News Wave

  BY PERRAH The Ghana Police Service has taken legal action by filing an application at the High Court to seek an injunction against three groups planning to stage demonstrations in December. Democracy Hub, Patriotic Hub, and the Patriotic Forum for Accountable Governance had earlier notified the police about their intended protests at the Jubilee House throughout December 2023. Two of the groups explicitly expressed their intention to demand the resignation or impeachment of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Meanwhile, the Patriotic Forum for Accountable Governance stated that its protest aims to express appreciation to the president for his efforts in sustaining the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and leading it on the path of economic recovery. The Ghana Police Service, in a letter, reported that after conducting a security threat assessment of the proposed demonstrations, they engaged with the organizers to discuss challenges and communicated their inability to provi...

  BY PERRAH The Parliamentary debate on the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, November 21. This announcement was made by the Majority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, while presenting the Business Statement of the House for the week ending on Friday, November 24. A two-day post-budget workshop for the participation of all Members of Parliament (MPs) is set to precede the debate, taking place from Saturday, November 18, to Sunday, November 19, at the Chamber of Parliament House in Accra. During the ensuing week, dedicated to the debate for the approval of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2024 Financial Year, some Ministers are scheduled to respond to parliamentary questions. The Majority Leader proposed that the debate take place during the morning session (1000 hours to 1400 hours), while Ministers address parliamentary questions during the afternoon session (1400 hours to 1800 hour...

BY PERRAH In today's fast-paced business landscape, the concept of departmental silos can hinder organizational growth and innovation. These silos occur when teams or departments operate in isolation, limiting the exchange of information, ideas, and resources across the organization. But fear not! Breaking down these barriers is crucial for fostering collaboration and achieving sustainable success. The Downside of Silos: Departmental silos can lead to a range of problems, including redundancy of efforts, missed opportunities, and reduced employee morale. When teams don't communicate effectively, projects can get duplicated, and key insights might remain hidden within specific pockets of the organization. This not only wastes time and resources but also stifles creativity and growth.  Breaking Barriers: Here's how you can start breaking down those silos and promote a culture of collaboration Open Communication Channels: Encourage regular communication between departments. Us...

    BY PERRAH  Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has declared his intention to eliminate the teacher licensure exams if he regains the presidency. He views the teacher certification program as unnecessary, arguing that teachers already undergo exams at various stages of their training. Mahama, while speaking at Wenchi in the Bono Region as part of his "Building Ghana Tour," stated that his administration would abolish the perceived burdensome licensure exams for teacher trainees. He pledged to reinstate the automatic employment of teacher trainee graduates, assuring that no graduate would be denied posting or employment under his leadership. “We will abolish the obnoxious licensure exams for teacher trainees and restore the automatic employment of teacher trainee graduates. Let me state unequivocally that no teacher trainee graduate will be denied posting or employment under the next Mahama government.” Expressing hi...

According to the Ghana Health Service, there have been 2,373 confirmed cases of elephantiasis in the region, accounting for about a third of the total national cases. Elephantiasis is a parasitic infection caused by thread-like worms transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The infection can lead to swelling and thickening of the limbs and genitals, resulting in significant disfigurement and disability and can also cause severe pain and discomfort, as well as secondary infections. Bright Alomatu, Desk Officer, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programme of the Ghana Health Service said even though all 15 municipalities and districts of the Upper East Region are endemic, health workers have been able to stop the spread of elephantiasis in the region. The Upper East region’s high number of cases, Mr. Alomatu said, could be due to several factors, including poor sanitation and hygiene practices, a condition that create a conducive environment for mosquitoes to breed and spre...

The Registrar of the National Teaching Council, Dr Christian Addai-Poku has observed that the high attrition rate in the nation’s education sector poses a great threat towards the future of the nation’s education and development. He then appealed to the government and all other stakeholders to put in place the right measures to curb the situation to avoid the looming danger. The Registrar stated that for instance, early this year a little over 16,000 Ghanaian teachers applied to the Department of Education in the UK for employment and by June 13th 2023, 10,000 of the applicants with Ghana Teacher Licenses had been certified to work in the UK without any further assessment (qualified teacher status test) by the UK government. Dr Addai-Poku announced this when he delivered his welcome address during the first day of a two-day symposium that preceded this year’s Ghana Teacher Prize scheduled to take place on Thursday at Takoradi in the Western Region. The symposium brought together educat...

  Prominent media personality, Serwaa Amihere, has descended heavily on Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, over his claims that 2.3 million jobs have been created both in the public and private sectors. She expressed her utmost surprise at the Finance Minister's claim and believes that he needs to give more details on his claims to clear the doubts of some people. Unemployment has been a major hurdle in Ghana where there have been numerous complaints from the teeming youth who are struggling to make ends meet. The media personality further called on Ken Ofori-Atta to come out and give a vivid breakdown of the 2.3 million jobs he claims the Akufo-Addo-led government has created to solve the unemployment situation in the country. "Where are the 2.3 million jobs the finance minister says has been created? We need a breakdown. Serwaa Amihere wrote on her X page. Ken Ofori-Atta said the government is determined to do more to boost the capacity of the country's private sector to ...

  As economic challenges escalate and the cost of living rises in Ghana, an increasing number of young Ghanaians are turning to international travel in search of better prospects. This news article delves into the motives driving Ghanaian youth to seek travel experiences and highlights the transformative impact on their lives, emphasizing the potential career opportunities it opens up. Cultural Exposure and Tolerance Skills: One of the primary reasons behind the surge in Ghanaian youth travel is the desire for cultural exposure and the development of tolerance skills. Travelling offers firsthand experiences of diverse cultures, fostering confidence and open-mindedness among the youth, essential qualities in an interconnected global community. Unique Educational Opportunities: Beyond the traditional classroom setting, travel provides young Ghanaians with unique and expansive educational opportunities. From witnessing scientific phenomena to exploring destinations rich in art and h...

  BY EVA The 1994 Year Group of Sogakope Secondary School Old Student Association (SOSA '94) has made a significant donation of relief items worth over GHC25,172 to communities impacted by the recent Akosombo Dam water spillage. The initiative aims to support those affected in areas such as Agave, Agorme, Godzeapota, Amuto, Tadze, and the alma mater, Sogakope Secondary School. Contributions from the year group's members funded the relief items, which include used clothing, mosquito nets, mattresses, shoes, handbags, bags of sachet water, gari, washing powder, washing soap, and bathing soap. The donation was presented to community elders and opinion leaders to benefit the affected residents. Dr. Godfred Amewu, the President of the Year Group, expressed concern about the devastation caused by the spillage, especially its impact on health needs. Notably, the challenging road network to the communities led to some relief items being transported across the Volta Lake to reach the af...

BY TIANA Dr. Yaw Twerefour, the CEO of Mortuaries and Funeral Services Authority, has clarified the Authority's role amid concerns about increasing grave costs. Contrary to public perception, he explained that the Authority's responsibility is not to regulate prices but to issue permits to cemetery owners, ensuring safety and necessary amenities. Dr. Twerefour highlighted that the Authority focuses on maintaining records and securing cemeteries, with limited control over grave pricing, particularly in privately owned cemeteries. When issuing permits, the Authority does not dictate prices; it is the private owners who set fees for their specific cemeteries. Addressing reported hikes in burial costs, Dr. Twerefour acknowledged changing dynamics in the funeral industry and emphasized the need for community support. Callers from various regions shared their experiences, pointing out varying charges influenced by factors like tiles, steps, and additional fees imposed by landowners a...

BY SETH WORNOR The National Media Commission (NMC) has issued harsh warnings to fifteen television stations for airing unlawful content. The NMC issued a warning on Thursday, November 16, emphasising that failing to comply could result in severe penalties for the stations involved. The NMC's alert comes in response to public complaints regarding the TV stations airing content deemed inconsistent with Ghanaian culture, customs, and media ethics. Alleged violations include instances of money-doubling, money rituals, fake lotteries, occult practices, and pornography. Among the stations listed for their alleged infractions are X TV, Asomdwie TV, Funny TV, Advice TV, Big TV, Passion TV, Nkabom TV, Seekers TV, Elephant TV, Adwenpa TV, Eagle TV, Best TV, Energy TV, Diamond TV, and Asomafo TV. The NMC, in collaboration with the National Communications Authority (NCA), addressed 318 reported occurrences, emphasising its commitment to rectifying deficiencies in broadcast material. The Com...

