The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency, George Mireku Duker, last Saturday joined the teachers and students of Tarkwa Senior High School, popularly known as ‘TARSCO’ to mark its 60th Anniversary.
The theme for the anniversary “Achieving Academic Excellence Through Discipline For National Development” brought together dignitaries from the academia and old students of the school.
Addressing the occasion, MP Duker, who is also the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, acknowledged the contribution of the school to the good people of Tarkwa, and the country at large, in the last 60 years.
“Madam Chairperson, sixty years of life in our jurisdiction signifies [the] end of practical payable working life, and also connotes [a] time of reckoning and reflections.”
Instinctively, MP Duker pointed out that TARSCO would be personified as a life well lived and must continue at this stage to serve as a reference for others to emulate.
To that end, Mr. Duker simply put it: “ I am not surprised that people of high influence both locally and internationally have today gathered here to witness, chronicle and affirm well acknowledge deeds of TARSCO.”
To him, it was indeed a proud moment for him as MP who religiously advocated for the development of TARSCO to commemorate this day and appreciated the players in the development of the school since its establishment.
He extended a word of advice to the leadership of the school to be relentless in their effort to continue imbibing in students the discipline that is required to excel in their academics..
He pledged a sum of GH¢20,000.00 to support the school’s preparation and participation in next year’s National Maths and Science Quiz.
Later in the night, the MP also held a dinner in honor of the teachers, management and old students of the school.
Nana Kwabena Amponsah (3rd from left) commissioning one of the block
Inside the furnished block
A separate three-unit classroom block and another five-unit block has been commissioned separately for Enimilkrom and Subri respectively, two host communities of Aboso Gold Fields Ghana Limited (AGL) at the weekend.
The two separate classroom blocks, furnished with tables and chairs including ceiling fans is estimated at a cost of $156,977,73, were sponsored by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GGF).
The GGF is established by the mine company to promote and facilitate sustainable socio-economic development in order to improve the quality of life in its host communities.
The commissioning of the two separate school blocks saw a retinue of traditional leaders drawn from the eight host communities gracing the commissioning.
They included Nana Ekua Asana, Queenmother of Twenda, Nana Ama Saraa I, Queenmother of Subri, Nana Adjoa Saaba, Queenmother of Damang, Nana Esi Fooriwa, Queenmother of Kyekyewere, and Nana Ama Ankomah, Queenmother of Nyamebekyere.
Also present were the Chief of Bosumtwi, Nana Kwabena Amponsah, the Municipal Chief Farmer, Nana Thomas Boakye, the Municipal Director of Education, Sebastian Diaw and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dr. Isaac Dasmani.
Addressing the gathering, the Community Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement Manager of AGL, Abdel-Razak Yakubu, said he was thrilled for what he described as the commissioning of the two crucial educational projects.
He said education, both formal and informal, was the key to success, and in his opinion “is a proven fact all of us seated here are evidence to this.”
A three unit classroom block for Enimilkrom
Giving the background to the project, the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Manger said a year ago, the GGF was presented with a need from T.I. Ahmaddiya Basic and SS Peter & Paul Anglican Primary School in Subri and Enimilkrom respectively, on the need for the Foundation to come to their aide.
The schools, he said, were challenged with adequate classroom facilities, compelling teachers to combine pupils of different year levels in one class just to manage the situation.
That resulted in lack of concentration in class leading to poor teaching and learning in the two schools.
“Today it’s exciting to see these schools presented with a 3-unit classroom block and a 5-unit classroom block, all with offices and conference rooms, at Enimilkrom and Subri.”
Manager Abdel-Razak told the gathering that these achievement would not have been possible without the unflinching support and guidance of the Municipal Education Directorate and the Municipal Works Department.
Continuing, he said the provision of the school buildings did not complete the creation of a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
He announced that the Foundation had provided classroom furniture for the two blocks and all other public schools within the host communities.
The list included 1,600 mono-desks, 44 pentagonal tables with 220 chairs, and eight long computer tables with 40 chairs. Others included a headmasters table with chairs and cupboard for storage of books and other teaching materials.
The Municipal Director of Education, Sebastian Diaw, on his part, commended the Foundation for the project.
He said the commissioning of the project had brought smiles to the faces of teachers and the community, and advised the community to put the facility to good use.
That apart, the community should avoid using the facility to serve as social grounds.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) Director added that education delivery was the responsibility of all stakeholders, and that the Directorate would ensure teachers were posted to the communities.
On is part, the Chairman for the occasion, Nana Kwabena Amponsah, who is also a Chief, lauded the GGF for the edifice and appealed for a further Junior High School block to complete the equation.
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison addressing the media
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, has disclosed that the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank had increased its policy rate by 250 basis points to 27%. “…To continue to anchor inflation expectations, the Committee, therefore, decided to increase the policy rate by 250 basis points to 27.0 percent,” he said.
This comes from the 109th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) regular meetings to review economic developments, which took place last week from Tuesday, November 22, 2022 to Friday, November 25, 2022.
The prime rate indicates the rate at which the Central Bank will lend to commercial banks and is of great relevance to businesses. As a result, it is anticipated that borrowing costs would increase further, however, this will depend on the customer’s risk profile.
It will be recalled that in 108th Monetary Policy Committee meeting in September this year, the policy Rate was increased by 250 basis points to 24.5%. This means there has been a significant increment of 2.5% within two months this year, all due to inflation.
Addressing the media at a news conference in Accra yesterday, the Governor of BoG noted that the hike was part of efforts to deal with the current inflationary pressures.
The inflation forecast, according to him, showed that in the outlook, inflation would likely peak in the first quarter of 2023, and settle at around 25 percent by the end of 2023.
This forecast is conditioned on the continued maintenance of a tight monetary policy stance and the deployment of tools to contain excess liquidity in the economy.
Dr. Addison continued that there were some risks to this forecast that would have to be monitored, including additional pressures from the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) increase, and exchange rate pressures.
According to him, it’s been two years since the Covid-19 pandemic and war in between, and the global economy continues to face severe headwinds coupled with heightened uncertainties.
Dr. Ernest Addison again added that Global growth had slowed, with recession concerns dominating markets in the near term and as Global inflation remains high, is driven largely by food and energy prices.
Dr. Ernest Addison emphasised that the risks to the global outlook are firmly on the downside reflecting the possibility of policy mistakes amid deteriorating growth and elevated inflation, tighter financing conditions, and a stronger US dollar.
The Ghanaian economy has faced severe consequences because of the external shock reflected in high and rising inflation from exchange rate pass-through effects and complicated the policy environment.
On the transmission of monetary policy changes to inflation, he noted that “the Committee was of the view that there is evidence that the policy rate increases in the past few months have helped dampen the pace of monthly price increase.”
“Between May and August 2022, the monthly inflation number eased from a peak of 5.1 percent to 1.9 percent.
However, this was reversed in September and October on account of additional shocks from upward adjustment in ex-pump petroleum prices, utility tariff adjustments, and transportation fare increases.
In the event, inflation jumped in October 2022 to 40.4 percent and has dragged along with it, core inflation, which is almost at par with headline inflation and indicating significant underlying inflation pressures and upside risks to the inflation outlook.” he added.
Dr. Muhammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister for Energy in-charge of Petroleum
Dr. Muhammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister for Energy in-charge of Petroleum, has emphasised that Ghana had enough gold to exchange for oil towards the government’s Ghana Gold For Oil barter deal.
According to him, the deal was a policy the government could implement without difficulty, as about 80% of companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Asia, Europe and government to government had been engaged and ready to accept the deal.
Speaking on JoyNews via zoom on Sunday night during the programme dubbed: “The Probe” hosted by Emefa Apawu, the Minister stated that the government was in a hurry and eager to lessen the burden of the citizenry, and for that matter working hard and faster to ensure that the Gold for Oil policy by March 2023.
He disclosed that the Bank of Ghana, oil suppliers, gold brokers and other stakeholders in the industry had been engaged to address the challenges within the petroleum industry.
Asked why the announcement by the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, was made on social media through Facebook and not in the 2023 Budget read by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister was of the view that the government could use any means to talk to Ghanaians, and added that such an avenue was convenient, as the government had been discussing the deal behind the scenes and going to have further engagement with stakeholders.
He noted that Ghanaians wanted petroleum prices to go down as proposed by the Gold For Oil policy, hence, the companies must understand the need for the better deal.
He underscored that the policy would help reduce the high cost of petroleum products and for that matter, would also reduce the demand for dollars to import petroleum products.
Meek Mill and Rick Ross reunited on stage in Philadelphia, putting an end to rumors of a rift between the Maybach Music Group duo.
Meek celebrated the 10th anniversary of his debut album, ‘Dreams & Nightmares’ with a star-studded homecoming concert at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, November 26.
During the sold-out performance, Meek surprised the crowd by bringing out Rick Ross, popularly known as Rozay as a special guest.
Footage posted on Rozay’s Instagram stories captured the pair performing their 2011 collaboration “Ima Boss” in what was their first time sharing the stage in years.
Rick Ross, who was draped in a black mink coat, custom Rolls-Royce-inspired cap and multiple iced-out chains, also performed hits like ‘B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)’ and ‘Hustlin’ as Meek played hype man.
