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Kodiekrom Youth Association campaigns against drug abuse

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Richard Nyarko- Assemblyman for Deduako Apemso

Mr. Gideon Kwarteng, the Vice President of  Deduako Kodiekrom Youth Association, has cautioned the youth against drugs abuse or self medication, because it could be a threat to their future aspirations.

Addressing members of the Association at an anti-drug abuse campaign to mark this year’s Drug Abuse Day, Mr. Kwarteng emphasised the need for the youth to become responsible adults, hence, the need to desist from these acts.

Mr. Richard Nyarko, Assembly Member for the electoral area, stressed that the youth were the future of every society, while pointing out that when the youth indulge in drug abuse they put the future of the nation in jeopardy, since effective leadership in the future would be compromised.

He warned that abusing drugs affected their mental health status when they become addicted, and asked them to stay away from that habit.

Mr. Edward Osei Agyemang, a worker at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), commended the youth for the laudable initiative, which, he said, would go a long way to help curb the recent increase in drug abuse amongst the youth, especial young females who were now getting into the act.

He disclosed that the campaign was in the right direction, because the rate at which drug abuse was eating into the young ones was a threat to the security and future of the nation.

Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem IT Library commissioned

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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The imposing Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II Library
Asantehemaa being assisted to cut the tape to commission the facility

An ultra-modern community library has been commissioned at Ashtown (Ashanti New Town) in the Manhyia South Constituency of Kumasi.

The facility is christened Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II in honour of the late Asantehemaa.

It was commissioned last Sunday by Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom, the Asantehemaa, who happens to be the daughter of the late Asantehemaa and brother of the occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The 200-seater capacity library, which comes as the 111th library managed by the Ghana Library Authority across the country, was initiated by the Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Constituency, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, during his tenure as the Minister of Education in the first administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with his share of the MPs District Assembly Common Fund, with support from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

It is stocked with 26 computers fully connected to the Internet, 10,000 assorted books for the kindergarten to tertiary levels, and filled with e-resources and digital library.

From left – Napo, Apagyahene, Nana Kwaku Duah, Kokosohene and Ing. Atta Poku at the event

The newly commissioned library, thus replaces an old facility also called Afia Kobi Library Complex, which was built in 1990 by the then Ashanti Regional Administration Office (now Regional Co-ordinating Council – RCC) during the tenure of office of Col. E. M. Osei Owusu (rtd), then the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Regional Secretary,  with funds from the Regional Development Levy.

It was commissioned by the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, on December 27, 1990, and formally handed over to the then Ghana Library Board by the Ghana National Commission on Children in November 1994, but had been abandoned and the infrastructure therein left to decay, rendering the facility a waste of public resources, until Dr. Opoku Prempeh deemed it fit to construct the new facility as a fitting memorial for the late Asantehemaa, who made remarkable and invaluable contributions to education and Asanteman in her lifetime.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh, also known as Napo, disclosed that he was inspired to initiate the project by his passion for human development, and his desire to instil the habit of reading in the youth and the old alike to broaden their minds.

He hoped the facility would be well maintained by the Ghana Library Authority (GLA) to serve as his legacy as MP and agent of development.

The Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Mr. Hayford Siaw, said with the opening of the Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem Library, a total of 1.2 million books sit on various shelves of similar facilities across the country, and urged students and the public at large to make use of the resources at the facility to upgrade their knowledge.

The Regional Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Frimpong, acknowledged Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem’s passion for education, evidenced in her Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem Foundation.

At the commissioning of the library were Oheneba Owusu Afriyie, Otumfuo’s Apagyahene; the Mamensenhene of Kumasi, Prof. Kwasi Opoku Amankwah, Director- General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr. Ebenezer Ankrah, Board Member of the GLA, and Ing. Atta Opoku Agyemang, Metro Director of Urban Roads, as well as New Patriotic Party Constituency Executives.

Editorial: He that is down needs fear no fall

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

He that is down needs fear no fall, he that is low, no pride; he that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.

The above hymnal lyrics were prominent in the good old days and gave the impression that when you are already defeated in a battle, you do not care about the strength of your opponent again. The scenario is similar to what the government of the day finds itself in.

