At a sod cutting ceremony at one of the beneficiary schools
Officials of the Club breaking the grounds for the construction of boreholes
The Rotary Club of Kumasi is constructing 152 micro flush toilets and 29 boreholes for selected communities in three districts in the Ashanti Region.
The selected communities to benefit from the project are the Kumasi Metropolis, Atwima Nwabiagya North and Tafo Municipality.
The Rotary Club of Kumasi, in fulfilment of its vision to promote goodwill and prevent water borne diseases, has decided to construct toilets and boreholes across the country.
The projects, according to Nana Effah Mensah, International Service Chairman for the Rotary Club of Kumasi, are part of the global grant projects approved by Rotary International Foundation (TRF).
He added that they were partnering Rotary E-Club Premier 7040 in Montreal, Canada, to undertake the projects, estimated at $160,000. The projects are expected to be completed within 12 months.
The Club, as a humanitarian institution, is committed to helping to improve sanitation and access to potable water, which features prominently in its seven focus areas.
According to Nana Effah Mensah, the group would continue to help the less privileged in society, hence, its proposal to construct an additional 206 micro flush toilets and 30 boreholes by mid- April 2023 in the Afram Plains and Bosomtwe district.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emmanuel Obeng, President of Rotary Club of Kumasi, has explained that the decision to construct a borehole for the Adventist Senior High School (SHS), Bantama, under the project, stemmed from an appeal by some old students who were concerned about the difficulties the students faced in accessing potable drinking water.
The Ghanaian Times reported on Friday, November 25, 2022, that the Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Nana Darkwa, has been destooled by the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, for allegedly indulging in illegal mining activities.
According to the report, this was after he (Nana Darkwa) had allegedly admitted his involvement in illegal mining at Asamang Tamfoe, when he was summoned before the Akyem Abuakwa Judicial Council at Kyebi.
The story went on to state that the development followed a petition by a resident group, known as ‘Concerned Citizens of Asamang Tamfoe’, to the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council on November 9, 2022.
The residents accused the Benkumhene of engaging in illegal mining, which had caused the pollution of rivers and threatened livelihoods in the community.
The Ghanaian Times also published a picture it described as Nana Darkwa lying prostrate before the Okyenhene and pleading for clemency. However, the Okyenhene, after listening to his admissions on illegal mining and calling the bluff of the Okyeman Taskforce, made a consequential order for his destoolment.
The Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa insisted that the Benkumhene was not fit to be a chief due to his conduct.
According to Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, he would not relent on his resolve to crack the whip on any chief within the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area involved in illegal mining. He said some of the chiefs in the area, who were engaged in the illegal mining activities, were damaging the hard earned reputation of the traditional area, whilst destroying water bodies and arable lands.
Apart from what the Ghanaian Times published and the alleged comment made by the Okyenhene, The Chronicle does not have any evidence to support the allegation made against the Chief. However, if what the paper published is the truth, then we commend the Okyenhene for such a bold decision to destool the Chief.
It is important to note that the very existence of Ghana as a country is being threatened by illegal mining activities. The human race cannot survive without water, but, unfortunately, most of our creeks in the mining areas are becoming extinct due to heavy pollution. In places where these creeks are flowing through their natural courses, the water in it is so polluted with dangerous chemicals that no one dares fetch the water to drink.
Apart from the destruction being caused to the river bodies, the natural environment is also being destroyed.
The only people Ghanaians are expecting to deal with this obvious threat to our existence are both the government officials and our traditional rulers. If a chief who is supposed to be the custodian of the land is the one spearheading the destruction of the environment, then such a traditional ruler does not qualify to lead his people, hence our support for the position taken by Okyenhene to destool his sub-chief.
It is our prayer that other paramount chiefs will emulate what the Akyem Abuakwa Overlord has done to send strong signals to others that those who joke with our environment will pay the price for it.
