Day: September 22, 2024

The Lawra Municipal Assembly says it had chalked successes in the implementation of the first phase of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project.

Mr Maurice Ziem, the Lawra Municipal Information Officer, said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Lawra on the status of the project in the municipality.

He indicated that the success marked a significant step towards reinforcing social cohesion and economic development in the municipality.

He mentioned some of the projects to include a kindergarten block at Mettor Buo, a community-based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) compound with a toilet facility and mechanised borehole at Eremon Danko, Lawra community library, Babile goats market road, and Kuli primary school block and toilet facility.

He said while some of the sub-projects were completed, others were nearing completion and expressed hope that they would soon be completed and used.

The SOCO is a five-year project funded by the World Bank with the collabora
tive efforts of four Gulf of Guinea nations – Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Cote d’Ivoire to promote social cohesion and socio-economic development of the people.

Mr Ziem told the GNA that the project’s implementation committee had increased its supervision to ensure it achieved its intended purpose.

On the project’s impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of the people, the ISD officer indicated that the people in the municipality had been engaged in the project execution.

On his part, Mr Jacob Dery, the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) pledged his commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the SOCO project.

He said that was because of its potential to enhance the economic status of the people and would deter young people from engaging in activities that could mar the peace of the municipality, the region, and the nation in general.

‘Providing productive opportunities for young people is crucial to preventing them from being lured into activities that threaten community harmony and n
ational sovereignty,’ the MCE said.

Mr Dery gave the assurance that he would do everything possible to ensure the development of the municipality as the welfare of the people was paramount to him.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Peace Council has asked security services, and the youth in the country to champion peace and harmony, before, during, and after the December 7 elections.

This is in the light of the 2024 commemoration of the International Day of Peace, which the Council marked in Accra, with a forum on the theme: ‘Cultivating a culture of peace.’

It was attended by officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, Police, Prisons, and Fire, students from Labone Senior High School, as well as representatives from the South African, United States of America and Denmark Embassies.

Speaking at the event, the Rev Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman, National Peace Council, stated that peace was necessary for progress and wellbeing of societies, as such all actors must play a role to make the 2024 elections successful.

He noted that elections were often characterised by tensions and potential conflicts, but encouraged that all actors embraced the values of dialogue, tolerance, unity and love for the country.

‘Let us ensure that
our actions before, during, and after the elections reflect the culture of peace we’re committed to cultivating. Peace must be cultivated daily, and not just during election periods,’ he said.

Rev Dr Adu-Gyamfi pledged the Peace Council’s commitment in ensuring that the 2024 elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace, transparency, openness, and accountability, including helping resolve the issue of voter registration audit.

Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, Deputy Commandant, KAIPTC, noted that peace was valuable, and called for the cultivation of an attitude that would lead to a violent free election.

He noted that credible elections depended highly on inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability through collaboration, urging the security agencies in particular to play their roles well.

Air Commodore Akrong noted that the 2024 elections would not be devoid of the threats of disinformation, misinformation, hate speech, sensational media reportage, and activities of political party vigilante g
roups.

‘These trends have the tendency to impact on the electoral integrity, peace and security of the country… all players must ensure a fair playing field to all actors involved to avoid any disturbances, before, during, and after the elections,’ he said.

Mr Charles Abani, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Ghana, acknowledged Ghana’s steadfast commitment to peace amid global tensions, urging, particularly the youth, to guard the peace of the country.

He stated that peace was not a static condition, but an active pursuit and a deliberate process that required a strategic construction and nurturing of the social, political, and economic frameworks that promoted harmony, justice and coexistence.

Mr Abani stated that Ghana stood proud as a beacon of peace and stability in West Africa, with a remarkable history of democratic governance and peaceful transitions of power, but noted that in the upcoming elections, ‘complacency is just not an option.’

He urged all actors to take district and regional
level actions seriously, including bringing on board traditional and religious bodies as well as the marginalised at all times for peace.

The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981 to promote peace, nonviolence, and cease-fire worldwide, and observed annually on September 21.

The Day is a call to action for individuals, organisations, and governments to work towards achieving peace and resolving conflicts through nonviolent means.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Ghana Section has held pre-conference workshop of the International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST) 2024 in Accra.

The workshop, which was the nineth edition was sponsored by IEEE Humanitarian Technology Board (HTB) and supported by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.

The event was a prelude to the main event in October, this year, and was on the theme: ‘The Impact of Humanitarian Technology in Africa: Focusing on IEEE HTB projects.’

It brought together diverse groups of individuals from academia, industry, and the humanitarian sectors each with a shared goal to explore and expand the impact of humanitarian technologies across the African continent.

About 700 registrants, including online and in-person attendees participated in the event.

The focus of the workshop was to sensitize volunteers on IEEE HTB funding sources for impactful humanitarian technology projects in Africa such as agriculture, Smart Village, and energy
sustainability.

It also afforded students the opportunity to network with various experts in diverse fields of human endeavours to enable them receive coaching and mentoring in their chosen craft.

