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Ashanti NPP Founding Fathers deny endorsing Akoto

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Mr Nsiah, NPP founding member in Ashanti

The Founding Fathers of the New Patriotic Party in the Ashanti Region have denied media reports that they have endorsed the candidature of Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto in the party’s flagbearer race.

According the founding fathers, the reports are untrue and should be disregarded by the party faithful.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, August 8, 2023 they urged the persons behind the circulation of the report to stop.

“There is a news item both in the print and electronic media on 07/08/23 purported to have come from Dr Afryie Akoto, a former Minister of Agriculture and an NPP Presidential Candidate hopeful, to the effect that the NPP founding members of Ashanti Region have pledged their support to him.

“We, the founding members of NPP of Ashanti Region, wish to educate the public and the aspirant that we constitute the ‘Custodian Fathers’ of the party in the region and does not or cannot openly declare our support for one particular candidate,” their statement said.

“We, therefore, find the news items unfortunate and we refute it, as it is untrue and call on Dr Akoto to retract it with the urgency it deserves.”

I’ve contributed to NPP more than my competitors –Alan

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Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen

Leading contender in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race, Mr John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has re-affirmed his bid for the race with claims of better experience, vision and contributions for the party since 1992, more than any of the other nine contenders.

He told delegates of the Ahafo Ano South, South West and South East constituencies, Wednesday, during his cluster delegates’ durbar that he is more experienced among all the contestants to assume the leadership of the party.

The former Trade and Industry Minister said as one of 100 global leaders, together with late American President J.F Kennedy and Billionaire Bill Gates, listed by the Time Magazine in 1994, he has the vision to create more jobs and uplift the lives of Ghanaians if given the nod.

Popularly known as ‘Alan Cash’, Mr Kyerematen cited as evidence of his track record, the 1D1F policy under which about 300 factories are being built and are at various levels of completion and the Presidential Special Initiatives programme (PSI) which created fully integrated agricultural and industrial projects, respectively under the current Akufo-Addo and former President Kufuor’s administration.

He referred to his qualities as a unifier by sacrificing to step down and save the party from a potentially divisive runoff at the party’s 2007 primaries, after the first poll did not provide a clear winner.

Alan Kyerematen indicated that breaking the ‘8’ depended on votes and assured the delegates that he would garner two million votes from Ashanti region if he is given the mandate to lead the party at the Presidential Primaries in November.

He claimed that apart from former President Kufuor and sitting President Nana Akufo-Addo, he is the next crowd puller able to give the NPP the needed numbers to break the ‘8’ in 2024.

He, therefore, called on the delegates to count on his experience, vision and contributions and give him the responsibility to lead the party to break the ‘8’ and form the next NPP government.

Speaking at the same forum, Saddique Boniface, Coordinator of the ‘Alan for President’ campaign and a former Minister for Zongos and Inner-City Development, as well as a former MP for Madina, described Alan Kyerematen as the third NPP president of the 4th Republic.

Alhaji Boniface believes Muslims from the Northern regions and the Zongo constituencies would vote massively for Alan and urged the gathering to do same.

According to him, delegates in constituencies in the Northern regions were passionate about their choice of Alan as the next leader of the party, which was a pointer to his qualities of patience and a unifier, which is why the NPP needs to break the ‘8’ in the 2024 elections.

3 Volta NPP chair want Akoto as Prez

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Owusu Afriyie Akoto

Three Constituency Chairmen of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Volta Region have urged delegates in their respective constituencies to vote massively for Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto as Flagbearer, to lead the party to victory in the 2024 election.

According to the Chairmen of the Keta, Anlo and Afadzato constituencies, they believe Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto’s vision of using agriculture to turn around the fortunes of the Ghana is the best the country could ever get.

They also believe that the immediate past Minister for Food and Agriculture has an impeccable track record in government, which makes him the best candidate by all standards to lead the NPP to retain power in the next election.

