Day: December 25, 2023

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WiLDAF extends campaign against gender-based violence to Tarkwa


The Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF Ghana), a women advocacy organisation, has extended its campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), to Tarkwa in the Western Region.

The campaign is to help eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the country.The day’s programme, held at Ahwetieso in the western Region, was attended by stakeholders from several institutions and groups as part of activities to climax this year’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV.

It is an annual international campaign held from November 25 to December 10 and the 2023 theme was ‘Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.’

The event was used as a platform to shine more light on cases of violence and also gave an opportunity to some community members to have access to lawyers who offered pro-bono legal services to them.

Speaking at the function, the Municipal Coordinating Director of Tarkwa Nsuaem Assembly, Mr Ahmed Boffour Haruna, commended WiLDAF Ghana for their enthusiasm in aiding to fi
ght against GBV.

He said, ‘if we have organisations like WiLDAF Ghana spearheading and advocating against gender-based violence, the Assembly want to assure them of our preparedness to partner and support them, so that some of these issues will reduce drastically, if not eradicated completely from our Municipality.’

The Coordinating Director advised couples, especially those with children, not to attack each other when they had problems but rather seek the assistance of family members, pastors, imams and other opinions leaders, to ensure they lived in peace even after divorce.

The Project Officer of WiLDAF Ghana, Madam Dorcas Gakpetor, said the extractive sector in Ghana (solid minerals, oil and gas) was dominated by multinational companies that shaped the terms and opportunities for participation of domestic interests.

Despite this, one third of gold production came from artisanal small-scale mining and socio-economic policies were not responding to the needs of these miners, she explained.

Some alleged
issues in the mining sector included access to mineral rich land as concession owners, discrimination against local enterprises, communities, workers and peasant groups, limited and selective access to political decision-making, unfair compensation and renumeration, sexual and gender-based exploitation, abuse and harassment, gender stereotyping and under employment, she mentioned

Madam Gakpetor said WiLDAF Ghana and OXFAM in Ghana through the PvP- FAIR4ALL Project were setting up legal labs to address the human right abuses in the mining sector and offer guidance to victims on how to seek redress.

The Project Officer said there was access to justice mechanisms, including the social welfare, legal aid services, and urged victims of abuse not to sit at home and do nothing, but to take advantage of these institutions to address their issues.

‘For the big companies, there are grievance mechanisms, so you can lodge your complaint, but when you feel that you have not received the utmost justice, then you can pro
ceed to the courts as well.

Miss Rhoda Gyampo, the Gender Desk Officer for Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, on her part, said because WiLDAF was committed to championing an end to GBV, the Assembly decided to collaborate with them to educate the people in the municipality.

She called on all stakeholders to join hands and campaign against all forms of violence, not only against women and girls but everybody in society, as her outfit continued to organise more of such programmes to address GBV in the municipality.
Source: Ghana News Agency

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President Akufo-Addo prays nation to keep vision alive


President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says it behooves the citizenry to work together to keep the nation’s vision alive.

The people should focus on the dream of building a progressive and prosperous Ghana which offers a dignified life for all, in accordance with the aspirations of the founding fathers of the nation.

In a Christmas message to the nation, the President said he cherished the mandate given him to serve the people – a commission he was determined to uphold diligently.

‘I remain committed to the mandate you freely gave me and will use the last stay in my office to do all in my power to continue to help create a free and prosperous nation of opportunities,’ he said.

This is to ensure that every Ghanaian child, no matter the circumstances of his or her birth, has a fair chance to strive for a happy and dignified life, and realise his or her aspirations.

President Nana Akufo-Addo stated that he will work tirelessly to create an environment ‘where we can unleash the sense of enterprise, creativit
y, and innovation of the Ghanaian people.’

On the 2024 General Election, he acknowledged the critical nature of the polls, saying ‘it is an important year in our democratic journey.’

‘We will hold on December 07, 2024, the ninth General Election in the history of the Fourth Republic, which has witnessed the longest period of constitutional governance in our entire history.’

