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‘Dumsor’ Is Now Over …reliable power supply restored –Akufo-Addo

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia acknowledging cheers from the workers

The recent electricity disruptions Ghanaians experienced nationwide have been resolved, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has announced.

The President, in announcing the fixing of the problem, which he said was temporary, extended gratitude to Ghanaians “for their patience and understanding of recent temporary challenges with electricity supply across the country.”

Delivering his ultimate May Day address at the Black Star Square on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 President Akufo-Addo indicated that over the period, the issues surrounding the maintenance of transformers and gas supply have been successfully resolved.

Some workers at the 2024 May Day Parade

This, he remarked, has resulted in a sufficient improvement in power supply reliability, stating further that over the past few days, power supply has been stable.

The president also stated that his government has for the past seven years worked tirelessly to keep the lights on, adding that “I am confident that the unfortunate error of Dumsor will not return.”

The President’s comments on the fixing of the power challenges followed those of his vice president and the Deputy Minister for Energy.

VEEP

On day one of his nationwide campaign, which commenced in the Eastern Region, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President, who is also the flag bearer of the governing New Patriotic Party, said the intermittent power cuts would be over soon.

Dr. Bawumia was addressing the religious leaders in Akropong on Monday, April 29, 2024 where he admitted there were challenges and assured that the government was working to resolve them.

He said, “Currently, we have issues with power, but I say that from the information I have received from the Minister for Energy, those power challenges will very soon and I mean very soon, be a thing of the past.”

NEARLY THERE

The President and the Vice’s comments followed those of the Deputy Minister for Energy, who is also the Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Herbert Krapa, who, in Wa, about a week ago, said the issues were being fixed.

He said the government had put in place immediate measures to ensure the return of an uninterrupted supply of power to consumers.

“I can, therefore, state that the unfortunate power challenges Ghanaians are facing should be over in the next few days. We are fully confident that the measures being put in place should resolve the service interruptions,” he noted.

Herbert Krapa empathised with all consumers and apologised “unreservedly for the effects of the outages on our daily lives. Please bear with us. We are fixing it, and we are nearly there.”

Meanwhile, there were reports of power outages in some parts of the country, the day the President announced that the issue had been resolved.

However, it is not known whether those outages were as a result of localised faults, as the ECG had indicated some time ago.

TIER ONE

The Controller and Accountant General’s Department, the President said, has released an amount of GH¢55.4 million to facilitate the payment of the outstanding lump sum top ups to 5,819 beneficiaries starting from 2020. This is a lump sum top up for 2021 retirees under Act 766.

In his address to workers in Ghana to mark this year’s May Day, President Akufo-Addo said that notwithstanding arrears of Tier One  contributions covering the period 2010–2021, his government has cleared the outstanding principal amount of GH¢2.46 billion.

This amount, he explained, was owed by the government to the trust through securitization in April 2024.

However, President Akufo-Addo asked the workers to note that a considerable chunk of these arrears were contracted during the period of the predecessor Mills-Mahama-led governments, and they made no efforts whatsoever to clear them.

TIER TWO

According to the President, the government has also paid GH¢99.7 million for nine months, covering July 2023 to March 2024, out of the outstanding GH¢993.9 million in Tier 2 contributions.

He continued that the government has agreed with organised labour on a payment plan to pay the balance in three equal tranches by August 2024 through a combination of cash payments and government papers.

The President told Ghanaians to expect a new labour law, which may be promulgated before 2024 ends.

He also mentioned that International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 194 on harassment at work has been tabled before the cabinet.

However, a decision has been taken for a committee of the Cabinet to undertake further comprehensive consultations on it before it is re-tabled before the Cabinet for action to be taken on it.

Soldier Gunned Down Over Land Matters

By
JOHN BEDIAKO
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Suspect Benlord Ababio

A man has been apprehended by the police for allegedly killing a soldier, L/Cpl Danso Michael, in front of the Kasoa Millennium City Police Command on Tuesday.

The suspect, Benlord Ababio, who doubles as a traditional ruler is reported to have, in the full view of Police personnel and civilians, discharged multiple rounds of ammunition into a Rav4 car, being occupied by the soldiers.

Information available to The Chronicle has it that a group of soldiers, including the deceased, purchased land from one Winnebo Ndego, but each time they visited the place,they met resistance from other people who also laid claim to it.

The matter was reported to the police for amicable settlement and the police were able to prevail on both parties to stay off the land, until the matter is completely dealt with.

In the afternoon of Tuesday, the soldiers had information that some people were busily working on the land, so they went there to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the information.

The Car the soldier was allegedly driving before being shot

Truly, they met the people in their numbers working, and prevailed upon them to stop and adhere to the instruction from the police, which was ignored.

The soldiers reportedly made their way to the Millennium City Police Station nearby, but were pursued by a group of irate persons.

At the station, the soldiers were informed that the case has been taken to the Central East Regional Command, which is also in the same Millennium City.

The military men enquired and were shown the way to the Regional Police Command and just at that point, Ababio, followed by the crowd, arrived and ordered the soldiers not to move their car, but they disregarded the instruction.

Suddenly, Ababio pulled out a sidearm and without cause released a number of rounds, through the vehicle, which resulted in the death of L/Cpl Danso.

Two of his colleagues were said to have sustained injuries and were sent to the hospital for attention.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces has issued a statement to explain their side of the story. The following is the full statement;

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) regrets to announce the tragic loss of one of our soldiers in an incident attributed to an alleged land dispute at Millennium City, Kasoa, in the Central Region. On Tuesday, 30 April, 2024 at about 4:20pm in an unprovoked circumstance, the soldier was attacked and killed by one Benlord Ababio, an alleged land guard.

Our preliminary investigations indicate Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Omar Abdul Rahman owned a half plot of land, which was in dispute at Millennium City, for which the Millennium City Police informed all parties to stay off the land until the issue was resolved.

Allegedly, L/Cpl Omar was informed that some people were working on the land. Accompanied by two of his colleagues – L/Cpl Danso Michael (Deceased) and L/Cpl Ametus Matthew, they visited the land and confirmed the information.

Omar and his colleagues stopped the people from working and proceeded to the Millennium City Police Station to report the issue.

Whilst at the Police Station, the acclaimed owner of the land arrived with 2 others, believed to be land guards, who confronted the soldiers, during which they started firing at the deceased soldier, who was going to park a vehicle at the Police Station.

The police disarmed and arrested the suspect, after realising L/Cpl Danso had been hit by the rounds fired.

The body of the deceased soldier has since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue. GAF wishes to extend its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, friends and loved ones of the deceased soldier, even as we closely collaborate with the police to conduct further investigations.

The general public will be duly informed about the outcome of the investigations in due course. GAF condemns this unprovoked attack in no uncertain terms. We reiterate our commitment to maintaining law and order in our communities and urge all citizens to seek peaceful and lawful means to resolve land disputes and to refrain from engaging in acts of violence to prevent such tragic incidents.

Signed: E AGGREY-QUASHIE, Brigadier General Director, General Public Relations.

 

 

Kwadaso MP:My envelope wasn’t a bribe …But EC asks police to conduct criminal probe 

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Jean Adukwei Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission

The Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, has denied accusation that the envelope he dropped on the table of two Electoral Commission (EC) election officials during the just ended Ejisu by-election was meant to bribe them.

Speaking to the media in Ejisu, Professor Nyarko argued that he is a teacher of high repute and that his track record demonstrates his discipline and integrity.

Professor Nyarko further added that he was only doing the EC staff a favour and that the envelope was meant for lunch and notintended to bribe them, as it was reported.

According to him, if he intended to do something untoward, he wouldn’t have given the envelope in the full glare of the public.

“If I were to influence them, do you think I will do it in that public space? What I want to put on record is that I did not bribe anybody, I have not influenced anybody to vote or to do anything untoward for my candidate,” he said.

He further argued that individuals were free to interpret the event as they pleased, but his conscience was clear because he couldn’t influence EC officials who were “trained, honest, and disciplined to engage in any untoward actions in a public place.”

Meanwhile the Electoral Commission in a statement issued when the video about the alleged bribe went viral on the social media said it had engaged the police to commence a criminal investigation into the incident, having withdrawn “these two officers from supervising the poll.”

“Our investigations further revealed that the man in the video walked to their table and enquired whether they had eaten. He then placed the envelope on the table and asked them to use the contents of the envelope for their lunch, following which he walked away,” the statement signed by Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations said.

The Commission went ahead to state that it had taken the following actions;

Withdrawn with immediate effect, the services of the two (2) Temporary Election Officers.

