Category: General

Professor Issah Samuel Alhassan, the Dean of the Faculty of Ghanaian Language Education at the College of Education, Winneba has urged parents to make it prestigious for their children to embrace and speak the local language.

‘We must make accessible linguistic input in the language of their identity,’ he said.

Professor Alhassan said language was the bridge that connected people to their past and paved the way for the future.

He was addressing the launch of the third edition of the Sisaali English Dictionary at Tumu.

It was organised by the Sissala Literacy Development (SILAP) in collaboration with the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT).

It was attended by Directors of Education, representatives of the Members of Parliament, the Sissala East Assembly, chiefs and the public.

He said Language carried the essence of a people, their values, beliefs, and traditions, and the medium through which people expressed their deepest thoughts, emotions and aspirations.

‘The Siss
ali language is not merely a means of communication; it is the embodiment of our collective identity, a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of our ancestors,’ he said.

He explained that for a group to abandon their language for any other prestigious language would be providing the enemy with a knife to cut the Sissala throat.

‘The launch of this dictionary is a salient move towards the preservation of the identity of the people, as dictionaries by themselves do not only present users with a list of words but it is a source of information on the socio-economic artefacts of the people to learn providing meaning of words, phrases, contextual meaning and the right pronunciation,’ he explained further.

He advised all to pass it on to future generations as a sacred trust by celebrating the beauty and power of the language, saying, ‘It is the lifeblood of the identity, the thread that binds together the people.’

He challenged all to work in diverse ways by investing in and deliberately transmitting the lan
guage in all sacred forms to children and grandchildren who are the forebears of the Sissali tribe.

Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton, the Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Council, promised to support the learning of Sisaali language development at the tertiary level and urged every parent to buy a book each for their ward.

Mr Moses Luri, a lecturer, at the University College of Education, who led the discussion on ‘The Teaching and Learning of Sisaali in the Basic Schools: Prospects and the way Forward,’ congratulated the key stakeholders for the tremendous efforts made to write the Dictionary.

Mr Luri called on the government to make the study of Ghanaian language a compulsory subject and not an elective, saying, ‘I still disagree with the current situation, where Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed Regional and District Directors of Education to make Ghanaian language an elective but not mandatory.

‘If only one subject must be taught in our Ghanaian schools, then it must be the Ghanaian languag
e, it makes you a Ghanaian apart from all the above arguments,’ he stressed.

He called for efforts to be made in the short term to seek approval from GES- National Curriculum Accreditation Authority (NACCA) for the teaching, learning and examination of Sisaali at all levels of Education in the Sissala communities.

The unveiling of the book was done by Professor Abdul-Mumin Selanwiah Salifu, the Principal of the Tumu College of Education.

An initial sale of the Dictionary yielded GHS3200.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

A thief whose identity is yet to be obtained has been captured and tortured to death by an angry population in Mayor Street, Buea, during a robbery attempt.

According to sources, in the early morning of March 21, residents of the said neighborhood were rudely awakened by the presence of thieves prowling their streets.

Armed with guns and other weapons, the thieves attempted to rob an inhabitant, under the cover of darkness.

However, the vigilance of one observant individual turned the tide against the criminals. Upon spotting the intruders, they wasted no time in alerting the neighborhood, igniting a chorus of whistles that reverberated through the night until every household was alerted to the danger.

Faced with the collective reaction of the community, the thieves retreated into hiding. Unfortunately for the assailants, the concerned residents successfully apprehended one of them. They went ahead to take justice into their own hands, as they stripped him of his clothes, torturing him
mercilessly.

After moments of torture, while the mob was about to set the captured thief on fire, the latter succumbed to the pain, passing away on the spot.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Addis Ababa: A baby with two heads was born at Wachamo University Queen Eleni Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Southern Ethiopia yesterday.

Pediatrics department head Dr. Basazen Tasew said that the mother delivered the baby at midnight.

The woman, a mother of five, gave birth to the baby with two heads attached below his neck, he added.

She gave birth through minor surgery.

The two-headed baby had normal regular gestation period and weighed 4.2 kilograms, it was learned.

Even though the baby is now healthy, there are indications that his development might be impaired in the future, Dr. Basazen stated.

A team of doctors in the hospital are closely monitoring the baby.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM -GC) has charged Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to take advantage of the vast opportunities the African Continental Free Trade (AfCFTA) offers.

It said businesses could thrive well when they understood the benefits of AfCFTA and participated fully to spur the growth of the local economy.

Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, a Member of the Governing Council of NAPRM-GC said the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) stood as a testament to commitment of African nations towards self-improvement and accountability.

Rooted in the principles of democracy, governance and social-economic development, the APRM has served as a vital tool for fostering growth and stability across the Continent.

At a workshop to train District Oversight Committees (DOC) in collaboration with the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie said the training was necessary to help equip the committee’s knowledge on Ghana’s targeted review of corp
orate governance as a catalyst to the implementation of AfCFTA.

She said that the targeted review of Ghana had provided a roadmap for the development of the National Programme of Actions (NPoA), a strategic framework aimed at empowering businesses and strengthening their capacities to thrive within the AfCFTA, to help boost intra-African trade and economic integration.

The Committee is expected to educate MSMEs on the benefits and opportunities AFCFTA offers to enable them take advantage of them.

‘We have gathered here to identify how as a people; we can help equip our businesses to enjoy the benefits of free trade agreements by means of empowerment and share the successes of our endeavours which rely heavily on collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders ‘she said.

Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie urged the committee to work tirelessly to ensure full participation of local businesses in the AFCFTA to help boost the economy.

Touching on Corporate Governance, Rev Mrs Angela Carmen Appiah, President of the Institut
e of Directors said local businesses must be ready for the opportunities AFCFTA had

to offer by instituting systems and structures that would promote accountability, transparency and efficiency in their businesses.

She further advised that they should also keep good records of their sales, adopt best marketing strategies and package products well to attract investors for their businesses.

Mrs Winniefred (rpt Winniefred) Akoto Sampong, the Acting Executive Secretary of NAPRM-GC said APRM came into existence in 2003 as a voluntary tool for self-assessment, peer learning and experience sharing in democracy and good governance for member states of the African Union.

She said d that the APRM journey had so far made significant strides since its inception promoting good governance and facilitating positive change.

The District Oversight Committee is made up of key stakeholders such as the traditional authorities, representatives from youth groups, civil society organizations, persons with disabilities, opinion
leaders and both the Regional and District directors of the NCCE being lead members.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Charles Nimako, Country Director of Safe Water Network, has urged stakeholders in the water sector to explore innovative and innovative solutions for providing improved and sustainable water services, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas of the country.

According to him, there is an urgent need to invest funding and other resources in scaling up safe water enterprises, which would complement the government’s efforts to ensure Ghanaians have equitable and clean access to water by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Mr Nimako, speaking at the 2024 edition of the ‘Beyond the Pipe Forum’ organized by the Safe Water Network (SWN) on Wednesday in Accra, underscored the importance of scaling up small water enterprises to augment the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable access to water.

He stated that the Network’s efforts over the last few years had resulted in a significant improvement in the market for safe water enterprises, with over $20 million invested in the water sector and
over 2 million people now receiving safe, reliable, and affordable water services across Ghana’s 16 regions.

Mr Amidu Issahaku Chinnia, Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, said there was a need for non-state water service providers to collaborate with the government to provide access to safe and potable water, especially in small towns and rural communities.

He commended SWN for supporting the government’s efforts to expand water services in peri-urban areas and small towns, as well as advocating for better and more sustainable water services in Ghana.

‘SWN has particularly focused on Ghana’s water sector drawing attention to critical policy issues as well as implementing interventions together with its partners to provide water solutions to many communities.’ The Deputy Minister added.

Mr Chinnia explained that maintaining access to safe water was a national priority, and the government remained committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable water to all.

‘We are undertaking sever
al rural and urban water projects across several regions in Ghana.’

The Deputy Minister added that, while the government recognized the importance of not only infrastructure but also enabling legislative and regulatory frameworks, it was addressing the problems posed by rising urbanization, which exacerbates demand for water services in peri-urban and rural areas.

‘We are also faced with the task of managing our water resources to satisfy the growing needs of our population, a challenge for both the present and future. Our varied service landscape features a mix of providers and delivery models, but we lack a robust institution to coordinate this activity yet face fiscal constraints and competing governmental demands,’ he said.

He said there were competing needs within the state and that access to clean water is a fundamental human right for all, therefore, any organisation, or partnership that would help the government to achieve its goals of making water accessible to all Ghanaians was welcomed.

The For
um, themed ‘Safe Water: The Power of Enterprises,’ brought together 200 leaders from the public and private sectors, as well as development partners, to discuss how to grow safe water enterprises to provide water services to an estimated 3.2 million people in over 1,000 peri-urban communities and small towns in Ghana by 2030.

This year’s event would, among other things, advance new ideas, and reflect on the progress and barriers to growing safe water enterprises, as an essential part of a mix of water services for delivering safely managed water services for all, particularly in Ghana’s peri-urban areas and small towns.

It also aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, networking, and partnerships among key stakeholders from the public and private sector, development partners, civil society, and academia to improve sustainable water services and develop short to medium-term work programmes to address challenges and deliver sustainable water services at scale.

Safe Water Network is an international non-profit
organization which leverages best practices, tools, and expertise across hundreds of communities to improve the performance of community-based safe water solutions with public, private and NGO partners.

So far, the organisation has implemented community-based water solutions in more than 40 districts in ten regions of Ghana, benefiting 150 villages and providing safe and reliable water to over 500,000 people.

Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday granted GHC500,000.00 bail to a businessman accused of defrauding a man of USD35,000 under the pretext of leasing a piece of land in Santeo to him.

The Court presided over by Mrs Sussana Eduful, ruled that two people serve as sureties for David Abu Kantong and be justified.

The sureties are to earn not less than GHC5,000.00 every month.

Kantong has denied the offence, and he will return to the Court on April 3, 2024.

Meanwhile, a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of Alfred Nee Quartey Papafio, Ernestina Kwakor Quartey Papafio, and Joseph Kwate Quartey-Papafio for failure to appear in court.

Except for Alfred, who faces an abetment charge, they have all been charged with defrauding under false pretenses.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawrence Kofi Anane stated that the complainant in the case, Mr Samuel Kojo Andrews, is a lawyer who lives in Tantra Hill.

He stated that Kantong is the Managing Director of M.O.S Property Consultancy Limited, Alfred
is a businessman, and Ernestina is a fashion designer, adding that Ernestina and Joseph Kwate Quartey-Papafio are the Heads and Lawful Representatives of the Papafio family of Santeo.

ASP Anane said between 2015 and 2016, Kantong engaged the complainant as counsel for his company, M.O.S. Property Consultancy Limited.

During their working relationship, Kantong offered to sell two plots of fenced land situated at Santeo to the complainant, who expressed interest in it and was taken to the site for inspection.

He stated that after being satisfied with the location of the land, it was sold to him for 35,000 US dollars, and full payment was made to Kantong, who provided a receipt of payment to the complaint as an acknowledgement of payment.

The prosecution said a few weeks later, Kantong gave the complainant an indenture covering the land dated January 9, 2016, endorsed by Alfred, Ernestina, and Joseph, the accused as Heads and Lawful Representatives of the Papafio family.

The Court heard that when the compla
inant later went to the land to start his project, one Musah Shaibu who claimed ownership of the lot, prevented him from developing it.

ASP Anane said the complainant immediately notified Kantong of his challenges on the land and requested his assistance in resolving the issue, but Kantong insisted that the land belonged to his company and thus had no record of Mush Shaibu as the company’s lessee in respect of the land.

Whilst making attempts to settle the dispute on the land, the complainant also applied to the Lands Commission in Accra to register the land in his name, but his application was also rejected, according to the Police.

According to ASP Anane, the complainant brought this development to Kantong’s attention again and requested his assistance, but to no avail.

In 2020, the complainant visited the land and realised that Shaibu had begun erecting structures on the land, and all efforts to stop him were unsuccessful.

The prosecution told the Court that the complainant asked Kantong, his grantor,
to intervene again, and he (Kantong) merely endorsed a new indenture covering the same piece of land for the complainant and left him to his fate.

According to ASP Anane, the complainant petitioned the CID on August 20, 2022, which resulted in the arrest of the accused. During the investigation, Kantong claimed ownership of the disputed land through M.O.S Property Consultancy Limited and acknowledged granting it to the complainant.

The grantors of the transaction were Alfred, Ernestina, and Josehp. An investigation revealed that the disputed land was part of a larger tract handed to Kantong’s brother, Salifu Johnson, by the Papafio family in Santeo.

Investigations also established that the late Salifu Johnson had sub-leased portions of his land, including the disputed portion, to individual developers prior to his death.

ASP Anane said a visit to the disputed land revealed that Musah Shaibu had built houses on it, and an official search at the Lands Commission in Accra showed that the land was affected by
land certificate No. GA. 23478 issued to Shaibu.

The accused persons were accordingly charged with the relevant offences and put before court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM -GC) has charged Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to take advantage of the vast opportunities the African Continental Free Trade (AfCFTA) offers.

It said businesses could thrive well when they understood the benefits of AfCFTA and participated fully to spur the growth of the local economy.

Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, a Member of the Governing Council of NAPRM-GC said the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) stood as a testament to commitment of African nations towards self-improvement and accountability.

Rooted in the principles of democracy, governance and social-economic development, the APRM has served as a vital tool for fostering growth and stability across the Continent.

At a workshop to train District Oversight Committees (DOC) in collaboration with the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie said the training was necessary to help equip the committee’s knowledge on Ghana’s targeted review of corp
orate governance as a catalyst to the implementation of AfCFTA.

She said that the targeted review of Ghana had provided a roadmap for the development of the National Programme of Actions (NPoA), a strategic framework aimed at empowering businesses and strengthening their capacities to thrive within the AfCFTA, to help boost intra-African trade and economic integration.

The Committee is expected to educate MSMEs on the benefits and opportunities AFCFTA offers to enable them take advantage of them.

‘We have gathered here to identify how as a people; we can help equip our businesses to enjoy the benefits of free trade agreements by means of empowerment and share the successes of our endeavours which rely heavily on collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders ‘she said.

Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie urged the committee to work tirelessly to ensure full participation of local businesses in the AFCFTA to help boost the economy.

Touching on Corporate Governance, Rev Mrs Angela Carmen Appiah, President of the Institut
e of Directors said local businesses must be ready for the opportunities AFCFTA had

to offer by instituting systems and structures that would promote accountability, transparency and efficiency in their businesses.

She further advised that they should also keep good records of their sales, adopt best marketing strategies and package products well to attract investors for their businesses.

Mrs Winniefred (rpt Winniefred) Akoto Sampong, the Acting Executive Secretary of NAPRM-GC said APRM came into existence in 2003 as a voluntary tool for self-assessment, peer learning and experience sharing in democracy and good governance for member states of the African Union.

She said d that the APRM journey had so far made significant strides since its inception promoting good governance and facilitating positive change.

The District Oversight Committee is made up of key stakeholders such as the traditional authorities, representatives from youth groups, civil society organizations, persons with disabilities, opinion
leaders and both the Regional and District directors of the NCCE being lead members.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), says the Association of Tourist Attractions and Sites Ghana (ATAS-GH) will be a critical partner in promoting, regulating, and enhancing the tourism experience.

He said this during the inauguration of ATAS-GH, which by law will be the leading advocate and promoter of sustainable tourism development in Ghana to ensure the long-term viability of cultural and natural resources.

The ATAS-GH will also promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, national beauty, and historical landmarks through collaboration and partnerships.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park on Wednesday, Mr Agyemang described the inauguration of ATAS-GH as a very pivotal moment in the history of Ghana’s tourism.

‘Having ATAS-GH is very critical because we are coming from a period of no regulation to a time where we have to introduce regulations. This is a new terrain that was initiated by L.I. 2393, and with its passage, we started
licencing some of the tourist sites.

‘We welcome the association as a partner for us to regulate the industry responsibly. It will be crucial for the involvement of communities in the management of our sites, and we will work with the association to ensure this is achieved,’ he said.

Mr Agyeman also stated the need for partnership among the various tourism stakeholders to ensure that Ghana’s tourist sites are well developed and managed.

He also urged the executives of the association to bring their skill sets together to champion the initiative of promoting sites and bring together managers of tourists to achieve the common goal of promoting tourism.

Mr. Sampson Donkoh, Executive Director of ATAS-GH, said they were committed to fostering positive change and contributing to the holistic development of Ghana’s tourism industry.

”We thus want to showcase ourselves as a catalyst for change and a beacon for the nation’s tourism development agenda.

‘Moreover, ATAS-GH seeks to serve as a nexus for stakeholder
s in the conservation and preservation of Ghana’s colourful spectrum of tourism resources, including, our natural, cultural, historical, recreational, and leisure events and alternative livelihood activities.

‘ATAS-GH seeks to contribute to the economic growth of the nation by fostering a sense of community among those dedicated to the growth and sustainability of Ghana’s numerous tourist attractions and sites,’ he said.

Some notable dignitaries present at the launch include the Ambassador of Suriname to Ghana, Madam Fidelia Graand-Galon, GTA Board Chairman, Seth Agyei Baah, Vice President of the Ghana Tourism Federation, Mr Kweku Passah, Deputy Chairman of ATAS-GH, Mr Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana and other members of tourism trade associations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the third phase of repatriation of 70 thousand Ethiopians who are in a difficult situation in Saudi Arabia will begin in two weeks.

State Minister, Ambassador Birtukan stated this whilst the National Committee chaired by herself advised on the plan to return citizens in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia, today.

She also said that the work of repatriating citizens to their country requires the joint coordination of federal institutions and regional states included in the national committee.

Ambassador Birtukan reminded the stakeholders that the necessary budget, logistics and shelters should be prepared for the returnees when they arrive in Addis Ababa for the repatriation of citizens to be successful.

The Director General of Refugees and Returnees, Tayba Hassan, on her part, stated that the relevant institutions and regional states should pay special attention to the work of returning our citizens who are in difficult situations.

The members
of the National Committee confirmed that they will make the necessary arrangements to complete the plan on time, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Stakeholders in the water sector have warned of more severe consequences including the importation of water and the looming spread of acute diseases if the illegal mining (galamsey) in waterbodies is allowed to fester.

They cautioned that the reckless destruction and indiscriminate pollution of major waterbodies with lethal chemicals through the galamsey menace had reached alarming rates and was undermining efforts to provide potable water to the populace.

They have, consequently, called for more drastic and coordinated actions through multi-stakeholder collaborations to clamp down on the crisis before Ghana experienced the worst.

This came to light at a workshop organised jointly by the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) on the back of GWL’s recent operational challenges induced by galamsey.

The participants included the Environmental Protection Agency, Water Resource Commission, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PU
RC), Coalition of NGOS in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), chiefs, journalists and researchers.

Dr Clifford Braimah, the Managing Director of GWL, in an address delivered on his behalf, painted a gloomy picture at the company’s Sekyere Hemang and Daboase treatment plants due to high pollution of the Pra River.

He said galamsey activities had muddied the water, raising its turbidity to abnormal levels, reducing the volumes of inflow, and forcing them to cut down operations by 30 per cent.

The situation had resulted in high operational costs as they were paying more for electricity, maintenance and treatment chemicals, he said, and that some communities, including Cape Coast and Elmina, were facing acute water shortage.

The Sekyere Hemang treatment plant was designed in 2008 to withstand a maximum turbidity of 500NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) while that of Daboase was designed in 1969 to deal with a turbidity of 54NTU.

But the average turbidity recorded recently is 8,000NTU.

The company said it had a
record 13,000NTU last Tuesday, which dropped to 11,000NTU on Wednesday, March 20, at which point it should have shut down but for some new chemicals.

Between 2008 and 2003, GWL had spent more than GHS4 million to replace the original pumps at the Sekyere Hemang Treatment Plant alone, which should have lasted 25 years, Dr Brimah said.

Considering the challenges, he said it was crucial to collectively address the root causes to protect water resources for both present and future generations.

‘This requires close collaboration between our law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies, with maximum cooperation and collaboration from local authorities to identify and dismantle illegal mining sites and prosecute those responsible for environmental degradation,’ he said.

‘This requires a multi-faceted approach encompassing robust regulatory frameworks, strict enforcement mechanisms, community engagements and sustainable resource management practices.’

Mr Seth Eric Atiapah, the Central Regional Chief Manager of
GWL, who spoke on the situation at Sekyere Hemang, attributed it to the lack of enforcement of the country’s laws.

Having lost 30 per cent of capacity already, he warned that they could lose more capacity if the destruction continued, saying water was becoming a scarce commodity.

‘If galamsey is not stopped, water supply to Sekondi-Takoradi, Cape Coast, Elmina and surrounding communities will be seriously challenged,’ he added.

‘The brazen display of mining machines on the waterbodies is as if it’s a showoff, it is done with disrespect and impunity. Sometimes you see them working and they ignore you as if you don’t matter,’ he observed.

To the extent that the high cost of treatment and health consequences affected everybody, Mr Atiapah said galamsay was everybody’s business and, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders, especially communities, chiefs and opinion leaders to support the fight.

He called for the enforcement and compliance of robust regulatory framework and environmental and mining laws.

Pro
f David Kofi Essumang, a Professor of the Chemistry Department, UCC, noted that Ghana’s water purification system did not completely take out poison introduced into the water and warned of health complications such as kidney problems.

He cautioned of dangerous times of water scarcity where Ghana could be importing water in 15 years if the status quo remained.

‘If we don’t make serious efforts to stop this menace, then in no time, we are going to lose all these waterbodies,’ he said.

‘If we are not careful, our water will become unwholesome and we cannot drink but have to resort to getting water from other places to supplement what we have in the country.’

He said citizens should make every effort to stop the pollution by the illegal miners, calling on all stakeholders to get on board to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Prof Albert Ebo Duncun of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of UCC downplayed the use of brute force in tackling the matter, indicating that it had not been effe
ctive.

Instead, he said, the State must take a more friendly approach, appealing to the conscience of communities, chiefs and even the perpetrators to appreciate the consequences of their actions.

‘The military thing will not work. Operation vanguard did not work. We need to bring our chiefs back and they need to play an active role,’ Prof Duncun said.

‘Until we empower the chiefs and communities to get involved and take charge, we are not getting anywhere.’

He called for an effective Integrated Water Resource Management where all relevant institutions worked together to end the illegality.

Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI, Omanhen of the Mankessim Traditional Area, suggested that public hearing on environmental impact assessments and permits should not be limited to large scale miners alone.

That way, the communities would be more informed and hold every miner accountable for their actions.

Madam Kesewaa Appenteng-Addo, the Central Regional Manager, PURC, stressed the need for all to appreciate the importance o
f water and pledged the Commission’s commitment to the fighting against the onslaught.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), says the Association of Tourist Attractions and Sites Ghana (ATAS-GH) will be a critical partner in promoting, regulating, and enhancing the tourism experience.

He said this during the inauguration of ATAS-GH, which by law will be the leading advocate and promoter of sustainable tourism development in Ghana to ensure the long-term viability of cultural and natural resources.

The ATAS-GH will also promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, national beauty, and historical landmarks through collaboration and partnerships.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park on Wednesday, Mr Agyemang described the inauguration of ATAS-GH as a very pivotal moment in the history of Ghana’s tourism.

‘Having ATAS-GH is very critical because we are coming from a period of no regulation to a time where we have to introduce regulations. This is a new terrain that was initiated by L.I. 2393, and with its passage, we started
licencing some of the tourist sites.

‘We welcome the association as a partner for us to regulate the industry responsibly. It will be crucial for the involvement of communities in the management of our sites, and we will work with the association to ensure this is achieved,’ he said.

Mr Agyeman also stated the need for partnership among the various tourism stakeholders to ensure that Ghana’s tourist sites are well developed and managed.

He also urged the executives of the association to bring their skill sets together to champion the initiative of promoting sites and bring together managers of tourists to achieve the common goal of promoting tourism.

Mr. Sampson Donkoh, Executive Director of ATAS-GH, said they were committed to fostering positive change and contributing to the holistic development of Ghana’s tourism industry.

”We thus want to showcase ourselves as a catalyst for change and a beacon for the nation’s tourism development agenda.

‘Moreover, ATAS-GH seeks to serve as a nexus for stakeholder
s in the conservation and preservation of Ghana’s colourful spectrum of tourism resources, including, our natural, cultural, historical, recreational, and leisure events and alternative livelihood activities.

‘ATAS-GH seeks to contribute to the economic growth of the nation by fostering a sense of community among those dedicated to the growth and sustainability of Ghana’s numerous tourist attractions and sites,’ he said.

Some notable dignitaries present at the launch include the Ambassador of Suriname to Ghana, Madam Fidelia Graand-Galon, GTA Board Chairman, Seth Agyei Baah, Vice President of the Ghana Tourism Federation, Mr Kweku Passah, Deputy Chairman of ATAS-GH, Mr Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana and other members of tourism trade associations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the third phase of repatriation of 70 thousand Ethiopians who are in a difficult situation in Saudi Arabia will begin in two weeks.

State Minister, Ambassador Birtukan stated this whilst the National Committee chaired by herself advised on the plan to return citizens in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia, today.

She also said that the work of repatriating citizens to their country requires the joint coordination of federal institutions and regional states included in the national committee.

Ambassador Birtukan reminded the stakeholders that the necessary budget, logistics and shelters should be prepared for the returnees when they arrive in Addis Ababa for the repatriation of citizens to be successful.

The Director General of Refugees and Returnees, Tayba Hassan, on her part, stated that the relevant institutions and regional states should pay special attention to the work of returning our citizens who are in difficult situations.

The members
of the National Committee confirmed that they will make the necessary arrangements to complete the plan on time, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency