Day: March 13, 2024

Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, the Ranking Member, Energy Committee of Parliament, says the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is misinforming the public over the ongoing power outages in parts of the country, otherwise known as ‘dumsor’.

‘The widespread load shedding is a result of financial issues, not technical glitches as claimed by the ECG,’ he said.

‘…The ECG is misinforming us of the real issues of the recent power outages. Instead, they are attributing these outages to overloaded and faulty transformers, which is not the case.’

Mr Jinapor said this on Tuesday when he addressed a section of the media in Parliament House, Accra.

‘We have been monitoring the situation and just yesterday, we laid hands on the PURC’s cash waterfall mechanism Validation Report for January 2024.’

‘I can confidently but sadly confirm to you that the current load shedding is not technical, it is financial. It is due to mismanagement,’ he told the media.

Mr Jinapor, a National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Yapei
Kusawgu, alleged gross abuse of the cash waterfall mechanism and mismanagement of funds, challenging the narrative by the company.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Nana?Ama Browne?Klutse, Vice-Chair of?the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I for the seventh assessment cycle, says the involvement of young people in the fundamentals of climate science education will spur them to contribute to smart solutions.

‘The Most important solutions are coming from the youth. The IPCC believes in their magical innovations, so we need to educate and encourage them to give off their best,’ she said.

Professor Klutse, who was speaking at the launch of the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Ghana Project and Greening Schools Initiative in Accra, said everyone had contributed to the changing weather patterns and must be part of the solution.

The GLOBE Programme is an international science and education programme that focuses on promoting scientific literacy and building connections between people passionate about the environment.

As part of the GLOBE Ghana project, the University of Ghana Basic School and the Mad
ina Seventh Day Adventist Church Basic School would be supported with weather stations to monitor the daily forecast and share the report with their community members to enable them to plan.

There will also be tree planting and naturing activities at the schools involved in the project, sponsored by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities?(HBCUs) Green Fund.

Professor Klutse said: ‘If you live in a house, some trees might have been fell and processed into wood for the roof. That means we have contributed to the crisis. We all need to be part of the solutions because it is a developmental, political and socio-economic problem.’

She pledged to support the initiative at the schools to deepen the understanding of young people and encourage them to study science, environment, mathematics, and engineering programmes.

Dr.?Kwabena?B.?Tandoh, the Deputy Director-General for Quality and Access of the Ghana Education Service, said the GLOBE activities would afford the students the opportunity to collect rea
l time data on wind speed, humidity, and temperature, as well as conduct analysis.

He stated that the initiative would enhance the educational experience and foster their understanding of meteorology and climate science.

The GLOBE activities, Dr Tandoh said, would not only benefit students but teachers and provide resources and tools for practical work at schools.

Mrs Olivia Serwaa Opare, Government Contact Point, GLOBE Ghana, Ghana Education Service, stated that it had become imperative to take steps to live with the impacts of climate crisis, and one of the important means was to plant and nurture trees to absorb greenhouse gases.

‘We have only one earth, and if care is not taken to live in a sustainable manner, humanity will perish,’ she said.

Madam Illai Kenney, the Managing Director of the HBCU Green Fund, said the support for the GLOBE activities was in line with their goals to provide young people on the continent with the skills, experience, and opportunities to realise their dreams.?

‘There is
a lot of energy from the youth on the continent, so we are sponsoring and connecting them with resources, experience, and experts in the United States of America,’ she said.?

It has three primary goals – increasing environmental awareness, contributing to increased scientific understanding of the Earth, and supporting improved student achievement in science and mathematics.?

By participating in GLOBE, students, teachers, researchers, and lifelong learners can connect with the programme’s global community.

GLOBE learners?also investigate and study Earth System Science?through their own research projects and those led by NASA.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Nana?Ama Browne?Klutse, Vice-Chair of?the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I for the seventh assessment cycle, says the involvement of young people in the fundamentals of climate science education will spur them to contribute to smart solutions.

‘The Most important solutions are coming from the youth. The IPCC believes in their magical innovations, so we need to educate and encourage them to give off their best,’ she said.

