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3-unit classroom block commissioned for Abrepo Methodist JHS

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Nana Asante Boateng II, chief of Abrepo assisting the KMA boss to commission the project

A 3-unit classroom block has been commissioned for the Abrepo Methodist Junior High School (JHS) in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The project was funded from the Assembly’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF) to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning for the children of school-going age in the locality.

The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr. Samuel Pyne, said at the commissioning that the project was a demonstration of the Assembly’s quest to improve the standard of education through physical infrastructure towards the realisation of producing quality products to become the future leaders in society.

He challenged teachers to prove to the society that, they were not common, but a guide book to the society by ensuring that, their total contribution was felt in the upbringing and transformation of children.

The KG block

Mr. Pyne urged the school management, Nananom, parents and the beneficiary students to cultivate the maintenance culture to ensure that the project served the intended purpose to enable the Assembly extend similar facilities to other communities in the Metropolis for the holistic transformation of education.

Mr. David Oppong, Metro Education Director, commended the Assembly and the Mayor for the physical infrastructure projects provided in the various schools.

He mentioned that besides providing infrastructure, the mayor and the KMA absorbed the cost of mock examinations for about 9,000 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates at the cost of GH¢100,000.00

The Metro Education Director disclosed that the KMA boss had also distributed sets of furniture to the Nhyiaeso and Bantama sub-Metro schools to enhance teaching and learning.

Hemanhene supports community police station project

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Nana Apau Wife Ababio Sanwoansan - Hemanhene

Nana Hemanhene, Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan, has pledged to support a community Police Station project in the area.

He would contribute GH¢10,000 towards the project on September 1, 2023 to redeem the pledge.

The Hemanhene announced his support during a health walk to herald the launch of the Ejuratia Homecoming in December, in aid of the project.

The project is to benefit adjoining communities in the area which have come under constant attacks by armed robbers on their stretch of road over the years.

The Chief commended the initiative and reminded them that the people of Ejuratia, Heman, Ankaase, Mpobi and Abrade were one and needed to unite and live in peace for development.

Philanthropist builds ultramodern OPD for Sresotimpom Health Center

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Nananom confer with the philanthropist (in white) at the commissioning ceremony

A Philanthropist, Mr. Adams Kwaku Ofori, has constructed an Out Patient Department (OPD) for the Sresotimpom Health Center in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

The facility is fully furnished with chairs, television sets and hospital beds among others, to help provide quality health care in the area.

The Philanthropist has also built a Kindergarten classroom block for Sresotinpom Presby Primary School.

The two facilities have, since Friday August 19, 2023, been handed over to the community amid pomp and pageantry.

Mr. Kwaku Ofori, a native of the community who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Hot Lotteries, said he was moved by his strong desire to see children in the community get unlimited access to quality health care and decent education.

The Philanthropist recalled how he struggled to go to school under harsh conditions during his childhood, and said no child must attend school in pain in this present age.

“With an enabling environment, every child can go to school and become [a] useful citizen in the country,” he noted.

Mr. Ofori urged the beneficiaries of the facilities to keep them in good shape and maintain it regularly to serve other generations.

The District Public Health Nurse, Joyce Banaman, commended Mr. Kwaku Ofori for the gesture.

The Head Teacher of Sresotinpom Presby Primary School, Mr. Samuel Amankwaa Kyei, thanked their benefactor for the support.

He noted that, the facility would help improve education of the toddlers at Kindergarten.

The community of Sreso has presented a citation to Mr. Ofori in appreciation of the construction of the (KG) block and the OPD for the local health center.

CDHR decries human rights violations in Nigeria

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NHRC

The National Vice-President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Ade Ikuesan, has decried the rate of human right violations in Nigeria.

He charged comrades of the committee in Kwara State to embark on vigorous sensitisation of the citizens to enable them know when their rights are violated or trampled upon.

He said majority of citizens hardly know when their rights are violated and how to fight against such violations, hence the need for advocacy to create the right awareness on what action to take.

Speaking at the biennial state convention of the Kwara State chapter of the CDHR, on Saturday, at the Labour House of the Nigeria Labour Congress, in Ilorin, Ade urged Nigerians to stand up and fight for their rights.

He advised the comrades to visit law courts and police stations, among others, regularly, to identify innocent citizens whose human rights had been violated and languishing in jail without any rescue.

The Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in Kwara State, Jumoke Olaoye, disclosed that about 2,000 human rights violations were being attended by the commission in the state.

She observed that pandemic of child abuse by psychologically-troubled parents is the current trend in the society now.

Jumoke, while commending the efforts of the committee so far in the state, called for more vigorous education on the rights of the child citizens.

The General Manager of Diamond FM Radio, Ilorin, Micheal Abiodun Olarewaju, urged the new executive of the committee led by Comrade Afolabi Lukman, not to close its eyes to human rights violations by the citizens.

He pledged robust synergy between the radio station and the committee in efforts to fight human rights violations in the state.

In his acceptance speech, the re-elected chairman, Afolabi, called on security agencies to stand firm in defending the rights of people, as human rights and security have a place for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

Source: dailypost.ng

Biden wants to meet with Tinubu – American Envoy

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President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has tasked the US to collaborate with African countries in defending its democracies against anti-democratic forces within and outside the continent in order to improve on its peoples living standard.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement, disclosed that the president said this when he received the US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Molly Phee, in Abuja on Saturday. Ms Phee, as part of her message, told the Nigerian leader that US President Joe Biden wants to meet with Mr Tinubu.

“President Joe Biden is asking to meet with you on the sidelines of UNGA, and you are the only African leader he has requested to meet,” she was quoted as telling the Nigerian president.

Mr Tinubu said that the American-backed development finance and multilateral institutions required comprehensive reforms to meet the developmental requirements of younger democracies in Africa, which operate in authoritarian-crowded environments.

He said that this must be done with vigour as the institutions designed policies to support war-torn Europe after World War II, adding that this would meet the legitimate yearnings of Africans of using local solutions for its challenges.

“Yes, the private sector will lead the way within an enabling environment we create for them, but the US Government must be innovative in its thinking and systematically create incentives for US industrial investment in Nigeria.

‘’Under my leadership, Nigeria stands ready to address their specific regulatory, tax and environmental concerns. I am determined to create prosperity for all Nigerian families,” the president said.

Mr Tinubu said that the crisis in Niger Republic would not deter him from concluding his economic reform programme for the benefit of Nigerians, adding that he would only advance the interest of Nigeria in his approach toward ECOWAS’ handling of the regional standoff.

“We are deep in our attempts to peacefully settle the issue in Niger by leveraging on our diplomatic tools. I continue to hold ECOWAS back, despite its readiness for all options, in order to exhaust all other remedial mechanisms.

‘’War is not ideal for my economic reforms, nor for the region, but the defence of democracy is sacrosanct. The ECOWAS consensus is that we will not allow anyone to insincerely buy time,” Mr Tinubu, who is the ECOWAS chairman, said.

Pledging its support for the position of ECOWAS, the US Special Presidential Envoy expressed the high regard the US Administration has for the leadership of Mr Tinubu as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

She extended an exclusive invitation from US President Joe Biden, to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City to advance discussions further in late September.

Source: Source: premiumtimesng.com

Port Harcourt refinery to begin operation in December – Minister

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Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva

The Nigerian government on Friday said the Port Harcourt refinery will become functional by December.

A statement signed by Garba Deen Muhammad, the chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), made this known on Friday.

The statement said the 60,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt Refinery was shut in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the service of Italy’s Maire Tecnimont to handle the scoping of the refinery complex, with oil major Eni appointed as a technical adviser.

In 2021, the NNPCL said repairs had started after the federal executive council approved $1.5 billion for the project.

Last September, the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the country’s biggest crude refinery in Port Harcourt would restart operation in December after it would have completed a revamp that began over a year ago. But PREMIUM TIMES analysis in October last year showed that the timelines were unmet.

Again, in January 2023, Mr Sylva assured that part of the refinery would be completed by the year’s first quarter, but the government has again failed to meet its target.

On Friday, Mr Muhammad said the federal government has reiterated its commitment to ending petroleum product importation soon, as efforts are being redoubled to restore the nation’s local refining capacity.

According to the statement, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, said this during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the refining company plant in Port Harcourt on Friday.

It explained that the minister, who was in the company of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gabriel Aduda and the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, said considering the level of progress recorded in the PHRC rehabilitation project, the plant will come back on stream by December this year.

Source: premiumtimesng.com

Otumfuo to raise $10m for ‘Heal Komfo Anokye Project’

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Asantehene (seated) flanked by members of the Project team including Prof. Addai- Mensah(4th right) and Mr. Adu-Boakye (4th left)

The proposed “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” will get a major boost as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has declared his intention to raise US$10 million towards the comprehensive renovation of the 70-year-old In-Patient Wards at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

The Asantehene announced this when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, Prof. Otchere Addai- Mensah, led the executives and members of the “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” team to present the technical and financial proposal for the renovation of the dilapidated blocks at the health facility to the Ashanti King at Manhyia Palace on Thursday.

The artistic view of the wards after the proposed renovation

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said the aging blocks, which house the main wards at the hospital, had not seen any renovation since1955, adversely affecting the quality of in-patient care, hence his decision to lead the drive for their refurbishment.

The team is a volunteer group, made up of an architect, a real estate developer, marketing, and brands communication specialists among other experts, who were commissioned by the KATH CEO to develop the master plan for the project.

The renovation of the blocks, popularly referred as “Blocks A, B, C and D”, is expected to be executed as part of the legacy projects marking the 25th Anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of the Asantehene next year.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II described KATH as a strategic institution, which occupies a unique position in the health care delivery system in the country, as well as the social, cultural and historical heritage of the Asante Kingdom.

“For a hospital that has been the sole provider of tertiary health care in this region and beyond for decades, and having been named after the founding Chief Priest of Asanteman, it will be unacceptable to allow it to fall into a state of disrepair, hence my readiness to lead the crusade for its restoration,” the King explained.

Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II mentioned plans to formally launch the fundraising campaign to ensure the mobilisation of the needed resources to renovate and modernise the old blocks, so that they could better serve patients from the region and the 11 others that the hospital receives referrals from.

He commended the CEO and members of the “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” team for their commitment to the project, and urged the public and corporate institutions to support the fundraising campaign when it is launched to ensure the successful execution of the project.

The Asantehene has, accordingly, appointed Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Hiahene and founder of Foundation of Orthopaedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS), who also doubles as the Board Chairman of the Otumfuo Charity Foundation, as his representative on the project team.

Prof. Addai-Mensah, who was shocked on assumption of office by the extent of deterioration of the blocks over the 70 years from intensive use, expressed delight at Otumfuo’s readiness to support plans to give the hospital the desired facelift, stressing that the Board, management, staff and patients of the hospital owed the Asantehene a great debt of gratitude for his timely intervention.

The current state of the wards

Mr. Samuel Adu-Boakye, Chairman of the “Heal Komfo Anokye Project” team, was grateful to the Asantehene for his commitment to the execution of the project. He added that the team had developed a comprehensive marketing and communication strategy to facilitate the raising of the needed funds from well-meaning members of the public and corporate Ghana.

“If we can get just one million Ghanaians to donate $10 each, $10 million can be raised in no time to ensure the timely execution of this project for the benefit of the entire people of Ghana,” he noted.

Architect Kojo Darko-Asante, lead architect for the team, said the proposal for the project was meticulously put together by a team of technical and engineering experts after a painstaking assessment of the wards.

He said the project would transform wards at the hospital into a world-class patient-friendly facility when successfully executed.

GJA launches 27th Awards; new categories added

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GJA president, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour launching the awards

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has launched the 27th GJA Awards slated for Saturday, October 28, 2023 in Accra.

Mr. Dwumfour, in his address at the launch in Accra, last week, explained the essence of the awards, which is to promote professional excellence and high journalistic standards.
He said the GJA Media Awards is organised annually to achieve one of the key objectives of the Association, under Article 3(j) of the GJA Constitution 2004, which mandates the National Executives to “Reward and Honor outstanding members periodically.”

The theme for this year’s awards:‘Leveraging media freedom to sustain the democratic and security architecture: The litmus test of 2024 elections’, according to the President, was chosen to prepare journalists for the impending elections in December 2024.

“We want journalists to be well-prepared for their upcoming duties and to provide extensive, thorough and impartial election coverage in order to mark yet another milestone in our democratic dispensation,” he added.

The current administration of the Association, the President said, is very much committed to the promotion of professional excellence and high journalistic standards, saying “it is in this light that the GJA is delighted about the exploits of Paa Kwesi Asare of Media General, in winning this year’s BBC Komla Dumor Award.

