Day: March 12, 2024

Mr Francis Gumah, Northern Regional Operations Manager for World Vision Ghana, has urged parents to take keen interest in their children’s welfare.

‘Parents must take an interest in safeguarding their children as well as ensuring their needs are met,’ he said.

That, he added would reduce child abuse, child labour, teenage pregnancy, poor academic performances, school dropout rates, and child delinquency, among others.

Mr. Gumah said this when he addressed parents and children during the launch of the Maiden Play for Photos initiative held in Damongo.

The Play for Photos initiative is an annual event in World Vision programming that allows the organisation to account for children benefiting from its interventions.

As part of the celebration, the organisations registered about 2,138 children into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and distributed more than 100 packs of sanitary pads as well as hygiene kits to adolescent girls among this number.

The organisation also provided comprehensive menstru
al hygiene management education to adolescent girls to help them stay in school at all times, even during their menstrual period.

The organisation also distributed free mathematical sets, exercise books, pens, and other educational kits to the participating children.

Mr. Gumah said that the support formed part of World Vision Ghana’s commitment to children’s well-being, growth, and development.

‘As a Christian, relief and emergency, and child-focused advocacy organisation, World Vision Ghana cares about children’s wellbeing. We are dedicated to bringing hope, joy, and justice to all children, particularly the most vulnerable and their families, irrespective of where they live,’ he said.

He said it was done by addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice that affected children’s growth and development in society.

‘Our aim is to create an environment ,where every child thrives and enjoys life to the fullest,’ he said.

A weeklong event also saw the participating children benefit from being gifted wi
th exercise books, mathematical sets, pens, and pencils.

They also benefited from free basic health screening.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Head of the Department of Gender in the Region, Mrs Thywill Kpe, has expressed regret that five of the 18 local Assemblies in the Volta Region have no elected female Assembly Members.

She said the Anloga, Akatsi North, Akatsi South, Adaklu, and Hohoe districts and municipalities, did not elect females, saying this mirrored the low participation of women in leadership and decision-making across all levels.

Mrs Kpe was speaking at the Women and Persons with Disability (PWD) Inclusion Summit organised by the Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA), to mark International Women’s Day.

She said women appointees to Assemblies in the Region accounted for just 19 per cent.

She called on stakeholders to address factors limiting women’s empowerment, saying this would require dedicated policies, law enforcement, and special attention to PWDs.

‘Achieving Gender equality and inclusion calls for deliberate investment in the empowerment of women and other vulnerable groups. Policies and programmes must be intent
ional in addressing the barriers to women’s involvement in development.

‘In this regard, women’s economic empowerment, networking and mentorship, their participation in decision making, access to quality education for all females, and advocacy on women’s rights, are key in achieving inclusion and development,’ she said.

Mrs Kpe added that enforcing laws that would safeguard women’s rights and prevent all forms of harassment in every environment, should also become a priority.

This year’s World Women’s Day was commemorated on the theme: ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ and brought together women groups in the region.

The NGO is implementing the Action for Voice and Inclusive Development (AVID) project in the Volta Region, which is an initiative funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation through STAR Ghana.

Under the project, women receive livelihood enhancement skills, support for economic activities and other forms of empowerment to contest for Assembly membership and other leadership posi
tions in their communities.

Rosemond Ewoenam Atutonu, the Executive Director of GLOWA, spoke of the successes of the project and said stakeholders hoped to expand it.

She said GLOWA considered setting up a skills training centre for women in the Region.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), said as the world continues to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD), it must reaffirm the commitment to concrete actions that inspire inclusivity and gender equality.

That would necessitate not only legislative reforms and institutional changes but also a shift in societal attitudes and behaviours.

Prof Mitchual said this in an address delivered by Prof Victor Antwi, Pro-Vice Chancellor of UEWm, at the opening ceremony of a seminar organised by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate of the University to commemorate the 2024 IWD at Winneba.

The celebration was on the theme: ‘Inspiring Inclusion: The Role of Men.’

The VC said the theme epitomised and consolidated the success stories of the forefathers in shaping contemporary Ghana.

‘I firmly believe that by working together, we can create a future where every individual, regardless of gender, will have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to t
his honourable institution and Ghana’s collective prosperity,’ he said.

He applauded the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, which partnered with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAGH) to organise the seminar to appreciate industrious women around the world.

Prof Mitchual said way before Ghana attained independence 67 years ago, the country’s forefathers recognised that building the nation was not a preserve of men alone but also of women of impeccable pedigree and with impressive track records.

‘Many national heroines have left indelible marks in Ghana’s history and their diverse roles in the country’s struggle for independence had paved the way for other women to excel in different fields of endeavour,’ he stated.

Prof Mitchual said they did not excel by chance but men who recognised and valued inclusion laid a solid foundation for their integration into leadership and governance.

‘Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, instituted the affirmative
action programme to enable women to occupy public offices and other male-dominated professions.’

That, he said, included the creation of 10 parliamentary seats for women in Ghana’s first parliament and further increasing the number to 18 by 1965.

He noted that the role of men in inspiring inclusion was unparalleled and non-negotiable.

‘Nonetheless, we can do more as men by forging effective women’s economic empowerment, supporting more women into leadership, decision-making, business and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), education and career and elevating women’s participation and achievements in men dominated sectors,’ he indicated.

The VC said the role of men in inspiring Inclusion required that they worked assiduously to remove barriers that impeded women’s contribution to the rapid transformation of the country Ghana.

He urged the deans, directors and heads of departments to continue inspiring inclusiveness by instilling gender equity as part of their core values.

‘The UEW Sex
ual Harassment Policy should be implemented to the latter to promote a healthy campus climate where all stakeholders will be free to work, learn or pursue academic careers devoid of intimidation, stigmatisation, victimisation and discrimination, let our role as men manifest in this vulnerable space as well,’ he noted.

He emphasised the need for society to harness the momentum generated by the event to amplify their voices to advocate policy reforms against marginalisation.

‘Together, let us build a more inclusive and equitable Ghana where every individual can fulfil his or her potential.’

The event was attended by students of the University, deans, directors and senior high school students in Winneba.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), said as the world continues to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD), it must reaffirm the commitment to concrete actions that inspire inclusivity and gender equality.

That would necessitate not only legislative reforms and institutional changes but also a shift in societal attitudes and behaviours.

Prof Mitchual said this in an address delivered by Prof Victor Antwi, Pro-Vice Chancellor of UEWm, at the opening ceremony of a seminar organised by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate of the University to commemorate the 2024 IWD at Winneba.

The celebration was on the theme: ‘Inspiring Inclusion: The Role of Men.’

The VC said the theme epitomised and consolidated the success stories of the forefathers in shaping contemporary Ghana.

‘I firmly believe that by working together, we can create a future where every individual, regardless of gender, will have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to t
his honourable institution and Ghana’s collective prosperity,’ he said.

He applauded the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, which partnered with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAGH) to organise the seminar to appreciate industrious women around the world.

Prof Mitchual said way before Ghana attained independence 67 years ago, the country’s forefathers recognised that building the nation was not a preserve of men alone but also of women of impeccable pedigree and with impressive track records.

‘Many national heroines have left indelible marks in Ghana’s history and their diverse roles in the country’s struggle for independence had paved the way for other women to excel in different fields of endeavour,’ he stated.

Prof Mitchual said they did not excel by chance but men who recognised and valued inclusion laid a solid foundation for their integration into leadership and governance.

‘Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, instituted the affirmative
action programme to enable women to occupy public offices and other male-dominated professions.’

That, he said, included the creation of 10 parliamentary seats for women in Ghana’s first parliament and further increasing the number to 18 by 1965.

He noted that the role of men in inspiring inclusion was unparalleled and non-negotiable.

‘Nonetheless, we can do more as men by forging effective women’s economic empowerment, supporting more women into leadership, decision-making, business and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), education and career and elevating women’s participation and achievements in men dominated sectors,’ he indicated.

The VC said the role of men in inspiring Inclusion required that they worked assiduously to remove barriers that impeded women’s contribution to the rapid transformation of the country Ghana.

He urged the deans, directors and heads of departments to continue inspiring inclusiveness by instilling gender equity as part of their core values.

‘The UEW Sex
ual Harassment Policy should be implemented to the latter to promote a healthy campus climate where all stakeholders will be free to work, learn or pursue academic careers devoid of intimidation, stigmatisation, victimisation and discrimination, let our role as men manifest in this vulnerable space as well,’ he noted.

He emphasised the need for society to harness the momentum generated by the event to amplify their voices to advocate policy reforms against marginalisation.

‘Together, let us build a more inclusive and equitable Ghana where every individual can fulfil his or her potential.’

The event was attended by students of the University, deans, directors and senior high school students in Winneba.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago are exploring trade opportunities in the manufacturing and export sectors for mutual benefit.

A high-powered delegation led by Madam Paula Gopee-Scoon, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Trade and Industry, paid a working visit to Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond, Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry at his office in Accra on Tuesday.

During the visit, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise trade collaboration in the manufacturing sector.

Under the agreement, the two institutions would collaborate in the areas of export trade and technology, and skills training in the oil and gas industry.

Madam Gopee-Scoon said Tobago was expanding its economy beyond oil and gas and broaden its manufacturing sector, hence the partnership with the AGI.

She said the country was interested in exporting its products, including food and beverages, and chemicals to Ghana and import Ghanaian products int
o Trinidad and Tobago.

Madam Gopee-Scoon said investors in Trinidad and Tobago were also interested in exploring investment opportunities in Ghana and welcomed Ghanaian investors to invest in Trinidad and Tobago.

She said the current trade volume between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago was not substantial and called for further collaboration to move the relationship between the two countries beyond cultural and social connections.

‘Our mandate is to increase and diversify the non-energy sector and manufacturing sector and put measures in place to ensure that this thrives. The manufacturing sector is doing well, contributing 20 per cent to our GDP; so we want to see this grow,’ she said.

