Category: General

The Community Aid for Rural Deve lopment (CARD)-Ghana, has called on males to lead the campaign for female leadership in their communities as females have the potential to contribute meaningfully to community and national development.

It said some girls and young women shunned leadership roles both in institutions and in the communities due to some social and cultural norms and values that discouraged female leadership.

Miss Leenat Abdul-Rahaman, the Executive Director of CARD-Ghana, made the call during a training workshop for She-Leads Male Champions in Wa organised by CARD-Ghana as part of the She-Leads project implementation.

She-Leads is a five-year project (2021-2025) that seeks to increase the sustained influence of girls young women on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions that hinders female leadership.

The project is being implemented in the Upper West Region by CARD-Ghana in partnership with Plan International Ghana to advocate for increased acceptance of girls and young women leadership and their inclusion in decision-making processes at all levels.

Miss Abdul-Rahaman said as part of efforts to encourage girls and young women to take up leadership roles, CARD-Ghana was supporting instrumental females who had expressed interest in taking up leadership positions in both mainstream and students’ politics saying, ‘that does not mean we are supporting any political party.’

She urged participants to share the knowledge gained at the workshop with other members of the team in their communities to help ensure the success of the project.

Participants were educated on the provisions of some legal frameworks that protected the rights of women and girls.

They were the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and the Children’s Act of Ghana.

In her presentation on the legal frameworks, Madam Charity Batuure, the Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Gender, noted that it was against the law for any woman or girl to be taken through any form of degrading treatment and discrimination.

She urged parents to take interest in the welfare of their children and to listen to their concerns saying, ‘if you don’t listen to them, they will do things in their own ways and the results will not be good.’

She stressed the need for issues of concern to children’s development to be included in policy formulations adding that, ‘the healthy development of the child is crucial to the future well-being of every society.’

On her part, Pognaa Amaamata, Mumuni, the Queen Mother of Duori, a suburb of Wa, who made a presentation on gender, urged the participants to put in conscious efforts to ensure women stood par with their men counterparts.

She said this could be achieved through ensuring women’s accessed resources such as land, and involvement in decision-making among others since the absence of that led to discrimination against women and widened inequalities between men and women.

The participants expressed commitment to ensure that barriers against women leadership at the community level were removed.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hong Kong, based Capo Daniel, said he tendered his resignation letter to the leader of one, of the frontline groups fighting for the independence of the former Southern Cameroons, now North West and South West regions.

In a video shared on Easter Sunday, the now-former Spokesperson and Deputy Defense Chief of the armed wing said he resigned due to divergence with the organization.

“I think makes it impossible for me to continue serving our Liberation Movement in those capacities. I thank Dr. Cho Ayaba for his trust during my time in the organization and will continue working for our liberation movement selflessly.”

Mr. Ngong Daniel had been a frequent user of the group’s Facebook page, with his podcasts on the state of their struggle.

He told CNA newsroom on Sunday that the divergence concerns, “differences regarding the internal functioning of the organization. It’s confidential but those are differences that have made it difficult for me to carry out my functions”

Asked if he is tired of the war and wants some time to rest, he said,

“I did not resign from the war. I resigned from the positions I hold in the Ambazonian Governing Council. I still believe in the movement and will continue my advocacy for the rights of self-determination for the territory and support the arm resistance. I will transform my media platform into a non-communal organisation for the advocacy of Ambazonian independence

In a Youtube video, he said, ” The subjects of these issues do not serve any public interest. But all the cycles of AGOVC are very much aware of these issues…I want to thank Dr. Cho Ayaba for the trust he had in me, for allowing me to serve”

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, the leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council, Dr. Choo Ayaba, acknowledged the resignation of Capoi Daniel, wishing him well in his future endeavours, “Myself, the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), Ambazonia Defence Forces, and the Ambazonian people wish to thank comrade Capo Daniel for his great services and contribution to the organization, our people and our liberation. He stood up for Ambazonia, defended Ambazonia, and took a firm stance against blackmailers, scavengers, disrupters, and Cameroun the butchers of our people. We received and accepted his letter of resignation. He served the organization and our people well when very few could speak for Ambazonia. We wish him luck in his new activism endeavours. We have reached a critical point of divergence and l am obliged to accept his resignation”

Capo Daniel said he will go solo by creating a pressure group to keep his activism alive.

Since 2016, the North West and South West regions, have been hit by a conflict between government forces and separatists. After a ferocious government crackdown, the teachers’ and lawyers’ strike action was transformed into a civil society protest, leading to a failed dialogue on January 13, 2017. This led to the arrest of frontline leaders on January 17, 2017, leading to handing over of power to the diaspora.

The Diasporans demanded outright independence of the regions, creating armed groups that have been fighting for the past seven years.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE), a custodian of Al-Noor Mosque, Wuse II, Abuja, on Sunday provided free medical treatment to 400 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Deidei and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the FCT.

The centre’s Director-General, Dr Kabir Kabo-Usman, while addressing newsmen at the venue of the medical treatment in Zuba, Abuja, said the exercise was aimed at mitigating the health challenges of the PWDs in the nation’s capital.

“When I first visited the community and saw the situation of the persons with disabilities I broke in tears.”

He said part of the mandate of the centre, as a charitable organization, was to help with poverty alleviation, support community development and social welfare.

” And being part of our mandate, that is why we are here today at Deidei and Gwagwalada Area Council very close to Zuba, to try and give relevant medical attention to the persons with disabilities to challenge some of the medical issues that they are having.

” And I am sure you can see what you can see around, these are all people with special needs, persons with disabilities who are very vulnerable in the society.

” They are ignored, they are not well targeted and we need to make sure that we support them so that they can be healthy and do something for themselves.”

The D-G revealed that the free medical treatment was being conducted by four volunteer doctors, three nurses, three pharmacists and 20 volunteers, supporting to make the outreach successful.

” Our target is about 400 but we are here to actually support everyone that needs support in terms of medical predicament.

” We are also going to extend this medical outreach to other parts of the FCT and we will encourage the Area Councils authority to take this initiative further by equipping their primary healthcare centres”

He called on other charity organisations and wealthy individuals to support the vulnerable groups in the society, especially in addressing their health needs.

” When you see what is really happening in this community, believe me sincerely, you will run into tears.

“When I came into this place I ran into tears, and I asked myself a question – was my father in this situation? The answer was no.

” Was my mother in this situation? The answer was no. Was my wife in this situation? The answer was no. Was I in this situation? The answer is actually no.

” So it is good for the people to come around to support the local community so that going forward we can have peace and tranquility in our communities.”

Also, the centre’s Director, Community Development and Social Welfare, Amina Abdullahi, said the organisation had a database of persons with disabilities in all communities across the six area councils of the FCT.

Represented by Alhaji Garba Sani, Director, External Relations, Fundraising and Investment of the centre, Mrs Abdullahi, assured that the centre would continue to extend medical assistance to the vulnerable communities in the FCT.

She said the disabilities communities needed lots of support not only medically but in all facets of human endeavour.

” And unfortunately not all people and philanthropists recognise that and so our purpose and target is actually to identify the different communities of persons with disabilities and reach them at their settlements and provide services to them.”

The Head of Medical Team of the ICICE, Dr Amina Kumaliya, disclosed that most of the ailments observed in most patients were hypertension, peptic ulcer, malaria, diarrhea and rinitis in children.

” And then a little bit of diabetes. These are the ailments we diagnosed; we have ordered for their investigation and drugs are being dispensed for the patients.

Responding, the Chairman, People With Disabilities, Gwagwalada Area Council, Hassan Abdullahi, thanked the centre for the free medical treatment which would go a long way to enhance the living conditions of the beneficiaries.

Also, Malam Aminu Yelwa, Financial Secretary, Nasara Physically Challenged Centre, Deidei, appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to support their members who learned mechanic and shoe making with working tools.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Prof. Adam Ahmed, the Provost of National Defence College, Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, has backed the call for drug test for all public office holders in the country.

Ahmed made his position known while answering questions from newsmen at the 6th Annual Ramadan lecture series and prayer for the nation, organised by the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation, on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the theme of the lecture was: ‘Drug Abuse, Criminality and Insecurity in Nigeria: Toward a Collective Solution’.

He said: “Some political appointees and elected persons when they behave you will know clearly that they are high on drugs.

” And the same thing some technocrats and some security personnel, so it is widespread.”

Ahmed, who was the Chairman of the occasion said in Malaysia, Philippines and some South American countries politicians were tested before they were given power.

He added: “Not just that every person that is holding power including the military, security people are tested before they are given a very serious responsibility.

“Because, leaders have a way of influencing followers, if they are known to misuse drugs, the tendency is that those that are behind them will also be involved.

” So, that is why I believe strongly that no one should be given any serious responsibility until the person is tested for drugs.”

