Category: General

Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff, has urged the National College of Defence Studies to equip its students with the knowledge and expertise required to ensure the country's peace, security, and prosperity. She challenged the College's Management to find a pathway to the harmonious coexistence of natural resources, human well-being, and national progress. Madam Osei-Opare made the call during the Maiden Matriculation Ceremony of the National College of Defence Studies Course 1, 2023 Academic Year. She stated that the establishment of the College demonstrated the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring that the Armed Forces and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complex challenges of the contemporary security landscape. The College was established to nurture and train future leaders of the Armed Forces and Civil Servants from MDAs in Ghana and other African countries with the knowledge, skills, and values req uired to protect and serve their nations. Course 1 had 19 students, including 17 Senior Officers from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and one each from the Ministries of Defence and National Security, who studied for 41 weeks. They conducted research in Military Science, Defence Studies, Strategic Studies, International Relations, and related subjects, leading to their earning of a master's degree in strategic studies. The theme of the Maiden Course 1 was 'Environment, Security, and Development' and will be mentored by GIMPA. She said it would address the complex relationship between the environment, evolving security challenges, and the imperative need for development. She expressed the strong conviction that the intricate interplay between these three pillars was essential in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Ghana because it addressed the issues raised in the National Security Strategy document. She said as the country embarked on this journey; it was important to recognize the timeliness of the College's establishment. The Chief of Staff said the threats posed by terrorists and violent extremist groups in the sub-region demand that 'we equip ourselves with the necessary tools and insights to address these challenges head-on.' She said additionally, that the recent National Security Strategy document recognized several security challenges, including climate change, youth unemployment, poverty, illegal mining, and vigilantism among others. 'To tackle these security challenges, Ghana's national security strategy document emphasizes the crucial role of enhanced regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and capacity building,' she added. It also highlights the significance of strengthening border security, improving governance structures, and promoting social and economic development to address the root causes of these challenges. She said the College's vision and objectives aimed at producing graduates imbued with leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that were required to address Ghana and Africa's complex security challenges. The Chief of Staff said the knowledge and skills the participant would acquire were paramount to improving the future strategic landscape of the country. She encouraged them to fully engage in the process of knowledge acquisition and seek the face of God and the support of their family as they embark on this journey. She assured the Commandant and his faculty and administrative staff of the government's commitment to ensuring that they have the resources and facilities to turn out the products the nation desires to take us to the next level in the quest to develop a better Ghana. Major-General Irvine Nill-Ayitey Aryeetey, the Commandant of the College commended the government for the pursuit of excellence in professional military education in the country. He encouraged the participants not to only see the programme as an opportunity to enhance their career prospects but also to appreciate the overall objective to imbibe in them the critical think ing to shape their approach to providing advice to leadership and guiding them in their future strategic decision making. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has urged Ghanaians to go back to wearing nose masks to reduce their exposure to dust because of the intensification of the harmattan weather condition. A statement signed by Dr Frank Serebour, the President of the GMA, sighted by the Ghana News Agency, asked the public to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water throughout the day. 'The increased dust and general dry weather conditions have seriously affected human health, possibly leading to increased respiratory conditions,' it said. 'People with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions may suffer acute attacks or worsening conditions.' The statement therefore advised that persons with asthmatic conditions must endeavour to always carry their inhalers and take all prescribed medications. Anyone who experienced signs and symptoms of respiratory conditions such as cough, painful swallowing, runny nose, chest pain or difficulty in breathing should immediately report to the nearest health facility, it advised. It urged drivers to avoid over-speeding, especially on dusty roads and at night and the public must avoid bush burning or engaging in activities that could lead to bushfires. Contractors must ensure that roads under construction are well watered to reduce dust pollution. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Chirano Gold Mines Ltd, an Asante Gold Company in collaboration with Bibiani Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, has organised a training workshop for more than 140 'okada' riders on safe and best riding practices. The workshop, held on the theme: 'Safe Rider Saves Lives,' was attended by some 'okada' (motor) riders who plied the Akoti, Etwebo, Subri-Nkwanta and Paboase stretch, which are all within the company's operational area. Mr Oppong Kyekyeku, the Environmental and Community Relations Manager of the Corporation, told the Ghana News Agency that his Organisation, placed emphasis on safety of Okada riders in their catchment area, hence the need to sensitise them on best and safe riding practices to reduce crashes. He said: 'We are worried about the high number of motor crashes and statistics of persons in the area who lost their lives through motorcycle accidents, and we will continue to educate riders periodically to avert the trend.' He expressed satisfact ion with the training and called for more collaboration between stakeholders to stem the increasing cases of road crashes involving motorcycles. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Osei, Bibiani MTTD Divisional Commander, who took the participants through safe riding procedures, advised them not to carry more than one passenger, slow down when approaching curvy stretches and avoid overtaking vehicles. He also cautioned them against the use of communication devices while riding. The MTTD Commander revealed that 11 persons lost their lives through motorcycle accident in 2022 which increased to 20 in 2023 and said riders must be cautious on the roads to help reduce crashes. ASP Osei noted that: 'All the persons who lost their lives suffered head injuries so riders and their passengers must make ensure they wore helmets to avoid such serious head injuries cases of accident. Mr Johnson Affum, the Assembly Member for Paboase Electoral Area and Chairman for the Okada Riders Association, commended the company for the education and said the training would help reduce road crashes involving motorcycles in the area and save lives. He appealed to the Management of the Corporation to periodically organise such events to ensure safety on the roads. Nana Oppong Kyekyeku II, the Chief of Akoti, lauded the organisers of the training programme, and encouraged the participants to ensure that they impart the knowledge they had acquired to other riders, to help achieve its intended purpose. Source: Ghana News Agency

