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The Government will, by September this year, complete the construction of 1,006 remaining rural telephony sites to extend voice and data connectivity to people in underserved and unserved communities across the country.

Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, who announced this at the 2024 World Telecommunications and Information Society Day ((WTISD), in Accra, on Friday, said already, 1,010 of these cell sites had already been completed, nationwide.

Government, in 2020 commenced the construction of the rural telephony sites under the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion project, to construct over 2,000 cell sites across the country.

The goal was to extend voice and data connectivity to some four million people in underserved and unserved communities and to promote digital inclusion in the country.

In 2022, the Government announced that it had completed 1,008 of these sites across the country with an additional 560 sites expected to be completed by the end of the ye
ar, 2023.

Speaking at this year’s WTISD, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful assured that the remaining sites would be completed by September this year to extend connectivity to the remaining 20 per cent of the population who were currently not connected.

‘We’ve successfully done about half of it and we’re on course to complete the other half by September this year. We’re going to build 1,006 by September this year, having already done 1,010,’ she said.

She added: ‘This will ensure that about 20 per cent of our population that are currently unconnected would also get the opportunity to benefit from the digital innovations introduced in the public space and to ensure there’s sustainability, enhanced connectivity across networks.’

The WTISD is to help raise awareness of the benefits citizens and economies could derive from the use of the internet and communication technologies (ICT) to bridge the digital divide.

The theme for this year is: ‘Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development.’

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said since assumin
g office in 2017, the Government had been steadfast in fostering a culture that embraced innovation, adaptability, and continuous evolution.

She said, that over the past seven years, it had implemented numerous projects to promote digitalisation and bridge the digital inclusion gap, stressing that Ghana was on course to becoming an ICT hub in the West African sub-region.

For instance, to enhance connectivity across networks, the Minister said, the Government was implementing a national roaming policy to ensure that consumers benefited from strong and seamless internet connectivity.

‘We’re hopeful that that will also enable us to bridge some of the connectivity gaps that we have in the country,’ she added.

On citizens’ empowerment, the Minister said the Government had undertaken several initiatives to foster citizens’ competencies, capabilities, and skills to use digital technology.

‘We’ve done a lot to ensure that women use older persons, persons with and without disabilities and people living in both th
e urban and rural areas have the necessary skills to leverage and use digital innovations,’ she touted.

Additionally, she said, ‘We’re working hard to implement initiatives and programmes that address the Sustainable Development Goal 17, which calls for innovation through digitalisation.’

Dr Joe Anokye, Director-General of the National Communications Authority, disclosed that repair works on all subsea cables which got damaged recently had been completed.

Ghana on March 14 this year experienced disruption in data services because of undersea cable outages.

All four subsea cable landing service providers in Ghana (ACR, MainOne, SAT-3 and WACS) were completely cut off from international data services.

Giving an update on the situation at the WTISD, Dr Anokye said repair works on the damaged cables had been completed and internet services fully restored.

‘Repair works on SAT-3 cable was completed on 6th April 2024; the ACE cable was repaired on 17th April 2024; the WACS cable was repaired on 29th April 202
4 and the MainOne cable repairs were completed on May 8, 2024,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Nchendzengang Tatah

UB Springs, a water bottling enterprise nursed in the University of Buea Faculty of Science will in the months ahead go industrial. The revelation was made by the Science dean, Prof. Roland Ndip Ndip during the faculty 4th Expo on May 16, 2024.

Currently being produced in labs on campus, plans are underway with the support of University authorities to scale the production. The activity authorities said falls squarely with the new higher education vision for self-sustainability of state higher institutions.

Handled by the Department of Environmental Science, the UB Spring project has been on for over a year now. The project coordinator is Dr. Roy Mbua. He said the water purification process uses the finest researched method of production. Making it fit for entire household consumption.

‘We are on the verge of expansion; acquiring equipment which will be used to do large-scale production. We are working with the Ministry of Mines to get authorization and on the other hand, we are wor
king towards building a facility where we can carry out the production on campus,’ he furthered.

The Science Dean, Prof. Roland Ndip said the project is the flagship of the faculty as it celebrates 30 years of national impact and scientific input. He emphasized that the project was giving the attention it deserved.

‘We are working very hard to make sure this project hits the stands in the coming months ahead,’ the faculty of Science Dean assured.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Shama District Assembly is set to develop a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Master Plan to help influence policy directions on improving the environmental sanitation practices within the district.?

The 10-year WASH Master Plan, which is expected to be fully completed and launched by the end of August this year, is being drawn in collaboration with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

The plan’s overall goal is to identify the current state of the WASH sector and forge collaborations among key players and institutions to improve inter-sectorial coordination geared towards addressing WASH gaps within the Shama District.

As part of planned activities to formulate the plan, the Assembly, in partnership with the NDPC has organised an inception meeting, at Shama, to inform stakeholders about the objectives and strategies to be rolled out in coming out with the Master Plan.?

The meeting was attended by representatives from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the WASH sector, tradition
al and religious leaders, the private sector, corporate institutions, and development partners among other stakeholders.?

Mr. Ebenezer Dadzie, the Shama District Chief Executive (DCE), speaking at the opening of the meeting said the WASH Master Plan sought to represent a comprehensive and innovative approach to address the challenges confronting water and sanitation issues in the district.?

He said: ‘The WASH master plan as I have already mentioned, will address the current challenges and gaps in water, sanitation, and hygiene services in our District by conducting a thorough assessment of the existing infrastructure and service.?

‘It will then prioritize areas for improvement and implement targeted interventions to ensure access to clean water, safe sanitation, and good practices for all residents.’

Additionally, he noted that the plan would involve community participation and engagement to ensure that solutions were locally appropriate and sustainable in the long term to help systematically improve the
overall well-being of the people.

Mr. Dadzie called on all stakeholders to contribute their quota to ensure a successful development and implementation of the plan, ‘so that together, we can create a future where clean water flows, sanitation accessible to all, and hygiene practices are ingrained in our daily lives.’

Dr. Kodjo Mensah-Abrampa, the Director-General of the NDPC, said the Master Plan was to help the Assembly meet its own sanitation-related medium-term plans and contribute to realising the national WASH target where every citizen would have access to safe water,? and safe and hygienic environment by at least 2030.

He said the plan would guide the district in its actions, and provide the necessary analysis to establish gaps in WASH systems and how to collectively manage the identified nuisances to attain the set targets.?

Mr Anthony Quaicoe, Shama District Development Planning Officer, giving an overview of some of the plan’s proposed implementation modalities, said they would work closely with
local, regional, and national authorities to align policies, secure funding, and ensure coordinated implementation of the WASH Master Plan.

At the community level, they would empower residents to be active stakeholders to provide feedback, monitor progress, and promote sustainable practices to help sustain the initiative, he said.

He said: ‘We will engage private companies, utilities, and service providers to leverage their expertise, resources, and innovative solutions, while also seeking partnerships with global organizations to share best practices, access funding, and stay abreast of the latest advancements in the WASH sector.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Northern Region House of Chiefs has lauded the Government for the numerous developmental projects implemented in the Region.

The traditional leaders showered praises on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Flagbearer of the NPP during a meeting with the House in Tamale.

Welcoming Dr. Bawumia to the region, Ya-Na Abukari II, the President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, said the region appreciated the NPP government’s projects executed so far, describing them as ‘monumental’.

‘We feel and appreciate the impact your government has made in the last seven years of good governance, working to improve the living conditions of our people,’ the Ya Naa said, in his speech.

‘We value your efforts, notably the peace and monumental projects in the region,’ added the Ya Naa, who went on to list some of the projects.

‘The state-of-the-art sports stadium in our present locality, the ongoing construction of a multi-purpose sports centre for the gallant men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Tamale International
Airport, the interchange in our regional capital, among many others’.

The Ya Naa continued that the government’s developmental projects in the Northern Region had impacted positively on the region by creating opportunities for the youth.

‘These projects have employed many youths, lessened the hardships of several families and contributed to reducing youth unemployment in the country,’ he stated.

While commending the government and the Vice President, the Ya-Na also expressed some concerns and appealed to Dr. Bawumia to push for some projects such as the Tamale and Yendi Water Supply projects, to be completed in earnest.

The Ya Naa, on behalf of the Northern Region House of Chiefs, formally congratulated Dr. Bawumia on his historic election as NPP Flagbearer, and wished him well, as he seeks to lead the country as President.

‘I wish you a happy and prosperous campaign. May Allah Azza Wa Jal (Owner of Greatness) grant you the opportunity to serve in the highest office of the land,’ he added.

Source: Ghan
a News Agency

N’Akoa Prophet Nazareth Ansah Jamson, Leader and Founder of the Israel King of Jews Church, has called on stakeholders to put their best foot forward to ensure peaceful elections in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary polls.

He said: ‘We are one people with one nation and for that matter, we don’t have to make elections bring division among us.’

N’Akoa Jamson made the call at the celebration of this year’s Passover of the church at Dome in Accra on Friday.

The celebration was on the theme: ‘Deliverance and Total Liberation of the Israelites from Bondage.’

The Passover commemorates the way the Jews were spared from the plagues and other painful experiences through the manifestation of God’s power through Moses as against Pharaoh and his sorcerers.

It also marks the passing over of the Egyptian homes when their first-born babies were being killed and marks the command by the son of God to celebrate it in memory of Him.

N’Akoa Jamson who is also the spiritual leader of Prophets and Spiritual Churc
hes Council, Ghana said in the spirit of peace politicians should understand that there was only one Ghana and that elections were meant to choose leaders.

‘It must not become an avenue for conflict and bloodshed rather comportment and civility must be the guiding principles in our campaigns,’ he said.

N’Akoa Jamson said as the country approached the general election in December, all must resolve to eschew tendencies that could compromise the peace of the country before, during and after the elections.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, Chairperson, University of Ghana’s College and Research Board, has advocated for a regional base minimum wage instead of a national minimum wage.

He said the 16 regions of Ghana have varying inflation rates and cost of living thus a national minimum wage not considering these factors was unfavourable to employers and employees alike.

The Professor of Economics made the recommendation during the Second Day of the International Research Conference of the College of Humanities of the University of Ghana.

‘Differences exist in terms of cost of living across the sixteen regions, from that perspective if you are talking about a national minimum wage that is applicable to every region then chances are that we are not capturing differences across regions. ‘

‘In terms of business input cost, enterprises in these regions may not have the same prices across all the regions. Therefore, it may be necessary to contextualise the minimum wage and look at minimum wage that is appropriate
per region, ‘he said.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) defined minimum wage as the amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay employees.

The minimum is paid for the work performed during a given period which cannot be reduced by collective agreement or an individual contract.

The daily minimum wage has been set from GHS 14.88 to GHS 18.15 in January 2024.

Prof Bokpin said the variations in inflation rates from the respective regions must engender an urgent review of the enforcement and implementation of the daily minimum wage.

‘In fact, when you consider food inflation, you will observe the differences. Food inflation in one region could be higher than food inflation in another region. So it means if an employee is taking a minimum in Upper West or Northen region where the inflation rate is relatively lower and another employee is taking the same minimum wage in Cape Coast or Accra where the rate is high.

‘It means the person living in the regions where the inflation rate is l
ow will have more purchasing power than person living in the region where the inflation rate is high. In this regard, we are advocating for a minimum wage that is context specific base on the regional differences in inflation, ‘ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency