The Ashanti Regional NPP led by Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi appears to leave the opposition National Democratic Congress panting for more breadth with a few days to the crucial December 7 elections.
A day after the Vice President and Presidential Candidate concluded his highly successful campaign tour to the region, the Second Lady Her Excellency Hajia Samira Bawumia has also begun another round of intensive engagements with voters in the region.
The Second Lady, who breezed into the region today, began her campaign tour in the Offinso North Constituency, where she has been preaching the good message of the NPP and her husband to enthusiastic party supporters trooped in their numbers to welcome her.
Not only has the presence of the Second Lady in the region excited party supporters but it has also piled more pressure on the opposition NDC who have totally lost focus
and resorting to defeatist tactics of beating war drums.
Mrs. Samira Bawumia is expected to spend four days and will be visiting Offinso North, Atwima Nwabiagya, Ejisu, Oforikrom, Kwadaso, Afigya Sekyere, Suame and Manhyia South constituencies.
There are clear indications that the ruling party is on its way to achieving the 85% voter target, thanks to the massive campaign undertaken so far by the Regional leadership of the party.
Kwabena Frimpong, Deputy Protocol Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticized Alan Kyerematen, founder of the Movement for Change and Independent Presidential Candidate, over his recent remarks targeting former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Alan,J.A.Kufour and Kwabena Frimpong
Mr. Kyerematen had accused Kufuor of tarnishing his distinguished legacy by endorsing Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s flagbearer for the 2024 general elections. According to Kyerematen, Kufuor’s public support for Dr. Bawumia had left a “big blot” on his respected political career.
Responding in an interview with Net 2 TV, Kwabena Frimpong dismissed Kyerematen’s claims, attributing them to personal frustrations and envy over Dr. Bawumia’s growing popularity. Frimpong described Kyerematen’s comments as ungrateful, emphasizing that the former Minister of Trade and Industry owes his political rise to Kufuor’s mentorship.
“Alan Kyerematen’s criticisms are not grounded in fairness. They reflect personal grievances and frustrations rather than an objective assessment of President Kufuor’s legacy,” Frimpong said.
The Deputy Protocol Director accused Kyerematen of failing to build meaningful political alliances, citing his inability to support his own people who were NPP Members of Parliament and lost their seats after backing him.He couldn’t even protect and defend his own people, who fought their way up. This, Frimpong argued, has isolated Kyerematen from key figures within the party.
Frimpong further labeled Kyerematen as an “unserious politician,” asserting that his neglect of loyal supporters caused many to shift their allegiance to Dr. Bawumia during the party’s presidential primaries. He praised Dr. Bawumia for his ability to maintain strong relationships and respect for political elders, qualities Frimpong said distinguish him as a leader.
“Alan would only remember you when it’s time for election, he doesn’t know how to maintain relationship”
The widening rift between Kyerematen and the NPP has led to several prominent figures, including sitting MPs, abandoning his camp to back Dr. Bawumia. As the 2024 elections approach, the political landscape within the NPP continues to shift, with tensions mounting between its former allies.
In modern Ghana, some people still build houses without toilets, which is unacceptable.
Sanitation ministry, please enforce the law and make sure all houses have toilets. Public toilets are for strangers, not locals.
On World Toilet Day, let’s create space for toilets in our homes and stop using the bush, riverbanks, and uncompleted buildings as toilets. Happy World Toilet Day. Amen. Coka, I care.
There was great jubilation amidst drumming and dancing by thousands of residents across the Ahafo Ano South West Constituency to welcome Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice-President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Dr. Bawumia couldn’t hide his excitement as he was dazzled by a mammoth crowd at Kunsu, near Mankraso, the district and constituency capital.
During the final day of his 15-day intensive campaign tour of the Ashanti Region dubbed “It’s possible”, Dr. Bawumia, reacting to the mammoth crowd, said, “Wow! What a massive crowd! With this crowd I’m seeing, I can sleep well today. If all of you go out on December 7 and vote for me and Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Ahafo Ano South West, we’ll win.”
Speaking at a community engagement at Kunsu on Tuesday, 19th November 2024, Dr. Bawumia reiterated that “the NPP, notwithstanding COVID-19 and all the global crises, we have performed better than Mahama and the NDC in every sector of the economy.”
“We have created more jobs; we have built more roads, more railways, more airports, more schools, more libraries, more sanitation facilities, more cocoa jobs, more industries, etc. In every sector of the economy, we have done more than you,” he pointed out.
“That is why I asked the former President to tell us one infrastructural development he has done that has benefitted the country. Just one infrastructure and he has not been able to do so,” he added.
He, therefore, called on eligible voters to turn out in their numbers to vote for him and all NPP parliamentary candidates.
The Otumfuo Brempong, Nana Gyedu Kumaning IV, who doubles as Amakye Barehene, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Efie Bitters at the Atwima Nwabiagya North District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, has advised Ghanaians, especially the youth, not to allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians before, during and after the upcoming elections.
According to him, the country has demonstrated to the world as a peaceful nation and all efforts should be made to maintain such enviable record.
He said no nation could flourish without peace and all hands should be on deck to ensure free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections.
The Amakye Barehene made the passionate appeal recently when World Diplomatic Federation, a renowned NGO in United States of America (USA), honoured him for his good exemplary leadership through entrepreneurship as he is known for the creation of jobs for the vulnerable through Efie Bitters products and other humanitarian support that he has spearheaded in the community.
Nana Amakye Barehene displaying his award
Nana Gyedu Kumaning IV said, “I will urge all of you to be united. We have only one Ghana, so let us all live together in harmony and preserve the peace of this country. If someone asks you to attack anybody, give a stick to that person to hit himself with the stick. If he fails to do that, take the stick from him, throw it away and tell him you won’t be his stooge,” he advised.
“All we are asking for from all Ghanaians, especially the youth, is peaceful elections and whoever wins the elections will be a president for all so there is no need for violence,” he added.
On his part, the Konahene, who was the Chairman for the ceremony, Nana Konadu Yiadom Kumaning IV, commended the immense contribution of his brother, Nana Gyedu Kumaning IV.
He, therefore, called on Amakye Bareman to support his visionary leadership to attract more development to the community.
“We all know what Nana is doing in this community, whatever he does come back to this very community and I will encourage all of you to throw your support to enable him to continue with his good works for the community,” he pleaded.
The Founder of World Diplomatic Federation and Secretary General of George Fox University in USA, His Eminence Professor Tyler Joseph Cuddeford, explained the importance of the award to Nana Gyedu Kumaning IV.
He pointed out that Nana Kumaning is a dynamic leader who deserves to be honoured.
“World Diplomatic Federation is interested in people that bring economic and social impact to their community in a large way and Nana Gyedu Kumaning IV has done that. He contributed economically and he also gives his resources to the community as well, so that is why we came here to honour him.
“We think it will inspire others to get back to the community and try really hard to have their own impact wherever they might be,” he added.
There was a big joy on Tuesday, 19th November 2024, at the Business School Auditorium of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi when Success Joycelyn Dadzie, a 10-year-old Basic 6 pupil of Hwidiem MA Basic School in the Asante Akyem North district was declared overall winner of Girls in ICT for 2024 in the Ashanti Region.
Minister of Communication & Digitalisation, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful making presentation to Success Joycelyn Dadzie,
For her prize, she received a cash of GH¢3,000, a laptop, a plaque and a certificate.
The second runner-up and first runner-up, Amponsah Yaa Darkowaa, a 13-year-old pupil from the Ejisu municipality, and Micelle, a 12-year-old pupil from the Atwima Kwanwoma district, also went home with GH¢2,000 and GH¢2,500 respectively, including a laptop, plaques and certificates.
Some scenes from the event
The Girls in ICT national annual celebration, which originated in 2012 under the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation, with partners like MTN Ghana, has several objectives.
The policy objective is to enhance the application of ICT in national development to expand the digital landscape and to enhance climate change resilience.
The 2024 National Girls in ICT celebration preceded the training of 100 teachers and 1000 girls in basic ICT, programming, graphic design, etc.
The second edition of the 2024 National Girls in ICT celebration, which was graced by the Minister of Communication & Digitalisation, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, among other dignitaries, saw the awards of laptops and certificates to best teachers and 100 best learners selected from 43 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful was full of praise to their partners, especially MTN Ghana, for supporting the initiative.
She urged the beneficiaries to be ambassadors in their various schools and communities.
Madam Sophia Tandoh from the MTN Corporate Services Department, in an interview with the media, pledged the continued commitment of her company to empower Ghanaian girls with ICT.
Madam Sophia Tandoh in an interview with the media
She revealed that since 2021 MTN had made huge investments to support the training.
She explained, “Our investments have contributed to the training of 10,000 girls and 1,000 teachers in basic ICT skills such as coding, website design, game development and animation development.
“The regions covered so far are North East, Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, Eastern, Greater Accra and Ashanti.”
In her acceptance speech, Success Joycelyn Dadzie said she was extremely excited when her ICT teacher asked her mother for permission to include her in the training.
She recounted, “Madam Doris, our District Girl Education Officer, added my name to the list of girls selected for the Girls in ICT project. I was not new to computers but to develop my own games, animations, stories and websites was definitely new. I love the ability to create games!”
By:A news desk Report
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged Ghanaians to do everything possible to protect gains made by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government.
This, he said could be done by voting massively for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and all its candidates across the country during the upcoming December 7th general elections.
Dr Bawumia made the call in an address read for him by the Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare, during the launch of National Education Week 2024 in Accra.
Annual event
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwun
The week-long annual event, which had the theme “The Education Transformation Agenda; evidence from 2017,” attracted educational experts from across the globe to discuss and share ideas on the state of education in the country, share best practices, and present papers, among other things.
Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwun speaking at the event
The Vice President indicated that the huge investment made so far by the NPP government since 2017 had brought about a massive development at various levels of education in the country.
He enumerated the various interventions and policies including the Free Senior High (FSHS) Policy were among the things Ghanaians should use their votes to protect from being cancelled by any other government.
Welfare of Ghanaians
Dr Bawumia cautioned Ghanaians to think critically about whom they should vote for and not let any propaganda or lairs deceive them into voting for politicians who might only be interested in winning elections and not in the welfare of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Commendations
The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, on his part, praised the President for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of Ghana during his first and second term of office in government.
He also commended the Chief of Staff for what he termed “Motherly love shown to him when he was a Deputy Minister and also as a Minister for Education.
The Education Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe pledged to continue work hard towards the development of the nation’s education sector and all other sectors of the economy.
With a few days to the 2024 general election slated for Saturday, 7th December, the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Dramani Mahama, and supporters of the NDC have been advised again to talk about their policies and stop insulting former President J. A. Kufuor, chiefs, pastors, imams and other opinion leaders.
The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Francis Adomako, who has for the past weeks expressed serious concerns over politics of insults, reminded Mr. Mahama and his supporters that insults don’t win elections.
Dr. Adomako, who is popularly known as Francois in the political space, made the call on Tuesday, 19th November 2024.
Dr Francis Adomako aka Francois
His renewed call followed insults on former President Kufuor by Dela Edem, a member of the NDC communications team, simply because Mr Kufuor sees Dr. Bawumia as the hope and transformational leader Ghana needs at the moment.
Francois, who is the Dean of all Regional Organisers, said Mr. Kufuor is a true statesman. “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 new patriotic party,” he added.
He said 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.
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.
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.
On October 10, 2023, China marked the 10th anniversary of the launch of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the unveiling of a ‘White Paper’ on the BRI.
The document, titled, “The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future,” represents an overarching review and reaffirmation of the BRI’s global role and impact since its conception and launch in 2013.
It initially took the form of the “One Belt, One Road initiative,” and encompassed the overland Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road. These two components gave birth to an interconnected network of trade routes spanning continents.
In 2016, a significant change occurred when the initiative’s name shifted to the Belt and Road Initiative, better representing its broad scope and global outlook.
President Xi Jinping
In the following year, the BRI was elevated to a national vision and strategy, emphasizing its pivotal role in China’s long-term development and global engagement.
Although the BRI was initially conceived to enhance connectivity between East Asia and Europe (the Eurasian continent) through a comprehensive network of road and maritime infrastructure, it has since expanded beyond the Eurasian continent and reached Africa and Latin America.
As a result, it has developed into a far-reaching global initiative, with over 150 countries and 30 international organizations participating through joining or signing cooperation agreements with the BRI.
Since the launch, the project has significantly impacted African countries.
With 53 African nations participating, the BRI has contributed substantial investments in infrastructure, including ports, railways, and renewable energy projects.
It is on record that in 2023, African countries received $21.7 billion in BRI deals, thus making China a giant lender in Africa, with loans exceeding $170 billion to 49 African countries and regional institutions from 2000-2022.
The initiative has led to the construction of critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, and power facilities which is transforming the continent’s economic landscape.
Notable examples of these projects include the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway in Kenya, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia, the Port of Doraleh in Djibouti, the Maputo-Katembe Bridge in Mozambique, the Lagos-Kano Railway in Nigeria, the Entebbe-Kampala Expressway in Uganda, the Cherchell Ring Expressway and Port in Algeria, among others.
These endeavours exemplify the tangible impact of the BRI on Africa’s journey towards realizing its development goals and Agenda 2063, which outlines a significant connection between the BRI and regional and global development initiatives.
Specifically, the BRI aligns with plans such as the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This alignment implies that the implementation of the BRI complements the development objectives of Africa.
Adopted by the AU in 2015, Agenda 2063 is a comprehensive, long-term development framework to transform the continent into a global powerhouse.
This vision entails a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated continent, emphasizing innovative and flagship projects to foster integration among African nations.
The projects include the development of a modernized and integrative infrastructure network to facilitate the free movement of goods and people and the establishment of an African Free Trade Area to promote intra-regional trade.
The latter objective has been successfully realized by establishing the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area, which is mandated to create a single continental market for the African people.
During the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, which marked the largest ever meeting between Chinese and African leaders, a very significant declaration was made.
China and African nations agreed to deepen their cooperation by aligning Africa’s Agenda 2063 development strategies with the BRI, which aimed to enhance connectivity in various areas, including policy, infrastructure, trade, finance, and industrial capacity under the BRI.
According to the “Governance of China” book, by President Xi Jinping, on building a closer belt and road partnership, “the BRI is a public road open to all,not a private path owned by one single party…all interested countries are welcome to take part in cooperation and share in its benefits”.
President Xi Jinping, on April 20,2021 at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, via video link, stated “going forward, we will continue to work with other parties on high quality belt and road cooperation…we will follow the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits…we will ensure that belt and road cooperation is people-centered and sustainable,and meets high standards”.
A World Bank study suggests that by 2030,belt and road projects wil have helped to lift about 7.6 million people from extreme poverty and 32 million people from moderate poverty across the world.
As of June 2023, the China-Europe Railway Express has achieved an extensive network, encompassing over 200 cities in 25 European countries.
This network spans 86 routes that traverse vital regions within the Eurasian hinterlands, signifying the remarkable reach and impact of the BRI on intercontinental trade and connectivity.
Other substantial infrastructure projects under the umbrella of the BRI include, the China-Laos Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Highway, the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, and the development of the Port of Piraeus in Greece.
Acting in the spirit of openness and inclusiveness, President Xi Jinping continued, “we will work with all BRI participants of the belt and road into a pathway to poverty reduction and economic growth and contribute to common prosperity for all”.
2.China’s Global Cooperation in Poverty Reduction and Green Development: A New Era of Sustainable Development.
Undoubtedly,China has emerged as a leader in global cooperation, particularly in poverty reduction and green development.
In fact, the country’s remarkable progress in lifting over 750 million people out of poverty some four decades ago, has become a topical issue which has inspired nations worldwide.
The country’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2021, aims to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The commitment of China to sustainable development, prioritizes green growth, innovation, and international cooperation.
The GDI focuses on eight key areas, including poverty reduction, food security, pandemic response, financing for development, climate change, green development, industrialization.
Talk about China’s poverty alleviation,the strategy focuses on rural development, investing in rural infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
On economic empowerment, it has been providing training, microfinance, and job opportunities, while its social welfare aspect is ensuring access to basic services, such as healthcare and social security.
To create eco-friendly infrastructure,the project has been developing sustainable transportation systems and green buildings, ensuring environmental conservation, by way of protecting biodiversity, forests, and water resources.
The GDI has made significant strides in Africa, fostering cooperation and development across the continent.
We can look at some examples of African nations that have benefited from China’s broader development initiatives.
Key among the beneficiaries are:
South Africa, a key partner of the BRI, which has seen significant investments in infrastructure development, including transportation and energy projects.
Egypt has also benefited heavily in terms of infrastructure, including the construction of the Suez Canal Economic Zone and various transportation projects.
Nigeria cannot be ruled out as China has provided significant financial support to their infrastructure development, including rail and road projects.
In Kenya, China has invested in transportation infrastructure, including the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway.
Ethiopia has been supported in their industrialization efforts, including the development of industrial parks and manufacturing facilities.
Indeed, the GDI has been promoted through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was launched a decade ago by President Xi Jinping aiming to create a vast network of economic corridors, fostering global trade, investment, and cooperation, with China at its center.
In his ‘Governance of China’ book, on shared humanity President Xi Jinping said “there is only one earth and we humans have only one home…earth is still the only home we have so to care for and cherish it is our only option…we should not only think about our own generation, but also to take responsibility for those to come”.
According to President Xi Jinping “China stands for building a community of shared future for mankind and achieving inclusive and win-win development”.
To press home their effort to ensure development for all in the world, he continued “China has benefited from the world in its development, and China has also contributed to the world’s development;
“We will continue to pursue a mutually beneficial opening-up strategy, share our development opportunities with other countries and welcome them on board the train of China’s development”.
The above quotes provide insight into President Xi Jinping’s vision for China’s development and governance, emphasizing the importance of participation, international cooperation, and sustainable growth.
The quotes sum up the simple reason China is sharing its expertise and investing in green infrastructure, as well, and demonstrating its commitment to a more equitable and sustainable world.
As the global community continues to address pressing development challenges, China’s leadership and cooperation is very crucial in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
China has been actively engaged in global cooperation efforts to reduce poverty and promote green development and that has been strengthened through
established partnerships with various international organizations, including the United Nations, to support global development cooperation.
The collaboration with the United Nations also gears toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change initiatives.
There has been collaboration with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), to finance sustainable infrastructure projects, as well as partnership with Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa on development and climate issues.
China,on climate change and green development, has committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development.
The country has also launched the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with a total input of $4 billion. Additionally, China has pledged to increase its contribution to the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund.
