Isaac Amoah
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GJA, EC hold nationwide credible election-reporting training workshop for journalists ahead of Dec. 7 polls
GJA, EC hold nationwide credible election-reporting training workshop for journalists ahead of Dec. 7 polls
By: Isaac Amoah
As part of measures to equip journalists across the country to help ensure free, fair and transparent elections, a one-day training workshop has been organised for some Ghanaian journalists.
The workshop, which was on the theme “Credible Election Reporting 2024”, was organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), with the support of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.
The nationwide workshop has been divided into two zones. Participants for the northern zone were drawn from the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Western North, Ashanti , Upper East,Upper west, Northern, North east and Savannah regions. A workshop has been organised for them at Camp Martin Hotel in Kumasi since Tuesday, 26th November.
Participants and facilitators in a group photograph
A workshop for participants for the southern zone is slated for Wednesday, 27th November 2024, in Accra.
Participants for the northern zone were taken through topics, such as “Fact-checking: A Necessity for the Media in Election 2024’” by Dr. Daniel Nkrumah, a lecturer, Department of Languages & Communication Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Mr. Osei Nsiah, the Ashanti Regional Director of the EC, made a presentation on the topic “EC’s Expectations of the Media in Election 2024”.
Mr. Dominic Hlordzi, the National Organising Secretary of GJA, also made a presentation on the topic “Safety & Security of Journalists”, among other topics.
According to Mr. Hlordzi, the training aims at equipping the media to better understand the electoral laws in order to educate their audience better.
He stressed the need for the media to stick to GJA code of ethics in discharging their duties professionally devoid of fake news.
According to him, the workshop was basically about the dos and don’ts of electoral reporting ahead of the 2024 general election.
“Let’s all help the EC to deliver credible and peaceful elections,” he appealed to his colleague journalists.
A cross-section of participants commended the GJA and the EC for the timely training workshop.
Electoral Commission Urged to Provide Essential Logistics for Polling Stations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES
DATE: 26TH NOVEMBER, 2024.
The African Electoral Institute is calling on the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure that all polling stations, particularly those in open spaces and by road sides, are equipped with the necessary logistics such as canopies, tables, and chairs.
These basic necessities are crucial to guarantee a smooth and comfortable voting experience for citizens. The EC’s responsibility to provide these essentials will help prevent any potential disruptions or discomfort to voters and EC officials alike.
The African Electoral Institute urges the EC to take immediate action by financing the acquisition or hiring of these vital logistics by latest of 4th December 2024.
This will ensure that all polling stations are adequately equipped to facilitate a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.
SIGNED
Joshua Adjin-Tettey
Director of Communications and External Relations
0540904550
Engr. Judge Hasford Quartey
Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations.
0547510174
Ex. WO1 Alhaji Yussif Mahamah
Electoral Security Department
0243311965
About Us:
African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election
monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that “elections are won at the polling stations’’ and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
We are on: africanelectoralinstitute.com
X: @AFRICANELECTORA
Lindedin: African_Electoral_ Institute
#ntegrityofChoice
Education Minister inaugurates new school projects in the Bosomtwe Constituency
To promote effective teaching and learning in schools in his Constituency in the Ashanti region, the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has commissioned three newly built school projects in the area.
Some scenes from the event
The newly constructed schools are the Amankwaadei D/A Primary School, Woarakese D/A Primary School, and Kuntenase Owne D/A Primary School.
All these state-of-the-art facilities represent the government’s commitment to providing quality education and creating opportunities for every child.
These schools are beacons of progress and hope for the children and the entire community.
Speaking at separate ceremonies before the commissioning of the projects, Dr Osei Adutwum, said “with these modern classrooms and resources, we equip the next generation to thrive in an ever-evolving world”.
“ I want to express my gratitude to all who contributed to making this dream a reality, including our partners, contractors, and educators. Together, we continue to build a future where education transforms lives and uplifts communities”. he said.
He reminded the people to have faith in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government since it would always provide the exact needs of the people.
Dr Adutwum who is also the Minister for Education spent time enumerating the various projects and innovations brought the education sector by the government.
He urged the people to vote massively for the NPP during the upcoming election to continue with the provision of social amenities and other projects for the people.
The District Chief Executive for Bosomtwe District, Mr Joseph K Asumin, praised the government for the massive infrastructure projects undertaken with the view to improving the standard of living of the people.
2024 Polls: EC is battle-ready to give Ghanaians credible election – Ashanti EC boss declares
By:Isaac Amoah
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Osei Nsiah, has stated emphatically that the EC is arguably the most transparent institution in the country.
According to him, the EC is the only institution that involves stakeholders in all its activities or processes, adding that even before it makes final declaration of electoral results, the political parties are supposed to endorse it before it can go ahead to make the declaration.
Mr.Osei Nsiah, Ashanti Regional EC Director
The Ashanti EC boss argued that when you go to court, it is only the judge or judges who make the final determination of cases and when you go to hospital, it is only the doctor who prescribes drugs to patients. But in the case of the EC, stakeholders (political parties) must be involved in its decision-making process before it makes declaration.
Speaking at a day’s training workshop for journalists from the northern sector held on Tuesday, 25th November 2024, at Camp Martin Hotel, Fumesua, near Kumasi, he assured Ghanaians of credible elections.
Participants in a group photograph
The workshop was organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), with support from the EC. It was on the theme: “Credible Election Reporting 2024”, and it aims at targeting 80 journalists.
Forty (40) have been drawn from the northern sector; a workshop has been held for them in Kumasi on 25th November. Another workshop for 40 journalists from the southern zone will come off in Accra.
He emphasised that an election is a process and not an event and so far, the EC has gone successfully through all the stages or processes.
According to him, all measures have been put in place to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
He, therefore, called on the media to provide impartial reportage before, during and after the election. “I expect you (journalists) to be impartial in your reportage. Give us the facts and separate your opinion from the facts. We also expect you to be accurate in the things you report and don’t allow anything to influence your reportage,” he said.
“And please don’t declare the presidential winner for us but you can only announce the provisional figures or results,” he appealed.
The General Secretary of GJA, Mr. Kofi Yeboah, expressed the association’s gratitude to the EC for supporting the training workshop.
He used the opportunity to condemn the utterances of Oheneba Nana Asiedu, a presenter with Wontumi Radio/TV. He, however, expressed concerns about the criminalisation of free speech by the Ghana Police.
He cautioned journalists against misinformation and disinformation, especially in the run-up to the December 7 elections.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Association, Mr. Kingsley E. Hope, in his welcome speech, advised the journalists not to allow themselves and their platforms to be used to foment tension or trouble.
“Let’s abide by the GJA code of ethics and remain professional in our reportage to maintain the respect of the society,” he pleaded.
AKUFO-ADDO COMMISSIONS FOUR DISTRICT HOSPITALS IN ASHANTI REGION
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has on Monday, 25 November 2024, commissioned four(4) of the five(5), 40-bed District Hospitals in the Ashanti region.
The four District Hospitals in the Ashanti region are located at, Drobonso in the Sekyere Afram Plains District; Sabronum, in the Ahafo Ano South East District; Twedie, in the Atwima Kwanwoma District and Suame, in the Suame Municipal area. The district hospital at Manso Nkwanta, in the Amansie West District, is also complete but yet to be commissioned.
It will be recalled that in 2020, the Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu, broke the ground for work to commence on the construction of twelve 40-bed Hospitals in Ashanti, Eastern, Greater Accra regions and one Polyclinic at Mim, in the Brong Ahafo region.
Constructed by VAMED Engineering GmbH of Austria, the other areas where these hospitals have been built across the country include Jumapo, Kwabeng, Nkwatia, Achiase, Adukrom, Mim and Kpone Katamanso.
A €71,500,000 Euro facility was secured from Erste Group Bank AG and Česká Spořitelna a.s towards the construction and equipping of these 40-bed hospitals, which also includes 12-units of 2-bedroom semi-detached accommodation for hospital workers at each of the facilities.
Aside the residential accomodation for the staff of the hospitals, the hospitals are equipped with an Out-Patient Department with the requisite consulting rooms, Public Health Department with 36-seater capacity waiting room, three ante-natal consulting rooms, a counselling room and two offices for Public Health Officers.
President Akufo-Addo
It also includes a theatre consisting of one Surgical Suite, 8-bed Paediatric Ward, 8-bed Male Ward, 8-bed Female Ward, four Labour Delivery stations, 8-bed Maternity Ward, 4-bed Lying-in and 2-bed Recovery room.
President Akufo-Addo unveiling the plaque
President Akufo-Addo urged the staff and the people of the areas to ensure that the facilities are adequately administered and maintained to ensure that governments commitment to improving the health status of all residents in the country through improving health care infrastructure is realised.
Education Ministry receives four electric vehicles from South Korea through DB Kim Junki Foundation
Source:Felix Baidoo
To complement the government’s efforts towards the advancement of STEM education in the country, a Korean-based company, DB Kim Junki Foundation has presented four electric vehicles to the University of Environment and Sustainable Development at Bunso through the Education Ministry.
The vehicles comprised three BYD electric saloon cars and one electric SAIC Dana Delivery Van for official use, to enhance transportation efficiency and logistical support, and to facilitate the distribution of educational materials.
Before making the donation recently at the Education Ministry in Accra, the DB Kim Junki Foundation from South Korea, through its partner companies Nubemar Limited, and Sourcertz Technology had already constructed an Electric Vehicle Charging Bay to charge Electric vehicles at the Bunso campus.
Charging System
The Electric Vehicle Charging Bay has two fast and efficient charging for electric vehicles; dual AC and DC charging capabilities compatible with various EV models. The Charging Systems were constructed by Sourcertz Technologies Limited in partnership with Nubemar Limited.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Education Minister on behalf of the government expressed his appreciation to the Korean Company for the support.
He explained that the University which will open this academic year will focus on agriculture, science and engineering and will be a state-of-the-art 21st-century hub for learning as phase I of the project is completed.
Dr Adutwum indicated that the strengthening of STEM education in the country was to ensure that it trained the much-needed manpower that can compete with the rest of the world for the 21st-century industry.
He thanked Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his support of STEM and TVET education in the country and urged all stakeholders to continue to play their roles to ensure the smooth transformation of the country through education.
The Education Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe described the spate of transformation in the nation’s education sector as critical towards the leapfrogging of the nation’s economy.
Collaboration
The Chief Executive Officer of Nubemar Limited, Mr Inwoo Yoo (Linus) said, the company was ready to continue partnering with the government of Ghana to promote the development of the country through the development of education.
Background
The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government since assuming office in 2017 has been pushing for the transformation of the nation through education.
This, he has been doing through the establishment of new schools from Kindergarten to the tertiary level.
One such institution is the University of Environment and Sustainable Development at Bunso which he cut the sod towards its construction and expected to commence operation this academic year.
Again, the government has refurbished old school buildings and restocked them with the required resources to promote effective teaching and learning.
The operationalization of the University has been made possible following the successful completion of the first phase of the projects in the school.
Stop insulting our leaders in Ashanti – Francois tells Mahama & NDC supporters
Source: tntnewspapergh.com
The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Francis Adomako, has reiterated his advice to the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Dramani Mahama, and his supporters to stop insulting the leaders in the Ashanti Region due to their desperation to win power at all costs.
Dr Francis Adomako aka Francois
According to him, Mr. Mahama’s silence on the various insults on former President Kufuor by NDC communicators and a recent one by one of Mr. Mahama’s boys, Kelvin Taylor, on our respected chiefs, including Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, show that Mr. Mahama and his NDC are bent on tarnishing the reputation of our revered leaders.
