Author: cnadmin

The Right Reverend Dr Gordon Kisseih, General Overseer of the Life International Church, has commended organised labour and all workers in Ghana for their invaluable contributions towards the country’s socio-economic well-being.

‘The sacrifices made by the working people of Ghana towards nation-building and progress are worthy of commendation,’ he said.

Rt. Rev. Dr Kisseih, also the First Vice President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday ahead of the May Day celebration.

This year’s celebration is on the theme: ‘Election 2024 – The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for Nation- Building.’

‘As a working class we need peace to continue to work and earn our livelihood since in the absence of peace we cannot attend to our work,’ he said.

‘It is in the light of this that the importance of the theme adopted by organised labour in this year’s celebration cannot be over-emphasised.’

Rt. R
ev. Dr Kisseih urged workers to stay away from any person or group who would want to influence them to act in ways that could undermine the peace and stability of the country in this year’s election.

He called on the Government to adopt and implement sustainable and realistic policies to create the needed jobs for the youth.

‘It is the firm belief of the church that employment creation, and by extension economic development, cannot be successful in an atmosphere of industrial unrest, disagreements and misunderstanding at both the enterprise and national levels.’

Rt. Rev. Dr Kisseih appealed to social partners to deepen the culture of dialogue and consultations in the collective desire to build a harmonious industrial relations environment, which was a prerequisite for investment attraction.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged the government to address the delays in the payment of pension contributions of workers to improve their welfare during retirement.

This was contained in a statement by the trades unions and read by Madam Felicia Kraja, Northern Regional Secretary of TUC at this year’s May Day celebrations in Tamale.

Madam Kraja said government owed the public sector second-tier schemes pension contributions to the tune of almost one billion Cedis as well as the first-tier contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust

This year’s celebration was on the theme: ‘Election 2024: The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Election for National Development’.

Madam Kraja urged the government to come up with a way forward to address the situation.

She further urged the government to address the current intermittent power outages, which he indicated was affecting workers productivity and the country’s economy.

Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern R
egional Minister, urged labour unions to devote more time to their work to improve productivity to better the conditions of service for their members.

He advised workers to avoid lateness, absenteeism, pilfering and laziness, and said such acts affected productivity and the country’s development.

He gave assurance that the government was working together with the Security Services and the Electoral Commission to ensure fair, transparent, and peaceful elections this year.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The?Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD 2024) in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, on Friday, May 3, 2024.

A Statement, signed by Mr Kofi Yeboah, General Secretary, said that would be the first time in recent memory that the GJA was observing the WPFD outside the national capital, Accra.

The move is in line with a commitment by the National Executive to organise such national events outside Accra in order to make the regional branches vibrant and inspire all members with a strong sense of belonging in the Association regardless of their geographical location.

Whilst the global theme for this year’s event is: ‘Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis,’ the GJA chose ‘Leveraging Journalism for sustainable environment and future,’ as the national theme.

The statement said the Association sought to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country.

Dignitaries expect
ed to grace the occasion that comes off?at the?Abba Bentil Theatre?of the?Koforidua Technical University include Mr?Seth Kwame Acheampong, Eastern Regional Minister; Madam Fatimatu Abubakar,?Minister of Information-designate and Mr?Edmond Moukala,?Head of?Office and Representative of??UNESCO Office, Accra.

Others include Mr?Kevin Brosnahan, the?Press Attache at the Embassy of the United States of America, Accra;?Dr John Kingsley Akrugu, Executive?Director, Environmental Protection Agency and?Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group Limited.

Dr John Kingsley Akrugu would deliver?the Keynote Address to highlight how Journalism could help protect the environment while Erastus Asare Donkor,?GJA Journalist of the Year 2022, would share some critical thoughts on staying the course of environmental protection through Journalism.

The event, which is expected to bring together stakeholders of the inky?fraternity, would start promptly at 0930 hours?under the royal chairmanship of Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, th
e Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day in?December 1993,?based on the recommendation of UNESCO and in tandem with the anniversary celebration of the ‘Declaration of Windhoek’ by the latter’s General Conference on May 3.

The commemoration of the Day is to remind governments of their commitments to press freedom and the need to respect same.

It also enjoins media professionals and practitioners across the world to use WPFD to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

One key feature of the occasion is the release of the global press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders, which gauges press freedom performances of countries.

In recent years, one significant trailer to the commemoration of WPFD is the organisation of the Africa Media Convention (AMC) in a fortnight, which forum rallies media actors and partners, as well as government officials, to discuss pertinent issues of press freedom.

Ghana, under the joi
nt auspices of the GJA, Ministry of Information and UNESCO, Accra Office, will host this year’s AMC, scheduled for?May 15 – 17, 2024, at the?Accra International Conference Centre.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A 10-million Canadian Dollar project dubbed ‘Strengthening Investments in Gender Responsive Climate Adaptation’ (SIGRA) has been launched in Accra.

