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Editorial: Social Welfare must up its game to protect children

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

A video of a man who was flogging a toddler went viral on social media two days ago.

Several conflicting reports have emerged over the incident, with some saying the purported suspect, who allegedly happens to be the child’s father, has been arrested, together with his wife, on Wednesday afternoon at Akaa Buem, in Jasikan of the Oti Region.

Interestingly, The Chronicle has also sighted a circular purported to be coming from the Ghana Police Service, which said no confirmed arrest had been made in connection with the case, and that their intelligence team and experts from the Police Cyber Crime Unit were working around the clock to resolve the case.

The police said they were counting on the public for further information that could help in the search to rescue of the child and arrest of the perpetrator.  The Chronicle, at the time of going to bed, contacted the Police Headquarters and was informed that no information on the arrest had reached them.

As part of efforts to bring the perpetrator to book, a GH¢17,000 bounty had been placed on the suspect’s head by three entities – the Ghana Police Service GH¢2,000, Child Right International GH¢10,000 and Givers Herbal GH¢5,000.

Sadly, in the midst of all these, the Department of Social Welfare, under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), which has been assigned the statutory function in the field of children’s rights promotion and protection, has not issued any statement to that effect.

The Department of Social Welfare is supposed to work in partnership with people in their communities, through the promotion of social development with equity for the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, and persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, what the public has witnessed is one of the unreported cases of child abuse, and it is unfortunate that Social Welfare is mute.

The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has estimated that the total number of children who have been physically or emotionally abused stood at 3.4 million in Ghana.

It added that the financial cost of child abuse in the country was estimated at more than US$200 million a year, or 1 per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

These are the very reasons that make us concerned over the Department of Social Welfare’s quietness over the matter. The trauma this child has endured will go a long way to affect him physically and emotionally later in life.

Research has shown that children from abusive homes are likely to become abusive or bullies, as ways to express their anger.

Thus, abusive children stand the risk of a number of developmental, health, and mental challenges, including learning habits relating to peers, internal symptoms (like depression, anxiety), external symptoms (oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, aggression), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In later life, these children will continue to show increased risk for psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, serious medical illnesses, and lower economic productivity.

It is on this basis that we want the Department of Social Welfare to step up its game and move closer to the people and rescue vulnerable children when the need arises. The Department should be visible and a first point of call in cases of child abuse.

Letter to Senior Opupulepu (204) Tweaaa! After all You no Look Fine! -The Umbrellas

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admin
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Opinion

Dear Senior Opupulepu,

How are you do? As for and my mine, we are all do fine, fine, thank you.

Senior, I believe you encountered this situation when you were young in your teens, either by experience or by observation.

Senior, those were the days, and it is still in existence, sons of Adam aka akupas, come out like angels of Yahweh, andgo chasing daughters of Eve.

Senior, a typical akupa will describe the baby as the most beautiful on earth by saying, “It was only after you were born, that beauty came into this world. I really want to be always by your side, I need nothing. Hmmm, life without you, will be like Chinese film without karate, like sunshine without keysoap, sorry sunlight”

Senior, this approach would go on and on and on, with the akupa patiently waiting for a Yes answer. In fact, he would go fasting and prayers if this daughter of Eve, tells him, she will think about his proposal.

Senior, here lies the danger. For the daughter of Eve is not going into her room and meditate over the issue, but rather go to meet a female caucus where they will debate the proposal and then put it into vote.

Senior, if this akupa who is suffering in the land, has enemies in the House, then sorry. “Aaaah, Sister, Sister, look a beauty like you, Oba papa bi. You are going for this guy man?

Are you aware that at this his age, he still bed-wets?” “Esi Atta, look at the house you come from, before you make a choice. Someone, whose guy name sef, is not fine. Azaambuja! If you want to be called Mrs. Azambuja then go ahead.”

“Aaooo, my Sister, so you do not know he is a petty, thief-man. In fact, he has started learning how to be a robber, by thiefing, meat and fish that his sisters are using to prepare meals. His former girlfriend, Naa Lameley Akpanye, saw him thiefing ladies under something and bodies on a drying line.

He then, ironed them and wrapped them fine, fine and presented them to her as a gift from the bottom of his heart. If Naa, had not seen him in action, she would have accepted the stolen goods with joy and deep appreciation. If you like, ask him what happened between him and Naa.”

Senior, once the conversation takes this course, then that will be the end of matters arising and it will be a simple situation of “I regret to decline”.

Senior, with this shocking “No” for an answer, scales like fish scales will remove from his eyes and in his confused, clouded and disappointed mind he will see the lady as he thinks, under the circumstances. There will be the need to even the scores, as in“ati-ka, ati-ka, one-one draw.”

Senior, the disappointed son of Adam will go like this, “If you think I love you, I do not. Look at someone like single one that has been sand papered (if the baby is slim and sweet, like a Ghana Most Beautiful)” “You think you are beautiful, I am only doing you a favour, you who look like a baby whale. (If the baby is well endowed, the back, the front, the everywhere) Which of the guys here do you think, will look at you twice?”“My dear lady, but why am I even calling you, lady? My mother wants house-help and you fit in that category. Ah, tweaaa, after all, you no look fine.”

Senior, it is this, “tweaaa, after all, you no look fine,” that has entered into the Umbrella department at the Municipal Police kiosk.

Senior, when, Nana Onsurowuo was begged to come and chop Omanhene again for the second time by the kingmakers of Ogyakrom, he submitted his list of servants he would like to work with, if the House pleases.

Senior, the names included names which to the Umbrella Clan people, so far as community work is concern, they should have been extinct.

Senior, but lo and behold, the Umbrella Municipal Police people, made their heads like lizard head and kept nodding like that at anyone brought in front of them.

Senior, this annoyed some small baby with chainsaw teeth, in the Umbrella clan, call Samsam Jeffrey, who described his own in the Municipal Police kiosks, like people who get up from bed, spray armpit, powder faces and grease skins before stepping into the bathroom to bath with water, sponge and don’t-touch-me soap.

Senior, it became butu-butu in the Umbrella clan. And suddenly, everything went quite and calm and order was restored.

Senior, not knowing, all the Umbrella Municipal Police who nodded their heads like lizards relaxing in the sun doing nothing, had approached our Omanhene’s servants and begged that they should give them hand-downs when they enter their father’s kingdom.

Senior, unfortunately, these servants are not minding them and suddenly we only hear the Umbrella Municipal Police officers, shouting on top of their voices at Omanhene’s servants that, “tweaaa, after all, you people no look fine.”

Senior, I am Dan, sorry I am done. If I continue and one day I have to appear before these lizard-like nodding heads of the Umbrella people, all I have said will be taken against me.

It’s me!

Anyimahene celebrates 10th anniversary

By
FRANCIS OWUSU-ANSAH
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Obrempong Ameyaw Amponsah II, Anyimahene of Anyima Traditional Area

All roads lead to Anyima in the Kintampo South District today, September 7, 2022, for the tenth anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of the Anyimahene, Mr. Isaac Adjei.

The theme for the celebration is: “10 years of Peace and development,” and is expected to attract prominent personalities from the region and outside the country.

The occasion is to be chaired by Mr. Noble Appiah, for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

The anniversary celebration would afford the Anyimahene the opportunity to take stock of his stewardship over the past decade, and also present his vision for the next ten years.

The Anyimahene is expected to address issues on land litigation, health, security, education, roads infrastructure, and party politics.

Some major achievements under his reign are the construction of a basket weaving factory and the provision of telecommunication masts for telecom service providers in the area.

The fifty-year-old businessman, Mr. Isaac Adjei, was installed Anyimahene in the Nkoranza Traditional Area, under the stool name Obrempong Ameyaw Amponsem II.

During his installation ceremony in 2012, the one-time Brong-Ahafo Regional Organiser of the Democratic Freedom Party, mentioned technical education, sanitation and afforestation as his key areas to address as Anyimahene.

Obrempong Ameyaw Amponsem noted at the time that since technical education was expected to produce the needed manpower for the nation’s accelerated development, he was seriously going to push for the establishment of, at least, one technical school in the area.

He added at the time that, to protect ecotourism, he would pursue a vigorous afforestation programme in consultation with the relevant authorities to see to the development of tourism in Ghana.

Obrempong Amponsem stressed that sanitation was going to receive adequate attention, since good sanitation practices would ensure a healthy people for community development.

Born on May 12, 1972, Obrempong Amponsem had his primary education at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, and continued at the Boahenkoko Presby Primary School in Sunyani and later returned to Bolgatanga and studied at the Bolgatanga Technical Institute.

After completing his technical studies, Obrempong Amponsem left for greener pastures and on his return established his own business, Addfal F.A. Limited, general business dealers.

Peace Council and DANIDA sensitise Sampa residents

By
FRANCIS OWUSU-ANSAH
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Alhaji Quandah, Bono Regional Executive Secretary of the NPC (3rd l) with participants after the engagement

The Bono Regional Peace Council (NPC) has sensitised residents of Sampa, a community along the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire border in the Jaman North District of the Bono Region, on emerging issues of terrorism and violent extremism.

The two-day public dialogue and sensitisation workshop, funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), was in-line with a project titled; ‘Peace Building for Peaceful Election in 2020,’ being implemented by the council.

It sought to sensitise border communities on critical emerging issues, including violent extremism and terrorism, to empower the residents to identify and help tackle threats of terrorism in the country.

In a welcoming address, Alhaji Suallah Abdallah Quandah, Bono Regional Executive Secretary of the NPC, took the participants through the mandate of the Council, and asked them to join it to preserve the prevailing national peace and social cohesion.

He said though the country had not reported any major terrorist attack, Ghana was not immune from such, saying, “these terrorist attacks are happening around us within the sub-region.”

Alhaji Quandah explained that the workshop was to build the capacity of community leaders and all stakeholders to enable them identify such acts, and report to the appropriate authorities accordingly.

He, therefore, called for a collaborative approach among all stakeholders towards protecting the nation from such.

Mr. Solomon Owusu, Jaman North District Chief Executive, lauded the project, saying, its implementation in the area was of utmost importance, considering the location of Sampa as a border town, which serves as an entry and exit point for all manner of persons.

He said the district and Sampa, the capital, remained peaceful, while admitting that no country or society was immune to acts of terrorism and extremism, hence the need for everybody to remain vigilant.

Mr. Ernest Ansah Lartey, Head, Peace and Security Studies at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and a facilitator, took the participants through the concept of violent extremism and terrorism.

He also highlighted national approaches towards preventing and countering violent extremism, as well as exploring local and community approaches to addressing these issues.

Berekum-Namasua cassava farmers decry uncompleted processing factory

By
FRANCIS OWUSU-ANSAH
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The yet to be completed cassava processing factory

Cassava farmers at Namasua in the Berekum East Municipality of the Bono Region are crying over the delay in completing the cassava processing factory initiated under the One-District-One-Factory (1D1F) of the Rural Enterprises Programme.

The factory, which is being funded by the government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and African Development Bank (AfDB), when completed, will provide employment for a number of the youth in Berekum as an Enable Youth Factory, as well as benefit a lot of farmers in the area.

During a visit to the factory site, the farmers said they had the belief that the factory would soon be opened for them to have access to process their harvested cassava, which had been left in their farms to rot.

According to the farmers, because the completion of the factory had been delayed, stray cattle had also taken advantage and consumed their entire yield.

The farmers, therefore, appealed to the Minister for Trade and Industry to come to their aid by completing the project, because what was left was the installation of machines.

“We know what is left is the installation of machines, and when that is done, the factory can start operations and we can have a designated place to sell our cassava, and also enjoy the by-product, gari,” the farmers said.

Currently, the factory only has one security man in charge, while all doors remain under lock.

The youth in the town shared their sentiments that they were eager to see the only 1D1F gari processing factory ready by the end of the year.

I inherited a country at crossroads –Buhari

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admin
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President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he inherited a country at crossroads with bombs detonating in cities across Nigeria when he assumed office in May 2015.

He, however, said his government has been able to manage Nigeria’s security crisis in the last seven years.

“When this government came in 2015, we inherited a country at crossroads with bombs going off with frightening frequency even in our cities and we came in to manage the crisis,” Buhari said on Thursday in Afaka, Kaduna State at the passing-out parade and commissioning ceremony of cadets of Regular Course 69 of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

A total of 239 cadets including those from sister African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger Republic, Chad, and Uganda are passing out from the Academy as junior military officers.

The President charged the cadets to replicate the spirit of social cohesion they learned at the NDA and be incorruptible models to the society, noting that they emerged in the era of expanding global security threats.

The President again pledged that his administration will fulfill its promise to neutralise Boko Haram terrorism in the North-East.

He acknowledged that the security challenges in the country have evolved and assumed other dimensions in some areas, noting that his government has been deploying both military and non-military methods including amnesty for repentant terrorists to arrest the situation.

Credit: channelstv.com

Govt vs Varsity lecturers: Lawyers fail to reach out-of-court settlement

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admin
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Labor minister Ngige and ASUU president

Lawyers for the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)on Thursday could not resolve the eight months old strike, despite the out-of-court settlement as advised by the Appellate Court.

The lawyers – James Igwe (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN) told the Court of Appeal that despite the admonition, they could resolve the dispute.

Presiding Justice Hamma Barka, thereafter stepped down the matter for an hour to enable the counsel to ASUU, Femi Falana file a reply to the counter affidavit deposed to by the Federal government in opposition to the hearing of the appeal.

At the resumption of the hearing, Falana said they had begun consultations which would continue at the end of the day’s proceedings. He suggested that their application challenging the ruling of the Industrial Court, be heard by the three-man panel of the Appeal court.

Both parties agreed that the court should hear the application, as there was no amicable resolution reached as advised by the court.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday asked the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government to opt for an out-of-court settlement in handling the impasse between both parties.

The court took the decision on Wednesday while hearing the appeal by ASUU over the September 21 judgement of the National Industrial Court, which ordered the university lecturers to suspend their strike action.

ASUU has been on strike since February 14. One bone of contention for academics is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.

But the Federal Government has said it doesn’t have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices.

Credit: channelstv.com

Cocoa loan eases pressure on record low Cedi

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admin
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Cedi

The Cedi weakened marginally to a fresh dollar low this week, trading at 10.48 from 10.45 at last week’s close.

Moody’s became the latest to cut Ghana’s credit rating, lowering by one rung to Caa2, eight levels below investment grade, citing macroeconomic deterioration that has dealt a further blow to the country’s debt sustainability. Fitch Ratings recently cut Ghana’s rating one notch to CC, the same level as Moody’s.

Meantime, Ghana’s Cocoa Board this week signed a $1.3bn pre-export loan with a syndicate of international banks to finance bean purchases for the 2022/23 season.

This is expected to boost Ghana’s FX reserves and help ease some of the pressure on the Cedi. To that end, we believe the Cedi will remain inside the 10.50 level in the near term.

COP27 host Egypt to call for $100bn climate spending 
Egypt intends to call on rich nations to fulfil pledges to support poorer countries in their transition to cleaner energy and build resilience to future climate shocks.

Egypt intends to “leverage African leaders’ voices to mobilise greater support for a green and resilient recovery in Africa,” the UN Economic Commission for Africa said this week as African ministers of finance, economy and the environment met in Egypt ahead of the Nov. 6 opening of the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.

“Egypt should play this role to represent the African continent and its needs clearly and explicitly: we were not the cause of these emissions, but it is us – our people and our natural resources – that are affected,” Egypt’s Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said, according to Africanews.

“At this point, a stance must be taken on the international community to say that everyone must fulfil their obligations, as set out in the Paris Agreement.

“Developed countries that are responsible for most of the world’s historical emissions are obligated under the Paris climate agreement to provide $100 billion a year to support vulnerable countries that have contributed the least to climate change.

Africa accounts for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with around 600 million people having no access to electricity.

Progress in realising climate funding commitments would play a critical role in supporting project financing for energy transition and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Naira recovery from record low may be short lived

Naira

The Naira recovered from last week’s record low, trading at 722 from 745 at Friday’s close amid the Nigerian Independence Day holiday period. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company this week announced only its second profitable year in 45 years, with earnings hitting NGN671bn in 2021.

Group CEO Mele Kyari said the profits were a result of policies and initiatives introduced two years ago to reduce costs and eliminate waste across the former state-owned business. We expect the Naira to resume losses against the dollar in the coming days as post-holiday FX demand picks up again.

Rand risk-on gains tempered by power cuts

Rand

The Rand appreciated against the dollar this week, crossing back over the 18 threshold to trade at 17.80 from 18.09 at last week’s close. Those gains came amid broader global risk-on sentiment, driven by expectations that the US Federal Reserve will start to slow the pace of its rate hikes following three 75-basis-point increases in a row.

Gains have been tempered by domestic economic concerns as rolling power cuts continue, with the amount of loadshedding hours on course double the amount of planned power cuts in 2021, when there was 1,153 hours of loadshedding. We expect the Rand to follow global sentiment and continue trading with a 17 handle in the near term, though with a risk of breaching the 18 level once again if negative sentiment returns.

Record low Egyptian Pound has further to fall

Egypt

The Pound hit a record low against the dollar this week, sliding to 19.67 before recovering marginally to 19.66, compared to 19.56 at last week’s close. Despite its slide, many of the world’s biggest banks believe the Pound remains overvalued, according to Bloomberg.

Allowing the Pound to float more freely is a key requirement for a potential IMF loan package to help support Egypt’s economy, which has been hit by large capital outflows this year. We expect the Pound will continue depreciating in the coming weeks.

Record low Kenyan Shilling to lose further ground

Kenya

The Shilling once again hit a fresh record low against the dollar this week, trading at 120.70/120.90 from 120.35/120.65 at last week’s close as FX demand from key importers such as the oil sector remained elevated.

New President William Ruto said he intends to reform the country’s tax system by making it more progressive so that tax burdens increase with income. Meantime, FX reserves dropped to $7.42bn from $7.45bn a week earlier, sufficient for 4.19 months of import cover.

We expect the Shilling to continue weakening in the next seven days amid strong dollar demand from the oil, energy and manufacturing sectors.

Inflation to pare Ugandan Shilling recovery

Uganda

The Shilling strengthened against the dollar this week, trading at 3817 from 3853 at last week’s close.

That came despite annual inflation jumping to a more than 10-year high in September, with prices rising 10% compared to 9% the previous month. Those higher prices were mainly due to food and alcoholic beverages, which jumped 18.4% from 15.7% in August.

Meantime, the World Health Organization this week said two vaccines that are being developed to treat a rare strain of Ebola that has claimed the lives of at least 29 people in Uganda could start clinical trials in the coming weeks.

We expect inflationary pressures to cause the Shilling to weaken in the near term.

Tanzanian Shilling steady as Zanzibar draws investment

Tanza

The Shilling strengthened marginally against the dollar this week, trading at 2330 from 2332 at last week’s close. Tanzanian President SamiaSuluhu Hassan reshuffled her cabinet, with Defence Minister Stergomena Tax moving to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and East African Cooperation and Local Government Minister Innocent Bashwunga moving to the defence ministry.

Meantime, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi said the semi-autonomous state had brought in more than TZS3.2tr of investments since 2020, creating more than 9,000 jobs. We expect the Shilling to continue trading around current levels in the coming days.

Credit: www.azafinance.com 

GTA shuts down defaulting restaurants, others in Kumasi

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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One of the entities being closed down

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has closed down some facilities that have failed to register with the authority.

Among some of the facilities shut down are; Bronis’ Pizza Inn, Baffour Apartment, KBR restaurant, Grace Court and Gyamfuaa court.

As part of the exercise, the authority pasted a notice which is backed by Act 817, warning operators of defaulted facilities to do the needful before they can operate the facilities again.

Gyamfuaa Court closed down

Speaking to the media during the first day of the enforcement exercise in Kumasi, Madam Mavis Gyasi Afriyie, the Ashanti Regional GTA director, told the media that twenty-six days have been earmarked for the exercise.

On the scope of the exercise, Madam Gyasi Afriyie disclosed that 127 units, excluding hostels, have been targeted by her outfit.

She noted that their work seeks to address three challenges, namely Operators without license, uncollected license and uncompleted license documentation.

Madam Gyasi Afriyie also noted that the exercise aims at regularising these establishments as enshrined in the Tourism Act.

On his part, Nana Mathew Prempeh, Ashanti Regional Quality Assurance Officer of the GTA explained that GTA is mandated to regularise all the tourism establishments such as apartments, hotels, car rentals, restaurants and travel and tours.

According to him, many are those whose licences are ready but they have not come for them, adding that there are others who are also operating without even bothering to register with the Authority, whilst others have started the process but they have relaxed.

GTA is, therefore, going round trying to make sure that their clients do the right thing, stressing that they are not sabotaging any business.

“Those who fall below, we try to encourage them to adhere to the Act 817, by putting them on re-inspection and those who do not meet the time frame that we have given them are closed down.” Nana Prempeh said.

“My advice to those who are operating in the informal sector-Chop Bars and drinking bars all fall under the law, so we are urging them to do the needful,” he added.

Nana Prempeh disclosed that before a facility is licensed, they undergo a number of checks, including criminal vetting of the owner, fire certificate among others, in an attempt to make sure that the facility renders quality service to the public.

He, therefore, implored the public to ask for licenses of such establishments before they patronise them, saying “We make sure they give out their best to the customers.”

Government needs proper structures to Stop Galamsey -Adansi Progressive union

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admin
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Kwasi Aboagye (right) with Kofi Asante Mensah(APATreasurer) at the meeting.

An Obuasi-Based NGO, the Adansiman Progressive Association (APA), has said any attempt by the government to stop galamsey in the country will be an exercise in futility, since millions of Ghanaians are neck-deep in “this emergent gold business”.

Rather, it said, putting in place proper structures for the illegal miners to acquire license to do their work without fear of arrest by the military and police is the way to go.

“Galamsey activities have gained root across the length and breadth of the country and has given jobs to millions of Ghanaians and for that matter no government or political party dare stop it”, Mr. Kwasi Aboagye, the Co-Ordinator/Founder of APA emphasised at a meeting with the media at Obuasi on Wednesday.

The APA Coordinator said government’s measures of dealing with illegal mining by forming task forces of police and military to arrest and destroy machines of illegal miners contribute to the miners not covering the pits and pollute the river bodies.

He said, when the illegal miners are made to acquire licenses, measures could be put in place to bind them to cover their pits and protect the river bodies at their sites, failure of which the licenses should be revoked and the site owner arrested.

The APA Coordinator said, under the Green Ghana initiative, almost all the degraded areas in the country following the activities of illegal miners could be replanted with trees for the areas to regain their lost glory.

Mr. Aboagye noted that when the operation of illegal miners are properly regularized and the youth freely get hooked to the modern and scientific way of mining, the massive unemployment phenomenon that stare us in the face will be a thing of the past and there will be no pressure on the government to fix anybody anywhere.

He cautioned that until the government does what is needful in the galamsey sector to get Ghanaians to work peacefully and to recoup the gold hidden in the ground, breaking the 8 being preached by the NPP adherents will not happen, as Ghanaians will vote massively against the party in 2024.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi

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