The Omanhene of the Prang Traditional Area in the Pru West District of the Bono East Region, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, has made a passionate appeal to the government to speed up work on the Agenda 111 hospital project at Prang.
According to him, he would be more excited to see the early completion and commissioning of the Agenda 111 project to the benefit of residents of Prang.
He has, therefore, urged the government to put in more efforts in order to complete the project on time.
Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III,Pranghene
Nana Nyarko, who made the appeal in an interview, said initially the project was progressing steadily but the work had been going on at a snail’s pace per his observation when he paid a visit to the project site recently.
According to the chief, information available to him attributes the slow pace of work to lack of funds to the contractors working on the project.
President Akufo-Addo
“We believe in the President and this is not the first time he is embarking on projects at Prang. By hook or by crook, we know he will release funds for the completion of the project before the general election,” he said.
With regard to the Prang town roads, Nana Nyarko was happy and grateful to the Akufo-Addo administration for such development, making Prang merit its status as the Pru West District capital.
The Pranghene was, however, not happy about the non-functioning of the Bono East Regional Urban Roads administration office situated at Prang despite its commissioning some years ago.
He appealed to the Deputy Minister for Roads, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Stephen Jallulah, to intervene to ensure that the personnel resume their official duties.
The renowned paramount chief was grateful to the government for bringing contractors on site to fix the collapsed bridge at Nyomoase.
He explained that this would facilitate the free movement of goods and passengers without hindrance.
He praised the people in the area for their unwavering support that had brought Prang to this level.
Nana Kwadwo Nyarko further urged his people to continue to live in harmony with one another to sustain the peace at Prang.
The Chief of Senfi-Adumasa in the Bekwai Municipal of the Ashanti Region, Nana Amankwa Kodom, has cut sod to begin the construction of an ultra-modern market at Senfi in honour of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The project, which is being financed by the chief, is expected to be completed within six months.
Nana Amankwa Kodom breaking the ground for the start for the ultra modern market project
Speaking to the media, the chief explained that there was a need for a new market facility to replace the old one which had been in a deplorable state for some years now. He, therefore, called for the support of the Senfi residents to hasten the construction of the new market.
He appealed to the residents of Senfi to support the contractor to ensure that the project is completed on time.
Senfi-Adumasahene said they had tried all possible means for support through written letters but it had proved futile. However, nananom have decided to support the construction of the project.
“I’m constructing this ultra-modern market facility to honour the King of Ashanti, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll, who is celebrating 25 years on the Golden Stool,” he noted.
Nana Kodom lamented that the traders were trading under the scorching sun and whenever it rained, it destroyed all their stocks which necessitated the construction of the new market.
Nana Kodom named Thursday as the market day for Senfi after the completion of the market.
The Assembly Member for the Senfi Electoral Area, Mr. Solomon Fosu, said no trader would be left out after the completion of the market, and it would be shared fairly among the traders. “I’ve charged the contractor to speed up the work to ensure that the project is completed on time,” he added.
According to him, one of their major challenges is power issues since half of the town is in total darkness and the situation needs an immediate attention. He also mentioned that their football pitch needed urgent attention and urged others to come and support him to fence it.
The residents of Senfi-Adumasa commended Nana Amankwa Kodom for the market and other projects for the community.
Some residents of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, have declared their readiness to join the upcoming demonstration (Night Vigil) by Ashanti Democrats in demand for reliable power in the region.
According to them, the planned Night Vigil should be supported by all to send a strong signal to the Government and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to sit up and work to ensure reliable power supply.
Speaking to The New Trust newspaper ahead of the Night Vigil, Madam Akosua Foriwaa, Patricia Manu, Mr. Yaw Acheampong and other residents expressed their frustrations over the ongoing power outages (dumsor).
They, therefore, appealed to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government led by Nana Akufo-Addo and ECG to up their game to ensure reliable power supply.
“The dumsor is killing our businesses and something needs to be done about it urgently; that is the main reason some of us have decided to join the upcoming Night Vigil,” Mr. Acheampong explained.
Papa Jay,the President of the group FLASH BACK! All is set for Ashanti Democrats’ NIGHT VIGIL in Demand for Reliable Power Supply on April 17
The organisers of an upcoming dumsor demonstration (Night Vigil) in the Ashanti Region led by Jerry James Sukah, who is popularly known as Papa Jay, have confirmed that all is set for a massive Ashanti Democrats’ protest slated for Wednesday, 17th April 2024.
