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NewsTranscript
00:00 Hello, good afternoon and welcome to the newsroom.
00:02 The news is live on the Draw News channel and all our social media platforms, we are
00:07 Draw News on TV.
00:08 You can Twitter us and also send your comments.
00:11 Coming up in the next 60 minutes, widespread condemnation greets invasion of studios of
00:17 Accra-based UTV during a live program by 16 angry men who said they were there to demand
00:24 a fair representation for the NPP.
00:27 We have details as the National Democratic Congress, NDC, calls on the Ghana Police Service
00:33 to ensure all the culprits are duly prosecuted in accordance with the law.
00:42 Also this afternoon, Teachers Union, NUTS, says poor working conditions are pushing more
00:47 teachers to leave the country as the Education Ministry estimates some 10,000 teachers have
00:53 left the country already.
00:57 And later in the bulletin, St. Louis Senior High School reigns supreme at the preliminary
01:14 stage of the National Science and Maths Quiz after outclassing Ola Gels, Kenyasi and St.
01:21 Joseph Senior High School in a remarkable run.
01:27 We have details of all these stories and more here on your Draw News channel.
01:36 Do stay.
01:44 Now what you are seeing are some young men who last night invaded the studios of Accra-based
01:51 television station UTV during a live program, United Showbiz.
01:57 Now this afternoon, there is widespread condemnation against the act with many concerned groups
02:03 describing it as an affront to press freedom.
02:06 The Ghana Police Service says it has arrested the 16 men who stormed the studio and they
02:12 are now helping with investigations.
02:14 The angry men said they were there to demand fair representation for the new patrotic party
02:20 on the show.
02:21 While leader of the group said the entertainment show had turned into a political one with
02:26 the NPP and the president treated unfairly and criticized every Saturday evening.
02:34 He also cited an incident where media personality Kwame Asare, popularly known as A-plus, tore
02:41 a letter written by the party to demand equal representation on the show.
02:46 Listen to leader of the group.
02:48 Again, the same person has insulted our general secretary, he has insulted our vice president,
02:57 he has insulted our president.
03:00 And there's nobody here to defend them.
03:03 We are the youth of this country, not only the political party that is in the room, but
03:08 we are the youth of this country and we feel that it is unfair on our part.
03:13 That is why we have come here and we want to be part of the program.
03:17 With all due respect, we respect you so much.
03:19 Well, the program has turned into a political show.
03:22 So if you want us to move outside before they start the program and you can assure that
03:27 we'll come inside, fine.
03:29 However, that notwithstanding, we expect at least, even if you allow maybe about three
03:34 or four of us to be here and then the rest of the team or the invited guests can also
03:43 join, we'll be glad to do so.
03:46 It's peaceful.
03:47 Very peaceful.
03:48 You are not here to fight.
03:49 You are not here to fight.
03:50 Can you just give me one moment?
03:51 One moment.
03:52 Thank you.
03:53 Thank you.
03:54 While the opposition National Democratic Congress has also condemned the act and is
04:07 calling on the Ghana Journalist Association and civil society organizations to do the
04:12 same, the party says Ghana's press freedom and democratic credentials are under serious
04:17 attack as it is calling on the Ghana police service to expeditiously investigate the incident
04:24 and ensure that all the culprits are duly prosecuted in accordance with law.
04:29 On your screens now are details of that statement published by the NDC and it reads that the
04:34 National Democratic Congress has learned with utter disgust a dastardly attack that was
04:41 visited on the studios of United Television last night.
04:45 While the station's prime time entertainment show, United Showbiz, was ongoing, a group
04:50 of uncivilized hooligans, according to them, belonging to the ruling New Patrotic Party,
04:56 stormed the studios of UTV, disrupted the live program and proceeded to threaten to
05:02 assault the host and her guests.
05:06 In the third paragraph it says, it later emerged that these thugs were led by the Koleklote
05:13 organizer of the New Patrotic Party under the orders of NS Owusu-Bempa, a deputy director
05:22 of communication and other leading figures of the ruling party.
05:27 These are claims we can't verify right now, but the fourth paragraph says the NDC condemns
05:34 this shameful act in no uncertain terms as there can be no place for such uncivilized
05:41 and beastly conduct in a democracy.
05:45 Let's move on to the last two paragraphs where the party says that we further call on the
05:53 Ghana Police Service to expeditiously investigate this incident and ensure that all the culprits
05:59 are duly prosecuted in accordance with law and also says the NDC shall be monitoring
06:06 every development on this important matter and will not accept anything short of justice.
06:12 That statement is signed by the Sami Jemfi.
06:21 Now let's get more on this because the…
06:27 Well let's get more on this.
06:32 Lots of reactions so far on social media, you've been sharing your thoughts with us.
06:36 Our handles are @joenewsontv.
06:38 You can tweet at us with your thoughts, we'll be reading them shortly.
06:42 But the National Media Commission says it is concerned about the reported attacks on
06:47 UTV and is working with the Ghana Police Service to address the situation, while the commission
06:52 is concerned about the increasing use of violence as preferred method for addressing grievances
06:59 against media and journalists.
07:06 Well on your screens now we'll bring you a statement by the commission and then let
07:11 you hear their thoughts on it.
07:12 We're also making contact to get the government to see if we can reach out to the Ministry
07:19 of Communications and Information as well to get their thoughts on this.
07:23 Well we know that government has also condemned the act.
07:27 The Ministry of Information says it is condemning it and in no uncertain terms any unauthorised
07:34 entry into the media organisation in protest at media conference or interference with media
07:41 work.
07:42 The Ministry of Information has released a statement on your screens that will be rolling
07:46 shortly.
07:47 We'll also be speaking to the National Communications Officer of the NDC shortly as well.
07:55 Let's read that statement, it's on your screens.
07:57 It says, "The Ministry of Information on Saturday, October 7, 2023 made a report to
08:03 the Ghana Police Service to intervene in an incident at the studios of UTV, a private
08:10 TV station in Accra.
08:11 This follows reports to the Media Monitoring Centre of the Ministry that a group of persons
08:16 had entered UTV's studio, allegedly without authorisation to express displeasure at the
08:24 content of a live TV programme.
08:27 The police subsequently arrested 16 persons at the premises of UTV and investigations
08:33 are currently ongoing.
08:35 The Ministry condemns in no uncertain terms any unauthorised entry into the media organisation
08:44 in protest at media content or interference with media work.
08:48 The right to free expression," now this is key, "and freedom of the media are key
08:53 pillars of our democracy and must be fiercely protected.
08:57 The Ministry stands with the police and the courts in the conduct of their duty."
09:03 Also this paragraph is quite interesting.
09:05 It says, "The Ministry wishes to encourage the media, especially broadcast media shows
09:09 and panellists, to do their utmost to help promote national cohesion even as they exercise
09:17 their fundamental freedom."
09:18 What does this mean?
09:19 Well, we'll try and reach out to the Ministry to get a better understanding of what this
09:26 means, but that's assigned by the Information Minister, Kojo Poynkroma.
09:32 Now joining us is the Director for the NPP, Director of Communications, Richard Akiang.
09:39 Thank you so much for joining us here on Joe Newsroom.
09:42 Now first off, the NDC is alleging that these men were led by the Klote Kole youth organiser
09:52 of the New Patriotic Party under the orders of NS Owusu-Bempa, a Deputy Director of Communications
10:01 and other leading figures of the NPP.
10:05 Can you confirm this?
10:06 Well, thank you very much for the opportunity.
10:10 I am sure you received our statement, a copy of our statement that was released moments
10:19 ago.
10:20 I'm sure my producers are working to put that on screen for us.
10:24 I would appreciate it if you had discussed that before, but I think I can answer your
10:29 question.
10:30 I listened to the NDC statement and I read it, but I think that the NDC should not get
10:44 ahead of itself in commenting on this matter.
10:47 As a party, we condemn it unreservedly and we apologise to UTV and the individuals involved
10:55 in the management of the programme, the panellists.
10:59 We have extended that apology to them.
11:03 I was there in the night, spoke to them off camera and on camera to offer our apology
11:10 and to make clear that the New Patriotic Party did not function that activity and will not
11:18 function that.
11:19 So therefore, our position is to say there are other ways of dealing with issues and
11:26 certainly what happened yesterday is not one of them and we condemn it.
