December 17, 2023 – Page 3 – L' Observateur Burundi

December 17, 2023

NCCE disappointed over low women participation in DLEs

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed disappointment and concern over the low participation of women in the 2023 District Level Elections (DLEs) slated for December 19.

It said despite several efforts to promote women’s participation in governance and decision-making processes to bridge the gender gap and promote sustainable development, both at the national and local levels, the task of getting women to aspire for leadership positions remained a herculean challenge.

Mr Mawuli Agbenu, the Upper East Regional Director of the Commission who expressed these concerns in an interview with the Ghana News Agency was reacting to the small number of women aspirants in this year’s election in the region.

Statistics from the Electoral Commission (EC) revealed that no woman had filed to contest in this year’s election in three out of the 15 Municipal and District Assemblies across the region namely; Garu, Tempane and Nabdam.

Apart from that, despite a total of 949 people filing to contest
in the District Assembly elections in the region, only 25 are women.

Similarly, only 156 women out of the 1,936 have filed to contest in the Unit Committee elections across the region.

This, the Regional Director stressed, was, ‘woeful and we don’t even know how many of them will win’ but encouraged Ghanaians to vote for more women in the upcoming election to increase the representation of women in decision-making structure at the local level.

He indicated that the participation of women in the decision-making process was not only crucial to addressing the numerous challenges confronting the growth and progress of women and children but a necessary ingredient to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr Agbenu said apart from the financial burden which was compelling many women not to put themselves up for leadership positions, there were some sociocultural norms and barriers that needed to be removed to strengthen and empower women towards taking up leadership roles in governance.

‘When women are not represented at the decision-making table, their concerns, and interests and that of their children are mostly not considered.

‘Apart from that, more than half of the workforce of the informal sector in this country are women and if they are not involved in the decision-making, it means that their economic opportunities and interests are not being taken care of, forcing them to remain in poverty,’ he lamented.

He said while the NCCE would continue to intensify education for more women’s participation in governance, the government needed to honour the 1992 Constitutional provision by appointing more women into governance.

Mr Joachim Elbazar, Nabdam District Director of the NCCE, told the GNA that women play a pivotal role in shaping families and society while contributing to the country`s economy, but their low participation in politics, particularly in the DLE, was defeating the advocacy for women’s empowerment.

‘It is time women took the courage to contest for positions to lead and not
see themselves as followers all the time because they can be better leaders as well, and I call on them to come out strongly in opportunities like this to make a case for themselves,’ he stated.
Source: Ghana News Agency

December 17, 2023

NDC Government to roll out national apprenticeship programme- Mahama

The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 Presidential elections, Mr John Dramani Mahama has declared NDC government’s intention to roll out a National Apprenticeship Training Programme to offer free skills training to Junior High School graduates who could not make it to the Senior High School level.

Under the skills training module, the government, through the District Assembly, would pay any amount for the training period to the person who trains the apprentices.

The Government would also provide them with start-up kits to start their businesses and become self-employed and self-sufficient in life.

The former President was addressing a town hall meeting with the chiefs and people of Ellembelle at Ambainu on day one of a two-day ‘Building Ghana Tour’ of the Western Region.

He was accompanied by the Member of Parliament (MP), for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Western Regional Chairman of NDC, Nana Roku, Dr George Sipa-Adja Yankey, former Minister of Health and forme
r CEO of Ghana Gas, former Chief of Staff.

The rest were Mr Julius Debra, MP for Jomoro, Madam Dorcas Afo-Toffey, MP for Evaloe-Adjomoro Gwira, Mr Kofi Arko NoKoe, the 2024 Parliamentary Candidate of Essikado-Ketan Constituency, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah and NDC Regional Secretary, Mr Kirk Mensah.

The Building Ghana Tour would afford the NDC party the opportunity to incorporate the views, ideas and aspirations of stakeholders and people of Ghana as part of re-writing the 2020 manifesto.

Mr Kofi Buah lamented, ‘After seven years since NDC left power, look at our roads from Takoradi to Agona-Nkwanta, the road from Samenye to Half-Assini, from Teleku-Bokazo to Awiebo and Teleku-Bokazo to Salema.’

The MP said, ‘Everything has fallen apart and that is why the people are crying for you to continue from where you left off.’

Chief of Ambainu, Nana Nyamikeh Fofole who represented the Omanhene of Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli, said reminded President to fulfil the promises he made
concerning developmental projects in Nzema before he left office in 2016 should he win the 2024 Presidential elections.

He reminded President Mahama to develop the Uthman Bin Affan Islamic Senior High School (UBAISH) at Kamgbunli, the only Islamic Secondary school in the Western Region should he come to power.

Nana Nyamikeh Fofole also reminded the NDC Flagbearer of the promise to build Ellembelle District Hospital at Nkroful in his next administration and spearhead major asphaltic roads in the Western Region.
Source: Ghana News Agency

December 17, 2023

Medikal, Shatta Wale dazzles at ‘Planning and Plotting’ concert

Award-winning Ghanaian rapper Medikal delivered a memorable musical rendition at the ‘Planning and Plotting’ concert on Saturday.

The night witnessed musical thrills from an array of musical stars who joined Medikal on stage to thrill thousands who gathered at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

Medikal’s entry at concerts has always been top-class, and he once again made a gigantic entry to the Planning and Plotting concert with a live band performance.

He was joined on stage by Shatta Wale during the late embers of the concert as they performed a series of hit songs that got the crowd amped up.

Shatta Wale, undoubtedly one of the best performers in Ghana, brought a lot of energy to the crowd as they sang along many of his tracks verbatim.

Quamina MP also joined Medikal on stage as they performed their ever-popular song ‘Amanfour Girl’ as well as other hit singles.

The Asakaa Boys were also present at the concert as O’Kenneth and Xlimkid performed their global hit song ‘Lonely Road,’ providing awe-inspirin
g moments for? fans.

The night also witnessed some thrilling performances from Kofi Kinaata, Yaw Tog, Pappy Kojo, Kofi Jamar, and Wendy Shay, among many others.
Source: Ghana News Agency

December 17, 2023

Ekumfi District woo investors with tax relief

The Ekumfi District Assembly has granted two years of tax holiday to prospective investors to explore the investment potentials of the area.

In collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the traditional authorities, the Assembly has earmarked more than 8,000 acres of litigation-free lands awaiting investors.

The Assembly’s move is hinged on untying the district’s age-old poverty tag to accelerate development through its three-prime focus of industrialisation, entrepreneurship, and investment promotion.

Mr Ebenezer Monney, the District Chief Executive (DCE), disclosed this at the district’s maiden ‘Economic Forum’ held at Ekumfi-Narkwa.

Aimed at wooing investors for mutual gain, the forum is a collaborative effort of the Nana Amoasi Charity Foundation and the Assembly, under the theme: ‘Harnessing the economic potential of Ekumfi: The recipe for growth and development.’

It was graced by seasoned local and international entrepreneurs, heads of businesses, academia, traditional and reli
gious leaders, individuals, and the media.

Carefully selected professionals across sectors in a series of well-researched presentations overwhelmed the participants about the economic, socio-political, cultural, agricultural, and natural resources endowments of the district.

Presenting the state of affairs of the district, Mr Monney said the area had a comparative advantage in farming tree crops, vegetables, pineapples, pineapple tourism, processing fishing, salt mining and general.

The Assembly is also seeking support through Public-Private partnership (PPP) for the construction of an artificial salt lagoon with warehouses and processing plants at Srafa-Aboano, Ekumpoano and Srafa mpoano.

Also, there is a PPP opportunity for the construction of an ultramodern market and bus terminal at Ekumfi-Abor and inland fishing facilities to be installed at Narkwa, Otuam and Srafa.

For human resource development, the Assembly hopes to train 1,000 youth in gari processing, and 1,000 women and youth in fish processin
g in 11 coastal communities and develop the 11 coconut fringe beaches into modern hospitality and recreational facilities through a PPP arrangement.

The Assembly also seeks partners for the construction of a ceramic and clay processing facility at Otabanadze, the development of an existing crocodile pond at Abuakwa and investment in large-scale plantation of crops in selected communities.

Of the 8,739.1-hectare available lands, Mr Monney said 1,247?hectares were strategically positioned for real estate developments, 5,455 for plantations, 1,591.1?for hospitality, 261 for salt mining, and 185 for aquaculture development.

Appraising local economic development concepts in the newly emerging district; Mr Kwamena Amoasi-Andoh, a former Programmes Manager of the International Labour Organization (ILO) urged all to prioritise the development of the area as a civic responsibility.

‘Bringing local stakeholders together around a table helps build trust, removes mutual suspicion, encourages innovation and social and
economic networks,’ he said.

Nana Amoasi VII, President of Nana Amoasi Charity Foundation, called on all indigenes both home and abroad not to sit on the fringes but contribute their quota toward the development of the area.
Source: Ghana News Agency

December 17, 2023

District Level Elections: Aspirants in battle of ideas in Wedokum Electoral Area

Four aspirants contesting the Assembly Member slot for Wedokum Electoral Area in the Shai-Osudoku District are in a battle of ideas to seek votes.

With well-crafted messages on education, health and sanitation, security and economic empowerment ahead of the 2023 District Level Elections (DLE), that come off December 19, the aspirants are engaged in spirited campaigns without rancour, some electorate told the Ghana News Agency.

Wedokum Electoral Area is the largest electoral area in the District with 22 communities and 20 polling stations and with over 8, 000 estimated voters,

Some electorate, who described the elections in the area as one that would be the most keenly contested DLE, told the GNA that three of the four male Aspirants had knowledge and experience in Assembly work and that their contributions would be a deciding factor.

Mr Jacob Quaye is the incumbent Assembly Member for Wedokum Electoral Area and seeking a re-election, Mr Kwabena Nartey is a Unit Committee Member responsible for Wedokum an
d Kpankpo communities and Mr William Osabutey, also a Unit Committee Member responsible for Bletum, Apetetsi, and Marteytse communities and Mr Alhassan Iddrisu, a former Unit Committee Aspirant.

Mr Kwabena Nartey, who told the GNA that in the last four years, he had provided textbooks, mathematical sets and other teaching and learning materials for BECE candidates yearly, said, he would engage the youth in apprenticeship programmes when elected.

‘I am giving training to women in soap making, sanitiser and batik making. The grounds are good for me and I have done better than my Assembly Member. I have a 12-point strategic plan which is quarterly and yearly engagements, forming community groups and education conferences amongst others,’ he said.

Mr Jacob Quaye, in his bid for re-election, said: ‘I am the second candidate on the ballot and that signifies my second coming. Through my work, broken bridges, and street lights have been fixed, sometimes with my money. Some communities, too have had potable water.’

He said he had made a proposal to the Assembly for the establishment of a new basic school at Flat Line which would serve communities like Rama Town, Metro Mass and Chamba to take off the overcrowding and burden on Dodowa New Town D/A, the only basic school in the electoral area.

Mr William Osabutey told the Ghana News Agency that most young people had dropped out of school, especially the males for ‘okada’ business and that he was collaborating with some organisations and individuals in the community to create an education support scheme for basic school children.

‘On sanitation, I have done a lot of communal work to keep our environment clean. As an Assembly Member, I will promote it more because there will be budgetary allocation for it at the Assembly. I will also constitute watchdog committees to work with the police to ensure security,’ he said.

Miss Beatrice Ayerki Tettefio, a petty trader, lamented the lack of interest from women within the electoral area, adding that the money involved in the camp
aign was huge and that most women would want to keep such monies for their families.

The Wedokum Electoral Area have 13 candidates contesting as Unit Committee Members.

Six out of the contestants are females. Five candidates with the highest votes would be declared duly elected.
Source: Ghana News Agency

December 17, 2023

Western Regional FDA trains stakeholders on protocol to eliminate illicit Tobacco trade

The Western Regional Directorate of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has educated 10 stakeholders on the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products in the country.

The stakeholders were drawn from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) and Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA), Environmental offices, Community Development, the Ghana Standards Authority, and the Ghana Health Service.

Dr Martin Kusi, the Western Regional FDA Director who presented the Articles of the Protocol, Regional Perspective on Illicit Tobacco Trade and Regulations of Tobacco Products in the Country said, the objective of the training was to enhance coordinating mechanisms for tobacco control.

It was also to identify the roles of stakeholders in the implementation of the protocols, build capacity for law enforcement and create awareness of the protocol to eliminate illicit tobacco trade.

Tobacco, the Director reminded poses a significant health threat, particularly to the youth and may impede Sustain
able development.

The illicit tobacco trade not only compounds the public’s health risks but also denies government revenues for essential services.

Mr. Solomon Boni, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the FDA mentioned post-market surveillance, school, and community education as key measures to avert the illicit trade in the Region.

Participants at the training unanimously called on the government to ensure outright ban of the commodity from the Ghanaian Market.
Source: Ghana News Agency