Held preliminary discussions with the Ghana Police Service to kick-start the process for criminal investigations into the matter.

Poku Transport’s son accuses Lands Commission of altering documents 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

Edwin Poku, a Kumasi based legal practitioner, has accused the Lands Commission (LC) for allegedly altering documents in favour of his opponents in a law suit.

According to him, a copy Title Deeds covering Plot No. 83, Block 20, Section 5036 (OTA Layout) located at Adum-Kumasi, in the Ashanti region, is awash with cancellations and deletions of critical information.

He told the General Jurisdiction 8 of the Kumasi High Court, presided over by William Osei-Kuffour, last week, April 26, 2024 that the alleged cancellations had been replaced with choice words.

Mr Poku said the act was nothing but an attempt to overreach him by the plaintiffs – Yvonne Appiah Poku, Ida Gisela Osei, Eleanor Opoku and Hanetta Hayford.

The property in dispute was acquired by the defendant’s late father, Francis Kojo Poku, popularly known as Poku Transport, from the Ghana Property Limited in 1972.

The plaintiffs, who are first cousins of the defendant, claimed to have also acquired the said property, following the failure on the part of Mr. Poku to redeem it after the expiration of his father’s lease, somewhere in 2005.

A claim, the defendant has profusely and vehemently denied, arguing that the plaintiffs alleged acquisition of the property was unlawful.

The defendant, while cross-examining a witness of the plaintiffs, Augustine Obeng Gyasi of the Lands Commission, indicated that these cancellations and deletions had rendered the documents unreliable.

He pointed out to the court that a word like the “government”, which was originally captured in the document, has been cancelled and replaced with the ‘Chief Commissioner.’

The witness, Augustine Obeng Gyasi, confirmed the allegation of the cancellations on the face of the Exhibits, but denied any responsibility.

Furthermore, the alleged certified copy of the official document retrieved from the Lands Commission archive had the entire section 3 of Exhibit B2 deleted.

Although the witness claimed he has no knowledge of those behind the cancellations, he insisted that the exhibits are the certified true copy of the original and explained that the cancellations and deletions were not deliberate, but mere corrections.

And again, giving the period, in which the title deeds were prepared, the corrections were effected to put the documents in a proper context.

Augustine said, “for instance, when you look at the transaction at the third paragraph and I read; Chief Commissioner of Ashanti acting for and on behalf of the government for Ashanti (hereinafter called the government).”

So my answer is that when you take the document from the context you will realise that ‘the government’ should have been Chief Commissioner not ‘the government’. I’m certain that was the reason for the cancellation for the government in place of the Chief Commissioner.”

Augustine Gyasi Obeng again contended that he was not even born nor employed as at the time the Lands Commission registered the transaction between late Francis Kojo Poku and Ghana Property Limited, in the year 1972.

The defendant was conducting the cross examination himself, as his counsel was indisposed.

The court also shot down the defendant application for the original documents of the property, as well as the file in respect of same to be tendered.

Plaintiffs’ reliefs

In the suit which started in July 28, 2021, the plaintiffs, Yvonne Appiah Poku and others are seeking four reliefs from the court in the property in dispute.

They want a declaration by the court that the plaintiffs are the owners of the property described as plot Plot No. 83, Block 20 and Section 503 (OTA).

They want recovery of possession, and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant either by himself, assigns or all manner of persons to quit enjoyment of the said property. Finally, any appropriate reliefs in the circumstances of the case.

Defendant’ statement  

“In their 17 points of statement of claim, the plaintiffs averted that in the year 1992, the Government of Ghana (GoG) leased the aforementioned plot of land to Mr. Francis Kojo Poku, for a period of 15 years, from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2005.

“According to them, upon expiry of the lease, neither the then leasehold nor any of his lawful representatives applied for the renewal of the said lease.

“In respect of that, the Golden Stool applied for the lease of the property and same was granted in July 1, 2014 for a period of 50 years.

“And on January 21, 2015 the Golden Stool sub-leased the property in question to the plaintiffs for valuable consideration and same has been registered with the Lands Commission, for which they have obtained land title of the property in that regard.

“The plaintiffs claimed they are the registered title owners of the property, hence they are entitled to enjoy any benefit of their possession without any hindrance, but that had not been the case.

“They said the defendant has prevented occupants of the property in dispute from paying them rents, as well as barring them (plaintiffs) from having access to the property.

