Category: General

The Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has commended the Government for its commitment to immunisation through the payment of 60 per cent of its co-financing agreement. It said that significant investment underscored the Government's dedication to the health and well-being of its citizens. A statement issued by the NGO, signed by Madam Cecilia Senoo, it's Executive Director, said Government's commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations for immunisation was a testament to its effort to achieving widespread vaccination coverage, strengthening the country's immunisation programmes ensuring the availability of vaccines, and bolstering healthcare infrastructure. 'However, while we acknowledge and appreciate this significant step, HFFG urges the government to expedite the release of the outstanding 40 percent, which amounts to approximately 3.4 million dollars,' it said. The statement said timely disbursement of the funds was critical to sustaining and enhancing t he impact of immunisation efforts across the country. It said it was essential for procuring vaccines to address current and emerging health threats and vaccine shortages. The statement said fully funded immunisation programmes ensured that Ghanaians had access to a comprehensive range of vaccines, protection of children from preventable diseases and primarily safeguarding the country against any form of shortage that could have adverse effect on the administration of vaccines, especially for children. It said the outstanding funds were vital for strengthening healthcare infrastructure and supporting outreach programmes. Those resources, the statement said, contributed to the development and sustenance of robust vaccination campaigns that got to even the most hard to reach and underserved communities. It said ensuring full funding for immunisation programmes was crucial in global health security with adequate resources enabling countries to respond swiftly to public health emergencies, protecting populat ions and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. 'HFFG remains committed to collaborating with the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders to advance public health goals and promote sustainable development. We believe that the release of the outstanding 40 per cent will further solidify Ghana's position as a leader in immunisation efforts, setting example for other nations to follow, whilst averting a potential public health crisis,' the statement said. The Organisation called on the media, Civil Society Organisations and the public to join it in advocating the timely release of the remaining funds to support the country's immunisation initiatives. Source: Ghana News Agency

Windhoek – Lukas Muha, Chairperson of the National Council, announced the completion of the 10th session of the sixth National Council in Namibia. The session, which began on November 20, 2023, focused on regional and national issues in line with the Namibian Constitution.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), In a statement, Muha reported that the session was productive, with significant progress in parliamentary conduct. The council reviewed and passed several bills, including the Magistrate Court Amendment Bill (Bill 17-2023), the Electoral Amendment Bill (Bill 20-2023), and the Appropriation Amendment Bill (Bill 21-2023). Two additional bills, the High Court Amendment Bill (Bill 18-2023) and the Vehicle Mass Bill (Bill 19-2023), were deferred to the next session.

The session also saw the tabling of three motions, with two referred to standing committees and one postponed to a subsequent session. Muha commended the committees and delegations that submitted their reports promptly and encouraged timely submissions in future sessions.

Highlighting future legislative developments, Muha revealed that the Regional and Constituency Development Fund Bill, previously known as the Constituency Development Fund Bill, is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly early next year. He urged Parliament members to engage efficiently in the upcoming discussions on the bill to avoid delays.

Three candidates for December 24 local elections got their campaign off the ground in Sfax 1. The candidate of El Hzag community, Jebeniana, opted for direct contact with citizens in El Houaida and Ouled Mansour. Drinking water supply and the creation of an industrial zone top the candidate's electoral platform. His fellow candidate pledged to make of the region an attractive investment location and promote healthcare services. Women's employability was the main pledge of another candidate along with social secuity benefiots for low-income households. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Three persons are feared dead and nine others injured in a sporadic gun fire attack on a Yutong bus with registration number BA 860-21. The incident happened while the bus was travelling to Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region. The dead persons were two women, one believed to be in her thirties and a young man. District Superintendent of Police (DSP) Charles Sampah, the Police Commander at the Bolgatanga East District Police station, who confirmed the incident, told the Ghana News Agency that the Goaso bound bus, loaded with passengers from Garu in the Garu district, was attacked by three unidentified armed men on reaching Kongo in the Nabdam district. He said the three unidentified armed men emerged from the bush and opened sporadic gun shots on the bus killing the three on reaching Kong, where there were some speed rumps. DSP Sampah said the driver did not stop but drove to the Zuarungu Custom barrier and alerted the officers there who also relayed the information to the P olice. He said because the people inside the bus were injured the driver rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital to seek medical care for them, and the regional CID was informed. He said ongoing investigation indicated that the attack was affiliated to the Bawku conflict and added that the Police were doing their best to get the perpetrators arrested. Earlier, the Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police David Fianko-Okyere, in charge of Public Affairs, said further detailed information would be provided by the Police in charge at the Zuarungu district. Source: Ghana News Agency

Apostle Dr Samuel Vincent Ansah, the Chairman of the Ghana National Council of the Great Commission Church International (GCCI), has urged Churches to adopt innovative evangelism to ensure effective church growth. He reiterated that innovations were needed to make the Church's structure evangelistically effective to ensure winning, churching and Christ-like discipling of souls. Apostle Dr Ansah said this in his maiden address to the 33rd General Council Meeting (GCM) of GCCI - Ghana at Adenta near Accra. The four-day meeting on the theme: 'Structuring to Deliver the GCCI Mandate,' is being attended by 160 participants, which consists of GCCI pastors and their wives, Board of Trustees, presiding elders and presbyters. Apostle Dr Ansah said focus on the work of God require persons who were ready to sacrifice. 'Where there are no people, who are ready to sacrifice their comfort, time and energy, money and if necessary, their lives, on religion, organisation, or nation would be able to advance significantly within a reasonable time,' he said. 'If everyone wants the best of life and is very calculative about the demands of God, little progress would be made in evangelism and in the expansion of the kingdom of God.' He said the Church must, therefore, recognised those who hazard their lives for the kingdom's business as the council in Jerusalem did. 'Talking is cheap. We must walk our talk. As leaders, it is quite easy to be fluent on issues but not to practice what we talk about,' he said. 'If we talk and not practice, we frustrate people, and they consider us hypocrites. Let all of us pray and do our utmost to win, Church and disciple souls.' The GCCI was founded on 1st April 1991, on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra. The Church has since been established in other countries such as Togo, Benin, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon. The founding fathers include Apostle Joseph Felix Kwesi Mensah, Apostle Professor Samuel Asuming-Brempong, Apostle Joseph Kwabena Antwi and Apostle Dr Samuel Vincen t Ansah. The rest are Apostle Richard Kwami Adanu, Apostle Komla Ebenezer Hagan and Apostle Derrick Sarpong. Source: Ghana News Agency