Category: General

The former Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana, Professor Christopher Gordon, has been appointed as an Ambassador of the second phase of the Earth Commission (EC), Future Earth.

His appointment raises the profile of the University of Ghana as a contributing world-class scientist to global debates on the future of the planet.

An official statement copied to the GNA said: ‘Prof. Gordon’s appointment will continue till the end of phase two of the Earth Commission in three years.’

Currently, six former Commissioners have moved to the Ambassador role and may participate in working group meetings and as co-authors in phase two.

The statement quoted Prof Gordon In a brief engagement with the news team at UG’s Public Affairs Directorate, describing his appointment as a testament to the recognition of his contributions towards planetary futures.

The Earth Commission is hosted by Future Earth, the world’s largest network of sustainability scientists and is t
he scientific cornerstone of the Global Commons Alliance.

The second assessment of the Earth Commission will build on, update, and advance the safe and just Earth system boundaries, transformation, and translation synthesis from the first phase of the Earth Commission.

The statement said its primary focus would be on scientific assessment and synthesis. A secondary aim is to stimulate the broader research community to advance key areas, for example, to develop knowledge around tipping points and the social dimensions of possible futures, particularly justice of boundaries, translation, and transformation.

Prof Gordon stated that ‘one of the things that the Earth Commission is focusing on is the whole issue of a safe and just planet because there is no equity and limited justice in access to natural capital, leading to an increasing gap between rich and poor nations and at the country level, the rich are getting richer and the poor are suffering more.’

Prof Gordon was a member of the first Earth Commission
as a Commissioner when it started in 2019 and co-lead for the Working Group on Freshwater and Nutrients. In the second phase of the EC, he is very pleased to be retained as an Ambassador and to be part of this group of high-level cutting-edge scientists.

Prof. Gordon described his responsibilities in the ambassadorial position as ‘spreading information about the Earth Commission through conferences and panels, as well as continuing his research in areas of interest like freshwater and environmental pollutants.’

Referring to his research, he indicated that environmental pollution in Ghana was impacting people’s health, with substances like persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals and microplastics detected in water bodies all of which are associated with human health issues such as sterility and birth defects,

Prof. Gordon emphasised the significant risks facing Ghana from the three Grand Challenges of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution which needed to be addressed with urgency to avoid erod
ing the country’s development gains.

As a scientist, he is to provide the evidence base to decision-makers for policy formulation and to advocate for the care of our environment in Ghana.

Prof. Chris Gordon has played an active role in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management initiatives, particularly in water, coastal wetland, and catchment basin issues at international and national levels.

He was a former Vice-President of Wetlands International as well as VP of the International Society of Limnology (SIL). He served as a member of the World Adaptation Science Program of UNEP and its Foresight Panel.

Currently, he is part of the Centre of Excellence on Climate and Development of the African Research Universities Alliance; and on the Management Board of the United Nations University Institute of Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA); as well as the Expert Advisory Group of the UK Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC).

He is also the Strategic Country Advisor for the Climate Develop
ment and Knowledge Network (CDKN) and a Member of the Order of the Volta, awarded for his service to Ghana in Research and Development.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Faith-based organizations and religious groups have been urged to prioritize peace messages in their sermons ahead of the 2024 general elections in the country.

They should preach peace and encourage their members and followers to adhere to peaceful relationships and harmonious living in their communities to help sustain the country’s peace and unity.

Mr Christopher Owusu Marfo, a Ghanaian peace advocate, who made the call, said every citizen owed it as a duty to preach peace ahead of the December general elections.

Mr Marfo, who is currently on a peace campaign tour in the Ashanti region, was speaking at a meeting with members of the Bompata Area of the Church of Pentecost in Kumasi.

He said it was the collective responsibility of Christians and other religious organizations to actively take part in the peace building campaigns to help sustain the peace and stability of the nation.

Mr Marfo pointed out that Ghana was the only place for Ghanaians and there was the need for every citizen to work to always
protect the state.

There is the need for the citizens to avoid filthy talks, lies, insinuations and verbal attacks that could spark conflict among the people.

He said it was only an act of vigilance that could help prevent potential triggers of violence in communities.

Mr Marfo stressed the need for political activists to desist from the use of vulgar and insulting language on their opponents, saying that could create violent situations in the communities.

