Day: April 21, 2024

The Central Regional Environmental Health Office has declared and certified three rural communities in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District as open defecation free (ODF). Enyan Obontser, Enyan Onyaadze and Ajumako Nyankomase, all large communities with a population of more than 400 people each, passed a strict sanitation assessment by the regional environmental health team and their partners on a visit to the communities. As required, it was observed that nearly every household in each community had a toilet built by themselves with support from the District Assembly, and exceptionally clean surroundings. The status was achieved through a sustained community-led sanitation drive over the past three years with clear indicators and timelines. Supported by World Vision and UNICEF, the trip to the communities also offered an advocacy and learning opportunity to Ms Adwoa Gyakoa Appiah-Kubi, the Child Sanitation Diplomat, who experienced rural sanitation at first hand. Mr William Freeman Goku, Regional Environmen tal Health Officer, who was elated with the development, commended the communities and the Assembly for the milestone. He said the entire region could soon become open defecation free and free of sanitation related illnesses if all big communities were able to achieve the ODF status. It was his case that ensuring excellent hygiene would promote tourism in the smaller communities. 'Almost every part of the region has a tourism potential site and so if we tackle those aspects of the challenges, we are promoting tourism indirectly,' Mr Goku explained. Rev Ransford Emmanuel Kwesi Nyarko, the District Chief Executive (DCE), described sanitation as critical to healthy minds and noted that it was one of his major priorities. He admitted that it was difficult to achieve the ODF status due to the large population and applauded the district's environmental health team for their efforts. He noted that the district had churned out about 30 ODF small communities in the past but it was time to go into the bigger comm unities. Rev Nyarko noted that through the support of agencies like UNICEF, they had established a sanitation fund to provide education and financial support for various communities towards achieving total hygiene. 'There are a lot more communities in Ajumako that we are still working on and we are hopeful that by the end of my tenure, we should have made quite a remarkable improvement as far as sanitation is concerned,' he noted. He appealed to the media to support the campaign for total hygiene in various communities, and particularly against open defecation. The Child Sanitation Diplomat, Ms Appiah-Kubi, expressed satisfaction with the level of sanitation in the rural communities and described their efforts as 'encouraging.' She, however, observed that the communities were using improvised waste bins and appealed to all stakeholders to go to their aid with proper waste bins. She urged communities to take action on their own with their little resources to promote sanitation and not depend on the gover nment. 'There is the need to educate children on proper sanitation and also encourage them to go to school because they are the future,' she added. Nana Kofi Donkor, Tufohen of Enyan Obontser, indicated that they had made progress due to the education offered to them. 'We only had one public toilet but now everyone has a toilet at home,' he said, qnd made an appeal for waste bins to enable them maintain a cleaner environment. Nana Ama Sekyiwaa II, Queen Mother of Ajumako Nyankomase, explaining the sanitation routine of the community, said they undertook clean-up exercises regularly. She said she was leading by example by partaking in all clean-up exercises and urged all other communities to emulate them. She assured of a sustained effort to keep the community hygienic at all times. Source: Ghana News Agency

Prof Stephen Jobson Mitchual, has been officially inducted into office as the 5th Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). The ceremony held at Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre at the North Campus, of the University in Winneba, was capped off in grand style as convocation, deans, senior and junior members, governing members of the University, Sister Universities VCs, members of the university community and others celebrated the new VC's investiture. Prof Mitchual's appointment took effect on Monday, October 1, 2023, succeeding Prof Mawutor Avoke, whose tenure of office expired on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Until his appointment as the fifth VC of UEW, Prof Mitchual with over two decades of academic and administrative expertise in higher education space, was the Ag. Prof-Vice-Chancellor and Ag. Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED). He is an illustrious figure in the fie ld of Wood Science and Technology, known for his ground-breaking research, unwavering commitment to education, and contributions to sustainable wood processing and safety practices which had earned him his place as a luminary in academia. He holds a PhD in Wood Science and Technology obtained from Kwame Nkrumah University (KNUST), in 2014; MSc in Wood Technology and Management awarded by KNUST in 2005 and BSc Agriculture Engineering obtained from KNUST in 1993. Prof Mitchual is at forefront of pioneering researcher in Wood Science and Technology, studies on wood processing, wood preservation, sawmill safety and development of innovative wood-based materials. Currently, he is an external assessor for several institutions that run programmes in wood science and technology, a member of the society of wood science and Technology USA and American Association for precision Engineering USA, Ghana Science Association. His legacy as a scholar, mentor, advocate, and community leader continues to shape the future of wood science and technology as well as the educational space, leaving an indelible mark on both Academia and the Wood Industry. Neenyi Ghartey VII, Chancellor of UEW and the Paramount Chief of Effutu Traditional Area, invested Prof Mitchual as the 5th Vice-Chancellor of the University. Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister for Education graced the occasion. Also in attendance were Nana Ofori Ansah I, Chairman of the UEW Council, Ag Registrar Mrs Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah who assisted Chancellor Neenyi Ghartey to enthrone Prof Mitchual. Rev Dr Stephen Yenusom Wengam, of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, led Prof Mitchual to answer and testify his faith in the presence of the gathering and made declarations touching his calling. The VC declared that he was determined to carry out his responsibility faithfully, seeking the welfare of those who worked under him, to ensure that the academic work and moral education will be lifted higher than its present standard, so that students who came out of the univers ity will be patriotic citizens. The Officiating Minister later presented the VC to the gathering who accepted him by a standing ovation and also pledged to support him in the execution of his work. Prof Mitchual addressing the gathering, thanked the Almighty God for how far he had brought him, thanked President Akufo-Addo, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, the Chancellor, Chairman of the Governing Council, Member of Parliament for Effutu and the Majority Leader of Ghana Parliament Mr Afenyo-Markin and all who contributed towards his investiture and induction. He assured to work with all and sundry towards the battement and the growth of the University. Rev Ntim Fodjour, on behalf of President Akufo-Addo and Dr Adutwum, congratulated Prof Mitchual for his official investiture and induction into office. He called for all hands to be on deck, saying they were looking forward for an era where there will be combine through rich expertise and forces to work for prosperous future and the transformatio n awaiting the university. 'It is our expectation that the leadership of the university will continue to embrace all hands to forge ahead for a better future… where stability becomes the order of the day,' he added. Source: Ghana News Agency

Prof Stephen Jobson Mitchual, has been officially inducted into office as the 5th Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). The ceremony held at Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre at the North Campus, of the University in Winneba, was capped off in grand style as convocation, deans, senior and junior members, governing members of the University, Sister Universities VCs, members of the university community and others celebrated the new VC's investiture. Prof Mitchual's appointment took effect on Monday, October 1, 2023, succeeding Prof Mawutor Avoke, whose tenure of office expired on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Until his appointment as the fifth VC of UEW, Prof Mitchual with over two decades of academic and administrative expertise in higher education space, was the Ag. Prof-Vice-Chancellor and Ag. Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED). He is an illustrious figure in the fie ld of Wood Science and Technology, known for his ground-breaking research, unwavering commitment to education, and contributions to sustainable wood processing and safety practices which had earned him his place as a luminary in academia. He holds a PhD in Wood Science and Technology obtained from Kwame Nkrumah University (KNUST), in 2014; MSc in Wood Technology and Management awarded by KNUST in 2005 and BSc Agriculture Engineering obtained from KNUST in 1993. Prof Mitchual is at forefront of pioneering researcher in Wood Science and Technology, studies on wood processing, wood preservation, sawmill safety and development of innovative wood-based materials. Currently, he is an external assessor for several institutions that run programmes in wood science and technology, a member of the society of wood science and Technology USA and American Association for precision Engineering USA, Ghana Science Association. His legacy as a scholar, mentor, advocate, and community leader continues to shape the future of wood science and technology as well as the educational space, leaving an indelible mark on both Academia and the Wood Industry. Neenyi Ghartey VII, Chancellor of UEW and the Paramount Chief of Effutu Traditional Area, invested Prof Mitchual as the 5th Vice-Chancellor of the University. Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister for Education graced the occasion. Also in attendance were Nana Ofori Ansah I, Chairman of the UEW Council, Ag Registrar Mrs Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah who assisted Chancellor Neenyi Ghartey to enthrone Prof Mitchual. Rev Dr Stephen Yenusom Wengam, of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, led Prof Mitchual to answer and testify his faith in the presence of the gathering and made declarations touching his calling. The VC declared that he was determined to carry out his responsibility faithfully, seeking the welfare of those who worked under him, to ensure that the academic work and moral education will be lifted higher than its present standard, so that students who came out of the univers ity will be patriotic citizens. The Officiating Minister later presented the VC to the gathering who accepted him by a standing ovation and also pledged to support him in the execution of his work. Prof Mitchual addressing the gathering, thanked the Almighty God for how far he had brought him, thanked President Akufo-Addo, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, the Chancellor, Chairman of the Governing Council, Member of Parliament for Effutu and the Majority Leader of Ghana Parliament Mr Afenyo-Markin and all who contributed towards his investiture and induction. He assured to work with all and sundry towards the battement and the growth of the University. Rev Ntim Fodjour, on behalf of President Akufo-Addo and Dr Adutwum, congratulated Prof Mitchual for his official investiture and induction into office. He called for all hands to be on deck, saying they were looking forward for an era where there will be combine through rich expertise and forces to work for prosperous future and the transformatio n awaiting the university. 