Day: December 23, 2023

It was a flawless stage craft masterpiece from Stonebwoy as he rocked the Accra Sports Stadium with the Bhim Concert-5th Dimension homecoming edition.

With over 35,000 patrons gathered at the nation’s Wembley, Stonebwoy dazzled fans with a ruthless live band performance for over an hour.

The highly anticipated concert lived up to the billing, especially after popular Jamaican artistes 10TIK and Jahmiel wow fans with some energetic performances.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The media family in Bamenda and Cameroon at large is once again bereaved following the passing away of their colleague, Manaseh Vubansi.

According to a press release from the North West Regional Delegate of Communication, Njike Celestine, the journalist died on Saturday December 23, 2023 at the Bamenda Regional Hospital.

Manaseh was practicing with Bamenda based community radio, Ndefcam until the time of his death.

He was first hospitalised at the Mbingo Baptist hospital, where he was diagnosed of a liver problem. On Thursday December 21, he was referred to the Bamenda Regional Hospital, where he was under medication until the time of his death.

His corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary, pending burial program.

Manaseh is noted for his courtesy in language and unproblematic nature.

His death adds to the list of two other journalists, Anye Nde Nsoh, and Gideon Taka who have died in 2023 from the North West region.
Source: Cameroon News Agency

During his visit to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) on Saturday, President Rumen Radev addressed the the Bulgarian contingent at the base: ‘The deterioration of the security environment in a regional, global plan requires action accordingly, and you are here on behalf of Bulgaria to make our contribution as a country, a worthy, reliable member of NATO, a member of the EU, a country that contributes to guaranteeing peace, security and stability’.

The President held a meeting with KFOR Commander Major General Ozkan Ulutas, as well as with the national commander of the contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Boyko Tsvetanov. Radev stressed that without security and stability there is no socioeconomic development.

President Rumen Radev is on a two-day visit to Kosovo at the invitation of his counterpart Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.

Radev congratulated the servicemen from the Bulgarian contingent for being part of NATO KFOR and thanked them for the professional and responsible way of carrying out the mission. The President stated t
hat the mission is extremely important not only for ensuring security, stability, peace and freedom of movement in Kosovo, it has a huge effect on the security and stability of the entire region, including Bulgaria. He highlighted how fragile the security environment is in Kosovo and gave the example of what happened in Banska in September.

Radev expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the servicemen from the Bulgarian contingent in this multinational environment.

Radev noted that currently extremely important decisions are being made about the future of the Bulgarian armed forces. There are several important issues to be resolved such as the acceleration of modernization. Bulgaria will allocate more and more funds for defence, said Radev and pointed out that in 2024, 2% of GDP will be allocated to defence spending.

The President pointed out that until recently, attention was focused on the three major projects for the modernization of the armed forces – aircraft, ships, infantry fighting vehicl
es. ‘For several years now, I have been pushing for a focus on much cheaper small projects, but with a large asymmetric advantage and informational superiority,’ he added, noting that conflicts such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and what is happening in Israel have shown very clearly that cheap, affordable, commercial systems such as drones, which can achieve a huge effect in any military operation, are of great importance.

Radev noted that it is extremely important for this country to have the means to realize this, to have unmanned systems, autonomous systems, systems for radio-electronic warfare, for intelligence information, surveillance.

Radev also placed emphasis on staffing. The President appealed for emergency measures to attract qualified young people to the armed forces.

The President said that instead of the wold becoming safer, the security environment has deteriorated drastically, which means that the necessary attention and resources most be allocated in order to achieve highly prepared armed fo
rces.

The national commander of the contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Boyko Tsvetanov, presented to the President and the Bulgarian contingent the objectives and tasks of the mission, as well as its structure. He noted that there were currently 33 people in the base, and a day ago some of the servicemen left for Bulgaria.

Radev presented an honourary plaque as a sign of appreciation to Boyko Tsvetanov. On his part, Tsvetanov also presented a plaque, that of the contingent, to Radev.
Source: Ghana News Agency

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the sacrifices, valour and professionalism shown by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in their work have inured to the nation’s stability and development.

He tasked the officers and men to continue to be steadfast in defending the territorial integrity of the nation amid the surge in trans-national organised crimes and terrorism in the sub-Saharan Africa.

The President was addressing the leadership of the Armed Forces at a soiree to climax the West African Soldiers’ Social Activities (WASSA) at the Burma Camp, Accra,

His call comes as the sub-Region grapples with unprecedented levels of security and humanitarian challenges, socio-political instability, further compounded by the impact of climate change and food insecurity.

Despite efforts by national security forces and international partners, insecurity has again deteriorated in large parts of the region, says the United Nations (UN).

Operations by armed groups, violent extremists and criminal networks have fo
rced the closure of more than 10,000 schools, with millions of children affected as well as some 7,000 health centres.

At the same time, countries along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea have also seen an increase in attacks against their territories, threatening transport routes to landlocked nations further north.

In spite of the prevailing dire security challenges, Ghana remains a beacon of hope for neighbouring countries, having enjoyed smooth democratic governance, stability and peace over the years.

President Nana Akufo-Addo said the Government had stepped up efforts to retool and resource the Army to build its capacity in warding off violent crimes.

The accommodation, welfare and operational logistics needs of the personnel were being given the needed attention, he assured, stressing that the Army was being supported to protect the nation’s interests.

On the 2024 General Election, he said, the country would once again rely on the Army and other security services to provide the requisite backing
to ensure successful polls.

He urged the Army to foster good relations with the civilian population to enhance unity of purpose and national development.

Mr Dominic Nitiwul, Minister for Defence, said work on the construction of military bases along Ghana’s northern frontiers had reached an advanced stage.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Sandem-Nab, Nab Azagsuk Azantilow II, Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, has called on government to complete the several uncompleted projects scattered across his traditional area.

He mentioned uncompleted administrative offices in Sandema, the Builsa North Municipal capital, broken bridges, abandoned Nursing Training College project, accommodation blocks for second cycle institutions among other structures left uncompleted.

The Paramount Chief acknowledged the development load on government but emphasised the need for such critical projects which stalled years ago to be completed to propel growth and economic activities in the area.

Nab Azantilow II made the call in his address at this year’s Feok festival celebration in Sandema on the theme: ‘Exploiting our natural resources for a better development’.

Feok in Buli language means abundance of food, and the festival, which is celebrated annually in December by the Chiefs and people of the area, is in memory of t
he victory over slave raiders led by Babatu and Samouri in the 19th century.

The festival, which attracted sons and daughters of the area from across the country and beyond, was the singular most significant event in Builsa land which gives the people of the area a true sense of identity, solidarity and offered indigenes opportunity to realign themselves with their ancestry and family relations.

The Paramount Chief, who touched on roads, said the Chuchuliga-Sandema-Weisi road construction which stalled several months ago, had been ‘A great source of displeasure not only to the citizens, but also to the travelling public and industrialists desiring to partner government in development.

‘We are therefore appealing to government to ensure its completion to make life bearable,’ Nab Azantilow, who is also President of the Builsa Traditional Council, said.

Erratic power outages in the area, which compelled residents to demonstrate in August 2023 to register their displeasure about the situation, was of conc
ern to the Paramount Chief.

He noted that ‘Life is becoming burdensome for the people of the traditional area as we experience very frequent electricity outages which results in heavy losses of our electrical gadgets.’

He reiterated several appeals to the government as a matter of urgency, to establish electricity sub-station in the traditional area to provide reliable, stable, and efficient energy for the growing domestic and industrial needs of residents.

He further requested the government to establish a branch of GCB Bank to augment the Builsa Community Bank, which is the only Bank in the area, ‘We are also requesting government for the establishment of a branch of GCB Bank in Sandema,’ he added.

Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Regional Minister, congratulated the Builsa Traditional Council and its President for a successful Feok festival celebration, and used the occasion to call on Chiefs in the Region to develop succession plans to their skins to ensure peace in their respective traditional areas.

Mad
am Vida Akantagriwen Anaab, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, said the Feok festival had over the years been a major uniting and rallying point of development for the people of Buluk, and commended the Paramount Chief and the Traditional Council for the show of leadership.

She said the Akufo-Addo- Bawumia-led-government was blessing to the people of the Builsa land as it experienced ‘massive progress’ across sectors in both the Builsa North and South Districts.

She said the two Districts had benefitted from the US$150 million, World Bank credit facility for the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project in 48 Districts across the Upper East, Northern, Upper West, North East, Oti and Savannah Regions.

Madam Anaab said SOCO projects including the construction of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, school blocks, market stores among other structures across the two Districts were ongoing.

The MCE, who is Chairperson of the Municipal Security C
ouncil, said the Municipality continued to enjoy peace.

‘The peace and security we are enjoying is as a result of our collective and collaborative efforts, and I entreat all to continue to support in whatever way to promote peace and tranquility in all our communities at all times,’ she said.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Personnel of the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Friday night won multiple awards at the prestigious Government Public Relations Excellence (GOPREX) Awards.

The awards ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Information, witnessed the PR Units of the Lands Ministry being recognised and honoured for their outstanding achievements during the year under review.

Amid tough competition across 11 categories, the Lands Ministry’s PR Unit emerged triumphant, securing an impressive four awards.

Mr Abraham Otabil, the Head of the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry, took home the 1st Runner-Up for Best PRO of the Year. Simultaneously, his dedicated Assistant PRO, Madam Michelle Fafa Agbenorto, received the Best Assistant PRO of the Year.

Additionally, the Ministry proudly received the accolade for the Best Bonsu PR Unit of the Year for second consecutive time.

The crowning moment came when Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, the Ministry’s Chief Director was recognised and awar
ded the Most PR-Friendly Chief Director of the Year.

Prof. Agbesinyale was acknowledged for his remarkable contribution to the Ministry’s stellar performance this year.

Also, the outstanding achievements of Mr. Otabil and Ms Fafa Agbenorto were lauded for their unwavering commitment and exceptional dedication during the year under assessment.

Their commendable efforts in utilising the Bonsu platform for digitised report entries, coupled with their significant contributions to the Ministry’s performance assessment under Prof. Agbesinyale’s leadership, earned them well-deserved accolades.

Mrs Ethel Cudjoe Amissah, the Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division (PRCD), Information Ministry, in her remarks, commended the PROs for their remarkable efforts in enhancing the Government’s Public Relations apparatus.

She highlighted a significant surge in overall performance and commended the PROs for their resilience and playing a pivotal role in government’s communication.

Mrs Amissah was hopeful
that greater accomplishments by the PR Units of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would be witnessed in the coming years.

She emphasised the need for PROs to share more compelling narratives, recognising the challenges they face and thus, assured the Ministry’s continuous support.

She urged the PROs to equip themselves with knowledge on combating misinformation and disinformation, especially in the 2024 General Election, to safeguard the nation from potential mayhem.
Source: Ghana News Agency