- 9/8/2023
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Mimamisi Nyamichethomsin coming up interdiction of three top police officers
00:04 suspended. We'll pick some legal views on this development.
00:11 Ankwewu West municipality recalled swine flu outbreak with one pig farmer losing
00:19 almost 600 pigs. We'll hear from veterinary officers in the municipality
00:24 who are assuring of proper containment of the disease. Also 8 million Ghanaians
00:33 are illiterates. That's what or they cannot read and write. That's according
00:37 to the Ghana Statistical Service. How does that affect anything in Ghana's
00:41 development? We'll hear the thoughts of the development experts. We have details
00:48 of these business in this edition. Please stay with us.
00:54 A start from the Kwewest municipality. The veterinary office there has confirmed
01:13 the outbreak of swine flu in the municipality. A local farmer there has
01:17 lost almost 600 of his pigs worth 2.2 million Ghana cedis to the outbreak.
01:23 According to the veterinary office although the disease does impose threats
01:27 to humans it spreads rapidly. The affected farmer Dr. Kwesi Owusu is
01:32 worried that the situation could erode the economic gains of farmers in the
01:36 municipality if not contained quickly.
01:42 We have some issues in our farms and after a test was carried out in Accra
01:49 they find out that swine fever, African swine fever, this is the case that we
01:55 have here. Up to date we have over 530 pigs and piglets that have already died.
02:04 Now we have only 20 piglets left in the farm. I don't know what to do. All what I'm
02:10 trying to do is to wait until the system will be clear up. I think the
02:17 doctors have been coming here, the vets are here and the directors are here. So
02:23 we are waiting for them to tell us the way forward. Yes I don't want to give up
02:28 because you know I know that so many people have been going through such
02:33 situation but me you know I'll continue only if I get some support from various
02:40 places. I know that will help me to continue the farms. Now when you look at
02:46 the pig industry in Ghana we lack a lot of meat so if I give up it will be
02:53 difficult so I cannot give up. The money right now I can create that if I sell
03:00 them even each one if I sell each one for even three thousand or two thousand
03:05 five hundred I have lost more than 2.5 or 2.2 million Ghana citizens.
03:14 The municipal veterinary director Dr. Mark Owusu is advising farmers to report
03:20 any symptoms for swift action.
03:24 We've recorded the African swine fever outbreak on the 28th of August. So we are still on it.
03:33 In the district now we are at Akwabowa farms and we've lost more than 500 pigs to the outbreak.
03:43 The farmers we are advising all of them to be patient and do not allow any new
03:50 pig to come to your farm, do not move your pigs, do not sell the pigs within
03:56 Kau West. We are organizing a seminar for the farmers so we put them through all
04:05 the do's and don'ts but for now they should all calm down the situation is
04:10 under control. Consumers of pigs, yeah the virus does not affect human beings so
04:16 consumers of pigs are safe. Yeah just that the farms that are affected we
04:22 don't want the pig meat to go outside due to the spread. It's not infectious to
04:28 humans that it spreads so quickly and when it gets to your farm it will clear all
04:32 your pigs within weeks. So we want to stop that economic loss even though it's
04:37 not zoonotic. We are looking out for the economic losses.
04:42 Municipal Agricultural Director for Kau West Francis Dawache says his office in
04:47 collaboration with farmers will manage the outbreak to safeguard the
04:51 livelihoods of farmers. We recorded the case of the African swine fever in Kau West
04:58 and in fact it's a big blow to us in the sense that our farmer Dr. Akwesui
05:06 Urusu has lost in excess of 500 pigs to this virus. Though it's not harmful it's
05:15 not zoonotic it is something we need to manage in order to contain it. And also
05:22 he was a nominee we shortlisted for the regional livestock best farmer for the
05:32 39th edition of the National Farmers Day. We were only waiting for the inspection team
05:38 to come around to conduct the inspection and this catastrophe struck. So in fact
05:45 it's a big blow to us. I want to advise all pig farmers within Kau West that if
05:53 you have pigs and you observe some unusual signs please approach the
06:00 veterinary unit of the Department of Outbreak. We also have our extension
06:06 officers scattered all over. Please let them know so we contain the virus.
