Author: lwadmin

The European Union (EU) Funded Twin Cities in Sustainable Partnership Project, being implemented in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, has sent 48 boys and 22 girls back to school within some deprived communities in the metropolis.

The project has also facilitated the return of three pregnant girls to school after delivery under the Youth Friendly and Reproductive Health component.

Mr Isaac Aidoo, the Project Coordinator, made this known during a press conference in Sekondi in the Western Region.

The TCSPP, being implemented in Sekondi-Takoradi, and the City of Palermo in Italy, is a three-year project with a grant funding of 3million Euros.

The project is aimed at improving Urban Governance, Culturally Sensitive Activities, and Climate Change Adaptation measures to achieve sustainable communities.

Mr Aidoo reported that the project had also established 17 Climate Clubs in selected schools to educate students to serve as change agents on climate change mitigation measures.

He indicated that the project w
ould soon start a programme to revitalize the section of Sekondi, called ‘European Town.’

The TCSPP initiative would introduce an E-governance platform for effective citizen and assembly engagement, build 500 biodigesters for selected homes, and provide over 120 eco-friendly ovens for fishmongers within the metropolis.

Under the projections for 2024, the TCSPP intended to develop ten local spatial plans for communities such as Mberedane, New Takoradi, European Town, Essipon, Kojokrom, Sofokrom, Bakano, Nkroful-BU, Sekondi, and Takoradi (Central Business District – Presby Area) to ensure coordinated spatial development.

Mr Aidoo said the local plan would be on display after completion in designated areas in the communities for developers to align with its tenets.

Meanwhile, Kojokrom, Essipon, and Diabenekrom are expected to have Reproductive Health Centers for adolescents to access quality information and counseling on how to manage the changing scenes of their lives to avert early pregnancies, contraction
of STIs, and take charge of their health and well-being.

Mr Abdul Mumin Issah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, mentioned that the EU monitoring group was impressed with the progress and success chalked within the two years of implementation.

As part of transnational exchanges with the Municipality of Palermo, he highlighted that there would be the establishment of a Maritime Training Centre at the Takoradi Technical University, in partnership with the Maritime Training Institute in Palermo, Italy.

He explained that the collaboration would also involve the Western Naval Command to produce skilled manpower for the maritime industry.

The MCE expressed concern about the laxity with which some fruit trees planted in schools had withered due to the lack of proper care.

He, therefore, appealed to beneficiary schools to intensify efforts in nurturing the fruit trees.

The MCE noted that the project aimed to plant more fruit and coconut trees and encouraged communities,
institutions, and all well-meaning city dwellers to help achieve the overall goals of the TCSPP.

Mr. Innocent Haligah, the Metropolitan Coordinating Director said the assembly, through various stakeholder engagements put up a sustainability model to ensure that components of the project continued after the project lifespan.

Source: Ghana News Agency

As part of its youth empowerment and community development initiatives, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine has inducted 40 youth into its one-year Youth Apprenticeship Programme at the Obuasi Engineering School.

A statement issued by AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, copied to the Ghana News Agency said the beneficiaries, who were drawn from the mine’s host communities, would be trained in vocations identified as gaps in the mining industry and society, including Heavy Duty Machine Operation (ADT, Dump Truck), Electrical and Mechanical Technicians, Welding and Fabrication.

Mr Stephen Adjei, Senior Manager – Sustainability, speaking at the swearing ceremony of the newly elected executives for the Unity Youth Zone Network, underscored Iduapriem Mine’s commitment to youth empowerment and making positive impacts in the communities in which it operates.

Unity Youth Zone Network is the umbrella body of the mine’s host community youth groups – and the formal introduction of the 40 new beneficiaries for the Youth A
pprenticeship Programme,

‘At AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, we are committed to making a positive contribution towards an enduring world, so, we recognise that investing in youth is paramount to building a sustainable future,’ Mr Adjei said.

‘By providing opportunities for leadership and skill development, we aim to nurture the next generation of changemakers who will drive progress and prosperity in our communities. ‘

He disclosed that, as part of the package, Iduapriem Mine would bear the full cost of tuition, accommodation, transportation, medical bills, and Minerals Commission certification, as well as provide each trainee a monthly stipend of GHS2,000 throughout the period of apprenticeship.

Mr Benjamin Teye Aborbi, the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority, lauded AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine’s initiative in spearheading youth development.

‘Iduapriem Mine’s commitment to investing in our youth is commendable,’ he stated.

‘The company is providing avenues for skill
development and employment, which would lay the foundation for a brighter future for our communities.’

On his part, the newly sworn-in President of Unity Youth Zone Network, Mr Francis Adomako, applauded AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine’s proactive approach to youth engagement and empowerment.

‘I commend AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine for their vision and dedication to creating opportunities that empower the youth to thrive,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hundreds of residents at Abutiakope, Aborigines beach, and its surrounding communities at Keta in the Volta region have been displaced by another emerging tidal surge.

Many buildings and other personal belongings such as Televisions, refrigerators, and cooking utensils among others worth thousands of Ghana cedis were damaged.

Mr Promise Kofi Baccah, the Assembly member of Abutiakope Electoral Area, in an interaction with the Ghana News Agency, said the incident happened during the early hours of Thursday, February 15.

‘Many people have been displaced, properties destroyed, and victims are now stranded,’ he stated.

He said the tidal wave had destroyed summer hats, coconut trees, and other recreational areas at the shores.

Mr Baccah stated that hundreds of residents who were rendered homeless were seeking refuge with their relatives as rescue efforts were yet to come their way from the authorities.

‘We no longer need any relief items, what my people want now is the construction of a sea defense wall to p
rotect them from the tidal waves to save lives.’

He stated that several stranded victims lost their sources of livelihood, such as farms, boats, canoes, and nets to the tidal wave.

He appealed to individuals, philanthropists, individuals, corporate entities, and the government to as a matter of urgency address the situation to avoid any unforeseen disaster.

Some affected victims, the GNA observed, were living with friends and relatives whilst others were relocating to other communities.

Authorities within the area are yet to brief the GNA.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Stakeholders have called for urgent steps to explicitly define, codify, and document the status, roles, and path of enskinment of Queenmothers to prevent foreseen conflicts.

Unlike before, the idea of ‘Queenmothership’ is emerging at a fast pace and taking root in many Ghanaian traditional councils but their status, responsibilities, how they are selected, and line of succession is still unclear to many.

This, the stakeholders believed, if nothing was done could create problems in the future and lead to several preventable conflicts, especially in Northern Ghana where the Queen Mother institution seemed to be a new area.

The stakeholders including Queenmothers, National Peace Council and Civil Society Organisations among others advocated this at a forum in Bolgatanga organised for Queenmothers by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO), a development wing of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga.

The forum formed part of the Integrated Peacebuilding for Improve
d Food and Nutrition Support (INPEACE) project, funded by MISEREOR, a German Catholic Church Organisation, aimed at contributing to building peace structures at the community, district and regional levels in Upper East and North East Regions.

Dr Joseph Ayembilla, the Human Development Coordinator, NABOCADO, explained that there was the need to integrate the Queenmothers institution into the traditional governance system to promote development, especially women’s rights and needs, however, it must be done in a manner that would prevent conflicts in the future.

He explained that most traditional councils particularly those in Northern Ghana had no clear and documented succession plans for the male Chieftaincy setup and the situation had created numerous communal conflicts.

Dr Ayembilla was of the opinion that if urgent steps were not taken to document and clearly spell out the roles, status, path of enskinment and plan of succession according to the customs and traditions of the areas taking into considerati
on the Constitution of the country, it could present similar problems in the future.

‘If these things are not properly documented, there is the opportunity that in future people are going to claim and counterclaim and that is going to bring more conflicts to the already existing conflicts which would retard development.’

The Human Development Coordinator explained that in the years past the traditional systems in Northern Ghana had the ‘magazias’ (women leaders) which was acceptable to the people and underscored the need to create awareness about the role of the Queenmothers and clear succession plans to deepen peaceful coexistence.

‘Our traditional leaders should try as much as possible to look beyond the current into the future and agree with their regional house of chiefs to do documentation on succession plans for the chiefs and Queenmothers to ensure acceptability,’ he said.

Dr Joseph Bangu, the Director of Good Governance, Justice, and Peace Directorate, NABOCADO, said the forum was to engage the Qu
eenmothers to understand their roles and build their capacity to act as peacebuilders instead of promoters of conflict.

‘As a Diocese, we feel that if we don’t engage the Queenmothers properly now, then, the experiences we are having with undocumented chieftaincy issues would come up,’ he said.

Mr Ali Anankpieng, the Executive Secretary of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, explained that during conflicts, women and children were the most affected and underscored the need for Queenmothers to play a crucial role in maintaining peace and resolving conflicts.

Pognaba Malsungu-Tumpaale Ayamga I, the President of the Upper East Regional Queenmothers Association, noted that queenmothers had the potential to contribute meaningfully to the development of their traditional areas but called for documented strategies to prevent future conflicts in the future.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ashaiman District Court has remanded a farmer, Patrick Bekoe, into police custody for allegedly having the intent to steal, contrary to the Criminal Offence Act 1960 (ACT 29).

The Court presided over by Mr Derick Parden Eshun, remanded Bekoe to reappear on March 28, 2024, for the Case Management Conference.

