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NGO schools pastors on good pastoral management skills

By
NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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Dr Achi Mills addressing the participants
A group photograph of the participants

The American Institute of Professional Coaching (AIPC) has organised a day’s seminar for ministers of the gospel, pastors and church leaders on proper managerial skills that are essential for the growth of the church.

The purpose was to equip the participants to be abreast of the need to incorporate secular management into pastoral management, as far as the modern dynamics of church management was concerned

Addressing the participants, the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AIPC, Dr. Theo Achi Mills, noted that the lack of adequate knowledge on pastoral management, was responsible for many challenges in the church today.

Dr. Mills, who has close to forty years pastoral experience, indicated that the modern dynamics of church management did not only rest on spiritual gifts, but also on a set of strategic managerial skills.

“Some findings have established that there is lack of proper pastoral management in Africa therefore, we want to help enhance management in pastoring and promote pastoral coaching,” he told The Chronicle, adding, “already, we have trained some top military officers, radio presenters, optometrists among other professionals as part of our coaching and teachings and the feedback has been encouraging”.

The participants were taken through topics including; incorporation of circular management into pastoral management, pastoral coaching, capacity building and pastoral communication. The Convener of the event, Apostle William K. Edametey, stated that regular capacity building for pastors would equip them to be able to contribute significantly to transform society and help in nation building.

Some of the participants praised Apostle Edametey for bringing them together for such an educative event and also expressed appreciation to Dr. Achi Mills for his insightful teachings and coaching.

The American Institute of Professional Coaching focuses on training and coaching of management and leadership in human endeavours including politics, religion, social and the corporate world.

Editorial: Gov’t should give our disabled friends a listening ear

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Last Friday, we used this column to appeal to the government to attend urgently to members of the Toll Workers of Ghana. Our plea was based on a petition the group presented to Parliament requesting the government to pay salary arrears it owed them and also take steps to reintroduce road toll collection in the country.

According to these toll workers, who are mostly Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), the government has neither paid monies it promised them upon the cancellation of the road toll collection nor given them the alternative employment.

But we feel there is a need to re-echo the call on the government to give our disabled colleagues a listening ear based on some revelations that were made at the just-ended 6th Ghana Economic Update by the World Bank.

According to a Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank, Christabel Dadzie, 25% of Ghanaians who are into wage employment are better off than 69% who are into self-employment.

We were alarmed, because if 69% of people with legs and hands who are working are not doing well economically, what then will become of our disabled friends who are not into any form of employment in a few months to come?

Getting formal employment for PWDs who make up 3% of Ghana’s population has been a herculean task over the years.

Research indicates that although PWDs capable of doing jobs done by the abled persons, their participation and integration into the labour market has not been encouraging due to low level of education, discrimination and inaccessibility to public places.

In situations where a disabled person even has a higher qualification than the non-disabled, some employers still give preference to the latter instead of the former. Some have given reasons for their choice of preference as being that working with a disabled person comes with extra cost and burden.

For instance, some employers are of the view that, when you employ a deaf and dump person, they must also employ a sign language interpreter who would assist the deaf person at his/her place of work and that additional person comes at a cost. Same applies to employing a blind person and many other disabled individuals.

Despite the education that some of these costs will not be borne by the organization employing the disabled individuals, many employers have paid deaf ears and shunned the idea of employing PWDs.

We are sure the government is fully aware of this challenge and that is why it took steps to create a formal employment for them and we were full of praise for the government when it allotted 50% of toll jobs to them.

Based on the revelation by the World Bank, even if our PWDs out of frustrations decide to set up their own small businesses, they may just add up to the 69% struggling individuals and groups.

Though the country is going through perilous times at the moment, which  calls for every Ghanaian group or individual to be circumspect in their demands on the government, the latter  should still give our disabled friends a listening ear.

55 apprentices receive business start-up kits

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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An apprentice receives a kit from MCE Bonah
Beneficiaries in group pix with MCE and officials

About 55 graduate apprentices, mostly women in Obuasi, received business start-up kits after successfully undergoing apprenticeship training under the Young Africa Works Programme.

The initiative, which was designed by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and Mastercard Foundation in 2019, is targeted at creating employment and income generating opportunities for the youth to simulate the economic activities in Ghana.

The beneficiaries had gone through successful training and mastered skills in cosmetology, dressmaking, welding, metal fabrication, and auto mechanic.

