Month: March 2024

Kuoro Bamula Basinjia Chiemina, the Divisional Chief of Kandia in the Sissala West District, says the remains of the Gwollu defence wall should be considered as one single act that needs to be celebrated and promoted. As Ghana celebrates Heritage Month, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) interviewed some individuals about the relevance of the Gwollu defence wall, which was built in the 18th century to protect the residents from being enslaved by slave raiders. Kuoro Chiemina said it was imperative to highlight the remarkable heritage of the Sissala people, especially the Gwollu Slave Defence Wall as an extraordinary act of human freedom. Kuoro Chiemina added that the Gwollu wall was not just a physical structure but a symbol of hope, courage, and resistance against the injustice of the slave trade. He added that it signified the bravery and ingenuity of their forebearers in the face of unimaginable adversity. He called for an event to be celebrated saying, 'As we mark Ghana's heritage Month, we must honour and celebrate the Sissala from Gwollu and the adjoining areas' people for their contribution to the fight against the slave trade. 'We must continue to preserve and protect this heritage for future generations, as a reminder of the atrocities of the past and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds', the Chief observed. The Executive Director of the Sissala Heritage Foundation told the GNA in an interview that: 'This wall is a physical testament to the resilience and determination of the people's forebears in resisting the dehumanising slave trade that was perpetrated against Ghanaians and Africans.'  He argued that the wall was a reminder that Africans were not co-conspirators or actors in the slave trade, as some people claim.  He said the Sissala people, through the Gwollu wall, showed their unwavering commitment to human freedom, civil liberties, and the preservation of human dignity.  Mr Hara Dauda, a native of Gwollu said the wall symbolised the commitment of their ancestors and that it would be unfair to limit the wall to only the people of Gwollu as other communities joined to build the wall, which indicated that they were united. 'The unity of our ancestors- it's a responsibility on us to use the motivation to develop, it belongs to all of us. There were two walls, an inner one and the bigger one around the town, where the adjoining communities dug a big hole as a trap for the enemy. 'We have to have the mindsets of our ancestors to protect and develop the area,' he explained. Some of the settlers said the name Gwollu meant, 'Let us surround it,' to protect the residents and the people from being enslaved and transported to the Western world. Kuoro Kuri Buktie Limann IV, the Paramount Chief of the Gwollu Traditional Area, said the people of Gwollu built an anti-slavery wall against the raiders whom he said were led by Samori and Babatu Zato. The anti-slave walls were built of mud, and herbs that had holes in them where the locals hid and pointed their b ows and arrows at the enemy each time they came to attack, and this eventually protected them from the raiders. The Paramount Chief appealed to the Government to construct roads linking to those important tourist sites in the region as that could boost tourism and woo investors to the area. He mentioned those roads to include: Gwollu -Jeffisi-Han-Wa road and the Hamile-Gwollu-Tumu-Navrongo road which, when tarred, would ease the burden of tourists who might want to visit the area. He also appealed to the Ghana Tourism Authority to be interested in both the history and the relics for posterity. Kuoro Limann identified Southern Burkina Faso through Gwollu and other towns right up to the Salaga slave Market as places where slaves were gathered and sold. The GNA also found out that besides Gwollu being the hometown of the first President to have come from Northern Ghana where the tomb of Dr Hilla Liman currently rests, a traditional bone setting centre where bone fractures and dislocations are treated can be found in Gwollu. It boasts of a local Viagra that treats men with infertility issues and the crocodile pond, 'Kalgwe' where crocodiles are preserved and protected by humans. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Most Reverend Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, the Anglican Archbishop of Ghana, says Jesus' triumphant victory over death provides an antidote to the world's prevailing challenges. He said Easter was a moment when Christians were reminded of the seeds of hope that lay inside the call to love in victory. 'It is true that we can easily become overwhelmed when we witness the tragedies that continue to unfold in so many other parts of the world. We might shake our heads in despair as we see more and more homeless individuals living on the streets with no clear answer in sight,' the Archbishop said. Archbishop Ben-Smith, also the Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA), in his 2024 Easter message, said the resurrected Christ provided remedies in addressing some of those prevalent societal issues such as violence and hatred. Anglicans across all the 13 dioceses in Ghana, joined Christians across the world to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after 40 day s of Lent. Archbishop Ben-Smith said the increasing violence in schools and communities raised concerns about the future and that Christians must play crucial roles in shaping a more compassionate and harmonious society. The Archbishop noted that in the face of all of those issues, Christians felt helpless, and said they needed to know that 'Jesus' triumph and victory over the powers of hatred and evil provides a potent antidote to this, inspiring optimism and calling for action.' He explained that by taking Jesus' gospel seriously and living His way, Anglicans and the wider Christian communities could be a powerful force for good and transformation in their larger community. 'We must be a people of hope, a community of service, generosity, and practical assistance to those in need. We must also be a communion of forgiveness, healing, welcome, and hospitality,' he urged Christians, emphasising Paul's faith, hope and love in Corinthians 13:13. He said as some 50 countries across the world, including Ghana , went into elections this year, there was the urgent need to avoid violence and 'let the Spirit guide us in making the correct decisions that will assure victory for Ghana and Ghanaians despite the odds'. 'We are first and foremost God's treasured ones and citizens of a beautiful and blessed country,' the Archbishop of Ghana said. Source: Ghana News Agency

