Category: General

As the Easter weekend unfolded, the picturesque town of Nkawkaw at the foothills of the Kwahu Mountains led the way for revellers from far and wide to partake in an array of festive activities.

From dawn till dusk, the streets of the various Kwahu towns were bustling with excitement as locals and tourists alike immersed themselves in fun-filled activities to commemorate Easter.

Amidst cheerful and danceable music with food and drink accompaniments, the spirit of Easter came alive and filled the air in Kwahu as expected.

Paragliding

One of the highlights of the festivities was the annual paragliding festival, where thrill-seekers soared high above the breathtaking landscape, taking in panoramic view of the lush green valleys below.

Held annually, the 2024 Kwahu Paragliding Festival came off from March 29, 2024, to April 1, 2024, with tours, hikes, and more adventure.

With expert and seasoned pilots from around the world are invited to guild and fly hundreds at Kwahu Atibie through the skies, offering par
ticipants an adrenaline rush but memorable experience.

Isaac Mensah, a young Ghanaian trained paragliding pilot, who has been undergoing tutelage under the experienced pilots, took his first solo flight on the Odweanoma mountain in the Kwahu South Municipality.

Many others looked on in fear while the bold and more adventurous ones undertook the adrenaline rush flight.

For Nana Kwadwo Boama, the Krontihene of Kwahu Atibie, who spoke at the opening of the 2024 Easter Paragliding Festival, said the government and private sector must step up investments in the Kwahu areas, considering the immense tourism potential the area holds.

That, he says would diversify Kwahu Easter and unlock the untapped treasures of the region to speed up economic growth and improve living conditions.

The Krontihene, who said Kwahu was a treasure trove of mountains, ancient caves, forests, and water bodies, but the sites were underdeveloped because of the deplorable state of the roads.

Nana Boama urged the government and private se
ctor to collaborate with local traditional leaders to invest in those areas, generate employment opportunities for the young population, and enhance the diversity of ‘Kwahu Easter’.

Street thrills

For those who sought a more grounded experience, the streets were lined with food stalls offering an array of local delicacies, from spicy kebabs to assorted beverages.

Pubs, drinking spots around Mpraeso, Obomeng, Atibie, Asakraka, Dwaso and adjoining communities were filled, living up to the Kwahu ‘hype’.

Audiences of all ages were treated to good music and delightful performances from live bands performances to rhythm beats from graceful DJ spins at White House, Level 3 among others.

Philip Adjei, a digital marketer, and indigene of Kwahu and resident of Tema Community One, told the Ghana News Agency that, ‘It’s amazing to see the community come together like this. Families and friends are here to share laughter and create cherished memories,’

Rock City comes alive

At the heart of Kwahu Nkwatia, the popula
r Rock City Hotel brought some memorable highlights and unforgettable musical experience to the Kwahu Easter festivities.

Legendary Highlife artist, Amakye Dede, took the stage at the night club filled with hundreds of party goers.

Spotted in a white suit, black trousers with a hat to match, the ‘Sokoo na mmaa p3’ and ‘sufr3 Wo Nyame’ hit maker, delivered an electrifying performance that left patrons asking for more.

Nana Kwame Safo, a Ghanaian resident in the United States, said, ‘there’s no place like home; Easter is all about Kwahu and Rock City has spiced it up for us.’

‘I work hard in the states and this for me is a perfect time to relax and catch up with family and friends,’ he said amidst the Amakye Dede thrills.

As the Easter festivities swept through the town of Kwahu, an electrifying live band musical performance – one highlight that stood out amidst the colourful celebrations – captivated audiences and kept spirits high.

Samini, known for his mastery in live band performances, ‘rocked’ revell
ers to a diverse array of his hit songs in contemporary style at Rock City.

President Akufo-Addo was one of many distinguished personalities who joined revellers in Kwahu.

Dressed in a white apparel, the president with other dignities, were treated to great music at the Rock City Hotel.

President Akufo-Addo who recently turned 80 years was moved by the thrilling live band performances necessitating some dance moves.

Belinda Animwaa, a Kwahu resident, who was among the audience at Rock City Hotel, describes this year’s Easter as ‘amazing’.

‘A night with Samini at Rock City was what made my Easter a memorable one because I love music, and I love Samini’s energy and stage craft. The moment the President graced the occasion, I felt I was at an important occasion,’ she said.

With a smirk, she said, ‘Agradaa’s presence also made us happy.’

Easter celebrations in Kwahu have become exceptional as it gets a lot of media hype and national attention during the period.

