Category: General

Apostle Peter Okoe Mankralo, a former President of the Apostolic Church-Ghana, has urged Ghanaians to work together to combat the ‘killer syndrome’ that has suddenly engulfed the Ghanaian society for accelerated development.

He said: ‘The Ghanaian society is sadly becoming a killing society; thus, killers of dreams and visions, killers of good ideas and national policies, killers of future leaders of beauty and tranquillity through littering, and killers of good work ethics through glorified laziness, among others.’

Apostle Okoe Mankralo said when he delivered his Easter message the m ed: ‘Let Peace Reign’ to the church and nation during the Good Friday Church Services at the Apostolic Church – Ghana, Calvary District at Madina.

According to him, selfishness had become the root cause of this unfortunate ‘killing syndrome’ as people prioritised political parties and personal gains over the good of society, resulting in actions that did not promote national development.

Instead, he suggested that efforts
be made to foster the ‘keeper syndrome,’ which was defined as caring, preserving, sustaining, and helping one another regardless of ideology, religion, tribe, race colour or political affiliations.

Apostle Okoe Mankralo urged Ghanaians to make a paradigm shift from a ‘killing society’ to a ‘keeping society.’

‘As we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, may we crucify selfishness, and for that matter all forms of evil in our hearts? May we turn to Him, who has the power to change hearts, so we become our brothers’ keeper and not his killer as stated in the bible,’ he urged.

The former President of the Apostolic Church-Ghana reminded all and sundry that the country could only progress in a serene atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, adding that though conditions may seem unfavourable however with hard work the country would break through as God is always with us.

He urged Christians to work in harmony to receive God’s blessings for a better and brighter future for the country.

He also ca
lled for concerted efforts among the citizenry to pursue and preserve the existing peace irrespective of political, religious, social, and economic differences.

‘This, we must do through prayer, lawful conduct, seasoned speech, especially as we go to the poll in December 2024 for Ghana, to remain the shining example of democracy to all and the beacon of hope for Africa,’ he advised.

Apostle Peter Okoe Mankralo therefore called on the media to effectively and fairly collaborate with actors to serve the public to ensure democracy triumphed.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Seji Saji Amedonu, the Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), says the Volta River Authority (VRA), NADMO and its stakeholders will work to improve Ghana’s preparedness and response mechanisms for future disasters.

He said the stakeholders would rely on the lessons learnt from the joint response to the spillage of the Akosombo dam to deal with any such occurrences in the future.

The spillage of the dam affected a number of communities downstream, and negatively impacted the lives and livelihoods of about 39,000 people of which about 48 per cent of those affected downstream were children.

Mr Amedonu said the flood incidence arising from the dam spillage became very dire, forcing all actions to be directed to responding to and providing relief to the affected populations.

‘Recent events of disasters across many parts of the country call for us to harmonise our efforts in managing all forms of shocks,’ he added.

The Deputy Director-General said this during the
After-Action Review of Response to Flooding Following Spillage of Excess Water from the Akosombo Dam organised at Battor, in the Volta region.

He said heavy rains, coupled with the opening of the Bagre and Kompienga Dams in Burkina Faso, which had become a perennial affair also had some impact on water levels affecting several communities along the tributaries of the Volta River within the same period.

Mr Amedonu said although the flood resulting from the spillage of the dam affected heavily, various livelihoods and infrastructure, the preparedness actions taken by NADMO and VRA together with other stakeholders accounted for the zero record of loss of human life.

‘While we celebrate some of these successes, we must be quick to evaluate our response efforts to identify areas of challenge so as to adopt strategies that will enable us to manage more efficiently, tomorrow’s events to avoid extensive devastation,’ he stressed.

He thanked various stakeholders, especially the VRA, for their enormous support duri
ng the preparedness and response phase of the emergency.

The Deputy Director-General said stakeholders’ support of NADMO towards the simulation, sensitisation and awareness creation in some of the communities on resilience practices had been very useful.

‘We will continue to count on you all as we work to build the capacity of NADMO to better respond to future emergencies,’ he added.

Mr Edward Obeng-Kenzo, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, VRA in charge of Engineering and Operations, said one key aspect of the After-Action Review was to examine the effectiveness of emergency response protocols and procedures.

‘Were there any challenges or bottlenecks that hindered our ability to mobilise resources and coordinate the response efforts, what worked well, and what areas require improvement, these are questions that we must address with honesty and a commitment to change,’ he added.

