Day: June 29, 2024

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to prioritise the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections in the country.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Chief of Akyem Tafo, Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV, as part of her one-day tour of the Abuakwa North constituency in the Eastern Region, she stressed the importance of preserving the integrity and credibility of Ghana’s electoral process.

She noted how the just-ended limited registration and voter transfer exercises were marred by pockets of violence across the country, and stated that it was crucial the EC puts measures in place to prevent a repeat of such incidents in the upcoming general elections.

‘Ghana’s democracy has been an envy of many countries due to its history of organizing free and fair elections,’ she said. ‘But the violence characterizing our elections of late is very worrying.’

Professor Opoku-Agyemang also urged traditional leaders to take
keen interest in how Ghana’s electoral system is managed and speak out when necessary to ensure violence-free elections.

She emphasised the need for the EC to be a fair referee by implementing processes without bias towards any political party.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s comments come ahead of Ghana’s crucial December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, which are expected to be closely contested between the opposition NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party.

The National Democratic Congress, with Professor Opoku-Agyemang, an astute academician, as its running mate, is seeking to unseat the incumbent government, which has been criticized for mismanaging the economy and accumulating a national debt of GHS610 billion ($52.4 billion) by the end of 2023.

Over the past seven years, Ghana’s economy has also struggled with rising youth unemployment, mounting inflation, and a rapid depreciation of the cedi with one dollar currently going for about GHS15.3.

These issues have led to skyrocketing prices of petrol
eum products and basic food, making it even harder for many Ghanaians to make ends meet.

The high cost of living has become unsustainable, fueling labour unrest as people struggle to maintain their purchasing power. As a result, the country’s economic woes continue to worsen.

For his part, Chief of Akyem Tafo Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV praised Professor Opoku-Agyemang for her academic credentials and also urged the EC to be fair in its engagements with all political parties.

Additionally, he lamented the decline of the country’s agricultural sector, particularly the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana in the eastern region, and urged the next NDC administration to revitalize the sector if elected.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper West Regional Minister, has described as worrying and abnormal people who kill one another to address problems with their neighbours.

‘There is no need to kill one another, the elders are there, the security agencies are there and the law courts are there to help address disputes and misunderstandings amicably without the shed of blood,’ he said.

He said it was always better for the people in the communities to work together to sustain peace and explore pragmatic ways and means to address conditions of poverty, which had over the years plagued them and hindered their overall wellbeing and development than killing themselves at the least provocation.

Mr Yakubu raised these concerns at separate meetings with the traditional rulers and the youth of Wechiau, Kandeu and Lassia in the Wa West District to share his sympathies and listen to them following the killing of three young men at Lassia during a communal clash between the people of Kandeu and Lassia communities on June 15, 202
4.

He said poverty should be considered as the common and topmost enemy of the people and that it was only through peaceful co-existence and ensuring conducive environment that they could work to overcome poverty and underdevelopment.

‘Problems are always with us on daily basis but we need to continually sit and dialogue to find amicable Solutions to them, rather than killing ourselves as a way of solving them’, he said.

‘You must know what conflict does to the people and what peace also does to the people. The difference between them is that conflict is a threat to human existence while peace is the livewire of human development and wellbeing,’ he added.

Mr Yakubu pleaded with the traditional authorities, especially the chiefs and the landlords, to engage with stakeholders to work assiduously to resolve all issues pertaining to land and chieftaincy disputes in the area, as that had been a bone of contention, which ignited the clashes between the two communities.

He advised the youth to be law abiding an
d avoid associating the clashes with politics, as that could aggravate the situation and derail the peace processes ‘since this is an election year’.

The Regional Minister warned that any agitator who would want to escalate the issues to achieve his or her selfish interest would not be spared by the security agencies on the ground.

He also assured the bereaved families that perpetrators of the murdering of the three persons would be made to face the full rigours of the law.

Naa Imoru Nandon Gomah, the Paramount Chief of the Wechiau Traditional Council, commended the security agencies for their professionalism that had returned peace to the district.

He assured Mr Yakubu and the security agencies of the Council’s unflinching support to ensure peace to enable the people to go about their farming activities and other businesses in the area.

The Wechiau Naa appealed to the Regional Police Command to release the dead bodies to the bereaved families on time for burial to help cool down tempers.

He requested a
n increase in the number of security personnel on the burial day of the deceased to take care of any unforeseen disturbances.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Friends of the Nation (FoN), an environmental Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has lauded the government’s commitment in promoting a more resilient and thriving fishing industry through the annual closed fishing season.

A statement signed by the Executive Director of FoN, Mr Mevuta Donkris, and copied to Ghana News Agency as Ghana joins the international community to mark World Fisheries Day, said: ‘We commend the government’s commitment to implementing the fishing closed season, and encourage all fishers to comply with the 2024 edition, acknowledging that short-term sacrifices will yield long term benefits.’

The Day is being observed on the theme: ‘Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Sea.’

The statement recognized the unrelenting efforts of fishers, and their enduring dedication and bravery in the face of harsh marine conditions in contributing to food security in the country.

However, the NGO believed that the temporary ban on fishing and its accompanying hardship for fishers would lead to a more r
esilient and thriving fisheries industry.

The statement urged the government to take bold and decisive action to safeguard the welfare of small-scale fishers including the implementation of fishing safety measures in the fisheries regulation 2010 (LI 1968) and the Management plan 2022-2025.

It said: ‘We recognize their vital role in feeding our nation and our world. Let us work together to ensure their safety, dignity, and well-being, and to protect Ghana’s fisheries for a sustainable future.’

The statement emphasized that unity was key in the pursuit of sustainable fisheries and urged fisher associations in Ghana to avoid politicising the sector and come together to form a united front for their benefits.

‘By putting aside their differences and working collaboratively, they can advocate the rights and interests of all fishers, promoting a more resilient and thriving fishing industry for all and ensures a sustainable future for generation to come,’ it said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Students’ wing of the Sanctuary of Wind and Fire Assemblies of God Church in collaboration with Total Life Enhancement Centre-Ghana (TOLEC-GH) has begun a campaign on substance abuse in selected second cycle institutions in Tamale.

The campaign, which is also in partnership with the Narcotics Control Commission, is to sensitise students on the dangers associated with drug abuse and social media addiction.

It is on the theme: ‘Fighting the Menace of Drug Abuse and Social Media Addiction: Road to Achieving Academic Excellence.’

The first phase of the campaign would benefit four second cycle institutions in Tamale, including Northern School of Business Senior High School, Tamale Islamic Science SHS, Saint Charles Minor Seminary SHS and Tamale Girls’ SHS.

Mr Peter Amadu Mintir, Executive Director, TOLEC-GH, addressing students at Northern School of Business SHS in Tamale as part of the campaign, said it was to raise more awareness among the students about the risks associated with drug abuse and the negat
ive impact of excessive use of social media.

He said in line with the campaign, students would be engaged through series of educational sessions to equip them with knowledge and strategies to make healthier choices and to live more balanced lives.

He said the campaign was also hinged on this year’s celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and advised the students to prioritise their education by staying away from drugs and alcohol as well as the excessive use of social media to achieve their dreams.

Dr Sheba Kunfah, Leader, Sanctuary of Wind and Fire Students Outreach Ministry, educated the students on the various subtle distractions that could shift their attention from education and ultimately ruin their future.

She advised them to endeavour to avoid distractions and focus on their goals and aspirations to become responsible citizens, to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

Mr Musah Mubarick, an Education Officer at the Northern Regional o
ffice of the Narcotics Control Commission, said the fight against drug abuse required equal support from government and NGOs.

He appealed to corporate bodies, NGOs and individuals to join the fight against drug abuse among the youth.

The students commended TOLEC-GH and partners for initiating the campaign.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana’s Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA) was launched in Accra with a call on response agencies to implement the recommendations in the report.

The National Assessment was conducted on behalf of the Ghana government by the Disaster Pacific Center (DPC), a United State based organisation with support from the US government and the US-African Command.

Mr Ray Shirkodai, the Executive Director of PDC, said the project helped assess disaster risks, identified and prioritised actions to reduce the most pressing risks in Ghana.

‘By applying the results of this assessment and investing in the necessary resources, we can all help implement the recommendations and make substantial progress in disaster risk reduction’.

