Day: May 4, 2024

Teams of health workers will be going house-to-house from Friday 10th – Monday 13th May to marklate/vaccinate all eligible children.

Polio marklate/vaccine is the best strategy to prevent Polio in children.

Source: Sierra Leone News Agency

The chiefs and people of Papaase and surrounding farming communities in the Bia West District of the Western North Region have kicked against alleged plans by some individuals to undertake illegal mining activities, popularly known as ‘galamsey’ on the River Kantango.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Djangmah John Agboka, Sub-Chief Farmer at New Papaase, explained they had been reliably informed about the intentions of some persons to mine on their farmlands.

He, however, said all the chiefs and people in those areas had resolved to resist any attempt to undertake galamsey activities, which he added would destroy their cocoa farms, which had been their only source of livelihood.

He said: ‘We know that galamsey will bring harmful effects to our health, and also pollute the only stream in the area, Kantango, which serves as the only source of water to residents, so we will not allow such activity to happen here.’

Mr Agboka appealed to the Government through the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry to inte
rvene for them to ensure galamsey did not happen in the area.

Mr Louis Afful, Assembly Member for Elloukrom Electoral Area, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), indicated that Bia West was the only District in the region without galamsey, and that allowing it in the area would expose them to the health risk associated with the activity.

‘We are calling on traditional authorities behind the illegal mining activities to desist from such illegality in order not to incur the wrath of the community members,’ he added.

Some of the residents also told the GNA that they would do everything in their power not to allow galamsey activities in the area since it would destroy their cocoa farms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

…While AI offers transformative potential in healthcare, its integration into medical decision-making necessitates a nuanced understanding of its capabilities and pitfalls.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal player, offering unprecedented capabilities in enhancing medical decision-making. Its ability to distil insights from vast datasets presents a significant boon for medical professionals, promising to refine diagnoses, personalise treatments and streamline healthcare delivery.

Yet, as the healthcare sector increasingly interweaves with AI, it is imperative to navigate this terrain with a critical eye, acknowledging the technology’s limitations and the paramountcy of human oversight.

AI’s prowess lies in its capacity to analyse complex and voluminous data far beyond human capability. In oncology, for instance, AI systems have demonstrated remarkable proficiency in identifying patterns in imaging data, aiding in early cancer detection. A
study published in Nature Medicine reported an AI model that outperformed six radiologists in detecting breast cancer from mammograms, marking a significant milestone in AI-assisted diagnostics.

Similarly, in the realm of genomics, AI facilitates the interpretation of massive datasets to uncover genetic markers linked to diseases, thus enabling more tailored therapeutic strategies.

According to a report by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, AI-driven genomic analysis has significantly accelerated the identification of actionable mutations, enhancing precision medicine’s efficacy in oncology.

Yet, AI’s application extends beyond diagnostics and treatment planning. In predictive healthcare, AI algorithms analyse patient data to forecast health trajectories, assisting clinicians in preemptive care strategies.

For instance, AI models can predict patients’ risk of readmission, facilitating interventions that may prevent costly and distressing hospital returns. Research in the Journal of the American Me
dical Informatics Association highlights that AI-enabled predictive tools have reduced readmission rates by up to 25 percent in some settings, underscoring AI’s potential in preventive care.

However, the enthusiasm for AI’s promise must be tempered with vigilance over its potential pitfalls. Over-reliance on AI poses significant risks, particularly when it supplants, rather than supplements, human judgment. AI systems, despite their advanced analytics, lack the nuanced understanding and ethical reasoning inherent to medical professionals.

A stark reminder of AI’s fallibility emerged in a high-profile case where an AI system misinterpreted medical data, leading to inappropriate treatment recommendations. Such incidents underscore the necessity of human oversight in AI-assisted decision-making.

Moreover, AI systems are not immune to errors, particularly those stemming from biased or incomplete data. The risk of algorithmic bias, where AI perpetuates disparities present in its training data, is a pressing con
cern. An investigation published in Science revealed that an AI system exhibited racial bias in patient care recommendations, illustrating how AI can inadvertently exacerbate healthcare inequalities.

For AI to be a trusted ally in healthcare, its decision-making processes must be transparent and explainable. Clinicians need to understand the rationale behind AI-generated recommendations to integrate them judiciously into patient care. Unfortunately, many AI models, especially deep learning systems, operate as ‘black boxes’, offering limited insight into their internal workings.

The call for explainable AI is gaining momentum, with stakeholders advocating for models that elucidate their decision pathways. Transparency not only bolsters clinician trust in AI but also facilitates the identification and rectification of errors or biases within AI systems.

As we chart the course for AI in healthcare, a collaborative approach is paramount. Developers, healthcare providers, ethicists and policy-makers must join f
orces to ensure AI’s ethical and effective integration into medical decision-making. Rigorous validation of AI systems, continuous monitoring for adverse outcomes, and robust frameworks for accountability are essential to harness AI’s benefits while safeguarding against its risks.

AI harbours the potential to revolutionise medical decision-making, offering tools that augment human expertise and foster more nuanced, personalised and proactive healthcare. However, the journey to AI integration is fraught with complexities that demand careful navigation.

By upholding principles of transparency, accountability and human-centred design we can cultivate a healthcare ecosystem where AI serves as a reliable and valuable adjunct to medical professionalism, enhancing patient care while maintaining the human touch that lies at the heart of medicine. In this balanced embrace of innovation and prudence, AI can truly fulfil its promise as a transformative force in healthcare.

Source: Ghana Web

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Running Mate of the National Democratic Congress, has urged Public Relations (PR) professionals to navigate the media landscape with vigilance, emphasising the crucial role of fact-checking in an era of information overload.

Addressing PR experts during the national public relations and communications summit in Kwahu, she urged them to be extra vigilant in their work and prioritise the verification of information, to counteract misinformation and disinformation.

She further highlighted the importance of adopting responsible communication practices in the current explosive media environment.

Prof. Opoku-Agyeman stressed that with the abundance of information, it was more critical than ever for PR professionals to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content they disseminate.

She said as the public continued to grapple with the challenges posed by misinformation and information overload, the call to action served as a reminder of the vital role PR professionals
played in maintaining the integrity of information sharing.

She said by prioritising fact-checking and vigilance in their work, PR professionals would help combat the spread of false information and contribute to a more informed society.

‘Providing accurate information can be challenging in a politicised environment but I encourage you to strive for the truth and integrity in your practice,’ she added.

Mr Mawuko Afadzinu, the Immediate Past President of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana, highlighted the importance of adapting to new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the profession and status of PR practitioners.

He also emphasised that AI could bring significant efficiencies and allow practitioners to achieve more with less.

He said IPR Ghana’s primary objective was to offer a professional structure for the practice of public relations and elevate the abilities and standing of its members as expert professionals.

He noted that while AI can perform tasks requiring huma
n intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making, creativity remained the domain of humans.

‘By blending their expertise in public relations and communications with AI’s processing powers, professionals can elevate their practice,’ he said, adding, ‘Moreover, AI can help combat misinformation, disinformation, and information overload by tracking sentiment.’

The Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana organised the national summit alongside its Annual General Meeting drawing public relations and communication practitioners, and academics from both public and private sectors.

The event aimed to address pressing concerns in public relations, particularly in an era marked by widespread misinformation, disinformation, and information overload.

The three-day event, on the theme: ‘PR experience in the age of misinformation, disinformation and information overload,’ brought together industry experts, professionals, and stakeholders to discuss and share insights on navigating the complex la
ndscape of modern communication.

The summit provided a platform for participants to network and learn innovative practices, while the Annual General Meeting reviewed the previous year’s activities, reflected on them, and planned for 2024.

Source: Ghana News Agency

In 1997, two junior police officers were arraigned before the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal over a case of stealing.

Constable Fedelix Kwame Yebbi and Corporal Anthony Kwesi Avalifo were brought before the tribunal for allegedly stealing 100,000,000.00 million old cedis (now GHS10,000.00) belonging to the National Democratic Congress.

According to other details online, the money was said to have been stolen from the house of Dr. Obed Asamoah, then-Attorney General.

Further details said that the two policemen orchestrated the crime within a period of seven months, from September 1997 to April 1998, stealing the money in bits until it added up to 100 million old cedis.

In court, the two officers challenged the authority of the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal to hear their case.

In their argument, they said that “under Article 143(1) of the 1992 Constitution, a regional tribunal has jurisdiction to try such offences against the State and public interest as Parliament may by law prescribe.

But the off
ences they were facing could not be said to be against the State or public interest since the money involved was admitted to belong to a political party which obviously is not a state institution, neither is the theft of a political party’s money, an offence against public interest.

A Regional Tribunal can, therefore, not try such an offence. The prosecution sought to resist the objection by contending that once Parliament has exercised its discretion by enacting in the Court’s Act 1993 (Act 459) section 24(1) thereof that a regional tribunal has jurisdiction in all criminal matters, it follows that the tribunal was seised with jurisdiction in the matter.

“But the accused, in reply, submitted that section 24(1) of Act 459 is not consistent with Article 143(1) of the 1992 Constitution and consequently null and void. They supported their contention with the Court of Appeal’s decision in CA 16/97: Jonathan Dey vrs. The Republic February 12 1998 (unreported).”

However, the prosecution, after defending its c
ase with case laws from other jurisdictions that support its stance, concluded that the matter delves into national interest.

Details of the case, as published on studocu.com, said that it was eventually established that even though the money the two policemen stole was for the NDC, it involved aspects of the national interest.

“Accordingly, if the NDC alleges that its 100,000,000.00 had been stolen, the members of the party who are owners, therefore, are obviously interested in ensuring that those at fault are brought to book. The very fact that the theft affects directly the members of the party does not mean that no public interest exists in the theft. As already demonstrated, and further held in R. vrs. Sussex Confirming Authority, ex parte Tamplin and Sons Brewery (Brighton) Ltd. (1937) 4 All ER 106 at 112 per Justice Parcq:

“‘It is fallacious to say that a condition is not in the public interest, or may not be in the public interest if it is the case that a great many of those persons who constitut
e the public are not directly affected by it; and it is equally fallacious to say that a condition cannot be in the public interest if a great many members of the public neither know nor care anything about it,'” portions of the ruling said.

Additional information from a report published on GhanaWeb on Thursday, April 13, 2000, stated that the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision of five to nil, ruled on Wednesday, April 12, 2000, that the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal, hearing the case in which two policemen were charged with stealing 100 million old cedis belonging to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from the residence of the Attorney-General, Dr. Obed Asamoah, had full jurisdiction to hear the case.

The court, therefore, ordered the two accused persons, Constables Fedelix Kwame Yebbi and Anthony Kwesi Avalifo, to appear before the tribunal on April 18 for proceedings to continue.

The court was constituted by Mr. Justice A. K. B. Ampiah (presiding), Mr. Justice G. K. Acquah, Mr. Justice F. Y.
Kpegah, Mr. Justice E. D. K. Adjabeng and Ms. Justice S. A. B. Akuffo.

The ruling became necessary after the regional tribunal referred the case to the court for interpretation, when the accused persons raised an objection that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

The objection was raised on the grounds that the money which was allegedly stolen belonged to the NDC and not to the State, nor was the case of public interest. In its ruling, which was read by Mr. Justice Acquah, the court said the High Court has jurisdiction in all criminal matters, adding that the Courts Act makes provision that the Regional Tribunals have concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court in all criminal matters.

It said the NDC is a political party registered under the Political Parties Law and has satisfied all the conditions set for it to operate as a legal entity in the country even though it is not the State nor the public.

According to the court, although a political party is not the State, everything about it is
a matter of public interest. Therefore, stealing money belonging to a political party is of public interest since members of the party have the right to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

The two policemen were on guard duty at the residence of the Attorney General, Dr. Obed Asamoah, in 1997 and allegedly acted to dishonestly appropriate 100 million old cedis which belonged to the NDC and was being kept by Dr. Asamoah for disbursement in respect of party activities.

Mr. Anthony Gyambiby, Principal State Attorney, represented the Republic, while Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey (rtd), an Accra legal practitioner, represented the accused.

Source: Ghana Web

The Paramount Chief of Gwollu and a former member of the Council of State, Kuoro Kuri Buktie Limann IV has died.

Kuoro Abdul Rahman Kasim Baata, the Vice President of the Gwollu Traditional Council disclosed his death to the GNA in Gwollu on Saturday.

‘I wish to announce with deep sorrow the demise of the Paramount Chief of Gwollu, Kuoro Kuri Buktie Liman IV, whose sad incident took place on May 02, 2024, at about 1700 pm and he has since been buried according to custom,’ he said.

He said funeral arrangements would be announced later.

He said, ‘Usually, when a chief dies, you often see a lot of people from the family struggling to come around and seek leadership,’ and advised the public to note that it could disturb the unity of the family in this period of grief.

Kuoro Buktie Limann was enskined in 1998 after the death of his brother Dr Hilla Limann and occupied the seat until his demise in 2024.

PROFILE OF KUORU KURI-BUKTIE LIMANN IV, PARAMOUT CHIEF OF GWOLLU (1943-2024)

Kuoro Kuri-Buktie Limann IV w
as born on 22nd November 1943 at Gwollu in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region. He had Seven (7) children and two grand children.

EDUCATION RECORD

He attended the Tumu Primary School in 1948

The Wa Middle Boarding School in 1954

He was admitted into the Tamale Nursing Training School in the Northern Region in January 1961, and obtained the Ghana Qualified Registered Nurse Certificate in August 1964

He undertook the Rapid Results Correspondence Course College, London UK and passed the General Certificate of Education (GCE) O’Level (Private) in July 1969 and A’ level in November 1970-(Private).

He gained admission into the University of Ghana, Legon and obtained Certificate in Ward Management in Nursing in 1974.

Admitted into Radcliffe School of Nursing University of Oxford, Oxon. United Kindom in 1974 and obtained Diploma in Nursing-May1977

Awarded the Oxford Shire County Council Scholarship FOR: BACHELOR OF LAW DEGREE AND BAR COURSES IN THE (U.K.) and obtained:

i. The University of Lon
don Law Bachelor (L.L.B) Hons. London. (1977-1980)

ii. Admitted to do the English BarattheInn’s of Court School of Law-London (1980-81) and obtained the Utter Barrister at Law of England and Wales-July1981.

Was inducted into the Lincoln’s Inn of Court-August 1981 and became a Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister-at-Law, U.K and Wales.

NIGERIA:

Admitted into the Nigeria School of Law: 1982-83-Passed the Nigeria Bar Examination, and inducted into the Nigeria Barin July 1983 as a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1983.

GHANA:

i. Completed the Ghana School of Law Supplementary Course (January 1994 September 1994) and Inducted as Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana

ii. Returned to Ghana from Nigeria in April 1998 after 16 years Law Practice in April 1998 and was enskinned and installed the Gwollu Paramount Chief as Limann IV of the Gwollu Paramountcy in the Sissala West District of Upper West Region on 18th April 1998.

iii. Awarded
the Judicial Notary Public-Ghana Judicial Services and was inducted in May 2007 by the Chief Justice of Ghana as NOTARYPUBLIC of Ghana.

LEGAL PRACTICE-RECORD

U.K

I. GraysInn U.K (1981-1982) as Barrister-at-Law, -England and Wales

NIGERIA ii. Akinjide and CoLegal Practitioners Lagos, Federal Republic Nigeria, (1983-1984)

iii. Principal Partner: J.B Limann and Co Barristers-at-Law and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Lincoln Chambers, Lagos. (1984-1998)

GHANA

iv. Principal Partner: Limann Law Consult and Associates, Barristers-at-Law and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Ghana, England and Wales, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

OTHER IMPORTANT POSITIONS HELD

i. General Secretary: Ghana Registered Nurses Association-1974

ii. Executive Chairman: Gwollu Heritage Museum and Tourism Centre-1998-2024

iii. General Secretary: The Northern Ghana Students Union of Great Britain and Ireland 1978-1981

iv. National Chairman of Ghana Cotton Farmers Associatio
n (1999-2004)

v. Member of Ghana Food and Drugs Board-(2004-2007)

vi. Elected in February 2005 as Member of Ghana Council of State- (2005-2008) for Upper West Region.

vii. Member of Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 2006-2024

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

I. Member: Ghana Registered Nurses Association.

II. General Secretary Ghana Registered Nurses Association-1974.

III. Member: Registered Nurse of England and Wales-U.K…1977 IV. Member: GhanaBarAssociation1994.

V. Member: The Federal Republic of Nigeria Bar Association1983.

VI. Member: Utter Barrister of Lincoln’Inn and Barrister of the Supreme Court of England and Wales-U. K1981.

VII. ANotary Public of Ghana Judicial Services 2007.

J, CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS

i. Paramount Chief of Gwollu Traditional Area U.W.R-18th April 1998 to date. ii. Member of Regional House of Chiefs 1998 Wa-U.W. R¬¬¬¬-to Present.

iii. President Upper West Regional House of Chiefs Wa-U.W. R¬-September 2004- November 2008.

iv. Member of National House of Chiefs, Nove
mber 1998 to date.

v. Chairman of National House of Chiefs, Judicial Panel-Kumasi (2000-2004).

Vi) FARMER with AGROPRODUCT PROCCESING INTERESTS

VII. Cotton Farmer-Chairman Ghana National Farmers’ Association

Agro-Shea-Nuts, Groundnuts, Cotton and Sunflower Seeds Processing into edible Oil for local Consumption and for Exports Since 2005. Business registered with Ministry of Trade and Industry.

viii) Selected Takhilla Farms Estate Limited by M.O.T.I in 2017 as One-District-One Factory (1D1F) to process Shea Nuts, Groundnuts for Joint Partnership to establish an

Oil Refinery in the Sissala West District and to add value to them for export to AFRICA

Market and for local consumptions, and for the instituting the creation of the Dr. Hilla Limann Senior High School-Gwollu, U.W.R

Has been instrumental since becoming the Paramount Chief in 1998, in the Creation of the new Sissala West District in the Upper West Region, and in matters of Health, Energy, Water and Sanitation Development in the Gwollu, Param
ountcy and the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region, Ghana.

PUBLICATIONS

I. Streamlining the Nursing Profession in Ghana-September 1973

ii. Ward Management in Hospital -June1974.

iii. The Alleged Policy of free Education in Northern-Ghana; -Reaction of the Northern Ghana Students in Great Britain and Ireland 1980.

v. The impact of British Legislative Instrument on Land Tenure in (Northern Territories) Northern Regions of Ghana 1980.

vi. The Right to REPARATION for the Trans-Atlantic Chattel Enslavement of Ghanaian

Victims between 15th to 19th centuries under the 2001 United Nations Human Right Commission Declaration-2006. (GERRF) Ghana Enslavement Reparation and Repatriation Foundation.

Viii. The Executive Chairman of Takhilla Farms Estate Nuts Seed’s Oils limited.

GHANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and INDUSTRY DELEGATIONS THAT VISITED CHINA and INDIA

i) Member of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Delegation that visited China for Africa-China to the S.M.E Development for
um and Trade Fair-Oct 2008.

ii) Member of Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry Delegation that was invited to the S.M. E at Exportech Project Fair by the M.Pof Gwailor State of India 18-21st January 2013.

iii. Member of Ghana Cotton Development Authority, April 2010-2015.

Iv. Member of the Upper West Regional Peace Committee, 2015-2018.

V. Member of Upper West Regional Mental Health Committee, 2015-2017.

vi. Member of the Association of Ghana Industries, since 2015.

viii. Member of the Upper West Regional Health Council, 2016-2020.

ix. Awarded CITATION of the Northern Ghana National Achievers Award, October 2016, at Tamale-N/R by the Northern Youth for Peace and Development (NYUPED).

x. Gwollu Paramountcy; President of the Gwollu Traditional Council-Since April 18, 1998, to date.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Eight years ago, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), under the political supervision of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, seized the Ghanaian electorate to its advantage and cruised to an easy and landslide victory in the 2016 general election.

The enormous goodwill and optimism that heralded the NPP into political office were totally and utterly uncompromising.

Now, after two successive terms in power, there is sentiment everywhere that speaks to the fact that the NPP is fast losing its mountain of support, demographic appeal, and political creditworthiness.

Of course, the season of apparent peace and goodwill that the NPP enjoys has fast eroded and faded away, and the party’s legendary ability to survive serious scrapes and scandals has completely been exhausted.

Yes, I’d even say that the NPP’s current relationship with the Ghanaian voter can be likened to a couple heading for divorce, glaring at each other over breakfast, where even the sound of the milk on the cornflakes is a source of irritation.

Even among
the most ardent supporters and sympathizers, fatigue is creeping in. So much so that the NPP has lost its compliant media, which used to promote its governing flaws and misdemeanors.

If you are in doubt, check the results of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections and the by-elections in Kumawu, Assin-North, and Ejisu.

It is sad, exhausting, and dreadfully demoralizing that it has come to this, but here we are – At the current rate, it does appear that the NPP cannot survive the 2024 general elections – Yes, the party simply can’t survive on the back of votes they’re fast losing in droves.

In truth though, the malaise is more about NPP’s own tactical shortcomings – And in fairness, Dr. Bawumia has the chance to change the narrative for the NPP by narrowing down on a running mate who will help restore the faith of at least some of the party’s own support base and give them something to hope for.

Objectively, the public appears to have seen enough of the NPP, and the only way to change the narrati
ve is for Dr. Bawumia to show voters that his party is worth a fresh hearing by delivering on a presidential running mate that would offer the party political stability required to ensure victory in election 2024.

Whichever way you look at it, a party heading into a difficult election should not be floating ideas designed to alienate voters. Which is why the NPP needs to get off the merry-go-round and get its posterior in gear.

Party folks and election watchers know all the caveats, to which I can add that the only hope of the NPP avoiding the political abyss is to have an out-and-out campaigner on the ticket with Bawumia.

The Minister of Agriculture, Hon Bryan Acheampong readily comes to mind – He has shown time without number that there are still standards in public life and proved himself a contender for the job.

Bryan’s political journey from Abetifi as a Member of Parliament to President Akufo-Addo’s Cabinet, not to mention his charismatic politics, and the unusual dynamics of the 2024 race set him a
part from anyone else Bawumia might consider.

Think about his executive experience: eight years as MP, four years as Minister of State at the Ministry of Interior, two-and-a-half years as Minister of Agriculture. No one else has that much executive experience, and it’s not just years, in his case. It’s what he has accomplished in those years that, I think, makes it impressive.

In a presidential race in which sharper demographic considerations appear to be the crucial battleground, Bryan Acheampong’s profile represents a welcome complement to Bawumia.

And oh yes, within the major Akan demographic swath stretching from Bryan’s native Eastern Region to his royal lineage from the Ayensua Kokoo Asoma Abusua royal gate in Offinso Kayera in the Ashanti Region are fertile electoral areas representing massive votes that rate as potential toss-ups in the forthcoming general elections.

Additionally, Bryan’s successful business and political career and willing champion for the downtrodden could have an even more prof
ound effect on Bawumia’s prospects in the forthcoming elections, while the goodwill he has built up over the years as an entrepreneur and philanthropist may provide additional boosts in electorally vital swing regions.

Bryan is a fighter, and he can grab the attention of a lot of ordinary people, who genuinely think he is a different breed of a politician.

Matter of fact, Bryan has the intellect, temperament, wisdom, and leadership ability to bring people together. I trust him fully to use his experience to make the right decisions and always put the interests of the people ahead of his own needs. He will also unleash fresh energy and bring on board decisive leadership.

The majority of Ghanaians are looking for change in electing our next president, but there is no agreement on what that change might look like. In my experience, there are two ways to create change: blow the system up and start over, or work diligently for change from within.

Real change is genuinely hard work and must come from within. Th
is is where Bryan Acheampong excels. Everyone who has worked with him – people from both sides of the political aisle – has come to admire his work ethic and his ability to create positive action. Bryan realizes change by working with all sides and across the aisle to reach compromises that serve the greater good. This kind of change is never glamorous, but it is the only way to make meaningful progress.

Again, Bryan’s record of creating improvements in social protection and equality for all is exceptional – He could sway half the population – He has the potential, the right conservative ideas, and self-confidence to do the job.

In all honesty, Bryan Acheampong is the most qualified and most experienced person ever to be linked to the job – He’s practical and actually knows how to get things done. He’d be great at anything, and certainly, he’d make a great vice president.

Serious leadership requires a commitment to addressing real challenges, not just playing to the extremes.

Bryan Acheampong has the expe
rience to tackle pressing challenges. Give him the job and save the NPP from disaster in 2024.

I shall return.

Source: Ghana Web

Mrs Linda Asante, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has announced that the citizenry will in the coming weeks begin to exchange their old cylinders for new cylinders under the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM).

Mrs Asante said in line with that, the citizens would begin to see cages in their communities where they would access Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) without having to travel long distances.

She announced this at a town hall meeting organised in Tamale by the NPA to educate members of the public on the CRM and the safe use of LPG in general as well as the need for them to switch from firewood and charcoal to LPG.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service took attendees through safe use of LPG and how to extinguish flames in case of fire.

In September last year, the NPA announced the full roll-out of the CRM throughout the country and issued licenses to various service providers to begin the installation of Cylinder Exchange Points and infrastructure for the dis
tribution of LPG.

The CRM is a mode of distribution of LPG particularly for household use where Bottling Plants own cylinders, refill the cylinders, and distribute them through LPG marketing companies, who operate Cylinder Exchange Points.

Under this model, consumers do not own cylinders, and anyone, who wishes to use LPG, can just walk to a Cylinder Exchange Point, register, and gain access to cylinder to use, and only pay for the LPG.

Mrs Asante said, ‘The CRM is an efficient mode of distribution of LPG as it brings LPG closer to consumers, addresses safety issues and creates more jobs for our people as the value chain expands.’

She said ‘Government is aware that the cost of LPG affects its usage. Considering the price of LPG, is key in increasing consumption of LPG, the NPA has implemented some strategies to ensure that there is no huge jump in the price of LPG due to the implementation of the CRM.’

She mentioned that ‘A Tender Programme has been implemented to reduce the premium on our purchase of LP
G and the savings made (over $70/mt) have absorbed the cost that CRM brings ($80/mt for investment in cylinders and bottling plants).’

She added that ‘We are not stopping there. We are still engaging the Ministry of Finance to consider the removal of certain taxes to reduce the price of LPG to make it affordable to all.’

Attendees sought clarifications on the ownership of cylinders, affordability of LPG and accessibility to exchange points.

Source: Ghana News Agency