Elijah Adansi-Bonah, Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive (MCEE), who presented the items to the trainees, recounted the Assembly’s support to the apprentices during the National Vocational Technical Institute (NVTI) examination to empower the youth to learn trades and become economically independent.

He disclosed that the Assembly had sponsored apprentices to register and write the NVTI examinations, and lauded the laudable initiative, reiterating the government’s commitment to creating employment opportunities for the youth in Ghana.

He entreated the youth to take advantage of such programmes and initiatives like the GEA and Mastercard, with the support of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, and urged Ghanaians to continue to support the government to deliver on its promise in the creation of jobs for the teaming unemployed youth.

The MCE reminded them that before one could make a great impact and be successful as a business owner, one should add value to what one had acquired through training.

He also appealed to them to treat their customers and clients well and with dignity.

Mr. Kelvin Ofori Atta, Head of the Business Advisory Center (BAC) at Obuasi, commended the Municipal Chief Executive for his immense support towards the activities of the BAC and youth empowerment projects and programmes.

He stated that, so far, a total of 771 people in Obuasi had benefited from the three components of the Young Africa Works Programme, which included Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE), Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship (A2E) and MSME Business

Acceleration (MBA) on Jobs created and businesses established since 2021.

He stated that a total of 295 jobs had been created, with 79 new businesses established as a result of programmes rolled out by the Ghana Enterprises Agency in Obuasi.

Mr. Gabriel Dwomfuor, Chairman of the Association of Small Scale Industries in Obuasi, advised the beneficiaries to take what they had learnt seriously, improve upon it, and adopt best practices to market their products or businesses.

The beneficiaries thanked the government and the sponsoring agencies for the training and the start-up kits.

Refurbished KNUST social science faculty board room commissioned

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Kessben Group boss being assisted by Frances Dufie Asuamah Esq., to commission the offices
Social Science faculty officials confer with their benefactor (middle) in the Board room

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kessben Group of Companies, Stephen Boateng Esq., has furnished the Board Room of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at a cost of GH¢90,000.

The Board Room is now equipped with modern furniture and 14K Smart television to facilitate the activities of the faculty.

Until the inauguration last week Wednesday, the Board Room, located in the modernised Social Science building complex of the faculty, with various classrooms and offices, was underutilised.

The gesture follows Lawyer Stephen Boateng’s acceptance to assist in furnishing the Board Room and office of the faculty Registrar when he visited the place in his capacity as an alumnus, during which he readily agreed to assist when his attention was drawn to the state of the office by the authorities of the faculty.

Lawyer Stephen Boateng explained his benevolence in the fact that KNUST had played significant role in building his capacity as a person, and also in making a huge impact on his business.

Stephen Boateng, CEO Kessben Group inaugurating the refurbished Boardroom

He emphasised that the starting point of his success story began at the Social Science Faculty, which has been the fulcrum of his personality, and the gesture, he said, was an appreciation for the transformation and reshaping of his life, and “not to pay back for the knowledge imparted to him.”

The CEO of Kessben Group of Companies pleaded with the authorities to put the facility to good use.

The Dean of the Faculty, Prof Sister Eugenia Ampofo, praised Lawyer Stephen Boateng for his unflinching support to his alma mater, describing the gesture as overwhelming, and called on other social science alumni to emulate the gesture.

She stated that there were a lot of unfinished businesses in the new block for which she called for support for their completion, and hoped Lawyer Stephen Boateng and other alumni worldwide would respond positively to the request for assistance

NPP National Executives Elections Message to Delegates: Restore the Spirit of the UP Tradition

By
admin
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Opinion

God willing, this weekend, there will be a National Delegates Conference of the New Patriotic Party which will elect the party’s national executives to run the affairs of the party for the next four years.

It is the plea of many NPP supporters that the delegates will go out there to selflessly elect officers who will bring back the spirit which effectively run the party the decade or two, after it was formed.

Delegates are to go out there and not be greedy and selfish, chasing after money and voting for the highest bidders even if it is obvious that those, they may vote for will not be able to manage the affairs of the NPP.

The life of the NPP and especially, in this case when the clarion call is to break the eight and make H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo the first president of this republic to hand-over power to an elected president from his own party, lies in the thumbs of the delegates.

There is an Akan adage which goes like this, that “as you advise the cat, you must also advise the fish.” And so, I will plead with the powers that be, not to coerce or force delegates to vote for executives of their choices but rather allow them to painstakingly, make up their minds to vote for people they know can do the job.

Ghanaians, especially the UP Tradition, are praying that delegates become their own bosses and do the right thing by putting into office only those who can help this party become what it used to be and is well known for, that is respect for diverse views and rule of law.

This current national executive committee (NEC), under the leadership of Hon. Freddy Blay, will go down in history as the most ineffective in the Tradition dating back from October, 1957, almost sixty-five years. Party matters which could breed conflicts are not adequately addressed and even if the NEC came out with its own directives which must be abide by all members, Ghanaians watched with shock as some of the national executives disobeyed the same rules they enacted and were never made to answer.

However, when other party members did same, they got punished with suspension. And in all this, not once did the national chairman come out to address issues and put his foot down that no matter who disobeyed party rules, the person would get punished.

What came out was that those who held powers in the constituencies started doing what they like, contrarily to set down rules and regulations and for the first time, polling station executive elections which used to take place without fanfare and very quietly, suddenly became a battle ground between those on the side of justice and those on the side of injustice. For the first time in the history of the UP Tradition, what we stood our grounds for and accused the NDC of rigging elections, the NPP was seen doing even worse.

And it was when the conflicts begun from the day nomination forms were been distributed, we heard the national chairman speak and when he did, he only spoke about extending the date of nomination of aspirants, nothing about how to resolve the conflicts.

To say that due to these disorganisations of the running of the Party, the NPP today is at it lowest, would be an understatement. The NPP should not be what it is today and if things continue like this, then the UP Tradition would soon cease to exist.

This is the desire of the socialists in this country. They have been wrongly blaming the UP Tradition for been responsible for the overthrow of Nkrumah, but they always hide away from the question of who overthrew the first and only united Nkrumahist party in government, the PNP, and effectively halted Nkrumahism in Ghana. Who said the only thing Nkrumah gave to Ghana was the national flag and the national anthem?

Rawlings made an attempt many attempts to erase the UP Tradition from existence, from murdering UP elements, seizing businesses and industries belonging to suspected members of the UP Tradition and using his limited powers to collapse anything belonging to anyone suspected to be from the Tradition.

The UP Traditionalists saw this as an attack from an enemy from the outside and came together, stronger than ever to make the tradition stand up against all enemy forces.

Today, unfortunately, it looks like the enemy is within and effectively dismantling the structures and foundations of the UP Tradition. Originally, no one decides who should lead the party as party executive, parliamentarian or president of the republic. It is the independent mindedness of the ordinary party member who decided who was what. But not today.

Today, more than ever, the NPP needs a solid executive committee that will bring back the spirit that saw this party unique, outstanding and very attractive during the PNDC and the NDC 1 and 2 eras. It is not too late to restore these qualities and lead the party and Ghanato places we all need to be and belong to.

This depends on the delegates going to caste their votes during the National Delegates Conference this weekend. They should not be luredinto circumstances that manifested during the constituency and regional elections and know that the fate of the NPP and the UP Tradition lie in their thumbs and if they want to be remembered as having put in place people who turned the collapsing fortunes of the NPP round and saw that it hit back on the road of success, then they must disregard all gifts and promises and vote for the right people.

May the Holy Spirit of God fill all delegates and lead them to make the right choices.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

Why Atiku is a very unserious presidential candidate; Adeyanju

By
admin
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Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar

Atiku was criticized for his absence on the Ekiti governorship campaign trail.

Deji Adeyanju, a former Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said Atiku Abu-Bakr, presidential flag bearer of the party in respect of the 2023 election, is a “very unserious presidential candidate” because he is still abroad while the Osun State governorship election is just a few days away.

Adeyanju also described the PDP and other opposition parties as “useless” to Nigeria.

“Atiku still abroad and Osun election is in 5days. Very unserious presidential candidate. Useless party in power and Nigeria currently plagued with the most useless opposition political parties,” Adeyanju wrote on his known Twitter handle.

Meanwhile, Atiku is expected to attend the grand rally of the party in Osun state.

According to sources, the PDP candidate is cutting his European trip short ahead of the final rally before the governorship election slated for Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Atiku was criticized for his absence on the Ekiti governorship campaign trail.