The protest is coming off in the wake of weeks of erratic power supply in many parts of the country, especially in the Ashanti Region.
According to the organisers, they are going to use the protest to demand reliable power supply in the Ashanti Region and also demand accountability from the management of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Government.
It would be recalled that the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, even threatened to embark on a demonstration recently against the ECG over unreliable power supply in the region.
The organisers are, therefore, encouraging all Ghanaians, especially those in the Ashanti Region, to join the protest, irrespective of their political and religious affiliations, to demand reliable power supply.
Papa Jay, the President of Ashanti Democrats group, who doubles as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Officer for the Oforikrom Constituency, urged residents of the region, saying “never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty, truth and compassion against injustice, lies and greed. Join us as we demand accountability and immediate action against erratic power supply in the Ashanti Region. Stand with us for reliable electricity and a brighter future for all.”
He, therefore, gave information about the date, venue, converging point and the routes for the protest through to the ending point as follows:
Date for the demonstration: Wednesday, 17th April 2024
Time: 5 p.m. sharp
Converging point: Anloga junction then proceed and end at NDC party office, Amakom
Also, he urged all those who have decided to join and those planning to join to get their candles and lantern ready!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has initiated moves with other stakeholders with the focus of developing a policy framework for distance education (DE) regulation in Ghana.
One such move was a one-day workshop organized by GTEC with all the other stakeholders and was aimed at shaping the future of education in the country through a constructive dialogue that will pave the way for a robust and inclusive policy framework.
Speaking at the workshop in Accra, the Director General of GTEC, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, stated that “Distance education presents a unique opportunity to address the challenges of access and equity in education, particularly in a country as diverse and geographically dispersed as Ghana”.
Creating a balance
“It is equally important to recognize that in providing a robust D E, its quality, integrity, and effectiveness rely on the bedrock of an effective regulator system. As we navigate the complexities of distance education, it becomes increasingly imperative to establish a robust regulatory framework that ensures accountability, safeguards standards, and fosters innovation”. He said.
The workshop with the theme: ‘The development of a policy framework for distance education in Ghana’, among other things was to help shape distance education to perfection.
It brought together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds such as policymakers, educators and industry experts who were dedicated to crafting regulations that reflect the needs and aspirations of all those impacted by distance education in Ghana.
A team from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) who for the past two and half years under the Partnership Education Blended Learning Project (PEBL) has been supporting GTEC in its activities and also joined online.
The members participated in this important dialogue with their expertise, insights, and commitment which are invaluable towards the development of a policy framework for distance education regulation in Ghana.
Purging of the system
The Director General stressed on the need for stakeholders within the distance educational delivery architecture to purge themselves of the culture of crisscrossing the country on the excuse of providing distance education. This he referred to as distancing education.
The GTEC Director General indicated that the development of a policy framework for distance education regulation necessitates a thorough examination of the opportunities and challenges inherent in this evolving landscape, adding that distance education offers unprecedented flexibility and accessibility and also poses unique risks related to quality assurance, accreditation, and learner support.
“Central to our discussions today should be the principle of balance. We must strike a delicate equilibrium between promoting innovation and safeguarding against potential risks and abuses. Our regulatory framework for DE should foster a culture of innovation and experimentation, while also providing clear guidelines and mechanisms for oversight and accountability”. Prof. Jinapor said.
He explained that by doing so, they could create an environment that encourages the responsible use of technology and pedagogical practices to enhance learning outcomes and expand access to education for all Ghanaians.
Need for uniformity
Mr Dadzie Mensah, a Director at the GTEC said the lack of a policy regulating distance learning has led to several institutions operating distance education with no internal distance learning policies and those with DE policies, the policies are often insufficient or lacking in effectiveness.
He stated that only twelve (12) institutions in the country representing approximately four per cent of institutions in Ghana currently run DE programmes and almost all of them were into technology-mediated learning aspects which present themselves as distance education component of their regular face-to-face delivery of academic instruction
Mr Mensah mentioned that of the few into DE, about 67 per cent of them had DE policies of varying degrees of satisfaction based on the mode of delivery and level of student support required.
The Director said a new policy framework for the country would bring about a uniform regulation to regulate the space in the country properly.
END
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has initiated moves with other stakeholders with the focus of developing a policy framework for distance education (DE) regulation in Ghana.
One such move was a one-day workshop organized by GTEC with all the other stakeholders and was aimed at shaping the future of education in the country through a constructive dialogue that will pave the way for a robust and inclusive policy framework.
Speaking at the workshop in Accra, the Director General of GTEC, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, stated that “Distance education presents a unique opportunity to address the challenges of access and equity in education, particularly in a country as diverse and geographically dispersed as Ghana”.
Creating a balance
“It is equally important to recognize that in providing a robust D E, its quality, integrity, and effectiveness rely on the bedrock of an effective regulator system. As we navigate the complexities of distance education, it becomes increasingly imperative to establish a robust regulatory framework that ensures accountability, safeguards standards, and fosters innovation”. He said.
The workshop with the theme: ‘The development of a policy framework for distance education in Ghana’, among other things was to help shape distance education to perfection.
It brought together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds such as policymakers, educators and industry experts who were dedicated to crafting regulations that reflect the needs and aspirations of all those impacted by distance education in Ghana.
A team from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) who for the past two and half years under the Partnership Education Blended Learning Project (PEBL) has been supporting GTEC in its activities and also joined online.
The members participated in this important dialogue with their expertise, insights, and commitment which are invaluable towards the development of a policy framework for distance education regulation in Ghana.
Purging of the system.
The Director General stressed on the need for stakeholders within the distance educational delivery architecture to purge themselves of the culture of crisscrossing the country on the excuse of providing distance education. This he referred to as distancing education.
The GTEC Director General indicated that the development of a policy framework for distance education regulation necessitates a thorough examination of the opportunities and challenges inherent in this evolving landscape, adding that distance education offers unprecedented flexibility and accessibility and also poses unique risks related to quality assurance, accreditation, and learner support.
“Central to our discussions today should be the principle of balance.
We must strike a delicate equilibrium between promoting innovation and safeguarding against potential risks and abuses. Our regulatory framework for DE should foster a culture of innovation and experimentation, while also providing clear guidelines and mechanisms for oversight and accountability”. Prof. Jinapor said.
He explained that by doing so, they could create an environment that encourages the responsible use of technology and pedagogical practices to enhance learning outcomes and expand access to education for all Ghanaians.
Need for uniformity.
Mr Dadzie Mensah, a Director at the GTEC said the lack of a policy regulating distance learning has led to several institutions operating distance education with no internal distance learning policies and those with DE policies, the policies are often insufficient or lacking in effectiveness.
He stated that only twelve (12) institutions in the country representing approximately four per cent of institutions in Ghana currently run DE programmes and almost all of them were into technology-mediated learning aspects which present themselves as distance education component of their regular face-to-face delivery of academic instruction.
Mr Mensah mentioned that of the few into DE, about 67 per cent of them had DE policies of varying degrees of satisfaction based on the mode of delivery and level of student support required.
The Director said a new policy framework for the country would bring about a uniform regulation to regulate the space in the country properly.
END
The Winners of the 2023 STEMNNOVATION competition organized by the Free Senior High School (SHSs) Secretariat of the Ministry of Education last year on Saturday traveled to Japan.
The five students and an official of the Education Ministry will be out of the country for one-week and whiles in Japan they will participate in an international STEM competition, engage their student counterparts in Japan, and share as well as learn new ideas and skills towards their education.
The students comprised of Malinda Josephine Owusuaa Antiri, Salomey Akpene Atsrim-Ferguson and Benedicta Amoah from the Ahafoman Secondary/Technical School, 1st place winners as well as Agordo-Kafui Caleb and Stephen Mills Kofi Asante Ahenkan also from the Wesley Grammar who were the runners up.
Promise of a trip
During the grand finale of the competition held in Accra, the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum pledged that the winners of the competition would be sponsored to travel to Japan as part of its prize.
The trip by the students was in fulfilment of the promise made by Dr Adutwum during the climax of the competition to motivate the students to take keen interest in STEM education as well as the competition.
Farewell message:
Addressing the students before their departure in Accra, a Deputy Director General at the Ghana Education Service, Mr Stephen Owusu, described the feat chalked by the students as very unique.
He explained that the fact that the winners of the competition were from various parts of the country attested to the fact that the nation’s education was on the right trajectory.
The Deputy Director was particularly happy that the winners of the competition were not from the famous schools in the country, adding that with the current state of education in the country education outcomes in all schools did not matter the location of the school.