Professor Klutse, who was speaking at the launch of the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Ghana Project and Greening Schools Initiative in Accra, said everyone had contributed to the changing weather patterns and must be part of the solution.

The GLOBE Programme is an international science and education programme that focuses on promoting scientific literacy and building connections between people passionate about the environment.

As part of the GLOBE Ghana project, the University of Ghana Basic School and the Mad
ina Seventh Day Adventist Church Basic School would be supported with weather stations to monitor the daily forecast and share the report with their community members to enable them to plan.

There will also be tree planting and naturing activities at the schools involved in the project, sponsored by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities?(HBCUs) Green Fund.

Professor Klutse said: ‘If you live in a house, some trees might have been fell and processed into wood for the roof. That means we have contributed to the crisis. We all need to be part of the solutions because it is a developmental, political and socio-economic problem.’

She pledged to support the initiative at the schools to deepen the understanding of young people and encourage them to study science, environment, mathematics, and engineering programmes.

Dr.?Kwabena?B.?Tandoh, the Deputy Director-General for Quality and Access of the Ghana Education Service, said the GLOBE activities would afford the students the opportunity to collect rea
l time data on wind speed, humidity, and temperature, as well as conduct analysis.

He stated that the initiative would enhance the educational experience and foster their understanding of meteorology and climate science.

The GLOBE activities, Dr Tandoh said, would not only benefit students but teachers and provide resources and tools for practical work at schools.

Mrs Olivia Serwaa Opare, Government Contact Point, GLOBE Ghana, Ghana Education Service, stated that it had become imperative to take steps to live with the impacts of climate crisis, and one of the important means was to plant and nurture trees to absorb greenhouse gases.

‘We have only one earth, and if care is not taken to live in a sustainable manner, humanity will perish,’ she said.

Madam Illai Kenney, the Managing Director of the HBCU Green Fund, said the support for the GLOBE activities was in line with their goals to provide young people on the continent with the skills, experience, and opportunities to realise their dreams.?

‘There is
a lot of energy from the youth on the continent, so we are sponsoring and connecting them with resources, experience, and experts in the United States of America,’ she said.?

It has three primary goals – increasing environmental awareness, contributing to increased scientific understanding of the Earth, and supporting improved student achievement in science and mathematics.?

By participating in GLOBE, students, teachers, researchers, and lifelong learners can connect with the programme’s global community.

GLOBE learners?also investigate and study Earth System Science?through their own research projects and those led by NASA.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) announced that it will provide a cold chain facility to boost immunization coverage in Ethiopia.

This was disclosed while State Minister of Finance, Semereta Sewasew held discussion with GAVI’s Director of High Impact Countries Country Programmes Delivery, Tokunbo Oshin.

The discussion mainly highlighted co-financing requirements, the approved Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP), and financial accountability.

The two sides approved support to Ethiopia on the Cold Chain facility through which 18 million USD is expected to be provided by GAVI and 4 million USD is allocated as joint investment from the government in two years period.

On the occasion, Semereta affirmed that Ethiopia will remain consistent in terms of meeting the co-financing requirements to show the unwavering commitment of the government to invest on the implementation of the national immunization plan.

Moreover, she appreciated GAVI for its valuable supports in the health s
ector.

Tokunbo mentioned that Ethiopia is one of the priority countries in terms of vaccine and vaccine-related supports for the last two decades.

It has been honoring the co-financing obligation as required by GAVI for vaccine delivery and cash grants for immunization-related interventions in the country, he added.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

By Eratus Ndueh

Veteran Nollywood actress, Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Nwaturuocha popularly known as Rita Dominic, has revealed that one of the reasons why she temporary departed from the movie industry was because she began to find fulfilment and a reason for living working as a carer in London.

She spoke during a Women of Valour Conference held in Accra, Ghana, where she stated that she left acting to deal with personal issues.

Rita Dominic is a multiple award-winning Nollywood actress, producer, model, television personality, investor, a philanthropist and co-founder of the Audrey Silva Company. She has been regarded as one of the best industrious actresses in Nollywood and also one of the highest-paid actresses in Nigeria. But decided to let go all the privileges she had while in the industry for passion, something which most aspirants, slay queens and influencers may find difficult to pursue just for fame.

Cameroonian slay queens are not different from others influencers from other countries as they a
re known for their luxurious lifestyle and the extent they can go just to impress people.

A ‘slay queen’ does their best to portray the perfect life. She will even fake her lifestyle. Her aim is to appear irresistible to men. She wears heavy make-up, perfectly done hair, and wares the latest outfits. She often takes pictures, edits them to remove any bodily flaws, and uploads perfect images on social media.

However, most of them often under go awful situation just to maintain their status and live the dream life, act as a stimulant to those who look up to them as role model.

In 2022, a videos emerged on TikTok about a concept known as ‘Porta potty’ rumoured to be real for years in which influencers are being paid to fly out to Dubai in order to be pooped on (or in) for cash, get expensive gifts, and experience extravagant hotel stays for free.

Regardless, Rita Dominic’s testimony not only reveals the exciting world of Nollywood but also serves as an inspiration to those who think they have made the wrong
decision in their lives or chosen the wrong careers that they can summon the challenges and find purpose in unexpected places.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the minister of transport, has called on maritime regulators to prioritise seafarers rights and safety to enhance the maritime industry

He said this would establish safer working conditions, ensure fair treatment and create a supportive environment for seafarers.

‘This would make the profession more enticing to the younger generation thereby leading to a transformation in the industry’, he said.

In a news brief copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the Transport Minister emphasised the

indispensable role of seafarers, who are often unsung heroes, yet ensured the smooth functioning of global trade by transporting over 80 per cent of goods worldwide.

‘Therefore, there was a need to protect their rights and safety to ensure smooth operation of the maritime system, since we depended heavily on it.

He said that Africa had the potential as a significant source of future seafarers because of its youthful population and burgeoning interest in maritime careers, ‘the continent sto
od poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the industry’s labour shortage’, he added.

Mr Asiamah said Ghana was a beacon of progress in this regard, boasting of well-equipped maritime education training facilities and a strong commitment to international standards.

He said Ghana joined the International Maritime Community to prioritise the well-being of seafarers, rejuvenate the maritime industry and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the minister of transport, has called on maritime regulators to prioritise seafarers rights and safety to enhance the maritime industry

He said this would establish safer working conditions, ensure fair treatment and create a supportive environment for seafarers.

‘This would make the profession more enticing to the younger generation thereby leading to a transformation in the industry’, he said.

In a news brief copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the Transport Minister emphasised the

indispensable role of seafarers, who are often unsung heroes, yet ensured the smooth functioning of global trade by transporting over 80 per cent of goods worldwide.

‘Therefore, there was a need to protect their rights and safety to ensure smooth operation of the maritime system, since we depended heavily on it.

He said that Africa had the potential as a significant source of future seafarers because of its youthful population and burgeoning interest in maritime careers, ‘the continent sto
od poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the industry’s labour shortage’, he added.

Mr Asiamah said Ghana was a beacon of progress in this regard, boasting of well-equipped maritime education training facilities and a strong commitment to international standards.

He said Ghana joined the International Maritime Community to prioritise the well-being of seafarers, rejuvenate the maritime industry and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

A truck transporting brewery products from Brasseries was attacked by separatist fighters on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, resulting in the death of two people.

According to reports, the driver was hit by the gunfire, losing control of the vehicle at Fish Pond Hill, Bamenda, North West Region. The truck crashed into two pedestrians, killing one, before stopping.

The driver, on his part, succumbing to injuries incurred from the bullets, passed away moments later.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as the truck came under attack, with people running away from the gunfire and screeching tires.

This attack comes from longstanding resistance by separatists against the circulation of Brasseries trucks in the North West Region of Cameroon.

In recent times, separatists have executed attacks, especially in the North West Region where they have

set ablaze a series of trucks transporting important material.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Friends of the Nation (FoN), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said it will intensify education on the use of the Mineral Development Fund to avert any misunderstanding that might arise between the assemblies and mining communities.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator of FoN, Nana Efua Ewur, gave the assurance when the NGO, with assistance from Oxfam, organised a stakeholder’s engagement for mining firms, mining communities and Assemblymembers at Samahu in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western North Region.