The Chairmen made the call on the delegates when Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto embarked on a campaign tour of the Volta Region to sell his vision for the party and Ghana at large should he be elected as Flagbearer and ultimately as President.

The Chairman of the Afadzato constituency, Gershon Zuttah, was particularly happy with Dr. Afriyie Akoto’s message and the clean campaign he’s embarked on so far.

“I like his campaign; his message is strong and very good. His campaign is not attacking anyone but putting out a very sound vision to move Ghana to the next level using agriculture as the driving force.

“This is the kind of visionary leader that Ghana needs. I urge delegates not to make the mistake of voting for any candidate except Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto.

“He has a lot of good things to offer the country. Let’s elect Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto to enable him to implement his excellent policies and programmes for Ghana.”

For his part, the Chairman of the Anlo Constituency, Joseph Adranyi, said Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto’s excellent performance while in government as the Head of the Agric Sector which is evident for all to see, makes him the perfect candidate to lead the NPP to victory come December 7, 2024 election.

“We believe Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto is the best candidate to lead our great party to break the 8-year governance cycle. The little we can do to support him is to vote massively for him to win the Flagbearer race.

“I urge you to vote for him come November 4, 2023. I believe Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto will remember us the people of Anlo constituency when we elect him as Flagbearer and subsequently as President of Ghana.”

The Chairman for the Keta Constituency, Dr. Benjamin Dzameshie also urged the delegates to vote massively for Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, if indeed they want the NPP to break the 8-year governance cycle.

“Should the party repose confidence in you by electing you as the Flagbearer, I know you will take good care of the party. Party work needs to be attractive as pertains in South Africa and Mexico, to mention a few.

“We believe in your vision to lead the party to establish businesses to take care of party matters and members. I urged delegates not to look no further than Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto. Let’s honour him on November 4, 2023, to become our presidential candidate to retain power beyond 2024.”

A total of 10 aspirants contesting the flagbearer race have successfully gone through vetting and balloting for their positions on the ballot paper for the election.

They are a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto; former Minister of Energy, Mr Boakye Agyarko; former NPP General Secretary and presidential spokesperson, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong, Mr Francis Addai-Ni­moh; former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku.

The rest are Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former Minis­ter of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; former Min­ister of Justice and Attorney Gen­eral, Mr Joe Ghartey; energy expert, Mr Kwadwo Opoku and Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.

A Special Delegates Congress will he held on August 26, 2023, to select five of the presidential aspirants.

The top five aspirants will then contest for the flagbearer slot on November 4, 2023, to elect one to lead the party in the 2024 general election.

From Stephen Odoi-Larbi

Police advise motorbike riders to adhere to safety rules

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The arrested motor riders, being addressed by Superintendent Joseph Appiah

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service on Thursday, August 10, 2023, educated arrested motorbike riders on the need to adhere to safe riding regulations.

The team, led by Superintendent Joseph Appiah, explained to the riders, the consequences involved in not abiding by the regulations, making reference to fatal accident cases involving bikers that had been recorded at various hospitals as a result of indiscipline on the road.

According to the Superintendent, some motorbike riders, even after hitting pedestrians, failed to stop to assist the victim to seek immediate medical attention, and rather ride off.

The arrested bikers, numbering about twenty, were given warning letters and advised not to ride facing oncoming vehicles, always wear their helmets, not to ride on pavements, obey traffic regulations, and register their bikes, among others. “Once you find yourself back on the road, do well by obeying all the rules, because by doing that, you are protecting yourself and the lives of other road users,” he added.

He said it was the responsibility of every rider to ensure that their pillion passengers wear their helmet at all times.

The programme, which is part of the intensified Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline (Operation PAARI), is an initiative by the Inspector General of Police, has specially formed police team with cameras strategically installed on their uniforms that record every activity on the road.

The PAARI officers, also a rider, according to Superintendent Appiah, were stationed at vantage traffic points, and would arrest any traffic violators, process them and put before the courts/

“We must know that safety on our roads, is everyone’s responsibility,” he explained.