Political twist

Amidst the vibrant Easter f
estivities in Kwahu, the political euphoria surged with energy as both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) descended upon the town to rally support ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 elections.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP Presidential candidate, led the charge with a walk and rally on Easter Saturday at Kwahu Mpraeso as an effort to unite party members and to canvas support.

Supporters clad in NPP paraphernalia flooded the streets, waving flags and chanting slogans like ‘It Is Possible’ in a show of their unwavering support to the flagbearer.

Dr Bawumia, who addressed the supporters, after some bigwigs of the party, highlighted the party’s record in many sectors of the economy and declared the party’s readiness to work hard to build on its achievements and move Ghana to a future of promise and possibilities through determination to ‘Break The 8’

Not to be outdone, Former President Mr John Mahama, the flagbearer of the NDC, who embarked on a walk dubbed ‘Kwahu Easte
r 24-hour Walk’ on Easter Sunday, reiterated the NDC’s commitment to developing all regions and communities without discrimination.

‘We have always ensured that the people of Kwahu continue to benefit from various projects, including education, roads, and healthcare.’

He expressed concern about the abandoned Abetifi hospital project, saying, ‘this is a waste of government funds and denies the people access to quality healthcare.’

Both parties engaged in spirited one-on-one campaigns and distribution of campaign materials to garner endorsement and sway undecided voters to their cause.

Until 2025

As the sun sets after the festivities, the spirit of Easter continues to unite communities and celebrate the joy of life.

With laughter echoing through the streets and smiles lighting up faces, the people of Kwahu and Ghanaians generally continue to embrace the true essence of the holiday – a time of renewal, hope, and togetherness.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Asare Baffour Tutu II, Chief of Jinijini, has expressed gratitude to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government for the great achievement in the sectors of education, health, agriculture, and road infrastructure.

Nana Tutu II commended the government for the successful implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) education program, adding that every household across the country had benefited from the policy. 

He said no previous administration in Ghana had made significant strides in education as operated by the current government.

 The chief was speaking at a durbar at Jinijini in the Berekum West District of the Bono Region, during a sod-cutting ceremony for the start of a 120-kilometre asphaltic overlay project on the Sunyani to Berekum and Sampa roads.

The project, with a budget of 125 million dollars, would be executed under a fixed-term contract and was expected to be completed within 24 months. 

The scope of work for the 120km road project includes the construction of drainage structures
, laying of 150mm thick crushed rock base material, application of a 50mm thick asphalt binder course, application of a 40mm thick asphalt wearing course, and the installation of road signs and provision of road line markings.

Nana Tutu II again mentioned the benefits that farmers have received through the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs as well as the Planting for Jobs and Export programmes, saying many farmers have benefited from the distribution of free cashew, coconut seedlings and other plant seeds.

He said the significant impact of the government’s Agenda 111 initiative on the health sector, with Berekum West capital Jinijini being a notable beneficiary.

  Nana Tutu II further underlined the government’s dedication of improving the road sector, resulting in the enhancement of road networks in various communities, citing the upgrading of Botokrom to Nkyenkyeman road and Jinijini town roads. 

He said the construction of the Berekum to Sampa Road would greatly benefit commuters using that route
by alleviating their stress. 

Nana Tutu II asked the electorate in the areas to show appreciation for the government’s positive policies and initiatives by voting for the NPP in the upcoming December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

 Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister of Roads and Highways later in an interview with the media at Wenchi shared his contentment with the road inspection conducted since it had provided him with the opportunity to ascertain the road network issues in the region and other necessary interventions to be implemented.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye also announced plans to construct the main road from Sunyani to Wa to ensure that all roads in that area would also be upgraded 

Source: Ghana News Agency

The maiden Ghana-Kenya Business Forum was held in Accra on Wednesday on the margins of the three-day State Visit to Ghana by President Dr William Ruto of Kenya.

It was on the theme: ‘Driving Investment and Intra-African Trade: The Ghana-Kenya Experience,’

It showcased some of the commercial opportunities available to business people in both countries.

A series of panel discussions focused on Ghana and Kenya’s business climate and areas of possible collaboration with specific attention on the prospects of agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, ICT and Telecom, banking, insurance and the energy sectors.

Mr Kwasi Ampratum-Sarpong, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in charge of Political and Economics, said the Business Forum was a welcome follow-up to the bilateral exposition held under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Nairobi.

It was held on Tuesday 23rd May, 2023, leading to the successful launch of the Ghana Trade House in Kenya.

He said Gha
naians were also happy to host their brothers and sisters from Kenya in Accra this time around.

‘Today, economic diplomacy has become indispensable in the conduct of international relations and the Government of Ghana, like many other countries, understands the importance of exploring avenues that encourage mutual growth and development,’ he said.

‘Our own experiences with economic development have taught us the value of collaboration, cooperation and inclusivity towards development and Kenya has demonstrated its shared enthusiasm to strengthen economic ties with Ghana in that regard.’

Mr Ampratum-Sarpong said the Accra Business Forum, the first of its kind between the two countries, would thus, provide the opportunity for partnerships to be forged by unique matchmaking through the identification of their individual comparative advantages.

That would also allow captains of industry to explore business and investment opportunities in both economies as well as boost mutually beneficial commercial trading be
tween the two countries.

He reiterated the desire of Ghana to seize the opportunity to share its experiences in its journey towards sustainable economic development, particularly in the context of the AfCFTA.

Mr Ampratum-Sarpong noted that the Government was ready to collaborate with Kenya in taking advantage of the Mineral and Marine Resources available.

‘These strategic anchor sectors are of significance to Ghana and it would be satisfactory to see partnerships forged in these areas.’

The collaboration, specifically in green energy driven by technological advancements, would likewise be of profound interest to Ghana.

Mr Moses Kiarie Kuria, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry of Kenya, said the Accra Forum was a chance to rewrite the narrative of Africa’s economic future.

He urged nations on the continent to leverage on their sheer strength and deepen their relations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Road Safety Authority, Greater Accra Regional Office, says it has recorded a general reduction in road safety statistics, including Crashes, Injuries and Deaths (CID) for 2023.

Available statistics from the Office show that 538 persons were killed from January to December 2022 while 485 persons were killed in the same period in 2023, representing a reduction of 9.85 per cent. 

It also recorded 1,173 pedestrian knockdowns from January to December 2022 and 1,076 in the same period in 2023, representing 8.27 per cent decline.

The Regional Office also recorded 255 pedestrian deaths in 2022 as against 244 in 2023 while 3,829 persons were injured in 2022 with 3,352 in 2023, representing 12.46 per cent.

The statistics further said 11,881 vehicles were involved in these crashes in 2022 as against 10, 452, making a difference of 1,429 and a 12.03 per cent reduction in the same period of 2023.

However, the number of reported cases dropped from 6,658 in 2022 to 5,791 in 2023 in the same period, with a
difference of 867, representing 13.02 per cent.

Meanwhile, in 2023, 2,792 commercial vehicles were involved in these crashes, where 1,174 resulted in injuries with 119 deaths recorded, involving 397 males and 88 females. 

In the same year, private vehicles involved in these crashes were 6,003, where 977 cases were recorded as injuries and 161 as deaths, with male children below 18 years, recording 53 males and 22 females.

Motorcycles involved in crashes were 1,657, while 1201 were involved in injuries and 205 deaths were also recorded in 2023. 

Mr Felix Owusu, Greater Accra Regional Planning Manager of the NRSA, said, that though there were reductions in the CID, the effort was still not significant, hence, the initiative in educating road users, particularly, drivers to be cautious on the roads.

  ‘Comparatively, we are doing well but it is still not the best because we are still recording an excess of 2,924 deaths. We have intensified our efforts. We are moving closer to the drivers and other road user
s in order to record more declines in subsequent years,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Asare Baffour Tutu II, Chief of Jinijini, has expressed gratitude to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government for the great achievement in the sectors of education, health, agriculture, and road infrastructure.

Nana Tutu II commended the government for the successful implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) education program, adding that every household across the country had benefited from the policy. 

He said no previous administration in Ghana had made significant strides in education as operated by the current government.

 The chief was speaking at a durbar at Jinijini in the Berekum West District of the Bono Region, during a sod-cutting ceremony for the start of a 120-kilometre asphaltic overlay project on the Sunyani to Berekum and Sampa roads.

The project, with a budget of 125 million dollars, would be executed under a fixed-term contract and was expected to be completed within 24 months. 

The scope of work for the 120km road project includes the construction of drainage structures
, laying of 150mm thick crushed rock base material, application of a 50mm thick asphalt binder course, application of a 40mm thick asphalt wearing course, and the installation of road signs and provision of road line markings.

Nana Tutu II again mentioned the benefits that farmers have received through the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs as well as the Planting for Jobs and Export programmes, saying many farmers have benefited from the distribution of free cashew, coconut seedlings and other plant seeds.

He said the significant impact of the government’s Agenda 111 initiative on the health sector, with Berekum West capital Jinijini being a notable beneficiary.

  Nana Tutu II further underlined the government’s dedication of improving the road sector, resulting in the enhancement of road networks in various communities, citing the upgrading of Botokrom to Nkyenkyeman road and Jinijini town roads. 

