The Headmistress of the Atasemanso Roman Catholic Primary School, Rev. Sister Grace Nuamah, has, on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Kumasi, School Management Committee and Parents /Teachers Association, expressed profound appreciation to the Bridge-To-Africa Connections (BTAC) for the tremendous support accorded the school over the last few years.
She noted that the BTAC assistance had helped to improve the standard and performance of the pupils.
Bridge-To-Africa Connection, founded by Madam Dawn Sutherland, is a USA nonprofit making organisation dedicated to investing in education and health in Ghana and Africa through development partners of African Americans in the Diaspora.
Madam Dawn Sutherland has since 2014 relocated from Los Angeles in the USA to Atasemanso in Kumasi.
Rev. Sister Nuamah mentioned that with the partnership of its circle of friends, BTAC has adopted the Atasemanso R/C Primary School and thus provided a number of learning and teaching materials as well as infrastructure.
She said the BTAC has provided the school with a state-of-the-art library christened “Beautiful Minds Kids Library”, as well as providing a decent place of convenience, a borehole, and renovated a four-unit classroom block.
The BTAC has also fenced the school and provided a laptop for the school’s ICT laboratory.
The Headmistress also mentioned the roofing of one Kindergarten block duly furnished with 30 chairs and tables for the students, and a teacher’s table and chair.
Rev. Sister Nuamah said the BTAC was also sponsoring the education of more than 90 pupils of the school, as well as providing free breakfast to the students, and hoped the ties between BTAC and the school would be sustained into the future.
Emmanuel Kofi Yeboah was the Overall Best medical technician
Three Hundred and Ninety three Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), constituting the 11th batch of recruits of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) passing out at the Paramedics and Emergency Care Training School (PECTS) at Nkenkaasu in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti Region after a year’s intensive training.
The batch, comprising 199 males and 194 females, happened to be the 6th of EMTs to pass out from the Training School since its inception in November 2013.
They were taken trough bleeding control, positive pressure ventilation with bag valve mask, insertion of oropharyngeal, and nasopharryngeal airways, supplemental oxygen administration and splinting, including full spinal immobilisation over the one year period.
The 393 EMTs add up to 3,016 total EMT staff strength to man the 296 ambulance stations across the country.
The out-doored NAS Regimental Band
Mahama Asei Seini, Deputy Minister of Health, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Daboya/Mankarigu Constituency in the Savanna Region, administered the swearing of the EMT Oath by the EMTs, who also pledged to maintain professional competence and always strive for clinical excellence in the delivery of patient care, as well as carry out medical instructions given by their superiors intelligently and loyally.
The National Ambulance Service Regimental Band, which performed at the ceremony, was outdoored during the passing out parade under the Command of EMT Ebenezer Osei Adjei, who was also adjudged the Best in Foot Drills.
A Deputy Minister of Health, Madam Tina Naa Ayele Gifty Mensah, who reviewed the passing out parade last Thursday, stressed that the training and passing out of the recruits was in line with the government’s aim of administering, maintaining and operating a nationwide comprehensive emergency medical services system throughout the country, aimed at reducing medical emergency deaths, injuries and permanent long-term disabilities.
She assured the audience that all efforts would be made by the government for the upgrade and construction of the required facilities at the school, and called on all well-meaning individuals, agencies or organisations that were in a position to support the government to achieve this.
Madam Tina Mensah further stated that the school had the long-term goal of becoming the training centre for paramedics in the Sub-Region, as well as a refresher courses centre for emergency care training for doctors, nurses, and other paramedics in the country.
Mr. Collins Augustine Ntim, Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso North and Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, commended the Chief Executive Officer of NAS, and the management of PECTS for the progressive development of the training school which had come about as a result of the collaborative efforts of his good self and the Offinso Traditional Council, headed by the late Offinsomanhene, Nana Wiafe Akenten III, who released the large track of land for the establishment of the school.
He was happy that 15% of the intake was from the traditional area in reciprocation of the good gesture by the Traditional Council, and hoped to see a gradual progression in intake as the years go by.
The acting President of the Offinso Traditional Council, Nana Kwaku Duah II, who is also the Nifahene of the Offinso Traditional Area, appealed to the Ministry of Health to give priority to the infrastructural development of the school.
He lauded the decision to site the schools at Nkenkaasu, and encouraged the government to expand and develop the facility in order to produce the country’s paramedics.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Emmanuel Kofi Yeboah, who excelled in all areas of the training, was adjudged the Overall Best Recruit.
Abdul-Karim Yesdad, 25, excelled as the Best in Academics, while Joan Achiamaa Amankwaa, 28, received the Best in Practicals award.
Twenty-six-year-old Doreen Kyei Mensah grabbed the CEOs award.
The award winners received refrigerators and TV sets solely sponsored by the National Investment Bank as their prizes.
Togbui Nyamekor Glakpe V, paramount chief of Ave-Dakpa addressing his people
Mr Patrick Kwame Ahiabu, Presiding Member of Akatsi Noerth Assembly speaking at the forum
The chiefs and people of Ave Dakpa in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region have inaugurated their Town Management Committee (TMC) at a colourful ceremony at Ave Dakpa, the administrative capital.
The formation of the Committee was done in consultation with the Paramount Chief of the Ave Dakpa Traditional Area and President of the Ave Dakpa Traditional Council, Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe V.
It is aimed among other things at partnering with the chiefs and elders to iron out some major differences militating against the peaceful co-existence of the chiefs and their developmental goals.
Even though attempts are being made by the chiefs and other stakeholders to iron out these differences, the rate of success has been slow, hence the formation of the Committee, which would act as a catalyst to realise the holistic dreams and vision of the people.
Peter Ofosu, DCE for Akatsi North also speaking at the forum
Speaking at the inaugural event, which was attended by a large number of high-profile dignitaries and traditional rulers, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Emmanuel Perry Nyamekor, noted that Ave-Dakpa is lucky to have a high caliber of abundant human resource and professionals dotted within and outside the country.
He added that there can be no reason why these talents cannot be tapped into to turn round the economic and social fortunes of the district, including the traditional area.
Mr Emmanuel Perry announced that the Committee is currently assembling some of these experts and professionals to assist in certain key areas with their skills and competencies for a living solution to the issues, which would subsequently boost the development of the traditional area and ultimately impact on the lives of the residents.
The focused or thematic areas, Mr. Nyamekor mentioned, are Education, Environment Sanitation, Agriculture and Youth Development.
The committee members with the chiefs after the forum
The Committee Chair expressed concern over the abysmal performance of students at the Senior High School level, adding that the situation has not been encouraging against the background that there are seasoned teachers and education workers that can lead the move for a paradigm shift, since knowledge, it is said, is power.
On Environmental Sanitation, Mr. Nyamekor noted that erosion has destroyed most streets and roads within the district capital, including the main road leading to the public cemetery. According to him, these deplorable roads and poor sanitation issues continue to bedevil Ave Dakpa and its environs, emphasising that these are the realities.
Most of the refuse bins are overflowing with waste materials, resulting in spill-overs that cause serious stench, with its attendant health implications.
Mr. Nyamekor noted that the role of the youth in the present and future development of Ave Dakpa in particular and the entire district in general cannot be over-emphasised. He lamented over the negative attitudes of the youth, which he noted, usually push them into anti-social vices such as violent acts, ritual murders, as well as drug or substance abuse amongst others. These are the issues that must catch the attention of all and sundry.
Mr. Nyamekor observed that one cannot do the same thing all the time and expect a different result. ‘The time has come for us to be innovative, break the status quo and think outside the box’.
Mr Emmanuel Perry Nyamekor, chairman of the committee
The Committee Chairman was worried that the youth of today are not showing interest in agriculture, which is an important age-old occupation of society. He observed that many of the youth now see farming as jobs for the uneducated, school drop-outs and the less-privileged, a situation, he stressed, must change as against commercial motorbike services (okada) that seem to be taking the youth away from the farm.
He assured the chiefs and Queen-mothers that the Committee has not been established to take over their leadership roles as traditional leaders and challenged the members of the Committee and other stakeholders in the area to come out with strategies that would advance the course of Ave Dakpa, devoid of politics.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Peter Ofosu, lauded the efforts of the citizens of Ave Dakpa and the traditional leaders of the area at fostering unity among their rank and file for total peace and development.
He pledged his support and that of his administration to the Committee towards the realisation of its aims and objectives.
Speaking in an interview with our news team, the paramount chief, Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe V stressed the need for unity and effective co-operation and understanding among the chiefs and the citizenry.
In his view, it is only through such unified efforts that Ave Dakpa can get its fair share of development or the national cake from the central government.
The Committee has Mr. Richard Awudza as its Vice Chairman and Mr. Coffie Vormawor as Secretary.
Other members of the Committee include; Ms. Margaret Ganyo, Mr. Godwin Ayisu and Mr. Alex Doe. The rest are Ms. Justine Alornyo, Mr. Christian Agbozo and Mr. Patrick Kwame Ahiabu.
The directive of Nana Otuo Siriboe II, the Juabenhene to the Asona Royal family of Konongo, in the Asante Akim Central Municipality, not to accord the late chief royal courtesies and protocols has been disapproved by a group calling itself ‘Concerned Citizens of Konongo’.
The Juabenhene, who doubles as the chairman of the Council of State, on Tuesday May 31, 2022, dissolved the Council of stool elders of the Konongo sub-Traditional Council and relieved them of their traditional positions.
The elders purported to have been destooled are’ Kyeame Yaw Frimpong, Kyeame Poku, Kyeame Kwame Marfo, Nana Kwadwo Abrokwa (Krontihene),Nana Osei Tweneboah (Gyasehene), Nana Opuni Frimpong (Twafohene), Nana Appiah Fokyie (Sanaahene) and Nana Kwadwo Sarfo (Nsumankwahene).
These elders are been faulted for swearing the oath of allegiance to the late Konongohene, Nana Batafo Acheampong Nti, who has been accused of gross insubordination towards the Juabenhene and thus considered to have been destooled and, therefore, not recognised as a chief by the overlord.
As a result, the Juabenhene has ordered the Abusuapanin, Nana Yaw Frimpong, to liaise with one Oppong Agyare, an elder of the family, to organise the late Konongohene’s funeral as an ordinary person and should not accord him with royal courtesies and protocols, because he (late chief) did not serve his overlord in his lifetime as Konongohene.
Konongo township
The funeral planning committee is also enjoined to plan the funeral within two months from June 1 to July 31, 2022 after which a suitable candidate to be considered as chief of Konongo would be introduced to the Juabenhene.
Nana Batafo died on January 15, 2022 at the age of 83, having occupied the Konongo Asona stool for 41 years. He first swore the oath of allegiance as Konongohene to Nana Otuo Serebour II in 1981.
But the Concerned Citizens of Konongo, in a statement signed by its leader, Nana Addai Mununkum, has condemned the May 31, 2022 directive and action by the Juabenhene, describing it as not only capricious, but also arbitrary and has no legal or customary basis.
The youth said the impression being created by the Juabenhene that he destooled the late Konongohene 30 years ago, is not only false, but an attempt to distort Konongo Traditional history.
“There is no doubt that from 1907 to 1954, and again in 2009, there has been over six cases in court initiated by successive chiefs of Juaben, from Nana Kofi Boaten to Nana Otuo Siriboe II against the Konongo stool, but in all those cases the Juaben stool lost”, the youth group revealed.
They explained that by customary law, usage and under the Chieftaincy Act, the Konongohene was gazetted as the chief of Konongo who reigned from May 1981 to January 2022 and that he was never destooled, neither did he abdicate.
Nana Addai Mununkum claimed the group has many leases that the Juabenhene counter signed after the Konongohene had signed and took his fees as overlord, because there was a ruling by the High Court that the Juabenhene cannot sell or lease out Konongo Stool lands himself, but
can only counter sign after the Konongohene had signed.
Nana Mununkum also referred to a Supreme Court suit – “Boampong Vs Aboagye and Others (1981) GLR 927-943, which ruled that Juaben stool cannot destool a Konongo chief and further ruled that it is only the Konongo Kingmakers who can destool a chief at Konongo, which position they claim goes to nullify the May 31, 2022 directive at Juaben in Ashanti, stressing that the Konongo sub-chiefs are still at post and not destooled by operating decisions of the highest court of the land.
“The decision is null and void and any attempt to enforce it will be resisted through all available legal means”, the statement emphasized.
The statement said the event at Juaben on that fateful day was an attempt to reverse trite customary and judicial decisions. It also stated that as late as 2009, the Juabenhene brought a suit in the Judicial Committee of the Ashanti regional House of Chiefs in respect of the Queen mother of Konongo, which case travelled to the National House of Chiefs and ended in August 2018.
The youth group wondered if the Juabenhene had taken the said action against a Konongohene he claims not to be a chief and had destooled. Referring to previous decisions by Asanteman Council and the courts, the group drew the attention of the Juabenhene to the provisions that
a chief or sub-chief cannot be destooled if they have not been found guilty of any wrong doing, which point was emphasised in a case of Ohenenana Akwasi Prempeh Versus Nana Juabenhene, held at the Manhyia palace, under the adjudication of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo
Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, on April 23, 2012.
On the strength of the above contentions, the group has asserted that Nana Batafo Acheampong Nti II died as chief of Konongo and will be laid to rest as a chief with all the royal courtesies and protocols.
The Concerned Citizens Association has, therefore, reiterated its appeal to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene and settle the impasse to enable the Royal Asona family of Konongo to mourn and bury their dead chief in peace, without any let or hindrance.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayensuano Constituency in the Eastern Region, Teddy Safori Addi, has provided a total of 100 boreholes to some communities in his constituency.
The boreholes are to solve the perennial water shortages experienced in the beneficiary communities during the dry season, as well as help the residents to access good drinking water to improve their health.
The short, but impressive, commissioning ceremony was graced by the former Minister of Health, Mr. Alexander Percival Segbefia, and the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the South Africa (SA) charter of the NDC, who doubles as the representative of Allied Group of Companies based in South Africa, Mr. Benjamin Quashie.
With the tacit support of these prominent personalities, Addi has separately commissioned and handed the first batch of the hundred filtered mechanised bore holes sponsored by the South Africa (SA) branch of the NDC to the constituents.
The constituency was zoned into three areas, which are Coaltar, Anum and Asubio.
The Coaltar zone is made up of Bepoase, Coaltar, Krabokese, Amaadi and Marfokorm, whilst the Asubio zone comprises Asuboi, Yakoko Kwadwofosu, Kyekyewere Achiase,
Ayekokuoso Agbomehia, Bobonte, Gbilimpe and Dikpa, and the Anum zone Sowatey New Town and Kofi Pare whichequally benefited from the water facilities.
Speaking at brief separate ceremonies to hand over the boreholes to the beneficiary communities, Mr. Safori Addi thanked the South Africa charter of the NDC for supporting him to construct the first batch of the boreholes.
According to him, the issues bothering his constituents were always of concern to him since it was his duty to support the socio-economic development of the constituency.
He mentioned that immediately after the 2020 General Elections, which made him win the seat to represent the best interests of the people in Parliament, he embarked upon his Thank Your Tour of the communities.
The MP noted that he visited all the communities within his constituency, and took the opportunity to get to know their problems, challenges, and how he could be of help.
“During our round table discussion, we realised that one of [the] major challenges that is facing us has to do with accessibility of good drinking water, because we realised that when there are dry seasons, particularly during [the] harmattan seasons, some of the people in some communities within the Ayensanu Constituency, indeed, find it extremely difficult to access good drinking water.
