Category: General

Mr Thomas Fynn, a prolific Ghanaian photographer and Executive Director, FYNN exhibits, has encouraged children and young people to utilise the internet to develop skills in photography.

He said the internet offered unlimited opportunities for learning photography and advised against spending their time unprofitably on social media.

‘The youth should use the internet for good purposes. There are a lot of photography websites. When the youth visit these websites, there is a lot that they can learn,’ he noted.

Mr Fynn, who gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, asked young people to take up online short courses offered on photography.

He added that there were online photography groups that the youth could join, saying, such groups had mentors that the youth could rely on for more practical guidance and coaching.

He, however, cautioned that such online groups could mislead them into irresponsible acts

You must make sure that the online group you want to join will teach photography so t
hat you can gain more skills and insight.

‘If you study the line of conversations of the group and you realise they will lead you astray, don’t join,’ he said.

Mr Fynn said young people could build online portfolios for themselves by taking pictures and posting them on their social media pages.

‘The youth should take pictures that tell meaningful stories- stories that shape or impact their community or society,’ he stressed.

He said: ‘In photography, quality is more important than quantity. You should take as many pictures as you can, but always select the best ones and post them. And you can watermark your pictures to prevent others from stealing them.

Mr Fynn noted that, as young people share more of their pictures online, they would build connections with other photographers both in Ghana and abroad which, over time, would give them international exposure with several benefits, including travelling opportunities.

He advised that, when setting out in photography, young people should not focus too much
on making money, because by focusing too much on money, they could get stuck along the way, which could make them give up.

‘As a young person, if you want to go into photography, you should focus more on developing photography skills and making impact with the pictures you take. When you do that, over time, more doors will open for you.’ Mr Fynn said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A 36-year-old trader, Patience Kofi, has been sentenced to a fine of GH?120 by the Ashaiman District Court for stealing her employer’s GH?3,200.00.

The convict, who was also asked by the court to refund the stolen money to the complainant, would serve six months of imprisonment if she defaulted on paying the fine and obeying the court’s instructions.

The court, presided over by Mr Derick Pardden Eshun, sentenced the accused person after she pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful entry and stealing.

Inspector Henry Tetteh Nartey, prosecuting the case, said the complainant, Madam Vida Tetteh, is a cook and lives at Kakasunanka number two.

He added that the accused person, who was residing at Somanya, started assisting her at her canteen located at the Ashaiman roundabout.

He stated that on January 11, 2024, at about 0800 hours, she stole the complainant’s house keys and went to her house at Kakasunanka number two, where she entered her room and made away with cash in the sum of GH?3,200.00.

The prosecut
or added that the following day, Madam Tetteh was about to wash her clothes when she detected that her money had been stolen, adding that upon enquiring from neighbours, she was informed by her landlord that her employee was seen entering the room, but they did not question her because she was using the key.

The court heard that she was subsequently arrested, and an investigation caution statement was obtained from her in which she confessed that she stole the money.

She was, therefore, charged and put before the court after an investigation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the second phase of the Kaleo Solar Power plant to augment electricity generation and supply.

The 15MW phase two project brings the total capacity of the Kaleo Solar Power plant to 28MW after the President commissioned about 13MW in phase one about two years ago.

Elecnor S.A. from Spain executed the project at an estimated cost of about 16 million Euros with consultancy services from Tractebel Engineering from Germany.

Speaking at the commissioning of the project at Kaleo on Wednesday, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the plant represented the country’s fundamental shift towards sustainable development and for enhancing electricity provision.

‘Renewable energy sources such as solar power not only reduce our reliance on fossil fuel but also help mitigate adverse effects of climate change. By investing in renewable energy infrastructure, we’re securing a reliable source of electricity.

It is part of government’s roadmap of positioning the country as
a regional leader in clean and sustainable energy by leveraging vast natural resources,’ he said.

President Akufo-Addo indicated that the vision of the country was not only to be energy self-sufficient, but also to set the stage for Ghana to emerge as an eco-friendly country and to inspire neighbouring countries to pursue a more energy technology-centred future.

He stated that the Solar Power Project at Kaleo would help create new opportunities for economic growth and job creation in the area, empower homes and businesses, and serve as a catalyst for development in the region by attracting investment and spurring innovation.

‘The government is implementing a series of policies and measures to incentivise green investments, foster a culture of energy efficiency, prioritise the development of solar, wind and hydroelectric power projects as key strategies for the growth of the energy sector in the country,’ the President said.

President Akufo-Addo said the project would also promote practical studies in the
development of solar power by the technical universities in the northern part of the country.

He appreciated the German government for providing the funding for the construction of the facility and the EU for its assistance in the development of the project and its contribution to the general development of Ghana.

President Akufo-Addo commended the contractor and the consultant for delivering the project on schedule.

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He urged stakeholders to adopt the right maintenance management regime to enable the plant to serve its expected purpose.

Mr Herbert Krapa, a Deputy Minister-designate for the Ministry of Energy, said the Solar Power project was an indication that the VRA had risen to the occasion in answering the call for producing greener, cleaner sources of power for the country.

He said government was putting in place measures to ensure the country’s thermal plants and power-producing plants run at full capacity and realigning the operational and technical arrangements in the entire power sector o
f the country.

Mr Krapa, who is also the Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), assured Ghanaians that ‘In the next few days the power challenges that we are seeing under the leadership of His Excellency the President will be a thing of the past.’

Mr Irchad Razaaly, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, said the EU prioritised investment in the country that would contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth by investing in areas that could lead to a lasting positive transformation.

He observed that countries over the world were increasingly moving towards sustainable practices and Ghana had positioned itself as a leader in Africa.

Mr Razaaly explained that the project created more than a hundred jobs for the people in the community during the construction period and thanked all persons and institutions that played diverse roles in making it a success.

Madam Ramona Simon, the Acting Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Ghana, stated that the project would prov
ide about 50,000 households with low-cost electricity and help reduce 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission annually.

She explained that embracing renewable energy would not only save the environment for future generations but also pave the way for economic empowerment and enhanced energy security, especially in northern Ghana.

Kuoro Osman Diewia Nankpa III, the Paramount Chief of the Pulima Traditional Area in the SIssala West District, who chaired the function, appealed to the government to ensure that the frequent power outages experienced in the region became a thing of the past.

Mr Kofi Tutu Agyare, the Board Chairman of the Volta River Authority (VRA), indicated that the solar project was in line with the country’s Renewable Energy Development programme.

While thanking the German Federal Government for supporting the country over the years, he expressed hope that the VRA and the German government would continue to work together for long-term mutual benefit.

He also assured the people of Kaleo that
the VRA would continue to support the community’s development through its corporate social responsibility interventions.

The German government provided the funding through the German Development Bank (KfW) to support Ghana in executing the project.

Ghana provided counterpart funding of 8.2 million Euros through the VRA.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) has?concluded its 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Tamale, an event that marked a pivotal?milestone as the association transitions under a new leadership.

The AGM held from 18 to 19 April brought together key stakeholders and development?partners to discuss critical issues and chart the way forward for the sector. ?

In a statement shared with the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Amos Rutherford Azinu,?President of the Association and Founder of Legacy Crop Improvement Centre?headquartered in Otareso in the eastern region, acknowledged the challenges faced by the?members amidst the economic landscape of the past year.

‘Despite the challenging economic landscape of the past year, it is heartening to witness the?resilience of our members’ businesses,’ he said. ?

‘Our continued dedication to promoting the use of certified and improved seeds for?enhanced agricultural productivity has not gone unnoticed.’

He expressed gratitude for the resilience displayed by the
businesses of members and?commended their dedication to promoting certified and improved quality seeds for enhanced?agricultural productivity.

He also applauded development partners and nongovernmental organisations for their?profound support of the association, saying:

‘Our journey over the past seven years has been made possible through the generous?support of Development Partners and NGOs, for which we are profoundly grateful.’ ?

NASTAG has established itself as the leading authority on seed-related matters in Ghana, a?testament to the collective efforts of its members.

The AGM highlighted the importance of having a competent and respected administrative?head to chart a new trajectory for the association’s strategies and plans.

This will help promote the growth and profitability of the businesses of members in line with?the constitution of the association.

Dr. Azinu emphasised the need for adequate financial resources and human capital at the?Secretariat to maintain the relevance of NASTAG in the yea
rs ahead.

The 8th AGM offered an opportunity for introspection and innovation, allowing members to?reflect on past achievements and challenges while fostering robust discussions and?synergies to shape the strategic trajectory of the association.

Dr. Azinu expressed confidence in the members’ ability to capitalize on this opportunity to?envision the future and forge enduring relationships that strengthen NASTAG.

‘Through reflection on past achievements and challenges, as well as robust discussions and?synergies, we can shape the strategic trajectory of NaSTAG,’ he said. ?

The two-day event included an open forum for further discussions and collaboration among?stakeholders in the seed industry.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Some petty traders and business owners in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region have expressed their concerns on the adverse effects of the ongoing power outages on their businesses.

The residents disclosed their plight to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after many of them realised massive losses in their businesses due to intermittent power outages in these enclaves.

Madam Mabel Nyekor, a cold store operator told the GNA that she lost a significant portion of her perishable goods worth GHS3,600 due to prolonged periods of outage in a week.

‘It is not easy to do business nowadays. Everything has changed but we are managing, yet the frequent power outage is another challenge that is hitting us very hard. Our petty businesses are sinking,’ she cried.

Mrs. Tandzi Grace, a hairdresser, stressed similar sentiments and highlighted the difficulties she also faces in serving her clients effectively during power cuts.

The situation is not isolated to the South Tongu District alone but extends to neighboring ar
eas, including Central and North Tongu.

Mr Wisdom Nyamordey, a bar operator in the North Tongu District also shared that most clients do not patronize his services due to the power cut crisis.

The residents in these districts have reported a significant disruption to their daily lives and businesses whenever the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) initiates power cuts.

They appealed to the government to address the root causes of the power outage crisis and implement sustainable solutions to alleviate their plight and salvage their businesses.

Further investigations by the GNA revealed that some of these local entrepreneurs demonstrated resilience by exploring alternative means to sustain their businesses.

About thirty per cent of these business folks in the three Tongu districts have invested in backup power sources, while others adapted their operations to minimize losses during power outages as they await swift intervention from the government.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Health Service (GHS) and UNICEF have launched a new mobile application, ‘Cranky Uncle Game’ in Accra to tackle misinformation and address vaccine hesitancy in Ghana.

The digital technology is a global app adapted to the Ghanaian situation to equip players with tools to learn, identify and debunk tricks and tactics employed by conspiracy theorists on vaccination.

It is a user-friendly, exciting, and interactive game for everyone, made available in six local languages.

The launch of the Cranky Uncle Vaccine game was on the theme: ‘Leveraging Technology to Combat Vaccine Misinformation’.

Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General, GHS, said embracing innovation and technology in the promotion of health was necessary, hence the introduction of the technology to help address issues of vaccine hesitancy, which had been a worrying phenomenon in the health sector.

He said the ‘Cranky Uncle’ game was specifically designed to debunk the myths and misinformation about vaccination, particularly the COVID-19 vacc
ines, which had led to the refusal of accepting the vaccines among the Ghanaian population.

The Director General said the digital technology also provided a platform to engage and educate the public about the importance of vaccines and the dangers of misinformation, adding that, ‘Through interactive digital games, social media campaigns and online resources, we can reach individuals of all ages and backgrounds, empowering them with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health.’

He said: ‘In recent years, we have witnessed the alarming spread of misinformation surrounding vaccines, threatening not only individual health but also the fabric of our society, yet in the face of these challenges, we refuse to be complacent. We recognise that digital technology holds the key to unlocking a brighter, more informed future.’

The Director General urged the public to embrace the technology and ensure the safety of the entire population.

Dr Naziru Tanko Mohammed, Deputy Programme Manager, Expa
nded Programme on Immunization (EPI), stated that though Ghana was doing well in immunization, it was still struggling to achieve the 95 per cent target.

He said though vaccines had reduced infant and neonatal mortality, some mothers discontinue the routine immunization for their children, which later affected their growth and well-being.

Dr Mohammed explained that even with COVID-19, persons who had taken the full dosage needed boosters to increase their immunity and urged mothers to avail their children for complete routine Immunization services.

He stressed that the Cranky Uncle game had been introduced at the right time to help individuals to identify the tricks in misinformation to enable them to distinguish between facts and myths, using conspiracy theory.

Ms Sonya Sagan, head of the Social Behavioural Change (SBC) Unit at UNICEF Ghana, said although many people believed that COVID-19 had ended, the virus continued to circulate and had the potential to cause a lot of harm, particularly to the vulner
able population.

Ms Sagan said despite the many efforts, misinformation, disinformation continued to be a challenge in Ghana and the potential to erode some of the gains made hence, the need to improve vaccine literacy in Ghana through the Cranky Uncle game.

This is, an approach to build public resilience against misinformation, she added.

Source: Ghana News Agency