He said the construction of the Berekum to Sampa Road would greatly benefit commuters using that route
by alleviating their stress. 

Nana Tutu II asked the electorate in the areas to show appreciation for the government’s positive policies and initiatives by voting for the NPP in the upcoming December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

 Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister of Roads and Highways later in an interview with the media at Wenchi shared his contentment with the road inspection conducted since it had provided him with the opportunity to ascertain the road network issues in the region and other necessary interventions to be implemented.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye also announced plans to construct the main road from Sunyani to Wa to ensure that all roads in that area would also be upgraded 

Source: Ghana News Agency

Praying for China’s Prosperity and Carrying Forward the Multi-Millennial Civilization

The Memorial Ceremony to Ancestor Huang Di in His Native Place in the Jiachen Year (2024) will be held in Xinzheng, Zhengzhou, Central China’s Henan province, on April 11, the organizing committee said at a press conference in Beijing on March 30.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and is also the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the national strategy to promote ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. The event is expected to play a big part in carrying forward traditional Chinese culture, enhancing the cohesion of Chinese people at home and abroad, and driving the modernization of Henan.

The event is co-sponsored by the People’s Government of Henan Province; the Henan Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the All-China Federation of Returned Ov
erseas Chinese; the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots; and the Association for Yan Huang Culture of China. It is organized by the People’s Government of Zhengzhou and the CPPCC Zhengzhou Committee, with the People’s Government of Xinzheng as the co-organizer.

The event, which is themed ‘Praying for China’s Prosperity and Carrying Forward the Multi-Millennial Civilization’, will comprise nine rituals. It will include introductions to the process and rituals of the Memorial Ceremony to Ancestor Huang Di in His Native Place, a national intangible cultural heritage announced by the State Council, aiming to increase the public understanding of the ceremony and related culture. There will be a 75-meter ‘loong’ (Chinese dragon) roaring into the sky during the eighth ritual named ‘Praying for China’ to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, as well as to boost the spiritual strength of Chinese people for striving for national rejuvenation.

In addition, to better p
reserve the culture related to Huang Di (Yellow Emperor), the organizing committee has planned a series of innovative programs, including online and overseas worship activities. For this, the committee has upgraded the online worship platform to version 5.0. It combines advanced technologies such as AI, VR, and AR to create an immersive and interactive worship experience.

The ceremony will be paired with the World Henan Entrepreneurs Convention; the Huangdi Culture Forum; and the first Zhengzhou Qi-Huang·Traditional Chinese Medicine Development Conference, among other events designed to inherit and spread traditional Chinese culture.

Meanwhile, the participants can visit the renovated Huangdi Hometown in Xinzheng to savor the charm and essence of Chinese civilization. The new corridor with reliefs depicting the life of Huang Di is amazing.

The organizing committee invites Chinese people from home and abroad to visit the Huangdi Hometown to pray for the motherland’s prosperity and peace of the world.

Sour
ce: Ghana News Agency

Two Nigerians have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court possessing quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine under the pretext of trafficking those drugs without authority.

Daniel Njuoku, a 37-year-old businessman, was being held for possessing cannabis with a net weight of 28,844.60 grammes and Lucky Igbojoinu, a labourer, was charged for possessing methamphetamine with the net weight of 10,8100 grammes.

They were picked up following intelligence by the Police at a hotel at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra.

Njuoku was charged with unlawful control of narcotic drugs while Igbonjionu was held on the charge of unlawful possession of narcotic drug.

Njuoko and Igbojionu pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mrs Susuana Eduful admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of GHC50,000 each with two sureties each.

The court ordered the prosecution to file their disclosures and adjourned the matter to May 2, 2024.

Prosecution led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawrence Kofi Anane said th
e Complainants in the case were personnel from the Underground Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Accra.

ASP Anane said the first accused Daniel Njoku and the second accused Luck Igbojinn were Nigerians, residing at Nigeria and Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra, respectively.

On December 19, 2023, at about 4:00pm, Prosecution said personnel from the Underground Intelligence Unit of Ghana Police Service, Accra embarked on intelligence led operation at Chisco Hotel near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra.

Prosecution said the operation led to the arrest of the accused persons and two (2) others.

According to the prosecution, during the operation, Njouku who had come from Nigeria and was lodging at the hotel was arrested and a search conducted in his room led to the recovery of twenty (20) pieces of rectangular-shape compressed dried plant materials, twenty-four (24) pieces of oval-shape compressed dried plant materials and six(6) pieces of similar plant materials all suspected to be narcotic drug concealed i
n a fertilizer sack.