The project dubbed ‘Fair for all,’ is looking at the extractive sector, MDF for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), it’s impact and utilisation as stated by the Act.

Residents of Samahu, who attended the event, expressed anger at the Assembly’s failure to establish a project with their share of the Mineral Development Fund (MDF) to provide them some benefits.

Nana Ewur explained that although the Assembly received funds, it was not enough, considering the s
everal communities in deprived areas that needed urgent attention.

‘Samahu is part of Gold Fields host communities, and you receive support in diverse ways, so the Assembly will channel any available funding to develop other communities,’ she said.

‘When the Assembly prepares its Medium-Term Development Plan, it captures the needs of every community, and those within the operational areas of mining companies usually get support from them.’

The Tufuhene (sub-chief) of Samahu, Mr Abdul Fataw, expressed displeasure as to why the Assembly had not initiated a single project from the MDF for the residents.

He said Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL), Tarkwa Mine, provided all their needs, which ranged from classroom blocks, community centres, teachers’ quarters, pipe borne water, rehabilitation of portions of roads, provision of health facilities, learning and teaching materials.

‘We are living within the Mines operational area, so we need to have a fair share of the MDF,’ he said.

Mr Michael Acheampong Appiah,
the Municipal Planning Officer, Prestea Huni-Valley, said in terms of direct projects nothing had been done out of the MDF, because most of the community’s needs had been catered for by the Mine.

He said the Mine normally undertook development projects in collaboration with the Assembly, with reference to the needs assessment, through which it provided support.

The residents, however, asked the Assembly to fence the town park as it was too close to the Tarkwa-Bogoso highway to serve as protection, and renovate the basic school block constructed by Gold Fields.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Friends of the Nation (FoN), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said it will intensify education on the use of the Mineral Development Fund to avert any misunderstanding that might arise between the assemblies and mining communities.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator of FoN, Nana Efua Ewur, gave the assurance when the NGO, with assistance from Oxfam, organised a stakeholder’s engagement for mining firms, mining communities and Assemblymembers at Samahu in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western North Region.

The project dubbed ‘Fair for all,’ is looking at the extractive sector, MDF for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), it’s impact and utilisation as stated by the Act.

Residents of Samahu, who attended the event, expressed anger at the Assembly’s failure to establish a project with their share of the Mineral Development Fund (MDF) to provide them some benefits.

Nana Ewur explained that although the Assembly received funds, it was not enough, considering the s
everal communities in deprived areas that needed urgent attention.

‘Samahu is part of Gold Fields host communities, and you receive support in diverse ways, so the Assembly will channel any available funding to develop other communities,’ she said.

‘When the Assembly prepares its Medium-Term Development Plan, it captures the needs of every community, and those within the operational areas of mining companies usually get support from them.’

The Tufuhene (sub-chief) of Samahu, Mr Abdul Fataw, expressed displeasure as to why the Assembly had not initiated a single project from the MDF for the residents.

He said Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL), Tarkwa Mine, provided all their needs, which ranged from classroom blocks, community centres, teachers’ quarters, pipe borne water, rehabilitation of portions of roads, provision of health facilities, learning and teaching materials.

‘We are living within the Mines operational area, so we need to have a fair share of the MDF,’ he said.

Mr Michael Acheampong Appiah,
the Municipal Planning Officer, Prestea Huni-Valley, said in terms of direct projects nothing had been done out of the MDF, because most of the community’s needs had been catered for by the Mine.

He said the Mine normally undertook development projects in collaboration with the Assembly, with reference to the needs assessment, through which it provided support.

The residents, however, asked the Assembly to fence the town park as it was too close to the Tarkwa-Bogoso highway to serve as protection, and renovate the basic school block constructed by Gold Fields.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Eratus Ndueh

The Archbishop of the Bamenda Archdiocese, His grace Andrew Nkea has extended his support, offered solace and prayers to affected businessmen and women of the devastating fire incident that engulfed the Bamenda main market last February, during a visit he paid this March 12, 2024.

Archbishop Nkea reportedly met with market leaders and representatives of the traders’ union, where he offered words of comfort and spiritual guidance to those whose livelihoods were impacted by the blaze.

