Category: General

The Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) will embark on a demonstration on Tuesday, February 13 to demand the termination of tax on the consumption of electricity imposed by government. The Union gave a one-week ultimatum of January 31st to terminate the tax imposition on electricity which elapsed on Wednesday. However, government has not issued any official communication of withdrawal to the Union Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, the Secretary General of TUC, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said the Union would embark on a massive demonstration across the sixteen regions of the country on Tuesday, 13th February. He said the union had taken the decision firmly and had appointed a committee to plan it, adding that the only reason to prevent the demonstration would be government's decision to terminate the intended tax on consumption of electricity. He said 'we are not in any position to have any discussion or anything'. 'If government doesn't want us to demonstrate they should withdraw'. He said government shou ld write to the union officially to stop the union from the protest. He said if the government did not withdraw, all formal and informal workers, public and private would on Tuesday, February 13 embark on a demonstration. 'We are going to demonstrate for government to know that we can never be taken for granted, ' he added. He entreated all employers to allow their employees to partake in the demonstration because it was a national assignment. 'This is not for only workers but for our children, families and the entire population of the country, 'he added. He said, 'if we do not fight this now, it would be a menace for the future.' He said on Monday, February 12, all formal and informal workers must put on a red attire to work to show how ready the union was. Source: Ghana News Agency

Preparations for the 2024/2025 academic year were at heart of a small Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani at the Government Palace in Kasbah on Thursday. The Prime Minister stressed the need to create all "favourable conditions and ensure optimal readiness on the organisational, financial and logistical fronts to ensure the success of the coming academic year," according to a statement from the Prime Ministry. During the meeting, the national paper needs were discussed and the readiness of the National Cellulose and Esparto Paper Company (SNCPA) was reviewed. It was emphasised that the company should play its role in providing all the necessary materials for the production of subsidised textbooks and exercise books. It was decided following this cabinet meeting to maintain the prices of textbooks and exercise books subsidised for the next school year (2024/2025). The meeting was attended by Minister of Finance Sihem Boughdiri Namsia, Minister of Social Affairs Malek Zahi, Minister of Economy and Planning Feryel Ouerghi, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Fatma Thabet Chiboub and Minister of Education Mohamed Ali Boughdiri. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

WINDHOEK: The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) on Friday led a community health initiative in Windhoek that offered crucial screenings to over 100 men and 100 women at a free clinic. The event was aimed at raising awareness about cancer prevention and underscoring the significance of early detection in commemoration of World Cancer Day, observed annually on 04 February. It was held at the CAN headquarters, where individuals from diverse backgrounds were welcomed to receive screenings, including pap smear, breast examinations and rapid prostate-specific antigen exams. While addressing the event, CAN Chief Executive Officer, Rolf Hansen, emphasised the importance of proactive health measures and their impact on the overall wellbeing of individuals. Hansen stressed that early detection is crucial in the fight against cancer, adding that CAN's goal is to make these screenings accessible to as many people as possible, and the community clinics mark just the beginning. He highlighted the organisation's commi tment to expanding these initiatives across the country, reaching various towns and communities. 'The Cancer Association of Namibia's proactive approach not only aids in early detection but also serves to reduce the burden on the healthcare system by preventing advanced cancer cases. We are excited to make a tangible impact on cancer outcomes. By taking our screenings to different towns, we hope to reach individuals who may not have easy access to healthcare resources,' Hansen said. CAN's efforts align with the global theme of World Cancer Day, which emphasises the importance of taking action to reduce the impact of cancer, Hansen added. Source: Namibia Press Agency

