Category: General

Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre of Awareness Global Peace Mission (COA-GPM), has charged global leadership to channel more resources towards peace building to enhance human development worldwide.

He said huge sums of monies spent on wars could be used to eradicate poverty and improve lives, and called for a change in the narrative.

Prof. Duncan was speaking at the fourth public lecture and launch of a five-year strategic plan by the Centre, targeted at ensuring a peaceful world.

The lecture, themed: “Targeting leadership across the globe to achieve global peace,” attracted thousands of participants, notably, traditional rulers, diplomats, political and religious leaders, professors from various universities, personnel from security services, and students.

Prof Duncan said wars continued to rob the world of the joy of why man was created and said it was time practical steps were taken by world leaders to end ethnic, political, and social injustices, religious intolerance, terrorism, dictatorship, poverty, greed, corruption, immorality and disease, which was the vision of the Centre.

He said the Centre would form peace associations worldwide to work closely with an International Movement for Peace (IMFP) to foster peace and reconciliation in the world.

Prof Duncan was optimistic that engagements with world leaders and implementation of the Centre’s strategic action plans would make the world peaceful and prevent a third world war.

He said it was necessary for all to appreciate and acknowledge the importance of man on earth and desist from acts that destroyed the creation of God.

Prof Duncan appealed to the Russia-Ukraine leadership to let go all grievances to end the war in the interest of peace in the world.

“Let’s stop the bloodshed, displacement of souls…, properties and economies” he added.

The Founder of COA-GPM appealed to organisations, individuals and philanthropists to commit resources to the COA-GPM Fund to help advance the global peace agenda.

Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, commended COA-GPM for the commitment towards finding solutions to challenges affecting global peace.

She said peace must start from homes and stated the commitment of the Regional Coordinating Council to the global peace project.

COA-GPM is a non-governmental, non-sectoral and non-religious organisation founded in 1998 to “bring peace to the world.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Inter Milan confirmed that their Serie A title defence was alive and well with Saturday’s straight-forward 2-0 win over Verona which took them to within a point of leaders AC Milan.

First-half goals from Nicolo Barella and Edin Dzeko in front of around 60 000 fans at a sun-dappled San Siro made sure that the champions built on their morale-boosting win at Juventus last weekend by moving into second place.

Inter are level on 66 points with Napoli, who host Fiorentina on Sunday, but ahead of Luciano Spalletti’s side in the table thanks to their superior head-to-head record.

Milan meanwhile are at Torino in Sunday’s late match with their two main title rivals breathing down their necks and seven rounds of fixtures to be completed in an enthralling race for the Scudetto.

“This win has given us some continuity after Turin and although there is still some way to go I saw some good signs out there,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi to DAZN.

“We told ourselves that we needed to win otherwise Turin would have been worth nothing and we did it against a team who are very difficult to play against… They’ve made it difficult for a lot of teams.”

The only worry for Inzaghi was a thigh problem for Stefan de Vrij which forced the Netherlands defender off at halftime on his return from a month out with a calf injury, although the coach said it shouldn’t be anything serious.

Verona have never won at the San Siro against either Inter or Milan and were suffocated in a first half which reminded Inter fans why their team were strong favourites for the title right up until early February when they were four points clear having played one game fewer than their rivals.

They still have that game in hand, at Bologna later this month, and will have been further boosted by the way they beat one of the league’s most troublesome teams.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, April 10, GNA – Dr John Kofi Mensah, the Managing Director (MD) of the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) has urged government to make the bank the receiver of all bulk concessional funding in the country.

He said this would enable the bank to increase its support for farmers and fishers nationwide to develop the agriculture sector.

His call comes on the back of Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Food and Agriculture Minister’s appeal to the management of ADB to increase the bank’s support to the agriculture sector to boost production.

Dr Mensah, speaking at a short ceremony to present the bank’s cash prize of GH¢600,000 to the 2021 National Best Farmer, Mr Mashud Muhammed, in Accra, said government must make ADB the receiver of bulk concessional funding to enable it to continue to meet its obligation and expand support to other farmers in the sector.

“We at this moment are also saying that ADB should be the bank to receive bulk concessional funding so that we can rechannel it to our honourable farmers and fishers,” he urged.

The MD said the bank remained committed in ensuring that the agriculture sector continued to play its critical role in the national economy.

He said since the launch of the government’s flagship Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme, it had supported with GH¢100million for the purchase of fertilizers and certified seeds.