Mr Owusu lauded Dr Adutwum for the various interventions he has introduced into the nation’s education space with the view of making students study hard for the development of the right manpower for the nation and the rest of the world.
The Director of Innovation at the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr David Ampofo, pledged to continue supporting the STEMNNOVATION competition to help student unearth their hidden talents and skills towards solving challenges confronting their communities and the nation as a whole.
He also pledged to create an opportunity for the winners to have access to its Innovative Hubs near their schools so they could develop their skills and innovations to enhance their chances of commercializing it for the nation’s benefit.
Background:
Three female contestants who represented the Ahafoman SHTS, a mixed school surprised the whole nation in November last year with an amazing presentation on a project on Flexible Use of Electricity, where they generate electrical power through a locally modified generator and accumulator connected to a solar panel to power a plant-based incubator.
For emerging winners, Ahafoman SHTS took home an amount of Gh50,000 cash from the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), a desktop computer donated by Omega Computers, Gh20,000 life insurance cover from Glidco Insurance company, medals STEM textbooks while Wesley Grammar SHS received GHS 30,000 cash prize, a laptop and a printer for being second whereas, third-placed Bosomtwe Girls’ had GHS20,000 cash prize, a laptop and a printer.
Apart from the trip to Japan, the three girls from the Ahafoman were also promised a four-year full scholarship in any Engineering University in Ghana after their secondary education.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday, received the African Advancement Award for Exemplary Leadership at the 2024 African Heritage Awards Ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.
Organised by the Heritage Times of Nigeria, the African Heritage Awards is a platform that unites influential African innovators, entrepreneurs, and organisations, all of whom, like John Dramani Mahama, are instrumental in propelling the continent towards greatness.
The 2024 ceremony was chaired by former Botswana President Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama and was the second edition of the awards. The first edition took place in Kigali, Rwanda in 2024.
In a citation accompanying his recognition as an Exemplary African Leader, Mr Mahama, who is leading the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to Ghana’s 2024 elections, was recognised for implementing strategic economic initiatives and massive infrastructure projects across various critical sectors to address economic challenges and improve livelihoods, including efforts to alleviate power shortages and boost job creation through agricultural expansion.
Mr John Dramani Mahama receiving the award
Mahama’s administration prioritised strategic economic initiatives to enhance the quality of life for Ghanaians and implemented large-scale infrastructure projects across various sectors like Transportation, Healthcare, Education, Power, and Housing.
“To address the power shortage problem, Mahama deployed emergency plans and sped up the completion of power plants, which resulted in more than 800 megawatts of power within 18 months.”
“John Dramani Mahama is a man of peace who passionately loves his people. This love for peace and security in Ghana was put to the test when, after a democratic election, he peacefully handed over power to his successor in the spirit of strengthening and sustaining democracy in Africa.”
“For being a shining example with a proven track record of his passion for advancing democracy, peace, security, and development of Ghana and Africa, we celebrate his tenacious spirit, which has driven Ghana to greater heights with impacts that are still felt today.”
Other award recipients at the ceremony included the African Rising Movement, recognised for Social Justice and Advocacy, and Dr Jayne Obioma Onwumere, CEO of the Property World Africa Network, recognised for her work in Women’s Emancipation and Empowerment.
The Second Vice Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Ejisu, Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, has been declared winner of the Ejisu primary to become the parliamentary candidate of the NPP in the upcoming by-election in the Ejisu Constituency slated for 30th April 2024.
He polled 394 votes out of 1033 total valid votes cast ahead of his closest contender, Helena Mensah, who garnered 302 votes, followed by Yaa Gyamera, who obtained 229 votes.
The results per the balloting positions of the candidates are as follows:
Total votes cast – 1035
Valid votes cast – 1034
Rejected ballot – 2
Lawyer Kwabena Boateng – 394 votes
Dr. Evans Duah – 63 votes
Klinsman Karikari Mensa – 2 votes
Helena Mensah – 302 votes
Abena Pokuaa Amoah-Boaitey – No vote (zero)
Portia Acheampong Abronye – 6 votes
Lawyer Kwesi Nyantakyi – 35 votes
Aaron Prince Duah – 2 votes
Yaa Gyamera Aboagye – 229 votes
Mr. Benjamin Bannor-Bio, the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) made the declaration.
Kwasi Nyantakyi, the former president of the Ghana Football Association, was admitted to the hospital in advance of the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primary for Ejisu, but he was eventually discharged.
Nyantakyi, who is vying for the NPP parliamentary candidacy in the Ejisu Constituency, was hospitalized on Friday evening after complaining of stomach pains to his team.
Kwasi Nyantakyi
A source from his campaign team confirmed to Citi News that Nyantakyi was hospitalized for treatment following his complaint.
According to the source, Nyantakyi’s illness may have been exacerbated by not eating all day due to his busy schedule ahead of Saturday’s polls, which included a planned meeting with delegates.
He received treatment at Legacy Hospital in Asokore Mampong.
Following his discharge, Nyantakyi promptly headed to the voting centre to rally delegates to support his bid to replace the late John Kumah.
Mr. Nyantakyi acknowledged to the media that he was admitted to the hospital but that he is currently feeling healthy.
A total of 1081 delegates are set to decide the fate of nine aspirants vying to represent the New Patriotic Party in the upcoming by-election in the Ejisu Constituency.
The party is conducting its parliamentary primary to select a candidate following the passing of the Member of Parliament for Ejisu, John Ampontuah Kumah.
Campaign activities have been intense throughout the week as aspirants engage with delegates to secure their votes.
The party is urging both aspirants and delegates to strictly adhere to election guidelines and reiterating calls for aspirants not to encamp delegates.
Ashanti Regional Research and Elections Officer of the NPP, Nana Kofi Owusu, assured Citi News that all is in readiness for today’s elections.
Former Ghana Football Association President,Kwesi Nyantakyi, has been rushed to a hospital in the Ashanti Region.
The popular football icon who is contesting for the Ejisu Constituency seat is sad to have gone off while having a meeting with his lieutenants at Akyawkrom, a suburb of Ejisu.
Ghanasportspage.com gathers that Kwesi who is the front runner in the primaries to select a candidate for the ruling NPP looked healthy hours before the incident, and was flanked by his family and close allies only to suddenly fail to respond to the conversations.
He was seen falling off holding his head and was held together before being rushed to the hospital, where he was reportedly responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is said to continue the elections today at the Forestry Commission, Ejisu.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti youth oganisers have clarified their stance amidst rumors circulating about their endorsement of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as a potential running mate for the party.
Dismissing the claims as misrepresentative of the broader sentiments within the region, the organisers emphasized the importance of democratic processes within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to Article 12 (b) of the NPP’s Constitution, the selection of the vice-presidential candidate lies within the prerogative of the presidential candidate, in consultation with the National Council.
The organisers underscored that it is not the mandate of youth organisers to exert undue influence on such decisions, stressing the need for democratic principles to prevail.
“It’s important to clarify that this assertion does not accurately represent the sentiments of the majority of youth organisers in the Ashanti Region,” the organisers stated firmly, addressing the misconception surrounding Dr. Prempeh’s alleged endorsement.
Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka NAPO
Furthermore, the organisers outlined the qualities they believe are essential in a vice-presidential candidate, emphasizing traits such as humility, respect across all sectors, national appeal, and widespread popularity among Ghanaians.
“To ensure maximum support from party members and the Ghanaian populace, it is paramount for our party’s leadership to consider a candidate who embodies these qualities,” they urged.
Below is the press statement
We Have Not Endorsed Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as Running Mate; Ashanti Youth Organisers
We wish to address the recent press statement regarding alleged widespread support for Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh for the position of running mate. It’s important to clarify that this assertion does not accurately represent the sentiments of the majority of youth organisers in the Ashanti Region. The purported endorsement merely reflects the views of a few individuals and does not speak on behalf of the broader Youth Organisers or their Constituency.
Article 12 (b) of the Constitution of the New Patriotic Party provides that, the selection of the vice-presidential candidate rests with the Presidential Candidate, in consultation with the National Council of the party. It is not within the mandate of youth organisers to exert pressure, whether directly or indirectly, on the Presidential Candidate regarding the choice of a running mate. Such actions would constitute undue influence and run counter to the democratic principles of our party.
To ensure maximum support from party members and the Ghanaian populace, it is paramount for our party’s leadership to consider a candidate who embodies humility, commands respect across all sectors, possesses national appeal, and is widely liked by the majority of Ghanaians before finalising the choice of a vice-presidential candidate.
We urge all members of our party to extend their support and prayers to the presidential candidate through prayers and encouragement as they deliberate on selecting a suitable vice-presidential candidate. Let us collectively uphold the democratic values of our party and strive towards unity in preparation for the upcoming elections.