11:31 But the point I wanted to make is relative to the NDC's assumptions that they are making.
11:38 As you indicated, police are in the process of investigating this matter.
11:43 There hasn't been any conclusion.
11:45 They haven't come out with who was directing this affair and therefore to begin to mention
11:52 people's names and cast these assertions as though they know for a fact who is leading
11:59 this I think is most regrettable.
12:00 In any case, they as a party don't have a superior record on media freedom.
12:08 Just yesterday, they were the ones oppressing the media, they were the ones shit-bombing
12:13 media houses and in this country we're here, we're not that old, but we're here long enough
12:18 to know that the NDC is not a party to want to gloat over infraction in the media.
12:26 What I think as a country we need to focus on is to try to work and expand the coast
12:31 of freedom and allow the media to do their work and guarantee that environment to do
12:37 that work and that is integral to the values of our tradition and we are committed to doing
12:43 that.
12:44 I think what we all need to do now is to await the police to complete their investigation
12:52 which the party has indicated to fully cooperate with the police to find out exactly what the
13:00 issues were and who were behind it.
13:02 So until that is done, I don't think that the NDC is in the right when they begin to
13:10 cast this false expression on people indicating who is organizing it or who is behind it.
13:17 Let's be patient and await the police report.
13:20 But you're a key member of the party, I'm sure meetings have happened close to, you're
13:25 watching the visuals right now on the screen.
13:28 Can you identify these individuals?
13:30 Are they indeed party members?
13:33 I don't have a screen before me, but I guess the point really now that we're having to
13:39 discuss is not whether this person is part of NDP or not.
13:43 There are individuals there that we know are members of the party, but the critical point
13:49 that needs to be made, which is important and consequential for the conversation now
13:55 is whether or not what it did was acceptable, whether or not what it did was sanctioned
14:01 by the party and the answer to those questions are no.
14:05 The party did sanction it and the party doesn't control or accept that as a way of expressing
14:09 displeasure.
14:10 However bad, however concerning it is, it is not the way to express dissatisfaction
14:19 with any media house and their output.
14:22 And so that is clear, that's what we really want to stick with.
14:25 The rest of the concerns that you may want to investigate will become necessary once
14:30 the police report comes out and we know who these individuals are and then we can take
14:34 it from there.
14:35 But for now, we want to be clear that the party did sanction this act and we condemn
14:41 it and reserve it.
14:43 Yeah, that we can confirm.
14:45 I was only making mention of you watching the visual because earlier you had requested
14:50 for the NDP statement to be put on screen, so I had presumed that we're monitoring situations.
14:56 But then right now, do you have a copy of this video in circulation?
15:01 Have you watched the video?
15:02 Oh, certainly, yes.
15:03 And as I indicated to you, I have watched the video.
15:06 In fact, I was there last night, I've seen the individuals who were arrested by the police.
15:13 And as a party representative, we did assure the police that they have our full cooperation
15:19 to proceed with their investigations.
15:21 So I know the individuals.
15:22 All I was trying to emphasize to you is that the present issue of concern is whether or
15:28 not as a party we condone that act and the answer is no.
15:34 And the question also again is whether as a party we sanctioned that activity yesterday
15:41 and the answer is no.
15:44 Now let's look at prosecution.
15:46 You say you are aiding with investigations.
15:48 Can you confirm if indeed these individuals were deployed from the Kolekote constituency?
15:53 Well, okay, I guess I've answered that question, but I'll answer it again.
15:59 Wherever they came from was not the doing of the party.
16:04 The party didn't ask them, the party didn't send them there.
16:08 And so where they came from, whether from Kolekote or wherever else, the party had no
16:14 hand in that.
16:16 So I cannot answer that question for you.
16:18 Oh, but I'm not asking if the party had deployed them.
16:21 I'm asking if you can confirm what constituency they came from.
16:25 Well, I can confirm that.
16:27 And that again is something that a police investigation will identify for us because
16:32 I'm sure that'll be part of the issues the police will run to understand.
16:36 The identity where they come from will be key in a police investigation.
16:39 So I think we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves.
16:42 The issue clearly is that the New Petroletist Party condemns the act because it is sanctioned.
