Day: April 29, 2024

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Circle of Life School celebrates 10th anniversary


Circle of Life School, located in Baakoniaba within the Sunyani Municipality, has celebrated its 10th anniversary with a renewed commitment to providing quality education for the pupils.

The school was officially opened on September 8, 2014, with a crèche, nursery, kindergarten one and two, and basic one to three.

It had 32 pupils, 15 from the Hannukah Orphanage and the remaining 17 from outside the community.

After a decade of training and grooming the pupils, the Circle of Life School now boasts of 284 pupils and a staff of 31.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Providing Quality and Equal Education for the Growth and Development of the Child in a Safe Environment for a Better Future,’ Mr Moses Asagbo, the proprietor of the school, announced that it had successfully prepared three cohorts of students to sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

It had also achieved a remarkable 100 per cent distinction rate, with the lowest grade being 15.

The teachers also pursued professional development cour
ses and attended seminars to enhance their skills for optimal development of the children, Mr Asagbo said.

He highlighted the success of their exchange programme, which was initiated last year, which brought 12 students and two teachers from the Netherlands to the school, and expressed the optimism that the students and teachers would also have the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands for similar educational experiences.

The proprietor donated a brand-new air-conditioned bus to support the academic activities of the school.

Madam Yaa Kumi Yeboah, the Acting Head of Supervision and Monitoring, Sunyani Education Directorate, stated that investing in the education of children did not only secure their future but also contributed to the wellbeing of society.

She urged stakeholders to recommit themselves to providing high-quality and equitable education for all children, which was essential to ensuring that every child had access to the tools and opportunities to succeed and reach their full potential.

S
ource: Ghana News Agency

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‘Reflect integrity, become problem solvers’- Graduates told


The Vice Chancellor of the Pentecost University, Prof Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, has advised graduates to reflect integrity, morality and become problem solvers at the workspace.

Prof Agyapong-Kodua in his address to 334 graduating students of the University’s 15th Graduation ceremony for the second batch at their main campus at Sowutuom, Accra, urged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to solves societal problems.

‘The world will test you on integrity and skills so do not fail. Make us proud. Let all know that you were trained at Pentecost University …don’t just go and add to the numbers,’ he said.

He said the University was working to expand its curriculum and courses and that alongside other tertiary institutions on the continent, it had received funding grant from international organisations such as the European Commission to embark on research.

‘Research is the strongest pillar of our A-plus agenda. We’ve made a significant stride in this area and one of them is the securing of the four-year
European Commission 2.669 million euros to conduct research in Artificial Intelligence and cyber physical systems, robotics and laser technologies,’ he said.

The 334 students graduated with certificates, and degrees in Communication Studies and Commerce, Science in Nursing, Midwifery and Information Technology; MPHIL and Masters in Theology, Church Leadership and Administration; Certificates in Mortuary Science and Funeral Studies, Counselling and Family Therapy amongst others.

Awards were presented to graduates who excelled.

Ms Perpetual Osei Tutu was adjudged the overall best student and overall best female student.

She is also the valedictorian of the 2023/2024 year group.

In an interview with the GNA, Ms Osei Tutu said ‘I decided that what men can do, a woman can also do and better. I employed a strategy whereby I aligned myself with the brilliant men of my year group and studied with them. That’s the results you see now.’

Founded in 2003, Pentecost University, Ghana, is a multidisciplinary private
university.

It was formerly a bible college, which offered theological training mainly for the clergy from the Church of Pentecost.

Later in the year, 2003, it was expanded to run other courses as a university.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Ada Noryami Kpe distributes computers to second-cycle schools


The Ada Noryami Kpe, a non-government organisation, has distributed 50 pieces of desktop computers to four second-cycle schools in Ada.

The beneficial schools are Ada Senior High School, Ada Senior High Technical School, Ada Technical Institute, and Bedeku Vocational Institute.

The organisation, whose members are indigenes of Ada in the diaspora, and Ghana have been at the forefront of spearheading development in Ada.

Naana Adede I, the Leader of the organisation, said it was a worry for the group when it learned that some schools in Ada had to rent computers from vendors to enable students to write their final year exams.