“In the eight years history of the prestigious award, in honor of the renowned Ghanaian broadcast journalist, this is the first time a Ghanaian journalist has emerged as the winner,” he said.

“On behalf of the leadership of the GJA, I wish to congratulate Paa Kwesi on this memorable achievement,” he said.

“Whilst urging him to climb higher, we believe his remarkable achievement will encourage others to also raise the bar of excellence and win similar awards. “ he added.
Among the 34 categories of this year’s awards, some, according to the president, have been redefined to make them more purposeful.

Some of the newly introduced categories is the Best Radio/TV Programme for Ghanaian Languages, which has merged all the previous categories for Best Radio/TV Programme in six local languages as one category.

“So whether it is Ga, Ewe, Nzema, Twi, Hausa, Dagbani or Krobo, they will all compete for one category.” Mr. Dwumfour explained.
He further explained that the Best Student Journalist of the Year category has been reintroduced this year.

“We want to encourage trainee journalists to have a strong appetite for professional excellence and high journalistic standards, even before they join the world of work and the decision also falls within our membership drive agenda, which is to encourage trainee journalists and practitioners to join the GJA,” he stressed.

“Another innovation in this year’s awards is the online entry system, which provides an online platform for the submission of entries,” he said.
He added that application to receive entries opened on August 24, 2023 and closes on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 without any further extension.

Mr. Dwumfour, therefore, encouraged members to file their entries early to avoid disappointment, advising members to secure strong internet connection for easy and fast submission of entries.
He called on all corporate organisations to also come on board with sponsorship to ensure the success of the awards.

“We appreciate your support over the years and we trust you will continue to partner with us to raise the bar of excellence in journalism,” he said.

The Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Tiwaa Addo Dankwa, in her remarks, revealed EOCO’s assurance to sponsor the Crime/Court Reporting category of this year’s awards.

She said the decision came as a result of EOCO’s passion against crimes, especially cyber related crimes, where people sit in the comfort of their homes and commit crimes.

“Fighting crime is everybody’s responsibility, where we have to take our personal security into our own hands because we cannot leave everything in the hands of the law enforcers”
The Executive Director added that the crime stories will be used as a public education against cyber crimes and advised the general public to be mindful of their online dealings.
She, however, called on all media practitioners to not hesitate to contact EOCO on any

crime investigations that they are taking to seek the needed clarifications.
Attached is the full awards category.

GHANA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEDIA AWARDS 2023
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & RULES
The competition is open to members in good standing who are working in the print (including news agency), electronic and online media in Ghana.
The competition is open for works published in 2022.
Members of the National Executive and the GJA Media Awards Committee are not eligible to contest.
Entries should cover works published from January l, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Entrants may submit entries for a maximum of two categories, and not more than two published works should be submitted for each category.

However, one work shall not be entered in more than one category.
Entrants should submit clear, original published work of each entry.
Entrants must upload a clear passport size photo for their entries.

Student journalists must upload a scanned copy of their Student ID Card for their entries.
Entrants are advised to secure strong Internet connection to ensure easy and fast uploading of entries.

The deadline for submission of entries is at September 8, 2023.
Entries/Nominations should be titled ‘GJA MEDIA AWARDS 2023′
The GJA is NOT bound to give an award in a category if it does not merit one.

The Awards Committee shall select the overall best story from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the P. A. V. Ansah Journalist of the Year.

The Awards Committee shall select the best story by a female journalist from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the Best Female Journalist of the Year.

The Awards Committee shall select the best story by a young journalist from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the Year.

The Awards Committee shall select the best story by a student journalist from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the Best Journalist of the Year.

BIO DATA
NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
MEDIA ORGANISATION
POSTAL ADDRESS
EMAIL ADDRESS
REGION OF WORK
TYPE OF MEDIA (State-owned / Private-owned)
NATURE OF MEDIA (Print / Television / Radio / Online)
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF STORY (January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022)
DATE OF ENTRY FOR AWARDS
AWARDS CATEGORIES
DIVISION ONE (SEPARATE AWARDS)
i. NEWS (Print, Television, Radio, Online)
ii. FEATURES (Print, Television, Radio, Online)
iii. DOCUMENTARIES (Television, Radio)
COLUMNIST (Print)
DIVISION TWO (BEATS) (One award for each category)
i. SPORTS
ii. EDUCATION
iii. INVESTIGAT
PHOTOJOURJALISM
v. ARTS / ENTERTAINMENT vi. BUSINESS / ECONOMIC
vii. ENVIRONMENT / SCIENCE viii. HEALTH
AGRICULTURE / FOOD SECURITY
x. DEMOCRACY & GOOD GOVERNANCE GENDER
xii. CRIME / COURT
DIVISION THREE (SPECIAL CAMPAIGN) (One award for each category)
i. SABILITY
ii. 0MEgr1c
iii. TOURISM
iv. ROAD SAFETY
v. ILLEGAL MINING
DIVISION FOUR (PROGRAMMES& LAYOUT) (One award for each category)
i. BEST RADIO/TV PROGRAMME (GHANAIAN LANGUAGES) ii. BEST RADIO/TV PROGRAMME (ENGLISH LANGUAGE) iii. BEST NEWSPAPER LAYOUT (PRINT)
DIVISION FIVE (PROMISING JOURNALIST)
i. BEST STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (Open to students of accredited journalism / communication training institutions whose works were published in 2022. Such entrants must upload a scanned copy of a valid student’s identity card to support their entry) ii. CJA/KOMLA DUMOR MOST PROMISING JOURNALIST OF THEYEAR(Open to journalists of the Association with not more than three years’ experience)
ii. BEST FEMALE JOURNALIST (Open to female journalists of the Association with not more than ten years’ experience)
DIVISION SIX (JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR)
i. GJA/P.A.V. ANSAH JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Kofi eboah
(General Secretary)

Antonio Rüdiger endorses Ghanaian rapper AraTheJay’s lyrics

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Ghanaian rapper AraTheJay
Antonio Rüdiger

Real Madrid player Antonio Rüdiger has given a nod of approval to lines from a song by Ghanaian musician and talented rapper AraTheJay.

The rapper’s track “Vous Allez” has caught the attention of the German footballer, who shared his endorsement on social media.

In the song, AraTheJay cleverly raps, “I be moving with caution mey3no like Rüdiger, Rüdiger on the low,” drawing parallels between cautious movement and Rüdiger’s tactical prowess on the field.

This endorsement gains significance as Rüdiger is known for his calculated playing style and defensive skills.

Notably, Rüdiger also aligns with Nimo Constantine’s description of him as a “Mighty Finisher,” a sentiment expressed in the track’s lyrics.

The endorsement showcases Rüdiger’s appreciation for the fusion of sports and music.

A short video clip of “Vous Allez” was shared on Rüdiger’s Instagram story, creating excitement among fans of both the footballer and the rapper.

Ara the Jay, along with collaborators M.I.K and Ghanaian Stallion, has successfully combined their musical talents to create a track that resonates with a diverse audience.

Music enthusiasts and sports fans alike can stream “Vous Allez” on various platforms, and experience the unique synergy of AraTheJay’s artistry.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

Steve Harvey apologises for ‘negative’ tweet about comedians

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Steve Harvey

Steve Harvey took to social media to issue an apology to his fans after an employee posted a tweet from the actor’s official Twitter page that asked users to name a comedian they “don’t find funny at all.”

“Somebody that works for me on my Twitter put a statement out that was totally negative,” he began in a minute-long video message posted to Twitter Friday.

“I gotta take responsibility for it ’cause they work for me, but the engagement was talking about, ‘name a comedian you don’t think is funny.’”

He rhetorically asked, “Why would I do something like that? That don’t even make no damn sense.”

The “Family Feud” host, 66, added that he would never tweet anything like that because his “whole brand is to be motivational.”

“You don’t know where these young people at in they career, man,” he added.

“They could be coming up or anything. I’m all about positivity. I would’ve never done nothing like that.”

Harvey, who said he stopped his fishing trip to share this PSA, said the Aug. 19 tweet — which has been deleted after being viewed more than one million times — “pissed” him off.

“I’m so pissed off right now, man,” the “Steve” alum continued.

“Talking about, ‘I was trying to get some engagement.’ Okay … you trying to get some employment, too. My bad, y’all. Now I gotta come on here and doing a damn selfie.

“So here it is: I’m sorry. My bad, y’all. Won’t happen again, though.”

Page Six has reached out to Harvey’s reps to see if he actually terminated the employee but did not immediately hear back.

Credit: pagesix.com

The Ghanaian Chronicle