16:49 And if it was asked to deal with any displeasure in the media, it'll be through dialogue and
16:57 we would have approached the media house not to send people to disrupt a live program.
17:03 Now finally, before we let you go, one of the reasons that they gave for invading that
17:08 show is that they believe that the show was biased towards the NPP.
17:14 Have you received such reports?
17:17 Because they claim that they had sent a letter demanding fair representation on the show
17:22 and it was torn on air by A+.
17:26 Have you received that information?
17:27 Well, certainly, that is public information as it were.
17:34 There are concerns expressed about the show, as you heard them say.
17:41 But the point that needs to be emphasized that is consequential for this conversation
17:46 that we're having is that is that appropriate means they chose yesterday, is that the appropriate
17:52 means to address any concerns, no matter what the concern is?
17:57 And the answer is no.
17:58 And so the justification or the concern, the idea that an existing concern doesn't arise,
18:05 the question is the mode of executing your concern or advancing your concern is what
18:12 we're talking about and the position of the party is that that is not an acceptable way
18:17 of doing it and we didn't sanction that and we will not sanction an action like that.
18:23 Thank you so much, Richard Ahiyamba is Communications Director for the NPP.
18:27 We'll be keeping an eye on this story.
18:29 We'll bring you updates as and when we have it.
18:32 Now let's move on to other stories.
18:34 President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, NNAT, Reverend Owusu Isaac, says
18:41 the poor working conditions in the country are pushing more teachers to leave the country.
18:46 Well, according to the Education Minister, some 10,000 teachers trained by the state
18:53 have already left the country in search of better working conditions.
18:57 Registrar of the National Teaching Council, Dr. Christian Adai-Poku says the high attrition
19:03 rate of teachers poses a great threat to the future of the nation's education sector.
19:10 Speaking on John News, the President of NNAT, Reverend Isaac Owusu said, "Under conditions
19:16 improved, more will leave."
19:18 You see, apart from what the registrar quoted, that 10,000 are successful to go to UK.
19:29 There are others who are already in Canada.
19:33 There are others who are already in South Africa.
19:39 There are others who are already in China.
19:42 You see, day in, day out, any teacher in Ghana who gets opportunity is ready to leave.
19:53 It isn't that the teacher didn't get the requirement to teach in Ghana, but the conditions
20:01 in which the teacher is working.
20:05 That is what is demotivating those who are running out of the country.
20:10 So if you go to Accra, you see a class about two, three teachers in one class.
20:15 But when you go to the rural areas, schools on islands, a whole basic school which needs
20:21 about 16 teachers, you only see three teachers, including the head teacher, managing class
20:28 one to teacher three.
20:31 You see, when you look at the outcome of the teacher's work, it is clear that Ghanaian
20:38 teachers are really doing well.
20:41 But the income that comes to the teacher is one that is demotivating him or her to go
20:50 to UK.
20:51 So that is why we are saying that.
20:54 And the other thing is also we add the better condition of service for the teacher.
21:02 You see, if the teacher realizes now I can compete with any other teacher in the world.
21:09 And of course, those who are receiving the Ghana Teacher Prize, I think some of them
21:12 even went to African Union and were able to receive some award.
21:16 So it tells us that, yes, the policy from the lecturers and the employers, what they
21:22 should think about that, yes, once we are bringing this globalization standardised,
21:26 then we should also make sure that we have equal income that will not even deter the
21:32 teacher from even thinking of travelling out of Ghana.
21:40 World Director of Communications with the governing New Patriotic Party Richard Ahiyama
21:45 says the development is worrying.
21:47 We are giving the chance.
21:50 People will take a better opportunity if they can have it.
21:54 So the issue is how do we make education and teaching attractive.
22:00 And it's a policy conversation with myself.
22:02 I think the government has done well so far, but the practical issue that requires all
22:07 of us to pitch in and just say that there has been a historical problem.
22:11 People don't want to accept postings to the rural areas.
22:14 And you ask a very important question.
22:16 Is it something that we as citizens also must accept responsibility?
22:21 Because if at the end of the day you've been given teacher trainee allowance, nursing trainee
22:25 allowance, you have finished school, government has spent on you, in fact, one of the motivation
22:29 for paying those allowances is that you will accept postings.
22:35 So right now, the teacher association groups and all of that should not be looking to government.
22:40 They should be looking to their group members and asking, you accepted to take those funding.
22:45 I think that we should look at it and how is it as a people we can resolve this issue.
22:51 It takes a whole village now to look at this issue.
22:54 Let's not apportion blame.
22:55 And I think the minister was candid and honest in saying that our problem is not necessarily
23:00 the numbers, it's the acceptance.
23:02 And I'll tell you, I have seen it.
23:03 I have seen it firsthand.
23:05 I have videos.
23:06 There's this organization I'm associated with, CDS Africa, has an initiative.
23:12 I think we had a chat with the minister about this.
23:15 Went to the Upper East, Northern region, I think, yeah, Upper East, Northern region,
23:21 Northeast.
23:22 And what audit we did shows that we have a school where there is only two teachers to
23:29 manage from, in some cases, kindergarten or primary to primary six.
23:35 And they are torn between the classes.
23:38 There's a class we see where the two, because there's only one teacher teaching about three
23:43 different classes, they're all in the same classroom.
23:46 And other classrooms are abandoned.
23:48 So the point is a situation where we have to look at ourselves and look at the teacher
23:54 associations and say, what can we do?
23:57 What are the interventions that must come?
23:59 And so perhaps as members of parliament, we can look at specific interventions that we
24:05 can bring to ensure that we are able to ensure that teachers posted to these rural communities
24:12 can go.
24:13 I agree that we have teachers, but then they don't want to accept posting to certain places.
24:18 And I don't begrudge them, but I'm only saying that when the state has spent on you, you
24:23 have an obligation to the state to accept the postings that you are given to do that
24:30 national service that you've been paid to obtain education for.
24:34 Right.
24:35 For a host of News 5, on John Hughes' Samson in La Diana, he says the high attrition rate
24:45 is an indictment on the professionals trained with taxpayers' money.
24:52 There's a great deal of fairness in this particular commentary.
24:56 And as citizens, we must also embrace that.
24:59 And so that we don't have these sections of society, you know, hold government to ransom
25:06 all the time, that your training is being paid for and immediately you are done.
25:12 You're not even waiting for a day.
25:14 You're looking for the next ticket to go and give that service to another country.
25:18 That's unfair.
25:19 Yeah.
25:20 Well, Ghana has presented the rectified instrument of African Union Convention on cross-border
25:32 cooperation to the African Union Commission at a ceremony at the African Union Commission
25:38 headquarters at Addis Ababa on Monday, 4th of September.
25:42 Ghana signed the agreement to the convention on the 4th of July, 2017.
25:48 The agreement was further rectified by Parliament of Ghana on 9th of February, 2023.
25:53 The African Union Convention on cross-border cooperation, known as the NMEA Convention,
25:59 is a framework for collaboration across borders which ensures integration of Africa and enhances
26:07 prospects for peaceful resolution of boundary disputes between member states.
26:12 The aim of the convention is to promote cross-border cooperation and to ensure peaceful resolution
26:18 of border disputes.
26:19 Maxwell Agwabah has more in this report.
26:23 The NMEA Convention is a framework for collaboration across borders which ensures integration in
26:30 Africa.
26:32 The aim of the convention is to promote cross-border cooperation and to ensure peaceful resolution
26:38 of border disputes.
26:40 18 out of 55 member states have signed the convention with 8 of the countries including
26:46 Ghana ratifying the convention.
26:50 The African Union has over the years promoted cross-border cooperation as part of efforts
26:55 aimed at achieving an integrated continent where borders would serve as bridges for peace,
27:01 growth and development.
27:03 The instrument was received by the legal counsellor of the African Union Commission in the presence
27:08 of officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia.
27:13 Ghana has thus become the eighth country to ratify the convention.
27:18 Speaking after presenting the instrument, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace
27:21 and Security of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Bankul Adyoye, congratulated
27:27 the government and people of Ghana for ratifying the African Union Convention on Cross-Border
27:31 Cooperation.
27:32 He further praised the Ghana Boundary Commission for the strides made within the few years
27:37 of its existence.
