VGMA22: Minister Diana Hamilton deservedly crowned Artiste of the Year ahead of Kidi, others

Diana Antwi Hamilton, VGMA22 New Artiste of the Year

The auditorium at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre was today thrown into a state of frenzy when one of Ghana’s best female gospel artiste, Diana Hamilton was adjudged Artiste of the Year category in this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Festival.

 Minister Hamilton who bagged the most popular song of the year with her gospel hit song ‘Adom’ which for months enjoyed massive airplay in the media also won in other categories.

The historic moment was greeted with swift standing ovation and a resounding cheers of applause from the music audience and lovers who were there in their numbers to witness the event and to watch their favourite nominees. There was no movement at the auditorium.

The Kumasi born gospel singer noted for her strong vocals managed to outwit likes of the lyricist Sarkodie, the silky voice and vocalist KiDi, Kuami Eugene, Artiste of Year for 2020 and Adina, the famous female music diva to win that enviable position. She also surprised the likes of Celestine Donkor and other gospel nominees to clinch the Gospel Song of the Year and the Most Popular Song of the Year Awards.  

inewsonlinegh and many other music enthusiasts saw this coming and indeed Diana Antwi Hamilton took the ultimate crown as Artiste of the year, an award truly  deserved due to her skilled potential in crafting rich but inspiring contents that of great essence and value in the music space. Historically, Minister Hamilton will be acknowledged in the history books as the only female gospel music Artiste to pick suc a prestigious award since the Ghana music award came to being 22 years ago. She has broken the jinx and repelled the long held notion that no female Artiste could win that top honour. Indeed she has deservedly changed the narrative to prove critics wrong.  

This year’s 22 Vodafone Music Awards proudly  organized by the media and entertainment giant, Charter  House Productions was held with strict adherence to void safety protocol at every at every point of entry. The annual event which live on AKWAABA MAGIC, ROK GH, & SOUNDCITY (both on DSTV across Africa), TV3 and other local networks was preceded by a spectacular red carpet show.

 inewsonlinegh would like to congratulate the ‘Adom’ hitmaker and other strong nominees for their hard work which ultimately earned then nominations at the 22snd Edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

Brief profile of Minister Diana Hamilton

Dr Diana Antwi Hamilton, a practicing  psychiatrist for over 20 years was born to Apostle Felix Antwi and Mrs Comfort Antwi a former Executive Council Member of the Church of Pentecost has lived her dream of becoming a musician even at a very tender age.  Noted for her strong spiritual background, the ever loving Diana has over time rekindled and activated  the spiritual life many through her music. The gifted song writer and multi-octave gifted artiste had led the way to the new generation of Africa gospel music. Her musical career could best be described as phenomenal considering her versatility in producing songs that are life touching in character. Her soothing voice, fame and consistent delivery in the country’s music industry has earned her more laurels across boundaries. 

As a leading voice in contemporary African gospel music, Minister Diana has raised the bar of the gospel genre, earning her much respect and dominance over other colleague that are equally making strong emergence in the said genre. At the recent 3Music Women’s Brunch, Minister Diana was honoured as the 2021 Most Streamed Female Act of the Year Award. In March this year, she was rated among the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Music by the 3Music Awards Women’s Brunch. Her step to stardom is not surprising as she keeps wining back to back thus becoming the envy of other known music artistes in the industry.

Undoubtedly Ministry now poses a threat to most musicians engaged in circular music. She has become a formidable force to reckon with taken into account her rich music background and stage works.

GBCs Isaac Asare 

44 Nigerians face deportation back home for illegal entry

 

Inewsonlinegh has gathered that about Forty four Nigerians nationals that entered into the country illegally and arrested for illegal entry and other related offences have been charged and made to face deportation. These deportees including one female, who have served ninety days in the Tamale prisons were today deported back to their country. 

They were convicted of illegal entry and living in Ghana the country without required documents. Information gathered from the Ghana Immigration Service indicate that the said deportees were upon their arrest incarcerated and made to serve terms for various offences such as illegal entry and working without approved permit from authorities in charge of migration. Reports has it that most of them were under the custody of the Navrongo District Police Command in the Upper East Region. They were transferred to the Northern Regional Capital, Tamale to face prosecution. 

Following the closure of the country’s borders due to covid-19 officers manning the borders have been saddled with illegal entry of foreign nationals into the country. Although deportations of illegal migrants from neighboring countries have become a daily occurrence in Northern Ghana, this is the first time such a number have been face deportation.  The source revealed that, all the necessary security arrangements have been made to ensure their smooth transfer back to Nigeria. 

The second in command at the Tamale Prisons, Chief Superintendent Ocloo Divine Kwame who confirmed the report revealed to inewsonlinegh that a number of West African nationals are currently serving terms at the Tamale prisons for various related crimes. He said considering the porous nature of the borders personnel from his outfit are on high alert to prevent foreigners from entering our borders without permit. 

Source: kofiasare@rocketmail.com

Bullion Van Attack: IGP Directs DG of CID to Take Over Investigations

  

Late Constable Osei

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, James Oppong-Boanuh has instructed the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department, CID to take over the investigation into the attack on a Nissan bullion van at Adedenpo, a suburb of James Town in Accra. The incident which occurred today led to the death of a police officer with others sustaining various degrees of injury. 

The Jamestown District Police Command were the first to get to the crime scene and identified the deceased Police Officer as General Constable Emmanuel Osei of the National SWAT Unit with service number 58449. 

The body of late Constable Osei was found in a pool of blood at the front seat of the van with registration number GT 8592 W.

Preliminary Investigation has uncovered that unidentified armed men on a number of motorbikes crossed the said bullion van which was on a pay/collection errand at about 11.am and shot at the police officer who was on escort duty on the van killing him instantly. The armed men also opened fire sporadically in the air and on the driver, injuring him in the process.

 The driver is said to be responding to treatment after sustaining the gunshot wounds.  

A hawker was also killed during the shooting when one of the two ladies on the MON-TRAN Company bullion van  stepped out of the van and run towards the deceased seller’s direction. Both ladies on the van, tellers of Mon-Tran escaped unhurt but were sent to the hospital due to the trauma.

 Before the filing of this report, crime scene experts have visited the scene of the crime and are going through the necessary procedures to proceed with investigations.

Information gathered indicate that the robbers made away with the Police AK 47 riffle and an unspecified amount of money.

In a release issued and signed by the Director, Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent of Police, Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, the IGP is reminding the Association of Bankers to provide fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the police service, otherwise the service will withdraw its officers from escort duties.

General Constable Emmanuel Osei

 The IGP through the release is also urging the general public  to provide the police with relevant information that will help in the arrest of the perpetrators. 

GBCs Isaac Asare/Release

Paga: Robbery Incidence Leaves One Dead, Others Injured

In what could be described as a Hollywood Scene, two armed men on Wednesday attacked a mobile money agent  at Paga in the Upper East Region robbing him of 5,000 Ghana Cedis and killing one person in the process.

The gun-wielding men who were on a motorcycle arrived at the booth of the agent around six in the evening and ordered him to surrender all his possession together with two other persons who at the time had come to do some transactions. 

Caught up in fear, the agent David Kwoviam heeded to their orders and handed over a bag containing all his money. The two other clients who were terrified by the action of the robbers and attempted running away with their monies were shot and injured by the indiscriminate gun shots. 

One was shot in the head and the other on the shoulder. Unfortunately, the one shot in the head was pronounced dead shortly on arrival whilst the other is responding to treatment at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. The incident is being investigated by the Paga District Police.

GBCs Isaac Asare

BUI: Bui Power Authority Embark on Tree Planting

The Director, General Services Department of the Bui Power Authority(BPA), Wumbilla Salifu, has called on the people of Bui and its surrounding communities not to just plant trees as Ghana marks Greening Ghana Day but also resolve to nurture the trees to full maturity. Mr. Wumbilla also challenged the locals to keep planting trees to make the Bui area a green city. Mr. Wumbilla was speaking as the BPA joined the people of its resettled communities to participate in the Greening Ghana Programme at Bui.