BY SETH WORNOR In the middle of the clashes between Hamas and Israel, the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, is asking Israel to let people into the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. This request comes after Israel shared a video claiming there's a Hamas tunnel in the hospital, something that Hamas and medical authorities deny. The video, released on Thursday, shows a hole in the ground with a reinforced concrete shaft, supposedly part of a Hamas tunnel. But, the video doesn't show inside the tunnel. Now, there's pressure on Israel to prove its claims. The IDF spokesman, Daniel Hagari, says that army engineers are trying to expose the tunnel. Türk says there needs to be an independent international investigation because the stories are conflicting, and using hospitals for military purposes is not allowed. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers are doing specific operations in and around the hospital. The conflict began when Hamas attacked on October 7, leading to Israel's bombing o...

  BY SETH WORNOR In Accra, the Minister in charge of Ghana's money, Ken Ofori-Atta, shared some good news while talking about the 2024 budget. He said Ghana is getting back on its feet after using money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help out. Ofori-Atta made it clear that the government is serious about making sure the money stuff stays steady. He said, "We started doing better when we finished the first part of the IMF plan." He promised that the government would keep things stable, help the country grow, and make sure the money stayed reliable. He also mentioned some important signs that things are looking up, like how the cost of things (inflation) went down from 54.1 to 35.2. Ofori-Atta is confident that the improvement will stick around, saying, "The good times are real, and they're here to stay." According to the money minister, the reason for the economic improvement is that the government did some smart things with money policies last...

  BY EVA Popular actor Agya Koo has pledged his support for the renovation of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), citing the hospital's role in saving his life as a child. He vowed to actively promote and contribute to the "Heal Komfo Anokye Project," initiated by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Agya Koo shared a personal story of his survival at KATH during the launch of the project, recalling a time when he was brought to the hospital for medical treatment as a child. While those around him lost their lives, he credited KATH and divine intervention for saving him. Expressing concern for the hospital's challenges, Agya Koo emphasized the importance of addressing issues at KATH, promising to engage in frequent publicity efforts to meet the project's fundraising goals for necessary renovations. The "Heal Komfo Anokye Project" aims to raise US$10 million through public fundraising for the renovation of the hospital's 70-year-old in-patient ward...

Ghanaian Photographer Wins $25,000 Prize for Best Photo of the Year A self-taught photographer from Ghana, Michael Aboya, snagged the Best Photo of the Year 2019 award at the Agora Awards in Barcelona, Spain. His winning image, titled "Songs of Freedom," features boys enjoying music, earning him a grand prize of $25,000. Aboya's captivating photo received over 500,000 votes after nine months of competition and more than 130,000 submissions from 193 countries worldwide. The 24-year-old's winning image, chosen from 50 finalists, depicts boys immersed in the joy of music in La, one of Ghana's oldest neighbourhoods in Accra. The inspiration for "Songs of Freedom" came to Aboya while listening to Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song.' Afterwards, he gathered a group of kids at the beach to pose for the camera, capturing the most expressive among them as the focus of the image. For Aboya, the award holds special significance as it symbolizes the years of ...

  BY SETH WORNOR In recent news, some Ghanaian politicians are being accused of doing something fishy with mining, known as "galamsey," even though it's against the law. Sources say these high-up officials used their power to get permits for small mines but then secretly used them for big, illegal mining. This alleged wrongdoing is causing big problems for the environment. The officials are reportedly messing up the water and chopping down trees, hurting the communities nearby and their way of making a living. Instead of following the rules, they're making things worse for the environment and the people. Even though the government has tried to stop illegal mining, the involvement of these politicians is making things more complicated. People are now saying the government needs to punish these politicians fast to show they're fair and still in charge. The government's plan to stop illegal mining has already faced problems, and now, with politicians possibly doi...