“According to the plaintiffs, all efforts to take possession of the land has failed and, therefore, want the court to intervene.”

Defendant’s statement 

Mr Poku, however, denied the plaintiff’s’ claim that after the expiration of the lease, the lawful representatives of lessee failed to renewed same, especially when that process was stalled by a restructuring programme triggered by the Lands Commission and the Asantehene Lands Secretariat.

The defendant further stated that the delay or omission to apply for renewal of the lease did not automatically bring the relationship of the lessee and lessor, GoG and his late father’s estate to a dead end. He said there was an intention to renew the lease by the legal representatives of the deceased.

Furthermore, he refused the claim that the Lands Commission registered the transaction between GoG with Golden Stool, adding that although it is required by law that the LC ought to have accorded the deceased’s lawful representatives the right to justice, it did not.

“Similarly, the plaintiffs claim that the registration of the lease was granted in the interest of the Golden Stool is also vitiated on the grounds of illegality, unreasonableness and irrationality, particularly when the LC  ignored the defendant’s caveats and to purportedly granting lease to the Golden Stool”, he contended.

He also denied the assertion that the plaintiffs are owners of the property and entitled to enjoy any benefit or rents from its occupants. The case has been adjourned to July 3 and 4, 2024 at 11:30 am

 

Aduomi gives NPP good run for their money in Ejisu by-election 

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Lawyer Kwabena Boateng - Ejisu MP-elect

Former NPP Member of Parliament for the Ejisu constituency, Mr. Kwabena Owusu-Aduomi, who contested last Tuesday’s by-election as an Independent Candidate, fought fiercely to poll 21,534 votes (43.3%) of the total votes cast.

But his efforts were not enough to outrun NPP’s Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, who was officially declared the winner of Ejisu by-election with 55.8%.

Lawyer Boateng secured 27,782 to secure victory and become the MP-elect, amid allegations of vote buying and bribery by his campaign team.

Meanwhile, Beatrice Boakye of the Liberal Party had 140 votes, representing 0.3% whilst Esther Osei of the Convention People’s Party received 89 votes, representing 0.2%.

Independent Candidates Joseph Agyemang and Atakora Joseph had 222, representing 0.4% and 23 votes respectively.

The by-election followed the passing away of Member of Parliament and Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, on March 7, 2024.

 

 

From Promise To Frustration: The TME 1 Laptop Saga

By
admin
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Wisdom Koudjo Klu, the writer

In recent times, the integration of technology into education has been advocated as a guiding light for improving learning environments and broadening the horizons of both students and teachers. Central to this initiative has been the distribution of laptops to teachers across various regions, purported to facilitate seamless teaching experiences and access to digital resources.

However, the rollout of the TM1 laptops, intended to be a cornerstone of this digital revolution, has instead become a subject of widespread dissatisfaction and frustration within the teaching fraternity. The reality has fallen short of expectations, as reports emerge indicating extensive discontent among teachers regarding the device’s quality and performance.

Problem Statement

Despite being praised for their affordability and accessibility, the TM1 laptops have not met expectations due to their inferior quality. Reports from the educational frontlines reveal that these devices frequently suffer from hardware malfunctions, poor battery life, and a susceptibility to software issues, rendering them nearly inoperative shortly after deployment.

As teachers strive to prepare the next generation for the future, the tools they are provided with are crumbling into obsolescence-mere “Scraps,” as some have lamentably described.

Impact on Education

The persistent issues with the TM1 laptops are not just minor inconveniences but serious impediments to the educational process. Teachers, who should be empowered by technology, find themselves bogged down by constant troubleshooting and limitations.

The frustration echoes through classrooms, staff rooms, and administrative offices, diluting the potential educational outcomes and overshadowing the benefits of digital learning platforms.

The  problems with TM1 laptops have escalated from mere technical glitches to serious barriers, impacting teachers and students alike. Pathetically, the promise of digital empowerment has been overshadowed by the reality of frequent malfunctions.

Teachers find themselves increasingly spending valuable time troubleshooting devices rather than teaching, a deviation from their primary educational mission that also disrupts student learning.

Classrooms that were envisioned to be innovative learning spaces are now often fraught with frustration as teachers and students alike struggle with equipment that fails to function as needed. The impact is multifaceted: it not only demotivates teachers but also affects the learning enthusiasm among students.

Let us accept the fact that, lessons cannot be delivered smoothly and efficiently due to technical failures and the ripple effects are significant. Students miss out on learning opportunities, and curriculum timelines are disrupted, potentially affecting the performance assessments that are crucial for educational progression.

Moreover, the frequent breakdowns and inefficiencies of the TM1 laptops have broader implications for school administration. Budgets that could have been allocated towards enriching educational resources or improving school facilities are instead diverted to cover costly repairs and replacements for defective technology.

This misallocation of funds ultimately detracts from the overall quality of education that schools can offer.

Administrative staff also face their own set of challenges, from managing the logistics of laptop distribution and maintenance to handling the fallout from dissatisfied teachers and parents. The situation creates an additional administrative burden, requiring schools to employ IT support staff beyond what they might reasonably afford, which in turn strains their operational capacities.

Furthermore, the unreliability of these laptops not only affects current educational delivery but also raises concerns about the long-term reputation and credibility of educational institutions that rely on this technology.

Parents and external stakeholders begin to question the efficacy of school management and their decisions regarding technology implementation. This skepticism can lead to decreased trust and confidence in the school’s ability to provide a high-quality education, which may result in declining enrolment and community support.

Call to Action

This situation raises significant concerns about the procurement processes and quality assurance standards employed before these devices were distributed. It underscores a crucial oversight in ensuring that the technology provided can meet the rigorous demands of daily educational use and long-term reliability.

Furthermore, the debacle of the TM1 laptops serves as a stark reminder of the need for thorough vetting and real-world testing of educational technology products.

Solutions and Recommendations

  • Immediate Assessment and Rectification: Conduct an urgent review of the TM1 laptops currently in use, and provide necessary repairs or replacements to ensure that teachers have functional tools at their disposal.
  • Rigorous Quality Assurance: Establish stricter quality control measures and benchmarks for educational technology products. This includes engaging with experienced educators to gather realistic feedback on performance and durability.
  • Sustainable Procurement Practices: Re-evaluate procurement policies to prioritize not only cost-effectiveness but also long-term value and support. Contracts with suppliers should mandate ongoing support and guarantees of performance.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Implement a structured feedback system for users to report problems and suggest improvements. This direct line from educators to policymakers and suppliers will foster better outcomes and quicker resolutions to tech-related issues.
  • Future-Proofing Education Technology: Invest in research and development to anticipate the evolving needs of educational environments. Embrace innovations that offer scalability, adaptability, and longevity.

 

Conclusion

The integration of technology in education is an invaluable progression that should not be stifled by the pitfalls of poor implementation. By addressing the current issues with the TM1 laptops and instituting a robust framework for the future procurement and management of educational technology, we can ensure that these tools are true catalysts for learning and discovery, rather than burdens to bear. The call from teachers for reliable and effective technology must not only be heard but acted upon with urgency and foresight.

By Wisdom Koudj Klu,

(wisdomklu@gmail.com)

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

Editorial: We salute the Electoral Commission

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, Prof Kingsley Nyarko, was seen in a video that went viral during the just ended Ejisu by-election dropping a white envelope on the table of two Electoral Commission (EC) Officials who were then supervising the poll.

Whatever discussion that took place between the MP the two EC officials is not known to the public. The Kwadaso MP was, however, seen dipping his hand into his back pocket, pulled out a white envelope, which he was trying to give to the electoral officers, but he was rather asked to drop it on the table.

The EC, which was apparently embarrassed about what happened, quickly issued a statement to condemn the conduct of the MP. They did not end there, but immediately went ahead to withdraw the electoral officers from supervising the election.

The EC also made it known to the public that the conduct of the person seen in the video giving out the envelope had been reported to the police for a full criminal investigation into the case.

The Chronicle commends the EC for the swift manner they reacted to the issue when it emerged on social media, which they themselves quoted. Many developing counties, especially in Africa, have been plunged into chaos as a result of election related issues. Though we have conducted elections since 1992 that are relatively peaceful, it does not mean Ghana is immune from some of these election related violence.

What has even made the situation very dire is the high stake in this year’s election. Whilst the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is working hard to break the eight year cycle of governance, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also vowed to win the election. With this posture, any little spark can potentially throw this peaceful country into chaos.

This is the reason why the EC must work hard to ensure that the election is free and fair, with the loser generously accepting defeat. If the EC had, therefore, closed its eyes to the Ejisu incident, it would have created the wrong impression that one can use money to buy the December elections. But the swift reaction has sent a strong signal to the political parties that the law will deal with them if they dare misbehave.

Though Prof Nyarko has denied that he intended to bribe the EC officials and that, the content of the envelope was meant for lunch, The Chronicle thinks it is not compelling enough for the EC and the police to discard the case.

They must pursue it to its logical conclusion. The MP should have known that even if the envelope was meant for lunch, giving it out publicly, as he did, will definitely send wrong signal to the people around the area.

The Chronicle is happy that the NDC was not involved in this particular poll. If they were, the conduct of Kwadaso MP would have been blown out of proportion and one can imagine what would have happened by now. The impression would have been created that the whole election was bought and that it was not free and fair.

We believe those who have been painting the EC and its chairperson in a bad light will now revise their notes. What she has done is a clear signal that she is ready to conduct free and fair elections in December 2024. As a country, we must give praise where it is due and not always commenting only on the negatives.

Only 46.1% of targeted Voltarians have received Covid-19 vaccination

By
admin
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The people who attended the Covid-19 meeting in Ho

The fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in the Volta Region accounts for less than half of a targeted 1.1 million people, Mr Chrisantus Kubio, Regional Director of Health Services has said.

A report by the Extended Program on Immunisation (EPI) says a total 503,045 representing 46.1 per cent of the number had been fully vaccinated and the regional head said it was a ‘shortfall’.

“It is one of the lowest in the country”,  he said, at the launch of the 10th Covid-19 Vaccination Days campaign in the Region and lamented the prevalence of “myths, misconceptions and misinformation” that drove against immunisation programs.

“Covid-19 is still a worldwide health situation. The battle against the virus is not over and that is why vaccination is key,” he stated.

The Regional Director said 26,000 people had been targeted to receive first time doses of the vaccines and called for support from all stakeholders, including traditional leaders and the media.

“I am confident that all stakeholders would collaborate to ensure vaccination successes. Stakeholders should use their influence to advocate for vaccine acceptance,” he said.

The meeting would also launch the 2024 Child Health Promotion Week, which is under the theme: “Healthy Children-Invest in Your Child for a Healthy Future,” and again the Director called for support for immunisations, vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring and school health activities.

He said child welfare clinics, community outreaches and school health centers would be utilised for the promotion which would help lessen the disease burden.

“All vaccines are safe and effective. Immunisations make children very strong and healthy,” he assured stakeholders.

The Director reported that over 1 million insecticide treated mosquito nets had been successfully distributed across the Region in a just ended exercise and was an attainment 98 per cent of targeted distribution.

Mr Emmanuel Bonsu, Regional Coordinator for the EPI, said 56.5 per cent of the Covid vaccination target had received at least one dose.

He said a total 277,048 had received booster doses so far and that although some improvements were made, none of the districts in the Region had achieved the 70 per cent full vaccination target.

The tenth Vaccination Days campaign would run from the 5th to 9th of May, 2024 and health teams are expected to visit homes, clinics and other designated inoculation centers.

Mr Bonsu said the total 26,567 targeted are aged 18 years and above, as available vaccine batches catered for adult populations only.

He said major challenges to immunisation campaigns in the Region remained inadequate staff, due to high attrition, vaccine hesitancy and the low priority given to childhood vaccination.

He said funding support would be required to serve hard to reach areas in the Region, noting that forward plans included the strengthening of routine immunisation, enhanced supervision and mop up, as well as special targeting of riverine communities.

Stakeholders at the meeting received updates of the Region’s Vitamin Supplementation programs.

Dr. Senanu Djokoto, Deputy Director of Health Services, said no Covid infection had been recorded in the Region yet, even as re-emergences were being reported in parts of the country and assured that the health authorities were “on the lookout.”

Mama Kuma II, Queenmother of Ho Ahoe, chaired the meeting and reassured that traditional leaders would provide the needed support for the success of vaccination programmes.

From Samuel Akumatey, Ho

GNA

Goldfields Foundation gives free fertilizers to cocoa farmers

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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One of the cocoa farmers who was supplied with free fertilizers

Another batch of 120 cocoa farmers drawn from the host communities of Gold Fields Ghana  have benefitted from the Foundation being run by the mining giants for the benefits of the people.