“Following this development, we came up with the South Africa charter of the NDC to construct 100 borehole water facilities throughout the constituency. So by the help of the almighty God, they were able to construct the first batch of the facilities which we have successfully commissioned today,” the MP narrated.
According to Mr. Safori Addi, the gestures were all based on requests and assessment needs by the communities, thereby, helping to provide good drinking water for the residents.
On his part, Mr. Benjamin Quashie noted that their financial support to the MP to provide these boreholes water facilities was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) the South Africa charter had equally agreed to do.
He pointed out that this CSR was not only to help themselves in South Africa, but also “knowing very well that we are from Ghana, and that we are doing everything possible to help the deprived communities in Ghana.”
Mr. Quashie asserted that these initiatives, as “we are aware, is basically a baby of the South Africa group of the NDC, and that the Allied Group of Companies partnered with them, and they decided to bring water to the people in these beneficiary communities within the constituency.”
He disclosed that they had other humanitarian initiatives that they were doing under the group that “we are supporting in Ghana.”
“We always serve the people in authority and people who have the means, because we see that it is always important to help.
“Because we know the economic situation of our country currently, and we realized that the government and that of individuals cannot do all to the people at all times, collectively we can all come together and help and ensure that we make Ghana the country we want to be in the future.
“We deprived a lot of resources, we deprived education of children or kids and that the government alone cannot do it, so the true of the matter is that we would not expect them today because that is what they have voted it to do for the people but in the 21 century we all know that collectively we can help make humanity a best place to resort to,” he concluded.
The clergy and traditional leaders performing the symbolic sod-cutting
The 100 years old Akyem Akokoaso Presby school building
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the 100 years old Akyem Akokoaso Presby School building made from mud and sticks in the form of concrete pillars would give way for a modern multi-purpose building.
The school, which was built in 1902 through the instrumentality of the chiefs and people of the area has suffered many setbacks, including a weak foundation, ripping off of roofing, broken doors and windows.
A situation that has always threatened the goal to provide academic education for people in the area, as school sessions, most of the time, are negatively affected and abruptly terminated anytime it rained.
Like a brilliant child who goes to school in tattered clothes unnoticed, barely a month ago the school, which has produced very important personalities, including Prof. Kwasi Kyei Amoabeng, a well-known academia in Japan, has had its roof ripped off.
This situation compelled Mr. Oteng Ernest, President of the Concerned Citizens of Akokoaso (CCA), and the members to film the state of the school and put it on social media platforms with the aim of wooing sympathy and support from the general public for assistance to immediately re-roof the school building
The video, which went viral, attracted the attention of residents of the area, both home and abroad, to swiftly respond to the worrying situation of good old Akokoaso Presby School.
“The response and intervention of some friends from diaspora is an eccentric step by putting a new structure for the students,” he indicated.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Friday, Prof. Kwasi Kyei Amoabeng, who is also the President of the Concerned Citizens of Akokoaso in the diaspora, expressed his profound gratitude to all residents of Akokoaso for their contributions to make the intended multi-purpose school building a reality.
The intended school complex, when completed, would have on the first floor the Kindergarten, Primary, Junior High School and crèche, while the second floor would accommodate the library, ICT, and Conference Center rooms.
He disclosed that funding for the new school building, which is estimated to cost over US$200,000, was raised through the various contributions of Akokoaso residents in the diaspora, with support from the locals.
Prof. Kwasi Kyei Amoabeng continued that the school building was expected to be completed within six months with the provision of all the necessary equipment after completion of the project.
Pleading with all Ghanaians to come to their aid, he stated that the school would be expanded to offer adult education to help reduce the high level of illiteracy in the community.
He, however, urged the authorities to consider re-naming the Akokoaso Senior High Technical School after the late Nana Asare Bediako, who played a critical contribution in ensuring the establishment of the school.
Mr Richmond Koduah, the District Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira West District in the Central region, has debunked claims by Daniel Ohene Darko, Member of Parliament for the Upper Denkyira West constituency that he provided a Network Mast and constructed deplorable roads in the District.