The exercise was held at the Airport Divisional Police Headquarters and streamed live on the social media page of the Ghana Police.

Josephine Asante’s murder case adjourned once again

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Court

The Tema District Court on Monday, this week, adjourned the case in which four persons are standing trial for over the murder of Mrs. Josephine Asante.

They accused persons are, Richard Kwabena Kwakye aka Kwabena Boateng, former driver at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Dominic Owusu, driver, Christian Agyei, houseboy and Frederick Owusu Oppong, driver.

When the case was called, the Prosecution told the court that police are waiting for the advice from the Attorney General’s Office. Mrs. Josephine Asante, then Marketing and Public Affairs Manager at Tema Port of GPHA was on Sunday January 13, 2019, found murdered in her Emefs Hillview Estates home near Afienya in the Ningo Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region.

According to the brief facts as presented by the police, Kwabena Boateng and Frederick Owusu Oppong are cousins.  Through Boateng, his cousin was employed as the personal driver of his boss’ wife.

Boateng and Dominic were good friends and the former introduced the later to his boss and both became acquaintances thereafter. Christian Agyei was houseboy for the deceased.

On Saturday January 12, 2019, Mrs. Asante attended an end of year party organized at the headquarters of GPHA in Tema. The party was also attended by Kwabena Boateng and his boss, but they left the party to the Emefs Hillview Estates at about 11.00pm to visit a friend to the boss.

While Kwabena Boateng was waiting for his boss in the car at the estate, Dominic Owusu came to speak to his boss briefly and left. Mrs. Asante returned from the party to her house at about 12.30am.

Kwabena Boateng and Dominic Owusu who had laid ambush in the vicinity with the aid of Christian Agyei followed the deceased’s vehicle, entered the apartment, struggled with the deceased in her bathroom and stabbed her to death, according to the police charged sheet.

After the act, they locked her in her bedroom, took the key to the deceased’s door and fled leaving the key on the lawn outside the main gate of the house.

On Sunday January 13, 2019, Mrs. Asante was found dead in a pool of blood in her room.

Kwabena Boateng and Dominic Owusu later fled to Burkina Faso, after some months, returned to Ghana and went into hiding.

Frederick Owusu Oppong also left his job as the driver without apparent cause and travelled to the Northern Region.

Knowing that Mrs Josephine Asante was no more, Christian Agyei picked an amount of Ghc 430.00 and a wrist watch belonging to her which she brought on the night from the end of year party.Case has since been adjourned to August 21, 2023.

Absence of Code of Conduct is a recipe for corruption -Interior Ministry 

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The new code conduct being unveiled

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Interior, Adelaide Anor Kumi, says the absence of a Code of Conduct and reporting Mechanism in an institution serves as a fertile ground for nurturing corrupt practices.

This, she said, leads to a drawback in the management of public finances.The Chief Director made this known in a keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery at the lunch of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) code of conduct and Mechanism in Accra, yesterday.

Officials who attended the launch

According to her, perception alone in an institution leads to the general lowering of morale and trust among the public. “This perceived ‘corruption’ becomes a more dangerous factor when an institution is expanding in terms of the growth and the expansion of its resources”, she added.

To her, experiences around the world have shown that, “if we do not get our basics right, the increase in our resource envelope will spell disaster, instead of providing the means for us to solve the many challenges that we encountered as a Service, by providing the needed resources for your work as a Service”.

Ms. Adelaide further made reference to one of the president’s pronouncements on corruption which says, “Government has fought corruption not in words, but in concrete deed. Our Government has protected the public purse, made institutional reforms, enacted additional requisite laws, and have resourced more adequately the accountability organs of state.

“Our fight against corruption has been grounded on legislative, financial and institutional action, and not on lip-service”.

Moreover, she asserted that the adoption of this Code of Conduct would be instrumental in promoting integrity, openness and transparency, among Officers of the Ghana Immigration Service.

The Comptroller General of GIS, Kwame Esuah Takyi  on his part  said the GIS Code of Conduct and Reporting Mechanism, is a document that focuses on the ethical behaviour of Officers and a mechanism to report Officers who go contrary to the guiding principles of the Service.

He quoted  the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies in  2014, which said   “commitment  to ethical behaviour enhanced organization’s reputation, support harmonious relationships within the organisation, enhance relationships with third parties, manage risks associated with ethical decision-making, set out a standard of behaviour within a disciplinary framework, demonstrate effective governance arrangements, and provide effective ethical guidance and support”.

This, he said, signifies another fulfilled significant milestone achieved by the Service in ensuring discipline among all Officers and curbing or reducing unethical behaviour or the perception of corruption in the Service, in its journey towards a brighter and better Service.

Mr. EsuahTakyi noted that the new Code of Conduct and Reporting Mechanism has come at the right time to kick start a campaign in addressing specific public perceptions of the Service whilst instilling public confidence, partnership and commitment as well as the promotion of integrity, accountability and transparency.

Editorial: 30 Years Of Parliamentary Democracy

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Editorial

The Parliament of Ghana is celebrating 30 years of parliamentary democracy. As the House of Legislature take stock of 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana, The Chronicle is glad about how parliament has now moved to the doorstep of the people, where they can take questions from the very people who they represent.

As the Speaker of parliament leads Parliament to Takoradi with his entourage to bring their legislative activities close to the people, his other two deputies are in the Eastern and Northern regions to engage the electorate on the same subject.

Thirty years ago, Ghana chose the path of parliamentary democracy with the inception of the Fourth Republican Parliament of Ghana, after eleven years of military rule and the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution that was approved by the Ghanaian citizenry in a referendum.

The first parliament of the Fourth Republic had 200 members and was inaugurated on 7th January 1993. The political parties represented were the National Democratic Congress, National Convention Party, Eagle Party and two Independents.

The second parliament was inaugurated on January 7 1997. Unlike the first parliament, the main opposition, the New Patriotic Party made a return to the House, joining the National Democratic Congress, Peoples National Convention and Convention Peoples Party.

Over the years, Parliament has evolved and the number of parliamentary seats increased to two hundred and thirty (230) in January, 2005 and further expanded to two hundred and seventy-five (275) since January, 2013.

From the above, it is obvious Ghana has travelled the path of a tortuous parliamentary democratic journey for a period of 30 years till today. As a result Parliament is entitled to celebrate the day because of its contribution to the growth of Ghana’s stable democracy.

According to parliament.gh, since the inception of the Fourth Republic, Parliament has passed over one thousand (1000) Bills including the Right to Information Act, the National Identification Authority Act, the Interpretation Act, the Electoral Commission Act, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act, the Audit Service Act and the Presidential Transitional Act.

Parliament also repealed other legislations such as the Criminal Libel law, and is working assiduously to enact other Bills to regulate the conduct of public business and promote good governance.

Hitherto, it was the executive that would have sponsored or would have come to the House for a bill to pass into law. The repeal of the death penalty, passing of the Promotion of Appropriate Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill amongst others were all sponsored by private members and did not come from the executive. This certainly tells a story that Parliament has come of age.

We must put our shoulders to the wheel by strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of parliament through institutional development, building the capacity of parliamentary staff, MPs and committees. Parliaments are one of the key institutions of democracy, playing an important role in terms of legislation, oversight and representation.

As a result, they must reduce operating along partisan and entrenched lines which affect the people who voted for them. A clear example was the passage of the E-Levy Act. It is time Ghana’s Parliament move away from partisan stand and work in the interest of the people.

On this auspicious occasion, The Chronicle wishes to say ‘Ayekoo’ to Parliament after thirty years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy, which is a milestone and worthy of celebrating.