06:14 Roches High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Harriet Thompson has lauded
06:19 Ghana's Parliament for amending the criminal and offenses law which will
06:23 stop the public from engaging in witchcraft accusations. The Commissioner
06:28 said her outfit would continue to support initiatives that will stop the
06:32 abuse of women and guarantee the rights of vulnerable groups in the Northeast
06:36 region. She was addressing inmates of the Gambaga Witches Camp at Gambaga as part
06:41 of her official visit to the region. The British High Commissioner arrived in the
06:46 region in the company of high-value officers at the Commission. Madame
06:50 Hariaka's arrival in the region coincided with a flood disaster that
06:54 killed eight people and destroyed several properties. The High Commissioner was also
06:59 in the region at a time of increasing concerns about the threat from violent
07:03 extremists and other security concerns owing to the recent repatriation of
07:07 Zimbabwean nationals in the region and escalation of violence in Boko. Her first
07:12 port of call was the office of the Regional Minister at the Regional
07:16 Coordinating Directorate in the capital Nalirgu. The Regional Minister and his
07:20 senior staff at the RCC received the Commissioner and her delegation.
07:24 It's an honor to have a person of your caliber taking time off your heavy
07:31 schedules to call on the people of the Northeast region. But just to let you know that this is quite a very
07:41 long region with a lot of challenges in our pursuit for development. It is because of
07:49 those challenges that the people and the chiefs ask for the region so that if we
07:56 decentralize power closer to the people we may be able to better prosecute our
08:03 development agenda. A PowerPoint address of the situational report of the region
08:08 was then presented to the Commissioner and her delegation. The Commissioner, while
08:13 explaining the reason for the visit, extended her condolences to the victims
08:17 of the recent flood disaster. I'm sorry to be coming at such a difficult time for this meeting.
08:23 My heartfelt condolences, those of my staff, my team as well, on the loss that you have experienced as a result of the recent floods.
08:32 The loss of life, of course, but also the loss of livelihoods.
08:36 From the Coordinating Directorate, the Regional Minister led the High Commissioner to the Palace of the
08:41 Traditional Authority in line with established protocols. Her Excellency,
08:45 after being welcomed by the Nalirgu and his elders, said her visit to the region
08:50 was among others to ensure maximum impact of their work across human and economic
08:55 development, peace, security and stability.
08:58 We recognize that the northern regions of Ghana experience more difficult, more challenging human development outcomes
09:10 and less economic development than the rest of Ghana.
09:14 She added that her visit was in line with her responsibilities to strengthen and move forward
09:19 the relationship between Ghana and Great Britain.
09:22 As the High Commissioner to Ghana from the UK, my responsibility is to strengthen that relationship,
09:29 to do it further and to move it into the future. For me to be able to do that properly,
09:35 I need to understand the whole of the country, not just sit in Accra and think that Accra is Ghana.
09:41 The Overlord, Naubahaga Abdullahi Mohamid Sharika, expressed his gratitude for the visit
09:47 but also acknowledged and praised the warm relationship between the two nations.
09:51 The Nairi, however, made several requests for assistance, including scholarship programs
09:56 for students in history diction and relief items for victims of the recent flooding in the region.
10:01 The High Commissioner's visit to the region also came as police are investigating the killing of a 60-year-old woman.
10:08 In connection with witchcraft accusations in the Uyuni-Naswani district from the Nairi,
10:13 the High Commissioner ended her visit at the Gambaga Witches' Camp,
10:17 where she interacted with and donated food items to the inmates.
10:21 We want to make it clear to your excellency.
10:25 But before her interaction with the inmates, the High Commissioner visited the caretaker of the camp,
10:30 the chief of Gambaga and his elders.
10:32 The Gambarana does not go hunting for witches or dragging them to come here.
10:40 The Gambarana rather serves as the director of a resettlement area.
10:48 So this is a resettlement camp and not a witch camp.
10:52 The palace, however, called for adequate education and sensitization before the passage of the bill.
10:58 Nobody is against the law, but we know that there may be certain consequences behind it
11:06 unless there is an in-depth education that will extend to the rural areas.
11:12 Otherwise, in fear that when they declare anybody a witch, they will be arrested and maybe be sentenced.
11:19 They may lynch them without the knowledge of anybody.
11:23 The High Commissioner speaking to the inmates said her office will continue to work with local partners
11:29 to ensure their rights and dignity were respected.
11:32 We are happy that this law has been approved by Parliament that will stop people from being accused of witchcraft.
11:40 Because we don't want other people to be treated the way that some of you have been treated.
11:44 Human rights are as important as anybody else's human rights.
11:48 And so we will continue to work with Somkaba and with other people in Ghana who are supporting you
11:55 to make sure that those human rights are respected and those of your children and your children's children.
12:01 Ilias Suthanko from Nalirugu, for JOY News.
12:04 The Ghana Police Service has suspended the interdiction of three officers who were captured
12:13 in a leak tape allegedly plotting the removal of the IGP, which is now a subject of parliamentary probe.