The Court remanded him following his plea of guilty with an explanation to three counts of being on premises for unlawful purposes, unlawful entry, and being in possession of instruments intended for unlawful entry.

Police Inspector Tetteh Nartey, prosecuting, said the complainant in the case, Mr Michael Ninbonzuma, is a commercial motor tricycle operator residing at Shai Hills Afienya, while Bekoe is 27 years old and a resident of Kasseh-Ada.

Inspector Nartey said on December 31, 2023, at about 2100 hours, the complainant retired to bed without locking his door, adding that on January 1, 2024, at 0130 hours, Bekoe sneaked into his bedroom while he was fast asleep.

The facts stated that in the pr
ocess, he was spotted by the complainant’s co-tenants, who caused his arrest, and subsequently handed him over to the Police together with a pair of scissors, a multi-purpose plier, and five padlock keys.

The prosecution said that investigations revealed that the accused person entered the room of the complainant with the intent to steal; therefore, the evidence found on him was adapted for unlawful entry.

After investigations, the accused was charged with the offence and charged with a crime before the court.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has asked the Judicial Service Staff Association?(JUSAG)?to embrace?competence, diligence, and integrity?to boost?the confidence?of the public in the judiciary.

‘If we as an arm?of government, we in the Judicial Service and Judiciary, are to boost the confidence of the public in this institution, we must embrace?competence, diligence and integrity?as our distinguishing?character.’

The Chief Justice also tasked JUSAG to imbibe and infuse these ethical values in the work culture of the service?through the holding of symposia, workshops, learning groups and even gaming competitions.

Chief Justice Torkornoo said when she launched?JUSAG’s 50-year anniversary, logo, and anniversary cloth at the Law Court Complex in Accra.

The 50 anniversary is themed ’50 Years of Championing Judicial Excellence: Embracing Integrity, digitization, and upholding?Judicial independence and Staff Welfare. JUSAG was formed at Cape Coast in 1973.

The launch brought together Justices of the Sup
erior and lower courts, former JUSAG presidents and other executives, the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, the Ghana Police Service, and the Trades Union Congress, among others.

Justice Torkornoo also encouraged every member of staff to read, study and ensure compliance?with the code of ethics, adding as ‘champions?in the justice delivery chain, compliance?with every code of conduct is paramount.

She told the staff that the coming years would be exciting and urged them to embrace? digitization, legal literacy, professionalism, and ethical conduct?to maintain excellence because that was the only hallmark?of an efficient justice administration.

Justice Torkornoo said the judiciary was up-scaling its electronic justice (e-Justice), adding ‘ We are moving from just having computers for typing?and printing?in most courts in the country.

We are going e-filing and e-payment for court services, e-service of court processes, the management of e-dockets, virtual hearings of cases and stocking?and man
agement of e-judgements through e-library.

We are also working on administrative services that will also be digitized.’

She advised the over 7,000 staff of the service to get on board the digitization drive,?adding technology has come to stay.

On staff welfare, the Chief Justice said that has been on her radar.

This, she said, was the reason the Quality Assurance Unit of the service was critically looking at the data from the courts to rationalize the caseloads?of courts and?the burden of work.

Justice Torkornoo said improved service for members must be always supported by law and asked JUSAG to become a thin tank?that would delve deep into intellectual engagement to bring out ‘functionally and validated arrangements?to secure the welfare of staff.?

She said the Constitutional Instrument which would comprehensively deal?with condition of service was well advanced and the Judicial Council is keeping ‘an eagle eye over the process to bring it to fruition.’

Chief Justice Torkornoo pledged her unflinching?
support to JUSAG and urged the leadership of the service to conscientize staff to live?up to the standards of their work.

Justice Gabriel Pwamang, a Supreme Court Judge, who chaired the occasion, urged JUSAG members to accept the challenge to work effectively as the Judicial Service rolled out e-justice across the country.

Justice Pwamang lauded the idea of rewarding staff who distinguished themselves?in the various regions.

Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, President of JUSAG, noted that JUSAG over the years had evolved?and grown, adding ‘We have?embraced?innovation and modernization to better the people of Ghana.’

The JUSAG President said the association has planned a series of events and activities?such as lectures, media engagement, sports, and health walks among others in the regions.

‘We have planned to work with my Lady to give integrity?awards to at least?one staff from each region?and overall integrity of the service. This will be done at the climax of the anniversary scheduled to take place in August?2024
at Cape Coast, the birthtown of JUSAG.’

Dr Yaw Baah, Trades Union Congress Secretary General, commended the JUSAG and the Judiciary for working hard to protect the rights of workers over the years.

According to Dr Baah, the establishment of the Labour Court had played a key role in protecting the rights of workers and organised unions when it comes to dispute resolutions in the country.?

Source: Ghana News Agency