Day: November 17, 2023

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AMO foundation and partners commission a training facility at Abepotia


AMO foundation in collaboration with ABaCus foundation and other partners have commissioned a multi-purpose training hall fitted with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre and a solar panel system at Abepotia, near Nkawkaw.

The new training hall has a production workshop fitted with machines and equipment used to produce learning materials, a staff office, conference room, ICT laboratory, reception area and painting room.

AMO, an organization in West Africa interested in improving the quality of Education in Ghana and leading producers of educational materials, is an acronym of ‘Agodi Ma Osuahu’ an akan adage which means ‘playing gives experience

The other partners were the Hofstee foundation, CCHO foundation and Mission foundation, all independent foundations based in the Netherlands.

Mrs. Theodosia W. Jackson, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of AMO Programme and Principal of Jackson College of Education, said the move was towards redefining AMO Programme’s social engagement strate
gy in the catchment area.

The centre is for the production of teaching and learning materials (TLM) made from wooden products and painted instead of plastics for early grade children in schools.

She said ‘the colourful teaching and learning materials are to help the children to know the roots of whatever they learn in the classroom with confidence to redefine teaching at the Basic level’

Rev Dr Kofi Amfo-Akonnor, Vice Board Chairperson of AMO foundation said the AMO foundation aimed to use hands – on and project-based learning to improve and make education more exciting for students especially at the basic level.

‘ We have all sorts of learning materials at the center that play roles in the subjects taught in school such as Mathematics, English, and Science,’ he noted.

The foundation has partnered the Ghana Education Service to produce wooden teaching and learning materials for schools in the Northern part of Ghana and measures were advanced to extend to schools nationwide.

He noted that the AMO Program
me had 24 model schools in which the foundation provided the learning materials for use and organized capacity development for educators as well.

Mr. Rik Oosterbaan, President of ABaCus foundation said one of the foundation’s objectives was to support humanitarian and community development projects in the field of education.

Nana Kwasi Dwamena Anim, Krontihene of Kwahu- Obomeng commended AMO Programme and ABaCus foundation for the immense support in children’s education in the community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Cultural Games Association of Ghana to popularise local sports globally


The Cultural Games Association (CGA) of Ghana has launched a series of new local sports as it seeks to rejuvenate traditional sports and promote them internationally.

The newly introduced sports include chaskele, amanball, pushboxing, catapult, ampe, skyball, and NTE games.

These sporting activities have been redesigned to satisfy the international community and would feature at various local and international tournaments.

Speaking at the launch of these games in Accra, Nana Boateng Gyimah II, Krontihene of Senchi Asokore and National President of CGA- Ghana, said the aim of redesigning these sporting events was to generate interest and understanding of these cultural games in communities.

‘We strive to rebrand the standard of global cultural games and sports to make the industry attractive to all people. There is a probability of partaking in the World Cultural Games and Sports and effectively keeping our professionals active,’ he said.

Nana Boateng Gyimah II who is known in private life as Dr. Ernest
Boateng Gyimah, stated that the association had plans to take cultural games to schools with the National Inter-Schools Cultural Games as they seek to develop interest among the youth and unearth their talents.

He also added that they seek to introduce the Cultural Games Personality Awards soon as they recognise the efforts of individuals who have excelled in various cultural sports.

‘With the awards scheme initiative, we seek to raise awareness about excellence in cultural games and sports, develop and promote networking among interest groups, and establish partnerships with government sports agencies, sports associations, and academic representatives,’ he said.

Nana Gyimah II also disclosed that they are preparing for the first ever Ghana International Cultural Games in March 2024.

The games, he says, would take positive steps towards collective efforts to achieve unified goals that challenge tribalism, religious abuse, gender discrimination, among others.

The launch of these games at the Accra Sports
Stadium was graced by officials of the National Sports Authority, Traditional Chiefs and Queens in Greater Accra, and officials from member associations from Nigeria, Benin, and the United Kingdom.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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FIFA 2026 World Cup: Black Stars leave it late to snatch maximum points


Inaki Williams scored the only goal in what appeared to be the last action of the 2026 World Cup Qualifier between the Blacks stars and their counterparts from Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium on Friday.

A swift attack from the left which was headed home by the Athletic Bilbao forward denied the visitors who had played their hearts out and were on the way to securing a vital away point.

On a day that Coach Chris Hughton started both Williams and Antoine Semenyo in attack, the expectation was that Ghana was going to run over one of the minnows of African football, but the Stars had to labour for the sole goal of the match.

The visitors started the match on the front foot, displaying their attacking intent right from the blast of the whistle by Moroccan referee, Guezza Samir.