Surge in Sex Toy Injuries among Women: Insights from Dr. Christian Amihere

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Sexual empowerment has seen a surge in recent years, with more women embracing the use of sex toys as part of their sexual wellness journey. However, there has been a concerning rise in sex toy-related injuries among women.

Dr. Christian Amihere, a respected medical practitioner from 37 Hospital, sheds light on the reasons behind this unsettling trend in our news magazine. Sexual exploration and the use of sex toys have become increasingly common as society becomes more accepting of various forms of pleasure.

Unfortunately, alongside this increase in usage, there has been a rise in the number of women seeking medical attention due to sex toy-related injuries. Dr. Christian Amihere, a gynecologist known for his expertise in sexual health, has been observing this trend and provides valuable insights into the causes.

According to Dr. Amihere, several factors contribute to the growing incidence of sex toy injuries among women. Firstly, the increased accessibility and affordability of sex toys have made them more popular.

This wider usage also means greater room for accidents or improper usage, leading to injuries. Lack of knowledge and education regarding proper usage and potential risks is another significant factor driving these injuries.

Many women may be unaware of the appropriate techniques for using various types of sex toys, leading to misuse and subsequent harm. This knowledge gap could be attributed to limited educational resources or hesitancy to openly discuss sexual pleasure and safety.

Certain types of sex toys are more frequently associated with injuries, as Dr. Amihere points out. Products made from substandard materials can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or infections. Furthermore, objects like glass or metal toys may pose an increased risk of injury if used with excessive force or inadequate lubrication.

To prevent these injuries, Dr. Amihere emphasizes the importance of education and awareness. Women should familiarize themselves with the proper usage, cleaning, and storage protocols for their chosen sex toys. They should also invest in high-quality products from reputable manufacturers that prioritize body-safe materials.

Using appropriate lubrication is crucial in minimizing friction and reducing the risk of tissue damage. Dr. Amihere advises women to be vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they experience persistent discomfort, pain, or allergic reactions after using a sex toy.

Regarding the role of manufacturers and regulatory authorities, Dr. Amihere underscores their responsibility in ensuring consumer safety. Manufacturers should prioritize quality control, conducting thorough testing to ensure their products are safe for use. Additionally, they should provide comprehensive usage instructions and warnings about potential risks.

Collaboration between manufacturers and regulatory authorities is necessary to establish and enforce safety standards within the industry. This would help protect consumers and reduce the occurrence of sex toy-related injuries.the escalating number of sex toy injuries among women is a concerning trend that warrants attention.

Dr. Christian Amihere emphasizes the need for education, safe practices, and better regulations to ensure sexual pleasure without compromising personal well-being. By promoting awareness and responsibility, we can strive for a future in which sexual exploration is not just pleasurable but also safe.

By Hayatu Mohammed

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

Bono Regional Minister warns against examination malpractice

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Madam Justina Owusu Banahene inspiring the candidates

The Bono Regional Minister, Madam Justina Owusu Banahene, has cautioned educators and others contemplating assisting candidates during the exams to shun the idea to avoid sanctions.

She warned that any individuals caught aiding candidates in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) would be handed over to the authorities for prosecution.

Emphasising the importance of maintaining fairness and honesty in the examination process, Madam Owusu Banahene admonished citizens, friends, and relatives of the candidates to refrain from flocking to the examination centers with intentions to facilitate cheating.

She underscored that such behavior undermined the efforts of hardworking students who had diligently prepared for the exams, and must be stopped immediately.

During her annual visit to boost the morale of candidates in the exams, Madam Owusu Banahene reiterated that it was crucial for candidates to be allowed to independently demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

She reiterated that under no circumstances should they be provided with any form of unauthorised assistance.

Madam Owusu Banahene’s visit to the examination centers served as a reminder of the significance of conducting examinations with the utmost fairness and transparency. She expressed the hope that the candidates’ dedication and hard work would shine through during the exams.