The overall objective of the five-year project (2023-2028) is to improve resilience of Ghanaians, particularly women, girls, and vulnerable groups through increased investments in inclusive and gender responsive climate adaption initiatives.

Under the SIGRA project, five districts, selected based on economic vulnerability and climate change risks, would be supported.

Two districts in the Volta and three districts in Northern Regions.

SIGRA has come at a time when Ghana has been affected by severe deterioration of climate change in her agriculture, livelihood, and food security.

Impact of climate change in Ghana has intensified from the coast towards Northern Savanah.

About 60 per cent of women employed in agriculture are faced with significant hurdles in accessing and controlling resources and assets along the agricultural value chain.

Speaking at the laun
ch of the SIGRA project, Mr Cyril Quist, a Principal Planning Officer, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), said the launch marked an exiting chapter of the long-standing engagement with Global Affairs, Cananda, and Cowater International, which began about three years ago.

Mr Quist said the SIGRA project would include the provision of technical assistance and support to strengthen governance and national system with key central level Ministries, Department and Agencies.

‘SIGRA would also support regional governance stakeholders in the Volta and Northern Regions, and it would strengthen the capacities of the targeted districts to plan and report on climate adaptation initiatives.’

He said additional activities of SIGRA would involve strengthening the participation and influence of women in governing decision making and climate adaptation issues.

According to Mr Quist, the project would focus on soil conservation, restoration, irrigation, forestation, land management and the promotion
of relevant climate change technologies, among others.

‘This is what we need right now in order to accelerate actions in achieving the goals of the SIGRA project.

‘It is our hope that all relevant actors and stakeholders would render their full support and technical expertise to the success of the SIGRA project,’ he added.

Harshita Bisht, Project Manager of SIGRA, said the project would strengthen capacities of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to support sub – national planning.

According to Madam Bisht, the SIGRA project would involve MDAs and Municipal, Metropolitan and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to access climate finance.

She explained that grants up to 40,000 Canadian Dollar a year for a period of three years was up for beneficiaries who would design, implement, monitor, and report on gender responsive climate adaptation projects.

The SIGRA Project Manager stressed on the need to increase awareness at community level on gender inclusive adaptation.

She said SIGRA would increase capabil
ities around locally led climate finance as well as building on existing institutional systems and best practices to address climate finance gaps.

Dr Rose Mensah -Kutin, West Africa Regional Director of ABANTU for Development, in a presentation on Civil Society Organisations perspective on gender equality and climate adaptation in Ghana, said the impacts of climate change and gender had resulted in disruption of livelihood systems and displacement of communities.

That, she said had denied access to clean water and sanitation facilities and contaminated water bodies.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Armed Forces says it is investigating the shooting incident that took the life of a soldier, Lance Corporal Michael Danso, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Millennium City, Kasoa.

A statement issued and signed by Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quashie, Director General, Department of Public Relations, GAF, said the investigation found that the shooting was a result of a land dispute at the Millennium City, for which the Police had earlier advised all parties to stay off the property until the issue was resolved.

It said the deceased escorted Lance Corporal Omar Rahman, who owned a half plot of land at the Millennium City, when he was shot by an alleged land guard named one Benlord Ababio.

The statement said L/Cpl Rahman who was informed that some persons were working on the said piece of land, went there with the deceased and another colleague soldier, L/Cpl Ametus Matthew, to the site where they confirmed the information.

Rahman and his colleagues upon reaching the land, stopped the people from w
orking and proceeded to the Millennium City Police Station to report the issue.

Whilst at the Police Station, the acclaimed owner of the land arrived with two others alleged to be land guards who confronted the soldiers and fired at the deceased who was then trying to park his vehicle.

Realizing that one of the soldiers accompanying L/Cpl Rahman had been shot, the police disarmed and arrested the person who fired the weapon.

The statement said the body of the deceased soldier had since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital morgue.

The GAF condemned the attack and extended its empathy to the soldiers’ family, colleagues, friends, and loved ones, as it worked with the police to conduct further investigations.

It said the public would be informed of the outcome of the investigations in time.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr. Sam Ankrah, an Independent Presidential Candidate and Leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA) says he will prioritise the welfare and well-being of workers if elected as the President of Ghana in December.

‘As we celebrate this day, I want to emphasise the urgent need for fair labour practices, improved working conditions, and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all workers.

‘As the leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA) and a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 elections, I pledge to prioritise the welfare, and well-being of workers if elected President of Ghana.’

Dr Ankrah said this in a message to commemorate this year’s Workers’ Day celebrations.

He said his administration would ensure compulsory pension schemes for all workers and abolish compulsory retirement age, allowing workers to choose when to retire with dignity.

Dr Ankrah stated his commitment to decent earnings and a dignified life for all workers, and the promotion of safety by ‘banning the carrying
of heavy loads on human heads…’

He promised to provide tricycles for ‘Kayayo’ workers to alleviate their burden and improve their working conditions.

‘Introduction of apprenticeship programmes to develop skills, enhance employability, and foster innovation,’ he said would be key in his government.