He said last year, the bank approved a total working capital of GH¢160million to the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO), to buy off excess produce from farmers under the PFJ to support the school feeding programme.

He added that, within the last four years the bank has approved a total working capital of GH¢300 million to the NAFCO to purchase mainly grains under the PFJ.

Dr Mensah assured the bank would collaborate with the MoFA and other stakeholders to address challenges facing the poultry industry in the country.

“We remain committed in ensuring that agriculture sector continues to play its critical role in the national economy,” the MD assured.

Dr Mensah disclosed that, the bank through its corporate social responsibility budget would embark on youth entrepreneurship support programme this year, to equip the young ones with the requisite skills which would enable them to venture into the agricultural sector.

Dr Akoto, the Food and Agriculture Minister, said he was saddened by the little interest shown by some banks in agriculture despite its prospects.

He said despite the numerous benefits the PFJ for instance, had presented banks, especially commercial banks had failed to take advantage of it and invest in the sector, saying: “It saddens me because there should be a partnership between the commercial banks and government.”

The Minister assured that the country would record good crop yield this year regardless of the numerous global challenges, especially with fertilizer shortage.

“We are very confident. In spite of all what is happening to fertilizer shortages, rocketing fertilizer prices and fuel prices which is affecting prices, we are confident that we will record good yield,” he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Aburi (E/R), April 10, GNA – The Akuapim South Police Command has advised complainants involved in land disputes to seek justice in court since the Police do not handle civil matters.

“The Police do not deal with these civil cases, so, complainants are directed to send their cases to court to be settled,” DSP Isaac Quaye, Akuapim South Police Commander told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.

The civil cases involved parties in dispute over the ownership of a property, custody of a child, family misunderstandings or divorce.

He also asked residents who registered their lands between the 1990s and the early 2020s to do it again using the new Global Positioning System (GPS) to ensure ownership authenticity.

“Those who registered under the previous system in the 1990s and early 20s should look through their registration with the GPS to prevent having multiple ownership of lands,” he said.

DSP Quaye stated that the paucity of property for sale in the national capital, Accra, has prompted most individuals to acquire land in the Greater Accra region’s neighboring areas, such as the Eastern and Central regions.

This, he observed, has resulted in the acquisition of land twice or even three times by different persons, resulting in a lot of misunderstanding about land ownership in the Akuapim South Municipality.

Accusations of threats of life reported to Police officers, according to DSP Quaye, are frequently accompanied by land dispute issues, motivating complainants to file their cases in court.

Ms Akosua Oye, a resident of Akuapim South Municipality who is in her late 70s, said her land, totaling more than 10 acres, was transferred to a family by “bogus” persons claiming to the landowners.

“I was reported to the police for threat of life,” she said. “However, those who reported me were found to have no case, and I was directed to the court to file my case.”

According to her, the majority of fictitious property owners pose as chiefs and landowners and sell lands to unsuspecting members of the public looking to acquire land.

She, therefore, advised buyers to register their lands via the new land registration system.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tema, April 10, GNA – Imam Alhassan Seeta, an Islamic tutor at Ansaarul Islam Mosque, has urged Muslims to give alms to the vulnerable for the sake of Allah.

He said this during Jumma prayer at the Adjei-Kojo Suncity Mosque, speaking on “Supplication to Allah,” he stated that Muslims were in their nineth month of the Islamic calendar.

He encouraged Muslims to do according to what Allah asked them to do, adding that Muslims should ask for a reward from Allah in return after giving alms to the poor for his sake.

He said giving to the poor would bring continuous blessings to one’s household and restrained them from all problems.

He said Muslims should not only give to the poor during the month of Ramadan adding that giving should be done frequently for the sake of Allah.

He said Allah was ready to give rewards to Muslims who obeyed his words and instructions.

“We are in the holy month of forgiveness, mercy, and blessings so take advantage of this month to draw closer to Allah,” he said.

He said Muslims should constantly ask for forgiveness from Allah because Allah is all-forgiving.

Imam Alhassan Seeta said Allah gave strength, wealth, and rain so that, whoever sowed, would reap accordingly.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, April 10, GNA—Four people have been arrested by the Western Regional Police Command in connection with attacks on the Nkroful Magistrate Court, the Esiama Police Divisional Headquarters and the Ellembelle District Assembly in the Western Region.