She praised the students for their commitment and encouraged them to approach the exams with confidence, knowing that their efforts would be rewarded.

The Regional Minister said the future of these young students depended on their own efforts, and society must support their growth by fostering an environment of integrity and fairness.

Accompanied by the Bono Regional Director of Education, Mr. Gabriel Antwi, the Regional Minister first visited the Nsuatre Sacred Heart Senior High School (SHS).

A total of 12 schools are participating in the BECE within the centre, bringing together 358 candidates, made up of 164 boys and 194 girls.

At the Nsuatre Technical and Vocational Institute, which hosted nine schools, there were 270 candidates, made up of 126 boys and 144 girls.

At Notre Dame Senior High School, both centers (A) and (B) had a total of 517 candidates from 19 schools.

Center (B) had 258 candidates, including 123 boys and 135 girls, while center (A) had 299 candidates, consisting of 134 boys and 167 girls, with two absentees.

Madam Owusu Banahene expressed her contentment with the disciplined manner in which the exams were being conducted across the various centers visited.

Broadcast Journalist donates medical supplies to Bono Regional Hospital

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Wofa Kwabena Kente (2nd left and his wife ) making the donation to the hospital in Sunyani

A Broadcast Journalist and philanthropist, Mr. Adam Siaka, affectionately known as Wofa Kwabena Kente, and Nora Trosi Siaka have donated items to the Bono Regional Hospital in Sunyani.

The donation, which formed part of activities marking his birthday, was aimed at aiding the hospital’s Covid-19 response and patient care efforts.

“Amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, my wife and I decided to mark my birthday in a meaningful and impactful way. That’s why we are donating these medical items, including Covid-19 supplies, catheter bags, wound dressing materials, and hand sanitisers to the hospital,” he said before handing over the items to the hospital at a brief ceremony.

The items were received by the Administrator of the hospital, Mr. Samuel Dodzi, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the staff and patients.

He commended the Siaka family for their gesture and assured them that the donated items would be put to good use, benefiting both patients and the overall healthcare delivery at the hospital.

The Administrator observed that the Siaka Family’s donation was not only a reflection of their compassion and community spirit, but also a reminder of the impact that individual actions could have on a larger scale. “As the hospital continues to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, the generosity of individuals like Wofa Kwabena Kente and Nora Trosi Siaka serves as a beacon of hope and unity,” he said.

When asked about the motivation behind the charitable act, Wofa Kwabena Kente said: “We believe in sharing our blessings with the needy, and there is no better way to do so than by supporting those who are fighting for their health on hospital beds.”

He emphasised the importance of community support and encouraged everyone to contribute within their means, echoing the sentiment that “blessed are those who give more than those who receive.”

In a related development, an aspiring parliamentary candidate and philanthropist in the Tain Constituency in the Bono Region, Mr. Afful Manu Benjamin, is set to register over 800 people under a life insurance scheme for free in the area.

Fifty-seven new members were registered under the scheme this week on a pilot base, while a mass registering is scheduled for September.

Mr. Afful said the move was to provide reliable support for people in times of need.

He said that this had been necessary, because many people in the area used motorcycles for their daily activities, and most of them were farmers who were open to a lot of risks that were not covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), hence the need for life insurance to minimise the costs in such situations.

“I am very concerned about the life of the people, so I raised this money with the help of some other philanthropists to support my people to get access to this insurance package, because it is good to secure their lives,” Mr. Afful said.

He emphasised that as part of his mission to ensure that people’s lives were made safer, he would continue to help the needy in his constituency.

He appealed to the people in the community to observe healthy practices to prolong their life spans.

Mr. Afful disclosed that he had rolled out outreach programnes to employ people in his catchment areas on the need to be conscious of community development.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the philanthropist for the kind gesture, as the initiative will enroll and save most from paying huge sums of money when seeking health care.

The Ghanaian Chronicle