Dr. Adomako, who is popularly known as Francois, observed that Mr. Mahama is still quiet about all these insults after some days.
Francois, who doubles as the Dean of all Regional Organisers, said “this shows he (Mahama) is behind all these insults. He has not come out publicly to condemn this disgraceful act.”
John Mahama
“We the people of Ashanti respect former President J. A. Kufuor, Asantehene, all traditional leaders, the clergy, imams and other elders,” he stressed.
“He (Kufuor) was brought up very well. Ever since he left office, he has not insulted anyone. He has carried himself well. He is still a member of the NPP,” he added.
He noted that many people had said so many good things about former President Kufuor ever since he left office, adding that all that Mr. Kufuor said about Dr. Bawumia is true.
J.A.Kufuor
According to Francois, Mr. Mahama’s silence on the insults on former President Kufuor, including other respected opinion leaders who endorse Dr. Bawumia, is quite surprising.
“How do you hide behind Kelvin Taylor and others, because of politics, to rain insults on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and other chiefs and later on come back to them to ask for their blessings?” he asked rhetorically.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene
Francois, therefore, called on all eligible voters, especially first-time voters, most of whom are beneficiaries of the Free SHS policy, to vote massively for Dr. Bawumia who is number one on the ballot, as well as NPP parliamentary candidates in their various constituencies, come December 7.
CHRAJ clears Rev. Kusi Boateng of conflict of interest, says he doesn’t own 2 passports with different names
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has exonerated Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng over allegations that he holds two passports with two different names.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament(MP) for North Tongu in the Volta Region, in January 2023 petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng, over conflict of interest, including possession of multiple identities and other alleged criminal dealings.
Rev.Victor Kusi Boateng
However, a report by CHRAJ has indicated that he holds one passport with the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and has never been issued a passport with the name Kusi-Boateng as claimed.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa’s petition, which was received by the two Deputy Commissioners of CHRAJ, had also alleged that there was a transfer of GH¢2.6 million in cash from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited owned by Rev. Kusi-Boateng under his secondary identity, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
However, the Commission came to the conclusion that no service was rendered by the JNS Talent Centre Limited owned by Rev. Kusi-Boateng under his secondary identity, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
Rather, Rev Kusi Boateng offered to pay contractors of the National Cathedral because, at the time, the National Cathedral was not in good financial standing, and so the monies that were transferred to him were monies owed him for paying contractors of the project.Source:myjoyonline.com
African Electoral Institute calls for investigation into allegations of politically exposed Electoral Commission Officers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
DATE: 25TH NOVEMBER 2024.
- The African Electoral Institute (AEI) has taken note of concerns raised by some political parties regarding officers appointed by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, who are allegedly known political executive members.
- Specifically, AEI is calling on the EC to investigate these allegations, particularly in the Juaboso constituency.
- The African Electoral Institute emphasises that the political neutrality of the electoral commission is sacrosanct and essential for maintaining Ghana’s democracy. The Institute is concerned that if these allegations are true, they could undermine the integrity of the electoral process and plunge the country into electoral chaos.
- In light of this, the African Electoral Institute is urging the EC to take immediate action to investigate these allegations and ensure that all officers involved in the electoral process are impartial and neutral.
- Furthermore, the African Electoral Institute is reminding political parties to take advantage of C.I 127 regulation 19 sub-regulations (6)(7)(8) (9) and (10) which provide a framework for addressing concerns about officers appointed by the EC to address their appointment concerns.
The AEI remains committed to promoting free, fair, and transparent elections in Ghana and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
-End-
SIGNED
Joshua Adjin-Tettey
Director of Communications and External Relations
0540904550
Engr. Judge Hasford Quartey
Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations.
0547510174
Ex. WO1 Alhaji Yussif Mahamah
Electoral Security Department
0243311965
About Us:
African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that “elections are won at the polling stations’’ and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
We are on: africanelectoralinstitute.com
X: @AFRICANELECTORA
Lindedin: African_Electoral_ Institute
#ntegrityofChoice