The MP reportedly stated that he asked the Minister of Communication and the Ghana Investment Fund to Electronic Communications (GIFEC) Project to complete networks at Jameso Nkwanta, Nyinawusu, Besease, Brofoyedru and Treposo.
But Mr. Koduah, speaking to this paper on Wednesday, said MP Darko’s claims are false.
He explained that the network mast that powers Breman Brofoyedru, Treposo, Anwinani and Besease were mounted long before the MP was elected to represent the people in the area.
According to him, the mast were mounted there as a gift and so wondered how the MP could claim credit for it.
The DCE, therefore, advised politicians to desist from the attitude of lying to the electorate for political gains.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira West Constituency in the Central Region, Daniel Ohene Darko, has appealed to the Church of Pentecost to build schools in the rural areas of the country. He said the Church has built so many churches in the rural areas, but these areas are without schools.
His appeal was directed at the leadership of the church to reconsider their priorities and build more schools at the basic level to take care of the educational needs of the rural communities.
Speaking at the Church of Pentecost at Ayanfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District recently, the MP stated that his visits to all nine rural communities revealed that the most beautiful buildings in the communities are the Church of Pentecost buildings, yet children as young as 4 years have to walk between 3 to 4 kilometers to attend KG elsewhere.
He argued that without education at the basic level, he wondered how the children could read the Bible and understand the gospel.
Ohene Darko emphasised that Education was the key to life and development for which reason he promised to build KGs in the communities that are without one. He said he had cut the sod for the construction of a KG at Nyameadom in his constituency, where the children walk 4 kilometres to Besease to attend KG s, which is difficult in the rainy season.
The MP hoped to build more in these rural communities.
The national executive aspirants of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) participated in the recent balloting processes to help determine how each aspirant will be positioned on the ballot paper for the elections scheduled for July 17.
After the exercise came to an end, National Youth Organiser aspirant, Prince Kamal Gumah picked number 3 on the ballot paper. A supporter of Prince Gumah explained that the number 3 is a divine number and shows the connection to the spiritual realm and spiritual forces that can help us reach our goals. To him, Prince Gumah is already a winner after picking the number 3.
Mr Kamal Gumah, few weeks ago launched his campaign to run for the position of National Youth Organiser of the NPP. The incumbent, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), will not be standing, leaving the race open for the new contestants.
Addressing the media in Accra on Tuesday, he said that he worked as a border guard for the party in the 1996 elections in the northern part of the country, to prevent foreigners from crossing into the country from Burkina Faso and Togo to vote for the NDC.
Mr. Prince Kamal Gumah also disclosed some constituencies and individuals that have benefited from his philanthropic activities. “I supported most constituencies, in the 2020 elections, I donated 76 motorbikes to 24 constituencies, I constructed another 49 boreholes for 28 communities and most of the regions around the country benefited from my activities to support Nana Addo to win the election,” he stated.
He also added that his commitment to ensuring the success of the party in the diaspora was remarkable. “I joined the North American branch in 2005 where I worked with the likes of Asenso Boakye. So we worked till 2012. I was then appointed as Nasara Coordinator for the New Jersey chapter till 2018 after which I was elected as the Organiser of the New Jersey chapter. I was appointed as Deputy Youth Organiser of the entire branch of the USA.
“In 2016 I was part of the group that adopted over 125 constituencies to support the NPP to win power. We supported the NPP with resources and logistics for the famous constituency, Saboba, to ensure we win the power for NPP”.
Mr Gumah said he would ride on his experience as a successful businessman to create job opportunities for the youth, and also train those with business ideas to establish their own businesses.
He added that he would use the opportunity to also enrich the skills of youth through training programs, equipping them with resources to enable them to build their self-esteem levels.
He said when given the nod as National Youth Organiser, he would set up a 24-hour communication centre at his office to take the concerns of the Party youth and work to address them.
He stressed that the party’s agenda of securing total victory depends on the youth, adding that he will work closely to ensure it yields results. “70% of Nana Addo’s vote came from the youth and if the youth are dissatisfied where is the youth.”
He said TESCON and other Youth Volunteer Groups will be made more vibrant with a focus on Recruitment, Training and Capacity Building, as well as Volunteerism. Prince Kamal Gumah said he will facilitate the construction of a permanent National Youth Secretariat, among other objectives.
The Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mrs Mercy Larbi, says for the past two decades Ghana has not submitted its human rights reports to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).
She said the responsibility lies on the Office of the Attorney-General (A-G) and Ministry of Justice to ensure that Ghana meet this continental obligation.
Mrs Larbi was speaking at a two-day workshop for the drafting of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Shadow Reports on United Nations (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Mechanism-Ghana’s 4th Cycle, in Accra, last week.
According to her, since Ghana is a signatory to the ACHPR, it is incumbent on the A-G to take the necessary steps towards the submission of the reports.
Some of the areas that Ghana has over the past 20 years failed to submit reports on include; the Committee on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Committee on International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights among others.
On the workshop, Mrs Larbi said in 2017, the last time Ghana’s report was reviewed, the country accepted 214 out of 241 recommendations by other countries.
She explained that the UPR is a mechanism by the UN Human Rights Commission for assessing human rights records of member countries.
The Deputy Director added that that the UPR allows CSOs and independent institutions like CHRAJ to submit their reports to the UN, in order to avoid misrepresentation of human rights issues by member states.
The UN Resident Coordinator to Ghana, Mr Charles Bani, on his part said Ghana’s human rights track record is worthy of praise.
He noted that the constitution was there to protect the rights of Ghanaians irrespective of individuals’ divergence views.
He stated that the constitution is not there just for the popular views, but to protect all citizens at all times irrespective of whether they are in the majority or minority.
“The state has the responsibility to promote, protect and respect the right of all their citizens,” he stressed.
The Executive Director of the host organisation, POS Foundation, Jonathan Osei Owusu added that Ghana needed to do more towards the promotion of human rights, although its track records are positive.
He encouraged the participants at the workshop to contribute fully to the course of drafting process to reflect the UPR.
The Daily Graphic in last Friday’s issue quoted the Ghana Education Service Director-General, Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa as saying, “You don’t have to wait till the last minute before you start planning for your pension. If you do that, you will find yourself wanting.” He made this assertion whilst advising staff of the service to plan adequately for their retirement.
The Chronicle is in support of Prof. Opoku-Amankwa’s advice because the Ghanaian workforce have adopted the habit of waiting till they are left with some few years before they started to plan for their pension. “Sometimes, we also look at our age and think we have more years to retire and so there is more time.
However, by the time we realize, the time is up for us to leave,” Prof. Opoku-Amankwa reiterated at a business activation fair for staff of the GES. He indeed hit the nail on the head by linking this problem to the fact that the youth think they have all the time in the world till they reach 60 years, before they begin to plan for their retirement. There have been instances where millionaire celebrities live the high-life and after retiring they have no place to lay their heads.
People spend their whole lives working and spending the money they earn and when retirement catches up with them, they realise there is nothing to fall on to, especially at a time they no longer earn as much or any money from work.
Workers should be made aware of retirement planning to determine their retirement income goals and the actions and decisions necessary to achieve those goals. Retirement planning should include identifying sources of income, sizing up expenses, implementing a savings program, and managing assets and risk. Retirement planning refers to financial strategies of saving, investments, and ultimately distributing money meant to sustain oneself during retirement.
The Chronicle is, therefore, lauding the Director-General of the GES for his assurance that the service would give the staff all the support they need and looking at all the options available for their staff to explore for better retirement. We hope this will serve as a lesson for other work places to emulate by educating their staff to start their retirement planning now instead of waiting till the last minute.
Our advice to all the youth out there is that the moment they get an employable job, they should immediately start planning for retirement and pension so that they can sustain themselves by the time they reach retirement age. Let us give priority to our retirement plans so that we don’t end up living miserable lives after pension.
Remember that retirement planning starts long before you retire—the sooner, the better it will be for you.