12:20 In a statement dated September 7, the police indicated that the decision to suspend the interdiction,
12:26 which was to make way for disciplinary proceedings in line with police regulations,
12:31 was to ensure it does not affect the ongoing probe in Parliament.
12:35 A search of the service noted that it would commence disciplinary actions or proceedings
12:40 into the officers' conduct upon the completion of the probe.
12:45 Following the interdiction of COP, Mr George Alex Mensah, Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Jibby
12:52 and Superintendent George Osiru, in connection with the leaked audio tape,
12:56 the police administration welcomed disciplinary proceedings into their conduct.
13:01 And this is from the statement the police released.
13:04 The three police officers were interdicted on Thursday, September 6, after a leaked tape emerged
13:10 with the content suggesting a plot to oust the IGP.
13:14 According to the former NPP Northern Regional Chairman, Bouguere N'Nabu,
13:19 who claims he recorded the conversation secretly,
13:22 the officers are Director General Technical of the Ghana Police Service,
13:26 Commissioner of Police Alex George Mensah, Superintendent George Osiru and Emmanuel Jibby.
13:32 On Thursday, security analyst Adib Sani had said the interdiction of the police officers was ill-timed.
13:40 Legal practitioner Kwaku Pintil has been sharing some thoughts on the development.
13:45 He spoke on the AM show with Samuel Kodjoe-Brice.
13:50 ...issues that are there and how to resolve them from an institutional point of view.
13:55 So, at the end of it, my prayer is that this, the outcome of the current inquiry,
14:05 the reports that come out of it, will not start to attract the dust.
14:10 When we do them, Ghana has a good case of setting up inquiries that come up with
14:17 a fat report with the best recommendations, and then, immediately thereafter,
14:23 they begin to gather dust, as they say.
14:26 They begin to gather dust because somebody shaves them and that's the end of it.
14:30 So, other than that, all of this that's going on, this is just in my honest view,
14:35 I mean, a tip of the iceberg. In other words,
14:39 somebody just happened to have caught these people in the manner that they do.
14:43 What about all the other people whose communication we have not heard?
14:47 What about everybody else who is doing all manner of things?
14:51 So, it's the police service which has come under the microscope.
14:55 Let us see and let us study the report which will come out.
14:59 As for heads, that will roll. I don't want to comment about that.
15:04 But, as a lawyer, let me show you my worry and my concern.
15:07 There are two aspects of law. First, we've got what we call the substantive law.
15:12 The substantive law is what states, I mean, it's stated in the acts, in the laws,
15:17 in the whatever, do this, don't do that.
15:20 There's also what we call the procedural law.
15:23 Procedural law is as much part of the substantive law.
15:27 And that's when people get into difficulty. They begin to talk about technicalities.
15:31 Let people understand that technicalities is part of the law.
15:35 So, for instance, when we look at the police service regulations,
15:40 it specifically provides when and under what circumstances that somebody for instance can be interdicted.
15:48 But, you know, what has happened between yesterday and today,
15:51 that alone could mark, like, you know, that potentially caused this embarrassment and this confusion.
15:58 And then somebody can then form a view that by reason of what has transpired,
16:04 these men who are the subject of this inquiry are not likely to receive a fair hearing.
16:11 And if that one finds favor with the court of law, the way the court of law does is to question the entire proceedings.
16:18 You know, those are the kind of things that people sit behind and they say,
16:21 "Oh, yes, there is this confusion." No, no, but that is part of the law.
16:25 If you conduct a hearing in a way, in a manner as to suggest that the subject of the inquiry is unlikely to receive a fair hearing,
16:33 it does not matter if he has caused blue murder. It could have been anything.
16:38 So, where we find ourselves now, I think that the police service must make up its mind
16:45 if it's got evidence outside what is before the parliamentary inquiry.
16:49 Who take these people to the service inquiry?
16:52 If they have, then of course they should offer them the best of opportunities and everything
16:58 in accordance with the regulations to respond to the issues.
17:03 And at the end of the day, if anybody is found culpable, because...
17:08 Eight million Ghanaians are illiterate. In other words, they cannot read or write.
17:23 That's according to the Ghana Statistical Service. As the work world marks World Literacy Day today,
17:30 we ask how does Ghanaian situation affect development in general?
17:34 We'll have a conversation shortly, but first, here is some statistical information on illiteracy generally in Ghana.
17:42 The theme for the celebration today is promoting literacy for a world in transition,
17:50 building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.
17:55 Now, eight million Ghanaians are illiterate. This means they can neither read nor write in any language.