Apostle Victor Asamoah, Bompata Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, commended the peace advocate for the initiative and prayed for God’s guidance and protection as he continued with his peaceful campaigns across the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has pledged to change the ‘tag of corruption, ineptitude and inefficiency’ around the Judiciary and the Judicial Service.

‘We cannot do this without the support and attention of all stakeholders. To shake off these tags, training needs to be supplemented with consistent culture changing strategies to deepen ethical models of work in the courts.’

She was speaking at the launch of a Strategic Framework titled: ‘LEADing Justice’.

LEAD is an acronym for Law, Ethics, Assets, Due Process and Digitilisation.

The framework of her vision for the Judiciary called for bold and multiplied outlay of paralegal learning to be made available to over 7,000 staff of the Judicial Service Staff and countless professionals who work with the Judiciary to deliver justice.

These professionals include police investigators, prosecutors, mediators, valuers, surveyors, and auctioneers.

The occasion was used to outdoor some models of practice and directions of the courts.

They include practi
ce Directions on Court Connected Alternative Dispute Resolutions under Order 32 as Amended by CI 133, Administrative Direction to aid expeditious disposal of trial by Jury and Administrative Guidelines on generation of suit numbers and guidelines for procedures for online publication of judgements and rulings.

Chief Justice Torkornoo said Judicial administration ought to close the gaps through, which court users were subjected to exploitation and rent seeking behaviour.

‘This demands the removal of as much of human inter-facing that the court work is exposed to. Court officials are expected to work with independence, with impartiality, competence, and integrity.

‘Much of these ethical values are lost in the heavy traffic of human inter-facing between court officials and court users, including brokers functioning around the courts.’

According to her, the vision of producing culture-changing re-orientation programmes could not be achieved without the active partnership and support from stakeholders, includi
ng communities of businesses and donors.

Chief Justice Torkornoo said steps were being taken to revert to the opening and closure of assizes, which ensured that jurors remained with the Judiciary for only a short season.

According to her the current situation where one juror could be attached to the court for years, leaving their full-time work for long periods and earning from both institutions through the same public purse, needed to be ‘seriously deconstructed.’

‘In order to do so effectively, this vision contemplates the engagement of the private sector in the jury services, as is the situation in virtually every country.

‘I wish to humbly ask for the cooperation of the private sector in implementing strategies such as this, because we need to increase the ethical content of integrity and efficiency in criminal justice delivery.’

She said twelve Administrative Guidelines and Practice Directions had been stated in her vision statement.

They include Practice Direction on Commercial Pre-Trial Settlemen
t under Order 58 as amended by CI 133, Practice Direction in respect of Prerogative Writs involving Chiefs and Chieftaincy issues, Practice Directions on Adjournments and Adoption of Proceedings in Part heard Trials.

She said the goals of her vision, manuals and guidelines would cover myriad lines of court work.

The Chief Justice said the purpose was to increase transparency, competence, due process, and integrity in court work.

She said in the coming weeks, she intended to call for a Land Conference to discuss the huge number of land disputes streaming across the country.

‘As administrator of justice, I deem it my bounden duty to call for such conversations that will assist all of us to break these high walls against the flow of capital and investments into our country because of the uncertainty of security of investments in landed property.

Justice Torkornoo announced that the Judiciary was to embark on digitization of its paper records by building a modern archive centre to store all records emanating
from court in a coherent and orderly manner that could be easily retrieved whenever citizens and court users needed them.

She said the Judiciary had also set goals for its digital libraries.

Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Chairman of the Council of State and Omanhene of Asante Juaben Traditional Area, who chaired the occasion, urged the Chief Justice to ensure that more awareness was created cross the country on her vision.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Volta Region is set to distribute a total of 1,205,625 insecticide-treated bed nets to 466,857 registered households in the region.

The distribution exercise will be held between April 11 and 15, 2024, with the expectation that GHS will cover at least 90 percent of the registered households.

According to the health directorate, the nets have a 3-year chemical life span and can be washed twenty (20) times only.

After the 3-year chemical life span, the nets can be used again because they provide physical protection until new ones are distributed.

The exercise is a tool used by the GHS and its partners to eliminate malaria in Ghana. Currently, Ghana is in the elimination program, and regions such as Greater Accra and the Volta region are performing well.

Speaking during the media and stakeholders meeting in Ho on Monday, April 8, 2024, to announce the commencement of the mass distribution, Volta Regional Director of Health, Dr. Chrysantus Kubio, mentioned the objectives
of the exercise and added eligible beneficiaries.

“The campaign aims to achieve the following objectives: to register at least 90% of all households in the region (including barracks and quarters of key institutions) and to distribute LLINS to at least 90% of all registered households. The general population of the region, regardless of age and nationality, would receive bed nets based on household registration using the universal coverage approach of one (1) bed net per two (2) persons. Each household can only receive a maximum of five (5) bed nets,” he said.

To benefit from the distribution, Dr. Kubio said, “One must belong to a household within the community and be registered and present either of the following: a unique code generated after registration, an ID number used for registration, a household head name used for registration, or a contact number used for registration.”

“A total of 1,204,625 long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets will be distributed over the five days of the campaign in the V
olta Region. A total of 466,857 households with a population of 2,094,944 are to be covered using the universal coverage approach. As part of this year’s campaign, a new variable ‘households refused to be registered’ has been introduced, and a total of 3,563 households have refused to be registered across the region for various reasons,” he added.

Togbega Gabusu VII, Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area, was the chairman of the occasion. On his part, he commended GHS for their efforts in fighting malaria and urged the directorate to ensure a fair distribution of the nets.

He also advised residents against using the nets for non-essential purposes.

In some parts of rural areas, it is common among residents to use insecticide nets to fence gardens, door and window curtains, and other purposes that are against the user’s rules and regulations.

Deputy Volta Regional Health Director, Dr. Kwasi Dzokoto, explained that the distribution will be done within the various communities at a particular location.

”
A point mass distribution approach would be used at selected locations within communities called distribution points,” he said.

Source: Ghana Web

Mr Henry Quartey, Minister of the Interior, has cautioned the citizenry, especially social media commentators to desist from making inciting comments ahead of the December polls, or else the Police will come after them.

‘Your statements and actions should not incite the public. You are entitled to free speech, free association, free movement, but we must be guarded by our statements not to create fear and panic.’

‘This is not to victimize anybody but to follow the law to the latter. Social media commentators who find it very comfortable to threaten people and send all manner of statements to create fear and panic, we will look for you and let the court of competent jurisdiction take its course,’ he said.

Mr Quartey gave the caution on Monday when he paid a working visit to the Ghana Police Service Headquarters in Accra.

He commended the Police for their discipline, professionalism and visibility which had tremendously reduced Ghana’s crime rate.

The Minister said security agencies would not interfere in
the 2024 General Election but would ensure a free, fair and transparent process.

He said the Government would continue to retool the Police with the necessary accoutrement to discharge their duties professionally during the elections.

Mr Quartey said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo remained committed to resourcing the Police through the provision of adequate personnel and logistics.

He said as of 2016, Police staff strength was around 33,213 but as of 2023, it had increased to 46,116.

Thus, the Police Service had witnessed an increase of about 12,903 in staff addition.

The Minister said over 2,500 personnel stationed in Accra and Kumasi had been trained in high-risk operations to respond to critical operational situations.

‘Today, the Police can boast of 1,854 vehicles and 3,954 motorbikes and since Ghana’s Independence, it is unprecedented that the Police Service now has helicopters.’

‘Pilots were sent to South Africa to be trained and a hanger has also been built to house the aircraft,’ he said
.

He said the Government had provided adequate arms and ammunition, including bodily armored personnel carriers to combat crime in the country.

Also, 320 and 504 housing units at Tesano and Kwabenya respectively were commissioned for the Police.

Mr Quartey lauded Mr Ambrose Dery, former Minister of the Interior for the good work done.

‘I have not come to stop whatever has been done but to continue from where he left off, to identify where we need to improve and be innovative together with the POMAB and Police Council.’

Dr George Akuffo Dampare, Inspector General of Police (IGP), said it was humbling to receive the Minster and congratulated him on his appointment as the sector minister.

He assured him of their unflinching support to ensure that Ghana remained peaceful.

Dr Dampare thanked the President for the support extended to the Police Service since taking over the helm of affairs and changing the dynamics of the Police.

He also thanked Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Mr Abrose Dery for thei
r commitment and support to the Police Council.

The IGP commended Police personnel for their sacrifices and thanked Ghanaians for their understanding, unflinching support and constructive criticism.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Andrews Mensah, the Bono Regional Coordinating Director, has called for investments into the abundant clay and quarry products, cashew and poultry sectors in the region for job creation and poverty reduction.

He called on the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) to help expose these economic potentials to attract foreign investors, saying the sectors had huge prospects that could turn around the economic fortunes of the region.

That would promote job creation, tackle the teeming youth unemployment and reduce poverty in the region.

Mr Mensah made the call when he addressed the closing session of a four-day cashew apple recipe training organised for women farmers and some youth in the cashew production in the region, held at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality.

MOVE-ComCashew, under the auspices of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), oragnised the training, co-financed by the European Union (EU) under the Samoa Agreement with the Organization of African, Caribb
ean, and Pacific States (OACPS).

In all, 80 women cashew farmers and some youth underwent the training, which exposed them to harnessing the potential and adding value to the cashew apple to enhance economic viability and transform their socio-economic livelihoods.

Selected from the 12 politically administrative Districts and Municipalities of the region, the cashew farmers were trained in the harvesting, post harvesting techniques, nutrition of cashew apples and the preparation of the various tasting and easy to be prepared recipes.

Mr Mensah acknowledged the immeasurable contributions of the GIZ and its partners towards job creation in the region, and expressed the hope the cooperation would consider and invest into the prospects of the region too.

Madam Ernestina Amponsah, Technical Advisor, MOVE-ComCashew, urged the participants to go back home and apply the knowledge they had acquired to bring about positive change in their economic activities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ejisu by-election will be held on Tuesday, April 30, the Electoral Commission (EC) has announced.

The announcement was made at an Inter-Party Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The polls have been necessitated by the death of the former Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, whose demise was reported on March 07.

Ahead of the election, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), which occupies the seat, and the largest opposition Party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have geared up their campaigns.

The NPP, for instance, has approved nine candidates to contest in a primary to elect a candidate for the election.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Transaction Banking Team of Stanbic Bank Ghana has donated GHS 30,000 to the Gynecology and Maternity Ward of the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) Hospital. The donation covered the medical bills of 15 new mothers who have remained at the hospital after childbirth due to financial challenges.

During the presentation of the cheque to the hospital, Kate Agamah, Head of Transaction Banking at Stanbic Bank, mentioned that the donation aligned perfectly with their commitment to giving back to the community. She said, ‘At Stanbic Bank, we strongly, believe in leaving a positive impact in our community towards driving national growth and development. This gesture was born out of our desire to make a positive impact beyond our normal banking activities. We are deeply aware of the interconnectedness of our society, and when we heard about the financial struggles faced by some of these new mothers, we felt compelled to lend a helping hand.’

She added, ‘Today, we are proud to have raised GHS 30,000 to a
ssist 15 of these women. Knowing that they can now return home to their families fills our hearts with warmth and fulfilment. This act of kindness is just one example of our ongoing commitment to supporting our community and contributing to the growth and development of our beloved country.’

Dr. Akua Afriyie Gyimah-Asante, the medical superintendent of LEKMA Hospital, expressed profound gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its timeliness and impact. ‘We are extremely grateful to the Transaction Banking Team at Stanbic Bank for this remarkable act of generosity. This gesture has made a significant difference in the lives of these women, enabling them to reunite with their families and move forward with their lives. We appreciate their continuous support and encourage them to keep up the good work,’ she said.

Recipients of the donation also shared their heartfelt appreciation, expressing how the support had positively impacted their lives. One of the new mothers who shared her excitement said, ‘This period
has been incredibly challenging for us.

Being unable to settle our medical bills meant we couldn’t leave the hospital after giving birth. Thanks to Stanbic Bank’s kindness, I can finally return home with my baby and be with my family. This donation means the world to us, and we are truly overwhelmed by this act of kindness. May God continue to bless the team at Stanbic Bank for their thoughtfulness.’

Stanbic Bank Ghana has consistently demonstrated its commitment to making a positive difference in various communities across the country. Last year, a team from Stanbic Investment Management Services (SIMS) donated vital hospital equipment to the Neonatal Unit of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in the Central Region, further exemplifying the bank’s dedication to supporting healthcare initiatives.

Source: Ghana Web