Day: January 8, 2024

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Mohammed Kudus to feature in AFCON 2023 despite minor injury 


Mr. Henry Asante Twum, Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed Mohammed Kudus will join the Black Stars team in Kumasi before they jet off to Ivory Coast. 

The midfielder picked up a strain while on duty for his club side West Ham United and needed to take some time off training. 

He said ‘Mohammed Kudus is in Accra ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. According to the Technical Team, he needs rest after picking up a strain. He will join  the team before they depart  for the AFCON.’

Mohammed Kudus has been one of the fast-rising midfielders in the world, topping charts in the English Premier League and on the African continent. 

His inclusion in Ghana’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations comes as a huge boost as the team targets to clinch the coveted trophy after 40 years. 

Ghana will take on Namibia at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Monday, January 08, 2023. 

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Vote-buying unattainable way to run democracy – NCCE


The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed concern over what it describes as the ‘deepening’ of the culture of monetisation of politics as the country prepares for the 2024 General Election.

The Commission said it had observed with concern that the issue of vote-buying during elections had become not only a supply problem but voters also demanded money from politicians before they exercised their civic responsibility.

Addressing journalists at a news conference to mark the 2024 Constitution Day, which falls on January 07, Ms Kathleen Addy, the Chairperson of NCCE, described the vote-buying phenomenon as an existential threat to Ghana’s democracy.

‘We are at a point where a major criterion for getting elected into public office is the candidates’ ability to dole out cash to voters. It is time to own up to this terrible practice and commit to ending it. If we don’t end it, it will end us,’ she said.

She added: ‘If we only elect those who can distribute hard cash and gifts, we run the
risk of exposing ourselves to the dark and dirty money readily available in the world and we will sell our country to forces we cannot even begin to imagine.’

The Constitution Day is intended to acknowledge the nation’s collective efforts at ensuring that the tenets of democracy, the rule of law and principles of constitutionalism are upheld.

It is designed to remind the citizens of their collective commitment to a regime of uninterrupted constitutional order.

The Fourth Republic has now endured far longer than any of the three previous republics, which were all cut short by military interventions.

Ghana will go to the polls on December 7, 2024, to elect a president and members of parliament for the next four years.

The NCCE said it was poised to effectively deliver on its mandate and educate citizens extensively to make informed choices in the December 7 polls.

The Commission has thus set to operate and engage the citizenry on the theme: ‘Together we can build Ghana, so get involved.’

Ms Addy said the
Commission had targeted reducing voter apathy, increasing citizen’s participation, and rallying citizens to make informed choices that would work in the collective interest of the people.

‘…2024 will be a test case on our level of political, religious tolerance, and respect for ethnic and cultural diversity; basically 2024 is an opportunity to affirm our political maturity,’ she said.

Ms Addy urged voters to reject politicians who would stoke violence and appealed to politicians to put the country first in their engagements with the electorate.

She also appealed to the media to refrain from using their platforms to spread misinformation, hate speech, personal attacks and divisive utterances.

Reverend Dr. Cyril G. K. Fayose, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, rallied all stakeholders and citizens to play their part to safeguard the peace that the country had enjoyed since the commencement of the Fourth Republic.

Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, said the ca
ll for peace should not be intensified only during election years but should be encouraged at all times to ensure sustained peace.

Mr George Amoh, the Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, urged the media to be abreast of the content of the Constitution and educate the public on their rights and responsibilities as enshrined in the Constitution.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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75th New Year School starts tomorrow


The 75th Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) is set to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Great Hall and the ISSER Conference Centre of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon.

The School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE) of the College of Education at the University of Ghana is collaborating with various partners and institutions for the 75th edition of the Conference on the theme: ‘Nurturing Resilience: Adopting Technology And Embracing Humanism For Sustainable Development’.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who is the Special Guest for the programme is expected to open the Conference.

This year’s Conference will create a platform for in-depth discourse on continuous education, innovation, and creativity.

It will attract dignitaries, including, the Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mrs Mary Chinery-Hesse; the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalization and Vice-Rector, Research Tallinn Univer
sity, Professor Katrin Niglas. 

The ANYSC is also expected to gather academics, policymakers, business leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to recognise the unprecedented challenges faced by institutions and the need to develop resilience, adapt to leverage on technology and promote human values and dignity.