The state has invested heavily in the fight against illegal mining, but the practice is still going on, because the financiers are making huge profits and do not want to quit the trade. Unfortunately, they are not the people who are always arrested by the law enforcement agencies – it is rather the poor labourers who have been hired that suffer the ultimate price – imprisonment.
In our view, if we are to totally kill the tree, then we must remove the roots, and not just attack the stem.
The General Manager for the Tema Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing Emmanuel Akinie, has reiterated the need for the conscious development of Soft Skills as a major contributor to one’s career growth.
He made this remark as the Guest Speaker at the eighth Certification and Exhibition ceremony of the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Ashaiman.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Development of Soft Skills and Vocational Technical Skills: A prior requirement to the labour market entry’, Ing Akinie shared that in his career as an engineer, he had come to appreciate the major role Soft Skills had played in his growth and advancement.
He shared that “technical skills, which are also sometimes referred to as hard skills, are job-specific knowledge and expertise that are needed to perform specific tasks, whilst Soft Skills are interpersonal and behavioural skills that help you to work well with other people and develop your career.”
Ing Akinie, in the light of that, admonished the students to ensure cordial working relationships wherever they find themselves, and to live in harmony with others.
He shared how, despite their technical competence, they could progress further with Soft Skills, because they would need others’ inputs to propel themselves.
He illustrated that in the Ghanaian cultural settings, for example, greeting was considered a very important cultural and a social issue, such that if one decides not to greet their colleague at the workplace, it could be seen as they were ignoring their bosses and colleagues, and this would go to their disadvantage.
The Guest Speaker outlined effective and clear communication as much as possible, problem-solving, empathy and the ability to work in a team environment as some points which could help with the development of Soft Skills.
“Advancements are happening around us always. For one to stay relevant, therefore, one must ensure that they are learning new knowledge and ways of managing tasks. So, be humble, honest and be ready to serve with all humility,” he concluded.
The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has been awarded the prestigious Public Service Excellence Award for his exceptional leadership in the country’s downstream petroleum industry.
He received a plaque and a citation for implementing measures to sanitize the sector at the 2022 Ghana Energy Awards held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Friday.
Part of the citation reads: ‘You have had a telling impact on the direction of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Under your leadership, the Authority has pragmatically implemented measures to sanitize the downstream petroleum sector through the enforcement of industry regulations to ensure a level playing field for all operators.
You have also strongly advocated for the end of energy poverty through the development of efficient fuel distribution networks across Africa.
“Under your guidance, the NPA has left its indelible mark in the hearts of many Ghanaians whose communities have been beneficiaries of clean water, educational and healthcare facilities provided by the Authority.
Your benevolence has been deeply felt by staff of the NPA. Your impact on the NPA and the downstream sector has been positively transformative and worthy of commendation.”
It will be recalled that Dr Abdul-Hamid was adjudged the Public Sector CEO of the year for two consecutive years – 2021 and 2022 – at the Ghana CEO Excellence Awards and the Ghana Business Awards.
This year’s Ghana Energy Awards was held on the theme: “Global Decarbonisation : A Just and Equitable Energy Transition in Ghana.”
The Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who represented President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the event, congratulated Dr. Abdul-Hamid and the other award winners for their achievements.
He affirmed the government’s resolve to continue to invest in the energy sector to drive the growth of the economy.
The Deputy Minister of Energy, Dr. Mohammed Amin Anta, affirmed the commitment of his ministry to deliver President Akufo-Addo’s vision of providing safe, reliable and affordable energy “to put the country on the path of sustainability.”
He said the energy awards recognised those whose hard work has made the energy industry stronger.
A Deputy CEO of the NPA, Mrs. Linda Asante, received the award on behalf of Dr. Abdul-Hamid. She was supported by Mr. Benard Owusu, Board member NPA; Madam Alpha Welbeck, Director Economic Regulation; Ms Evelyn Yeboah, Manager Permits, and Ms Natasha Boakye, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, all of NPA.
Mr Jinapor holding discussion with the High Commissioner
The South African High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Grace Mason, has expressed her country’s readiness and interest to understudy Ghana’s small-scale mining sector, particularly on the regularisation of their small-scale mining operations.
She described Ghana’s small-scale mining architecture as one of the best on the continent, and announced an official visit by a delegation from South Africa’s mining industry from 4th-9th December, this year.
Receiving the delegation, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, stated that Ghana was a favourable investment destination where South Africa was a major partner.
He said the cordial relations that existed between President Akufo-Addo and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, must be maintained and should also propel the two countries to boost trade and investment.
Mr. Jinapor indicated that: “South Africa is a major partner for our country and they have a lot of investments here, it is in our interest as well that South African companies are treated well,” he concluded.
The meeting was also attended by the South African Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Thando Dalmba, the CEO of Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Ayisi, and the Technical Director, Mines, at the Ministry, Mr. Peter Awuah.
The family and supporters of the Ackwerhs jubilating after the ruling
Nene Agbasi Ackwerh III, the gazetted Hwakpo chief, beaming with smiles after the ruling
A three-member committee of the Judicial Council of the Ada Traditional Council has rules that the direct descendants of Naana Adikuor Puplampu of the Ackwerh Family of Hwakpo are the rightful and accredited kingmakers of Hwakpo.
The ruling, thus, sets the record straight that a declaration that Nene Agbasi Dzikunu Ackwerh III, having been elected and installed by the kingmakers of the Ackwerh Family of Hwakpo and the said Nene Agbasi Dzikunu, having been introduced to the Ada Traditional Council, is the only legitimate Chief of Hwakpo.
The ruling by the three-member committee of the Judicial Council of the Ada Traditional Council, chaired by Nene Agudey Obichere III, who is also the Mankralo of the Ada Traditional Area, said there was no Parallel Chief at Hwakpo as claimed by the Puplampus, the respondents.
By that the alleged installation of one Isaac Buertey Puplampu as a Parallel Chief of Hwakpo is a nullity, uncustomary and of no effect.
According to the Traditional Council, the inconsistencies in the narrations of the Puplampus, the respondents, and a suit their first respondent tendered as evidence from the Ashaiman Circuit Court, further exposed the inconsistency in their claims.
The ruling, thereby, retires a 2021 case before the Traditional Council, filed by the Ackwerhs on who the real kingmakers of Hwakpo are.
Ernest Samuel Ackwerh, Head of the family of the plaintiffs, at a brief media engagement at the Traditional Council after the ruling, said: “By this victory, we are drawing the attention of the Puplampus of Hwakpo, who don’t know the roots of their name, to the fact that they have no relationship with us.
“They know for a fact that they have no houses in Hwakpo; have no children or relatives in Hwakpo, and have never lived in Hwakpo. We entreat them to join hands with the Ackwerhs to live peacefully to build the Hwakpo community, as we have been doing before the imposters came in.
“To the self-styled chief, Isaac Buertey Puplampu, we wish to remind him that the die is cast, and the appropriate authority has, for the second time, decided who the legitimate Chief of Hwakpo is. We will not tolerate any parallel chief in Hwakpo.
“If he dares, we will deal with him by the laws of the land. We appeal to the press – both electronic and print – to cooperate with us to bring about peace, tranquility and progress to the Hwakpo community.
‘We thank the Chairman and members of the Judicial Committee for their painstaking effort to unravel the truth; the Registrar of the Ada Traditional Council and his staff; the Paramount Chief of Ada and his Secretariat, and all who in diverse ways contributed to bringing this case to finality.”
The two other members of the three-member Judicial Committee of the Ada Traditional Council were Nene Glorgo Dadebom Anim V and Nene Kpevu Blempong IV.
The Great Hall of the Accra International Conference Center was busy with activities yesterday, as the 7th Agrofood and plastprintpack conference kick-started. The purpose of the conference is to discuss technologies needed to improve the entire agricultural value chain and help increase West Africa’s self-sufficiency and improve supply constantly.
The event will witness the mounting of pavilions from six countries namely; Germany, Iran, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa and Sri Lanka. More than 90 exhibitors from 20 countries will also showcase products in the agric technologies and other areas tailored for the West African market.
The program was put together by Fairtrade, with support from Geovision. Present at the event were ambassadors and representatives from countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Italy.
In Ghana, representatives from Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Investment Promotion Center, Ghana Enterprises Agency, Association of Ghana Industries and many more, were there to take advantage of the many opportunities that the event presents.
Addressing the audience, Mr Paul Marz, Managing Director of Fairtrade noted that one must attach importance to food trade in West Africa, because it has a market share of US$30bn in the sub-region.
Quoting German Engineering Association, VDMA, he said the sub-regions food and beverage technology imports has seen an increase from €496m in 2015 to €694m in 2021, representing about 5.8% increase.
An exhibition stand
The VDMA data also shows imports of agricultural machinery have reached around €200m annually, while imports of packaging technology has seen a rise from €230m in 2015 to €312 in 202, MrMärz said and urged exhibitors to take advantage of the conference and tap into the opportunities available.
The Director of Plant Protection Services, Mr Eric Bentsil Quaye, who spoke on behalf of MoFA, admitted that agriculture is the backbone of Ghana’s economy and continues to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP, as well as export.
He said the Ministry has, through the Planting for Food and Jobs program,sustained the Ghanaian food economy to some extent.
“I am happy, however, to say that government flagship program, that is the Planting for Food and Jobs, is yielding results as it has sustained Ghana’s food economy to some extent.”
He, however, noted that farmers in the sub-region are currently facing hardships in their farming activities, as a result of global events, including COVID-19 and climate change, which has resulted in some form of food insecurity and hence, acknowledged that new methods must be adopted to meet these trying times.
He said what the government is doing in its own way to salvage the situation is the promotion of sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development and other support services to farmers, processors and traders.
The Ministry is also analysing the medium term agriculture plan in order to optimise agriculture and integrated rural development, structural transformation and the socio-economic development of Ghana, he indicated.
Again, the Ministry is currently intensifying its effort to reduce the importation of fertilizers by encouraging the private sector to make investment in organic fertilizers, he added.
“MoFA is also taking steps to provide adequate warehousing facilities to prevent post-harvest loses which is usually associated with harvest,” Mr Quaye said, adding that “All these measures are intended to boost production and increase volumes of output from farmers.”
He,however, noted that government cannot do it alone and hence called on Ghanaian farmers, processors and all those in the agriculture value chain to tap into the opportunities available at the event to develop the sector so that the country can compete globally in the area of agriculture.
The Italian Ambassador to Ghana and Togo, Ms Daniela d’Orlandi, who also addressed the audience called on Ghanaian companies in agribusiness to learn more about the possibilities Italian companies can offer to upgrade local production, so that they can meet domestic and global demands.
Other Ambassadors and representatives from other countries made similar calls.
Elijah Adansi-Bonah, Obuasi MCE and Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, CEO - SLTF
A section of the residents
Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) and the management of the fund have embarked on a sensitisation exercise for traders, drivers and market women at the Obuasi Central Market, officials of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and personnel from the Security Services.
The exercise is intended to educate the residents of Obuasi in general on the accessibility and how to acquire the fund to support their wards education.
The Chief Executive officer of the Fund, in an interaction with the media after the sensitisation sessions in Obuasi said the ‘No Guarantor ‘ Loan Scheme is Government’s commitment to enhance access to education in the country.
He appealed to Ghanaians to take full advantage of the ease with which one can access the loan and to acquire it to cushion their children’s education.
Mr. Elijah Adansi-Bonah, the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi Municipality lauded the Government for introducing the Policy and added that in spite the economic challenges facing the country, the government has not relented in performing its responsibilities in the quest to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.
The MCE entreated the residents of Obuasi to rally behind Government to deliver on its promises to make life better for every citizen, irrespective of one’s political sentiment or geographical location in the country.
The managers of the fund had earlier met with Artisans and Staff of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly to also brief them on the details of the SLTF.
Madam Yaa Achiaa, a tomatoes seller at the Obuasi Central Market commended the government for such a wonderful initiative, which she said would address challenges parents and guardians face in accessing the Student Loan because of difficulties in finding guarantors.
Previously, students had to provide three SSNIT contributors as guarantors before they can access student loan for tertiary education.
According to her, the Government has since the assumption of office in 2017 made education accessible with the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy to complement the current ‘No Guarantor ‘loan system.
She noted that Government has relieved most parents of the burden they had to go through in funding education for their wards in the country, adding that there was no need to go through the stress of looking for money to pay their wards’ school fees, with the introduction of the policy.
The Paramount Chief of the Sekoti traditional area in the Upper East Region, Naba Sigiri Bewongis anticipating famine and hunger within his area this year, due to the incessant invasion of elephants on people’s farmlands.
Speaking at the celebration of this year’s Tenglebigre Festival at Sekoti last week Saturday, he said the elephants have been wreaking a lot of havoc on farmlands at that particular enclave every year, leading to poor harvest.
This, the former president of the Upper East Regional house of chiefs said, has put fear in farmers in his area to visit the farm, revealing that the few farmers who attempted farming had their crops destroyed.
He said the devastation caused to farms and cash trees, such as shea butter, has left the youth with no alternative but to venture into illegal Small Scale mining, popularly known as ‘Galamsey’.
He, therefore, used the platform to appeal to central government to put in place mechanisms to ward off the invasion of the elephants since his report to the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Nabdam has not yielded the needed result.
“I have repeatedly raised the issue of elephant invasion here. The elephants keep multiplying in number and I can boldly say they are over 600 in the forest. They come into the community to drink water from our dam. This year, over 80% of our farmers are afraid to farm on the lands for fear of their crops being destroyed or eaten by the elephants.
“The very few farmers who attempted to farm had their crops eaten by the elephants. I made a report to our District Chief Executive and she came with NADMO officials and visited the affected farms to see things for themselves.
“Since then, the farmers have not been given any form of relief. Hunger is staring us in our faces this year, because we have not been able to farm. We do not have any alternative means of livelihood apart from farming. No wonder the youth are now busy on “Galamsey”. Can we blame them? Shea trees have been destroyed”, he lamented.
He, however, expressed appreciation to the government for the provision of dams in his area, but was quick to bring to the attention of government that the contractor working on the dam near his house has left site, due to government’s inability to pay him for work done.
He thus appealed to the Northern Development Authority (NDA) to endeavour to do something about the situation.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for the Nabdam constituency, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaaneassured the NabaSigiriBewong of the NDC’s commitment to fighting the invasion of the elephants on the people’s farms.
He said he has constantly been lodging complaints to the sector minister concerning the problem, but has not seen any action yet.
In a dramatic 3-2 win over the South Korea in the FIFA World Cup which is currently underway in Qatar, the Black Stars of Ghana threw the country into frenzy on Monday 28th November.
Following the end of the game, some Ghanaian celebrities took to social media to share their joy and pledge their continued support to the Black Stars.
Amongst the reactions include:
Dancehall Artiste Samini expressed: “Congratulations boys ….. onto the next one .. the ultimate revenge loading. 3b3y3 bloody …..oseeeeeeey #Ghana #akyesaaaaaaaaa.
Actress Lydia Forson also expressed: “I don’t think y’all even understand how invested my brothers and I are in the #BlackStars. Doesn’t matter that we’re not together, we always find a way!!! #GoGhana #TeamGhana #FIFAWorldCup.”
“#ghanablackstars this game was well played! Bravo well done!” Actress Juliet Ibrahim tweeted.
Dancehall Artiste, Stonebwoy also said: “Thank you Ghana Blackstars,
@KudusMohammedGH You Have the Spirit Torch and you always come Through. ayigbe man inside that net was the best decision..Coach pls I beg you the defense tactics is not the best for us. That gives too much room for the opponent to do us dirty.”
