Day: April 13, 2024

As the world continues to face issues of carbon emissions, exacerbating the impact of climate change, a cyclist has ridden 815 kilomentres from Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital to Accra, Ghana’s national capital, as part of efforts to advocate for the adoption of green transport systems.

Mr James Kumbeni, the 28-year-old Information Technology person, who began his journey on Tuesday, April 9 and reached his final destination in Accra on Friday, April 12, 2024, wants to encourage the world to adopt bicycles as climate-smart and green alternative means of transport, to reduce air pollution on the environment emanating from fuel powered vehicles.

The initiative was also part of a campaign to advocate for the rights and safety of cyclists on the road and influence policy direction to create specific lanes for cyclists during road construction.

After completing his journey, Mr Kumbeni told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that carbon emissions from vehicles continued to pollute the air making i
t unclean for human health as well as increased the challenges of climate change.

He said the threat of climate change on all sectors of economies worldwide particularly Ghana was more pronounced and the transport sector which played a critical role in the growth and development of the economy contributed significantly to its effect through air pollution.

He said it was about time people made a paradigm shift from carbon emission generated vehicles to greener transport systems such as bicycles for journeys especially intra-community and regional movements to reduce environmental pollution and promote cleaner air.

‘We all need clean air to breath and green transport is the way to go,’ he said, adding ‘if we encourage more people to ride bicycles, we are actually going to cut down the carbon emission on our environment and I wanted to demonstrate that it was possible by riding from Bolgatanga to Accra.

‘If we don’t transition to green alternatives, in no time, we will be in danger and so apart from using bi
cycles, there are other alternatives, and the government needs to begin to transition to green economy.

‘So, I plan to visit the Environmental Protection Agency and I am looking forward to meeting companies and organizations that are into green transportation so we can look at how to promote green transport.’

On the safety of cyclists, Mr Kumbeni who is a teacher by profession noted that the safety of cyclists on the road had not been prioritised, adding that apart from the need for drivers of vehicles to respect and share the road with bicycle riders, there was the need for dedicated lanes for cyclists during road construction.

‘Once a cyclist is on their lane, he or she knows that they are safe,’ he added.

Mr Kumbeni noted that apart from the health benefits associated with riding a bicycle, as riding was a form of physical exercise, it also helps to reduce the cost of buying fuel.

Apart from that, Mr Kumbeni, also embarked on the journey to support Mr Joel Atinga who is currently attempting to break a
Guinness World Record for the longest grilling of ‘khebab’ in Accra.

He expressed gratitude to all Ghanaians for their support throughout the journey.

Mr Kumbeni is a native of Baare, a farming community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region who teaches at Desert Pastures International School in Bolgatanga.

He is a member of the Keekee Cycling Konnect in Bolgatanga, Ghana Cyclists Association and currently a Master of Philosophy candidate in Computer Science at the C.K Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Source: Ghana News Agency

As the world continues to face issues of carbon emissions, exacerbating the impact of climate change, a cyclist has ridden 815 kilomentres from Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital to Accra, Ghana’s national capital, as part of efforts to advocate for the adoption of green transport systems.

Mr James Kumbeni, the 28-year-old Information Technology person, who began his journey on Tuesday, April 9 and reached his final destination in Accra on Friday, April 12, 2024, wants to encourage the world to adopt bicycles as climate-smart and green alternative means of transport, to reduce air pollution on the environment emanating from fuel powered vehicles.

The initiative was also part of a campaign to advocate for the rights and safety of cyclists on the road and influence policy direction to create specific lanes for cyclists during road construction.

After completing his journey, Mr Kumbeni told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that carbon emissions from vehicles continued to pollute the air making i
t unclean for human health as well as increased the challenges of climate change.

He said the threat of climate change on all sectors of economies worldwide particularly Ghana was more pronounced and the transport sector which played a critical role in the growth and development of the economy contributed significantly to its effect through air pollution.

He said it was about time people made a paradigm shift from carbon emission generated vehicles to greener transport systems such as bicycles for journeys especially intra-community and regional movements to reduce environmental pollution and promote cleaner air.

‘We all need clean air to breath and green transport is the way to go,’ he said, adding ‘if we encourage more people to ride bicycles, we are actually going to cut down the carbon emission on our environment and I wanted to demonstrate that it was possible by riding from Bolgatanga to Accra.

‘If we don’t transition to green alternatives, in no time, we will be in danger and so apart from using bi
cycles, there are other alternatives, and the government needs to begin to transition to green economy.

‘So, I plan to visit the Environmental Protection Agency and I am looking forward to meeting companies and organizations that are into green transportation so we can look at how to promote green transport.’

On the safety of cyclists, Mr Kumbeni who is a teacher by profession noted that the safety of cyclists on the road had not been prioritised, adding that apart from the need for drivers of vehicles to respect and share the road with bicycle riders, there was the need for dedicated lanes for cyclists during road construction.

‘Once a cyclist is on their lane, he or she knows that they are safe,’ he added.

Mr Kumbeni noted that apart from the health benefits associated with riding a bicycle, as riding was a form of physical exercise, it also helps to reduce the cost of buying fuel.

Apart from that, Mr Kumbeni, also embarked on the journey to support Mr Joel Atinga who is currently attempting to break a
Guinness World Record for the longest grilling of ‘khebab’ in Accra.

He expressed gratitude to all Ghanaians for their support throughout the journey.

Mr Kumbeni is a native of Baare, a farming community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region who teaches at Desert Pastures International School in Bolgatanga.

He is a member of the Keekee Cycling Konnect in Bolgatanga, Ghana Cyclists Association and currently a Master of Philosophy candidate in Computer Science at the C.K Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A clash between some youth and navy personnel in Tema Manhean in the Greater Accra Region has resulted in two confirmed fatalities, according to reports from graphic.gh.com.

The incident happened on the evening of Friday, April 12, 2024, during this year’s Kplejoo festival, when the youth engaged in a street procession.

Tension escalated upon reaching the street in front of the Eastern Naval Command, leading to a confrontation between the youth and the navy ratings on duty. Allegedly, a vehicle belonging to the Navy was damaged by some individuals within the crowd.

Amidst the ensuing chaos, two individuals succumbed to gunshot wounds.

Their bodies have been transferred to the Tema General Hospital Mortuary.

Additionally, two others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.

Source: Ghana Web

A clash between some youth and navy personnel in Tema Manhean in the Greater Accra Region has resulted in two confirmed fatalities, according to reports from graphic.gh.com.

The incident happened on the evening of Friday, April 12, 2024, during this year’s Kplejoo festival, when the youth engaged in a street procession.

Tension escalated upon reaching the street in front of the Eastern Naval Command, leading to a confrontation between the youth and the navy ratings on duty. Allegedly, a vehicle belonging to the Navy was damaged by some individuals within the crowd.

Amidst the ensuing chaos, two individuals succumbed to gunshot wounds.

Their bodies have been transferred to the Tema General Hospital Mortuary.

Additionally, two others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.

Source: Ghana Web

Mr Constant Tchona, the Country Director, Plan International Ghana, has called on government to join forces with relevant institutions to confront the many challenges adolescents face.

In Ghana, while significant strides had been made in improving adolescent health and education, he said adolescents faced a myriad of obstacles such as child marriage and teenage pregnancy, poverty, unemployment and violence, on their journey to adulthood.

Meanwhile, he said the voices of adolescents remained unheard, with their needs unmet, and their potential untapped.

Mr Tchona made the call at a ‘National Advocacy Forum for Adolescents’ organised by Plan International Ghana in Accra on the theme: ‘What Young People Want.’

The forum was a call for meaningful engagement between adolescents and policy makers, to ensure commitment mobilization, and accountability.

It was also an opportunity for decision-makers to listen, learn, and act upon the priorities identified by the adolescent population.

The Country Director said:
‘This is why a forum like this stands as a beacon of hope, a platform where the dreams and aspirations of our youth take centre stage. We gather here not only to listen but to truly hear and understand what young people want for their well-being, their future, and their country.’

By leveraging their expertise, networks, and influence, Mr Tchona said Plan sought to ensure that government commitments translated into concrete actions that positively impacted the lives of adolescents across the country.

Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Minister Designate of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, said adolescence was a critical period of development, and the experiences adolescents had at that period could have a profound impact on their health and well-being throughout their lives.

He said government’s comprehensive commitment to adolescent well-being, spanning finance, programme, and service delivery, signed by the Minister of Health in 2023 and showcased at the 78th UN General Assembly, served as a testament to it
s unwavering dedication to championing the rights and health of adolescents.

‘It signifies our collective acknowledgment of the multifaceted challenges confronting our young people, including child marriage, teenage pregnancy, HIV, Gender-based violence, substance abuse, and poverty,’ he noted.

Dr Okoe-Boye said government’s commitment to adolescent well-being resonated with the West and Central African Commitment, which underscored the imperative of implementing comprehensive education and information programmes, enhancing sexual and reproductive health services, and addressing gender inequalities and sexual and gender-based violence.

‘These principles align seamlessly with our vision for adolescent well-being in Ghana, and we stand ready to translate them into actionable initiatives. As the Ministry of Health, we pledge to harness the resources and expertise of our ministry to support this noble cause fully,’ he added.

Dr Frank Lule, the Officer-In-Charge, WHO Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, said
through collaborative initiatives with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, such as conducting training needs assessments to building capacities of service providers, WHO had played a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of quality adolescent and youth-friendly health services.

‘Notably, our partnership with the Ghana Health Service has led to the piloting and scaling of a digital web1 based platform for monitoring the quality of adolescent and youth-friendly health services in 43 senior high schools.

‘This innovative platform has empowered over 30,000 students to provide feedback on their experiences with service provision, thereby shaping the future of adolescent health care delivery in Ghana,’ he said.

Dr Lule admonished them to remember that their ultimate goal was to translate the discussions at the forum into tangible actions, as they deliberated on the priorities and aspirations of young people.

‘By the end of this conference, it is imperative that we establish robust accountabilit
y mechanisms to track the implementation of our commitments. Only through concerted efforts and unwavering dedication can we realize the vision of sustainable development goals related to adolescent health and universal health care,’ he added.

The forum was also attended by representatives of the Ministries of Health, Gender, Children and Social Protection and Education, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the National Youth Authority.

Students participated from the Labone Senior High School, Accra Girls Senior High, Tema School of the Death and Corpus Christi Senior High Schools, Tema all in the Greater Accra Region.

From the Central Region, students from the Mfanteman Girls Senior High School, St. Augustine’s Senior High School, Cape Coast School of the Death, Assin Manso Senior High School, Methodist High School, Assin North Senior High School and Wesley Girls Senior High school took part in the forum.

The rest were the Aburi Girls Senior High School, Krobo Girls S
enior High School, Ofori Panyin Senior High School and Methodist Girls Senior High School, Mamfe in the Eastern Region.

Established in Ghana in 1992, Plan International has been at the forefront of championing children’s rights and equality for girls for over three decades and worldwide, the nongovernmental organisation operates in over 80 countries, working tirelessly to promote sustainable development and ensuring that every child, regardless of gender or background, can reach their full potentials.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Constant Tchona, the Country Director, Plan International Ghana, has called on government to join forces with relevant institutions to confront the many challenges adolescents face.

In Ghana, while significant strides had been made in improving adolescent health and education, he said adolescents faced a myriad of obstacles such as child marriage and teenage pregnancy, poverty, unemployment and violence, on their journey to adulthood.

Meanwhile, he said the voices of adolescents remained unheard, with their needs unmet, and their potential untapped.

Mr Tchona made the call at a ‘National Advocacy Forum for Adolescents’ organised by Plan International Ghana in Accra on the theme: ‘What Young People Want.’

The forum was a call for meaningful engagement between adolescents and policy makers, to ensure commitment mobilization, and accountability.

It was also an opportunity for decision-makers to listen, learn, and act upon the priorities identified by the adolescent population.

The Country Director said:
‘This is why a forum like this stands as a beacon of hope, a platform where the dreams and aspirations of our youth take centre stage. We gather here not only to listen but to truly hear and understand what young people want for their well-being, their future, and their country.’

By leveraging their expertise, networks, and influence, Mr Tchona said Plan sought to ensure that government commitments translated into concrete actions that positively impacted the lives of adolescents across the country.

Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Minister Designate of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, said adolescence was a critical period of development, and the experiences adolescents had at that period could have a profound impact on their health and well-being throughout their lives.

He said government’s comprehensive commitment to adolescent well-being, spanning finance, programme, and service delivery, signed by the Minister of Health in 2023 and showcased at the 78th UN General Assembly, served as a testament to it
s unwavering dedication to championing the rights and health of adolescents.

‘It signifies our collective acknowledgment of the multifaceted challenges confronting our young people, including child marriage, teenage pregnancy, HIV, Gender-based violence, substance abuse, and poverty,’ he noted.

Dr Okoe-Boye said government’s commitment to adolescent well-being resonated with the West and Central African Commitment, which underscored the imperative of implementing comprehensive education and information programmes, enhancing sexual and reproductive health services, and addressing gender inequalities and sexual and gender-based violence.

‘These principles align seamlessly with our vision for adolescent well-being in Ghana, and we stand ready to translate them into actionable initiatives. As the Ministry of Health, we pledge to harness the resources and expertise of our ministry to support this noble cause fully,’ he added.

Dr Frank Lule, the Officer-In-Charge, WHO Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, said
through collaborative initiatives with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, such as conducting training needs assessments to building capacities of service providers, WHO had played a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of quality adolescent and youth-friendly health services.

‘Notably, our partnership with the Ghana Health Service has led to the piloting and scaling of a digital web1 based platform for monitoring the quality of adolescent and youth-friendly health services in 43 senior high schools.

‘This innovative platform has empowered over 30,000 students to provide feedback on their experiences with service provision, thereby shaping the future of adolescent health care delivery in Ghana,’ he said.

Dr Lule admonished them to remember that their ultimate goal was to translate the discussions at the forum into tangible actions, as they deliberated on the priorities and aspirations of young people.

‘By the end of this conference, it is imperative that we establish robust accountabilit
y mechanisms to track the implementation of our commitments. Only through concerted efforts and unwavering dedication can we realize the vision of sustainable development goals related to adolescent health and universal health care,’ he added.

The forum was also attended by representatives of the Ministries of Health, Gender, Children and Social Protection and Education, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the National Youth Authority.

Students participated from the Labone Senior High School, Accra Girls Senior High, Tema School of the Death and Corpus Christi Senior High Schools, Tema all in the Greater Accra Region.

From the Central Region, students from the Mfanteman Girls Senior High School, St. Augustine’s Senior High School, Cape Coast School of the Death, Assin Manso Senior High School, Methodist High School, Assin North Senior High School and Wesley Girls Senior High school took part in the forum.

The rest were the Aburi Girls Senior High School, Krobo Girls S
enior High School, Ofori Panyin Senior High School and Methodist Girls Senior High School, Mamfe in the Eastern Region.

Established in Ghana in 1992, Plan International has been at the forefront of championing children’s rights and equality for girls for over three decades and worldwide, the nongovernmental organisation operates in over 80 countries, working tirelessly to promote sustainable development and ensuring that every child, regardless of gender or background, can reach their full potentials.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has reportedly been hospitalised hours before the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primary in the Ejisu Constituency scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2024.

According to multiple reports, Mr. Nyantakyi, one of nine candidates contesting the election, ‘went off’ while in a meeting with his lieutenants at Akyawkrom, a suburb of Ejisu, on Friday evening.

According to sources, he allegedly started to stumble with his hand on his head before being supported and promptly transported to a hospital, where he was spotted receiving treatment.

GhanaWeb has since sighted a picture of a frail-looking Kwesi Nyantakyi lying on a hospital bed with a drip on him.

Meanwhile, all is set for the NPP’s parliamentary primary today.

This primary comes after the unfortunate passing of the late MP John Kumah on March 7, 2024.

On April 6, the vetting committee cleared all nine aspirants vying for candidacy in the party’s parliamentary primary in the Ejisu Constituenc
y.

The candidates are Kwabena Boateng, Dr Evans Duah, Klinsman Karikari Mensah, Helena Mensah and Jacqueline Abena Pokua Amoah-Boaitey

The rest are Portia Baffoe Abronye, Kwesi Nyantakyi, Aaron Prince Duah and Yaa Akyawmaa Aboagye.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled the by-election for April 30, 2024.

John Kumah, aged 45, succumbed to a brief illness, leaving behind a wife and six children.

No other political party has indicated interest in participating in the by-election. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has mentioned that it is still deliberating whether to enter the electoral contest.

Meanwhile, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, a former Member of Parliament for the area, has confirmed his decision to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming election.

Source: Ghana Web

Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has reportedly been hospitalised hours before the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primary in the Ejisu Constituency scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2024.

According to multiple reports, Mr. Nyantakyi, one of nine candidates contesting the election, ‘went off’ while in a meeting with his lieutenants at Akyawkrom, a suburb of Ejisu, on Friday evening.

According to sources, he allegedly started to stumble with his hand on his head before being supported and promptly transported to a hospital, where he was spotted receiving treatment.

GhanaWeb has since sighted a picture of a frail-looking Kwesi Nyantakyi lying on a hospital bed with a drip on him.

Meanwhile, all is set for the NPP’s parliamentary primary today.

This primary comes after the unfortunate passing of the late MP John Kumah on March 7, 2024.

On April 6, the vetting committee cleared all nine aspirants vying for candidacy in the party’s parliamentary primary in the Ejisu Constituenc
y.

The candidates are Kwabena Boateng, Dr Evans Duah, Klinsman Karikari Mensah, Helena Mensah and Jacqueline Abena Pokua Amoah-Boaitey

The rest are Portia Baffoe Abronye, Kwesi Nyantakyi, Aaron Prince Duah and Yaa Akyawmaa Aboagye.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled the by-election for April 30, 2024.

John Kumah, aged 45, succumbed to a brief illness, leaving behind a wife and six children.

No other political party has indicated interest in participating in the by-election. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has mentioned that it is still deliberating whether to enter the electoral contest.

Meanwhile, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, a former Member of Parliament for the area, has confirmed his decision to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming election.

Source: Ghana Web