The court heard that during the operation, Igbojoinu was also arrested at the same hotel compound and a search conducted on him led to the recovery of six(6) pieces of plain rubber wraps of crystal substance and a quality of similar substance in a plain rubber all believed to be narcotic drugs concealed in a red and white box with the inscription ‘MASTAR BILLIARD CHALK’.

During interrogation Njouku claimed ownership of all the exhibits recovered from him.

Igbojionu however claimed that he was sent by one Ketche to buy the exhibits from one Justice and he was arrested in the process.

However, prosecution said, he could not lead the Police to Ketche and Justice to effect their arrest.

Prosecution said during investigations, all exhibits recovered from the two accused persons which were suspected to be narcotic drugs were sent to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for examination and report.

‘The examination report received from the Police Forensic Science Laboratory revealed that,
all the exhibits recovered from 1st accused are cannabis with a net weight of 28,844.60 grams and the exhibits recovered from 2nd accused contain Methamphetamine which is a narcotic drug with a net weight of 10.8100 grams.’

Prosecution said based on the said report, the accused persons were charged with the offence.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Christopher Makam, a Ghanaian climate activist, has completed a planned 60-day motorcycle tour of West Africa on a motorbike to promote climate awareness.

The lone campaigner set off from the Volta Region on January 14, 2024, and managed to tour three of the 16 countries in West Africa, but insisted the trip was a success.

He rode a Honda TransAlp motorbike and made his first stop outside the nation’s borders in Ivory Coast during the African Cup of Nations, and then continued through northern Ghana to the Republic of Burkina Faso, exploring countless locations.

He had funded the trip alone, and told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he received exceptional reception from border officials during his journey, and hoped to embark on a back trip to cover the remaining West African countries.

He had used the trip to study climate patterns as well as various activities causing environmental degradation.

He visited numerous forest reserves, water bodies, mining sites, and also scientific research sites in Ghana
and the other countries.

Mr. Makam shared some key observations with the Ghana News Agency, among which were that, most parts of the country’s vegetation was being devastated by bushfires.

These include forest reserves like the Mawbia forest in the Upper West Region.

He said while the wild fires retained intensity in the north, some few locations, including communities around Tono dam such as Chuchuliga were doing enough to prevent bushfires.

The campaigner said game hunting remained the major cause of the fires, and that some stakeholders identified poverty as a major influencer.

He shared the continuing role of cattle grazing charcoal production in forest degradation, adding that the lower regions continued to receive more timber loggers, even in forest reserves.

Mr. Makam said signs of Illegal mining activities were more glaring in the Eastern, Ashanti, and Upper East Regions.

He noted the availability of ‘more dams for agricultural activities in Northern Ghana’, and said the areas were endowed with
numerous climate change related projects.

Mr. Makam said he experienced the coldest temperature of 14 degrees in the Bono Region, and the highest of 52 degrees in the Upper East Region.

Comparing the nation’s climate with that of Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, he said Ghana needed to do more to address the culture of wildfires and rampant logging.

‘Bushfires are common in Ghana compared to Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. There are no logging activities in the forest reserves in Ivory Coast whiles a lot of logging activities were observed in Ghana’s forest reserves

‘Countless afforestation projects in Ghana have been threatened by bushfires, especially in the North.

‘Aside stakeholders, most people I engaged with on climate change sensitisation were aware about the extreme weather conditions nowadays. However, only few seem to acknowledge the role of human activities in the negative climate change.’

Mr Makam said he hopes to undertake another trip when possible, and said would require some sponsorship t
o extend the range and acquire the needed tools and equipment including cameras and monitoring devices.

He plans to undertake a tree planting exercise as part of his second tour, in addition to other activities in collaboration with various stakeholders to promote positive climate action.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Parliamentary Majority Caucus Wednesday defended the government’s recent decision to raise passport fees and other services rendered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

Mr Andy Appiah Kubi, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps, said: ‘The subsidy of passport fees by GHS400 should not solely benefit the 20 per cent of Ghanaians who require passports to travel, as it is not equitable.’

‘We agree that it is only about 20 per cent of Ghanaians that need passports to travel out of the country. And, therefore, looking at it from that context, the passports then become a privilege, not a right or need.’

‘So, if it is a privilege, who should bear the cost of passports? To be honest with you, within the subregion, passports in Ghana are the cheapest and indeed it is incomparable with anywhere else.’

‘The most immediate cost element is from Liberia, and they are charging GHS499.50, which is the equivalent of $50 for passpo
rts that span for five years…’ Mr Appiah Kubi, the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akim North, said.

In a related development, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for North Tongu, Tuesday expressed disappointment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration’s decision to increase passport application fees in the country.