International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana, a non governmental Organisation has organised a stakeholders' forum to dialogue on the findings of a research conducted by the Institute of Statistical and Economics Research (ISSER) from the University of Ghana. The forum form ends a project on Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funded project on the fight against human trafficking in Ghana. Madam Anita Budu, Country Director of International Justice Mission Ghana, addressing the stakeholders said, four years ago the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs funded IJM with a sum of $1.8m to carry out a project, that is, strengthening the criminal justice system's responsible to human trafficking. She said the Project began as a two-year project in 2019 and was extended by another two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which slowed down activities to carry out the project. Madam Budu, continued that the goal of the project was to support existing gove rnment structures in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana, especially on the Volta Lake and the Kotoka International Airport through capacity building and collaborative casework. Also another major goal was to highlight the important role survivors of trafficking, the media, coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking, members of Parliament in advocacy towards the fight against human trafficking and provide support to them in their advocacy efforts to call for the allocation of resources to the fight. She noted that the grant covered a specific projects, which are proportion of IJM's overall projects such as work in communities and aftercare support, which were not covered at the end of the research. Touching on beneficiaries, she said, the Project was implemented in nine regions; Savannas, Northern, Bono East, Greater Accra, Volta, Oti, Eastern, Central and Bono regions, with over 70 districts benefiting from its implementation including work implemented by CARITAS International. She also noted s ome of the achievements chalked at the end of the project saying, 272 victims have been rescued by Law Enforcement and Department of Social welfare from crossborder trafficking and from child trafficking on Lake Volta. Through investigations, 115 suspects were apprehended, and State prosecutors from the Attorney General's and police prosecutors processed 38 cases of trafficking for prosecution. 'This project will not have been successful without the support of some members of Parliament, the human trafficking secretariat, gallant officers from EOCO, police commanders in all the nine regions, Anti- Human Trafficking Unit's from nine regions, diligent and relentless prosecutors, courageous survivors, passion driven Media personnel, supporting NGOs partners from CNACT and key figures who all worked to ensure justice for the vulnerable was made possible, we say a big thank you ' she said. She further called on the various groups to continue with the good works in combating human trafficking in Ghana and beyond until all are free for a better future. Madam Budu, also commended ISSER for the evaluation and research conducted at the end of the project 'because the research will them evaluate the success of the project's implementation and the way forward in the fight against human trafficking as an organisation.' The forum which took place in Accra at conference of the Africa Regent Hotel saw dignitaries from the various Law Enforcement agencies including Leaders of Ghana Survivor Network (survivors of child trafficking), DSP William Ayaregah Director, Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Madam Abena Annobea Asare Director, Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP). Others include Justice Lydia Osei Mafo High Court Judge and representative of the Chief Justice, Mr. Jacob Soung Deputy Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Mr. Innocent Agbolosu, Oti Regional DSW Director, Patrick Awoonor, EOCO, Isaac Arthur, President of Coalition of NG Os Against Child Trafficking (CNACT), all pledged their continued support to IJM Ghana in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana. Source: Ghana News Agency

Pastor Robert Lugushie, the Bono Regional Youth Coordinator, Deeper Life Bible Church has inducted 45 young people into the youth division of the church. The inductees, comprising 20 boys and 25 girls between 13 and 15 years, were drawn from the church's various districts and locations. They were born in the church and had successfully undergone the 22 doctrines upon which the Deeper Life Church was established in the children division of the church. Pastor Lugushie administered the induction of the young people at a short ceremony held at the Church's Retreat Ground at Ayakomaso, near Nsoatre in the Sunyani West Municipality, on the sidelines of the Easter Retreat of the church. Hundreds of young people drawn from the various districts and locations of the church are gathered attending the four-day retreat of the church on the theme: 'The all-sufficient Jesus'. The Easter Retreat has created an opportunity for the young people to listen to live transmission sermons via satellite from Dr William Kumuyi, the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. Pastor Lugushie commended the children for making themselves available for God to use them to save souls and assured them that they would never regret in life for their decision and choice to serve in the vineyard of God. He also thanked their parents and teachers for helping to sustain and secure the young people's salvation. Pastor Lugushie said God was always happy when children were kept safe in his kingdom and assured that the youth division of the church would also contribute towards the upbringing and development of the young people in a God-fearing way to enable them grow to become useful adults in society and in the church. He tasked the various district youth coordinators and leaders of the church to endeavour to draw closer, help identify and tackle the pressing spiritual and physical challenges that might confront the young people. Pastor Lugushie said this would whip the interest and desire of the youth to stay, serve and wors hip God in the church to secure their eternal salvation. Pastor Charles Ollu, the Pastor In-charge of the New-Dormaa location of the church in the Sunyani Municipality took the young people through Bible drills and asked them to see their godly and divine calling as unique and a great opportunity. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Reverend Israel Ahalie, the Parish Pastor of the Global Evangelical Church (GEC) in Adidome in the Central Tongu District, has called on his congregants to avoid sin and live in the light of Jesus Christ's resurrection. He made the call in his Easter Sunday sermon, which was on the theme: 'Hallelujah Jesus is Risen. He is no longer where He lays.' Reverend Ahalie read from Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:1-8 to illustrate the significance of Christ's resurrection and how the death of Jesus serves as a catalyst for change in the lives of believers. Quoting Romans 6:2, Reverend Ahalie urged the congregation to shun sin and embrace the new life offered through Christ's sacrifice. He emphasized the transformative power of baptism into Christ's death and resurrection, illuminating the journey from bondage to freedom, and from despair to hope. Referencing Galatians 2:19, Colossians 2:15, and 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, Reverend Ahalie proclaimed the victory of Jesus over sin, Satan, death, and all forms of oppression, offering a message of liberation and empowerment to all who would receive it. The Parish Pastor also exhorted the congregants to walk in victory, and to proclaim the name of Jesus with boldness and confidence. Some of the congregants expressed their joy to Ghana News Agency (GNA) saying they were happy to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. They mentioned that they would endeavour to avoid sin and live in the righteousness of God. Source: Ghana News Agency