18:03 And according to the Ghana Statistical Service, one in four persons is an illiterate.
18:11 So, out of every four Ghanaians, one is illiterate.
18:18 Now, this is the data that is coming from the 10% of it. It's concentrated in nine districts in Ghana.
18:27 We have the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Nanumba North Municipality, East Mampusi Municipality,
18:35 Sanerugu Municipality, Kushegu Municipality, West Mampusi Municipality, Central Gonja Municipality,
18:44 and also Ketun South Municipality and Boko West Municipality.
18:50 And I think from the graph, we can see that the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has the highest of about 123.4 thousand,
19:00 you know, making the massive amount of 10% of illiterates concentrated in that district.
19:13 And with this, nine out of the 16 regions in Ghana had at least one district with more than half of its population being illiterates.
19:21 On the screen, you have illiteracy not only limits the full development of individuals and their participation in society,
19:32 but also has repercussions throughout life, affecting a person's family environment,
19:37 restricting access to the benefits of the development, and then hindering the enjoyment of other human rights.
19:45 And because they cannot read nor write, they may not have access to any knowledge that can benefit them as humans living in a particular environment.
19:58 Now, the impact of illiteracy can be divided into the following categories, health, education, economics, and social integration and cohesion.
20:07 Now, illiteracy among adults increases present and future socioeconomic vulnerability,
20:14 and is a significant factor in the production or reproduction of such vulnerability through children.
20:25 And now let's go on to Zoom now and speak to Nicholas Isaka. He's with Ghana, who is a development expert.
20:33 Good morning, sir, for your time here on Newsdesk. You are a development expert. What does this mean to you?
20:49 I think we are having an issue with our phone line, but let's go back and speak to him.
20:55 We're grateful for your time, Mr. Nicholas Isaka. You are a development expert. What does this information mean to you?
21:16 Come on the line. All right. Mr. Isaka, if you can hear me for a third time, I hope you can hear me this time around.
21:24 What does this information from the Ghana Statistical Service mean to you?
21:29 Hello. Can you confirm you can hear me, please?
21:32 I can, loud and clear. Thank you.
21:34 All right. Thank you very much. So, I mean, quite clearly, like they've rightly pointed out,
21:40 it has implications for health, for education, and for even the participation of such individuals in economic activity.
21:49 And let me just share some experience from real underground work when it comes to development matters.
21:54 So, I have done some work in the past working with farmers, especially in northern Ghana.
21:59 And there have been times when you are disseminating best farming practices, essentially to help them improve their yields.
22:07 But then the reality is this. I mean, there are some of the practices that you go and you don't even have a local language version for the word you want to use.
22:16 So, invariably, maybe during training sessions, you may have pictorials just to ensure that the message is sent down there.
22:25 So, naturally, if you have anybody who has not got that literacy, then that really limits that person's participation in economic activity.
22:36 And generally, when we talk about literacy, there are three elements. There's a reading, there's a writing, and then arithmetic, very important.
22:45 Addition, multiplication, subtraction. So, once again, from my experience, you are working with people.
22:51 They could be traders, they could be farmers. They don't know how to count money.
22:56 How do they actively participate in economic activity? That becomes a major limitation.
23:02 Then you add the new dimension of digital literacy, using mobile money and all these things, which now is very, very essential for financial inclusion.
23:13 So, it is a major issue. Those are the implications.
23:17 What that means is that for those people who are at the bottom of the literacy level, then essentially, their quality of life automatically will not be as much,
23:28 if not all of that is equal, than those who are fairly well literate. That is the implication.
23:33 Let me also add that, I think in the past, as a country, I remember several years ago, there used to be the non-formal education program.
23:41 Back, I think, some 20, 20 plus years ago. I really don't know what is happening to it now.
23:46 Literacy doesn't necessarily mean going to school.
23:50 Maybe on the policy side, what this report is coming in is high time, probably policy makers began to look at,
23:57 okay, can we revive the non-formal education we used to have 20, 30 years ago to really tackle these matters?
24:06 Right. Does this come as a surprise to you that out of the 8 million, the 10% are concentrated mainly in the northern regions?
24:15 How does this come to you?
24:18 It doesn't come as a surprise to me because once again, even if you look at even BC statistics,
24:25 BC statistics, I come from a district, I don't want to mention the name because of embarrassment.
24:32 We are at the bottom. This is for people who have gone through the normal schooling.
24:38 Even for people going through normal schooling, BC statistics, if you look at the last rankings,
24:45 I don't even mean rankings in the last four to five years, a good number of the districts that are at the bottom are from northern Ghana.