He noted that he and his colleague MPs on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee had suggested a graduated approach when economic conditions improved, but their advice was disregarded, and urged the Ministry to reconsider its actions.

The Ministry, in a statement issued on Monday, announced an upward review of fees and charges for all services it provided to the public, effective, Monday, April 1, 2024.

The decision aligned with the 2023 fees and charges regulations, Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2481.

It said: ‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to inform its valued clients that, in ac
cordance with the fees and charges (Miscellaneous provisions Regulations, 2023 (L.I 2481), there will be an adjustment in the fees and charges for all services provided by the Ministry.’

‘…Processing fee for an expedited 48-page passport now costs GHS800, while 32 pages application is GHS700.’

‘Expedited Application 48 Pages GHS800. Expedited Application 32 Pages GHS700. Standard Application 32 Pages GHS500. Standard Application 48 Pages GHS644.00.’

Mr Ablakwa said: ‘The Ministry should reconsider this inimical action immediately. We shall surely revisit this matter when Parliament resumes from recess.’

On Friday, December 15, 2023, the Ministry on the Floor of Parliament sought to increase the amount Ghanaians paid to secure passports from GHS100 to GHS644.

Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the sector Minister, explained that the deficit in the printing of passport booklets was preventing the necessary investments in the Passport Office.

‘…Ghanaians pay just about GHS100 for a passport, to produce one pa
ssport booklet, it costs GHS400, which means that for every passport that an applicant acquires, the government has to put in GHS300 and this is not sustainable,’ she said.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament before the approval of a GHS1.127 million budget estimate for the ministry, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey told the House that the proposal was being considered by the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation.

‘At the moment, passports don’t serve as IDs, we have national ID cards. Therefore, those who need passports are those who need them to travel, and I don’t think that they would want us to continue to subsidize it.’

Per the report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the 2024 budget estimates of the ministry, a comparison of Ghana’s passport fees with that of other West African countries shows the rate of $7.7 is the lowest within the sub-region.

Cameroon charges $180, Guinea $57, Guinea-Bissau $65, Burkina Faso $80 and Nigeria $54.29.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate has revealed that about 86 per cent of adolescent pregnancies in Tema Manhean, are caused by men aged between 20 and 39 years.

Ms Doris Ocansey, the Adolescent Health Focal Person for the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), saying, her outfit’s conclusion was based on research into the background of the men impregnating these girls in the metropolis, especially Tema Manhean.

Ms Ocansey said, ‘We collected the data so that we can also focus on the adults since they are impregnating the girls.’

She said looking at the age difference between the two parties, it was obvious that the adolescent girls could not demand the use of condoms to prevent pregnancies.

The data also revealed that most of the pregnant girls were junior high school graduates who were yet to get any training to make them economically stable and empower them against getting pregnant, she said.

Ms Ocansey cautioned the men to leave th
e adolescent girls alone to enable them to focus on their education, and careers instead of impregnating them at a tender age.

She indicated that between January and December 2023 a total of 355 pregnant adolescents, made up of 24 aged between 10 and 14, and 331 aged between 15 and 19 years, were enrolled in the safety net programme in the municipality, explaining that the programme helps health officials track and follow through the pregnancy with the girls till delivery.

‘For some of the girls, this was not their first pregnancy, but their second or third. We want to stop that, so if you make the mistake of getting pregnant, you won’t have to fall back into it again,’ she said.

She explained that the safety net programme was aimed at reducing repeated pregnancies among adolescents, reducing maternal mortality and mobility, and increasing post-partum family planning.

Ms Ocansey said out of the number enrolled, 42 were in school when they were pregnant, adding that four were in primary school, 26 in junio
r high school, and 12 in senior high school.

She indicated that 97 of the pregnant adolescent girls were out of school, while 206 had completed school.

The adolescent focal person said that to ensure that girls do not become ideal after delivery and engage in transactional sex, they help them decide whether to go back to school, learn a vocation, or engage in trade.

She said that at the end of December 2023, 108 of the girls had decided to return to school after delivery; 146 had also opted to learn a vocation; 30 wanted to go into trading; and 37 were undecided on the path they wanted to take after delivery.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

The anticipation mounts as the inauguration date for the highly awaited Bamoun Royal Palace Museum approaches. Scheduled for April 13th, 2024, the auspicious event will mark the grand unveiling of a cultural gem, to showcase the rich heritage and traditions of the Bamoun people.

The announcement of the inauguration date was made by the traditional ruler, Nfonrifoum Mbombo Njoya Mouhamed Nabil, known as the Sultan of the Bamouns.

In a recent release, the Sultan revealed that the event, to be held in the historic city of Foumban, will be graced under the patronage of the Head of State, President Paul Biya.