‘This is a time of great hardship, my prayers are with the families and individuals who have lost so much. May God grant them strength and hope during this difficult time,’ said the Archbishop after his visit at the Bamenda main market.

The incident is considered to be one of the worst in the history of Cameroon’s Northwest region, which threatened to reduce hundreds of shops to ashes, with over 20 already completely destroyed.

Investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause of the inferno. However, lo
cal authorities are working to assess the damage and determine the best course of action to support the affected market community.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

WaterAid Ghana, a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) focused organisation, says the landscape of the WASH sector is ever evolving, bringing new opportunities and challenges for exploration and action.

It noted that for the country to achieve universal access to WASH services and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, there was the need for innovative interventions that recognised such opportunities and develop adaptive strategies to address the challenges.

‘In acknowledging the unknown, we open ourselves to exploration and innovation. It is here, in spaces of uncertainty, that we find room for groundbreaking solutions and partnerships.

‘Identifying areas where our knowledge is lacking or where emerging data can influence our strategies, is vital for adaptive growth,’ said Ms Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, Country Director, WaterAid Ghana.

She made these observations in a speech read on her behalf in Bolgatanga at the opening of an annual review meeting of WaterAid Ghana and its partne
rs for 2023.

The organization is currently implementing a five-year strategic plan (2023-2028) with the aim of achieving universal, sustainable, and safe access to WASH in Bongo, Upper East Region, to serve as a model for adoption and replication in other areas.

The strategy further aims to prioritise and strengthen WASH in the healthcare sector in Upper East and Upper West to improve public health, build and strengthen resilience of communities amid climate change impacts.

Ms Yanyi-Akofur explained that it was imperative for stakeholders to recognise strategies and approaches that had worked over the years and those that had failed to learn new approaches to addressing WASH challenges, to consolidate the gains made and help communities to adapt to new changes.

According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, about 96.4 per cent of urban dwellers had access to water supply and 74.4 per cent rural people had access to basic water supply, however, only 25 per cent of Ghanaians had access to improved san
itation while about 17.7 per cent still practiced open defecation.

Madam Lydia Alhassan, the Sanitation and Water Resources Minister-designate, in a speech read on her behalf, noted that the negative impact of WASH cut across various sectors of the economy and the government had been working to address challenges to improve the WASH sector.

To help drive the needed change in the WASH sector, she said the Ministry had modernised most of the frameworks governing the sector including reviewing the National Sanitation Policy and National Water Policy.

‘As you are aware, in 2023, the Ministry with support from development partners instituted the Ghana WASH Development Programme, which seeks to align all sector programmes and priorities for attaining sector targets and SDG six by 2030,’ she said.

‘It is expected that all activities of WaterAid Ghana will align with, the Ghana WASH Development Programme to ensure consistency and harmonisation of service delivery in the sector.’

She commended WaterAid Ghana for
its contributions, particularly in providing WASH services to hard-to-reach communities and healthcare facilities in vulnerable communities.

She pledged the Ministry’s support to creating an enabling environment for development partners to work to improve the lives of Ghanaians.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Management of the Melcom Group of companies, has opened an ultra-modern shop at Sefwi-Dwenase.

This makes it the second Melcom shops to be opened in the Western North Region with the first shop being at Bibiani.

Mr Ahmed Saeed, the Branch Manager told the Ghana News Agency after the launch that the company had embarked on a series of transformation, to get closer to the public.

He said the company was now operating more in rural communities rather than the cities to get closer to the people especially, for convenience and best of customer satisfaction.

Mr Saeed assured residents and customers of the best of customer care and good business directions among others to achieve better standards.

‘This new facility has all that we sell in other branches across the country and customers can be rest assured of the best experience,’ he said.

Nana Elluo Panin III, the Chief of Nsuansua on behalf of the Wiawso Traditional Council, promised the company of their readiness to ensure they were provided with a safe
environment to operate.

Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, the Chief of Bonzian and Kontihene for Wiawso Traditional Council, advised the employees to work hard and avoid stealing.

The traditional ruler also appealed to the company to take good care of its workers so that they would give their best.

Source: Ghana News Agency