Day: April 5, 2024

In preparation for the 2024 elections, independent presidential candidate and leader of the Movement for Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has forged a strategic partnership with the National Interest Movement, led by former Convention People’s Party (CPP) flagbearer Abu Sakara.

The collaboration, operating under the name ‘Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC),’ was announced via a statement released on Thursday, April 4, 2024.

In the statement, Mr. Kyerematen outlined the objectives of the Alliance, which is set to be officially launched on Wednesday, April 17.

The primary aim of the ARC is to unite Ghanaians from diverse backgrounds, with a specific focus on engaging the youth and women, with the goal of electing the first independent candidate as President of Ghana.

The statement stressed the necessity to break the cycle of poverty and chart a new course towards prosperity for the nation.

By addressing the shortcomings of the dominant political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the N
ew Patriotic Party (NPP), the Alliance aims to confront the core development challenges Ghana has faced over the past 32 years.

Additionally, it aims to eradicate divisiveness in Ghanaian politics, the ‘winner takes all’ mentality, and the lack of continuity in government projects.

The ARC envisions the formation of an all-inclusive government of national unity, representing various sectors of society, to develop and implement a comprehensive National Development Plan aimed at transforming Ghana’s economy.

Source: Ghana Web

The 2024 Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival attracted 138 Tandem flights and 24 Solo flights with a record-breaking 7,463 attendees, representing 49 per cent surge in attendance over the previous year.

A release issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra by the Ghana Tourism Authority, said throughout the festival, seven skilled tandem pilots hailing from various countries, including the USA, Japan, Peru, Ghana, and Germany, took passengers on unforgettable journeys through the skies.

‘Notably, Ghanaian Solo Pilot Isaac Mensah achieved a personal milestone with his first successful Solo flight, soaring from the Odweanoma Mountain to touch down safely at the Nkwakwa Stadium.

It said the economic benefits of the Paragliding Festival extended beyond the thrill of flight, sign

‘As the festival continues to attract a growing number of spectators and participants, it creates opportunities for local businesses, from accommodations and food vendors and transportation services.’

The release stated that the influx o
f visitors did not only generated revenue for the immediate Kwahu community but also fostered job creation and boosted tourism-related businesses in the region.

‘The event’s success is evident from the escalating number of spectators, signifying a growing interest in the sport of paragliding.’

According to the release, the 2024 Paragliding Festival emerged as a must-visit attraction, with Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, attesting to the enhanced safety measures and overall improved experience at the site.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Veteran pollster, Ben Ephson, has downplayed the prospects of any alliance outside the NDC and NPP emerging victorious in Ghana’s upcoming elections.

According to him, historical data and voter behaviour in Ghana point to the fact that no political alliance or meagre formed by minor political actors can cause an upset in the general elections.

Ben Ephson adds that the competition has always been between the NDC and the NPP, especially under the Fourth Republic.

Alan Kyerematen recently announced talks to establish a grand alliance for the 2024 general elections, involving political entities such as the National Interest Movement (NIM) led by Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Foster, a former flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), along with other political entities and individuals.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show, Ben Ephson expressed doubt about the viability of such alliances.

“I think that it is going to be kind of difficult. If my memory serves me right, apart from the NDC and NPP, only one o
ther candidate, independent or from a smaller party has gotten beyond 1%. That was Goosie Tanoh of the National Reformed Party (NRP).

“The nearest person to get to 1% was Paa Kwesi Nduom who got 0.99%. So it tells you that maybe someone will attend a small party rally but will spoil his vote by voting for NDC or NPP.”

Ben Ephson further explained that the current political landscape makes it challenging for a third force to succeed, suggesting that even if two or three independent candidates were strong, their cumulative votes might only reach around 3%, potentially leading to a run-off scenario.

Source: Ghana Web

Ms Christiana Saratu Awini, a 31-year-old student of the Bolgatanga Midwifery Training College, says she would be going into organic onion production in the Binduri District in the Upper East Region to complement her midwifery profession.

The final year student made the declaration of her intention in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony of 38 beneficiaries who participated in an eight-week intensive training programme at the Bolgatanga Technical University.

It was part of the Social Entrepreneurship Development Businesses, organised by the Youth Challenge International Programme, a Canadian Non – Governmental Organisation, under the Herstart Project.

It was aimed at empowering young girls between the ages of 18 and 35 to come up with new innovations related to challenges in their respective communities and to map out strategies on how to deal with such problems.

Ms Awini, who showcased her business development plan dubbed ‘Onion Production in Binduri’, said s
he was already engaged in onion farming but was doing that with inorganic farming practices.

The final year student said she had decided to go into organic onion production because she had realised that apart from the health effects of inorganic farming on humans, such farming practices were less costly because fertilizers were more expensive.

She said to complement government’s effort to generate employment for the youth, particularly young girls and to also help curb rural urban migration in the area, she intended to establish a composting plant where she would train more young girls and women to go into compost making and to supply at a cost to onion farmers in the Binduri community.

‘Through this intervention I will not only be seen addressing the health needs of onion consumers but also generating employment for young girls in the Binduri community who usually migrate from Binduri to the southern sector to seek for non-existence jobs’, she said..

Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony, P
rofessor, Daniel Azerikatoa Ayoung, the Programme Team Leader, expressed happiness about the outstanding performance of the beneficiaries and said the Herstart Project, focuses on gender and economic empowerment of young girls.

He said one of the project implementation strategies was to train young girls as Social Entrepreneurs and to empower them with capital to establish their own economic ventures to cater for themselves.

Source: Ghana News Agency

On Saturday, March 2, 2024, Ensign Global College proudly hosted its 11th Matriculation Ceremony, a significant milestone in the academic journey of its students. The ceremony welcomed 24 students enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program as they took the matriculation oath, symbolizing their commitment to excellence and service.

College President Professor Stephen C. Alder conveexcitement yed heartfelt congratulations to the matriculants and expressed profound for the transformative journey ahead.

Prof. Alder highlighted Ensign Global College’s dedication to obtaining its presidential charter and Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation, emphasizing ongoing collaborations with esteemed partners such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Utah. These partnerships not only strengthen Ensign Global’s presence but also facilitate the introduction of innovative programs aimed at addressing pressing global challenges.

“In your p
ursuit of excellence, we expect you to not only enhance your personal qualities but also contribute significantly to the advancement of our institution and society,” remarked Prof. Alder. He encouraged the matriculants to remain steadfast in their quest for knowledge, particularly in the era of rapid technological advancement, emphasizing harnessing emerging tools for positive change.

Mr. Patrick Kuma, Ensign Global College Registrar, echoed Prof. Alder’s sentiments, urging the new cohort to see themselves as pioneers of knowledge and future leaders. He emphasized Ensign Global’s role as a hub for discovery, innovation, and growth, pledging unwavering support to every student as they embark on their academic journey.

The ceremony also featured a speech by the Student Representative Committee (SRC) Vice President, Gladstone Doh, who extended a warm welcome to the new February 2024 (F24) cohort. Doh encouraged students to embrace academic challenges and opportunities, highlighting the upcoming SRC Week celebr
ations as avenues for community engagement and exploration.

Miss Sedinam Avorgbedor, the F24 cohort representative, delivered a message on behalf of the cohort, stressing the noble calling of public health and the urgent need for their work to address global health challenges. She urged students to navigate their academic journey with determination and a shared vision of improving global health equity.

The ceremony concluded as a momentous occasion marking the start of an academic journey for the new matriculants.

Ensign Global College extends a warm welcome to the F24 cohort and looks forward to the new matriculants, embracing the journey ahead with optimism, enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to excellence in public health education and service.

Source: Ghana Web

Mr Moro Musah, a 33-year-old farmer, has been apprehended by the Tumu Police for allegedly stealing cattle in October 2023 at Kroboi in the Sissala East Municipality of the Upper West Region.

In a caution statement presented to the Circuit Court in Wa, the accused, Mr Moro Musah, admitted to the theft but said: ‘I stole 14 of the cattle, not the reported 60’.

He was put before the court allegedly charged with stealing 60 cattle and was remanded in police custody pending investigation.

This follows a complaint lodged to the Tumu Police by one Barry Abdoulaye, a Fulani herdsman from Yigantu in Sissala East, who reported the theft of his 60 cattle from his kraal.

The prosecutor, ACP Albert Adiita, presenting the facts to the court, said the Wellembele police motor patrol team, on October 29, 2023, intercepted a Hyundai Grace mini-bus with registration number AS-6743-19, driven by Wakilu Abubakari, loaded with three cattle suspected to have been stolen.

Upon interrogation, Abubakari mentioned Musah as the o
ne who had tasked him to transport the animals from Kroboi to Wa.

A subsequent telephone conversation between Abubakari and Musah confirmed the latter’s ownership of the cattle.

The vehicle with the cattle was sent to the Wellembele Police Station during the investigations, where Mr Barry Abdoulaye, the complainant, identified a distinct mark on the three cattle matching some of his stolen livestock.

ACP Adiita said further examination on Abdoulaye’s kraal revealed similar markings on his other cattle, confirming the suspicion of theft by Musah.

However, a search for Musah proved futile until December 8, 2023, when he was eventually apprehended by the police, ACP Adiita said.

The accused, after interrogation, returned the 14 cattle, while the search for the rest continued.

The court remanded the accused person to reappear on April 16, 2024.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Archbishop Emeritus of the Methodist Church, Nigeria (MCN) and chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, says, the Ewe people are bonafide Nigerians who originated from Ile Ife in the old Oyo Empire.

Speaking at the first Ewe National Cultural Day celebration in Badagry, Lagos on Friday, March 29, Ladigbolu said the Yoruba roots of the Ewe people could be traced to the Old Oyo empire and the ancient city of Ile-Ife.

‘The story of the Ewes is one of great historical significance, as they trace their roots back to the Old Oyo empire and the ancient city of Ile-Ife,’ he said.

‘It was under the leadership of Alaketu, a grandson of Oduduwa, that the Ewes embarked on a remarkable journey, migrating from Ile Ife during the twelfth century.

‘The Ewe ethnic group of Nigeria stands as the descendants of those who journeyed from Ile Ife to various parts of modern West Africa before returning to establish their presence in Badagry and the coastal villages of Lagos State well before 1914.”

‘The
ir rich history and cultural contributions are a testament to their enduring legacy, as documented in the BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EWES OF NIGERIA submitted to the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, in 2004.

‘In addressing misconceptions, it is vital to recognize that the Ewe ethnic group is distinct from the ‘Agayin’ (G?nyi), both in historical and linguistic terms.

‘The acculturation resulting from the Accra, Ada versus Akwamu war led to the settlement of a group of war refugees from Accra in Glidzi (Togo) with the assistance of the Anlo Ewes.

‘The distinction between the G? and Ewe speakers, now colloquially referred to as ‘Aganyi,’ has been a point of misunderstanding, which we aim to clarify today.

‘The Ewe communities on the coastline of Lagos State have always been indigenes of Badagry Kingdom in Lagos State and bonafide citizens of Nigeria (See Memo from His Majesty the Akran of Badagry to the Nigeria Comptroller-General of Immigration of 30/07/2004)
.

‘The communities along the beach stretch from Seme border through Takwa Bay to Epe beaches. They have been involved in traditional and modern fishing occupations and the planting of coconut trees for centuries.

‘It is on record that the oldest coconut tree in Nigeria may have been planted by the Ewe-speaking Nigerians.

‘Yoruba language was the lingua franca of the Ajah and Ewe. They also wholeheartedly embraced the Yoruba traditional religion and its practices are warmly embraced by all their communities in spite of the existence of, and their adherence to Islam and Christianity.

‘Yoruba traditional names such as Fagbeji, Amosu, Akapo, Agboade, Abiodun, Famuyiwa still remain Ewe names till date as inerasable symbols of their historical and cultural affinity to the Yoruba race.’

Their devotion and preservation of Yoruba culture of rituals, sacrifices, art, crafts, dance and music and their display of commitment to peaceful co-existence with their neighbours and their ability to promote brotherly interac
tions, are significant hallmarks of the Ewes’ uniqueness as Nigerian citizens.

These significant patriotic traits are applicable to all the more than seventy-five Ewe villages and communities located within the jurisdiction of Badagry – Ojo, Amuwo Odofin, Eti Osa, and Lagos Island Local Government areas of Lagos State,” Ladigbolu indicated.

The Ewe National Cultural Day celebration which brought together hundreds of Ewe indigenes in Nigeria was also graced by a high-powered delegation from the Council of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA), led by its president Dr Tsatsu E. Nyamadi and its Ghana, Togo and Benin representative, Torgbi Agbelorm-Agbotokor II, Chief of Salo – Sokutsime in the Anlo Traditional Area of the Volta region.

It was celebrated on the theme: “Strength for Peace”

Source: Ghana Web

Women farmers at Fosukrom in the Bia East District of the Western North Region have appealed for processing, storage and irrigation facilities.

With the facilities, the women said they would be able to engage in commercial production of maize, rice and cassava for increased food productivity.

Madam Mavis Odoi, the Secretary of the Fosukrom Women Farmers Association (FWFA), made the appeal through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a day’s training on the adoption and application of indigenous technology.

With support from the Global Greengrants Fund (GGF), the Association organised the training for more than 150 women farmers in the area, which also exposed the participants to climate change impact, contributory factors as well as the nation’s adaptation and mitigation actions.

The women were taken through the use of leaves for the preparation of organic manure, and the proper application of the compost.

Madam Odoi said the area had a population of around 1,758, with women and girls being t
he majority, and predominantly peasant farmers, with few of them engaged in large-scale farming.

They grow plantain, cocoyam, maize, yam, cassava, cocoa, and oil palm with a few others engaged in vegetable production.

She explained that the women were mainly in the farming business because they depended largely on it as their source of livelihood due to the lack of formal education.

‘In fact, they cannot secure white colour jobs and so farming has become their main alternative, ‘ Madam Odoi stated, worrying that because of a lack of processing, storage and irrigation facilities those engaged in the cultivation of cereals and vegetables could not produce in large or commercial quantities.

Recently, she said the area had been experiencing frequent droughts and disease outbreaks, resulting in low crops yields, and thereby leading to hunger and high poverty, particularly among the women farmers.

This continues to increase their socially marginalized situation and they are compelled to use synthetic agrochemi
cals in controlling pests and diseases which affect their health, destroy soil quality, enhance climate change impacts and poison biodiversity through run-off water.

Madam Odoi commended the GGF for funding the Association to implement a project to help sustain the women in their farming activities.

The project seeks to mobilize women farmers in the area and train them on how to prepare organic (indigenous) herbicides and pesticides for their farming, which has no impact on the environment or influence climate change or land fertility, is cheaper and has the ability to improve productivity.

It further creates awareness of climate change, she stated and urged the farmers to endeavour to back and share and apply the knowledge acquired to bring positive change in their communities.

Source: Ghana News Agency