Dr Ankra also said he would invest in human capital development through training, capacity building, and education.

He called for concerted efforts towards building a more equitable, just, and prosperous Ghana for all, promising to foster patriotism, ethical standards, and national unity among workers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Union of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union-Ghana has advised all workers not to allow politicians to influence them to cause mayhem ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The Union believed failure to heed the advice could undermine the country’s peace and stability.

Mr Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary, ICU-Ghana, said in a statement to the Ghana News Agency on May Day that peace and stability played a pivotal role in the country’s socio-economic and national development.

This year’s May Day Celebration is on the theme: ‘Election 2024: The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for National Development.’

‘Let us remember and be proud of ourselves that Ghana is the beacon of democracy in Africa, an enviable record we must jealously guard and keep for good,’ he said.

He advised the government to put in place realistic and realisable economic measures that are sustainable to quickly turn around the current economic downturn hitting Ghanaian workers.

‘W
e must jealously protect and guard against any employer who may want to short-change labour under the guise of global economic recession when it has been established that economies and businesses are recovering and the outcomes are positive,’ he said.

Mr Ayawine cautioned employers who indulge in the demeaning practice of converting permanent job positions to casual and contract work in a bid to maximise profit to halt it outright.

‘For the empathetic employers who share in workers’ pain and are doing their bit to alleviate the pain and suffering, we salute and appreciate them and encourage them to do more,’ he said.

He advised workers to continue with their avowed commitment to working harder all year round to ensure high productivity, profitability, and sustainability for their employers’ businesses.

That, the General Secretary stressed would achieve organisational goals for the mutual good of both parties and the growth and development of the national economy.

He said this year’s May Day was a solemn
reminder of the rough and rugged path that our predecessors traversed close to one and a half centuries ago to attain industrial democracy.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Ghana Co-operative Credit Union has held its Annual General Meeting at the University Campus.

The meeting brought together all members from the Junior,Senior, and Pensioners saving with the credit union.

In his report , Chairman of the Management Board Mr. Michael Asante Antwi said the period under review coincided with severe economic challenges experienced in Ghana.

Among them, he said was the depreciation of the credit against major foreign currencies such as the dollar, pounds and euros.

He said the total net income rose from 25,834,610.79 in 2022 to 42,291,095.36 in 2023. The net surplus rose in 2022 from 13,824,046.50 to 16,035,264.82 in 2023.

He added that the total asset rose from 203,273,823.87 in 2022 to 254,408,193.76 in 2023, noting that members deposit rose in 2022 from 127,289,180.94 to 156,142,950.39 in 2024.

On loans to members, he said it also rose from 123,550,032.02 in 2022 to 148,152,347.42 in 2023.

The Chairman said membership also rose from 9,232 in 2022 to 10,0
54 in 2023.

He said the financial period under review has been very eventful amidst the economic difficulties experienced in Ghana.

With the corporate and social responsibilities, the construction of a 50-bed capacity emergency centre at the University hospital to commemorate the 50th Anniversary celebration of the union, the technical team estimated that an amount of 1,500,000.00cedis will be required to complete the project and therefore implored Members to approve the additional request.

The Board Chairman said to enhance the growth of the Credit Union, they decided to admit spouses and adult children to join the the Legon Credit Union.

In attendance were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who commented on the growth of the union to grow from strength to strength.

Mr Romeo Odonkor, Deputy Internal Auditor represented the General Manager of Credit Unions Association Limited (CUA) and Mr) Daniel H. Kofi, the Regional Manager, (CUA) Limited Accra.

Representatives of Queen of Peace Cath
olic Church Credit Union, Madina and UPSA Credit Union were also in attendance.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Department of Agriculture in the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti region, has sensitised farmers and stakeholders on the second phase of government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme.

The second phase involved the cultivation of 11 crop varieties that the government will supply to farmers in addition to NPK and urea fertilisers.

Mr Atta Adusei, Krachi West Municipal Director of Agriculture, addressing the durbar, said the sensitisation aimed at educating the farmers and other stakeholders about the new policy of the Government of Ghana.

He said the second phase of the PFJ programme required that all the farmers needed was land for cultivation because the government was ready to assist them with inputs such as seeds and fertilizers.

Mr Adusei noted that 11 commodities government intended to give to farmers were maize, rice, soya bean, pepper, onions, tomatoes, cassava, plantain, sorghum, and millet seeds adding that ‘government will also supply fertilizers such as NPK and urea to farmers’
.

He said the government would also support farmers with tractors during the period and encouraged all the youth to take good advantage of the policy of the government.

Mr Adusei also advised all interested persons to utilise the opportunity since everything would be on credit while Agric officers in the Municipality were ready to assist farmers with all their agronomic practices.

He said farmers needed to register with the Department of Agriculture, adding officers would go to their various houses to undertake the registration processes.

The farmers were elated about the second phase of the programme and believed with the assistance of the government and the Department they would benefit from it as well as yield bountifully.

Source: Ghana News Agency