The Deputy CEO of VRA said there was a need to carefully assess the communication strategies employed during the event to know whe
ther messages were effectively disseminated to the affected communities, the gaps in information sharing and how to enhance the channels.

Mr Obeng-Kenzo said the VRA had reviewed the event countless times with the aim of identifying all areas where improvements could be made, adding that a number of initiatives had been put in place to improve models with the finest technologies.

He said the VRA was collaborating with the Hydrological Services Authority to increase the number of their gauging stations to help improve hydrological databases to enhance analysis.

‘We are also enhancing our collaboration with the Ghana Meteorological Authority to also improve their input into our operations. All these efforts demonstrate our resolve to continue to stay on top of our work and keep ourselves up to date with the advancement in our industry,’ he added.

‘By learning from the past, we can fortify our resilience and ensure the safety and well-being of all those who may be affected by future events,’ he added.

Sour
ce: Ghana News Agency

Parishioners of St. James and Sacred Heart Cathedral in Ho have commemorated this year’s Good Friday with a procession through some principal streets of the town.

The procession stopped at 14 Stations before converging at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at Bankoe for prayers.

Reverend Fr. Isaac Benuyenah, the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Cathedral, addressing parishioners, said their procession was the best sacrifice they could make for their sins.

He charged them to persevere to the end.

Rev. Fr. Benuyenah, who is also the Cathedral Administrator, also asked the parishioners to willingly give to the needy as it was a good sacrifice with a lot of rewards.

Good Friday is marked by Christians to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death on the cavalry.

Also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday or Black Friday, the festival is preceded by Maundy Thursday and followed by Holy Saturday.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Central Region branch of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) has climaxed this year’s Ghana Month with a colourful and captivating exhibition fair.

The fair aimed at promoting Ghana-made products, also helped create awareness of the culture and heritage of Ghana to the public for them to appreciate and hold on to their rich heritage.

It was also to help bond and foster connections between industry players for future collaborations.

The exhibitors, selected across the Region, displayed beautiful ornaments, food, fabric and others made in Ghana.

They include beaded bags, pieces of jewellery, African prints, kente cloths, local dishes, drinks and beverages.

As part of efforts to create awareness of Ghana Month, the Centre undertook activities such as public education, media engagements, and playing of Ghanaian games to remind themselves of the significance of the country’s culture.

At the opening of the regional fair to climax the Month, Mr Ebenezer Nti, Regional Director of the CNC said there was a
need to uphold the cultural morals and values for unborn generations.

‘Our culture and heritage demonstrate and describe who we are as Ghanaians, so all must join hands to protect our cultural heritage,’ he noted.

The CNC, Mr Nti assured, was committed as mandated by the law, to protecting the Country’s image and reputation by educating the public on the importance of preserving its heritage and using made in Ghana products.

‘Culture is a way of life of the people, therefore if we fail to learn and practice our culture, then we have lost the heritage bequeathed to us by our forefathers,’ he said.

Mr Nti further advised parents and guardians to instil in their children the Ghanaian culture and morals so they to be proud of their country and pass the same to future generations.

‘Our culture binds the country together as one people and a nation, therefore anything done to sabotage that would affect development hugely,’ Mr Nti observed.

Nana Obiri Aduama, Nkosohen of Oguaa Traditional Area, who chaired the
function applauded the Centre for their continuous commitment to upholding the moral values of the country.

He called for the consumption of Ghana-made goods and products to help position the Region well and boost the local economy of the country.

Nana Aduama who is the General Manager of Ridge Royal Hotel in Cape Coast, advised the youth to stop wearing only foreign clothes and bring back African wear to help the local fabrics industry thrive and enter the international market.

The National Commission on Culture had instituted the Month of March as Ghana Month with a focus on protecting the indigenous culture and heritage of the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, on the occasion of Easter, has entreated Ghanaians to unite, reflect and appreciate the sacrifices of Jesus Christ to humanity.

‘Let’s draw inspiration from the timeless blessings of Easter. Let’s reflect on the significance of the sacrifice of his death and reconciliation as we navigate the complexities of our political landscape,’ Dr Bawumia said.

The Vice President made these remarks when he joined the Trinity Congregation of the Presbyterian Church at Kwashieman during the Good Friday Service.

Easter marks a momentous event on the Christian calendar and is very significant in the Christian faith.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a pivotal moment in human history that symbolises hope, redemption, and the triumph of life over darkness and the promise of a new beginning.

Vice President Bawumia urged Ghanaians to appreciate the mercy, love and selflessness of Jesus Christ and underscored the need for the citizens
to embrace the example of Jesus by serving the nation with integrity, compassion and humility.

‘Today marks the beginning of a momentous event on the Christian calendar, Easter.

This occasion brings to us a time to unite, reflect, and appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to humanity and the values he embodies. That of mercy, love, and selflessness,’ he stated.

In the spirit of Easter, Dr Bawumia admonished Ghanaians to reject the politics of division and antagonism and foster dialogue, prioritise peace and unity in all their endeavours.

In the sermon, Reverend Kofi Manukure Akyeampong, Kwashieman District Minister of Trinity Congregation of Presbyterian Church, preaching on the theme ‘Christ; Our Example of Suffering’, said Jesus Christ humbled himself during suffering.

Reverend Manukure, therefore, entreated Christians to submit themselves in every situation with selfless attitudes.

He said Jesus Christ was honest and obedient to the point of death and urged believers to emulate him and submit them
selves to God’s will and purpose during suffering and adversities.

‘Jesus Christ was faithful in times of trouble, likewise we should be faithful in all circumstances. Jesus’ ultimate suffering is his love for humanity,’ he added.

More than two million Christians all over the world are celebrating Easter, which marks the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for humanity by dying on the cross to save humanity from sin.

The Vice President was accompanied by Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; Mr Joseph Cudjoe, the Minister of Public Enterprise; Dr Gideon Boako, the Spokesperson of the Vice President; Mr Titus Glover, the Greater Accra Regional Minister Designate and some members of his 2024 Election Campaign Team.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A Knowledge Management and Coordination Platform (KMCP), which is a digital single-source repository for information and knowledge sharing on development interventions and gaps in specific districts in the northern part of the country has been launched.

The KMCP, launched as part of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project, is also to provide details on the interventions being carried out under the SOCO project and other partners as well as areas that require more attention.

Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, who launched the KMCP at the SOCO Conference in Tamale on Wednesday, said the KMCP would help to break down silos within development partners’ interventions, foster collaboration, and facilitate the exchange of ideas.

The SOCO Conference was organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development in partnership with the World Bank, the six implementing Regional Coor
dinating Councils and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and other stakeholders of the Ministry.

It was under the theme: ‘Leveraging Digital Tools for a Balanced and Coordinated Development in Northern Ghana’, and focused on showcasing and deliberating on the project’s progress.

In the northern part of the country, various organisations and development partners have initiated projects to improve the social, political, economic, and physical well-being of communities.

These initiatives aim to promote growth and development by providing social amenities and economic and livelihood empowerment activities.

Despite these efforts, poverty continues to hinder the region’s development, and it has been identified that the lack of coordination and information sharing between different actors involved has led to duplication of efforts and insufficient capacity to scale up and synergise for greater impact.

Mr Amoah said, ‘To address this, the SOCO project seeks to serve as a catalyst in promoting a coor
dinated approach to development in the north and work together with partners to fill the development gaps, consolidate gains, and contribute more profoundly to sustainable impact’ hence the launch of the KMCP.

Mr Amoah, in addition, launched the SOCO project’s baseline report, which covered the project’s operational area to establish benchmarks for future measurement of changes in key project indicators, particularly on access to basic services, community participation, and satisfaction levels.

The SOCO project is being implemented in 48 MMDAs in the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West and Oti Regions to reduce vulnerability to climate change, strengthen local institutions, improve economic opportunities, build public trust and strengthen regional dialogue and to prevent the spread of violence from the Sahel region to the northern parts of the country.

It is a US$ 450 million multi-country project being implemented in Benin, Cote D’ Ivoire, Togo, and Ghana with support from the World Ban
k, and the Government of Ghana’s allocation is a total of US$ 150 million credit facility.

Mr Amoah said the baseline report would empower policymakers, project managers, and other stakeholders to ensure that subsequent actions, especially on the SOCO project, were tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the target population in areas such as infrastructure development, livelihood empowerment, sustainability, inclusion, and community-level development.

Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister, urged the participants to explore the transformative power of digital tools in fostering balanced growth and coordination across various sectors in the north.

He said, ‘In our rapidly evolving world in which technology plays a crucial role, harnessing digital innovations is not just a choice but a necessity for propelling Northern Ghana towards prosperity.’

Source: Ghana News Agency