Day: January 16, 2024

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Fire Officer advocates for more support to prevent bush fires


Samuel Adjei, a Station Officer (SO) of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at Dormaa-Ahenkro has suggested the need for more support by traditional authorities and Assemblies to augment efforts in preventing bush fires in the country

He observed some fire prevention volunteers and members of the anti-bushfire campaign squad in some communities were withdrawing their services due to lack of logistics and incentives for work, making the task of controlling and preventing bushfires rather extremely difficult.

SO Adjei, in-charge of rural fires gave the suggestion in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday at Dormaa-Ahenkro, in the Dormaa Central Municipality of Bono Region to ascertain the challenges impeding the efficient operations of the GNFS, particularly about bush fire prevention in the Municipality.

He said although traditional rulers in some communities have opened their doors to assist in fire prevention education and sensitisation campaigns, others demand some form of payment f
rom the GNFS before assisting in that regard.

SO Adjei said the lack of logistics for the service’s operations was hindering its activities and therefore making it difficult to cover more communities.

He said the ban on hunting which took effect from December 29 last year but there was the need for traditional, religious and opinion leaders in the communities to help in enforcing the ban as one of the effective measures to prevent bush fires.

SO Adjei announced there had been a drastic reduction in bushfire incidents in the municipality because it was reduced from 29 in 2022 to nine in 2023.

According to him, the reduction of the bushfire incidents could be attributed to the excessive rainfalls that was recorded last year and appealed to public-spirited individuals and organisations to offer more assistance to make this year’s campaign against bushfires more successful.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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New Africa Foundation launches Unversity Challenge


The New Africa Foundation has launched an innovative learning initiative to encourage university students to be entrepreneurs, foster leadership and create wealth.

The initiative, christened: ‘ The University Challenge’, is a 10-13 week inter-university competition designed to recruit brains from selected universities across the country to brainstorm and execute solutions to real life challenges in society.

The concept is to encourage students to embark on business ventures before completing their degree certificates, a statement from the Foundation to the Ghana News Agency, said.

‘The initiative is expected to promote the establishment of a comprehensive network platform across all universities, allowing students to recognise the potential of their peers prior to degree acquisition,’ the statement said.

The initiative, the statement said, would encourage students to creatively build businesses and create a robust network within the university ecosystem.

‘The Challenge spans beyond the traditional acade
mic realm, extending from the development of effective governance structures to the establishment of thriving businesses and industrial platforms.’

The statement said the initiative sought to redefine the purpose of higher education and empower students to become not just job-seekers, but creators of economic opportunities and leaders in their fields.

Participants of the Challenge are to form a team of three or five to develop an incubator for theoretical solutions and apply them to real world problems.

A participant must be a student of any of the selected schools working with the Foundation and selected by the scouting team as an eligible candidate during the casting sessions.

‘Participant must be smart, entrepreneurial, solutions oriented, a team player, and a leader, and be selected amongst the top five to earn a spot in the team which will represent the school,’ the statement said.

Prospective participants are to follow Challenge on social media, or look out for information on the casting sessions i
n their schools.

They are also to join the auditions, impress the scouts and win their spot on the school team. The statement said an amount of GHc 50,000 mobilisation funds would be allocated to each team, with a justification of the use of the money.

The prize money for the winner of the competition is GHc 1,000,000.00.

The competitors would have the opportunity to do their incubation or internships with the Foundation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Traore’s late strike earns Burkina Faso win over Mauritania


Bernard Traore’s late strike gave Burkina Faso all three points in their opening game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso.

Mauritania who are yet to have their first win at the AFCON, may have to wait a bit longer, though they exhibited quality delivery especially in the first half and created some decent chances which were not converted.

Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Havre Koffi came through for the Stallions on some occasions where needed.

Bertrand Traore came on for Cedric Badolo to provide more attacking threats for Hubert Velud’s side.

He nearly scored the opener after he curled from the penalty box but was denied by Babacar Niasse.

Issa Kabore was brought down in the box at the closing stages of the game. After VAR review, a penalty was awarded to Burkina Faso.

Substitute Bertrand Traore stepped up and converted for Burkina Faso to win all three points and ensure their tournament is on course.

Burkina Faso would play Algeria next on January 20 in their next game.

So
urce: Ghana News Agency

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‘We expected such resilience from Mauritania’ – Burkina Faso Coach


Hubert Vellud – Head Coach of Burkina Faso has admitted their win against Mauritania was a difficult one, as they only managed to pick a late win in the later stages of the game.

Bertrand Traore scored late from the spot to hand Burkina Faso their first win of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 and that was Hubert Velud’s first win.

At a post-match press conference, the Coach said ‘We won the game in a more difficult situation, it is even more difficult looking at where the game travelled to,’ he said.

Mauritania’s resolute performance was expected by Hubert Velud and was not surprised with where the game travelled to.

‘We expected such a tough game from Mauritania so we were not surprised because first AFCON games are very balanced.

‘First half was a little balanced, we didn’t create enough chances, our opponent took advantage of our deficiencies,’ he concluded.

Velud credited his triumph to the second half substitution which says changed the game.

‘Second half, Mauritania plunged physica
lly, we were much more dangerous than them, we also had more impact with the changes,’ he concluded.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Namibia stuns Tunisia in group opener


Minnows Namibia shocked North African giants Tunisia with a lone victory at the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’ Ivoire.

In a cagey Group E match, both sides created few chances but unable to utilize them until the Brave Warriors’ late thunderbolt stole the points for the South Africans.

The Carthage Eagles dominated possession but struggled to penetrate a resolute Namibian backline marshalled by Ivan Kamberipa.

Captain Youssef Msakni tested Lloyd Kazapua with a curled effort, but the Tunisians grew frustrated as the game wore on, with the Brave Warriors lacking the attacking spark.

But their tireless industry and organisation kept a star-studded Tunisia at bay.

As a famous upset loomed ever larger, the minnows delivered a hammer blow in the 89th minute.

Deon Hotto latched onto a long ball over the top and outpaced the defence before coolly slotting past Bechir Ben Said.

The Orlando Pirates winger thought he had doubled the lead when the offside flag denied him another historic
strike.

But one goal was enough as Namibia’s warriors held on for the clean sheet to claim a monumental three points.

But this shock victory over one of Africa’s giants has given them a good chance of qualifying as Namibia tops Group E with three points as South Africa prepare to play Mali in the group’s other game on the day.

The Carthage will have to recover against Mali on January 20 while Namibia come up against regional foes South Africa on January 21.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Head Coach of Mauritania attributes defeat to high temperature in Cote D’ Ivoire


Amir Abdou Head Coach of Mauritania has attributed their defeat to Burkina Faso in their first match at the Africa Cup Cup of Nations to high temperature in Cote D’ Ivoire.

Burkina Faso scored late to get all three points in a game which Coach Abdou believed his team should have gotten more from, but noted that, their performance dropped in the later stages of the game because of the high temperature.

‘A bit of injustice to us as the boys gave everything, they followed instructions.

‘Our performance dropped in the second half because of the heat and there was a lot of suffering.

Mauritania are still chasing their first Africa Cup of Nations win after seven attempts and have Angola to play with next.

Coach Abdou added that they would quickly move on from the defeat and continue working hard for the next game against Angola.

‘We are not going to slumber in sorrow. We need to move on from this and prepare ourselves for the next game which is against Angola,’ he added.

Mauritania is currently at the botto
m of Group D with no point.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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