She added: ‘We have Ghanaian cocoa butter and fabrics, but we want to do more than that.’

Mr Hammond expressed excitement about the opportunity for Ghanaian manufacturers to export their products to Trinidad and Tobago and indicated that the Government’s One District One Factory initiative would help to facilitate the trade
relations.

He said the cocoa, textile and the garment industries were among the areas of interest and encouraged the AGI to foster fruitful collaboration with their counterparts from Trinidad and Tobago.

‘It is good news and we pray that it comes to good fruition…we are expanding the frontiers of our industrialisation and manufacturing activities. We have a whole gamut of areas they can show interest,’ the Minister said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Crime Check Foundation (CCF) has condemned an alleged incident involving a police officer stationed at Tema Community 8, said to have cut off a woman’s ear with a pair of pliers.

The victim, Ms Judith Yaakuma, 20, had been left traumatised and in excruciating pain, which had stirred public conversation over the need for reforms at the police stations.

A statement copied?to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, the Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation, condemned the alleged incident.

The ‘CCF is appalled and horrified by recent reports of a police officer, Clement Suputour of the Tema Community 8 Police Station Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who allegedly used excessive force and brutality by chopping off the ear of 20-year-old Judith Yaakuma with a pair of pliers,’ it said.

The unfortunate incident has since sparked widespread public outrage and prompted the Ghana Police Service to launch a thorough investigation into it.

The statement urged the
Police Administration to expedite action to ensure that the perpetrator was brought to book and the victim got justice and adequate support.

In a follow-up?interview with the GNA, Mr Kwarteng said the incident allegedly occurred when the victim visited the police station on January 30, 2024, to inquire about her boyfriend’s arrest and detention.

However, the policeman arrested her?and then used a pair of pliers to cut off a portion of her left ear.

‘We strongly condemn this act of brutality and heinous crime, as it is tantamount to a blatant violation of fundamental human rights,’ he said.

Over the years, the Ghana Police Service had consistently shown professionalism and should not let a small number of troublemakers tarnish its esteemed reputation, he said.

‘We expect that the rule of law will be upheld in this matter, and the officer responsible for this atrocity is not shielded from the consequences of his actions,’ he added.

‘As a crime prevention civil society organisation, we strongly condemn all
forms of police brutality and demand accountability for those who abuse their power.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Crime Check Foundation (CCF) has condemned an alleged incident involving a police officer stationed at Tema Community 8, said to have cut off a woman’s ear with a pair of pliers.

The victim, Ms Judith Yaakuma, 20, had been left traumatised and in excruciating pain, which had stirred public conversation over the need for reforms at the police stations.

A statement copied?to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, the Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation, condemned the alleged incident.

The ‘CCF is appalled and horrified by recent reports of a police officer, Clement Suputour of the Tema Community 8 Police Station Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who allegedly used excessive force and brutality by chopping off the ear of 20-year-old Judith Yaakuma with a pair of pliers,’ it said.

The unfortunate incident has since sparked widespread public outrage and prompted the Ghana Police Service to launch a thorough investigation into it.

The statement urged the
Police Administration to expedite action to ensure that the perpetrator was brought to book and the victim got justice and adequate support.

In a follow-up?interview with the GNA, Mr Kwarteng said the incident allegedly occurred when the victim visited the police station on January 30, 2024, to inquire about her boyfriend’s arrest and detention.

However, the policeman arrested her?and then used a pair of pliers to cut off a portion of her left ear.

‘We strongly condemn this act of brutality and heinous crime, as it is tantamount to a blatant violation of fundamental human rights,’ he said.

Over the years, the Ghana Police Service had consistently shown professionalism and should not let a small number of troublemakers tarnish its esteemed reputation, he said.

‘We expect that the rule of law will be upheld in this matter, and the officer responsible for this atrocity is not shielded from the consequences of his actions,’ he added.

‘As a crime prevention civil society organisation, we strongly condemn all
forms of police brutality and demand accountability for those who abuse their power.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ashanti Regional Police has arrested five persons who attacked and assaulted personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) during a fire outbreak at the Race Course Market in Kumasi.

The officers, responding to a distress call on the fire in the market, early Monday, were seriously assaulted by some youth in the area.

The youth claimed that the officers had delayed in responding to the call to quench the fire and started pelting them with stones and clubs.

One of the officers who got injured during the attack was rushed to hospital for emergency medical attention.

The attack and assault delayed the putting-off of the fire, and in the end, about 180 shops were razed down by the fire.

The fire, which was said to have started at about 1 am on Monday, swept through a section where corn milling, fruit and vegetable sellers, foodstuff, ingredients and others operated.

Mr Simon Ben Boadu, Commander of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Fire Station, who led the firefighting operations, attributed the
spread of the fire to the attack on the fire officers who were dispatched to the scene.

He said investigations were ongoing to identify the cause of the fire outbreak at the market.

Source: Ghana News Agency