27:38 He expressed appreciation and excitement of the work of the Ghana Boundary Commission
27:42 as one of the vibrant commissions in Africa whose work has been geared towards the prevention
27:47 of boundary conflicts along the international land and maritime boundaries of Ghana and
27:52 its neighbours.
27:53 The Commissioner revealed that the AU Commission had monitored the progressive work of the
27:57 Ghana Boundary Commission with the Neighbouring Boundary Commissions of Kothivua, Togo and
28:02 Burkina Faso and was impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of the Commission.
28:06 I would like to say how passionate you are about the Ghana Boundary Commission and its
28:10 activities, the history, the parliamentary act that set it in motion, the inauguration
28:17 of the board by His Excellency President Bankul Adyoye and how you have been working since
28:23 then with Togo, with Kothivua, with Nigeria and your request to definitely serve as chief
28:32 advocate for the Union Convention.
28:34 I fully buy into that.
28:36 And one of the things that I would ask my team to do is that I know that in the last
28:41 two years, one time under Cameroon, we discussed the question of border.
28:46 It was even at the ministerial level.
28:48 Here you go.
28:50 So it's at the ministerial level.
28:52 But the emphasis should now zero in on the UN Convention.
28:59 We need to get in eight countries because I know also very well that the Nigerian Boundary
29:05 Commission works in both international and inter- because this is fighting for land,
29:13 for immigration, because of climate change impact.
29:16 There's always that clash.
29:19 So the government made sure that they had the two focus areas, both inter- and external.
29:27 For us, as a boundary commission, we started and we're doing very well.
29:31 We think that our advocacy can lead us.
29:33 And I'll just give you an example.
29:35 The African Union Border Programme in collaboration with GIZ is bringing all the southern countries
29:43 to Ghana, somewhere in the Territory for us to coach them on how to establish boundary
29:49 commissions.
29:51 In addition, Ethiopia will be joining.
29:54 Guinea and Australia will be joining.
29:56 So it's going to be a big thing.
29:58 And we'll show them what to do, especially the legal aspects, the legal frameworks, what
30:04 to do internally to be able to get this.
30:06 We're a very vibrant commission.
30:08 We want to lead an advocacy in Africa, not only for countries to rectify the Convention,
30:18 but for us to ensure that the Convention itself, the letter spirit of the Convention is applied
30:27 to all countries.
30:28 So the African Union, countries within the African Union will lead.
30:32 National coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Ymanokotia also
30:37 met the team from GIZ.
30:39 We're still continuing.
30:41 Yeah, the regional office here.
30:43 So far I've made lots of policies and I know that we are having a lot of programmes that
30:47 are in the process of being implemented.
30:49 So we're very excited about the time of action.
30:51 We're going to follow from now until next year.
30:53 We are also very happy that GIZ is giving us the opportunity to mentor some countries
31:01 from Sarag.
31:03 We've mentored at NACRA on how to establish boundary commissions, which we've mentioned
31:09 today.
31:11 We're very excited about it.
31:13 We want to use that opportunity as well to be advocates of, or ambassadors of countries
31:19 rectifying the African Union Convention and all the other cooperation.
31:25 The Ghana Boundary Commission led the process of facilitating the ratification of the Niame
31:31 Convention in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration,
31:35 the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Attorney General and other relevant agencies.
31:41 The ratification by Ghana was achieved through careful stakeholder meetings organized under
31:47 the auspices of the Ghana Boundary Commission to ensure broad consultations and inputs prior
31:53 to the ratification of the Convention by Ghana.
31:55 National Coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Yumano Kotea said
31:59 based on joint activities between neighboring countries, the Convention will facilitate
32:05 the development of boundaries and ease free movement of persons and goods along common
32:09 borders.
32:10 The objectives of the Niame Convention include but not limited to the promotion of cross
32:15 border cooperation at local, sub-regional and regional level, the facilitation of the
32:20 peaceful resolution of boundary disputes, the promotion of peace and stability through
32:25 conflict prevention and continental integration, the transformation of border areas into catalysts
32:31 for growth, socioeconomic and political integration of the continent.
32:35 Ghana stands to benefit immensely from the Niame Convention in various aspects.