The suspects; Richard Tetteh, Kwame Gorkeh Miah, Michael Anyimiah, and Cosmos Gadekor were among a group of people who rioted at the District Magistrate Court, Nkroful on April 1, 2022 to demand the release of their colleagues who were standing trial at the Court.

The Police has identified twenty-two others, currently on the run and are pursuing them to be arrested and brought before the law.

A news brief from the Police said the group also attacked the Ellembelle District Assembly and threatened to assault the District Chief Executive.

It said the four suspects were among the group that also stormed the Esiama Police Station, vandalized the rooms and caused damage to vehicles parked at the station: two buses and a Toyota Hilux Pickup.

The brief said whilst Police continued to count on the help and support of every well-meaning Ghanaian, they were also assuring them that they would not relent on their efforts to ensure that law and order prevailed in society.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, April 10, GNA – The Reverend Father Roland Kpoanu, the Parish Priest of Christ the King Anglican Church, Sakumono, has urged Christians to exemplify Christ’s humility in their dealings and service to humanity.

He said, “Christ was humble to a fault,” and thus called on Christians to emulate such humble traits.

For instance, he said Christ’s act of washing the feet of his disciples was a parable of his whole human existence.

That, Fr. Kpoanu said, was regarded as seemingly undignified but “Christ did this as a humble servant for humanity and we are required to do likewise.”

The Parish Priest, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after Palm Sunday service, said “Christ has become a slave for us and we must learn and exemplify such humble traits and replicate it to our fellow brothers and sisters in all that we do.”

The last week of Lent – Holy Week – marks the last week of Christ’s earthly life, beginning with Palm Sunday’s commemoration of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

The Service began with the blessings of palm branches, distribution, and a procession in the church and outside.

Parishioners, clad in their guild uniforms, took to the streets of the sprawling Sakumono community amid shouts of Hosanna as they brandished their palm branches.

The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted such processions in the last two years due to protocols put in place by the Government to curtail the spread of the virus.

Rev. Kpoanu said Jesus’ willingness to ride on a lowly donkey on his journey in tolerance to its often stubborn and unruly character, was remarkable and worth emulating.

He, therefore, advised leaders who had been given the opportunity to serve to do that diligently and carry out their duties in humility as Christ did.

He stressed that “as a leader, you must serve and not to be served. Do this and God will never forsake you.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

Akatsi (VR), April 10, GNA- The fallout of youth agitation and demonstration emanating from the alleged high handedness on the part of the Akatsi Police has resulted in the death of another teenager, Hamza Ademu, a JHS graduate of Akatsi Demonstration Basic School.

Ademu met his untimely death, when a stray live bullet hit him on the sidelines of Sunday’s youth demonstration at Akatsi but was pronounced dead when being transferred to the Ho Teaching Hospital.

Another demonstrator, Agboyibor Yao, who sustained injuries is currently receiving treatment at the Akatsi Municipal hospital.

This has brought the number of deaths to two in youth clashes with the Police from Akatsi South in the Volta Region after they agitated against the Police over the death of Setor Agormeda, a 20-year-old student of Akatsi Senior Technical School.

The deceased was pronounced dead at the Ridge Hospital in Accra on Sunday, April 10 after he was involved in an accident due to an alleged Police chase on a theft case together with two other pillion riders on Saturday dawn, April 9 at about 1300 hours.

The youth, who became incensed by the news of the demise of the student began to mill up at the Akatsi Police station in the early hours of Sunday with offensive materials.

The confrontation, however, led to the injury of some demonstrators and death of Ademu.

The authorities in separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) have appealed to the rampaging youth to exercise patience as they worked behind the scenes to determine the cause of the incident.

Mr Bernard Ahiafor, the Member of Parliament for Akatsi South in a statement, pleaded with the youth to remain calm to avoid any further loss of life or injury.

“I call on the Akatsi Police to resort to peaceful resolution of matters and restore peace at Akatsi,” he stated.

Chief Superintendent Felix Anyidoho, the Volta regional Police Crime Officer in an interview, assured the general public of bringing those at fault before the law.

He stated the Police would soon come out with the actual statement on the incident.

Mr Kofitsey Martin Nyahe, the Municipal Chief Executive for Akatsi South, on his part promised to engage the necessary parties for a lasting peace to prevail.

It would be recalled that a similar incident happened on Friday, November 5, last year, where a 22-year-old Etornam Avulekpor died as a result of an alleged Police brutality.

Calm has since been restored to the area as heavily armed Police personnel were deployed to the area.

Source: Ghana News Agency