Prof. Issaka Yakubu, ICAST Workshop chair in an address said the workshop would inculcate in the students the idea of humanitarianism so that as they develop their minds technologically, they could also find ways to impact society by addressing issues in agriculture, sanitation, energy sustainability, waste management, among others.

He said the IEEE HTB has made tremendous strides with initiatives such as EPICS, SIGHT, Smart Village, Tech4Good among others which had touched countless lives.

These initiatives, he said, offer diverse opportunities for researchers, professionals, students, and communities.

‘To our students and young researchers, this is your moment to absorb, contribute and envision how you can be part of the global effort to leverage technology for the betterment of humanity,’ he stated.

Dr Jose
ph Essandoh-Yeddu, ICAST Workshop co-chair, speaking on benefits of participating in humanitarian technology initiatives and projects said without reference to one’s professional background, there were a lot of viable projects to undertake to benefit society for which one could access funding available under the HTB.

‘No matter what you are taught in school, you can impact society in diverse ways,’he said.

He urged the students to embrace the opportunity to join the IEEE through which they could secure opportunities for internship overseas and other more opportunities.

According to him, technology plays a pivotal role in our lives and offers an opportunity for change, urging students to apply their acquired knowledge to solve problems of society which was what IEEE stood for.

Mr Maxwell Darko Addison, IEEE HTB Outreach Committee Chair and ICAST Workshop Coordinator said as long as a project application was aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), HTB would fund such project applications.

He s
aid HTB funds volunteers for programmes and initiatives such as Tech4Good, Reach, Smart Village among others as long as they were impactful projects in harmony with the SDGs.

He said funding was open to the public of any desired number adding, however that, it was mandatory a member becomes an active member of the IEEE.

Mr. Addison disclosed that a funding window was opened at a specific period within the year during which proposals are requested from volunteers.

Mr Mensah Siti, IEEE Ghana Section chair admonished participants to get their acts together and source these available funds for causes that would address the challenges of humanity and society.

He urged participants, particularly students, to apply the knowledge acquired for societal good which was what IEEE stood for.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has awarded deserving tourism industry practitioners and stakeholders who have demonstrated excellence in their operations in the region.

25 competitive and three honorary awards were given to players who showed commitment towards the development and growth of the tourism industry in the region and country in general.

The 2024 edition of the awards ceremony, held at Essipong in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, was on the theme: ‘Celebrating innovation and recognising excellence in Ghana’s tourism sector.’

Mr Henry Yeleduor, the Western Regional GTA Director, speaking at the opening of the awards ceremony, said the occasion was to celebrate innovation, and recognise the best service providers and their dedication to product excellence within the tourism industry.

He stated that one of the biggest fundamental elements of excellence was respect and care for customers, which was an important factor for sustainable development and success i
n businesses.

He, thus, encouraged tourism practitioners to remain focused on increased quality of services and innovation, while charting new paths to sustain their businesses.

‘I also wish to challenge you to become ambassadors of service excellence in your areas of operation through skills transfer and mentoring other similar establishments, especially the emerging businesses,’ the Western Region GTA Director added.

Mr Yeleduor congratulated the award winners, saying, ‘It is our desire to use this initiative to promote excellence, innovation, and quality among players to be able to compete on the international market.’

Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, noted that tourism provided a great opportunity for sustainable development, and that it was imperative for stakeholders to recognise its immense potential as a connecting force for positive change, and a catalyst for environmental stewardship.

He said: ‘By understanding and tailoring experiences, embracing eco-tourism, and
investing in sustainable tourism practices, we can transform the tourism sector into a powerful tool for conserving our planet and enhancing human well-being.’

Mr Charles Obeng, Director of Standards and Quality Assurance, GTA, said the theme for the event was a call to action and reminder that the growth of the tourism industry and success depended on players’ ability to innovate, and adapt to emerging technological advancements, while striving for excellence.

He said tourism was a multi-stakeholder enterprise that required the full commitments of all, ‘so let us work together to promote tourism development and create opportunities for jobs and economic growth for the youth.’

The event was attended by traditional and religious authorities, representatives of corporate institutions, stakeholders in the tourism sector, and friends and families of awardees among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Police have arrested some members of the Democracy Hub in their Second Day, Sunday, September 22, demonstration against illegal mining ‘Galamsey’ in Accra.

This was after some demonstrators chose locations other than the seven demarcated for the demonstration at the 37 Military Hospital Roundabout.

ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs, Ghana Police Service, said they had earlier engaged the demonstrators on the locations to ensure law and order, however, they decided to veer off those locations.

She said the agreed locations were to ensure the free flow of traffic in the area, for the public to go about their businesses without any interference.

She said the demonstrators tried to impede traffic, attempted to park a vehicle to block the intersection and push away police officers and barricades, adding that ‘we were, thus, compelled in the interest of law and order to effect the arrests of the perpetrators.’

Madam Ansah-Akrofi said the police was committed to protecting lives and proper
ties as well as ensuring law and order.

Meanwhile, the demonstrators have disappeared at the time of filing this report due to the random arrest.

Source: Ghana News Agency