Ghana’s referee Laryea selected for FIFA World Cup qualifier


Ghana’s Daniel Nii Laryea will be the centre referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Mauritania and Sudan in Nouakchott.

The 36-year-old who is number one on Ghana’s elite FIFA Referees list would be assisted by Kwasi Acheampong Brobbey (Assistant I), Roland Nii Dodoo Addy (Assistant II) and Charles Benle Bulu (Fourth Official).

The Referee Assessor would be Manuel Candido Inacio from Angola, while Dahani Moussa from Burkina Faso would serve as the Match Commissioner.

The game is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya in Nouakchott.

Laryea has been heavily involved in the ongoing CAF Interclub competitions as he was the Video Assistant Referee for last month’s TotalEnergies Champions League semifinal clash between TP Mazembe and Al Ahly SC.

He was also very active during the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire where he worked as Centre Referee and a Video Assistant Referee.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Limited Registration: Sunyani East MP calls on political parties to support EC compile credible register


Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East has inspected the progress of the Electoral Commission (EC) limited voter registration exercise in the constituency and called on political parties to support the commission in compiling a credible register.

That would facilitate and guarantee credibility in the Election 2024 and to the satisfaction of all election stakeholders.

Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh, also the Board Chairman of the Bui Power Authority, and the managers of the Bui Generating Station said the various political parties could do this if they avoided tendencies that could mar the registration process.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, the outspoken MP and a legal luminary said the EC needed a peaceful atmosphere, devoid of unnecessary interferences and intimidation to undertake the registration exercise.

He said with an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, the nation’s electoral management body would be able to compile a more reliable register for the
nation to sail through a peaceful election on December 7 and consolidate the gains of Ghana’s fledgling democracy.

The MP said he was satisfied with the registration process in the constituency so far and the way and manner the political parties had conducted themselves, and expressed optimism that the registration exercise would be peaceful and successful in the constituency.

Meanwhile, the scene at the premises of the Sunyani Municipal Office of the EC was worthy of emulation, when Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh met with Mr Seid Mubarak, the National Democratic Congress Election 2024 parliamentary candidate at the registration centre.

It was an interesting and humorous scene when the two political opponents and their followers who had arrived at the centre exhibited a high sense of political maturity and civility.

They exchanged pleasantries, embraced and teased each other, and cracked jokes to the amazement of the unsuspecting applicants and potential voters.

Some of the applicants who were in the queue, however,
told the GNA they were indeed surprised about the cordiality that existed between the two parliamentary candidates and their followers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Chief appeals for construction of road and market centre


Pinda Pio, Pe Ernest Abachogelogo Ajuayipe II, the Divisional Chief of the Pindaa Traditional Area in the Kassena Nankana Municipality has appealed for infrastructure development in the area to improve the living conditions of the people.

He said areas of major concern needing urgent support included the construction of the road linking Pinda and Navrongo, Pinda and Paga as well as Pinda linking the Paga border to boost economic activities.

Other areas he mentioned are the expansion of the Pinda dam for dry season farming and providing a Senior High School to absorb children from the Pinda Junior High School to improve educational standards.

Pe Ajuayipe told the GNA on Tuesday that the community members engage in commercial farming activities producing pepper, tomato, groundnuts and cereals but lack of a market centre and bad roads hinders productivity.

He explained that the entire Pinda enclave had the potential for farming to feed the Upper East and other regions due to the available vast virgin lands.

H
e said because there was not a market centre in the area, traders come from Navrongo, Paga and Bolga to Pinda to dictate low prices to farmers who had no choice or other alternatives.

Pe Ajuayipe said the fast-developing nature of Pinda required the provision of the needed basic amenities including improvement in the existing facilities such as the health centre and schools.

‘I am appealing to the government through the Kassena Nankana Municipal Assembly to help construct a market for us so that a designated market day will be set to ensure our farmers are able to sell their products’, he said.

‘I also appeal to the Assembly and the Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central to come together to see how best they can help us with at least a Day Senior High School so that our children don’t have to trek long distances to Navrongo or Paga for Secondary school education’, he said.

He said though Pinda was a border community, there was no police post saying, ‘Measures should also be put in place to give us a po
lice post’.

Mr Joseph Adongo, the Kassena Nankana Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) told the GNA that he would speak with the Municipal Education Directorate for advice for the provision of a Community Day Senior High School.

‘I will also liaise with the Pinda chief, contact development partners to assist the assembly to construct the market and the expansion of the dam’, he promised.

Source: Ghana News Agency

NDC Parliamentary Aspirant urges more education on limited registration exercise


Mr Edem Kofi Kpotosu, Ho Central Parliamentary Aspirant for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for rigorous voter registration education to encourage eligible citizens to register.

He stated that the low turnout at some registration centres could be attributed to a lack of education, emphasising the need to increase educational efforts to pique the interest of new applicants in participating in the exercise.

Mr Kpotosu said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency while visiting the Ho Municipal Electoral Commission’s office to observe the registration exercise.

The aspirant asked the government to adequately resource the National Commission for Civic Education so that it could effectively carry out its mandate of educating the public.

He urged everyone of voting age to visit the registration centres and get their names added to the electoral roll, saying that voting in national elections is a civic duty for all eligible citizens.

Mr Kpotosu was happy with the peaceful atmosphere th
at characterised the exercise thus far, and he hoped that the tranquil environment would be preserved to the very end.

Nana Oduro Numapau, Ho Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission, informed GNA that there was a high level of stakeholder participation in the exercise and commended party agents for their cooperation.

He said 17 applicants were challenged because they were either foreign nationals or minors.

Source: Ghana News Agency

NCCE engages St. Catherine SHS Students on Limited Voter Registration exercise


Mr. Seth Fiagorme, the Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the South Tongu District, has engaged students of St. Catherine Senior High School on the ongoing limited voter registration exercise in the country.

The event took place at the school’s auditorium in Agbakope, where Mr. Fiagorme seized the opportunity to urge students to utilize the four-day break granted by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to register for their voter ID cards.

Addressing the students, Mr. Fiagorme emphasized the importance of civic participation and highlighted that the ongoing limited voter registration exercise, which commenced on May 7, 2024, would span 21 days, providing ample time for eligible citizens to register.

He mentioned that the four-day break would empower students aged 18 and above to exercise their democratic rights to vote.

Mr. Fiagorme elucidated the logistics of the registration process, noting that the registration centres would be set up not only at the district office but also
in two remote communities within the South Tongu District.

He advised students to come prepared with either a Ghana card or two guarantors to facilitate the registration process smoothly.

The NCCE Director also distributed copies of the 1992 constitution to the students and urged them to delve into its contents regularly to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and actively safeguard the democratic principles enshrined within.

Some of the students told the Ghana News Agency that they would strictly adhere to procedures to get themselves registered by the Electoral Commission to vote in the upcoming general elections.

Source: Ghana News Agency

National Theatre pledges support for Afronita, performing arts professionals


Mrs Amy Frimpong, Executive Director of the National Theatre of Ghana, has offered the theatre’s support to dancer Afronita, who recently performed admirably at the Britain’s Got Talent auditions.

She said the Theatre, which oversees dance as one of the performing arts sectors, will provide facilities to enable the budding star to sharpen her skills and support other professionals in the field.

‘Our doors are open to as many professionals in the performing arts who are interested in our assistance to project their works. That is what the National Theatre does for Ghanaians,’ she said.

Mrs Frimpong stated this when the National Theatre and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture hosted Afronita, known officially as Danita Akosua Adoma, returned from the Britain’s Got Talent auditions.

Afronita and her protégé Abigail Adjiri made an astounding debut on the world-famous talent platform’s auditions early last week, receiving a standing ovation from the judges, including Simon Cowell, and the audience as wel
l.

Abigail, a hearing-impaired child, was able to dance her heart out with her mentor, Afronita. They waved the Ghana flag on stage while dressed colourfully in Kente-inspired clothes.

Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Minister-designate for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, hosted Afronita at the Ministry offices on Friday, May 10, 2024.

He was supported by the Deputy Minister, Mr Mark Okraku Mantey, and Mrs Frimpong.

Also present at the meeting were Mansa Williams, a Board Member of the National Theatre, Dr. Fio of the National Commission on Culture (NCC) and staff of the Ministry.

Abigail had gone back to school to write her examinations at the time of the visit, but Mr Mercer said he was ready to meet her as soon as she finished.

The Minister-Designate commended Afronita on her bold decision to display her talents on the global stage with Abigail and pledged support for various stakeholders in the creative arts industry.

Afronita spoke on her experience, stating that making it to the world stage was a dream come
true for her and Abigail.

Judge Bruno on the show rated the two dancers’ choreography as ‘world-class.’

‘…You are two of the most fantastic dancers we have ever had on Britain’s Got Talent.’ Another judge, Amanda, added.

Judge Simon Cowell rated the performance as one of his ‘favourite auditions of the year.’

Afronita is a Level 300 student at the University of Ghana. She has established her own dance studio and trains young dancers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Newmont donates medical equipment to KBTH Children’s ward


Newmont Africa has donated medical equipment worth over GHS 129,000 to the Children’s Ward of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to enhance the quality of healthcare.

A statement issued by Newmont Africa said the equipment donated were a Mobile Portable Electric Suction Machine, a Promedic Pulse Oximeter, 10L, 40L, and 50L oxygen cylinders, and food warmers, among others.

It quoted the Head of Safety and Sustainability at Newmont’s Business Unit in Africa, Mr Ashley Armarego, to have said the gesture formed part of the company’s commitment to the safety and well-being of not just its workforce but the broader community.

‘It is also a result of our cross-functional collaboration, and I am happy that the company continues to make a difference in the lives of people through its operations.

‘I am proud of the team’s dedication to the well-being of the communities in which we operate,’ he said.

Armarego said safety was Newmont’s utmost priority and at the core of its operations and ‘it is on the back of this that
we extend this value beyond our walls into our host communities.’

‘Supporting the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital’s Children’s Ward is one of the many things that give Newmont’s purpose its essence’.

The statement said Dr Taiba Jibril Afaa, Acting Head of the Department for the children’s Ward, thanked Newmont for the gesture, adding it was timely and would significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to offer quality treatment to the children in their care.

‘We want to express our sincere thanks to Newmont for their generous support during this time of oxygen shortage.

The items provided will be put to good use, and we look forward to building a strong relationship with Newmont in future,’ She added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Oncology Nurse Specialist encourages men to go for breast cancer screening


Mrs Gifty Sarfo Annan, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Tamale Teaching Hospital has underscored the need for men to periodically undertake medical screening on breast cancer to know their status.

She said this would ensure early detection and treatment and reduce any medical complications associated with the disease.

Mrs Annan said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on the sidelines of an event organised to sensitise and screen members of blind and deaf community of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) on breast cancer.

Mrs Annan said contrary to misconceptions that breast cancer could only be identified with women, it was critical for members of the public to know that the disease was on a rise among men.

She said ‘Breast cancer does not discriminate. Both men and women must show interest in screening to enhance early detection and treatment.’

She emphasised that ‘World Health Organization reports that about 0.5 to one per cent of men are likely to get breast
cancer, which means that if you take about one thousand men, one of them is likely to have breast cancer.’

The event was organised by Cancer Care for Humanity International, an NGO, which is committed to enhancing awareness creation on cervical and breast cancer.

It was also used to commemorate this year’s Mother’s Day.

Mrs Annan was worried that though the exercise was meant for both genders, men did not show up for the exercise because of the misconception about breast cancer.

She emphasised that the disease was treatable and encouraged both men and women to avoid self-medication and rather seek early medical attention.

Madam Abubakari Sahadatu Nimatu, Northern Regional President of GFD praised Cancer Care for Humanity International for the exercise, and expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would help minimise breast cancer cases amongst them.

Source: Ghana News Agency