The Conference will be held in-person and virtually and is expected to close on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

The Conference will actively discuss how to nurture resilience by adopting technology and embracing humanism to promote sustainable development for the country and other continents.

It will also explore ways of leveraging the digital economy and strengthening digital literacy in the face of rapidly evolving technology for the promotion of sustainable growth among other topics. 

The deliberations at the Conference will be documented and presented to the appropriate authorities for policy interventions.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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We need a candidate who will be acceptable by all – Dr Boateng


Dr Emmanuel Osei Boateng, an aspiring member of parliament on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ahafo Ano South-East Constituency, says it is important to elect a candidate who will be acceptable to the electorates even beyond the primary.

He said whoever emerged as the choice after the internal contest must resonate with the masses to attract floating voters to enhance the party’s chances of victory in December.

‘I have, over the years, been working closely with various communities in the constituency, so I have a strong connection with the people,’ he told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

Dr Osei Boateng, the Chief Executive Officer of the O. B. Foundation, is known for supporting communities, especially in health and education, through the Foundation.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation supported all three health facilities in the constituency in addition to providing mathematical sets to Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates every year.

‘
I remain the best aspirant to represent the party in the constituency, having served the people in my personal capacity and also establishing a good rapport across the constituency,’ he noted.

When given the nod, Dr Boateng said he would prioritise agriculture and education as a strategy to improve livelihoods and accelerate development.

He said agriculture was the mainstay of the local economy but most of the people were peasant farmers and shared his vision of promoting mechanised farming by bringing in investors.

He would also bridge the gap between the farmers and the District Directorate of the Department of Food and Agriculture to encourage farmers to adopt modern and climate-smart farming.

That, he noted, would inspire the farmers to go into large-scale farming to increase incomes.

‘We shall also work with relevant state institutions and private investors to establish processing facilities to add value to farm produce,’ he hinted.

He would also build a warehouse to store excess grains and non-per
ishable foods to allow farmers ample time to market their produce without being shortchanged by buyers, who usually exploited the market due to a lack of storage facilities.

Dr Boateng spoke of plans to organise sporting and entertainment events to unearth the talents of the youth and nurture them to reach their potential.

He said he was the best choice to represent the NPP among the contestants having kept faith with the good people of Ahafo Ano South-East.

He urged the delegates to help make campaigning for the NPP easier by endorsing him on January 27.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Hezron Clarke’s ‘Man On A Mission’ album receives massive endorsement


Jamaican reggae artiste, Hezron Clarke, was in his elements as he took control of the stage at JamRock in Accra to deliver soul-inspring songs from his latest album titled: ‘Man On A Mission.’

The 17-track compilation, available on streaming platforms, features songs like: ‘Smile Today,’ Made For The Battle, ‘Save the Children’, ‘Natural Woman, and the title track ‘M.O.A.M. (Man on a Mission).

Speaking after the launch, Hezron said ‘Man on a Mission’ is to push reggae music a notch higher and encourage individuals to pursue any mission they set for themselves.

The album follows his 2012 project titled: ‘The Life I lived.’

Music enthusiasts who graced the occassion applauded Hezron’s stage craft, composure and uplifting compositions on the new masterpiece.

Hezron was a guest artiste at a number of concets, incluiding the get ‘KojoAntwified’ concert in Accra, and Okyeame Kwame’s Hiplife Party in Kumasi during the holidays.

The singer, who traces his roots to Ghana, was impressived with the warm reception
and positive responses to his performances throughout the festive season.

‘I was well-received and I felt the vibes. All of these indicate that reggae music lives here in Ghana,’ he said.

Praising musicians and reggae artistes who have kept the genre alive, Hezron announced future collaborations with Ghanaian musicians, including, Kojo Antwi, Rocky Dawuni, and Afriyie Wuta.

‘We came to Ghana and made a lots of conncetions and will continue after I return to Jamaica,’ he said, and asked fans to look out for more of his music, including the single dubbed: ‘Property Manager’.

Naming Black Sherif, Sarkodie, and Black Prophet as some of his favourite performers, he urged established and upcoming artistes to remain ‘true to themselves and not give up on their dreams’.

‘Reggae is the medium for the voiceless and the conscience of society and can never die; just keep the faith and continue,’ he said.

Hezron describes his music as ‘enchanting, mesmerising, soothing, yet militant and hard hitting. ‘

He has over
the years captivated his fan with exceptional talent and powerful renditions such as: ‘Hello Jamaica, Treat Her Better, Live It Up, Warriors Heaven.’

Hezron Clarke was born and raised during his earlier years in the District of Moy Hall District, St. James, Jamaica, before migrating to the U.S.A.

While in Jamaica, he developed his talent being an ardent member of his church choir. His musical gift was evident to his family and friends who facilitated its development.

Hezron continued to expand the dexterity of his vocals by naturally transitioning into singing RnB, but was not entirely satisfied within that genre, as his calling was deeply embedded in the rich reggae music of his homeland.

He returned to Jamaica to start producing energetic and soothing renditions that continue to win the hearts of his fans home and abroad.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Irate youth clash with herders, destroy property


Some irate youth at KpareKpare, a farming community in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region, have chased out nomadic herdsmen, who fled Adaklu in the Volta Region to seek refuge in the community.

The youth also burnt the houses of some herders, who had lived in the KpareKpare Electoral Area for many years, for attempting to offer their compatriots a place to stay.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Samuel Winful, and his officers, returning to Accra from a mission in the Oti Region, chanced upon the melee and intervened to calm tensions.

A reinforcement from the municipal capital escorted the migrants to the Police Divisional Headquarters to avoid escalation of the attacks.

Sources told the Ghana News Agency that some cattle had been let loose, fleeing to safer grounds under nobody’s control, while the natives, who had their cows with those herders, were counting their losses.

Mr Abdul Rahman Hallow, a Deputy National Youth leader of Tabitha Pulaaku International, a non-governmental org
anisation, on behalf of the Fulani herdsmen, expressed concern over the constant attacks on the herders as they carried out their normal activities in the area, and called on the security agencies to go to their aid.

Mr Bernard Aborkugya Mensah, the Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Tanko, the Divisional Police Commander, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and some police officers visited the scene and confirmed seeing the burnt houses and carcasses of the cattle.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Provide wheelchairs at your offices to assist us – GFD


Ms Eva Andorful, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), has called for the provision of wheelchairs in public places to facilitate the movement of persons with disability.

‘Some of our members don’t use wheelchairs but their conditions are such that they can’t climb to offices located on storey buildings, which often prevents them from accessing critical public services,’ she said.

She said persons with physical disabilities who used assistive devices such as callipers found it difficult to climb staircases and it would be helpful if public offices provided wheelchairs or other assistance for them.

Ms Andorful, speaking at the Regional celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disability, in Koforidua, said: ‘Until the Disability Act becomes fully functional, the government must ensure measures to support the well-being of our members’.

She expressed disappointment at the delays in implementing the Act and called for every provision to be impl
emented, especially that concerning facilities for disabled persons in infrastructure development.

Mrs Deborah Daisy Kwabea, the Eastern Regional Director of Social Welfare, urged the leadership of disability groups and associations to continue to fight for their rights to improve the living standards and well-being of their members.

She said having access to public spaces and accessing public services was a right, which could not be trampled upon under any circumstances, and called for more advocacy in that regard.

Mr Isaac Apau-Gyasi, the New Juaben South Municipal Chief Executive, assured that all concerns raised would be implemented with immediate effect by his office.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Government urged to manage Ghana’s resources judiciously


Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan, the President of the Gwira Traditional Council, has called on the Government to ensure prudent management and equitable distribution of state resources to better the lives of the people.

He said the country was endowed with vast resources, which needed to be managed judiciously to ensure the citizens reaped the maximum socio-economic benefits.

Awulae Tu-Agyan, also the Acting President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, said this in an interview with journalists after a swearing-in ceremony of a new Chief of Gwira-Aiyinasie at Bamiango in the Nzema-East Municipality of the Western Region.

‘With all the resources at Ghana’s disposal, the citizenry is plagued with economic hardships and low standards of living, so our leaders must always think about the future of the country so that posterity will judge them well,’ he said.

Awulae Tu-Agyan advised the youth, being the future leaders, not to resort to illegal mining activities, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, for their livelihoo
d.

‘Let me remind the youth that people have been in this galamsey business for centuries but are still where they are because it is not something that can sustain you in the long term.’

He indicated that the effects of galamsey were dire with the outbreak of diseases and environmental degradation.

He, therefore, advised them to venture into agricultural production for their survival and to create wealth for themselves and their families.

Source: Ghana News Agency