The farmers receive COCOBOD approved fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides to enhance their cocoa production estimated at $28,000.00

The 120 beneficiaries bring the number to over 600 cocoa farmers who have benefitted from the Foundation since its inception in 2018.

Another cocoa farmer who benefitted from the scheme

The Cocoa scheme has been executed in partnership with the Cocoa Health and Extension Service of COCOBOD, the Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers Association and the Damang Mine Consultative Farmers Association (DMCFA).

The Goldfields Foundation has so far expended over $6.9 million in enterprise development in the host communities.

Cocoa scheme success story

Madam Esther Aggrey, a beneficiary of the scheme from Bompieso, recounted her success story at the event.

She told the gathering that pests attacked her cocoa trees “and I felt sad watching my farm get worse every day. I could not afford to buy fungicide and pesticides to help my crops”. Fortunately, she was enrolled onto the Cocoa Farmers’ support programme in 2022.

“It felt like my prayers had been answered. From the moment I joined the programme, everything got better. No longer do I have to standby helplessly as my farm suffered. With the support from the programme, I received pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers to help me reclaim my cocoa farm from pests and diseases.

“I now harvest more than 12 bags of cocoa from my farm, as compared to the previous 3–5 bags I used to harvest”.

She continued, “Every season, my farm gets better and better. I am getting more cocoa than I ever thought. What used to be a hard struggle to keep my farm alive has turned into a journey of success and growth.

“I am grateful for the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme. It didn’t just save my farm; it has also given me hope for the future “.

The District Cocoa Chief Officer for Huni Valley District, Clement Sarpong, on his part, indicated that he was proud to acknowledge the invaluable support extended by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation through its Cocoa Support Programme to the cocoa farmers.

COCOBOD, he said, has been monitoring the progress with great interest and was happy with the extent of support that the Foundation has provided.

He stated the provision of cocoa inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides to our farmers by the Foundation had been instrumental in bolstering cocoa production within the district.

Additionally, the provision of machinery for spraying has also significantly improved efficiency and productivity among the farmers.

“I want to emphasise the positive impact that this support from the Foundation, in collaboration with COCOBOD, has had on the livelihoods of our farmers.

“Particularly, this year, with the increase in cocoa prices and the invaluable inputs provided by the Foundation, we anticipate a significant improvement in the livelihoods of our farmers”.

On behalf of the Huni Valley District and the cocoa farming community, he extended COCOBOD sincere appreciation to the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for their proactive and impactful cocoa support programme.

The initiative, he indicated, was not only helping to enhance cocoa production, but is also contributing to the overall well-being and sustainability of agricultural sector.

Pregnant woman, eight others injured in Lagos gas explosion

By
admin
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The scene of the explosion

A yet-to-be-identified pregnant woman and eight others sustained varying degrees of injury following a gas explosion that occurred at Alaba Lane, Alayabiagba Community, in the Ajegunle-Apapa area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 12:39 p.m.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the Head, Public Education, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Amodu Shakiru, said the preliminary inquiry revealed that several different gas cylinders that were traded in the area had one that was set off by a possible leak that broke a high-tension cable and started a fire.

He added that the fire destroyed four commercial tricycles, six lock-up stores, and a portion of a bungalow building.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that several various gas cylinders traded within the neighbourhood have one triggered by a suspectable leakage leading to the snapping of a high-tension cable and resultant fire.

“Four commercial tricycles, six lock-up shops, and a bungalow part of the properties were razed down while salvaging adjoining structures, including a major fuel service station,” Shakiru said.

He stated that the incident was quickly contained by the Federal Fire Service, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the fire stations in Ajegunle and Sari-Iganmu.

Shakiru noted that the pregnant woman and the other victims were receiving treatment at the Gbagada Burn & Trauma Centre and Ajeromi General Hospital following initial care provided by the Lagos State Ambulance Service.

“However, nine people reportedly suffered different degrees of burn injury, including a pregnant woman, children, and adults, male and female, who are recuperating at the Ajeromi General Hospital and Gbagada Burnt & Trauma Centre after some first aid by the Lagos State Ambulance Service.

“The incident was curtailed in record time through the combined efforts of the Ajegunle and Sari-Iganmu Fire Stations of the LSFRS with the compliment of the Federal Fire Service.”

PUNCH had reported that no fewer than 14 buildings were gutted by fire in Dosumu Market in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State earlier this month.

Credit: punchng.com

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