Day: December 30, 2023

Tomorrow Sunday, December 31, is the last day of the year 2023, and various churches across the globe will be filled to capacity to usher in the new year.

The Ghana News Agency went to town to ascertain why the night, which has come to be known as ‘crossover night’ is deemed so special.

Both the Clergy and the laity who spoke to the GNA were unanimous in their views that the day is for thanking God and asking for His guidance in the ensuing year.

The Reverend Philip Atsiago, SSNIT Flats District Pastor, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana in Ho, said people throng the various churches to express gratitude to God for taking them through the challenges of the past year.

The night had come to stay as it was patronised by both Christians and non-Christians, he noted.

‘During the 31st night worshippers must remember to put their trust in the Lord and pray for peace for the country,’ he said.

Rev. Samuel Amegboe, the Area Head of Assemblies of God Church, Awudome Tsito in the Ho West district, said the tr
adition might have originated from the traditional system where the forefathers made thanksgiving sacrifices to the gods.

Christians also used the crossover to show gratitude to God and also commit themselves to Him in the unforeseen year, he said, adding; ‘The fear of the unknown makes all of us run to the Supreme God that night for protection in the following year.’

He entreated all citizens to hold fast to their new year resolutions and endeavour to achieve them.

Rev. Richard Mawufemor Agbi, in charge of the Kingdom Life Congregation of the Global Evangelical Church, Adaklu Kodzobi, said 31st night was an opportunity to take stock of the year, which was ending, and also plan for the future.

It was an opportunity to thank God for His mercies, grace and compassion.

Apostle Dr. Peter Etsey, Head Pastor of the Salvation Assemblies of God Church, Adaklu Kodzobi, said: ‘The night is very special in the sense that people know what they’ve gone through in the ending year …but the coming year is like darkness,
and we need a light to take us through it.’

‘We should not be interested in the night alone but the God behind it and what lies ahead of us and also recommit ourselves to Him.’

Elder Cephas Agbati of the Church of Pentecost, said during the crossover people rededicated their lives to Jesus and many others received Christ.

Mr Kofi Tsitsianyo, a resident of Ho said though he was not a Christian, he perceived the day as special, when people connected with the Supreme Being.

He noted that though he did not attend Church services he had been a regular attendee of the crossover night for the past five years, and this year’s would be no exception.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Residents within the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis have described the feat chalked by Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, an Entrepreneur and Journalist, as a key motivator to the African woman to set goals and work towards achieving them.

While some are of the view that women are capable of achieving great feat for their families, communities and nations, others believe that the lack of social support systems was hampering women’s efforts in realizing their dreams, self-worth, esteem and confidence.

Afua is a Ghanaian woman, who, with the utmost support of her husband, children, family, a dedicated team, and the entire Ghanaian society, demonstrated her prowess in music by completing a grueling 126 plus hours of nonstop singing to register her name in the Guinness Book of Records.

She challenged the reigning world record holder, Indian national Sunil Waghmare, to break the record.

Madam Josephine Amo, the Executive Director of Concerned Mothers, told the Ghana News Agency that such resilience, born out of sheer commi
tment and dedication to a particular cause, must be the guiding principles for women and girls in particular, and the society in general.

‘Our girl children have enormous potentials and with the right Environment, I believe they can deliver,’ she said, and lauded the achievement of Afua Aduonum.

Mr Emmanuel Opoku, an elder of the Christian Faith Church, said he was particularly enthused about her strong brain power, which enabled her to catch every beat and perfectly sang along.

‘I really appreciate her mental fortitude’, he said.

Nana Adjoa Pew, a writer, described her as an icon worth emulating…’.

‘Afua has the mental strength, stability and agility to withstand all odds and this is particularly encouraging’.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Isaac Kofi Egyir, Director-General of Prisons, has urged officers of the Prisons Services to continue to remain vigilant and extra alert during the festive season.

‘Let us be mindful of our personal security and that of our families during these periods,’ he said.

The Director-General in a Christmas message said: ‘May the joy of this festive season renew our commitment to working together to achieve our goal’.

He expressed gratitude and appreciation to all officers for the exemplary humanity shown, and the display of unmeasured fortitude and diligence in executing their duties.

He said though the year had been challenging, they had proven to be resilient and discharged their duties diligently.

During the Christmas period, the Director-General held a party for children around Local Prison Community and fed the inmates of the facility.

It is an annual event to celebrate the season outside Accra with officers and their children.

A total of 200 children were fed and treated to good music.

Prizes were
awarded to winners and runners-up of various competitions, including musical chairs, bottle filling, apple hunt, spelling, and dancing.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Pius Enam Hadzide, National Youth Authority Boss, has pledged to make Asuogyaman a tourism hub in the Eastern Region and Ghana as a whole when elected as the member of parliament for the area.

Speaking at an interdenominational thanksgiving ceremony at Atimpoku, he said the tourism potentials of the area, when fully harnessed, would create jobs for the youth.

Asuogyaman had the fauna and flora to paint a distinct picture of tourist attraction to the world, adding: ‘I will make Asuogyaman Ghana’s tourism hub when I become your MP’.

He mentioned the iconic Adomi Bridge and its Gardens Canopy walkway, Akosombo Dam, the Akwamu Forest Reserve and the unique species of birds there, the Volta Lake, Kpong Dam, and the peninsula canopy walk, as being among the many tourists attraction sites.

Mr Hadzide, the NPP parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, said those sites would be upgraded and rebranded to attract more tourists to create job opportunities.

He said he would ensure mechanized irrigation systems were
provided to boost Agriculture, which is the main economic activity of the people, and hoped they would support him to get the nod.

Mr Hadzide said he was in touch with some investors to establish a nursing training school in the district in addition to the agenda 111 hospital under construction at Apeguso.

Nana Abrokwa Asare, the National Premix Fuel Administrator, who contested in the primary, declared his support for Mr Hadzide and called on the electorate to vote massively for the New Patriotic Party come 2024.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Kwabena Obeng, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K.P.S. Company Limited, dealers in mining equipment, has been enstooled as the Head of the Aduana Royal Family (Abusuapanin) of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area.

With the stool name Nana Kwabena Obeng Il, he is to act on behalf of his elder brother, Nana Kofi Kyem II, who has a health condition.

Abusuapanin Obeng, also the new chief of Pataboso, was outdoored at a colourful ceremony with customs and tradition at play, attended by Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, Abakomahene, Nana Kojo Somiah ll, Krontihene of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, and Nana Kofi Anarfi ll, among others.

Nana Kyem advised the new Family Head to be submissive, humble and respectful to his Chief, elders and the people.

He asked him to serve diligently and with integrity, and also learn the traditions of the family to enable him to leave a good legacy as Abusuapanin.

Nana Kyem called on his family and members of the Anhwiaso Traditional Council to give him their full support and respect
him as their Abusuapanin.

He urged them to unite for peace and development.

The new Family Head, Nana Obeng, in brief remarks expressed appreciation to his elder brother, the family and members of the Anhwiaso Traditional Council and Sefwi Pataboso for the honour done him.

He pledged his commitment to cooperating with the chiefs and all stakeholders to facilitate infrastructural development of the area.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Timothy Dotsey, Administrator, Ho Technical University has urged Ghanaians to prioritise rail transportation for economic growth and connectivity.

The move, he said would help facilitate the movement of people and goods and reduce traffic congestion, carbon emissions and also reduce cost on fossil fuel.

Mr Dotsey who is also Research and Business Consultant, Social and Economic advocate, in an interaction with the Ghana News Agency, said rail transport served as a backbone for transportation which helped in offering effective, sustainable and mass transit solutions, and should be prioritised.

‘High cost of rent in the cities of the country was due to the congestion as a result of lack of reliable and timely transport system in the areas,’ he added.

He added that developed nations such as Japan, Germany, and others who utilised the rail transport system served them as a linchpin of their development strategies with the efficiency of moving goods which helped as the pivotal in bolstering economic growth
and global competitiveness.

Mr Dotsey also mentioned that the efficiency of rail transport would not only ease the burden on roads, but also contribute significantly to environmental conservation by promoting a greener mode of transport.

‘The ability to transport goods swiftly and cost effective in enhancing market accessibility and competitiveness, facilitating industrial growth and bolstering supply chain.’

He said that the country faced multifaceted infrastructure challenges, adding ‘an intensive and efficient rail network stand as a beacon of hope.’

Mr Dotsey explained that country stood at the brink of unparalleled economic and societal advancement after enhancing the transformative potential of a rail transport system.

He said the envisioned rail system was not merely tracks and trains, but rather symbolises empowerment for rural community which would enhance market access for entrepreneurs and sustainable pathways for economic growth.

Mr Dotsey also appealed to the government to extend the constr
uction of the railway in the country for easy accessibility.
Source: Ghana News Agency