Biodun Oyebanji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, won the Ekiti governorship election, defeating Bisi Kolawole, standard-bearer of the PDP, and Segun Oni, flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Credit: pulsengr.com

Police declares roadside petrol dealer wanted for setting varsity student ablaze

By
admin
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Nigeria police

A roadside petrol dealer has set fire on a student of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Obio Akpa Campus, in Oruk Anam council area of the state, identified as Enwongo Akpan, after an argument

The Guardian learnt that the victim who is a 200-level student in the Department of Philosophy at the University, bought N500 petrol from the roadside petrol dealer but it failed to ignite his generator after he poured on the tank.

Not satisfied with the quality of the product, the victim approached the roadside petrol dealer for an explanation believing that, the petrol was adultrated where an argument ensued resulting in an exchange of words.

An eyewitness Idongesit Akpan said I’m the course of the argument, the dealer collected the petrol, poured it on his victim and struck matches on him before he caught fire while others scampered for safety.

Continuing, Akpan said the victim was rescued by villagers and students who alerted the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Nse Essien as he was rushed to Mercy Hospital in Abak for immediate treatment.

“The incident attracted the attention of community leaders such as former Chairman of OrukAnam Prince Ubong Idiong who prevailed on students to forestall reprisal action by students of the University.

“The victim was later transferred to another hospital in uyo for better treatment.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Mcdon, said that, the suspect escaped from the scene of the crime before police arrived for arrest.

“Yes we are aware of the incident. But the suspect escaped from the scene. The Police is trailing the suspect now and will soon be brought to book,” he said.

Source: guardian.com

 Buhari celebrates veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs at 80

By
admin
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Veteran actor, Olu Jacobs

President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled Nollywood veteran and icon, Olu Jacobs on his 80th birthday.

In a congratulatory statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled “President Buhari joins Nollywood in celebrating Olu Jacobs at 80,” the President noted Jacobs 80th birthday anniversary calls for thanksgiving for God’s care, guidance and protection.

The statement reads, “The President felicitates with the Jacobs’ family, including the wife, also a renowned thespian, Joke Silva, and their friends on the auspicious occasion, which calls for thanksgiving for God’s care, guidance and protection.

“President Buhari affirms the influence of the veteran actor on the film industry, setting a standard of professionalism that has attracted global recognition and awards, like the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on him in 2016 by African Movie Academy Awards,” it added.

Buhari acknowledged Jacobs ingenious ability to interpret roles, simplify complex issues and bring messages to the understanding of both young and old, leveling cultural, ethnic and religious barriers.

He saluted the Nollywood icon, saying Olu Jacobs is a well recognized household name all over the country and beyond.

Buhari described that stage and screen veteran as father and voice of wisdom in most movies, adding that Jacobs’ natural tendency to counsel, inspire and instruct easily earned him the roles.

Source: vanguard.com

 APC VP slot: Why I opted for Muslim-Muslim ticket- Tinubu

By
admin
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Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress,  APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has named former governor of Borno State,  Senator Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.

Tinubu’s action followed the withdrawal of his dummy running mate, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, from the race, yesterday.

The APC candidate announced the choice of Shettima, yesterday, in Daura, Katsina State, while briefing journalists, shortly after paying a Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Senator Shettima is a close associate of Tinubu, who had been a staunch supporter and campaigner for the choice of Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria,” said Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Communication, Tinubu Campaign Organization

“He toured many states with Tinubu since December 2021 where he addressed party delegates and mobilised support for the former Governor of Lagos State,” he added.

Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim choice drew sharp reactions from the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Middle-Belt Forum, MBF, and former Secretary-General of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani.

However, Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, hailed Tinubu for picking his predecessor, which he described as the wisest choice.

Source: vanguard.com

Lil Win contributed to making ‘Friday Night’ a hit; Lasmid

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Lasmid and Lilwin

Rapper and singer, Lasmid, says that movie actor, Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lilwin, had a hand in making his latest single, ‘Friday Night,’ a hit.

Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Thursday, the winner of MTN Hitmaker (Season 8) commended the comic actor for his involvement in boosting the song’s popularity on social media.

“The promotion started with Lilwin,” said Lasmid. “Big shouts to Kwadwo Nkansah,” he added.

He went on to reveal that, a snippet of the song was shared on the movie actor’s Instagram page even before the song was released.

“That time saf na we no release the song,” said the ‘Sika’ hitmaker in pidgin. “We did a little video of the song and Lilwin posted it for me,” he told Andy Dosty.

Aside from sharing the first ‘Friday Night’ post on Instagram on June 5, the award-winning actor subsequently shared a total of 22 separate posts regarding the song on his page as of July 7.

Source: adomonline.com

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