Ms Jennifer R. Littlejohn, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, US, says ensuring air quality for all especially vulnerable groups is one of the key priorities of US's environmental programmes. As part of the strategies, the US, she stated was supporting Ghana through the University of Ghana's (UG) Afri-SET, an air quality sensor evaluation, calibration, testing and training centre. Speaking at a seminar during her visit to UG, Ms Littlejohn said the US was committed to further strengthening the evaluation centre and helping it to establish similar across the African continent. She was conducted round the air pollution facility at UG to familiarised herself with the operations. She said such facilities would encourage creativity among scientists to develop low-cost sensors to contribute to the collection of real time air quality data to inform decision makers and for the ordinary person to make informed decisions. Ms Littlejohn said it wou ld also foster effective and efficient collaboration and knowledge-sharing to address pressing public health issues. ' When it comes to air quality, knowledge is power. By making data widely available, we empower local communities to understand, act on air quality and use the data to advocate for policy changes to improve air quality,' she said. The Environmental Diplomat stated that air pollution was not just something that irritated the eyes and the throat -but a killer, which Ghana and the rest of Africa needed to address. The facility has started running training for experts as part of its larger objective to increase regional capacity and cooperation on air quality, as well as forming a community of practice for scientists, health experts, and governments throughout the region. In the area of clean cooking, the US has built the capacity of officials of the cookstove laboratory at the Institute of Industrial Research of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, (IIR-CSIR) to play its role to wards improving air quality. It was done through the Round Robin Testing Programme, an initiative supported by the United States of America's Environmental Protection Agency and United Nations Foundation's Clean Cooking Alliance. The laboratory is well positioned to support Ghana and the continent to contribute to meeting climate action plans of reducing emissions from traditional cookstoves. More than six out of ten homes in Ghana for instance cook using traditional cookstoves, which generate soot, which harm users especially women, and deteriorate the quality of air. Although the Centre has existed for over 13 years, recent capacity building and International Organisation for Standardisation accreditation has enhanced its operation. Source: Ghana News Agency SWAKOPMUND: The Namibian Police Force's Unit Commander for Community Policing in Erongo, Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, has raised concern about the continued withdrawal of gender-based violence cases by complainants. Shapumba noted that this continues to happen despite the fact that the police have repeatedly said anyone who wishes to withdraw a gender-based violence related case should only do so in court. This comes after two repeat offenders were reportedly involved in cases of murder and attempted murder at Okombahe and Swakopmund respectively. According to Shapumba, the suspects in both cases were recently released from custody after their alleged victims withdrew the cases against them. In a crime report on Sunday, the unit commander said the first incident occurred between 02h00 and 03h00 on Saturday at the Okombahe settlement. The woman and her boyfriend reportedly had a heated argument and he then allegedly struck her with a rock. The attack left the woman with serious injuries on her head, upp er arm, left leg and elsewhere on her body which resulted in her death. A case of murder and obstruction or defeating the course of justice has been laid against the 26-year-old man, who reportedly attempted to remove evidence of the act and clean the blood stains. The suspect has been arrested and is expected to appear in court. The deceased has been identified as 34-year-old Beverly Theresia Nanus. Her next of kin have been informed. In the case of attempted murder which allegedly took place in Swakopmund's DRC Informal Settlement around 18h00 on Thursday, the 33-year-old complainant was reportedly stabbed all over her body and in the face with a bottle by her ex-boyfriend. The woman has been admitted to the Swakopmund State Hospital. The suspect was arrested and police investigations are ongoing. Source: The Namibia Press Agency
Accra2023; GTTA announces final team selection
The Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has settled on ten players to represent Ghana at the 13th Africa Games. With less than a day for the kick off, the technical team after a rigid selection process, came out with five males and females to compete in the tournament. Making the cut for the male team at tender age was Israel Aklie, 11, who double as the 2022 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG)Table Tennis Player of the Year. He would be the youngest player in the Ghanaian contingent for the 13th Africa games. Other members of the team were; Bernard Joe Sam, Emmanuel Commey, Samuel Akayade and Ernest Mawutor Quarcoo. While the female team would be led by captain Cynthia Kwabi, with Celia Baah-Danso, Eva Adom-Amankwaa, Bernice Borley Borquaye and new kid on the block Juanita Borteye, 2023 SWAG female prospect of the year. The dynamic table tennis player, James Marfo would be a reserve player for the male's team. The team would be coached by Anthony Owusu-Ansah and Ebenezer Tetteh Annang-Whyte. M r. Charles Tachie-Masonn, the Technical Director of GTTA said the team is well prepared for the competition and they were confident of a good performance. The table tennis would start from Monday, March 4, at the Accra International Conference Centre. Balloting precedes the competition on Sunday 3rd March 2024 at 4pm at La Palm Beach Hotel. Africa's powerhouses Egypt and Nigeria, and a host of other nations would be participating. Ghana would be hosting the tournament for the first times since 1965. Source: Ghana News Agency