Ahmed called on those that were responsible for drug legislation and administration of anti drug use to be more proactive in tackling the incidences of drug abuse in the country.

He also emphasised the need for the government to identify various groups like the ashraaf islamic foundation to spearhead the campaign against drug abuse in the country.

Ahmed said: “Drug abuse in Nigeria and misuse of drug by the people are worst than any kind of crime that we think.

“Because the bulk of the crime that is committed in this country can be traced to drug abuse or misuse of drug, be it political, criminal, security even at home, social, economic, all can be linked to drug abuse.

” I think in the beginning, we never took the fight against drug abuse serious in this country.

“Yes, during the military, there were draconian laws which fortunately some people hade ven called such laws should be returned where drug pushers were killed.

” But then after that, we went through a period where everything goes as far as drug is concerned in this country.”

According to him, the mancae has almost engulfed all sectors, adding, “including all functionality of the society. So, it is a really sad situation”

He, however, commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other relevant agencies for their efforts in curtailing the menace of drug abuse in the country.

Earlier, the founder of the foundation, Imam Sharafudeen Aliagan, said the objective of the event was to find a lasting solution to the rampant effects of drug abuse in the society.

He said: ” We have a lot of professionals, we have lots of academicians and many people who really know what is going on in the.sociery.

“We put heads together having discovered what the menace of drug abuse is and its rampant in the society.

” Drug abuse, criminality, insecurity we know that is exactly what is affecting us in the country, as we speak that is our major problem.

“So, we feel that current affair is very important that we discuss all our programmes.

” And when we discussed this and we are able to bring out the report to the government and the generality of Nigerians, there will be some high level of solutions to this menace.”

According to Aliagan, the foundation invited Muslim and non Muslim professionals and academicians to brainstorm to find a lasting solution to the menace.

He said: “Because, those who are into kidnapping, insurgency and rubbery must have taken one of these intoxicants which help them to perpetrated their evil acts.”

Also, Mrs Amina Bukola, the women leader of the Nasrul-Lahi-il Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), described the theme of the lecture as very topical and timely.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Passenger Terminal of the Port of Luanda was consumed by the fire on Saturday night, as a result of a road accident, the company’s management has said.

The fire consumed an area of 430 square metres, affecting ticketing services, a café/bar, a pantry and sanitary facilities.

Despite the violence of the accident and the total destruction of the vehicle, the four occupants left with only a few injuries.

According to a press note released by the management of the Port of Luanda, the accident occurred at around 9:30 pm.

The flames started in the crashed vehicle and reached part of the passenger concentration zone of the said maritime terminal.

At the moment, the situation is under control and the shift work teams as well as the goods needed to secure the operation of the terminal, are out of danger, after the quick intervention of firefighters department.

The Provincial Governor of Luanda Manuel Homem visited the site to learn of the situation.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Dr Michael Boadi Nyamekye, the General Overseer of the Maker’s House Chapel International, has admonished Christians, especially the youth, to utilise their social media platforms to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

It was unfortunate, he said, that today’s generation were dedicated to sharing bad news and information that was unhelpful to society through their tiktok, instagram and other handles.

He was delivering the Resurrection Sunday sermon at the Destiny Arena – the multi purpose complex headquarters of the Church, at Kwabenya in the Ga East District.

Using the story of Mary Magdalene and the other women who went to town to broadcast the good news of Christ’s resurrection, he said Christians must also be enthusiastic about sharing positive news for building the Kingdom of God and society.

The occasion, which climaxed the annual Easter Supernatural Conference of the Church, was also used to commission the fully-occupied 5,000-seater ultramodern auditorium of the Church.

Dr Boadi Nyamekye reminded Christians that they could not live their lives anyhow if they professed to be followers of Christ Jesus.

Consequently, they must die to their old sinful nature and its works and lead exemplary lives befitting the Children of Christ the King.

Referencing the account of Luke 24:5, where the angels asked Mary and her companions why they were living for the living among the dead, Dr Boadi Nyamekye said it was important for Christians to part ways with ungodly attitudes and actions.

They also should be sensitive to their locations as many accounts in the Bible demonstrated that how God chose specific locations to reveal His plans, purposes and assignments to His chosen.

For instance, on the use of mountains God chose Mt Ararat to rest the Ark of the Covenant after the floods in Noah’s era, Mt Moriah for Abraham’s intended sacrifice of Isaac, Mt Sinai for giving the tablets of the Ten Commandments to Moses, Mt Zion for David’s installation as king, Mt Olives for Jesus’ weeping over Jerusalem, and Mt Calvary for Jesus’ crucifixion.

Consequently, Christians could not take where they wanted to seek the face for granted.

Dr Boadi Nyamekye also encouraged Christians to be resolute in their faith, especially in trying times where they were likely to be abandoned by their loved ones and the people they had helped.

God always came through for His faithful ones, he assured, saying that sometimes God chose to reveal His glory by allowing believers to go through affliction.

The service was charged as the celebrants, clothed in mainly white attires, sang joyfully with the resident choir and danced to celebrate the power of the Risen Christ.

Dr Boadi Nyamekye acknowledged God for granting him supernatural abilities towards building his Ministry.

He also a commended the people who had assisted him in diverse ways to be faithful to his calling.

The Maker’s House Chapel International is a bible-believing church with branches in several areas in Ghana and beyond.

It strives for church excellence and empowering believers to live worthy fulfilling lives, while preparing them for heaven.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Reverend Cephas Akakpo, Fiave District Pastor of The Church of Pentecost has asked Christians not to lose hope because Jesus, the Christ is still alive.

‘Come and see, the one you are looking for is alive and lives forever,’ he said.

He said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ should assure believers that whatever problem they encounter would surely come to an end.

Delivering Sunday sermon from Matthew 28:6 at 2023 Easter Convention at Ho-Anlo Kordzi in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, he said, ‘He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.’

Rev. Akakpo, who is also the Ho Area Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, said sickness, poverty and embarrassment would not near Christians so far, they believed that Jesus has died for them.

He said the believer would progress and his or her destiny come to pass since the locked doors has been opened in Jesus’ name.

The Ho Area Secretary also advised Christians to work hard in their lawful chosen professions to succeed as success does not come by chance, but by choice.

The Easter Convention which started on Wednesday, April 5, was attended by faithfuls from nine Districts of The Church of Pentecost.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Reverend Ebenezer Ayer, Head Pastor, Priesthood Worship Centre (PWC) Assemblies of God Tema Community Six, has stressed the need for Christians to rely constantly on the blood, especially in times of difficulty.

He said the Blood of Jesus still spoke for the people who believe in it irrespective of their background, stressing that there was active fighting for those who called upon it.

Taking the scriptures from Leviticus 17:11, and Hebrews 9:22, he said there was life in the blood and only those who believed would benefit from it.

Rev. Ayer was speaking during Easter Sunday and said Jesus’ death on the cross was to benefit all Christians who would accept Him as the Lord and personal saviour and charged Christians not to react to any mockery against the death of Christ.

He said one encounter with Jesus Christ must immediately change them from certain unacceptable attitudes and behaviours wherever they found themselves.

Rev. Ayer said right from the book of Genesis, the Bible highlighted the importance of blood sacrifice to God by killing live animals to atone for their sins and other reasons.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Reverend Johnnie Titus Kwame Kuzagbe, the lead Pastor of Rhema Basilica Assemblies of God at Mataheko-Redrow Estate, has reminded Christians that Christ did not come to save the righteous, but to deliver sinners from their bondage.

He said the scriptures had explicitly indicated in Romans 3:23 that ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,’ but it was the blood of Jesus Christ that cleansed all inequities, making all righteous before him.

Rev. Kuzagbe, who was delivering his Easter message, said Jesus Christ came to save the world but not to condemn it, hence his death brought deliverance to the oppressed.

He encouraged Christians to pray for the ability to discern between good and evil, stressing that although human beings had limitations, that should not prevent them from seeking Jesus Christ.

Rev. Kuzagbe used the occasion to clarify the misconception that the Christian community hated LGBTQ+, saying ‘we have a stand as believers, we don’t hate them, but the sins they are committing is what we are condemning’.

He said the practice was hated by God because he created male and female to co-habit by the stand of the Holy Bible, and not what was currently projected by these practitioners.

However, he said, Christ loved them and encouraged Christians to reach out to them.

Mr Tweneboa-Koduah Kusi, the President of Assemblies of God Campus Ministry, also encouraged students now on vacation to limit their funfair during the festive season and join other Christians to evangelise to persons, who were yet to come to the saving knowledge of Christ in their respective communities, to save their souls from eternal damnation.

He advised the youth to use their strength to evangelise to the world, warning that a time would come, that they would no longer be able to actively do that due to their failed strength.

Source: Ghana News Agency