The European Union (EU) Funded Twin Cities in Sustainable Partnership Project, being implemented in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, has sent 48 boys and 22 girls back to school within some deprived communities in the metropolis. The project has also facilitated the return of three pregnant girls to school after delivery under the Youth Friendly and Reproductive Health component. Mr Isaac Aidoo, the Project Coordinator, made this known during a press conference in Sekondi in the Western Region. The TCSPP, being implemented in Sekondi-Takoradi, and the City of Palermo in Italy, is a three-year project with a grant funding of 3million Euros. The project is aimed at improving Urban Governance, Culturally Sensitive Activities, and Climate Change Adaptation measures to achieve sustainable communities. Mr Aidoo reported that the project had also established 17 Climate Clubs in selected schools to educate students to serve as change agents on climate change mitigation measures. He indicated that the project w ould soon start a programme to revitalize the section of Sekondi, called 'European Town.' The TCSPP initiative would introduce an E-governance platform for effective citizen and assembly engagement, build 500 biodigesters for selected homes, and provide over 120 eco-friendly ovens for fishmongers within the metropolis. Under the projections for 2024, the TCSPP intended to develop ten local spatial plans for communities such as Mberedane, New Takoradi, European Town, Essipon, Kojokrom, Sofokrom, Bakano, Nkroful-BU, Sekondi, and Takoradi (Central Business District - Presby Area) to ensure coordinated spatial development. Mr Aidoo said the local plan would be on display after completion in designated areas in the communities for developers to align with its tenets. Meanwhile, Kojokrom, Essipon, and Diabenekrom are expected to have Reproductive Health Centers for adolescents to access quality information and counseling on how to manage the changing scenes of their lives to avert early pregnancies, contraction of STIs, and take charge of their health and well-being. Mr Abdul Mumin Issah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, mentioned that the EU monitoring group was impressed with the progress and success chalked within the two years of implementation. As part of transnational exchanges with the Municipality of Palermo, he highlighted that there would be the establishment of a Maritime Training Centre at the Takoradi Technical University, in partnership with the Maritime Training Institute in Palermo, Italy. He explained that the collaboration would also involve the Western Naval Command to produce skilled manpower for the maritime industry. The MCE expressed concern about the laxity with which some fruit trees planted in schools had withered due to the lack of proper care. He, therefore, appealed to beneficiary schools to intensify efforts in nurturing the fruit trees. The MCE noted that the project aimed to plant more fruit and coconut trees and encouraged communities, institutions, and all well-meaning city dwellers to help achieve the overall goals of the TCSPP. Mr. Innocent Haligah, the Metropolitan Coordinating Director said the assembly, through various stakeholder engagements put up a sustainability model to ensure that components of the project continued after the project lifespan. Source: Ghana News Agency

Justice Kwame Amoako, a Sefwi-Wiawso High Court Judge, has urged the citizenry to resort to the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution systems to settle their disputes in the communities. He said it was necessary to help ease the pressure on the courts in cases management, and subsequently aid in expediting judgments. He said this at a ceremony to commission a newly built Court Complex, at Sefwi-Bodi in the Western North Region. Justice Amoako who stood in for the Chief Justice, said the Judiciary Council was committed to bringing Courts closer to the people of Bodi to help reduce the time and resources they spent to travel to other parts of the region to access same service. Mr Ignatius Akwasi Amankwah, the Bodi District Chief Executive, thanked the Government for the edifice, and advised the workers who would be using the facility to make good use of the place. Nana Kwasi Ofori Ababio, the Chief of Sefwi-Bodi, lauded the Government for the edifice, and said it was a great step in improving the justice delivery system in the country. He appealed to the people to have confidence in the court system and seek legal redress on disputes and not to take the law into their own hands. 'We must not see the court, and the staff who will be taking over the new district court as bad people, but rather support them to perform their duties diligently as expected of them,' he advised. Source: Ghana News Agency