After the performance, Ross commemorated the moment by posting a photo of him and Meek sharing the stage on Instagram along with the caption: “Maybach Music.”
Rumors of beef between Meek Mill and Rick Ross have circulated since May 2021, when it was reported that Meek allegedly banned his label boss from his birthday party in Miami that year and was looking to leave MMG.
Officially known as Gladstorm Kwabena Akwaboah Jnr., Akwaboah Jnr has revealed that, he was in a rush to get a hit by joining trends but Sarkodie inspired him to be himself and not do things for fame.
In an interview with 3Music TV which was monitored by The Chronicle, Akwaboah said “… The part people actually don’t get. It got to a point where people were like ‘Charley you go fit do this thing, why you dey under Sark? That guy is killing your vibe…’”
“…wherever Sark is, God bless him. He’s been a very great inspiration to me” he added.
He also disclosed the times he wanted to make uptempo songs, and also narrated how Sarkodie give him the lifetime advice of “…if you want to do this – the uptempo songs – it’s fine, I can help you. Do it! But when you go down, there’s nobody to pick you up…”
Akwaboah mentioned how Sarkodie cautioned him not to lose himself and musical strength and went ahead to shoot a video for him for free. The song Sarkodie shot the video for him, according to Akwaboa his , ‘Hye me bo.’
He concluded by saying “and that advice has been in my head till date, never to lose myself all in the name of trends.”
Even though Akwaboah has left Sarkodie’s Sarkcess Music label, the two still have the best of relationship.
A dissident rapper who backed the anti-government protests in Iran has been charged with “corruption on Earth” and could face the death penalty.
Toomaj Salehi, 31, was also accused of spreading propaganda, co-operating with a hostile government and incitement to violence, a judiciary official said.
The official denied a report by a human rights group that his trial had already begun without a lawyer of his choice.
Mr Salehi was arrested last month after he posted videos of himself protesting.
He also released clips of raps in support of the unrest, which was sparked by the death in police custody 10 weeks ago of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained for allegedly breaking Iran’s strict hijab rules.
Iranian authorities have cracked down violently on the protests, which they have portrayed as “riots” instigated by foreign enemies.
At least 451 protesters have been killed and 18,170 others detained, according to the Human Rights Activists’ News Agency (HRANA). It has also reported the deaths of 60 security personnel.
He also warned that Iranians were living “somewhere horrific” and “dealing with a mafia that is ready to kill the entire nation… in order to keep its power, money and weapons”.
The Writers selected under the AU20 Writers Residency
The Library of Africa and The African Diaspora (LOATAD) on Saturday November 26, 2022 at the Du Bois Center in Accra hosted five distinguished writers from the African continent to brainstorm on their works and project themes that amplified the future of the African Continent.
The Writers were gathered under the AU20 Writers Residency program organised by the LOATAD as part of the African Union’s (AU) 20th celebration and would read form various publications focused on “Our Africa, Our Future.”
Ms. Sylvia Arthur, the Founder of LOATAD described the session as real privilege to host prolific African Writers adding, “It’s been our privilege at LOATAD to host writers from all corners of Africa. We believe writers are the voice of the people and they play a key role in preserving the past, documenting the present, and imagining the future.”
The founder of LOATAD was therefore grateful to the African Union, the UNDP and Africa
She said though over 400 African Writers from 35 countries applied to take part in the project, only five were selected which show the high interest of writers to showcase their works.
She added that: “It’s within this context that LOATAD exists as one of the few writing residencies on the continent and as we celebrate our fifth year, which coincides with the African Union’s 20thyear, we seek to cement our place in this rarefied space, not just for the art but for Africa.”
Reverend Reuben Kwesi Kwadzofio, the Director of the Dubois Centre noted the need to consolidate achievement in economic, social, growth, peace, secuirty and governance as a commitment to make to the people.
Mr. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov, the Deputy Resident Representative, said in January, 2021 UNDP partnered with the African Union Commission to launch a series of activities under the AU20 initiative that would educate, inform and engage African citizens on the mandates and policies of the African Union since its formation in 2002.
The AU20 Artists and Writers Residency Programme is aimed at using the voices of Africa’s creative talent to mark a historic moment in the AU’s leadership of the continent’s development, unity and peace through a celebration of Africa’s culture, creativity, art and innovation.
The AU20 Writers Residency Public Showcase would also present the writers’ completed works to key stakeholders from the government, diplomatic and international community, media, art and literary communities, as well as the public.
A 29-paged National Apprenticeship Policy, which aims to deliver a well-coordinated inter-sectoral national apprenticeship system to enable all categories of learners to acquire relevant skills for employment, livelihood empowerment and socio-economic development has been launched.
The policy provides a robust regulatory framework for meaningful partnerships, social dialogue, institutional arrangements among the key stakeholders and strong labour market relevance.
Launching the Policy during the National TVET Expo 2022 in Accra, Dr Yaw OseiAdutwum, Minister for Education indicated that the goal of the policy is to provide a framework for harmonizing apprenticeship practice in Ghana and also provides mechanisms and guidelines for effective coordination and implementation of good practices in apprenticeship practice for economic growth and national development.
He explained that the policy will help actors in the development of appropriate interventions to move the apprenticeship sector in the right direction in contributing to skill development, decent work and economic and social development.
The Education Minister stated that the symbiotic relationship between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and national development cannot be over-emphasized.
He explained that the development of skills that meet a changing labour market across a lifetime was crucial for inclusive and sustainable growth, productivity, and innovation, adding that TVET, digitalization and greening were driving deep changes and economies could only benefit if learners develop the right skills and competencies.
DrAdutwum indicated that it was an undeniable fact that the provision of TVET was the panacea to the mounting unemployment among the teeming Ghanaian youth and it is against this background that the nation needed to have balanced skills demand and supply in our educational system, especially in our part of the globe.
SDG alignment
The Education Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe stated that education and training were central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision of transforming Ghana.
He said there was a need for the nation to pay attention to TVET specifically regarding access to affordable quality TVET for the acquisition of technical and vocational skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship; the elimination of gender disparity and ensuring access to the vulnerable.
The Director General of CTVET, Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, in his welcome address stated that TVET held enormous potential for propelling Ghana’s economy to attain the Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda and hence the purposeful investment in the sector by the government in addition to the introduction of key reforms for its transformation.
National TVET Expo 2022
He said the National TVET Expo was aimed at providing a platform for multi-sectoral collaboration towards promoting TVET in Ghana and bringing it to the fore in national discussions.
The Director General announced that marketing and communication were central to any organisation’s success and TVET marketing and communication meant active engagement in understanding the needs of the industry as well as learners and responding to those needs.
Dr Asamoah indicated that it was based on that background that the government set out as part of its five-year strategic plan to transform TVET to introduce the MyTVET campaign in 2019 and through efficient and productive marketing and communication with all relevant stakeholders, the TVET system in Ghana will be known for providing high-quality education for all students and a skilled workforce for the economy.
Governance and Management
The Deputy Minister for Education in charge of TVET, Madam Gifty Twum- Ampofo, lauded the government for providing a coherent legal and institutional framework for the TVET sector to be accountable and responsive to the demands of the private sector and other stakeholders.
She enumerated some of the policies as the establishment of the Commission for TVET to regulate and promote the Sector, Realigning all TVET institutions under the Ministry of Education, the Establishment of the TVET Service to manage pre-tertiary TVET, Establishment of an Apex training institution to train TVET staff for both the public and the private sector and establishment of Sector Skills Bodies to enhance linkages with the industry and private sector among others.
The Deputy Minister the development partners in the TVET space such as GIZ, the World Bank, World University Service of Canada-WUSC, CAMFED, ILO, NUFFIC, WEE-NORTH as well as Global Affairs Canada for their immense contribution towards the development of the sector.
There was an exhibition of works by various TVET institutions and firms dealing in TVET equipment and as well as Non-Governmental Organizations doing advocacy in the TVET space.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, on Monday, issued six executive orders reversing appointments made by former governor Gboyega Oyetola, including the appointment of workers and installation of traditional rulers.
This is contained in a statement by his Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed.
The governor signed the executive orders on Monday, including an order freezing all the State Government accounts in all banks and other financial institutions.
“The six executive orders take immediate effect. “The orders cover chieftaincy matters, appointments issues, setting up of a review panel, staff audit and employment matters,” he said.
Others he said are for the immediate freezing of all the state government accounts in all banks and other financial institutions, order on Staff Audit – All Heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals of Osun State Government are directed to carry out immediate staff audit of the actual number of workers in their establishments as at July 17, 2022.
The governor said all heads of agencies and parastatals are to file a report to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor stating the full details and position/designation of each of the staff on the forwarded list, within seven working days from the date of the Executive order, using the Oath of Fidelity Template.
Also nullified is all employment in the service of the Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after July 17.
The governor also said all appointments in the service of the Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after July 17, 2022, will be reversed.
He further said all appointments of traditional rulers made by the Osun State Government after July 17, 2022, is to be reviewed to ensure there was strict compliance with due process of chieftaincy declarations and native law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies.
The governor said in line with executive orders two, three, four and five, the state government has ordered the setting up of review committees on Staff audit/appointments/promotions, State assets inventory and recovery, contractors/MoUs/agreements and d. Chieftaincy matters/appointments of traditional rulers.