He said the project which started a little over a year ago, was not just about assessing risks; but also building a stronger, safer, and more resilient nation and how to help Ghana’s response agencies to identify disaster risk zones.

Mr Shirkodai noted the partnership between NADMO a
nd PDC would continue to grow and evolve as they work together towards their shared goal of a safer and more resilient Ghana.

‘Together, we will build on the foundation laid by this project and strive to achieve even greater successes in the future,’ he added.

He, therefore, commended NADMO and other response agencies and all other stakeholders involved in the project for their collaboration, contributions, professionalism, and dedication throughout the period.

‘Your commitments to enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience in Ghana is truly commendable,’ he added.

The Director General of NADMO, Mr Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, said the United States Government through many of its agencies remained a key partner to NADMO in their resilience building efforts.

He noted that the collaboration between NADMO and the PDC was just one of the numerous supports from the US government towards disaster risk reduction.

‘Over the years, NADMO engaged the North Dakota Coast Guard, The US-African Command and other a
gencies in key areas of preparedness and early warning,’ he emphasised.

Revisiting the Akosombo dam spillage, Mr Agyemang-Prempeh said the losses from the devastation reminded them of the need to continue investing in resilience building and preparedness efforts.

The spillage professed great havoc, resulting to displacement, loss of livelihoods and properties in several districts across the regions.

It also impacted key public infrastructure like schools, hospitals, road network, markets, water and power sources, among others.

Mr Agyemang-Prempeh said it was their greatest quest to mainstream disaster risk reduction into all national developmental programmes and activities.

‘In line with this, a comprehensive sector assessment, with key focus on response agencies is seen to aid our understanding and efforts for holistic national all development programing,’ he added.

He expressed their gratitude to the United States and PDC for granting their request for the technical support towards Disaster Preparedne
ss Baseline Assessment, the first of its kind done by the PDC in the sub region.

‘As we witnessed a successful launch through your kind support, the result representation will invite input to signify the completion of a context driven assessment and recommendation’.

Major Berth Simek, the Bilateral Affairs Officer at the Office of Security Cooperation with the United States Embassy in Accra, said the NDPBA intended to support risk-informed and effective decision making to enhance preparedness and sustainable development.

The assessment, she said, provided a comprehensive understanding of the national disaster preparedness capabilities and gaps to improve Ghana’s disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

There were presentation of gifts and certificates to members of the technical committee.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Director-General of National Security (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST), Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, has paid a working visit to France, during which he held talks with his counterparts in the National Police, Internal Security and External Security in France.

During the talks, they discussed mechanisms to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various security fields of mutual interest, said the DGSN-DGST Cluster in a statement.

As part of this visit from June 26 to 28, the Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance held a series of meetings and talks, respectively, with Céline BERTHON, Director-General of Internal Security, and Nicolas LERNER, Director-General of External Security of France.

The talks explored means and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, and to promote coordination and exchange of intelligence and operational data on various threats posed by extremist organizations and transnational crime networks.

D
uring these talks, the Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance was accompanied by an important security delegation representing the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance.

The Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance also met with Fréderic VEAUX, Director General of the French National Police, with whom he held intensive discussions.

The meeting, which was attended by an important delegation from the General Directorate of National Security, examined mechanisms for advanced cooperation and coordination between the two sides in various security fields, particularly with regard to the development of proactive mechanisms

for risk assessment and data exchange on the sidelines of joint action in securing the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, the statement noted.

In tribute to the exemplary Morocco-France cooperation in various security areas, the Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor
by the French National Police, in recognition of his efforts to consolidate and develop joint security cooperation.

The visit provided an opportunity for the French and Moroccan sides to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in a range of areas to combat transnational crime, especially smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, illegal migration networks and human trafficking, along with practical mechanisms for cooperation in implementing joint security measures and operations.

The visit attests to the importance of boosting bilateral security cooperation between Morocco and

France, which share many bilateral action and coordination programmes and face common security challenges, the same source added.

It is also part of the engagement of General Directorate of National Security and the General Directorate of National Territorial Surveillance in international security cooperation to ensure effective contribution to combating terrorist and criminal threats at the regional
and international levels.

Source: Ghana News Agency