Day: June 20, 2024

Miss Glory Emmanuella Appiah, National Coordinator of Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM), has called on political parties to include climate agendas in their manifesto as part of the upcoming 2024 elections to combat climate crisis.

She said climate issues had become an increasingly complex subject around the world, especially in Ghana, where the environment had been affected by many human activities such as illegal mining, bush fires and cutting down of trees.

Miss Appiah made the call at the Climate for Peace Dialogue and Kokuromotie for Climate Awards in Accra.

This, she said, government must prioritize environmental protection and invest to create awareness to prevent or improvise these activities to protect the planet for survival.

She said by putting climate actions in their manifesto, it would enable them implement these activities in one way or the another and also allow citizens to hold them accountable to fight climate change.

‘We must and ask for a green Ghana from our politicians and t
ask them for its implementation,’ she added.

She said the increase of food prices lied on the effect of climate change, however, practicing environmental protection would help preserve the lands for farming.

The National Coordinator said most of Ghana’s economic crisis were mostly caused by climate change, stressing on the need to protect farms, build storage facilities and improve upon processing industries.

Miss Appiah urged the youth to hold political leaders, especially Members of Parliament accountable on climate change actions, adding that the youth must take up mandates to educate communities on these.

Miss Efua Nyamekye Appiah of the Youth Climate Council, reminded the youth that the sustainable development of the lied in their hands, saying they must be vigilant and steadfast against climate crisis.

She urged the youth to move to the communities and educate young people on effects of climate change on the country and the world as a whole.

She said excessive burning, fumes from vehicles and smok
es from industrial plants were common among depletion of the ozone layer, causing excessive heat and un-uniform temperatures, hence, we must curtail or minimize bush burning and recycle waste materials.

She said climate change should be introduced in the country’s educational curriculum for effective empowerment among students and youth.

She said there should be incentives for climate change fighters to enable them advance their advocacy to attain large numbers of climate protectors.

GYEM called on government to prioritise climate change in their policies and ensure budget allocations to fight the rising of global warming.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, a veteran journalist has asked the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to live up to its responsibilities by ensuring the practice of ethical and responsible journalism in the Ghanaian media space.

He has also urged the National Media Commission to strengthen its regulatory role to promote sanity and professionalism in journalism practice.

Speaking at a public lecture in Kumasi to mark the 75th anniversary of GJA, Ambassador Blay-Amihere, who is also a former President of GJA, said it was important for the two institutions to restore decency, respect and sanity in the country’s media space.

The anniversary lecture which was jointly organised by the Department of Language and Communication Science of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the GJA, was on the theme, ’75 years of excellence in Journalism; honouring the past and embracing the present’.

Mr Blay-Amihere, pointed out that, capacity building and skills training of journalists GJA must be of para
mount concern to the association to help promote responsible press that would culminate in the sustenance of press freedom in the country.

He said advancement in science and technology had posed greater challenge to journalism practice.

Skills training and development for journalists must be important, adding that, the GJA must help always broaden the horizon of its members.

Mr Blay-Amihere also spoke against attacks on journalists and said infractions and unprovoked attacks on journalists must also be addressed by the association.

He called for an independent GJA and lauded the media for its immense contributions and impact to democratic governance and development in the country.

He said the electoral history of the country, had benefited from the media, which had held successive governments accountable.

Ms Linda Asante Agyei, Vice President for GJA, said the lecture would yield tremendous benefits for the communication students at KNUST and the University as a whole.

She said the GJA Awards for this
year, was currently opened for submission and entry and urged the Communication students to participate.

She said it would help the students pursue excellence in journalism and create more opportunities for them.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prof Samuel Kojo Kwofie, Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Ghana, has urged the government to set aside a percentage of the country’s budget for artificial intelligence development. He said such an investment would enhance healthcare, close the healthcare gap between the rural and urban communities and reduce poverty.

‘Government, corporate institutions and funding agencies need to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) training, research and technology development to improve health and alleviate poverty,’ he said.

Prof Kwofie made the call during a virtual discussion on the topic of ‘Artificial Intelligence in Health and Poverty alleviation.’ The US Embassy in Ghana, in partnership with the American Spaces and Mobile Web Ghana, organised the session.

Prof Kwofie, who also works as a bioinformatician at the University of Ghana’s West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), explained that his research group has merged artificial intelligence (AI) with con
siderable biomedical data to create several open-source applications, such as TubPred and EBOLApred.

EBOLApred and TubPred support the search for new cures for diseases, cancers, and the Ebola virus. Another noteworthy advancement was the creation of BuDb, the first Buruli ulcer drug discovery database.

In collaboration with Prof. Michael Wilson at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and other researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, they submitted a patent application for Mycolactone, a potential COVID-19 treatment.

His team’s ongoing research also involves developing applications for regenerative AI and diagnosis using medical images.

Prof. Kwofie said the significant investment in artificial intelligence had backed the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To buttress his assertions, he highlighted key results from his research and publications on AI and health, mentioning robust infrastructure, supportive policies, and the establishment of AI ethics
review committees as a comprehensive strategy for maximizing AI’s potential in Africa.

Prof. Kwofie called for the establishment of a National Data Centre and a West African network for data-driven AI applications, as well as the creation of a National AI Network (NAIN) with centres of excellence across various institutions.

Among the other key points, he raised was the necessity of training, scholarships, and efficient intellectual property and technology transfer mechanisms as vital success factors, as well as the development of an AI technology ecosystem that includes incubators, start-ups, and a National Centre for High-Performance Computing (NCHPC).

Prof. Kwofie said the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has estimated that artificial intelligence (AI) could boost the continent’s GDP by up to $1.2 trillion by 2030, or 5.6 per cent more than current levels. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs has projected that global AI investment will reach $200 billion by 2025.

Given Africa’s unique linguistic terrain and v
arying levels of digital illiteracy, he called for culturally and contextually appropriate AI solutions, noting the enormous financial opportunities within the industry with potential benefits for poverty alleviation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The police have not yet received the Bill of Indictment in the case of Nana Barima Ababio, also known as Benlord Ababio, who allegedly shot and killed a soldier over a land dispute at Kasoa.

Upon receipt, the Bill of Indictment would be served on the accused and the court. It would also enable the court to commence committal proceedings for the defendants to stand trial at the High Court.

Detective Inspector Samuel Adu Berchie told the court that the accused, namely Benlord Ababio and Nana Amo Kofi Kwakye, were not brought to court on Thursday because of security reasons.

The prosecution said that the police received information that the deceased soldier’s family planned to storm the courtroom while he was being laid to rest today.

The court therefore adjourned the matter to July 4, 2024.

It also ordered the police to release the deceased’s vehicle to his family.

Benlord, a self-styled traditional ruler, and Kwakye have been put before the Achimota District Court for their alleged involvement in the mur
der of Lance Corporal Michael Danso.

When the police forwarded the docket to the Attorney General’s office for advice, it recommended that Benlord be charged with murder.

The Attorney General further recommended that Benlord and Kwakye be charged jointly with conspiracy.

The court has, however, preserved their pleas.

The prosecution’s case was that on April 30, 2024, at around 1600 hours, Lance Corporal Michael Danso and two colleagues, Lance Corporals Abdul Omar Rahman and Ametus Matthew, drove to Millenium City Police Station in a Toyota RAV4 vehicle to report a trespass.

They were informed that some encroachers were developing a parcel of land belonging to Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman.

Benlord appeared at the police station, attacked, and opened fire on Lance Corporal Michael Danso, who was driving the vehicle, killing him instantly.

Benlord was disarmed by the police and arrested for investigations.

The police later arrested Kwakye after running investigations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

MTN Ghana, the market leader in mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, has received nine prestigious awards at the 2024 Ghana Information Technology and Telecoms Awards (GITTA) held in Accra.

A Statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, and signed by Adwoa Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, said MTN received awards in the following award categories including; Best Digital Transformation Company of the Year, Enterprise Innovation Platform of the Year – MTN Chenosis, Digital Experience in Customer Service (MTN Viibe Video), Network Team of the Year, Best Company in Sustainability and Best Workplace in Technology.

It said two executives of MTN were also recognised for their contributions to the growth of the telecoms industry, stating that, Mr Thomas Motlepa, Chief Technical Officer, received Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of the Year Award for employing modern technology in ensuring stability and connectivity on MTN’s Network.

Mr Dario Bianchi, Chief Digital Officer, re
ceived Digital Personality of the Year Award for his transformation and innovative digital services and channels like myMTN and MTN Eshop Apps, and platforms such as Ayoba, Chenosis leading to MTN Ghana’s digital growth.

The statement said, Mr Selorm Adadevoh, Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, was awarded Telecom CEO of the Year for his remarkable achievements during his tenure as CEO of MTN Ghana.

Commenting on the awards, Mr Stephen Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana, congratulated the team for their4 stellar performance in all areas of the business. He said, ‘this is great news and evidence of the good work we are doing as a business.’

‘Our customers made this feat possible and I look forward to delivering on our commitment to delight and brighten their lives with innovative products and excellent customer experience’, he added.

He commended the winners for an outstanding leadership and making the telecommunication industry proud.

‘MTN Ghana is on record for consistently winning the most award
s since its participation in GITTA,’ the statement said.

GITTA Awards is an annual event dedicated to recognising, rewarding, showcasing ICT initiatives that are driving innovation in Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has empowered pupils of some basic schools in the Garu District of the Upper East Region to be agents of peace ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The pupils were from Garu Day Senior High School, Denugu Junior High School and Siisi JHS.

The move by the Commission was to ensure that the pupils were involved in democratic governance, act as agents of change for accelerated development and contribute significantly to protecting the prevailing peace in their communities.

The Commission engaged the pupils in Garu as part of the celebration of this year’s Citizenship Week on the theme ‘Children, let’s build Ghana together’ and aimed to use public figures considered role models, to influence the life of the children positively and enable them to become good citizens.

Some of the personalities used by the NCCE to interact and impart virtues of good citizenship were representatives of the Garu District Court, Ghana Education Service, Information Services Departm
ent, CAMFED, Garu District Assembly and the Business Advocacy Centre.

Speaking to the pupils, Mr Samuel Akolgo, the Garu District Director, NCCE, said the mandate of the Commission was to create and sustain awareness of the principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution in the citizenry, to enhance participation and development.

He said ‘Children are a source of vitality and a remarkable gift to every society as the future leaders and catalyst for peacebuilding, it is important to engage them early.

‘They can be powerful agents of change in promoting peaceful elections by educating themselves and others, advocating for peace, engaging in community activities and modelling peaceful behaviour to contribute to a more peaceful and democratic society.’

He urged the children to engage their peers, families, schools, and communities to promote peaceful dialogue, respect for diversity, and use non-violent means to resolve conflict, as a way to promote peace during Election 2024.

On his part, Mr. Thomas Boadi
Soyori, the Garu District Court Judge, explained that Ghana was a beautiful country with a rich history and diverse culture and there was a need for a culture of political tolerance to sustain the peace the country currently was enjoying.

‘You must understand that our differences make us unique and special and we come from different backgrounds, speak different languages, and have different beliefs, but we are all Ghanaians.

‘Children we must respect each other’s opinions and work towards a common goal of building a better Ghana. It is our responsibility as young citizens to get involved in the development of our country. We can do this by participating in community projects, volunteering, and being informed about the issues that affect our country. We must also encourage our friends and family to do the same,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) through the Department of Gender has organised a dialogue session on ending child marriage and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

It was organised with funding from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Canadian Government to sensitise participants on their role in reducing GBV, the child marriage legal framework and the implications on the mental health of the child.

The workshop brought together identifiable groups such as Okada riders, apprentices of garage operators and Unit Committee Members at Medie in the Ga West Municipal Assembly between the ages of 18 and 60 years.

Madam Matilda Banfro, the Greater Accra Regional Director, Department of Gender, said marriage must be consensual and parties must be of age.

She said child marriage occurred when either of the partners was below 18 years.

Madam Banfro said research showed that child bride rate in the Greater Accra Region was 11 per cent.

The Regional Director said girls in the rural areas w
ere twice more likely to be child brides.

Madam Banfro acknowledged that there were legal frameworks which prohibited children under 18 years from marriage but the children were powerless to refuse when forced into it.

Madam Juliana Abbeyquaye, Eastern Regional Director, Department of Gender, explained that child marriage could be formal where rites were performed or informal where there was no rite but partners cohabitted.

She said child marriage was mainly caused by poverty, low educational rate, strict adherence to culture and religion, low access to higher education, and teenage pregnancy among others.

Madam Abbeyquaye said the most successful strategy to prevent child marriage was the investment in girls’ education and keeping them in school.

She called on communities, traditional and religious leaders to work together to address gender inequalities and harmful cultural practices that contributed to child marriage.

Madam Jemima Marfo, a health officer, Ga West Municipal Health Directorate, said the
health implications of child marriage included teenage pregnancy, urinary tract infection, obstetric fistula, cervical cancer and depression.

She said according to studies, three out of every five Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected persons in Ghana were between the ages of 15 to 24 years.

Mr Rees Oduro, a Deputy Director, National Narcotics Control Commission, described drugs as any substance that brought changes to the body after using them either internally or externally.

He said any drugs taken without doctor’s prescription was drug abuse and people usually abused drugs for the pleasure, high performance, as stimulants and depressants.

The Deputy Director said research revealed that a married girl below the age of 18 years risked mental depression, which usually led to her abuse of drugs.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Unknown persons have damaged over 14,000 Green Ghana tree seedlings at Abokwame, a farming village near Yonguase in the Lower Manya Krobo municipality in the Eastern region.

Danya, Mahogany, Cedrela, Prekese, Cibar Minlliner, Papao, and, among other trees, seedlings meant for reforestation of Bukonor Forest Reserve were sprayed with gramoxone weedicide.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ebenezer Agyakwa, the Somanya Forest District manager who also oversees Asuogyaman, Okere, and Akuapem North and South, Lower and Upper Manya Krobo districts, said they suspected farmers in the area who farm in the forest reserve were responsible for the plant destruction.

He stated that they intended to implement all of the plantation models this year at the Bukunor Forest Reserve because all 11 forest reserves, including Boti Forest Reserve, Abobeng Forest Reserve, Dawa Forest Reserve, Anyamoni Forest Reserve, and others, are steep and rocky.

He said, ‘We decided to undertake the tree planting here because
the land is flat and fertile to green the area and safeguard the land from illegal farmers encroaching on the forest reserve after it was abandoned due to the construction of Akosombo, which overflowed and took over some part of the forest some years ago.

Adding, ‘Since the water is not overflowing, we have decided to re-forest the remaining part of the forest reserve.’

He said that they delivered the seedlings to the forest reserve last weekend, and by Thursday last week, they had planted seedlings covering five hectares with support from the forest guards, deputy district managers, YEA members, district managers, and other senior staff.

He explained that because Friday was a taboo day in Abokwame village and Monday was also the Eid-ul-Adha holiday, they went to the forest to plant the remaining seedlings, only to discover that the plants had been destroyed with weedicide.

According to him, the action of the people was to prevent the Forestry Commission from carrying out its mandate of protecting and gre
ening the forest.

Mr. Agyakwa also stated that when they first started the project, they sensitized the community about modified Taungya systems, but the residents didn’t cooperate with them.

‘When we informed the chief of the area of the incident, he instructed us to arrest everybody we discovered,’ he added.

He further said the 1974 forest protection order prohibits anybody from farming or even going into the forest to pluck a leaf without first obtaining an authorization from the Forestry Commission.

Meanwhile, residents are cultivating maize and cassava, and farm produce in the forest reserve.

He stated that the government has lost around GHc 750,000.00 worth of seedlings and that, because of the actions of the people, they will arrest all of them and destroy all their corn crops and plantations.

Mr. Nartey Djornobua, Yonguase’s community chief told Ghana News Agency that he had been briefed by forest authorities about the unfortunate circumstance and was disappointed.

He stated that forest staff s
hould arrest everyone they come across in the vicinity and those individuals found responsible for the act face full rigors of the law.

‘I believed that the arrest would help bring to justice those responsible for the seedling destruction,’ he said.

Ghana’s forest resources are valuable national resources because one of the key sources of foreign exchange earnings is the timber resource.

From an environmental standpoint, forests are essential for maintaining biological variety, watersheds, windbreaks, and tackling climate change.

Source: Ghana News Agency