Day: May 6, 2024

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), in collaboration with the African Drylands Crop Improvement Network, has organized a three-day West Africa Regional Consultation Conference in Accra.

The conference came at a critical time when the sub-region’s agricultural sector was grappling with the impact of climate change, posing challenges to food security and livelihoods.

Dr. Paswel Marenya, a senior scientist at CIMMYT, explained that the West Africa Regional Consultation Conference on dryland food systems transformation aimed to address longstanding challenges in West Africa’s Dryland Agriculture.

He noted that the transformation of dryland food systems would help address the longstanding challenges of dryland agriculture in West Africa.

He cited key among them as low adoption of modern varieties and poor yields of key dryland cereals such as sorghum and millet, which currently stands at an average of 1 ton per hectare while the global average rests at 4 tons per hectare.

He also hi
ghlighted key issues discussed at the conference, including integrating and leveraging agribusiness, exploring innovative seed delivery models, and designing sustainable seed delivery systems.

The conference also focused on breeding strategies, formulating them for local and broader adaptation, catering to localized and broader markets.

The initiative aims to increase the impact of dryland crops and ensure smallholders have consistent access to quality seeds, thereby enhancing productivity and livelihoods.

Prof. Paul Bosu, Director-General of Ghana’s Council for Scientific Research (CSIR), commended scientists for researching to leverage dryland crops for food security.

He expressed the hope that the conference would make a tremendous impact and not remain just as a project.

He noted that cereals like millet and sorghum were crucial in combating food insecurity domestically.

Dr. Eveline Sawadogo, a specialist in science, technology, and innovation studies from INERA, Burkina Faso, applauded the efforts
for organizing the conference and working towards developing pathways to ensure food security.

She said there was the need to identify key gaps, particularly in the areas of seed production and distribution to local farmers and ensure effective collaboration to guarantee greater yields.

The conference brought together 47 scientists from nine National Agricultural Research Institutes across West Africa, including Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Togo, Chad, and Niger.

The goal was to transform the dryland agricultural sector, delivering sustainable improvements in food security and livelihoods for smallholders and communities across sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, an Economist, has urged the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to implement medium-to-long-term strategies that will sustain Ghana’s macroeconomic stability and inspire market confidence.

The measures, the professor of finance at the University of Ghana, said, should transcend the implementation of the current US$3 billion loan-support programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

That, he said, would ensure a long-term sustainability of the Cedi from free fall against its major trading currency, the Dollar, and keep inflation within a band that would spur economic growth and stability.

His recommendation follows the recent appreciable containment of the depreciation of the Cedi against its major trading currency, the Dollar, and taming of inflation.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Prof Bokpin lauded the Central Bank for its role in the country’s economic recovery, but noted that the macroeconomic gains being witnessed so far was not strong.

Professor Godfre
d Alufar Bokpin

Prior to securing the IMF loan-support programme, Ghana’s inflation stood at 54.1 per cent in December 2022, but reduced to 23.2 per cent in December 2023, before increasing to 25.8 per cent as of March 2024.

The Cedi February 2023 had seen a cumulative depreciation of nine per cent between February and December 2023, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said during the presentation of the 2024 State of the Nation in February.

However, Prof Bokpin said, the time had come for the Central Bank to have a deep reflection, and begin to fashion out a medium-to-long-term strategy that ensured macroeconomic credibility and trust beyond an IMF programme.

‘The gains made so far is quite fragile, so we must work hard to consolidate it beyond the expiration of the IMF programme by being disciplined and efficient with our expenditure as we’re in an election year,’ he recommended.

Prof Bokpin also called for structural reforms that would guarantee the independence of the Central Bank, citing cases whe
re the Bank opposed some government decisions, yet it had to succumb to government pressure.

‘From the COVID-19 pandemic era, the pronouncement of the Governor showed signals to the market that he was not happy with the way the fiscal side was intruding into the monetary side of the economy, but he succumbed to that political cannibalisation,’ he said.

He also stated that the Central Bank expressed a strong disapproval of the haircut under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) and fought against it during the 2023 spring meetings.

Nonetheless, the Bank had no choice than to sacrifice its balance sheet, leading to the BoG suffering a 50 per cent haircut on government’s debt, something the Bank said it did ‘to save the economy from collapsing’.

‘The Central Bank must be bold in saying that the fiscal side is messing us up; when they admit and speak truth to power, without fearing that they’ll be fired, this country will begin to have a turn for good,’ Prof Bokpin said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful, the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, has commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, for his indispensable role in the socio-economic development of Ghana.

She said Otumfuo Osei Tutu, since his ascension to the Golden Stool in 1999, had played critical roles in the various political administrations under the Fourth Republic,

to promote peace and unity, good health, education, economic development and projecting the country’s good image on the global scene.

At a dinner to unveil a commemorative stamp in honour of Otumfuo Osei Tutu at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Mrs Ekuful said the King had left an indelible mark in the affairs of the country through his invaluable contributions.

Critical issues and decisions, which affected the country, got his wise counselling and input, she said.

The stamp in his honour was, therefore, not just a postage instrument but a tangible representation of the work of the King.

‘This philatelic masterpiece we are launching here today
is more than just a postage instrument,’ Mrs Ekuful said.

‘It is a tangible representation of the indelible mark Otumfuo, His Majesty, has left on the fabric of our country.’

‘His 25 years reign has been a testament to unwavering commitment to preserving our cultural heritage, promoting education, uplifting the socio-economic wellbeing of our people and I dare say no pivotal decisions has been taken by any of our leaders within these 25 years, without his input, given graciously and wisely behind the scenes.’

The stamps were a humble appreciation for his gracious contributions to the development of Ghana.

‘We are here to celebrate the legacy of an enduring leader whose impact on our nation has been nothing short of remarkable.’

‘Today, we pay tribute to your enduring legacy. As we launch this stamp today, we pay tribute to a traditional ruler who has distinguished himself and contributed immensely to the development and progress of his people and the country in several spheres of our lives.’

‘I applaud
Ghana Post for their vision and dedication in bringing this project into fruition.’

Through the Organisation’s efforts, the country could celebrate the legacy of Otumfuo Osei-Tutu, through philately, making history and launching the first ever crypto stamp in Africa as well, the Minister said.

Present at the ceremony were Otumfuor Osei-Tutu and his wife, Lady Julia, traditional rulers from the Asante Kingdom, the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, former Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah, the Managing Director of Ghana Post, Mr Bice Osei Kufuor, and representatives of the Universal Postal Union.

Source: Ghana News Agency

 The death toll in flooding in southern Brazil after days of heavy rain has risen to at least 66, civil defence authorities said on Sunday.

Another six possible deaths are being investigated, while 101 people are still missing, according to authorities in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

More than 80,000 people were forced to leave their homes and some 15,000 had to be accommodated in emergency shelters.

More than 400,000 households were reportedly without electricity and around 840,000 people were left without water, while dozens of communities were without internet and telephone connections.

Numerous roads remain blocked following the floods that have affected 332 communities since the beginning of last week, according to the authorities.

The city centre of Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, was also flooded.

The governor of the state that borders Argentina and Uruguay, Eduardo Leite, called the floods an unprecedented disaster. The number of victims could rise ‘exponentially’ de
spite the gradual decrease in rainfall, as some areas have not yet been reached, he said.

Leite said Marshall Plan-type efforts would be needed to rebuild Rio Grande do Sul, alluding to the US economic aid programme for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the affected area for the second time on Sunday.

According to the government, around 1,600 people and 32 helicopters have been deployed in permanent rescue operations. The Air Force has rescued more than 200 people so far.

Civil defence authorities warned on Sunday of potential further flooding and landslides. Parts of the affected region had already experienced storms and flooding in September, resulting in at least 42 deaths.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that he would continue to provide exemplary leadership filled with integrity, firmness, and sincerity, as the occupant of the golden stool.

He said since he ascended to the golden stool, nobody had ever tried to influence him with money to take a decision in his or her favour because of his firm convictions and neutrality in the adjudication of issues brought before him at the palace.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that the golden stool was a wealth itself, and the spiritual integrity of the stool, made it impossible for anybody to dare to entice or influence his decision making for personal gain.

Addressing participants at a thanksgiving service to mark his 74th birthday anniversary at the Saint Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Kumasi, he said his firm conviction, royalty, firmness, humility, and fear of God, had led him to where he is today, and not by his wisdom.

The occasion formed part of the activities marking the 25th anniversary of his ascension as the 1
6th occupant of the golden stool.

Recounting how he was raised up as young man, he said, it was normal child upbringing in any local set up house and he never knew, he would one day be selected to occupy such an important position in the Asante kingdom.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu recounted how he was denied entry into Prempeh College by his uncle, Sir Osei Agyemang Prempeh I, and later forced him to attend Sefwi-Wiawso Secondary school instead.

He said that obedience to his uncle brought many manifestations in his life and today, that obedience brought a lot of transformation in him and the Asante Kingdom.

He is of strong conviction that respect and obedience when followed could lead to many positive routes in personal lives.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu thanked Ghanaians, especially the people of Asanteman, for the trust and continued support to his reign, which had seen many positive results and said with the help of God, many other things would follow in the years ahead.

Right Reverend Dr George Kotei Neequaye, Anglican
Bishop of Tema Diocese, who preached the sermon, encouraged Ghanaian chiefs to emulate the leadership qualities of Otumfuo Osei Tutu, and position the chieftaincy institution firmly to play its role in national development.

He prayed for continued God’s guidance for the king to be able to accomplish all his desire for the people he was leading and Ghana as a whole.

Present at Thanksgiving were former President Kuffuor, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, former first lady, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister for Energy, and Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng, Leader of the Movement for Change.

Others were Mr Samuel Payne, Kumasi Mayor, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister for Agriculture and many others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

 The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) plans to make a ‘last-ditch’ effort for a hostage deal when he speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, the Times of Israel has reported.

The story comes as Israel announced an evacuation of the southern Gaza city of Rafah in preparation for an expected military operation there.

William Burns ‘is working to find a way to keep hope alive for a deal even as Israel begins to evacuate civilians from parts of Rafah in advance of a likely military operation,’ the report said.

On Sunday, a further round of indirect negotiations on a ceasefire between delegates of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas group and mediators from Egypt and Qatar in Cairo ended without any tangible results.

Burns had accompanied the talks. Egypt, Qatar and the United States are acting as mediators in the efforts to end the Gaza war.

Hamas announced on Sunday via its Telegram channel that its delegation had delivered a response to the mediators’ proposals and discu
ssed them with the representatives of Egypt and Qatar.

The delegates left Cairo on Sunday evening to consult with the organization’s leaders in Qatar. Burns had also travelled to Qatar for talks.

On the table is a proposal from the mediators that envisages a multi-stage agreement between Israel and Hamas. This should lead to the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons and an end to the Gaza war.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Police are searching for two gunmen who fatally shot two off-duty Police officers, sitting in front of their private residence at Block factory, East Trasacco, Accra, on Thursday, May 02, 2024, at about 1800 hours.

A news brief from the Police said the gunmen did not take anything from the victims and sped off on a motorbike.

Police said an intelligence-led operation to get the suspects arrested was ongoing.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A five-member committee entrusted with reviewing the Lands Commission’s Report on Land De-vesting has recommended that all vested lands not occupied by state institutions be returned to their pre-acquisition owners.

The Committee proposed that state entities in occupation and possession of vested lands pay tokens to the pre-vesting owners for continued use of the lands.

The Committee also recommended the formation of a management committee comprised of the Lands Commission, landowners, and users of vested lands to manage the interests of lands with complex acquisition and usage.

The Committee, chaired by Mr Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, Member of Parliament for the Asante-Akim North, presented its report to Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, at a brief ceremony in Accra on Monday.

Other Members of the Committee were: Kumbun-Naa Alhaji Naa Abu Iddrisu II, representing the National House of Chiefs, Dr. Wordsworth Odame-Larbi, representing the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, Mr Dennis Ad
jei-Dwomoh, representing the Ghana Bar Association, and Mr Maxwell Adu-Nsafoa, the Technical Director for Lands at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The Lands Commission, in June 2021, established a twelve-member committee, chaired by Ms Mabel H. Yemidi, the Director of the Public and Vested Lands Management Division of the Lands Commission, to evaluate the status of vested lands, collate the views of the pre-vesting owners, and make recommendations to the President.

Subsequently, Mr Jinapor, in February 2022, set up the Appiah-Kubi Committee to review the Yemidi Committee report, and make recommendations to the Minister on all matters relating to de-vesting, for his review and onward submission to the President.

Mr Appiah-Kubi told journalists after presenting the Report that the committee engaged chiefs and pre-acquisition owners whose lands had been vested in the state.

‘The chiefs were very magnanimous in agreeing to a peppercorn contract on those state properties which require that the sta
te will have to only just pay token for its continuous use of such lands and in effect the chiefs have agreed to grant such lands to the various state institutions that are in occupation and possession of such lands.

‘Beyond that the committee recommends that all other vested lands be de-vested back to the pre-acquisition owners,’ he said.

Mr Appiah Kubi said the committee encountered multiple claims including lands in the Prampram areas and thus could not offer conclusive recommendations on those lands.

‘We have asked the Minister for leave to be able to go back into such situations and manage the multiple claims to be able to resolve the issue of who is the legitimate owner of that land,’ he said.

Mr Jinapor said the issue of vested lands was a matter of concern for traditional authorities and gave an assurance that the issue would be addressed ‘once and for all’ following the presentation of the report.

‘This Report will guide the Government in dealing with the issue of vested lands. I will look at it
and make recommendations to the President.

‘In the not-too-distant future, the long-standing issue of vested lands will be dealt with once and for all,’ the Minister said.

Background

The Stool Lands (Validation of Legislation) Act, 1959, the Stool Lands Act, 1960 (Act 27) and the Administration of Lands Act 1962, (Act 123), empowered the President to vest stool lands in himself and that was extended to the whole country.

Section 7 of Act 123, for example, empowered the President, to, by Executive Instrument, declare any stool land to be vested in the President in trust, if it appeared to the President to be in the public interest.

However, following the passage of the 1992 Constitution, the vesting regime changed. Per article 257(3) and (4) of the Constitution, all northern territories lands, which were vested in the President, were de-vested, and same vested in the appropriate Skins.

Article 267(1) of the Constitution also vested all stool lands ‘in the appropriate stool on behalf of and in trust for t
he subjects of the stool in accordance with customary law and usage.’

Subsequently, the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) enjoined the Lands Commission, to begin the process of evaluating all existing vested lands with the view to recommending to the President, the de-vesting of those lands within six months of the coming into force of this Act.

Consequently, the Lands Commission, in June 2021, established the Yemidi, Committee to investigate vested lands and make recommendations to the President.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Saint Stephen Society of the Northern Accra Diocese, Methodist Church Ghana, has climaxed its 30th-anniversary celebration with a clarion call on Christians to champion a peaceful election.

The highlight of the year-long celebration, which started last year, was on Sunday, when the Church dedicated its completed three-storey worship centre, amid singing of hymns, songs of praises, and dancing to the glory of God.

Activities for the celebration included a tree-planting and clean-up exercises, a health walk and screening, a bible quiz competition, an evangelism float and a talk on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for spiritual growth.

Others were, a donation to the Gbawe Methodist cluster of schools, a cooking competition, Ga Traditional dressing, and regional representation day, as well as a field trip by the Children’s Department.

Speaking with the Ghana News Agency after the celebration, Right Reverend Professor Joseph Edusa-Eyison, Bishop of the Northern Accra Diocese, underscored the importa
nce of safeguarding Ghana’s peace in the 2024 elections.

‘You look in our region, and almost all the places have had challenges for some time now, but we have not, and we should not go that way. We have peace, and Ghana must be the beacon of such,’ he said.

He encouraged Ghanaians to safeguard and entrench the peace that the country enjoys, saying, ‘Let’s maintain our peace; we have children and grandchildren, and we should create an environment for them to live in peace so that they can have education and contribute to national development.’

Rt Rev Edusa-Eyison stated that the failure to do so would have far-reaching consequences on all aspects of Ghana’s national endeavours, as such, everyone should promote peaceful campaigns and elections.

He, therefore, asked politicians to carry out their electioneering activities, including campaigns in a way that would please God, by speaking the truth and shying away from politics of insult.

He lauded the Church on its 30-year journey and called for a reflection
on its past to shape its future, by learning lessons from both the challenges and successes chalked to do more to impact society.

He encouraged the youth to capitalise on various social media platforms to propagate the gospel to their friends and win more people into Christendom.

Rt Rev Samuel Mensah, the Minister-in-Charge of the St Stephen Society, also spoke about ensuring a peaceful election, saying, ‘We should do our activities with that, which would bring peace.’

‘Ghana is the only nation that we have, so if we do not ensure that peace prevails in the country, then where do we turn our faces to? So, let us all do our politics with decorum, and we should not bring anything that will disturb the peace of the nation,’ he added.

Recounting the Church’s 30-year journey, he indicated that despite the challenges, the hard work of members, past and present, including evangelism, the St Stephen Society could now boast of more than 700 congregants.

He, therefore, urged the Church not to relent in its efforts
to reach out to more people by witnessing Christ to others.

‘Christ Jesus has bequeathed to us, an assignment, and a commission to go out and proclaim the good news to all others, and He has asked us to do it until he comes. So, let us continue to witness about Christ to others,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, has advised civil servants to remain loyal to the state and to avoid acts that undermine the country’s national security.

They should be morally upright, transparent, professionally competent, politically neutral and should uphold the constitutional order and national security.

Mr Kan-Dapaah who made the call at the Civil Service Week and 2023 Awards Ceremony in Accra at the weekend.

The event was on the theme ‘Combating Threats to Sub-Regional Peace and Security: Perspectives of the Civil Service.’ 

Mr Kan-Dapaah said that the delivery of public goods and services by the government, such as peace and stability, development, and decent living conditions, rests on an effective and efficient civil service.

He said that the civil service should function as the government’s ‘engine and powerhouse’ in meeting citizen expectations by preserving the public purse, promoting transparency, and ensuring equitable distribution of resources and investments.

The M
inister noted that protecting Ghana from a wide range of internal and external challenges required stakeholders, especially the civil service, to play key roles in ensuring peace and stability in the West African sub-region.

He said civil servants must be wary of partisan pressures that could lead them to act in ways that undermine the country’s peace and progress, adding that a minor act of indiscretion could impact health, food, environment, energy, and community security.

‘Acts such as leaking sensitive documents, collaborating with internal and external agents, having partisan agenda and parochial interest diminish the confidence of the public.

‘Civil servants must ensure value for money and help address development gaps,’ he said.

Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Head of Civil Service, said the Civil Service was committed to enhancing the capacity of the workforce to advance the country’s socio-economic development,

‘The economic revival of this nation and the reforms that we seek hinge significantly upon th
e efficiency of the Civil Service.

‘We strive to immune the Civil Service with greater productivity, resourcefulness, results oriented approach and sense of accountability to foster good democratic governance,’ he said. 

Mr Aggrey-Darkoh explained that the purpose of Civil Service Week was to engage the public in policymaking, raise awareness of the Services’ activities in the private sector, explore areas of collaboration and partnership, and reward diligent staff.

Civil servants, including Chief Directors, Directors, professionals, and sub-professional groups from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), received awards.

Dr Yaw Osei, Chief Director of the Works and Housing Ministry, was named the third best performing chief director in 2023, followed by Madam Wilhelmina Asamoah of the Energy Ministry and Mr Kizito Ballans of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations as the overall best performing chief director.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Samed Shaibu, a self-styled businessman accused of USD35,000 car fraud, has been granted GHC350,000.00 bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

Shaibu denied accepting money from the complainant, Kailanani Suraji, on the pretext of providing him with a Honda CRV 2018 model vehicle.

He was directed by the Court, presided over by Mr Isaac Oheneba Kuffour, to appear on June 4, 2024.

The police are looking for Derrick Morgan, who is suspected to be his accomplice and is presently on the run.

According to Police Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori-Appiah, the complainant is a student based in the United States of America and Ghana, while the accused, Shaibu, is a self-styled businessman living in Kwabenya.

He told the Court that in October 2023, the complainant intended to enter the automobile business but did not have a bidding license. Based on that, he contacted a witness, who also introduced him to the accused.

The prosecution said the complainant and the accused had a lengthy talk about the business before the complain
ant told Shaibu that he needed a Honda CRV 2018.

The accused charged USD35,000 to bid on the car for the complainant.

The Court heard that the accused then offered an address for the money to be delivered through the mail, which the complainant did, and that Shaibu further promised the complainant that if he failed to receive the money at the address provided, he would refund the funds.

After three weeks, the complainant received no response from the accused, and all attempts to contact him proved futile.

The court was told that on December 21, 2023, the complainant made a formal complaint with the police, which resulted in the arrest of the accused and his accomplice Morgan, but the accused told the police that Morgan was not his accomplice.

During interrogation, the accused admitted that Morgan was his accomplice, but he was afraid because Morgan had asked him not to include him in the case.

Shaibu admitted the offence and offered to have his unregistered 2019 Honda Pilot kept at the police station un
til he refunded the USD35,000.

The prosecution said on January 17, 2024, Shaibu refunded GHS30,000.00 but he could not lead the police to arrest his accomplice.

Shaibu was then charged with the offence as efforts were made to apprehend Morgan to help with the investigation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

 New restaurants, offices and shopping centres in England will be required to provide single-sex toilets under changes to the law ministers say will ‘alleviate safety, privacy and dignity concerns.’

Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said the move will end ‘the rise of so-called ‘gender-neutral’ mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women.’

The legislation will mean that new non-domestic buildings must install separate toilet facilities for men and women, or, if there is not enough space, self-contained universal toilets, which are a fully-enclosed toilet room containing a sink and hand dryer.

Ministers said a consultation on the proposals showed 81% agreed with the intention for separate single-sex lavatories, while 82% agreed with the intention to provide additional universal toilets where space allows.

The regulations will also apply to businesses and hospitality venues undertaking ‘major refurbishment.’

There will be exemptions for schools, residential homes
and premises used mainly for early years provision.

In schools, separate toilets for boys and girls aged eight years and over must already be provided.

Last week, Badenoch appeared to suggest gender-neutral toilets at a school could see young girls avoiding using those shared facilities and ending up with urinary tract infections.

It came after Health Secretary Victoria Atkins announced plans to overhaul the NHS Constitution, ensuring hospital patients in England have the right to request to be treated on single-sex wards, with transgender people placed in rooms on their own.

In a statement about the new legislation, Badenoch said: ‘These regulations will guide organizations to design unisex and single-sex toilets, ending the rise of so-called ‘gender-neutral’ mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women.

‘Today’s announcement will also create better provision for women so that our particular biological, health and sanitary needs are met.

‘This is following our work last
week limiting the use of mixed-sex wards in the NHS and demonstrates how this government is committed to ensuring single-sex spaces are protected for all.’

Housing Minister Lee Rowley said: ‘We know all members of society value safety, privacy and dignity, and this new legislation will help ensure the right facilities are in place for everyone.

‘It is vital that new buildings, particularly in public spaces, are serving the community with the right toilet provision.’

Mermaids, a transgender youth support charity, said in response to government proposals: ‘In order to ensure ‘everyone is served fairly’, and that everyone can feel comfortable using public toilet facilities, not only are gender-specific facilities in which trans people can feel safe in using vital, but gender-neutral facilities are also greatly necessary to ensure non-binary people’s experiences with toilet facilities are one of comfort.’

Source: Ghana News Agency