Day: March 30, 2024

_: As part of efforts to improve security within the border communities and enhance cross-border trade, the security services and civilians of the Kassena-Nankana Municipality and Kassena-Nankana West District, Upper East Region, have met at Sirigu to enhance working relationships.

The dialogue seeks to create a platform for the stakeholders to interact and establish consensus on strategies to engender trust and cooperation for community resilience against violence and crimes and improve socioeconomic activities within the border communities.

The National Peace Council (NPC) organised the dialogue in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding support from the Government of Norway.

It brought together the Ghana Immigration Service, Police Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Military, National Fire Service, National Intelligence Bureau and residents of Manyoro, Yua, Natugnia, and Sirigu including the Fulani (Fulbe) community.

Key among the ch
allenges identified as responsible for the bad relationship between security agents and civilians were harassment by border security officers, corruption and discrimination against certain minority groups.

Mr Ali Anankpieng, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary, NPC, observed that apart from the citizenry having low knowledge on the security services operations, the instances of bad relationship between the two constantly led to disagreements.

‘This leads to an increasing use of unapproved routes due to increasing cross-border trade, which poses security challenges to the country.’

He said the move was, therefore, to help both the security services and the community members to identify the challenges and agree on strategies to improve cooperation between them to prevent violence and ensure safety.

‘Some of the community members believe that the actions of the security services rather cause them problems but if you listen to the security services, you’d realise that they’re actually working within t
heir mandates, but they need to explain to the community members to understand,’ he said.

Mr Anankpieng said due to the threats of violent extremism from the Sahelian countries, particularly Burkina Faso and family ties in those countries, unregulated movement within the border posed a security challenge to the country and underscored the need for strengthened social cohesion.

He called on the security services to intensify engagement with the residents.

‘One good way of doing community entry is to identify the leaders of the community and introduce yourself to them, in that way you can get their cooperation when you desire it,’ he added.

Mr Kingsley Kanwi, the Assemblyman for Manyoro Electoral Area, said most people within the border communities had families and farmlands in Burkina Faso and crossing the border had been a major challenge between them and the security agencies, especially the immigration officers.

He said the engagement had increased their appreciation of the security’s operations, which
would boost the relations between the two parties to enhance peaceful coexistence at the borders.

Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, Robert Ubindam, Head of Operations and Intelligence, Ghana Immigration Service, Paga Sector Command, identified the lack of awareness as major cause of the challenge and pledged the Service’s commitment to intensifying community level engagements to deepen public understanding.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Bolgatanga: Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to accept and assent to the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, to make it a law.

He said the Bill, popularly known as Anti Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and more (Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill) has been overwhelmingly endorsed by majority of Ghanaians and there was no need for further delay.

‘The whole Parliament of Ghana has unanimously passed this Bill, so more than 95 per cent of Ghanaians are saying that we don’t want to promote this kind of life (LGBTQ+), what more clarity do we need?’ he questioned.

Speaking on the passion of Jesus Christ as part of the celebration of Easter at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Bolgatanga, Most Rev. Agyenta said Pontius Pilate handed Jesus Christ over to be crucified even though he knew he was innocent.

He said it was fear that compelled Pilate to succumb to the demands of the
high priests and those who wanted Jesus Christ to be crucified and urged the President not to succumb to ‘those voices probably convincing him against assenting to the Bill’.

‘I have been wondering whether our President is not in the shoes of Pilate because he knows that the decision of Parliament is the mind of all Ghanaians and yet some people are telling him not to sign this bill because there will be consequences.’

He urged the President to assent to the Bill because the whole of Ghana was behind him.

On spirituality, the bishop explained that although the pursuit for money was good as it would help to undertake certain projects necessary for development, one should not prioritise material needs over spiritual growth.

He, therefore, warned Christians, particularly Catholics, to desist from placing monetary values on sacred items such as holy water and anointing oil.

‘We all need money but you cannot put value on sacred things because the rule of the church is that the salvation of all is more importa
nt than anything we are able to do with money…’

He explained that the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a reminder for Christians to reflect and accept that they were sinners and ask for strength to desist from evil acts.

Source: Ghana News Agency

_: Mr Evans Akpah, the Assemblyman for Adaklu Kodzobi Electoral Area in the Volta Region, on Good Friday appealed to the Government through the Adaklu District Assembly to ensure the contractor resume work on the Adaklu Have to Adaklu Dzakpo Road.

He noted that portions of the road had become unmotorable after only a little rain in the area.

Mr Akpah told the Ghana News Agency, during his tour of communities in the Electoral Area, that his investigations revealed that the contract for work on the road was signed in 2019.

Delovely Construction Company, the Contractor, begun work in February, 2021, which was supposed to be completed in the middle of last year, he said.

Mr Akpah alleged that the contractor abandoned work due to non- payment of funds and that if nothing was done immediately no vehicle could ply the road.

He said some of officials of an NGO he was travelling with to Dzakpo for official work had to abandon their vehicle in the middle of the journey and walk to the community.

He, therefore, ca
lled on the Government to pay the contractor to enable work to resume.

The GNA observed that a vehicle loaded with boards enroute to Dzakpo had gotten stuck in the mud at a section of the road.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Sampa: A protracted chieftaincy dispute turned bloody at Sampa, a Ghana-Cote-D’Ivoire border town in the Jaman North District of the Bono Region, leaving three people dead on Good Friday.

Though the cause of the clash between the supporters of the two feuding factions is yet to be known, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) learnt that the town is currently calm, as most residents remain indoors.

The clash was said to have occurred in the evening and the police had since deposited the bodies of the three young men at the Sampa Government Hospital for preservation while investigations continued.

Mr Solomon Owusu, the Jaman North District Chief Executive, who confirmed the death to the GNA in a telephone interview, said the District Security Committee was meeting and would, therefore, brief the media later.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema: The Data Link Institute of Business and Technology has donated assorted items to the Remar Tema Children’s Home at Tema Community 11 as the world celebrates Easter.

The items included bags of rice, tin tomatoes, cooking oil, baked beans, toiletries, bottled and sachet water, as part of its humanitarian services to the needy.

Professor Stanley Saamoah Moffatt, the President of the Institute, said the move was part of the institution’s effort to foster inclusiveness and a compassionate community where the less privileged would thrive and become key people in society.

He said the Data Link Institute had, over the years, been intentional about mobilising its limited resources to support the needy, particularly Remar Children’s Home, due to its proximity to the institutions.

‘This is to empower the children of the orphanage, put smiles on their faces, and serve as a beacon of hope.’

Prof. Moffatt said improving the livelihoods of the needy could go a long way to strengthen and develop society, as it era
dicated social vices, promoted coexistence, and created opportunities for the vulnerable, who could contribute massively to the growth of a nation.

‘If you go to the United States, one of the reasons they spend so much money on welfare is because statistics have shown that the more money pumped into the welfare system, the more the people that come out, statistically, become worthy citizens of society,’ he stated.

He said the welfare of the orphaned was a responsibility of all and called on institutions and stakeholders to commit more resources to the protection and sustenance of the vulnerable, adding that the blessings that came with making life meaningful for the needy were immeasurable.

Prof Moffatt said some people found themselves in orphanages due to wrong choices made by parents, abusive parenthood, and the loss of parents, stressing that every individual must cultivate the habit of reaching out to the needy even when resources were limited.

The team socialised with the children and encouraged the
m to take their academics seriously, while Mr Philip Gebu, the Chaplin of the Institute, asked for God’s blessings upon them.

Mr Christian Ahonton, the in-charge of Remar Children’s Home, commended Data Link Institute for the kind gesture and asked for God’s guidance in all its endeavours.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has led clean-up exercises in Asanteman as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of his installation as the 16th occupant of Golden Stool.

‘I am going to create One million ICT jobs for the youth when I am elected President,’ said, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, the Vice President and flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during a Unity Walk and rally in Kwahu.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema: The Grimaldi Group has named one of its largest vessels in the new G5 class of round multipurpose ships after the Port of Tema.

The Grimaldi Group, which is one of the largest shipping passenger transport operators in northern Europe and the Mediterranean, christened the state-of-the-art vessel MV Great Tema, at an impressive ceremony at Tema over the weekend.

Mr Walter Aceti, the Managing Director, Grimaldi Ghana, said the company had been an active stakeholder in the shipping industry in Ghana for the past 40 years.

‘The arrival of MV Great Tema is a celebration of the Port, the Tema community and the whole nation, as it is a symbol of hope and a source of inspiration, and a reminder of the greatness of Ghana,’ he said.

‘Together we are setting sail towards a horizon filled with opportunity, growth and shared success.’

Mr Guiseppe Patane, a representative of the Grimaldi Ship owners, said naming the vessel after the Port of Tema was a clear sign of confidence and appreciation of the association b
etween the Grimaldi Group and the Port.

‘Actually, we believe that it’s fitting perfectly that such a fine ship is named after such a fine Port.’

It was also because the Port of Tema from now on would be one of the main homes of the ship in future, he added.

Ms Daniela D’Orlandi, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, disclosed that the volume of bilateral trade between Ghana and Italy reached almost 700 million Euros in 2023, however, there was the need for more opportunities and growth.

Mr Michael Luguje, the Director General, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), lauded the Grimaldi Group for its collaboration with Ghana’s ports.

He assured it of Ghana’s dedication to nurturing the established relationship to create more enabling opportunities in the future.

‘I’m happy that this vessel didn’t come here empty, it came with cargo meant for Ghana. Which means that majority of shippers in this country and traders still believe in Ghana’s ports and they have Ghana’s ports as their choice of destination,’ h
e said.

‘That is why this vessel loaded Ghana bound cargo to be discharged in our ports. We are grateful to these customers and we are grateful of course to the Grimaldi Group for all these years, and for naming the ship after Tema.’

‘For us at the GPHA our role within the economy of Ghana is to provide enabling infrastructure and systems that will make the country the best destination for trade.’

‘I think we’ve played this role quite well and if I may just draw your attention to the fact that today, apart from Ghana’s history as the star of Africa, Tema is also the Center of the world, so naturally we have a leading role by geography…’.

Mr Luguje said Ghana had the leading container terminal in West and Central Africa, and the leading dry bulk terminal revealing that a new oil and gas services terminal will be commissioned by the end of 2024 at the Port of Takoradi.

Mr Fredrick Obeng Adom, a Deputy Minister of Transport, stated government’s commitment to improving port infrastructure and implementing po
licies to facilitate business and achieve the green shipping agenda.

‘Government sees the private sector players in the port and shipping value chain as partners for national development.’

In 2023 Ghana was privileged to host the IMO green shipping conference and also actively participated in the COP28 in Dubai, UAE.

Mr Obeng Addo commended the Grimaldi Group and partners for bringing the state-of-the-art vessel to Ghana and attracting port investment and businesses through the network.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: Monsignor Bobby Benson, a Catholic Priest and Founder/Director of the Mathew 25 House, an HIV care centre, has appealed for public support to complete a palliative care centre under construction in Koforidua.

The 40-bed palliative care centre is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa to support the terminally ill and vulnerable with Godly care.

The facility, also known as a Hospice, is an initiative of Monsignor Benson, whose Matthew 25 house has provided care, shelter, medication, food, and educational support to thousands of People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA).

Orphans and vulnerable children whose parents had died from AIDS over the years have also benefited.

The Hospice is a home where sick and dying persons are cared for in the comfort of caregivers and their relatives creating an environment for solidarity in the end of life so that people, irrespective of their backgrounds, would die in dignity and peace without the usual emotional pain, which both patients and families go through d
uring those moments.

Making the appeal upon a visit by participants of Palliative care training programme to the site, Monsignor Benson noted that the facility, which was about 80 percent complete, required Gh1.8 million cedis to fully make it operational.

The two-day palliative care training for chaplains and nurses, covered topics such as palliative care and medicine, nutrition at end-of-life stage, communication and breaking bad news and spiritual care.

Monsignor Benson was grateful to those who had supported the project, notably Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, widow of Ghana’s former Vice President, Bishop Afrifa Agyekum and all past Bishops of the Koforidua Diocese and Father Andrew Campbell.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur broke the grounds for the construction of the facility in 2014 as an extension of the Charity work of Mathew 25 House.

Source: Ghana News Agency