Category: Education

Dr Aba Folson, a Cardiologist at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH), Tema, has advised the public to consider physical activities such as routine workout sessions as a habit for a healthy lifestyle.

Physical exercises should be encouraged and practiced at least five times a week for about 30 minutes to aid the heart to perform its functions well as well as other organs in the body, she said.

Dr Folson said this at the Ghana News Agency’s weekly health platform, dubbed: ‘Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility!’ in Tema.

It aimed at promoting health-related communication to influence personal health choices through improved literacy.

Dr Folson was speaking on the topic; ‘Measure blood pressure accurately, control it, and leave longer,’ which was the theme for the ‘May Measurement Month’ and the World Hypertension Day commemoration.

She said physical activities helped to keep one’s high blood pressure under control by aiding the pumping of blood into the heart and other organs from the blood vessels, adding that living a healthy life should be a choice.

‘Going to the gym is a good lifestyle practice, even though others who cannot afford the cost should not be discouraged from exercising but rather engage in brisk walking for at least five minutes daily.’

‘People should also use gardening, which also serves one with organic foods, washing, and physical activities that help keep the body fit and the cardiovascular system healthy.’

Dr Folson said bad lifestyle practices such as high intake of red meat, salty foods, and foods with excess fats, such as saturated and trans fats, may cause damage to the blood vessels, leading to hypertension and other chronic diseases.

Foods with low salt content and those rich in fibre such as fruits, vegetables, wheat, oats, sorghum, and beans helps in preventing hypertension.

‘You have a choice to live a healthy life; make the right choice,’ she emphasized.

Mr Francis Ameyibor, the GNA Tema Regional Manager, called on traditional and social media managers to devote some time on their platforms for health professionals to educate the public on healthy living.

‘The education we offer today through our media platform may save a life tomorrow,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI) has organised a workshop to inform its Consultative Group (CG) on the state of the country’s National Monitoring and Evaluation framework on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

The workshop was to present to the Consultative Group members the final state of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and provide a platform for them to make input into the framework.

This was after a capacity building and training was held across the country.

The Director of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI-MESTI), Mr. Kwamena Quaison, stated that the SIDA-UNESCO funded project, which began in 2021 under the theme: ‘Strengthening the STI System for Sustainable Development’, was aimed at building and revitalising the country’s scientific systems, encourage research, support research output, slow brain drain, address gender inequalities amongst a host of other benefits.

The project, he noted, was also implemented in five other African countries.

‘Ghana is making efforts to implement projects aimed at enhancing the national capacity for STI application and development. Ghana is one of the countries participating n the Global Pilot Programme launched in July 2019 by the UN Inter-Agency Task Team. The main goal of the programme is the preparation of roadmaps of Science, Technology and Innovation for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,’ he said.

The Monitoring and Evaluation framework, he said, would also help track the progress in strengthening the country’s STI system and other key related instruments such as the National STI policy, Ghana’s STI for SDGs Road map, the medium-term plan, amongst others.

The workshop was also used to deliberate on the expected outcomes after full implementation.

STEPRI is responsible for implementing the SIDA-UNESCO project across policy, governance, research and innovation.

It is to develop a tailor-made monitoring and evaluation framework for Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Thousands of students across Cameroon have begun writing the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination.

The national exam organized for students in the English subsystem of education, commenced Tuesday, May 30.

Before stepping into the examination hall at 7:30 am to begin, many of the candidates said they are ready.

CNA spoke to Louisa, an upper-sixth student who registered for five subjects (Geography, Economics, History, English Language, and Philosophy). “I’m not feeling too tense,” she said.

“I woke up at around 1:00 am, studied and I slept back, then woke up again at 5:00 am to revise a bit before finally going to the examination hall.”

Asked if as a Christian, she blessed her pens in church as many students do, Louisa said “No”. She said, “I bought them after I had already gone to church”.

The examination session started with Economics Paper 1, a day after the Baccalaureat exam for the French subsystem kicked off with Literature and Philosophy.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

What are the cutting-edge technologies for artificial intelligence (AI)? How can they benefit our daily life?These questions might be enlightened at a recent meeting for international collaboration and advancement in AI technology.

he 7th World Intelligence Congress (WIC), an international event that focused on AI and related technologies, was held this month in Tianjin. The event aimed to promote global cooperation and exchange in the field of AI, smart manufacturing, smart vehicles, 5G-plus internet, etc. The congress provides a platform for AI researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and experts from various disciplines to share knowledge, discuss innovations, and explore the impact of AI and related technologies on society.

In this video featuring the display of technologies at WIC, China Matters’ vloggers Evy and Jack head to Tianjin to explore new cutting-edge technologies and dive into the coolest exhibits. They challenge each other to see who can find the most interesting tech.

Evy enjoys handcrafted coffee from a robot barista who specializes in making pour-over brews. Jack gets the ultimate Grammy-style photo shoot from a high-speed robotic cameraman. He also shows off his new ‘power suit’ by using it to lift up Evy as if she were as light as a feather. Aimed at more hi-tech exhibits, Evy challenges Jack to a head-to-head battle on a ‘5G racetrack.’ So how is this event revealing the latest advancements and trends in AI?

Source: Ghana News Agency

Students in the University of Buea, have been called upon to create an impact wherever they find themselves. This was the main message passed during the launch of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the institution.

The three-day event kicked off on May 25, characterized by sporting activities, community human investment, an open day, an alumni conference, exhibitions, a historical overview of UB, fundraising for projects earmarked, research, and outreach activities.

“Today, we celebrate where we come from, where we are, and where we want to be” Prof. Ngomo Horace Manga, the Vice-Chancellor said in his welcome address.

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Dorothy Limunga Njeuma was equally present. She was lauded for birthing what is now “an institution of reference”.

The University of Buea was first a University Centre before being transformed into a full University in 1993. It had just four faculties: Arts, Education, Science, and Social and Management Sciences. Today, it has 11 establishments (eight faculties, two colleges, and one school).

The 30th anniversary of the University is being celebrated under the theme: “University of Buea: impacting the future together through Innovative solutions”. Activities will take place at the University’s main campus.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed concerned over ‘ the lack of interest of Ghanaians ahead of this year’s district assembly elections.’

Ghanaians, by the end of this year, are expected to go to the polls to elect their district Assembly Members and Unit Committee Members who will deliberate, supervise and legislate at the local government level for the next four years.

However, Mr Samuel Akuamoah Asare, a Deputy Chair in charge of Operations at the NCCE, said participation and interest in the elections, had so far been low, considering the fact that the elections were a couple of months away.

He described the situation as worrying, indicating that, the district assemblies played a critical role in sustaining the country’s democracy as they formed the basic unit on which the national structures rested.

‘This year is an election year, there is low participation, people do not take active interest in it.

‘Is it because of lack of political party participation because, the Constitution has proscribed them, it has banned them. The Constitution has barred them?’ he quizzed.

Mr Asare was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of an engagement with officers of the Ghana Immigration Service, in Accra, as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Constitution Week.

The annual Constitution Week was instituted in 2001 to commemorate the country’s return to constitutional rule on January 1, 1993.

The object of the celebration, among other things, is to create and sustain awareness of the principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution to deepen and sustain Ghana’s democracy.

It is also to sensitise Ghanaians on the need for national unity and peaceful co-existence and inculcate into the citizens the spirit of patriotism.

This year’s celebration is marked on the theme: ’30 Years of Consolidating Constitutional Democracy: Building National Cohesion through Civic Education and Participation in Local Governance.’

In 2019, the Government begun processes to amend articles 243 (1) and 55 (3) of the Constitution to allow for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and the opening up of local level elections to participation by political parties.

This, the Government believed, would increase citizens participation in local governance.

However, a proposed national referendum to decide on the matter was cancelled due to the absence of ‘a durable national consensus.’

Mr Asare urged Ghanaians to take keen interest in the elections despite the absence of political party participation to bring development to the local communities and strengthen the country’s democracy.

The Director of Operations also said while calls for review of the Constitution might be justified, Ghanaians must be careful not to undermine it until the needed reforms were made.

‘We don’t have to rush because the Constitution has served us well, it is the only Constitution which has served us thirty years, uninterrupted,’ he added.

He also emphasised the need for a strong cohesion among citizens especially considering that Ghana’s neigbouring countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo, had been attacked by violent extremist groups, operating within the Sahel in recent times.

He said: ‘There is the need for national cohesion, this is not the time to be polarised around ethnic line, political party line but, we need to come together, safeguard our democracy.’

Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, Comptroller-General of Immigration, in a speech read on his behalf, said Ghanaians must use the Constitution Week to reflect on the significance of the constitution and renew their commitments to upholding its tenets.

‘Let remember the struggles of our forefathers in fighting for our independence and the importance of preserving the democratic gains that have been gained since. ‘

He said as law enforcement agencies, it was imperative they actively participated in such celebrations to disabuse the notion that they (security agencies) did not cherish the country’s constitution and its democracy.

He added that as the country commemorated the Constitution Week, ‘let us remember the importance of the constitution in shaping our nation and upholding our rights as citizens.

‘Let us also work towards building a society guided by its principles and values, and where every Ghanaian has equal rights and opportunities.’

Source: Ghana News Agency