She said the Ada Noryami Kpe saw it as a responsibility to help improve academic performance in the area, hence the distribution of the computers to the schools to solve that renting problem.

She gave the assurance that they would work on adding to the number of computers in the various schools and ensuring that all students have access to one when needed.

She said they were committed
to helping in the development of the area, noting that they were instrumental in the construction of a new emergency ward at the Ada East District Hospital and aided victims of the Akosombo dam spillage in Ada last October.

The heads of the various beneficiary schools expressed gratitude to the group and appealed to other organisations to come to the aid of the schools to augment the work the government was doing in the education sector.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Private schools appeal to government to absorb BECE/WASSCE registration fees


The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has appealed to the government to absorb the registration fees for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The Association said the owners of private pre-tertiary schools were unable to afford the exorbitant fees charged by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The high examination fees, the Association said, had forced many private school candidates to drop out of school in either the final year junior high school or senior high school.

Professor Damus Tuurosong, President of

GNAPS, said this in Accra at the launch of the private school Pre-tertiary Education Manifesto for the 2024 elections.

The Progressive Peoples’ Party and the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) were the only political parties represented at the launch of the programme.

He said the 2024 WASSCE candidates in private SHSs had to pay Ghc 465 as the WAEC registration fee.

‘Those who have prac
tical and oral language papers to write were required to pay an extra Ghc 14.50 and Ghc 19.50 respectively.

‘Over the past four years, BECE fees have increased from Ghc 77 in 2020 to Ghc 214.01 in 2014, representing a 178 per cent hike in the fees,’ he said.

He stressed that over the same period, private schools have, on average, increased their fees by only 45 per cent.

Prof Tuurosong appealed to the government to extend the free Senior High School programme to private school students.

He called for the review of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020, Act 1023, to do away with exorbitant regulatory charges by the National Schools Inspectorate Authority, the National Teaching Council, and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

The Association among others,called for the abolishment of ‘nuisance’ taxes that they believed were hiking the cost of doing business and the review of property rates and business operating permits charged by the assemblies.

The Professor appealed to the government
to scrap the 30 per cent Priority Placement System for candidates who sat for the BECE to avoid financial malfeasance.

Nii Adjetey Sowah, a representative from the CPP, said Professor Tuurosong’s presentation was a clear indication that there were challenges in the pre-tertiary level of Ghana’s education and called for urgent action.

He said a future CPP government would prioritise the interests of the private sector to engender growth in Ghana’s educational sector.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Driver and teacher in court over GHC1million auto fraud


Bright Kwashie, a 32-year-old driver, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of GHC1,058,600.

Kwashie allegedly collected the money from the businessman to sell him an auctioned Toyota Rav 4, Mercedes Benz S360, Kia Picanto, and four generator plants, but failed to do so.

Kwashie was joined in the dock by Divine Kwasi Agbeyagah, a teacher who pretended to be a Customs Officer and helped commit the crime.

While Kwashie has been charged with defrauding by false pretences, Agbeyagah is facing a charge of abetment of crime.

The two accused have been granted bail in the sum of GHC100,000, with three sureties, one of whom must own landed property.

The court granted bail after the Office of the Attorney General requested the case docket since the sum involved in the matter exceeded GHC500,000.

The court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, has adjourned the matter to May 26, 2024.

The prosecution said that the complainant, Philip Osabutey, is a vehicle and gener
al goods dealer.

Kwashie is a resident of Odomi in the Oti Region, whereas Agbeyagah is a teacher who lives in Nsakye, near Nsawam, and from Odomi in the Oti Region.

The court heard that in March 2021, the complainant wanted to buy some vehicles and asked his friend Nicolas Afitoo, a witness in the case, to assist him.

The prosecution said the witness then introduced his nephew, Kwashie, to the complainant as an errand boy who would look up information on the vehicles the complainant wanted.

According to the prosecution, Kwashie later informed the complainant that he had a Customs officer friend named Chief Atomi who was in charge of the Aflao Customs Boarder Checkpoint and could help him acquire several vehicles to be auctioned, including a Toyota Rav 4, valued at GHC120,000, a Mercedes-Benz S360 at GHC395,000, a Kia Picanto for GHC16,000, and four generator plants from Togo.

Additionally, the complainant was required to pay GHC67,000 for documents.

The prosecution said that the complainant made an ini
tial payment of GHC70,000 to Kwashie, for which he provided a receipt.

Kwashie subsequently gave the complainant 24 telephone numbers to wire money to.

The prosecution said that the complainant made various payments totalling GHC1,058,600 to telephone numbers.

On April 15, 2021, while the complainant was waiting for the goods to be delivered, Kwashie introduced Agbeyagah to him over the phone as a Customs officer and uncle who could assist with the documentation of the goods.

The prosecution said Agbeyagah told the complainant to transfer GHC22,300 to his mobile money account to facilitate the documentation.

The complainant waited for the goods, but they were not delivered, so he petitioned the Police Intelligence Directorate, and Kwashie was arrested at his hideout in Akpafu, Oti Region, and turned over to the Criminal Investigations Department’s Auto Theft Unit.

The prosecution said Agbeyagah was apprehended on May 20, 2023, by the Police and admitted the offence, claiming that he sent GHc10,000 to Kw
ashie on his Momo account and was only given GHC1,300 in commission.

During their investigation, the police obtained mobile money records from Agbeyagah’s personal phone number for Richard Atigah, Samira Sulley, God; Love Ventures, Refuge Agbogah, Bright Kwashie, and Mohammed Abdul, which were then transferred to Kwashie, the first accused person.

The prosecution said Kwashie failed to lead the police to the other accused persons allegedly involved in the matter.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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‘Dumsor’ will soon be a thing of the past – Bawumia

In a campaign tour in the Eastern Region, the flagbearer of Ghana’s governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has assured the public that the ongoing erratic power supply, locally known as ‘dumsor’, will soon be a thing of the past.

Addressing the clergy and imams in Akropong on Monday, April 29, 2024, Vice President Bawumia expressed confidence in the government’s efforts to address the issue.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by the nation, Dr. Bawumia stated, “I know there are challenges. We are going to work on them. Currently, we have issues with power, but I say that from the information I have received from the minister for energy, those power challenges will very soon, and I mean very soon, be a thing of the past.”

However, amidst Dr. Bawumia’s reassurances, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has faced mounting criticism from various quarters. Businesses, groups, and individuals have lambasted the state power distributor for the recent erratic power supply.

The latest to voic
e their discontent is the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), which has called on the ECG to provide a load-shedding timetable to guide their operations.

In response, the ECG has maintained that the current challenge does not necessitate a load-shedding timetable, further fueling frustrations among consumers.

As Ghana awaits relief from the ‘dumsor’ crisis, the government faces increasing pressure to deliver on its promise of a swift resolution.

Source: Ghana Web

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PanAfrica-Ghana President holds successful meetings with AU, and high-level officials in Ethiopia

Pan Africanist and Founding President of PanAfrica-Ghana (PAG), Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, has concluded a high profile meeting between his Ghanaian-based NGO, and the African Union Commission (AUC) in Ethiopia. The meeting was centred on his organisation’s ‘Music For Development’ Project.

‘The project’s documents that were presented to the AUC Chair is expected to pave the way for a potential PAG’s collaboration with other pan-African leadership and membership that includes all the regional blocs’ said Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi to TheAfricanDream.co, citing bodies representing fifty-six African countries including COMESA, SADC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD, EAC, CEMAC, SACU, UEMOA, CEN-SAD and AMU.

Mr. Appiah-Levi who arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday, April 19 courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines, to commence the agenda of his itinerary from Tuesday, April 22 to Thursday, April 25, further disclosed to TheAfricanDream.co that ‘the trip was based on the recommendation of Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Mo
TAC), with sponsorship from Ethiopian Airlines Group and support from notable individuals.’

Mr. Appiah-Levi presented PAG’s Music For Development project and program of activities documents to Mrs. Saba Tesfaye, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Cabinet of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on behalf of the Chairman of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The AUC Chair at the time of filing this report was in Abuja, Nigeria for a high-level ‘African Counter-Terrorism Meeting’ and would be returning to Addis Ababa on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

At the AUC, Mr. Appiah-Levi also discussed the project with Ms. Angela Martins, Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport from the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development; Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, President of the Pan African Parliament, who arrived from South Africa to participate in a Budget meeting at the AUC; and Mr. Dawit Yifru, the President of the
Ethiopian Musicians Association at his office in downtown Addis Ababa.

The PAG President visted hardcore Pan Africanist H.E. Mr. Willy Nyamitwe (aka KWAME), Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Embassy of Burundi to Ethiopia, Chad, Djibouti, Israel, Eritrea and South Sudan; Permanent Mission of Burundi to the African Union Commission (AUC), to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and to the Organization of Southern Cooperation (OSC) at the Embassy of Burundi on April 24.

‘We had a lengthy discussion about the project for Africa unity and development, and about the youth (African Experience) where the desire was expressed for a Patron of the project to work hand-in-glove together with His Excellency the President of Burundi’, disclosed the PAG President.

After that, he honoured a scheduled meeting with the Ambassador of Ghana to Ethiopia, H.E Mrs. Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, who is also Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), ane the United Nations Economic Com
mission for Africa (UNECA) respectively, as well as the Secretariat for the first Accra Reparations Conference.

Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah was accompanied in the meeting by Mr. Kwasi Asante, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission; Mrs. Martha Aidoo Ablorde, 2nd Secretary/Administration; and Mr. Emmanuel Hol-Oduro, Foreign Service Officer of the Embassy of Ghana in Ethiopia, respectively.

At the end of his trip on April 25, Mr. Appiah-Levi visited St. George Church and Museum in Addis Ababa. The tour guide, Deacon Sisay took him inside the Church where Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Haile Selassie the 1st, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah on November 2, 1930.

He was accompanied on all visits by Project Consultant Mr. Hilaire Ntakuwundi (of Burundi, domiciled in Addis Ababa), who is the East Africa Representative and Coordinator for PanAfrica-Ghana (PAG).

In a conversation with TheAfricanDream.co earlier this month, Mr. Appiah-Levi disclosed that ‘ever since the birth of this or
ganization on 24th of February 2004 it has always been our vision and mission to see the PanAfrican movement stand as a dynamic force for development, with music through the arts and entertainment industry being a major driving force.’

‘These meetings are a plus for PAG and we feel it helped us tell and share our story with the right people who we know will propagate our agenda as we work towards realizing a united Africa with music as a strong glue that brings not just people, but governments together,’ Mr.. Appiah-Levi said in conclusion as he departed to Ghana.

Source: Ghana Web

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2024 polls: Bawumia dares Mahama to a two-man debate as he starts countrywide tour

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is daring former President John Mahama to a two-man debate ahead of the December 7, 2024, general election, as the former starts his national campaign today, Monday, April 29 2024.

In a statement signed by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Bawumia campaign team said: “The big issue for 2024 comes down to the two personalities”, asking: “Which of the two main candidates will Ghanaians want as their next leader after 2024?

“The one who was given his chance and blew it through his incompetence or the one who has shown what he can do even as a vice president and is now asking to also be given the opportunity to show what he can do as president?

“We are daring the main opposition party to come to a debate on the two personalities”, the campaign team of the New Patriotic Party flagbearer challenged.

Dr Bawumia’s campaign invited the Ghanaian voter to focus on the credibility and weight of the policies of each of the two foremost presidential candidates.

It said in the next few mon
ths, the Bawumia campaign team “will humbly but decisively address all major issues facing our nation and how, with the current positive turnaround, he intends to consolidate the gains and tackle the outstanding issues head-on if given the mandate in December”.

Below is the full press statement.

NPP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DR. MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA BEGINS NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN

The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will officially kick off his presidential campaign for the December 7 general elections with his first nationwide tour from Monday, 29 April 2024. Dr Bawumia and his campaign team are promising an issue-based campaign, one that will focus on cogent, practical, and tailor-made ideas to deal with issues that are most dear to the Ghanaian people.

Beginning in the Eastern Region, Dr Bawumia and his campaign team will visit all 16 regions over the next month in this first round of campaigning. On his rounds, he will meet with a wide range of stakeholders, incl
uding traditional leaders, the clergy, the youth, traders, drivers, farmers, students and visit businesses, including marketplaces to interact with both traders and consumers. The candidate will engage the media, hold townhall meetings and continue with his regular stakeholder engagements with the Ghanaian people.

Long before his election on November 4, 2023, and since then, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been very active in undertaking broad consultations and interactions with various groups across the country. Apart from fulfilling his busy schedule as Ghana’s most active ever Vice President, the 2024 NPP Presidential Candidate and the Party leadership have utilized these recent months to put the structures, personnel, logistics and programmes in place to embark on a very comprehensive, inclusive, constructive, and impactful presidential and parliamentary campaign.

As we enter the active phase of the 2024 Election campaigning, Dr. Bawumia is buoyed up by the strong backing from our party’s grassroots and the gr
owing enthusiasm and confidence resonating throughout the entire party. This burgeoning energy signifies our preparedness for the activities that lie ahead in the upcoming contest.

For us in the NPP, the 2024 race is all down to three key things.

The Battle of Ideas and Character:

As Ghana moves into the next phase of our development, it is more important than ever to elect a leader that holds himself to the highest standards, a man of character, performance, work ethic, vision, programmes, wisdom, decisiveness, self-discipline, integrity, and a very high credibility. It’s indisputable that in this regard, Dr. Bawumia emerges as the most formidable candidate.

Dr. Bawumia has shown in these eight years that he has more integrity, discipline, focus, ideas, and solutions than his main opponent showed in his 8 years as Vice President and President.

It is without doubt that, Dr. Bawumia has proven to be Solutions-oriented and remains committed to finding more solutions to Ghana’s challenges if giving the nod
as President in the December 2024 elections.

The Battle of Records:

There is no denying that there have been global economic challenges, and as a party, we recognize the hardship that this global tragedy has presented to all Ghanaians and the world at large.

It is, however, important to remember and highlight the many achievements of the NPP government in these seven years in constituencies and communities and to not allow anyone to rewrite the history of the previous NDC government. While we are confident, we don’t have to rely on confidence alone; the numbers clearly show that the NPP government has consistently outperformed the NDC government and that it has done so despite historically unmatched global challenges.

As we remind the public of our accomplishments, we clearly understand 2024 is more about the future of our country, and the vision Dr. Bawumia has for her.

The Battle of Effective Campaigning:

As we set out to campaign for the presidency and the future of this country, we stand united and
energized on a common platform.

It cannot be overstated how determined and hardworking our 276 parliamentary candidates and all our campaign teams, especially the Electoral Area and Polling Station campaign teams, are. We rely on them; we stand on their shoulders as we rise together. This party was built on the very idea of unity, and unity is what bonds us together as we build a future of possibilities for Mother Ghana.

The big issue for 2024 comes down to the two personalities. Which of the two main candidates will Ghanaians want as their next leader after 2024? The one who was given his chance and blew it through his incompetence or the one who has shown what he can do even as a Vice President and is now asking to also be given the opportunity to show what he can do as President? We are daring the main opposition Party to come to a debate on the two personalities.

Dr. Bawumia’s Campaign invites the Ghanaian voter to focus on the credibility and weight of the policies of each of the two foremost presiden
tial candidates – Bawumia and Mahama. In the next few months, the Bawumia campaign will humbly but decisively address all major issues facing our nation and how, with the current positive turnaround, he intends to consolidate the gains and tackle the outstanding issues head-on if given the mandate in December.

He will also be asking the crucial questions: Which of the two main candidates is saying anything for the sake of power and who is really plugged into what will deepen the transformation of Ghana? Who is equipped to address the employment needs of our young people, and make our private sector more competitive and profitable going into the future? Which of the two main candidates can guarantee the education of our children and the health of our parents.

These and many more questions will be asked and answered by our candidate, as he asks the Ghanaian people to elect him to the highest office in the land.

The maiden national campaign tour, which runs till the first week of June, will have Dr. Bawumia s
howcasing his innovative ideas for Ghanaians.

Dr. Bawumia will present what he terms ‘BOLD SOLUTIONS FOR OUR FUTURE’ to the nation.

Source: Ghana Web