Against reports that Cameroon forward, Vincent Aboubakar has been ruled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, the team’s top goal scorer at last AFCON might still take part in the tournament.

According to a release on the team’s official social media pages, the slight grade 1 musculo aponeurotic detachment suffered by Aboubakar during a training session in Yamussoukro on Friday was a minor injury.

As a result, Aboubakar will continue his recovery under the supervision of the medical team.

The captain of the five-time champions who is the most experienced player in the squad is determined to follow through with his treatment in the lion’s den.

According to the release, the captain is in high spirits and ready to rigorously follow treatment protocols.

This means that the injury won’t affect his participation at AFCON 2023.

The recent development in the Indomitable Lions camp on Vincent Aboubakar was signed and confirmed by the national team physician, Dr Fotso Gwabap Patrick.

Rig
obert Song’s side will open their campaign against Guinea at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamussoukro on Monday.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Professor Q. Ben Hoenyenuga, Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University has advised students at the University to make judicious use of all academic resources and facilities at their disposal.

He also urged staff and other stakeholders to work together to enable the school to become a hub of innovation, advancing sustainable global development.

Prof. Hoenyenuga gave the advice in his new year message available to the Ghana News Agency in Ho.

He said the school management put in place adequate support systems and resources to effectively support training and development of staff and students.

The Vice Chancellor noted that 2023 was an eventful and fruitful year for the school.

‘The school stood tall among its peers by winning a lot of laurels and awards both locally and internationally last year,’ he disclosed.

Prof. Hoenyenuga said the University has introduced new programmes including NSCE in Illustration Tourism Marketing and NTEC in Refrigeration and Air Condition.

The others he continued were Bach
elor programmes in Estate and Facilities Management, Architectural Technology, Economics and Inovation and Biometrical Engineering.

He noted that this was to ensure that graduates of the school acquired the desired competency and skills to transform the economy.

Prof. Hoenyenuga called on the students to set new critical goals in the New academic year so as to consolidate and attain higher goals.

‘2024 is a fresh year, a new dawn and a new beginning, I am optimistic that with our collective effort we will achieve more positive results,’ he said.

Prof. Hoenyenuga extended his heartfelt appreciation to the governing council, academic Board, Management, Faculty, staff and all stakeholders for their support and collective achievements over the period and wished all a happy and prosperous new year.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has called for the adoption of both covert and overt surveillance security systems throughout the electoral process.

The GF therefore called on the Electoral Commission to ensure the sanctity of elections by maintaining international best standards.

Mr Abraham Koomson, GFL Secretary General, explained in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tema that covert electoral surveillance security systems are carried out without the subject’s knowledge, that is, electorates, political parties, and other interested parties, while overt surveillance is performed using devices that are visible and obvious to all.

Mr. Koomson explained that both systems have their major advantages and expressed concern about the EC’s proposed amendment to depend on covert security surveillance systems for Elections 2024.

The GFL Secretary General explained that overt security featured in elections, including the use of indelible ink on the fourth finger after casting the ballot, were evidenc
e to the voter, the contesting candidate, and other stakeholders. This sense of assurance made it difficult for the voter to attempt to vote again, as the indelible ink served as a form of physical authentication.

He said these elements would be compromised with the EC’s intent not to use the overt security features, which were the indelible ink on the fourth finger of the electorate after voting in Elections 2024.

Mr. Koomson stressed that with the African electoral system, which is loaded with suspicion and sometimes attempts by ruling parties and opposition parties to take advantage of the system, it was apparent for the EC to continue with the two-way security systems on election day: covert and overt electorate observation.

He also called on the stakeholders in Ghana’s electoral system to steer the country out of the potential political turmoil before, during, and after the December 7 polls, ‘since the major political parties are well armed to win the elections through whatever means possible.’

The G
FL Secretary General noted that Ghana’s Electoral Commission needs help; the National Peace Council and Tradition Leaders must roll out and intensify mediation efforts between the EC and other stakeholders, especially the major political parties, as the ground is becoming fertile for violence to erupt once again.’

He also called on the EC to exhibit neutrality both in public and in private and advise senior electoral officials as well as commissioners to reduce the incidence of conflict, antagonistic posture, and pronouncements, and stop media wars with political parties. ‘EC is not contesting the election in 2024 but is expected to play a neutral role in election management functions.’

He also called on both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership to demonstrate political maturity, stressing that ‘it is exactly when partisan pressures are high that electoral stakeholders must create an enabling political environment for people to express their views devoid of per
sonality attacks, arrests, and security brutalities.’

Mr. Koomson also called on the government to protect the rights of all citizens before, during, and after the December polls: ‘Ghanaians must be allowed to engage in peaceful, lawful electoral engagement and campaigning; citizens must not be hindered from exercising and defending their legitimate right to express their views, especially dissenting positions.’

‘We must strengthen state institutions to perform their duties without interference and political manipulation,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency