Author: Web Desk

Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan, Paramount Chief of Gwira Traditional Area in the Western Region, has called on political actors and stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for political players in the interest of peace ahead of the December 7 polls. He said elections were not about war or violence, but a democratic process and a right to exercise one's franchise in electing leaders to govern the state. He was addressing chiefs, elders and the people of the traditional area at a new year party celebration, which was organised by his outfit. Awulae Tu-Agyan had earlier organised a similar event to fete some children in the area, and to entertain the adults with some traditional drumming and music. He noted that 'Politicians and the electorate are obliged to respect the views and decisions of every voter since all Ghanaians cannot belong to one political party.' The Paramount Chief advised Ghanaians to be cautious of their utterances during the electioneering period to avoid conflicts, saying the effec ts of post electoral violence could be devastating on the development of the country. Awulae Tu-Agyan asked politicians to embark upon their campaigns devoid of insults, character assassination and arrogance. 'We need to consolidate the peace we are enjoying as a country if we want to achieve any meaningful development after 67 years of national sovereignty,' he added. Source: Ghana News Agency

The La Mother's International School has donated assorted items worth thousands of cedis to the Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital in Accra. The items included packs of toilet rolls, packs of tissue, detergents, packs of mineral water, packs of soft drinks, packs of diapers, boxes of wipes and packs of paper juice. Others included boxes of biscuits, gallons of liquid soap, sacks of powdered soap, gallons of sanitiser, cleaning disinfectant, and cleaning bleach, among others. Presenting the items to the hospital Madam Constance Nortey, Director of La Mother's International School said the donation was a corporate social responsibility of the school to support the operations of the hospital, adding: 'This is done to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the school since its existence. She also said it was to support the hospital in the control of infections and improve the hospitality and hygienic conditions of the hospital environment. Madam Nortey said the management of the school chose to donate to the hospital for being one of the few children's facilities in the country with the most referrals and added that 'we manage children and that is what we do best, so we are concerned about the welfare of children'. Receiving the items on behalf of management of the hospital, Mr Rockson Obeng, Senior Administrative Manager, Ghana Health Service, expressed gratitude to the school, pointing out that the items constituted some of the basic needs of the hospital. 'The donation has come at the right time and will go a long way to reduce the pressure and burden of the caregivers,' he added. He assured the school that the items would reach the beneficiaries and be efficiently used for the right purposes for the benefit of patients and staff. Mr Obeng added that the doors of the hospital were always open to all those capable of supporting it. Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Okoawia Jumo Baabu, the Chief of Koforidua-Effiduase, has endorsed Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister and NPP parliamentary aspirant for New Juaben North. During the first Akwasidae in this New year, the Chief rallied support of the people of Effiduase behind the Minister and called on party delegates to vote for him as the best candidate to represent New Juaben North in Parliament. 'Kwame Acheampong is not just from Effiduase, he is a true royal and can be described as my Gyasehene since the current Gyasehene, Nana Baffour Amofa Aku, is his direct uncle,' the chief declared. Nana Baabu, in emphasising the deep-rooted connection between the regional minister and Juaben North, said he was not a stranger, therefore, rightful to contest the seat. Many have raised concerns about the switch from Mpreaso where the regional minister had served as three-time Member of Parliament (MP) to contest in New Juaben North as the NPP parliamentary candidate. The Minister is contesting with four others to replace Nana Adjei Boateng, a former New Juaben MCE and deputy local government minister, who has indicated not to contest after three successful terms. Mr Acheampong lost his fourth term bid as the Mpreaso MP, to Mr Ansah Opoku at the primaries in 2020 and was subsequently appointed as the Eastern Regional Minister in 2021. The Minister himself had justified the right to contest in New Juaben North on several occasions declaring that he was an indigene of Koforidua-Effiduase and, therefore, had the legitimate right to contest as Member of Parliament for the area. He expressed gratitude to the Chiefs and people of Effiduase for their support so far and expressed the hope that come January 27, he would be widely endorsed by the delegates as the NPP parliamentary candidate. Source: Ghana News Agency

A postage stamp celebrating diplomatic relations between Tunisia and China will be issued on Wednesday. The move is designed to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Tunisian Post said on Tuesday. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse Some Concerned Youth of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Assin South Constituency have appealed to the national leadership of the Party to ensure justice and fairness in the vetting results of the parliamentary primary. They said it was crucial that the outcome of the vetting was fair and transparent, leaving no room for doubt or speculations that could affect the party's fortunes in this year's election. 'We appreciate the challenging task of decision makers at hand, but we implore them to consider the aspirations and dreams of the candidates, who have dedicated their time, efforts, and resources to serve the people of Assin South,' Mr Ebenezer Korang, the Executive Secretary of the group, said. 'As they decide the outcome of the vetting process, they should be fair and transparent.' Mr Korang, expressing the concerns at a press conference organized by the group, said the results of the vetting of Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), and Prof Nathan Austin, his conte nder, had been put on hold. That was due to a petition brought against Prof Austin by the Constituency on his eligibility among other things. However, sharing their frustrations, Mr Korang said: 'It has come to our attention that both aspirants successfully went through the vetting process, yet the results were not declared at the regional level.' 'The crucial process of balloting was not conducted, leaving aspirants and their supporters in a state of uncertainty and confusion.' Mr Korang said each aspirant must be given a level playing field to avoid a repetition of what transpired in 2020, which nearly resulted in an independent candidate being chosen for the main election. In the 2020 parliamentary primary one of the aspirants, Mr Joseph Kofi Damptse, was disqualified from contesting after going through vetting and balloting. The situation, he said, forced Mr Damptse to contest as an independent candidate, securing 15,801 votes as against 17,121 votes received by Rev Ntim Fordjour, whilst the Nationa l Democratic Congress candidate, Mr Nicholas Baffoe, got 10,201. 'The unpleasant situation brought unnecessary confusion and tension in the district before, during and after the elections,' he said. However, the party believed that fairness and transparency were the cornerstones of a democratic society, therefore, it was imperative that such principles were upheld throughout the entire electoral process, he said. Mr Korang said the NPP had always prided itself as a party that valued integrity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities for all members. 'Therefore, we urge the authorities to ensure that these values are upheld in the current vetting process.' 'We believe that a fair and transparent vetting process will not only strengthen the democratic values of the NPP, but also inspire confidence in the party and its leadership.' The group, therefore, called on the NPP decision makers to address those concerns and take the necessary steps to rectify any discrepancies that may have occurred. Source: Ghana News Agency