The Greening Ghana clarion call reverberating around the country is borne out of the need to take action to ameliorate the effects of climate change, which is already being felt in Ghana. Within less than a century, Ghana has used up over 80 percent of its forest cover. Places once heavily forested have now become grasslands plunging Ghana into the throes of Climate Change.  This is best illustrated by the situation where the rains have not been forthcoming although we are deep into the rainy season.  Ghana is therefore taking steps to plant trees aggressively to conserve the environment under the Greening Ghana Initiative.   

And for it to be a success, there are lessons to be learned from the BPA's afforestation effort. The BPA as part of the need to protect the Ecosystem of the Bui Generating Station and its reservoir came up with the Forest Resource Enhancement Programme.  Under it, the Authority has since 2012 planted 420 acres with species like Teak, Mahogany, Accacia, and Coconut. The Deputy Director, General Services of the BPA, Chrisentus Kuunifaa, who led the afforestation effort encouraged the general public to come on board to make the Greening Ghana effort a success.  

The BPA as part of the Greening Ghana Programme joined forces with the Resettled Communities for the tree-planting effort.  Although 400 seedlings have been procured, only a few were planted symbolically due to lack of rains. A small durbar preceded the tree planting. Mr Kuunifaa, reinforced the message on the importance of trees. He said it is in the best interest of the people of the Bui area as it will protect the reservoir they fish on, and also promote agriculture.

 Representatives of the Bui Resettlement Community, the Assembly Man, Amos Kokoti And the Chief of Bui called on their people to commit to the protection of trees and help make the Greening Ghana initiative a success by nurturing the trees planted. Owing to dryness of the area due to lack of rain, only a symbolic planting of trees was done by the dignitaries.  Later in an interview, the Chief of Bui Nana Kwadwo Wuo, made a plea to his people to put their best foot forward when it comes protection of the trees planted and the environment in general.

GBCs John Sam Arthur

 

 

UER: Ghanaians urged to embrace Green Ghana Project

 The Divisional Chief of Mognori in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region, Naba Alhaji Mahamadu Assibi Azonko, has entreated chiefs, opinion leaders and heads of decentralized departments and institutions to support government’s Green Ghana Project to succeed by way of education and information dissemination on the relevance of tree planting and general management of the environment.

The Divisional Chief who doubles as the Chief Director at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council said for the Green Ghana project to succeed efforts should be made to involve all local stakeholders including educational institutions, traditional authorities, Security agencies, religious leaders and heads of departments. Naba Alhaji Azonko made the assertion at the launch of the Green Ghana Project in Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region.

 The Upper East Region has been allotted One Hundred and 70 thousand seedlings with 50, 000 each for regional office and the Bolgatanga District of the commission and 20, 000 for the Bawku Zone. The state of the forest reserves indicates that there is a general increase in forest disturbance from the wetter to the drier forest areas. In the region, statistics show that the forest cover has been depleted by 80 percent over the years due to activities of illegal miners and other factors.

 About 14 per cent of the total permanent forest estates in Ghana are without adequate forest cover. The exercise seeks to encourage Ghanaians to plant more trees to preserve and protect the country’s forest cover and the environment. In his welcome address, the Upper East Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Emmanuel Yeboah, said some of the seedlings at the nursery sites include Baoba, Rosewood, Shea, Ceiba, Mahogany among others. He said his outfit has put innovative measures in place in ensuring a successful implementation of the project.

Naba Alhaji  Azonko, underscored the need for pragmatic measures to be put in place to protect the region’s and for that matter the country’s forest cover. An appeal was made to all players involved in the exercise to ensure that all trees planted are nurtured to grow.

Bolgatanga:   Red Cross marks Green Ghana Day.

In a related development Upper East Regional Manager of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Paul Wooma, says planting a tree without nurturing it to grow is as useless as not planting it. He said the move by government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to plant 5 million trees across the country as part of activities marking the Green Ghana Day Celebration is timely but efforts must be made to ensure that all trees planted are well nurtured to grow.

Mr. Wooma made the assertion when the Regional Branch of the Ghana Red Cross society in collaboration with staff and students of Zamse Senior High Technical School initiated a tree planting exercise to commemorate the day.  They planted tree along routes, and residential areas among other vantage points.