After the president directed the finance minister to start engaging with the IMF for a bail out from our economic woes, a number of Ghanaians are reeling from the pain of that huge blow. Others appear to be singing ‘we told you so’.

But as a nation, before we would dry our tears and focus on what conditions the IMF would set out for us to redeem our image, here comes another trouble from four teacher unions. The teacher unions have declared an indefinite nationwide strike over demands for the payment of their Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT) are demanding that 20% of their basic salary be paid to them.

This, to us at The Chronicle, is a big blow to the government, which has already thrown in the towel for the IMF to step in to streamline our economic portfolio.

In the eyes of the opposition, the decision by the government to run to the IMF for a bail out after it snubbed earlier suggestions to do so, means it has suffered a knock out.

Whilst the government is down on its knees, the teacher unions have struck, withdrawing their services both in and outside the classroom.

The Chronicle is saddened by the action of the teacher unions, especially at a time the government is burdened with so much that it has called for external support.

We are not holding brief for the government, but it appears the timing of the industrial action by the teacher unions is almost like serving the state with double agony.

We are very much aware that all the calls by the teacher unions on government for appropriate action have fallen on deaf ears. We equally appreciate the fact that the unions’ industrial action is as a result of the government’s failure to pay the COLA, which the teachers argue could have helped to mitigate the impact of the rising cost of living. But could the teacher unions have found a better time to lay down their tools?

Certainly, we believe the teacher unions demanding what their due can be done at any time, but when you know very well that the government is already on its knees, adding to its woes may not be a good option.

The Chronicle is however glad that the Employment and Labour Relations Ministry has invited the leadership of the teacher unions to a meeting over their demands. That decision by the ministry is a good step in the right direction and we call on all stakeholders to quickly resolve the matter and ensure that calm returns to the labour front as the country engages the IMF to ultimately lift us from our economic woes.

For those rejoicing over the fate that has befallen the government in recent times, they should remember the good old lyrics that ‘he that is down need fear no fall’.

Ghana shall survive all these turbulent times and still shine on the continent.

‘Ghana’s Youth Employment Challenge Requires a Holistic Policy Environment’

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admin
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Ghana National Youth Employment

Ghana needs a holistic policy environment encompassing both labor supply and demand side interventions says a new World Bank Group Report. Among various recommendations, the report calls for programs that incorporate new skills required by employers such as basic digital and soft skills into the education system; as well as operationalise job intermediation systems to ensure that young people are appropriately linked to available jobs, while creating more opportunities for quality jobs.

The 6th Ghana Economic Update titled “Preserving the future: rising to the youth employment challenge” suggests that to boost youth employment, Ghana also needs to strengthen its macroeconomic framework through decisive and sustainable fiscal consolidation, notably, by improving domestic revenue mobilisation, reining in on energy sector expenses, and ensuring all public expenditures maximise value for money. The report observes that such measures will help address Ghana’s debt sustainability concerns which have heightened over the past year.

“Restoring the macroeconomic stability will be key to creating more and better jobs, but so will be improving access to finance for businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, and fully leveraging the opportunities created by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to ensure that Ghanaian entrepreneurs can access new markets and stay competitive” says Pierre Laporte World Bank Country Director for Ghana.

Ghana’s growth prospects are positive if it can control the major risks it faces, with growth expected to reach 5.0 percent in 2022 and to average 5.6 per year over 2022-2024. Growth is expected to be broad-based, led by agriculture and services and a stronger industry sector, supported by high extractives prices. Ghana has in many ways held remarkably well, not going into a recession in 2020 and showing signs of a rapid recovery in 2021, with a growth rate of 5.4 percent.  However, this has come at a great cost, most evident in high fiscal deficits.  The deficits have resulted in rapid debt accumulation with the country now facing financing difficulties, with limited access to international markets, and a high cost of debt service

“To address the mounting debt sustainability concerns, government must continue to pursue fiscal consolidation and seek to return to compliance with the fiscal rule, says Kwabena Gyan Kwakye, a co-author and Economist. “It is commendable to note that, the government has set forth an ambitious fiscal consolidation path driven by high revenues and reductions in COVID-19 expenditures and financial sector bailouts. However fiscal policy should also aim to ensure well-targeted support for the vulnerable – including those struggling because of the pandemic, as well as those affected by commodity price spikes now intensified by the war in Ukraine”.