The President enjoined the citizenry to conduct themselves ‘in such a manner that we have a free, fair and transparent election that will enable the Ghanaian people to choose in peace and serenity, the person and persons who will manage the affairs on their behalf for the next years.’

‘I am confident that yet again, Ghanaians will rise to the occasion and reinforce the status of Ghana as a bastion of democracy on the African continent,’ he noted.
Source: Ghana News Agency

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Korsah-Brown launches ‘the hope campaign’ in Mfantseman ahead of primaries


Mr James Korsah-Brown, a Parliamentary Aspirant for the Mfantseman Constituency, has launched ‘The Hope Campaign’ geared towards empowering constituents ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary primaries.

Mr James Korsah-Brown, who is also the Public Financial Adviser at the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), said the campaign was envisaged towards improving the livelihood of grassroots and party faithful who fought hard to secure victory for the party.

It would also ensure constituents benefited directly from governmental projects and programmes without hindrances.

Submitting his forms to contest the Mfantseman parliamentary slot, Mr Korsah-Brown pledged his commitment to help improve the standard of living of the constituents.

Mfantseman has more natural resources such as lithium and salt which could be harnessed to change the fortunes of the area and country at large.

Mr Korsah-Brown began his developmental projects in Mfantseman in the 2000’s and is committed to developing
the area for growth.

Receiving the forms, Mr Evans Kwesi Osei, Secretary of the Mfantseman constituency NPP, advised them to conduct a clean campaign devoid of insults and offensive comments.

He said they should be mindful that after the primaries there was a bigger election ahead that needed all hands to champion the course, adding that the party needed everyone after the primaries.

The Constituency chairman of the Party, Nathaniel Owusu, who received the form reminded them of the rules and regulations guiding the upcoming primary and advised them not to go contrary to the principles regarding the party’s election.

Mr Korsah-Brown was accompanied by supporters, party faithful, well-wishers and some youth in the constituency.
Source: Ghana News Agency

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Teachers and students should put up their best to merit MP’s award, scholarship scheme


Mr Francis Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, has urged teachers and students to put up their best in academic endeavours to merit award and scholarship scheme set up by his office.

He said teachers continued to remain essential change agents in society for which reason his outfit would not relent in providing packages to motivate them.

Mr Sosu gave the advice in an address when the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the Madina SDA Basic School presented 158 desks and 23 dustbins to the school.

He announced that in the first quarter of next year, the second edition of his Best Teacher Award scheme would be staged with the best teacher receiving a brand-new car again and encouraged the teachers to continue to give their best to ensure that the municipality was rated high in the scheme of things.

The MP advised the students to commit to their books to ensure they come out with flying colours, adding that whether they have the means or not they could pursue higher education once they pa
ss successfully.

Outlining some projects to be undertaken in schools in the municipality, Mr Sosu mentioned the ‘Water for All Project,’ which is intended to supply potable water to all 54 basic schools in the municipality including Senior High Schools and tertiary institutions.

He said: ‘Every basic school would have the opportunity to benefit from a mechanized borehole with support from partners. So far, we have constructed ten of these boreholes and we will be constructing more come next year.’

Mr Sosu said quality education was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders, adding that the Free Senior High School was a good policy. Still, the major concern was its implementation approach.

‘You cannot largely focus on the Free SHS when the basic schools are under-resourced, that is why we have called on the government to pay equal attention to basic schools,’ he said.

He expressed gratitude to the PTA for their foresight to partner with the government and other stakeholders to address deficits in th
e school’s operation.

Mr Isaac Addo, the PTA Chairman, said the Association was currently embarking on a wide range of refurbishment activities of the school such as painting and plastering, including expansion works.

He said the presentation of the desks was because of the dedication and hard work of parents, teachers and the entire school community.

Mr Addo stated: ‘We understand the importance of having the right tools and resources to support our students’ education, and these desks will certainly make a significant impact on their daily learning experience.’

‘As we celebrate the presentation of these desks, let us take a moment to also reflect on the many other resources that will enhance our students learning such as a new classroom block to replace the wooden structure staring right into faces each time we enter the school, ceiling fans for our classrooms, a playground for our children in nursery and KG among other things,’ he said.

Mr Keane Appiah, the Municipal Education Director, said the PTA w
as a major stakeholder in the quest to address gaps in educational development and called for a sustained effort in this direction.

He said if such cooperation and gestures were maintained, the school would go a long way in achieving its objectives.

Pastor Obed Kwabena Obeng, the Local Manager of the school, commended the PTA for the continuous cooperation in the common effort to address challenges that confronted the school.

He said the SDA church would continue to place a high premium on holistic education, so it would continue to consciously invest in preparing students for responsible adult life.

Mr Michael MacDonald Asare, the Assembly Member for Madina Social Welfare South and an old student, expressed the hope that the gesture of the PTA would address the disturbing challenge of some students who shared desks and applauded the MP for his constant response to school activities.
Source: Ghana News Agency

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Government must support autism centres to train children on the spectrum – Parent


Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder have called on the Government to support existing autism centres with infrastructural projects to accommodate the increasingly growing number of children being diagnosed.

They said such an essential support would help develop and shape the children on the autism spectrum, achieve education for all and create opportunities which were largely not available in the public schools.

The parents joined their wards together with other stakeholders and celebrated the end of the year with programme dubbed ‘Autismax,.’

Autismax is a yearly autism dance performance held by Autism Awareness Care and Training Centre (AACT).

Madam Sophiah Afreh Asamoah-Baah, a parent of three boys diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder said the State should support the existing schools by opening up their infrastructure, build capacities of facilitators and design a policy to put up schools for these children across the country.

She said most public schools had been reluctant to admit
children on the spectrum with the excuse that they do not have the requisite skills, logistics and infrastructure.

‘The State must also build the capacities of teachers in the public schools in handling the children because it is financially and emotionally draining,’ Madam Asamoah-Baah.

Sharing her experience and ordeal as a parent, she said society seemed to classified the children on autism spectrum as ‘outcasts’ because of the weird actions and unruly behaviours often shown.

It’s difficult to take the children out and called on Ghanaians to be patient with children with disabilities, Madam Asamoah-Baah said.

She urged parents not to be offended when told of the symptoms of autism with their wards but quickly go to a health facilities to confirm or otherwise, adding that sugar was not good for children with autism because it made them hyperactive

Mr Abeiku Grant, Coordinator, AACT, said it was expensive to train a child with autism, a situation which causes several parents who did not have the resourc
es to keep their children at home.

‘The government is focusing on the growth and development of physical disabilities at the neglect of children on the autism spectrum. We have advocated for the State’s support, but we don’t see any such support from the Government,’ he said.

Mr Grant said the AACT is rolling out a vocational and technical programme to give the children with children some skills and apprenticeship work.
Source: Ghana News Agency

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Epixode dazzles fans with electrifying performance at 2023 Bhim concert


Award-winning Ghanaian dancehall artiste Epixode produced a sizzling performance at the 2023 Bhim Concert-5th Dimension homecoming edition.

Epixode justified his place as one of Ghana’s best performers with amazing stage artistry on a night that witnessed numerous thrills.

The 2021 Reggae/Dancehall VGMA Artiste of the Year entered the stage in masked-skull attire, starting the live band performance on the night.

Epixode started the performance with his ‘Odeshi’ hit single and performed his popular Atia song midway through the performance.

But it was Epixode’s ‘Bhimnation’ outro performance that sent over 35,000 concertgoers applauding his unique stagecraft.

‘Yesterday, I felt the blessings of our ancestors. Thank you, Ghana, for making me one of your best,’ Epixode wrote on his Facebook page.

Epixode successfully held his annual Lamajo festival and is currently promoting his ‘Asantewaa’ single, which is making waves.
Source: Ghana News Agency

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