The Regional Office of the Ghana Red Cross Society  through its volunteers at the various communities have over the years embarked on several sensitization campaigns aimed at encouraging residents in the region to plant trees in their homes and also help protect the forest cover in their catchment areas. Even though most of the people bought the idea and planted some trees, they could not nurture them to grow. The practice according to the leadership of the Ghana Red Cross Society is unacceptable.

The tree planting exercise lasted over three hours where trees including Ceiba and  mahogany among others were planted at residential areas, routes and shoulders of roads within the Bolgatanga municipality. In an interview with GBC NEWS, the Upper East Regional Manager of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Mr. Paul Wooma, commended government for the initiative and called on all stakeholders including chiefs to support the implementation of the project.

 Miss Deborah, a student at Zamse Senior High technical School, appealed to her colleagues to educate their parents on the need to plant trees and also protect the forest cover. The upper East Region is expected to plant over 170 thousand trees to commemorate the Green Ghana Day celebration.

GBCs Samuel Ayammah

Ayorya Community Gets Groundnut Processing Facility

 

The drudgery in manual processing of groundnuts and the challenges in marketing has become a thing of the past for members of the Ayorya Women Groundnut Farmers Association in the Bono East Region. This follows the inauguration of a Groundnut processing facility at Ayorya to serve surrounding communities.  

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Resident Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Silke Hollander, said the inauguration of the processing plant is evidence of what women can achieve with the necessary support.

 The Ayorya area of the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region is noted for the cultivation of groundnuts.  It serves as a source of livelihood for many women in the area as evidenced by the formation of the Ayorya Women Groundnut Farmers Association. Hannah Afriyie is the leader of the Association, which was established to help improve the lot of women. 

She told GBCNEWS cultivating and selling groundnuts in the raw form proved extremely challenging with buyers cheating them.  The provision of the processing facility, She noted will help eliminate the drudgery involved in processing and make prospects for increased revenues brighter

 The new Ayorya Groundnut Paste and Oil Processing Factory was sponsored by the UNDP under its Global Environment Facility.  It will be managed by the Ayorya Women Groundnut Farmers Association on behalf of Ayorya and surrounding communities. The facility which will be manned by six staff  is equipped with a milling machine, oil extractors and a shelling machine among others.

The inauguration ceremony for the facility had in attendance the locals and Chiefs of Ayorya and adjoining Communities as well as Officials of the UNDP and the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council.  

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Country Director of UNDP Ghana, Silke Hollander, expressed happiness over the successes chalked by the Women of Ayorya since their application for support was one of the first she handled on arrival in Ghana.  She noted the intervention will benefit not only the women but the entire community.  

 The Kintampo South District Director of Agriculture,  Efia Asokua Yeboah, lauded the support for the woman and called for more support other women's groups in other sectors.  The Executive Secretary to the Bono East Regional Minister,  Isaac Sarpong, who deputized for his Boss, praised the Women and UNDP for the processing center, saying it is in line with Government's industrialization drive under 1D1F. 

 A representative of the Farmers Organization Network of Ghana, Madam Gladys Adusah, facilitated the application for support by the Ayorya Women Groundnut Farmers, revealed that apart from the factory, the women have been trained in Organic production of Groundnuts, introduced to Village Savings Schemes, and improved traditional stoves. 

 She consequently expressed the hope that with hardwork, the future is promising for the Ayorya Women Groundnut Farmers.  

 GBCs John Sam Arthur                       

Ahafo Region: Youth Cautioned against Foul Language over Economic Challenges

     

                

The youth has been challenged not to resort to insults when expressing their view on the country’s economic challenges but instead use dialogue in finding solutions to every problem. Dedication a new Church building for the Kwakuri Methodist Society in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Ghana, Most Rev. Paul Kwabena Boafo further urged the youth to be discipline at all times.

 The Kwakuri Methodist Society which falls within the Kenyasi Circuit of the Goaso Diocese was started by the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) of the Calvary Society of Kenyasi No. 2 in 2010.  It started with seven members in this small structure which could just take three benches. The Church structure presented a challenge as apart from its small size, it deteriorated very fast.  

The MYF at the National level as part of their 70th Anniversary undertook to construct two Church buildings for Societies started by the MYF, with the Kwakuri Society selected to benefit.  The Construction started in 2016 and five years later and 200,000 Ghana Cedis spent, this is the result, arguably the most modern building in the Kwakuri area. According to the immediate Past President of the MYF, Mr. Benjamin Nana Yamoah, they adopted various innovative strategies to raise funds for the project.  

The Chairman of the MYF, Robert Adu Acheampong also urged the church to ensure effective maintenance of the new church edifice

Methodists including the Clergy and the Laity from all over the old Bono Ahafo area and beyond converged on kwakuri for the dedication of the new Chapel. The dedication was performed by the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo before the Congregation was ushered into the new building for the service.

In a sermon, the Presiding Bishop urged Ghanaians to take the upcoming National Population Census seriously. He also noted laxity in adherence to the Covid19 preventive measures especially in the rural areas and called for a renewed effort to abide by the preventive measures since Covid19 remains a threat. Most Rev. Boafo was full of commendation for the MYF, for not only bringing the gospel to deprived Kwakuri but adding a purpose-built Church Auditorium wholly financed by them.

GBCs John Sam Arthur

Bolgatanga : Court Issues Warrant for Suspected Armed Robber

Suspected Robber: Asampana Ayine

The Bolgatanga Magistrate Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of one Asampana Ayine alias Winder for his alleged involvement in robbery activities contrary to section 149 of the criminal offence act 29/60. 

The 22 year old who is a Frafra by tribe and native of Bolga-Soe is said to be involved in a robbery attack on a teacher who was riding on a motorbike to his home from Yorogo to Bolga-Soe on May 25,021 as about 1.am. 

Ayine (suspect) who was armed with a pistol and who had one other person with him on an unregistered motorbike came behind the complainant and ordered him to stop and hand over his motorbike. Sensing danger the victim sped off.

The suspect then followed him and pushed him off the motorbike at the gate when he was about to enter his house and shot him on the left thigh severally resulting in multiple injuries. The suspect has since gone into hiding.

To this background, the Upper East Regional Police Command is entreating residents of  Bolgatanga and its environs to assist the police with valid information on the whereabout of the suspect. 

The public is hereby advised to be on the look out and provide information leading to his arrest or report to the nearest police station or contact the police on emergency number 191,18555 or the UER police on 0299203644/45 and 02992204666.  

 GBCs Isaac Asare

Prophet T.B Joshua reported dead at age 57

Prophetic T.B Joshua

Inewsgh has gathered that the leader and founder of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua popularly known as T. B. Joshua is reported dead. His official twitter handle of Nigeria has confirmed.

He died at age 57 in Lagos yesterday evening, a week to his 58^th birthday.

The cause of his death was unknown as of the time of this report.

T.B Joshua died shortly after finishing a programme at his church.

His body had been deposited at the morgue awaiting autopsy.

TB Joshua's megachurch runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos.

His YouTube channel, Emmanuel TV, had over 1,000,000 YouTube subscribers.

The channel was the world’s most viewed Christian ministry on the platform before it was suspended.

In 2014, his church was at the centre of a multi-national investigation following a section of his church headquarters in Lagos collapsed, leaving dozens killed and many more injured. 

Mr Joshua denied allegations of negligence and a trial over the incident was still underway prior to his demise.

Born on June 12, 1963, he was a televangelist and philanthropist.

kofiasare@rocketmail.com

Shading the cocoa trees for people and nature

 

 

In West Africa, particularly in Ghana, deforestation for cocoa production and other agriculture purposes is a concern, as smallholder farmers continue to cut down forests to establish new cocoa plantations and for other farming activities.

In a small village called New Apaso located in the Sekyere East District of Ashanti Region of Ghana live Moses Nkrumah and his wife Ama Konadu, who have been farming cocoa for the past 20 years. The couple currently own 23 acres of cocoa farm. Ama narrates the usual cocoa farming practices.

“I currently have eight acres of cocoa farm and my husband has 15 acres. At first when we cut trees for farming, we were not replanting and most of the cocoa trees don’t do well especially when it gets to the dry season. We were also just using chemicals anyhow for spraying and all these were affecting our yields badly”, stated Ama.  

Cocoa, according to research, has proven to produce higher yields under shade trees than when grown in full sun during wet and dry periods. So, farmers are often encouraged to grow shade trees to buffer cocoa plants from heat and water stresses. This is because it is projected that, rising temperatures and increasingly frequent droughts will turn large portions of cocoa-producing regions to savanna by 2050.

To help address the looming cocoa production crisis amidst changing climate, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Mondelēz International Cocoa Life Programme, provided direct farmer trainings to over 35,000 farmers (38% females) and about 2,750 extension trainers on sustainable natural resource and ecosystem management practices. This is to prepare the farmers to adopt climate resilient production practices to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.  

The project under the Cocoa Life Programme also supported the farmers to plant over 1 million economic trees on their farms between 2014-2020. The farmers were also taught when to prune the trees and apply organic and inorganic fertilizers to promote healthy growth.  

“My yields have doubled from 8 bags to 16 when I harvest from my 8 acre-farm. I might say am financially independent, as I don’t have to be asking my husband for everything. The good news is that, we have all our three children in the University, so am very happy, stated Ama.

The benefits of planting trees in their farms, according to Ama and the husband Moses, are enormous.

“Nowadays, the weather is hot and the trees we planted have been providing us with shades. Otherwise, most of the cocoa trees will have died just like in the past. The Cocoa Life Programme has really helped us, Moses indicated.   

Besides buffering cocoa plants, shade trees also enhance soil fertility due to leaf shedding and pruning residues. These enrich the soil in organic matter and recycle nutrients and reduce soil erosion.

The project interventions benefited about 271 communities in 12 Districts across Ghana and facilitated the establishment of two Community Resources Management Areas (CREMAs) in Asunafo North in the Ahafo Region and Wassa East in the Western Region which are empowering over 60 communities to manage and take decisions on natural resource usage within their enclave.

Ghana is the second largest global cocoa producer and cocoa is the main agriculture export product, sustaining the livelihood of more than 800,000 small-scale households across the cocoa growing region of the country. 

It is therefore important to continue to support cocoa farmers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices for improved livelihoods and to restore degraded landscapes.

From: UNDP, Praise Nutakor, Head of Communications/GBCs Isaac Asare

 

Generation restoration: reimagine, recreate and restore the ecosystems

Blog by Dr Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana on World Environment Day 2021

 

Imagine life on earth without the living organisms that interact to give us air, water, food and everything we need to survive and thrive. Ecological systems or ecosystems also provide jobs or livelihoods and contribute up to half of the world’s GDP. Sadly, these valuable ecosystems are under massive threat. For example, every year, the world loses 10 million hectares of forests and approximately 30% of natural freshwater ecosystems have disappeared since 1970.

In Ghana, we are seeing vivid images of environmental degradation, from the destruction caused by unsustainable mining practices, to the alarming rate of deforestation, the pollution of river bodies and the depletion of fish stock in the ocean.

The theme for World Environment Day (WED) 2021 - Ecosystem Restoration - reminds us that we need to maintain the health of our ecosystems in order to  sustain and improve people’s lives and reduce the long term impact of environmental destruction and climate change. The day coincides with the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which is a rallying call to restore, revive and protect ecosystems all around the world, for the benefit of people and nature.

I am excited that this WED and the UN Decade give great prominence to the power that each citizen of the world holds to make a difference by joining the #generationrestoration. As individuals, we are called to join this global movement and do our part to reimagine, recreate and restore ecosystems. As an optimist, I believe that we are the generation to restore hope for the future generations.  There are three ways we can all contribute and make a difference.

Reimagine

First, joining #generationrestoration gives us the opportunity to reimagine the relationship between humans and nature. Our UNDP Human Development Report 2020 demonstrates the need for a reorientation of social norms and values to expand human freedoms while easing pressure on the planet. A good example of creating a new generation of citizens that is empowered to restore ecosystems is the Green Ghana Project spearheaded by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission. The aim is to plant 5 million trees in 1 day on 11 June. The people of Ghana are called to be citizens and not spectators in the country’s resolve to reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainability. A simple action of planting 1 tree, once reproduced at scale by citizens, can make great impact. The same principle can apply to other green actions, from segregating our waste, to buying from local suppliers and favoring locally grown products. 

Recreate

Second, joining #generationrestoration invites us to reverse environmental degradation by changing the way we do things. It provides us with the space to harness the tremendous potential for innovation within us. Abdullah Hamza is an example of a young social entrepreneur from the Northern Region who built a new business model for greening commodities with support from UNDP/Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme. His model is training and certifying farmers to produce and supply products at a premium price to businesses seeking to shift to sustainable sourcing of raw materials. Nelson Boateng emerged as one of the winners of the first edition of the UNDP-supported Waste Recovery Innovation Challenge of the Ghana Waste Recovery Platform. He and his team at Nelplast introduced a technology to transform plastic waste into pavement blocks and have now expanded their business to building affordable houses with discarded plastic for low-income workers. Nurturing these kinds of innovation and creativity is key to restoring our ecosystems.

Restore

Third, joining #generationrestoration demonstrates the power of many small actions to transform ecosystems. Many women, men, girls and boys across Ghana are already playing their part. Helena Agyekumaa from Osino in the Eastern region of Ghana planted trees and adopted sustainable practices on her farm in a degraded forest area. With support from UNDP in partnership with Mondelez and Ghana Cocoa Board she has increased her cocoa harvest from 3-4 to 7-8 bags. There are many Helenas who are inspiring others to act. With access to better tools, knowledge and technologies, more citizens can become active actors in environmental conservation.

 GBCs Isaac Asare/UNDP

UER: Minister Calls for Probe Into Mining Tragedy

 

Trapped victims 

The committee set-up to investigate the circumstances leading to the mining tragedy that resulted in some miners trapped in a mining pit at Gbane in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region has been given a 3-week ultimatum to produce a report on the said disaster. The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu who gave the directive is further urging the committee to also recommend solutions to avert future occurrences. He said every mining activity has been halted at the accident  place while  rescuing efforts are still under way to retrieve other bodies, if there is any still trapped  in the pit. 

According to him, nine (9) bodies were retrieved from the pit as at this dawn so far while the rescuing team are feverishly working to bring to an end that sad chapter which greeted the region Tuesday morning. Mr. Yakubu said this in his office as Radio Ghana sought more information on the situation at Gbane. Speaking with GBC NEWS, an opinion leader of Gbane, Alhaji, Opinion leader, Fahad Bagmeritamme, said innovative measures will be put in place to avoid the numerous mining accidents in the area.

Opinion Leader, Alhaji Fahad Bagmeritamme

Robert Boazor, Regional Chairman, Small Scale Miners Association

The Upper East Regional Chairman of the small-scale miners association, Robert Boazor, said the rescue operation team will continue to work until they retrieve all the bodies in the pits.

 The nine miners who met their untimely death include Debenbaane Tembora aged 30,  Zooh Ehig aged 28, Kweku Tii aged 25, Daniel Basuumah aged 27,  Kojo Balebinsin aged 42,  Naasigna Basuumah aged 25, Kolog Bering aged 21, Jonathan Naazie Laat aged 28 and Sampana Bangya aged 38. All natives of Gaare, Tindongo and Kpale communities respectively.

Police in the Upper East Region over the week confirmed that the bodies of nine miners trapped in a pit at the Gbane mining site have been recovered. Out of the number, 7 of the deceased persons are from Gare, one from Tindongo and one also from Kpale all in the Talensi District. According to the Assembly Member for  Gare-Gbane Electoral Area, John Nabwumya, two of the miners were still missing. He said the two missing persons are from Sissala East District in the the Upper West Region and Gbane also in the Talensi District respectively. The miners were trapped after the pit they were working was inundated with water out of a heavy downpour. A rescue team made up of the small-scale miners spent nearly 48 hours pumping water out of the underground mining tunnels in a desperate attempt to locate and rescue the miners. It has now been confirmed that nine of them drowned and their bodies have been found.

Meanwhile, another person has been confirmed dead bringing the number to ten.  

GBCs Samuel Ayammah

Koforidua: Quantity Surveyers Schooled On Contract Administration

                Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Maintenance at the GHA, Ing Christian Nti

                          

 Quantity Surveyors under the Ghana Highways Authority, GHA, have attended a two day training on contract administration at the Authority’s training center in Koforidua the Eastern Regional capital. It was to sharpen their skills and equip them to better manage, negotiate, supply and execute all contracts of the Authority effectively and efficiently.

 About 70 Regional Quantity Surveyors from across the country attended the training which was under the theme, “enhancing the contract administration skills of quantity surveyors”. The GHA believes that Quantity Surveyors serve as managers of all aspects of contractual and financial sides of construction projects by researching and preparing construction budgets and planning the costs of each phase of projects to ensure value for money.

As Cost Engineers, they also advice both contractors and state agencies on Costing related matters, choosing of contractors and procurement processes, as well as negotiation, disputes, taxation and funding advice for construction projects. That is why the GHA organized the training workshop to upgrade their capacity in order to effectively deliver on their mandate.

The Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Highway Authority, Mr. Charles Adubofour while acknowledging that quantity Surveyors are essential to the authority, noted that the training will further enhance their knowledge, skills, tools and techniques on Contract Administration and equip them to better manage, negotiate, support and execute all GHA contracts without any difficulty.

 The Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Maintenance at the GHA, Ing Christian Nti said technology has evolved therefore the need to equip the quality Surveyors with skills to be able to meet with the technological trends. This he indicated will put the in a better place for effective work delivery.

 In an interview with the media, Ing Nti explained that road projects are highly capital intensive, hence as Cost Engineers who are managers of such projects, the GHA is required to periodically sharpen their skills in order for the Authority to reduce time of service and also reduce unnecessary payment. They will also be equipped with the new technological trends emerging in modern project administration.

 

GBCs Gloria Afful

 

 

Tema Motorway: One Dead, Six Others Injured In An Accident

One person has been confirmed dead in an early Friday morning accident which occurred at the Ashaiman Underpass section of the Accra-Tema motorway. Six other persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident involving two commercial mini buses and a petroleum product haulage truck. 

Confirming the incident the Motorway Fire Station Commander, DFO Richmond Vanderpuye said investigations has commenced to ascertain cause of the accident . That section of the Motorway has become an accident prone area with the latest death bringing to 10 the number of deaths recorded in a motor accident within a spate of two months.

GBCs Michael Dewornu       

 

Hundreds Mourn Sir Jon As He Is Laid To Rest

Late Sir John

The mortal remains of the former Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Forestry Commission, John Owusu Afriyie alias Sir John who was also the General Secretary of the NPP had been laid to rest at his home town at Sakora Wonoo in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region. Among hundreds of mourners at the pre-burial ceremony were the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the second lady, Samira Bawumia, the chief Justice Anim Yeboah, Ministers of State, representatives of various political parties, the clergy and the general public.

 Delegation from the NDC was led by the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, popularly known as General Mosquito. At a short but memorable occasion saw display of culture and tradition at its best even though Sir John was an ardent Adventist. In a sermon, an International Evangelist, Pastor Dr Ewool said Sir John has done his part and therefore expects all to contribute to national development.

 President Akufo Addo in a tribute described the former general Secretary as a stalwart who was known to be hardworking, trustworthy and dedicated to duty, saying the party has lost a great gem. He said Sir John stood behind him solidly during the 2013 election petition and never abandoned him till the NPP came back to power in 2016. 

 The General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah described Sir John as a friend and a brother who he knew long before the both became general secretaries of their parties. According to him, the brotherly love that existed between them had no bound despite political ideological differences and therefore expects the youth to learn from this remarkable lesson. A former MP for Mfantsiman Stephen Asamoah Asamoah Boateng described Sir John as one of the best General secretaries the ruling government has ever had. 

 GBCs Thomas Nsowa Adjei END