Wife of Vice President Mahamdu Bawumia, Hajia Mrs Samira Bawumia, who doubles as Global Ambassador for United Nations' Clean Cooking Alliance, has given assurance to women in Jamestown, a suburb of Accra that government is intensifying education on LPG use. She gave the assurance during a tour of Jamestown as part of her campaign for cleaner, accessible and affordable energy sources for cooking. She was accompanied on the tour by Michael Regan, the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). The tour was intended to provide the team with first-hand information on prevalent cooking methods and fuel sources being used by many of the women in the area for cooking. The visit not only highlighted strong Ghana-United States relations but also reflected a shared dedication to promoting clean cooking, leading to improved public health and sustainable living. Jamestown, with its rich cultural and historical significance, served as the ideal setting, reflective of a typical Ghanai an community, suitable for the exercise. The area, known for its vibrant community, faced challenges with traditional cooking methods that often relied on less sustainable and unclean fuel sources, including charcoal, firewood, and tyres. The delegation visited households, including two fish smoking facilities, a kenkey house and a banku joint; to observe the methods and fuels used in preserving fish and preparing meals. In her interactions, Mrs Bawumia said: 'Our women go through a lot of challenges to put food on the table, and cooking is the number one challenge. 'A lot of the non-communicable diseases are from unclean cooking, respiratory illness, blindness and all of that, so we're committed to helping our women to help transition from firewood and charcoal to cleaner energy sources.' Mrs Bawumia highlighted the importance of embracing more sustainable and health-friendly cooking practices. 'Our traditional cooking methods are an integral part of our culture. However, it is essential to balance thi s with the need for environmentally sustainable and healthy practices,' she stated. Unclean cooking methods account for two-thirds (64%) of household air pollution. In 2019, about two hundred and thirty-six thousand (236,000) newborn infants were estimated to have died of air-pollution-related causes in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the State of Global Air study. Household air pollution accounts for an estimated four (4) million deaths every year. In Africa, indoor air pollution caused 697,000 deaths in 2019. The African Development Bank reports that the continent loses up to 2.4% of its GDP annually due to health problems caused by biomass cooking. Mrs Bawumia, who also doubles as a champion of the World Health Organisation's Health and Energy Platform for Action (HEPA), said the government was committed to increasing access to cleaner fuels through various programmes. She mentioned the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) project. The CRM is intended to resolve the challenge associated with the cos t of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and make it accessible to the citizens, she stated. The tour also involved a town hall discussion on alternative cooking methods and the potential for cleaner, more sustainable, and environmentally friendly fuel sources for the local population. Other members of the delegation included Dr Henry Kokofu, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Ambassador Virginia Palmer, the US Ambassador to Ghana and the Chief Executive Mr Officer of the US National Association for Derrick Johnson, the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP). At the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023, Mrs Bawumia and Ambassador Regan engaged in a fireside conversation hosted by the Clean Cooking Alliance to discuss the impact of unclean cooking on lives, livelihoods, and the environment, as well as the role of national governments in accelerating clean cooking solutions through deliberate programs and policies. It is against this backdrop that Amba ssador Regan and his team are in Ghana to ascertain firsthand, the traditional cooking practices prevalent in Ghana and how they could help improve it. Mrs Bawumia, over the years, has been a relentless advocate for women's wellbeing and children, through her not-for-profit organisation, the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP). Through SEHP, she has supported about 8,000 pregnant women in the East Gonja Municipality, North East Gonja and Saboba Districts of Ghana with essential birth kits to prevent maternal and neonatal mortalities. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) will embark on a demonstration on Tuesday, February 13 to demand the termination of tax on the consumption of electricity imposed by government. The Union gave a one-week ultimatum of January 31st to terminate the tax imposition on electricity which elapsed on Wednesday. However, government has not issued any official communication of withdrawal to the Union Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, the Secretary General of TUC, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said the Union would embark on a massive demonstration across the sixteen regions of the country on Tuesday, 13th February. He said the union had taken the decision firmly and had appointed a committee to plan it, adding that the only reason to prevent the demonstration would be government's decision to terminate the intended tax on consumption of electricity. He said 'we are not in any position to have any discussion or anything'. 'If government doesn't want us to demonstrate they should withdraw'. He said government shou ld write to the union officially to stop the union from the protest. He said if the government did not withdraw, all formal and informal workers, public and private would on Tuesday, February 13 embark on a demonstration. 'We are going to demonstrate for government to know that we can never be taken for granted, ' he added. He entreated all employers to allow their employees to partake in the demonstration because it was a national assignment. 'This is not for only workers but for our children, families and the entire population of the country, 'he added. He said, 'if we do not fight this now, it would be a menace for the future.' He said on Monday, February 12, all formal and informal workers must put on a red attire to work to show how ready the union was. Source: Ghana News Agency