24:53 So I'm not in the least surprised that this survey also shows that the bulk of the people are coming from the northern part of the country.
25:01 But what could be accounting for this and what can be done about it?
25:07 Well, I think some of these matters also bother that there's some economic angle to it.
25:16 But let's face it. If you're at a certain level of income level, you can on your own educate yourself.
25:27 You and I, for instance, at a certain level that we can afford smartphones and of course educate ourselves.
25:34 We can also go online and learn a lot of things.
25:38 But literacy and income level, there's a correlation. So if somebody is at the bottom there, it's a bit difficult.
25:46 The other thing to note also is that even in the normal education system, the best schools, especially at the pre-secondary level, are private.
26:00 We all know that. It's only when you get into the senior high school that we still have public schools doing fairly well compared to the private schools.
26:08 So once again, when you go to northern Ghana, people are at the income levels where they cannot afford private schools.
26:17 Because generally all the statistics show that the poverty levels are higher in northern Ghana and also in some parts of the central region, especially along the coast.
26:26 So there's a correlation between your level of literacy and also your poverty level or your income level. There's a correlation between the two.
26:36 And I was asking what can be done about it at this time so that the numbers can at least be reduced in these areas?
26:47 What do we do?
26:57 Do we still have you, Mr. Isaka?
27:05 Unfortunately, we have a bad connection to Mr. Nicholas Isaka, who is a development expert.
27:11 As you heard from him, this is not surprising that 8 million... I'm hearing his back on the line. Mr. Isaka, can you hear me?
27:20 Yes, can you hear me, please?
27:22 Great. You were finishing your last statement.
27:25 So development programs are doing their bit. I think what is missing is the public sector side, is the government side.
27:33 And it's a question of putting money, investing into these things.
27:37 Of course, we all know where we are now with the IMF, so that might be a challenge for now.
27:43 But development workers, development programs funded by donors are doing quite a lot.
27:48 But quite clearly, this report shows that that is not sufficient.
27:51 So it's left for government to put in additional resources.
27:54 But you and I know that the money is not there for now.
27:56 So probably, we may have to live with this for a while until our finances are secure and then we can afford to put money into these matters.
28:08 Grateful for your time here, Mr. Nicholas Isaka, Banga, BANA, who is a development expert.
28:15 Now, the Director of Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Yaira Jakaji,
28:20 has disclosed that only 20% of senior high school leavers get admission into the tertiary level due to the limited number of universities in the country.
28:30 The situation, according to her, is greatly affecting numbers of students pursuing tertiary education.
28:36 Dr. Jakaji, who was speaking during a visit by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to Akumandan
28:43 to access the level of work at the newly built Akumandan Local Government University,
28:48 says there's a need for the establishment of more tertiary institutions to help accommodate more students.
28:54 Anasabit Hasmoh.
28:56 For the foreseeable future, continue to accept only a fraction of applications due to the lack of space to accommodate them.
29:04 Director of Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Yaira Jakaji,
29:09 says only 20% of senior high school leavers gain admissions into the tertiary level
29:15 and there is the need to add up to the number of public universities in the country.
29:20 Basically, it is a dream of government to open more tertiary institutions to add up to the existing ones.
29:29 We have the gross tertiary enrollment ratio, which currently stands at 20%.
29:34 So this means that out of the students that we turn out of our secondary schools,
29:40 it's only 20% that access our tertiary institutions.
29:44 One reason is that we don't have much more of these tertiary institutions in the country.
29:48 So expanding the tertiary education level means that we have to add on to the existing ones we have.
29:56 The government, as part of its quest to address this worrying menace,
30:00 is working towards establishing more universities in some parts of the country.
30:05 Here in Akumadan, in the Ofiso North constituency, a virgin university is currently under construction.
30:12 Member of Parliament for the area, Augustine Collins-Ntim,
30:15 who is today hosting a team from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission,
30:19 is hopeful that the institution, when completed, will help grant access to a number of senior high school graduates.
30:26 Today's visits by the team of experts, I mean, give a toast to my dream.
30:33 And with the kind of recommendations that they are giving, I am happy that in no time it's going to be open.
30:43 And it has been one of the visions of His Excellency the President,
30:46 because he's signing out graduates from the senior high schools,
30:49 now made access for senior high schools to every Ghanaian, whether you have money or not.
30:55 The next step is how to be able to contain them, give them the training up to the university level.
31:00 And this university is also going to offer a potential access to a number of students,
31:06 to be able to at least also get access to training.
31:10 He disclosed that his dream of making Ofiso North a hub of education is on course,
31:15 as several other educational institutions are in place to help realise that dream.
31:20 Indeed, my thinking and vision is to have in the future Ofiso North becoming one of the hubs of education,
31:27 a citadel of training and all that.
31:30 So over the years I've lobbied Parliament and my office to bring a lot of such institutions.
31:37 We have, starting from the technical institute, we have one in Kinkes, we have one in Akumandan.
31:44 And then we have the National Training Centre for the National Ambulance.
31:48 Mr Collins of Gerstin and team further revealed that the establishment of the Akumandan University of Local Government and Development,
31:55 World amongst other things, boosts the economy of the area, thereby providing jobs to the people.
32:01 Beyond having this school, there's a thinking behind that.
32:06 It's going to open up the economy of the place, you know, in terms of jobs.
32:10 In terms of jobs, imagine one day it opens and about 10,000 people come into this.
32:16 It's going to have a huge impact.
32:19 Dr Yairaja Kadhi, who was impressed at the level of work done, revealed that the facility would meet the Commission's assessment of being a fully fledged university.
32:29 For now, I think with a few additions that we have suggested to be added, to be amended,
32:38 we are sure that once it's done, this place can be converted to a full fledged university.
32:45 Reporting for JOY News, Anas Sabit.
32:49 Some parents are raising red flags over the dangers posed by a stalled 12-unit classroom block project to their children at Central Gerstin Basic School in Nungwa.
33:01 Due to limited space at the school with a population of 500, junior high students are being accommodated on a Presbyterian school compound elsewhere.
33:11 A vehicle recently knocked down two of the school children crossing the busy Akwa Nungwa road in search of a toilet facility.
33:18 Tama correspondent Kwame Anka has the rest of the story.
33:22 The St Augustine Basic School 12-unit classroom block project in Nungwa started about eight years ago under the then Ndodokuku Crow War Assembly
33:32 to replace the existing structure at the time over safety concerns as well as growing population.
33:38 However, due to splits of Ndodokuku Crow War Municipality into Ndodokuku and Crow War Municipalities around 2018,
33:47 it's said to have affected the pace of the project.
33:50 Junior high school students of the school are accommodated at the Presbyterian school compound at Nungwa Mami.
33:57 Past students and parents, Sandra Otu in an interview with JOY News, shares how she is alarmed any time their child leaves home for school.
34:07 He's currently here but he has to cross the road to the other place because now the JHS are sharing with the Presby school.
34:15 It's not safe because last time he came home and to give us complain about his two mates being knocked down by a vehicle
34:24 because of the, they have to leave here to the other side.
34:29 And coming here today I'm sad because when I was here we have access to the toilet facilities and all that.
34:37 Some pupils are pleading with authorities that be to do the needful.
34:42 The school have no toilets. We have no toilets.
34:46 Even when the teacher is teaching, we lose the teaching.
34:51 We can't sit down and learn. So we need to go out and poo poo.
34:57 The time we come back, the lesson is over. Our school is not completed. We beg him to come and complete our school for us.
35:05 When we are in school, others have run into mud so they need to go out to the washing.
35:11 And something can happen to them anyway.
35:14 While the teacher is teaching, then we students, we are going out to visit the washing.
35:18 It's a problem which we are facing in this school.
35:21 School Management Committee Chair Paul Odom says the pupils are exposed to danger due to the uncompleted project.
35:30 They will be moving to the other side because the facilities here and that is Nungwa Mami.
35:36 That's where the school is. And because of this balustrade we can't accommodate the P6 kids here.
35:43 It will be very risky to leave this balustrade here if you can see them here.
35:47 You can't leave the open space like this for these kids. And we don't want any risk or accident.
35:52 And Presbyterian School also needs their building.
35:55 So that's the reason why we want to maintain the kids here as we are entering into the next academic year.
36:00 Assembly Member for Nkbo Electoral Area Labaran Abdoulaye Osman, who doubles as the Social Services Committee Chair at Krowa Municipal Assembly,
36:10 says several steps have been taken for the completion of the building.
36:15 Tracing the document has become an issue.
36:17 We have to find a way of making things more clear to whoever will be giving the contracts.
36:23 I have met the contractor here before. He came on site.
36:26 The headmistress and the neighbours of the community can attest to the fact that work has been ongoing.
36:32 He has to raise a certificate for ratification and payment.
36:37 But even in that course, as parents and as an assemblyman, that I also belong to the PTA, we came, we assessed the situation.
36:46 Those that we think we can start, we put in an effort.
36:49 Eventually, the contractor is back on site, trying to do the most important thing, the place of convenience, both for teachers and students.
36:58 Municipal Chief Executive for Krowa, Joshua Nyi Bote, says his outfit is working on completing the school despite challenges with funds.
37:08 It was very bad when I came. I invested about almost 600,000 Ghana cedis into that project.
37:13 It's a huge project, as you said.
37:15 So there's a contractor on site. He's almost finishing with the toilet facility.
37:20 The information I have is that the whole facility is finished, especially the washrooms.
37:25 They are left with the connection of the water from Ghana Water so that they can fully use it.
37:30 They don't have a toilet facility. It's a challenge for them.
37:33 But at times, the church closes by, gives them access to use it.
37:37 So, Sintergeist has been a project that has been on my table for a very long time.
37:42 I'm passionate about school and the children who are always really dedicated and really feeded.
37:48 We see them develop to leaders.
37:52 So, that is it about Sintergeist. I will not give you time lies.
37:56 But I will speak to you. We have to get some funds for the contractor to really fasten up the job that he's doing so that we get it completed.
38:03 Meanwhile, Parent Teacher Association Chair of Sintergeist Basic School, Julius Aokudabi,
38:10 believes completing the stalled project will ensure safety of the awards and cut down on loitering.
38:17 Kwame Yankes reports for JOY News.
38:22 Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Saleh, has urged personnel of the National Service Scheme not to be discouraged by the challenges they are currently facing at their post.
38:33 Instead, they should see their service as an opportunity to contribute to development of the country.
38:39 Speaking at the Upper West Region's version of the 50th anniversary Remembrance Day in Waa, noted that it is a springboard to their future success.
38:48 JOY News Upper West Regional correspondent Rafiq Salam has more.
38:52 Staff of the National Service and executive members of the National Service Personnel Association, NASPA,
39:01 were joined by Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Saleh, at the conference room of the Upper West Regional Coordination Council
39:10 to watch a virtual live show of the national remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the National Service Scheme.
39:16 Upper West Regional Director of the NSS, Dawusu Daniel, put it to light on the program.
39:23 The National Service, we know, started in 1973 by Ignatius Kuntun Achampo.
39:31 Today, the 7th of September, the exact day he assented to the decree that established National Service.
39:38 So, we know we have lost a lot of heroes, service persons and staff during the day.
39:43 So, we've decided that today we'll use the day to remember them and give them some respect.
39:48 Dr Bin Saleh recalled with nostalgia his tenure one year ago as a National Service personnel, which he said has impacted on his life.
39:58 I did my National Service with the then Ghana Water and Sewage Corporation, Ghana Water Corporation now.
40:07 I have no regrets whatsoever.
40:12 I learnt a lot and all the things I learnt at that time are impacting on me.
40:25 He added National Service personnel in the country not only want to be deterred by the challenges they are currently encountering, but should spread them on to greater heights.
40:36 And this gives you the opportunity to have a feel of what people are doing to make our country a better place for all of us.
40:48 I would therefore entreat each and every one of you not to be deterred by the challenges, but to be spread on to give of your best as you contribute to the forward march of our dear country, Ghana.
41:09 At exactly 11.45am, there was a flag-raising ceremony at the forecourt of the Appalachian Coordination Council, where a two-minute silence was observed for the party's souls and the sounding of the last post,
41:24 aided by personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service.
41:30 Some executives of NASPA shared their thoughts about the day.
41:42 Today is worth remembering because it's to remember all the past NSPs who are dead currently.
41:52 And today is really a memorable day for us. Thank you.
41:56 Are you proud to be a National Service personnel and tell me why?
41:58 I'm proud to be a National Service personnel because I'm serving the country, that is Ghana.
42:05 It's good that we also go through history to know the people who have contributed to our quota to support National Service.
42:12 So I think it's a very good initiative that they have given to us.
42:15 Though they thank the government for the increase in the manpower allowance, they believe it is peanut that can hold both body and soul together.
42:24 When you take 5.59, it's actually too small. When you take 5.59 and go to the market, it will surprise you that you only buy a few two bags of yam and then tomatoes.
42:35 So it will be good. They actually increased it. We heard they've increased it to 7.15. But then also, the 7.15 have not come yet.
42:44 It is something we are actually expecting and we are praying that they send it to us.
42:48 That's all the Gondwana news. Rafiq Salam.
42:55 Thanks for watching Join Newsdesk. There's more news coming up in business right after this break.
43:05 Hi, good morning. Welcome to Business. My name is Darrell Kwao.
43:13 The Ghana Export Promotion Authority says it is working to improve its performance for non-traditional exports for 2023.
43:22 The authority recorded $3.5 billion in non-traditional export revenues in 2022.
43:27 Manufactured and semi-manufactured products contributed the most.
43:32 Chief Executive Dr. Ifua Sabiasari says the authority will deploy innovative means to add value to its products to increase export earnings.
43:42 She was speaking at the GEPA 80th National Exporters Forum in partnership with Access Bank Ghana, PLC. Here's more.
43:50 The Ghana Export Promotion Authority said it is dedicated to providing comprehensive support, particularly in the area of value-added goods.
44:00 Dr. Ifua Sabiasari said her outfit will bolster human capacity through the GEPA Export School in Accra.
44:07 GEPA has collaborated with key stakeholders such as the Ghana Standard Authority, the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Ex-Im Bank, Association of Ghana Industries,
44:19 the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, as well as research institutions, private sector entities, government organizations, and foreign missions.
44:34 In 2022, Ghana recorded non-traditional export revenues of $3.5 billion, with the manufactured and semi-manufactured products sector contributing the most.
44:50 This result highlights GEPA's dedication to enhancing exporters' capacities, fostering global competitiveness, exchange flows, and foreign exchange flows to bolster the local economy.
45:05 Trade Minister Katie Hammond pledged support to exporters in Ghana.
45:09 Let us see ourselves working together as partners in the growth and development of the economy of the country.
45:19 You cannot be unaware of trade and the transformative impact it can have on economies, especially those in emerging markets.
45:36 Executive Director, Wholesale Banking at Asset Bank Ghana PLC, James Bruce, explained various initiatives Asset Bank is backing on to support exporters.
45:46 Facilitating payments, also checking on your counterparties that you are looking to export to, to be sure that they have the capacity to pay for the goods and services you are getting.
45:58 Obviously, we would finance that side of the trade as well and see how best we can finance this side of the trade.
46:04 Now, why do we want to do this? We started the journey with SME capacity building, together with UNIDO, together with GIZ, to give skills to prepare the SMEs to be ready to be able to move to the next level.
46:21 The forum was under the theme, "Growing Ghana's Export Capacity, Catalysts for Economic Good."
46:31 In other news, Odutobi Rural Bank in the Ashanti region is enhancing operations in its catchment area to improve banking in the target market.
46:40 Aside from increasing the bank's branches, new products are being rolled out to achieve set targets.
46:45 Board Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Mensah-Bonsu, explains the bank's objective is in line with the government's financial inclusion agenda.
46:53 Nanaia Ojima was at the commissioning of the 14th branch of the bank in the Ashanti region.
46:59 Financial inclusion contributes to economic growth by stimulating entrepreneurship and increasing savings.
47:06 Despite enhanced financial education, the majority of Ghana's population remains unbanked, largely due to inaccessibility.
47:14 This has limited financing for most small and medium-scale enterprises in the country.
47:20 Board Chairman for Odutobi Rural Bank, Dr. Kwaku Mensah-Bonsu, says roping more people into banking will drive development.
47:30 In Kumasi, we have about nine branches.
47:33 That is strategically placed so that people from different areas don't need to go very far to get to Odutobi Rural Bank.
47:41 With the way things are going and business is picking up gradually, there is a possibility that we would open new branches,
47:55 depending on how we see the areas that we want to go into.
48:00 There are areas that have potential, not potential.
48:06 We are going to explore all these things and find out where we should put our money.
48:11 The bank commissioned its 14th branch at Tutuka in Obuase municipality.
48:17 In 2022, the Odutobi Rural Bank increased profit margin from 4.1 million CDs to 4.6 million CDs,
48:27 mainly driven by business at the only branch at Obuase.
48:30 Abraham Kofi is Chief Executive Officer.
48:33 Management at the board thought that as the customer base of the bank keeps on increasing,
48:40 it was imperative for us to make such an expansion.
48:44 So we started doing feasibility studies, ensuring due processes and also obtaining Bank of Ghana's approval.
48:52 So today what we are witnessing, that is the commissioning of Tutuka branch, is an attempt to expand the bank's operational coverage
49:04 and also to support the Government of Ghana's financial inclusion agenda.
49:09 For Joy Business, Nana Yanchima, reporting.
49:12 And that's it for this segment. The news continues after this break.
49:21 And that's all we have here on Joy News Desk. We'll be back at midday with Joy News Today.
49:26 There's more news on myjoyonline.com.
49:29 I am…
49:30 I am Amir Sinyamichet Thomsen. See you at midday.
49:35 [Music]
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