They kept possession in the early exchanges, creating two quick chances within the first three minutes, and for a moment one would have thought they were the home team.

The only time the Black Stars came close to the opposition go
al area within the first 10 minutes was in the sixth minute, but Jordan Ayew’s feeble shot was calmly collected by goalkeeper Melvin Andrien.

Four minutes later, Inaki Williams found himself in a goal-scoring position after controlling a cross from the left flank, but his effort went over the crossbar.

After matching the Black Stars in their own backyard for 20 minutes, the Bareas of Madagascar grew in confidence as they comfortably dictated the pace of the game with the Stars playing as if nothing was at stake.

But for a brilliant save by Richard Ofori, Madagascar almost broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Dorian Bertrand launched a long drive from 30 yards.

The only brightest spot in the Black Stars setup after 40 minutes was Mohammed Kudus who occasionally showed glimpses of individual brilliance with incisive passes in the midfield.

The Black Stars displayed an uninspiring first half, failing to create any decent chance with the away team going into the break the better side for the first 4
5 minutes.

Coach Chris Hughton started the second half with two substitutions, bringing on Dennis Odoi and Majeed Ashimeru for Alidu Seidu and Baba Iddrisu respectively.

The Stars started the second half an improved side, playing with some sense of urgency which saw them raiding the goal area of the visitors in search of the opener.

They would however not succumb to the incessant pressure as they stood firm to repel all the threats.

A 55th-minute header by Daniel Amartey from a corner kick missed the woodwork by inches.

The Bareas missed a glorious opportunity to break the virginity of the match in the 60th minute against the run of play, but for a timely clearance on the goal line by Nicholas Opoku after Richard Ofori was completely beaten.

As Ghana raced against time to find the back of the net, Coach Hughton introduced Nuamah whose first involvement created the best chance of the half, but Williams fluffed the opportunity.

The impact of Nuamah on the game was glaring as he mesmerised the backline of
the visitors with his pace and drilling skills, forcing them to make mistakes in their vital area.

Goalkeeper Andrien proved to be the stumbling block between the Stars and the opener, saving chances upon chances in the last 10 minutes.

It had to take the last action of the match for the Black Stars to finally break a stubborn side determined to leave the Baba Yara Stadium with at least a point.

Williams headed home a cross from Gideon Mensah to record his first goal for the Black Stars since switching nationality to play for Ghana.

His goal sent the fans into a wild jubilation, having sat on tenterhooks throughout the match.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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NPP clears 20 aspirants to contest parliamentary primaries in UWR


All the 20 aspirants of New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries in orphan constituencies in the Upper West Region have been cleared for the contest after a two-day vetting exercise.

Dr Daniel Dawda Tanko, the Upper West Regional Secretary of the NPP, revealed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa after the vetting.

The NPP had eight orphan constituencies in the Upper West Region with a total of 21 aspirants.

However, the Nadowli-Kaleo constituency had a candidate going into the primaries unopposed and was thus vetted and cleared earlier.

The Sissala West had three aspirants, three in the Lawra and two in Jirapa constituencies; two in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, four in the Wa West, three in the Wa East and three in Wa Central Constituencies.

These numbers are made up of four females, one each in the Sissala West, Wa West, Jirapa and Wa Central Constituencies while 17 were males.

The number also included all sitting Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) except the DCE for Nadowli-K
aleo who did not file to contest in the primaries.

Dr. Tanko explained that all the aspirants had proved their capabilities and qualification to contest in the primaries.

He said bearing no issues arising after the vetting, all the candidates had been cleared to go about their campaign towards the election.

‘We did not receive any petition against any of the aspirants, so the vetting committee has passed all the aspirants to go about their campaign unless something comes up between now and December 2 and if nothing comes up all of them stand that chance of representing their constituencies’, he explained.

Dr Tanko urged the aspirants to conduct their campaign with decorum to ensure the party remained united to execute the party’s agenda of ‘Breaking the 8’ in the 2024 general election.

Meanwhile, some of the aspirants, who spoke to the GNA after the vetting, expressed their abilities to wrestle their respective constituency seats from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2024 if they were elected as
the parliamentary candidates.

Dr Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen, an aspirant in the Lawra Constituency, said complacency caused the NPP to lose the Lawra Constituency parliamentary seat to the NDC in the 2020 general elections.

Dr. Engmen, a former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Northern Development Authority (NDA), added that misunderstandings within the NPP in the constituency also contributed to the loss of the party in 2024.

He said he would leave no stone unturned to ensure the party was united to reclaim the seat from the NDC if he was elected the parliamentary candidate for the party in the Lawra constituency.

‘I know that I am coming against a veteran politician (Mr Bede Ziedeng) who is on the seat now.

At least I will be the last person who will want to underestimate what the incumbent is capable of doing’, Dr Engmen asserted.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Makers and Partners calls for strengthening of institutions to fight fraud


Makers and Partners (MAP), a chartered accountancy firm, has underscored the need to devote time and resources to strengthening institutions that are mandated to help combat fraud and corruption.

Mr Alfred Aryee, Partner at MAP noted that fighting the menace is a collective responsibility; however, there was a need to equip such institutions with the requisite skills needed to identify corrupt practices and fraud related issues.

Mr Aryee made these remarks at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Fraud Conference, on the theme: ‘Winning the Fight against Fraud and Corruption in Ghana, A Collective Responsibility’.

The ACFE stands as the world’s largest anti-fraud organisation dedicated to reducing business fraud globally.

As part of this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week, ACFE Ghana Chapter has organised a two-day conference to bring together anti-fraud stakeholders to assess and analyse Ghana’s position and to forge stronger collaboration to minimize the impact of fraud.

Mr Aryee
said as part of their contribution, the Firm had been offering free training in forensic audit to state institutions to help build their capacity.

He further explained that its corporate social responsibility (CSR) where internal auditors of some state institutions were being trained, therefore, aimed at strengthening their Internal Audit Function to be able to tackle corruption.

Mr Aryee therefore called for an effective collaboration among all stakeholders and reiterated the Firm’s commitment to partner other institutions who may need their services, particularly in forensic investigation training.

Mr John Awuah, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Association of Banks said fair and public processes should be established and utilised in the determination of policies and resources to limit personal influence; while regulating lobbying and encouraging free access to decision making.

He said individuals working in institutions in both the public and private sectors needed to be equipped with the right knowled
ge, patience, and commitment to effectively engage and root out corruption.

Mr Awuah, who was the guest speaker for the Conference touched on ‘Right to Information’, saying timely response in compliance with the requirements of right to information request must always be observed.

‘The Right to Information Act, 2019 (ACT 989) was passed a few years ago but already we have recorded instances of non-compliance resulting in the Right to Information Commission imposing sanctions.’

He recommended that clear and rigorous guidelines should be established for withholding sensitive information; while conscious efforts were being made to share information on national expenditure and resource allocation with the public in a timely and meaningful manner.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Tourism Minister urges journalists to hone Ghana’s peace to attract tourists, investments


Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, has urged journalists to highlight and emphasise the peaceful nature of the country to help attract tourists and investments.

He said one of the key things that motivated tourists and investments was the peaceful nature of a destination adding that Ghana was one of the most stable countries in the world.

‘Despite the fact that we have over 70 ethnic groups and different religions, we still live in peace and harmony as brothers and sisters’.

Dr Awal addressing journalists in Koforidua, in the Eastern region, during a Media Capacity Building Training on Tourism said it was aimed at recognising the media as partners in the Ministry’s chain to make sure Ghanaians appreciated the role of tourism, arts and culture in the national development effort.

He said journalists must also emphasize the heritage tourism of the country which included the forts and castles as well as its culinary delights such as local foods to attract tourists who would have
taste of the foods.

Dr Awal said the government had appreciated the role of tourism, arts, and culture in the country’s development by giving attention to the sector in its budget allocations.

He said the Ministry was expecting a total of 1.2 million international tourists and 1.2 million domestic tourism which was expected to accrue $3.6 billion receipts from international tourism this year.

Dr Awal said the Ministry was not only preserving culture and making money but also creating jobs for the youth.

He said the Ministry hoped to receive 2 million international tourists a year by 2026 adding that by 2026, it was the hope that tourism, arts, and culture would become the number one contributor to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Dr Awal revealed that the government and the Ministry were committed to fixing all tourism roads systematically, adding that it had already begun from key tourist attractions.

He called on journalists to highlight and tell tourism stories to help create jobs and opportunit
ies for all.

Dr Awal said the Ministry would work with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to institute a national tourism, arts, and culture awards scheme to honour hardworking journalists.

Mr Geoffrey D. Tamakloe, a Director at the Ministry on behalf of Mr John Yaw Agbeko, Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), gave an overview of the Ministry, its functions and agencies and development partners it worked with.

He said the Ministry was supposed to create a conducive environment for economic development through partnerships with the private sector in diaspora.

Madam Dinah Adu-Owusu, Eastern Regional Director, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) admonished the participants to propagate the message on the country’s tourism sector to the citizenry and globally.

Ghana is currently the most preferred tourism destination in West Africa.

Participants were drawn from the Eastern, Greater Accra, Volta, and Oti regions.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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