The journey towards the creation of the Bamoun Royal Palace Museum has been one of reverence and dedication to preserving the essence of Bamoun heritage. While the former palace museum held a distinguished status as one of the nation’s finest, the decision to construct a new edifice arose from a collective desire to elevate the cultural narrative to even greater heights.

Designed by the
visionary architect Issofou

highlights architectural brilliance and cultural symbolism. Embodying the emblems of the Bamoun people, including the iconic double-headed snake, a symbol of resilience and duality, a spider representing creativity and ingenuity, and a double-mounted gong signifying unity and harmony, the museum serves as a living tribute to centuries-old traditions.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The birth of Little Kojo (real name hidden) brought immense joy to his parents, who had waited over five years after marriage, to have a child.

He was a healthy lively boy, delightful to his parents.  

However, the parents’ joy turned to pain and agony after little Kojo died suddenly.

Madam Asana (not her real name), little Kojo’s mother, who narrated the circumstances surrounding her son’s death to the Ghana News Agency at Kojokura, a remote community in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region, said he fell ill and was passing dark urine.

‘So, we quickly prepared local medicine (herbs) for him, but his condition persisted, and he began bleeding and suddenly died,’ she said.

Kojo’s death in November 2021 was a big blow to the family. 

‘He was our source of strength and happiness. We went through a lot of challenges before conceiving and giving birth to him,’ Madam Asana said, in tears. 

‘It was later discovered that my son died of Yellow Fever. We do not have any health facilities here. We d
id not know it was such a severe disease. If we had had a hint of that disease, we would have sent him to the hospital.’

Another resident of Kojokura, Madam Amina (real name hidden), also told the GNA that her four-year-old daughter recovered from the Yellow Fever disease at the West Gonja Municipal Hospital, where she spent about four weeks, describing these moments as very distressful to her family.

She thanked God for saving her daughter, saying it was a butcher, who came to buy cow in our community, who advised that we should send her to the hospital. 

‘The hospital is far away from us, but we managed to send her there,’ Madam Amina said. 

Mesdames Asana and Amina were not the only persons who either lost their loved ones to Yellow Fever or had family members attacked by the disease in 2021. A lot of families suffered the consequences due to the disease.

On the corner of the veranda of a chamber-and-hall building at a village in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region, sat a 58-year-old widow
.

She had a frame in her hand, which she often watched. It was the photo of her only child; ‘Peter’. He was 35, a petty trader, who died of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in April 2020, during an outbreak of the disease.

‘My son was my everything. He was feeding me and taking care of my medical bills. I am diabetic. Since his death, life has not been easy for me. I have missed many sessions of medication for my condition. Now, I feel very weak,’ she told the GNA.

‘The outbreak of the CSM has robbed me of my support system. I wished the authorities’ response to the outbreak had been quick. My son would have been alive now.’ 

She is not the only one reeling through this pain. Many other families in the region, who lost their relatives to the disease, also have similar stories to share.          

The Outbreak of Yellow Fever, CSM and other diseases

Records by the Ministry of Health, and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) show that within the space of three years (2020 to 2023), Ghana recorded eight major disea
se outbreaks.

These were Yellow Fever, CSM, the COVID-19 pandemic, Polio, Monkeypox (Mpox), Marburg virus disease, Measles, and Lassa fever.  

In October 2021 the Savannah Region reported suspected cases of yellow fever, which were later confirmed positive by the National Public Health Reference Laboratory and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

The disease spread quickly to 13 of the 16 regions and over 40 deaths were recorded. The GHS, on April 15, 2020, reported 409 cases of CSM in five out of the 16 regions. By the second week, it had reported 40 deaths.

The magnitude of the outbreak was severe and unprecedented in the past decade but the response to it was slow, largely because the national health team was overstretched in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This outbreak led to many deaths. The country recorded her first two cases of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, 2020. Besides its negative impact on her socio-economic development, statistics by the GHS showed that more tha
n 1,400 deaths were also recorded.

In 2022, there was the confirmation of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Ghana from two acute flaccid paralysis cases; one each from North Gonja District in the Savannah Region, and West Mamprusi in the North East Region.

In July same year, the country confirmed three cases of the Marburg virus, two of which were fatal.  

Also, 116 Mpox cases were confirmed that year, resulting in four deaths. In early 2023, the country battled with measles, which was recorded in many regions due to the non-availability of vaccines for children, and Lassa fever where two cases were confirmed in February 2023 with one death.

Whilst the past three years (2020-2023) have put a lot of strain on the country’s health system in terms of the ability to respond to public health emergencies, the subsequent years could even be worse because other major disease outbreaks could be recorded.

In all these, how did the country prepare and respond to such outbreaks? 

The last th
ree years (2020-2023) have been one of the busiest for all health professionals in the country. The resilience of the health system to respond to public health emergencies was tested.  

It was realised that Ghana did not have the adequate funds to timeously respond to public health emergencies. Development partners had to support to contain the situation.

In the case of yellow fever, persons aged nine months to 60 years (except pregnant women) in the affected regions were injected with the preventive vaccine to keep them safe from the disease.

The first phase of the vaccination campaign was held in December 2021 but it was realized afterwards that pockets of the disease still existed, and some new communities also started recording cases.

Therefore, a second phase of the vaccination exercise was held from February 26 to March 2, 2022. This was led by the GHS with support from partners including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF worked with the GHS Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI
) providing technical assistance and financial support to build the capacity of health staff, provide the needed vaccines and logistics and support the EPI in community mobilisation and sensitisation efforts.

In the case of polio, the Government, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), rolled out a vaccination campaign targeting children under five years across all 16 regions.  

The first round of the campaign was held from September 1-4, 2022, with the second round taking place from October 6 -9.

It was to increase the population’s immunity against type 2 poliovirus and break transmission of the disease. Over six million children countrywide were expected to receive the novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2) for each of the rounds. 

The WHO and other GPEI partners supported the Government with financial, logistical, and technical support to reach and vaccinate all eligible children across the country.

With the COVID-19 pa
ndemic, amongst other support packages, UNICEF, WHO, and the Government of the United States of America assisted Ghana to procure the first set of vaccines under the COVAX facility, of which the Government took delivery in February 2021 to begin the first set of vaccinations.

Subsequently, the World Bank contributed US$430 million to Ghana’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic whilst some donor agencies also supported the recovery efforts with grants. 

 

Challenges in Responding to Disease Outbreaks in Ghana 

 Over the past couple of years, funding for routine disease surveillance activities or integrated disease surveillance and response (ISDR) has dwindled.

Budgetary allocations to the health sector go into emoluments for health staff and the construction of health facilities, leaving significantly fewer resources available to undertake routine disease surveillance activities.

This implies that diseases that could be detected and managed on time would be left to degenerate into an epidemic level w
ith their devastating consequences for the population.

In the year 2021, the total national health budget was $1.3 billion. This budget included payment of salaries and health research amongst others.

Out of the figure, $803m was expected to be spent on health delivery, and $9 million on goods and services. Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) fell under the goods and services budget.  

This was woefully inadequate considering the volume of work expected under the EPR. In subsequent years too, budgetary allocations to the health sector have been inadequate.

As has been witnessed over the years, diseases will continue to come. 

Therefore, the country needs to be prepared by strengthening her ISDR through ensuring funds to undertake public health emergency activities.

Just as efforts were made to create the Health Insurance Fund to ensure resource availability to tackle the clinical aspect of Ghana’s health care system, the country must also establish a Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF) to ensure th
e availability of resources to effectively support the public health aspect.

The Government could channel some percentage of tax revenues from the mining and telecoms sectors into the PHEF as well as encourage the World Health Organisation and other donors to also support the PHEF with some grants. 

 

The Way Forward 

Disease outbreaks do not only have consequences for the well-being of the population but also affect a country’s economy. If the response to the outbreak is not timeous and adequate, many lives could be lost.

For the past three years (2020-2023), donor partners were highly supportive of the Government to help contain the disease outbreaks to lessen their impact on the population.

But for their support, not much would have been achieved, and many of the citizens would have suffered the consequences.

The challenge for the government has been how to mobilise enough funds to respond to public health emergencies. Now that donor support is dwindling, there is the need to establish the Public He
alth Emergency Fund to handle related issues without having to depend on development partners for assistance.

The importance of the PHEF could not be overemphasised, as it even found space in Ghana’s National Medium Term Development Policy Framework (2022-2025) to ensure the availability of funds to effectively support the public health aspect of the healthcare sector.

Through this Fund, emergencies impacting on public health could be better handled, which would reduce pressure on the clinical aspect, and ultimately lessen the burden on the health budget.

Just as disease outbreaks will continue to occur, Ghana must be prepared to adequately respond to them to save lives. The country cannot continue to rely on donor support to respond to public health emergencies.

As the saying goes: ‘To be forewarned is to be forearmed.’ The country must, therefore, commit to preventing the impact and consequences of these diseases on the populace by putting effective mechanisms in place (in this case the PHEF) to deal wi
th these diseases and related issues, when the need arises, in order not to be overtaken by events.

Source: Ghana News Agency