The report cautions that it will be a mistake to carry out short-term, but necessary, adjustments at the expense of Ghana’s future, which is best embodied by Ghana’s youth. The report notes that Ghana’s youth has been growing rapidly and now represents 36 percent of the population. The economy’s strong growth performance of the past 30 years has however not delivered enough jobs for them. The National Population Census established that in 2021 approximately three-quarters of unemployed adults were ‘young’. While governments have created multiple policies and programs to address youth unemployment over the years, the many programs aimed at helping them have often fallen short of the massive needs.

Source: World Bank

Cocktail of a Third World War and a Stoic Akufo-Addo

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admin
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Opinion

Seventy-four years after the Second World War ended, it seems to me that yet a third is being fought with a cocktail of events for maximum results of destruction, ethnic cleansing, and mass massacres. Unlike the previous conventional means of two sides and their alliances fighting across continents and far off countries, much like patsies gnawing at each other as Tasmanian devils in pockets of skirmishes clubbed into groups akin soccer leagues eliminating one another until the drawdown remains between the strongest, this time the strategy is one of proxy rather than face to face confrontation.
It can never be that the Super Powers care for any nation at all. They live like scavengers that prowl the battlefields looking for spoils, bodies, and carcasses to satisfy their egos and submit to their insatiable appetites. They ravage countries, economically, and where possible annihilate nations; examples: Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, North and South Sudan, DRC (Kinshasa), Liberia, Rwanda, etc. France, for example, continues to take 10% of the income of its former colonial territories, and it does so, legally, protected by international law because no country got its independence without signing a commitment bond.
The most recent turn of events in this proxy third world war is that being fought between the USA and Russia on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine has become a test site for weapons of mass destruction manufactured by the United States of America, and, of course, Kremlin. City after city in Ukraine has been razed down amidst encouragement and fake hope from the American side.
That turf is not the only site for this destructive war. China is puppeteering both North Korea and Russia as it seeks to outmuscle the West, especially the United States of America. It is consolidating its control over Africa because that is the key to the survival of the super powers. Yes, Europe and the USA were nothing until we willingly sold ourselves into slavery. Take it or leave it, that is what we did to ourselves!
This preamble to the topic in discussion brings us to the status quo in Ghana, where we have a President doing all that he can to ameliorate the effects of this world war, which started by the creation of covid-19, hence the pandemic. Countries were thrown into the abyss of debt that they had never, hitherto, succumbed to before in their entire history.
We had our share of the mounting economic pressure. The President forged ahead, and in spite of all that, managed to transform Ghana with the massive industrialisation and digitalisation drive. More vehicle assemblies were setup by icons like Toyota, Nissan and others of their own volition given the stable and investment friendly environment. Local industries flourished and continue to grow as at now.
So, if, finally, Ghana has reached a crossroads where it has become absolutely necessary to seek for rejuvenation by calling on the IMF, a friend and foe we are all cautious of, where is the problem? See it as a glucose mix that is given to athletes as they run a marathon. Without it, how many can sustain their run? Unlike the NDC where Ghana’s economy crumbled at the genitals of wayward NDC politicians, we are suffering a current crisis due to the external pressure being heaped on us by a rumbling proxy third world war. Yes, A THIRD WORLD WAR!
When at all, under former President John Mahama of the NDC, did Ghana see such a massive industrialisation drive as we are seeing under President Nana Akufo-Addo? When at all, under John Mahama of the NDC did we see a massive boost in agriculture? Under the NDC agriculture became a non-culture! When at all under John Mahama did Ghana ever see such massive employment and social intervention policies as we are seeing now under Nana Akufo-Addo? When at all under John Mahama did so many Ghanaian children attend school voluntarily as they are now under President Akufo-Addo.
Given such a fantastic job by President Akufo-Addo, can’t Ghanaians be thankful to GOD that he sent us such an exemplary patriot to lead us?
What Ghanaians must know is that under John Mahama, the IMF stipulated stringent conditions because they were all too aware that Ghana’s economy was destroyed by indulgent NDC politicians that were concerned more about filling their bellies, pockets, and satisfying their thirst for exquisite booze and twerking female prodigies.
However, this time, IMF is not coming with such stringent conditions because they know that under Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s economy is in relatively safe hands.
We are ready!

By Fadi Dabbousi

Police arrest seven suspected cultists in Edo

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admin
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Nigeria police

The police in Edo State on Sunday said they arrested seven suspected cultists in the state.
A police spokesperson in the state, Jennifer Iwegbu, disclosed this in a statement in Benin City.
The seven suspects are said to be members of Eiye Confraternity.
Ms Iwegbu, an assistant superintendent of police, listed the suspects as Andrew Owhoyavwosa, 22, Joseph Meshak, 25, Osazee Solomon, 35, Godswill Obasohan, 25, Charles Odiase, 52, and Okoh Peter, 68.
They arrested six of the suspects within the Ekowe community, while one was arrested at Igbe Road in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest is to help check cultism and cult-related killings in Edo State, Ms Iwegbu said.
“On the 02/07/2022, operatives of Edo state police Command, Ekiadolor sector while on routine township patrol within Ekowe community and environs, intercepted some suspected cultists at the community youth house.

“The suspects, on sighting the police operatives, took to their heels from the scene of their unlawful assembly.
“This action attracted the attention of the operatives and they gave them a hot chase, which led to the arrest of the six suspects.
“On the spot search conducted at the scene led to the recovery of two locally made single barrel guns, one locally cut to size single barrel gun, 30 live cartridges, one first aid box, Kolanuts, eggs, cowries, one dead chicken, seven handsets and N37,000 cash,” she said.
Source: premiumtimesng.com

 

Police seal Ondo church where 77 persons were ‘rescued’

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admin
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Police

Police say investigations revealed the victims were kept in the basement of the church for several months after they were made to believe that rapture would soon take place.
The police have sealed off the Whole Bible Believers Church in Ondo town where 77 persons, including children, were held captive.
The persons were rescued last Friday after information reached the police of likely forced confinement.
They were later taken to the Police Headquarters in Akure, and two pastors of the church were arrested.
Police said their investigations revealed the victims were kept in the basement of the church for several months after they were made to believe that rapture would soon take place.
They were first told that it would happen in April and then it was changed to September 22.
Some of the victims were said to have abandoned school to heed the call of the pastors.
It was also gathered that majority of the victims were members of the church.
Speaking on a TVC Breakfast programme on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the children had been released to their parents after the conclusion of the preliminary investigation.
She, however, said the two pastors in charge of the church were still in police custody.
Ms Odunlami said the police sealed the church to prevent arson by aggrieved members of the public.

Source: premiumtimesng.com

Premium Trust Bank opens new branch in Effurun, Delta State

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admin
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Premium Trust bank

Premium Trust Bank has opened a new branch in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

The bank, which commenced full commercial banking operations in April 2022, commissioned its fifth branch in the commercial hub of Delta.

Welcoming guests at the tape-cutting event held at the newly built bank edifice, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, said though the bank was new, it parades seasoned bankers with more than 150 years of experience in the industry.

“Premium Trust Bank was licensed by the CBN some months back, but it is not entirely new because the management team behind the bank have vast experience in the industry.”

Emefienim highlighted that since April 19 2022, when the bank first commenced its business activities, the Effurun branch becomes the fifth branch.

“Today marks a major landmark for Premium Trust Bank as we open our 5th branch. It should also be noted that within the next two weeks, the Abuja branch will be opened – that makes it six branches in a row.”

He remarked that the speed at which branches are being opened underscores the fact that the people behind the bank understand the business.

“We are not in it to make up the numbers but to make a whole lot of difference in the industry”, the MD stressed.

Emefienim explained that the choice of Effurun was well-thought-out, as it is the commercial nerve centre of the state.

“We will deliver the type of service that is peculiar and unique not just to PremiumTrust Bank but to the host communities”, he added.

Emefienim noted that PremiumTrust Bank’s entry into the Nigerian banking industry was not just to increase the number of options available to customers, but to do things differently.

He highlighted three things that would happen in Effurun as a result of the bank’s entry into the market.

“First, we will be co-creating with our customers to provide customized solutions suited to their needs. We understand the customers, we will not throw up products and push them into the market.

“We will sit with them (customers), consider their needs and come up with solutions that will be tailor-made to address those needs.

“This is unique, and we have started doing it already. In less than three months that we have been in business, we have become the toast of many customers.

“Second, the response time from banks to customers is usually a big challenge. In PremiumTrust Bank, we will not only deliver value, but we will always do so with a sense of urgency – this speaks to our speed at execution.

‘When you understand the business and what the customer wants, it is easy for you to respond to their need in record time”.

“Third, we will do business not just to make a profit but to impact the community where we serve. One certain thing is that we will not leave Effurun the way we met it.

“Our slogan is – Together for growth. We will support and grow businesses. We will impact the environment. We will touch lives.

“I am sure that we will make a positive impact within the community. So Premium Trust is here to stay, and we will deliver the kind of value that will exceed expectations by the grace of God”, he reiterated.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe I, who graced the occasion with his council of chiefs, offered his royal blessings to the bank to grow and open more branches in the commercial city.

“We will continue to pray to ensure that you have a conducive atmosphere to transact your business in Uvwie and its environs”, the monarch assured.

“Choosing Uvwie to open this branch was not a mistake, and I am praying that more branches will be opened in this place within a short time.

“You have made it clear that you are not leaving Uvwie, so we want more branches in Uvwie. I pray almighty God to bless your staff and create a conducive atmosphere for you so that they (staff) can grow with the bank.”

The monarch urged the management to carry the host community along as promised, saying; “if you are operating in an environment, it is necessary that you plough back to the environment.

“I see your bank as one which will bring growth and development to the people in this environment, and we will do everything to support you”.

He described the bank as a first-class among the comity of banks in the country.

“I thank God for having Premium Trust Bank here. I have gone round the facilities, and it is top of the class of any bank based here. We will continue to pray for the growth of this bank”.

Speaking to journalists, Pastor Sunday Edward Akande, an Assistant Continental Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), expressed delight over the setting up of the branch in Uvwie.

“We are very happy with the bank because looking at the number of people here and the calibre of staff, we are confident that it is a bank we can trust.

Delta State Coordinator, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr. Godwin Iruafemi, said it was clear that Premium Trust “is prepared for business development and finding solutions to customers’ needs”.

The highlight of the event was the cutting of the tape, by Pastor Akande, for the commencement of business activities.

Source: dailypost.ng

Hoodlums burn down INEC office in Enugu

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admin
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INEC

Hoodlums have burnt down the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
DAILY POST gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday night when the arsonists stormed the office situated at the council’s headquarters in Ogurute.
Efforts to reach the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe proved abortive at press time.
However, our correspondent gathered that the state fire service could not put out the inferno until the entire building was razed down.
It was also gathered that parts of the local government had been under attacks recently by unknown gunmen wreaking havoc in the southeastern region.
Recall that the state government had recently imposed a 6 pm to 6 am curfew and banned commercial motorcyclists in the Igboeze North and its neighbouring Igboeze South LGAs.
Source: dailypost.ng

Being an actor helps me win more souls; Majid Michel

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Majid Michel

Ghanaian actor and evangelist, Majid Michel, has said his profession as an actor has provided the needed support to win more souls for God.

According to him, people listen to him with rapt attention whenever he preaches the word of God.

“People receive the gospel warm-heartedly and are very attentive,” he said.

Speaking to Adom News on Adom TV, he said he serves as a role model to many, especially the youth.

“I am the model to most of the youth and the young ones growing up because they look up to me,” he noted.

“So when I put them together and tell them certain things, they receive them in good faith,” he added.

Adding to this, he indicated that “usually when you look up to somebody who is successful and is in the area of your gifting, you listen to them because your instinct is to be successful”.

Mr Michel has starred in numerous movies both locally and internationally.

Source: adomonline.com

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