Rainstorm destroys VIP stands of Sunyani Coronation Park
A powerful rainstorm that struck Saturday evening has caused significant damage to the roofing of the VIP stands and other sections of the Sunyani Coronation Park. The most affected areas were the left and right wings of the VIP stands, portions of the Jubilee stand, and the DKM stand. The rainstorm began around 17:15 hours Saturday evening and lasted until 18:30 hours. According to an eyewitness, Mr Francis Ankamah Wanney, Secretary of the Bono Ahafo Regional Football Association, the rain started shortly after an FA Cup round of 16 match between Sunyani Prisons Ladies and Kumasi Sports Academy at the Park. He said portions of the roofing of the left wing of the VIP stands collapsed onto a Northern Electricity Development Company (NEDCo) light pole at the Park, near the RFA office, causing a blackout in the area. Additionally, the falling roof from the right wing of the VIP stands narrowly missed hitting the bus of Kumasi Sports Academy as it landed at the front of the bus. In a related interview, Mr. Foster Kwame Opoku Boakye, the Bono Regional Director of the National Sports Authority, emphasized the urgent need for action to address the damage. He requested for assistance for roofing sheets, lumber, nails, and other assistance to repair the roof and replace displaced seats. Mr. Boakye also appealed for support to facilitate the re-roofing of the Park, as much of the roofing had been in place for many years. The Coronation Park, with a capacity of approximately 6,000, is a popular venue for hosting various sporting events, including Premier League and National Division One league matches, inter-school competitions, and serves as a symbol of community pride for the people of the Bono Region. Source: Ghana News Agency
UG Stadium: Dr Bawumia commends former President Kufuor for birthing it
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has paid glowing tribute to former President John Agyekum Kufuor for starting the construction of the University of Ghana Stadium, which was commissioned on Friday, March 1, 2024. The Kufuor-led Government began the project in 2007, but after leaving office, successive governments abandoned it for eight years. As part of plans to host the 13th African Games in Ghana, the Akufo-Addo-led Government resumed construction works, and expanded it into a standard, multi-purpose facility with mundo and standard warm up athletics tracks. At the commissioning of the stadium in Accra, Vice President Bawumia acknowledged the immense contribution of President Kufuor's Government and other stakeholders towards the development of the stadium. 'I am particularly excited about the completion of the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, with added facilities, due to its chequered history,' he said, 'As we all know, the construction of this stadium started under the Government of His Excelle ncy President J. A. Kufuor over 15 years ago.' 'However, the construction of this stadium was completely abandoned by successive governments, until our government assumed office and decided to resume construction and the result is the beautiful edifice we are commissioning.''I would like to thank former President Kufuor, for his vision to build a stadium for University of Ghana, the GETFUND for providing the initial funding, and to all those who have played various roles to ensure the completion of the stadium.'Dr Bawumia said as the University of Ghana celebrated its landmark 75th Anniversary, there could not have been a more fitting monument for the Anniversary. 'This has come at the right time; to host the African Games and also as a befitting legacy to the University and its community,' he said. Source: Ghana News Agency
Ketasco to host 67th Municipal Independence Day Anniversary
The Keta Senior High Technical School (Ketasco) in the Volta Region will host the 67th Municipal Independence Day celebration this year. The Day will be celebrated at the various municipalities and circuit centres in the country on Wednesday, March 6, in remembrance of the country's independence from colonial rule. Mr Ferdinand Amuzu, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Keta Municipality, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency that all schools within the municipality would converge at Ketasco for the anniversary. 'The Municipal Directorate of Education has informed all heads of basic and second cycle schools both public and private that this year's Independence Day will be hosted on the Ketasco Park,' he said. He explained that each school was to present a contingent of 25 pupils each to take part in the march past to commemorate the day. Other centres such as Kedzi A.M.E Zion, Anlo-Afiadenyigba SHS, Tsiame R.C/M.A. Basic, Abor E.P JHS, and Hatorgodo R.C/M. A Basic would also host other schools within the municipality, Mr Amuzu said. The hosting centres include Sasieme M.A basic, Atiavi-Heluvi M.A Basic, Atiavi Agbodekor R.C Basic, Anlo Awomefia SHS, and Hevedzi A.M.E Zion schools. 'The participating contingents must assemble at their various centers at exactly 0730 hours to enable the function to commence at 0800 hours prompt,' he said. Mr Emmanuel Gemega, the Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Gerhard Avudzivi, Keta Municipal Education Director, and heads of institutions among others are expected to grace the occasion. This year's national celebration, which would be held at the newly commissioned Koforidua Youth Resource Centre, is on the theme: 'Our Democracy, Our Pride.' Source: Ghana News Agency