed at restoring degraded savannah forests whilst strengthening livelihoods through enhanced ecosystem services.

The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund with Government and Private Sector Co-finance and implemented by the Forestry Commission and Global Shea Alliance with the accredited entity as the United Nations Development Programme.

The project since its launch in 2022 by the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has made significant strides, including the rehabilitation of 1,427 hectares and 2,350 hectares of degraded forests in 2022 and 2023 respectively under the Modified Taungya System and the establishment of 47 out of the 70 proposed community Shea nurseries with 14,335 grafted shea seedlings planted this year
.

It has also led to the establishment of three new Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) and capacity building for 7 existing CREMAs.
Source: Ghana News Agency

National Engineering Coordinating Team (NECT), says it will enforce strict compliance to non-encroachment of road reservations to curb the preventable cost the State incurs.?

As part of efforts to improve their operations within the context of road reservations, stakeholders within the utilities, telcos, departments of the Roads Ministry and engineers from the various district Assemblies held a meeting in Accra to strengthen coordination

Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, President of NECT, said the meeting was to discuss ways to reduce encroachment on road reservations, which had become a huge source of cost in road construction.

He said road reservations across the country had been encroached on to the extent that encroachers had to be compensated at huge cost at the expense of the State, adding that with strong coordination, that would not happen.

‘As a country, we spend a lot of money in paying for relocation of squatters. But if we’re coordinating properly and working with the assemblies, then these issues would
come to an end,’ Dr Ashigbey said.?

He urged the Assemblies who had the mandate to issue permits and their technical officers to step up their efforts.

‘Issues with permits would be forwarded to the regional NECT so that considerations would be made at that level for strict compliance. We would come out with a policy guideline document backed with the law which would be launched by the President Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo to ensure good road reservation in the country, especially in the rural areas,’ he said.?

Mr Bukari Percy Annab, President of Ghana Institute of Planning, said the lack of strong coordination between the infrastructure sector and the utilities was costing the State a lot of money in terms of road contract sums due to payments for compensations and other variations.

As the Organising Secretary for NECT, he urged the District Assemblies to do due diligence in granting permits for any form of construction, to avoid encroachment.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Lt. Col. B.D.K Agbeko (Rtd), Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, has encouraged the citizenry to work towards Ghana recapturing its ‘enviable epithet standard as the Black Star of Africa’.

He asked them to strive to project Ghana as a shining star globally through good governance, excellence in sports, responsible mining, agriculture, trade and industry, academia and research, amongst others.

The Moderator gave the advice in his 2024 New Year Message shared with the Ghana News Agency.

He thanked God for His continuous care and blessings on citizens adding that, Ghana’s survival and sustenance in 2023 was a clear manifestation of God’s faithfulness, steadfast love and grace.

The Moderator said many Ghanaians, particularly the vulnerable had been largely affected by the economic crisis experienced globally, but God saw the nation through it all.

He noted that COVID-19, the Russian-Ukraine War, the Israeli-Hamas war and many other unfortunate oc
currences had adversely affected Ghana.

However, it had also offered Ghanaians the opportunity to be steadfast in faith, to hope for the best, to demonstrate their love to one another and above all to learn to trust in God as their sustainer and helper in overcoming all the challenges they faced.

‘Over the span of 2023, we have seen some of our colleagues in parts of Northern Ghana continue to suffer dreadful consequences due to resurgence of communal conflicts, whilst many inhabitants of communities along the Volta Lake in parts of Southern Volta, Eastern and North East parts of Ghana were recently hit with horrible misfortune of displacement, loss of properties and other various forms of afflictions as a result of the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.

‘We have also experienced some changes in our climate due to reckless and indiscriminate degradation of our environment, including illegal mining as well as destruction of our forest and water bodies.’

He said it was time Ghanaians embraced their natural duty
and civic responsibility to preserve the earth and adopt best practices required to sustain the environment.

He said as everyone welcomed the year 2024 with fervent hope and aspiration, it was important for individuals and stakeholders in governance, public service, private sector, and civil society, to examine their shortcomings and make amends required to re-position the country on the path of progress for effective sustainable growth and development.

The Moderator said State actors and stakeholders must submit to the tenets and virtues of their religious faith to uphold high standards of ethical and moral values of integrity, loyalty and dedication in the discharge of their stewardship responsibilities.

He appealed to the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive to seek the interest of the country and its citizens as a matter of premium and priority when dealing with crucial sensitive issues such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and related traditional family values concerns.

‘We cannot
afford to live in captivity of immorality and unethical values against God’s creation and natural practices.

I, therefore, urge all Ghanaians to engage in practices and values that is life sustaining to maintain our dignity and survival of our future generation through procreation,’ he said.

Rt. Rev. Agbeko said citizens, political actors as well as State regulatory and enforcement institutions ought to be guided by their religious faith to ensure that the 2024 General Election was conducted in fairness, transparency and peace.

The Moderator, while urging politicians and their followers to guard against hate speech and provocative comments, called on the Electoral Commission and State security services to also uphold the ‘reputational standards of neutrality, trust and confidence expected of them by creating a level playing ground for all political parties devoid of prejudice’.

‘Let me also entreat all religious bodies to rise to their stewardship responsibilities of promoting reconciliation, peace and st
ability of the country through prayers and mediation initiatives.’

He advised them to preserve the values of bond of unity in diversity as one nation, one people with a common destiny to make Ghana greater and stronger.

The Moderator asked Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars of Ghana as they made another effort to clinch the ultimate trophy in the 2024 AFCON tournament to be staged in Cote D’Ivoire in a few weeks.

‘It is also important for us to demonstrate similar support to the Ghanaian contingent during All-African Games to be hosted by Ghana later this year.’

‘Let us remain committed to the growth and development of our dear nation through our faith in God, the Life, Light and Saviour of the World.

Let us all endeavor to be the salt and light of the world. I wish you a Happy and Prosperous Year! Peace be with you all!’
Source: Ghana News Agency

A delegation?from the United States Marines has donated some toys to Missing Children Ghana, a?non-profit and Public Benefit Organization to help create joyful moments for some missing but found children.?

The delegation led?by GySgt Michael A. Elias, representing the U.S. Embassy’s USMC Detachment, arrived with a mission to share joy and show love as part of their annual Toys for Tots Campaign Donation.

In the act of international goodwill, GySgt Elias commended the Missing Children Ghana for their selfless work towards humanity.

Ms Regina Asamoah, Executive Director of Missing Children Ghana (MCG), expressed her gratitude for the kind gesture and being chosen among other organisations, adding that the impact of such contributions was significant.

Ms Asamoah, in a short address, said: ‘The generosity displayed by the U.S. Marines is not just a gift; it’s a lifeline for these children. Their smiles are a testament to the impact made by this thoughtful contribution.’

‘The donated toys will play a pivotal
role in the organization’s mission to positively impact the lives of children. The beaming smiles on the faces of the children present during the donation event served as a poignant reminder of the tangible difference such gestures make,’ she added.?

The delegation received resounding applause for the positive change?from the Missing Children Ghana team for their commitment to making a positive difference and helping?create a brighter future for children in need.

Missing Children Ghana (MCG) is the first non-profit and Public Benefit Organization in Ghana that engages the Ghana Police Service and Department of Social Welfare when a person (especially a Child) goes missing in Ghana, for any reason whatsoever.

Launched officially on May 23, 2023, and led by Multiple Award-Winning Ghanaian Journalist, Regina Asamoah, it has reunited hundreds of Missing Children in Ghana through Regina Asamoah’s Missing Children Documentary Series.

MCG provides affected families with knowledge and resources throughout the sea
rch and reunification while ensuring that all its services are free so that all families in need of help receive it, regardless of their financial situation.

It remains committed to the search as long as there are missing children.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Former President John Dramani Mahama has promised to add another holiday to Muslims during Eid-Fitr

‘We aim to address the issue where some of our Muslim community members are unable to enjoy the public holiday at the end of Ramadan due to the 29 or 30-day rule for sighting the moon.

‘To do this, we will introduce an additional holiday to the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.’

Speaking at the 63rd Annual National Conference of the Ghana Muslim Mission in Kumasi, the former President said they would ensure that this did not affect productivity by modifying the Public Holidays Act.

He promised that, they would ensure Ghana continued to have the same number of public holidays per year, if that was added.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Takoradi branch of the Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC), a subsidiary of the Church of Pentecost (COP), has ended the year with a business summit to empower members ahead of the next year.

The usual Sunday church service was converted into a breakfast meeting, where resource persons were invited to speak on topics amidst merry-making.

Mr Andy Koney, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yenok Company Limited, who spoke on the topic: ‘Starting your Business’ said it was vital and more effective for members of the Church to run their businesses along with the gospel through the church setup.

He said it was time Christians added business knowledge to their prayer lives to help empower them both spiritually and economically.

According to him, many Christian leaders and businessmen were struggling today because they only relied on the spiritual aspect of accelerating the growth of their entities instead of merging both the spiritual and economic knowledge.

He said: ‘If God has blessed us with all
the spiritual blessings including wealth, where is the evidence to it? There are spiritual and economic laws of empowerment which we must know and follow.’

Mr Koney observed that the mind-sets of Christians contributed to their successes so they must hold on to their dreams and motivations, and work hard towards achieving them.

Touching on some of the techniques in starting a business, he told the congregants to have a dream, create and clearly define their vision and seek information about the business idea they had conceived.

‘You must set clear goals, calculate the risks involved in pursuing the vision, make time to implement the vision, and review your performance, and above all, persist no matter what happens, and think big but always start small,’ he said.

Mr Samuel Kofi Ganusah, an Official from the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) in Sekondi, took participants through the components of the new Companies Act 2019, (Act 992).

Touching on some of the benefits of registering one’s business,
he said it affirmed the legitimacy of the business and opened the door for others to invest in the company.

He took them through the processes involved in registering a business, and said they must first have a name for the business, have proper records of the location and contact address, and a list of the principal activities or the nature of the business among others.

Apostle Sylvester Arhin, Takoradi Area Head of the COP, in a sermon implored members to be led by the holy spirit and followed its directions to achieve success in their lives.

Pastor Borngreat Selasi Amedeka, Resident Minister of the Church, lauded the planning committee for the success of the programme, and thanked the congregants for gracing it.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo, and Tongo (BONABOTO), an advocacy civil society organisation, has called on government to address the infrastructure deficit in the Upper East Region to enhance socio-economic development.

According to the organisation, the region is confronted with various developmental challenges, including serious infrastructure deficits such as poor roads, lack of an airport, poor health facilities, and security issues.

This, it noted, was drawing back development of the region while denying its people the opportunities some of these infrastructures provided.

Professor Samuel Awinkine Atintono, the National President of BONABOTO, made this call at its 13th biannual delegates` congress held at Gbeogo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.

It was held on the theme: ‘Promoting Peaceful Coexistence, Protecting the Environment for Sustainable Development: The Role of BONABOTO.’

Prof Atintono said BONABOTO had been pushing for the construction of the airport, which already had so
me groundwork at Sumbrungu, and called on the government and all partners, especially the mining companies to ensure its construction.

He also appealed to ethnic groups in the region to co-exist peacefully to ensure the needed development.

‘You will all attest to the fact that there has never been any record of development where conflict exists. Conflict comes to destroy, and in our case, it will aggravate our already deprived areas, and we would therefore like to see all ethnic groups in the region co-exist? peacefully,’ he stated.

Highlighting some of the achievements of BONABOTO, the National President said over 200 students had received various BONABOTO Education Assistance Fund (BEAF) scholarships since its launch in 2001.

He said the organisation had also, among other things, contributed an amount of GH15,000 in support of the Upper East Regional Dialysis Centre Project.

It also facilitated the implementation of Gurune language in basic schools within BONABOTO areas while currently working on WAEC`
s approval for its external examination, he added.

Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister, in a speech, reiterated that the government was working with relevant stakeholders to start the construction of the airport and facilitate its completion and the ongoing passport office project before the end of the year 2024.

He, however, said despite the fact that the region was abound with varied natural resources in commercial quantities, it remained one of the poorest in the country.

The Minister called on BONABOTO to collaborate with the Regional Coordinating Council and the academic institutions to come up with a Regional Development Strategic Plan to capitalise on the human and material resources the region was endowed with to turn its fortunes around.

Very Reverend Father Monsignor Roger Abotiyuure, Patron and Founding father of BONABOTO, urged the members to stay united and continue to advocate for the advancement of development for the people.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Ainoo Kwagyan III, the Chief of Esiama, in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, has appealed to the government for basic social amenities to modernise the community.

He said although Esiama was one of the fastest-growing towns in the Region, it lacked the basic social and economic infrastructure needed to meet the increasing demands of the population.

Nana Kwagyan III who made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at his palace, said the community deserved better as the third oldest and ancient town in Nzema after Axim and Beyin.

He, however, lauded the government’s efforts in establishing a Nursing and Midwifery Training College in the area.

He said: ‘That being said, we are appealing to the government to build more hostel facilities to absorb more students to create economic opportunities for the town.’

Nana Kwagyan III also expressed worry over the accommodation situation for lecturers in the College, saying ‘Even the Principal is sharing a common hall with other lectur
ers.’

He noted that efforts to get corporate bodies to assist in constructing lecturers’ accommodation had proved futile.

‘I am appealing to oil and gas companies such as Ghana Gas and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to respond to letters we have written to them to build flats for our lecturers.’

Touching on the Esiama Secondary Technical School, the Chief noted that the school had similar accommodation challenges for teachers, saying with a population of 1,600 students, the school could not even boast of two teachers’ bungalows.

Nana Kwagyan III appealed to the GNPC and Ghana Gas to complete a dining hall project they had started to help reduce the infrastructural deficit in the school.

On a market project, he appealed to the authorities to ensure its speedy completion to help move women selling by the roadside to the place for their safety.

Speaking on the state of health care facility, he said Esiama had one of the oldest clinics established in 1936 that could not cater for the health nee
ds of all residents.

He indicated that the government had started the construction of a new one for the area, but work had stalled.

‘We wanted to raise funds during the Kundum festival for developmental projects but could not work due to the fact that people were not able to donate to the fund, because we realised that our clinic does not befit our status as a town,’ he added.

Nana Kwagyan appealed to the government to initiate steps to complete the project to help them access improved healthcare services.
Source: Ghana News Agency