'It is our expectation that the leadership of the university will continue to embrace all hands to forge ahead for a better future… where stability becomes the order of the day,' he added. Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Finance Minister, says Ghana will in May 2024 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its official bilateral creditors as a draft of the agreement is soon to be shared with the country. This MoU is in relation to the restructuring of some US$13 billion external debt to meet IMF's debt sustainability parameters, with the country reaching an agreement in principle with official creditors in January 2024. 'Essentially, we've agreed to all that we need to do for the [second review programme] to go to the Board, with the only outstanding issue being the draft of the MoU from official creditors, expected in May 2024,' Dr Amin Adam said. 'If we have that [the draft MoU], there won't be any lengthy negotiation because we've already agreed to the offer they gave to us in principle since January. So, we don't expect any hurdles to cross as far as that's concerned,' he added. This is expected to further boost the country's chance to access a third tranche of US$360 million when the IMF E xecutive Board meets in June this year over Ghana's second review programme. The Minister said this at a press briefing to wrap up Ghana's activities for the 2024 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group (WBG) Spring Meetings in Washington, US. The briefing, held on Sunday, April 21, was monitored by the Ghana News Agency. When it reached a staff-level agreement with Ghana last week, the IMF staff mission team stated that the next step was for the country to have an MoU with the official bilateral creditors. However, at the just ended Spring Meetings, Mr Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director, African Department, IMF, clarified that the signing of the MoU would not be a prerequisite for the disbursement of funds to Ghana. On this development, Dr Amin Adam noted that the Official Creditors Committee had shared a draft of the MoU with their members regarding the country's external debt restructuring. The Minister added that, '… they're about sharing it [the draft MoU] with us. As soon as we get the draf t and we're fine with it, that we will mean that we have an agreement on the MoU.' He expressed confidence about Ghana securing the third tranche of US$360 million in June. 'We do not have any reason to suggest that the Board well miss this because essentially, we've agreed to all that we need to do… so, I can tell you, we're very optimistic.' Ghana is implementing a three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the IMF, supported by a homegrown Post-COVID-19 Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG). This programme is aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, build resilience, and lay the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth. The spring meetings, served as a platform for the government to engage with creditors, and other development partners in respect to the country's economic stability and resilience endeavour. One of the major developments during Ghana's participation of the 2024 spring meetings was the announcement of the procurement of some one millio n modern meters into the country. The meters would be procured through the World Bank's Programme-for-Results initiative to help improve revenue collection amidst current power outages in the country, largely attributed to liquidity challenges in the energy sector. Source: Ghana News Agency

Madam Anna Bossman, Ghana Ambassador to France, has said government with the support from the private sector would construct a reading and creative writing facility in the Greater Accra Region. She said this would further boost the culture of reading and creative writing to stimulate socio-economic transformation in the country, and to leave a lasting legacy for the City of Accra. She said the goal was to promote the acquisition of 21st Century skills to address rising unemployment in vulnerable communities in the Greater Accra Region and beyond. It would also reinvigorate businesses in the domestic book industry as well as re-imagine the concept of libraries to further instill reading culture among the youth, she stated. Madam Bossman, who is also the Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), made this known at the closing ceremony of the year-long Accra World Book Capital, 2023. She said the World Book Capital, 2023 came to ignite the spirit of reading and its inherent transformative power to positively impact the Ghanaian society towards national goal of becoming a learning nation. 'I believe the yearlong activities also laid a strong foundation for Ghana which would serve as springboard for activities earmarked for 2024 African Union Year of Education,' she noted. The Ambassador said the theme for the Accra World Book Capital, 2023 could not be more appropriate; 'Reading to Connect Minds for Social Transformation' as it targeted marginal groups with high levels of illiteracy, including women, the youth, migrant street children and persons with disabilities. The Accra programme was designed to directly impact over 100,000 children, youth, and adults - seeking to provide institutional support for lifelong learning as well as equipping school and community learning facilities such as libraries. Source: Ghana News Agency