32:40 First, the Convention provides a legal framework for the development and implementation of
32:46 cross-border initiatives.
32:47 These initiatives will provide mutually beneficial projects, infrastructure and facilities for
32:53 border communities across Ghana and its neighbors.
32:55 The Convention also formalizes cooperation between Ghana and other stakeholders as well
33:00 as institutionalized cross-border cooperation through a continent accepted framework.
33:05 The economic benefits are all so many.
33:08 Now let's do other stories.
33:12 Over 120 observers have been dispatched by the Economic Community of West African States
33:19 for Tuesday's elections in Liberia.
33:22 All countries in the country, all counties in the country will receive ECOWAS presence.
33:28 So far, the long-term observation team has been working with the National Election Commission
33:34 in Liberia to resolve concerns raised by some stakeholders.
33:37 Nayel Jima, who is in Moravia for the election, caught up with Samuel Koguwa-Indu of the Atam
33:44 Mills Institute and filed this report.
33:47 We are two days away from the big election in Liberia.
33:52 It's the fourth consecutive election since Liberia adopted democratic rule.
33:59 Today, ECOWAS is dispatching its observers to the various counties here in Liberia.
34:06 And Mr. Samuel Koguwa-Indu, a Ghanian and a politician for that matter, is one of the
34:13 observers on this mission.
34:15 I'll be having a brief interaction with him about what he has picked up so far.
34:20 He's been through town, he's been observing things within Liberia, Moravia to be precise.
34:25 And he's picked a few things.
34:27 Let's go straight to him and have a conversation with him.
34:29 Mr. Indu, welcome.
34:30 Well, thank you, my brother.
34:31 How has your stay been?
34:33 Well, excellent so far.
34:34 So, we are a few days away from the big election.
34:38 Now, we know that the UP, the Unity Party, is trying to stage a comeback in Liberia.
34:46 CDC now is in power, is in control.
34:50 But it looks like the UP is doing everything possible to snatch power from them.
34:56 What has been your observation so far?
34:58 Well, as you are aware, I'm an ECOWAS observer from Ghana, of course under the auspices of
35:05 the Atanos Institute.
35:07 So, we are just here to observe.
35:11 So, like you said, today is the main deployment day.
35:14 I am going with my team to Nimba County, which is about a six-hour drive from Moravia.
35:23 But what we've observed so far is that the security situation seems very much under control.
35:31 There's no heightened security tension.
35:34 Yesterday, for example, was the main campaign day, the last one for the Unity Party.
35:41 And throughout town, they flowed freely.
35:44 You hardly saw heavy military police presence.
35:47 And then, interestingly, I happened to be around the headquarters of the CDC, which is a ruling party.
35:53 And there was not a single human being in CDC colors intending to stop the UP, Unity Party, from proceeding.
36:07 So, for me, I think that the general feeling is that in the build-up to the elections on Tuesday,
36:15 the political parties are campaigning freely.
36:17 Of course, today is also the last day for the ruling government, so the city is going to be awash with their...
36:27 Yesterday, it was green and white, so...
36:48 We're taking a quick breather here on Joe Newsroom.
36:50 My name is Faustina Asafa.
36:52 When we come back, we'll take you to Kumasi, where the Love FM Habitat Fair is currently ongoing.
36:58 Do stay.
36:59 Thanks for staying with us.
37:06 Now, approximately one million Ghanian youth stand to benefit from a five-year career life project
37:12 aimed at addressing the country's growing gravity unemployment crisis.
37:17 Spearheaded by Level Up Consults, the One Million Cities initiative seeks to nurture the next generation
37:24 of ethical leaders to combat the declining leadership standards within the country.
37:30 Chairperson of the Institute of Directors, Ghana, Angela Khamenei-Apia,
37:35 stressed the pressing need to enhance leadership quality across sectors, especially among the youth.
37:42 There's more in this report.
37:44 Ghana's socioeconomic challenges have been attributed to poor leadership at various levels.
37:50 Speaking to the press during the joint launch of a five-year career life project
37:55 and its accompanying book, Career Path, written by Bernard Kwam,
38:00 the board chairperson of the Institute of Directors, Ghana, Angela Khamenei-Apia,
38:06 underscored the agency of improving leadership quality across sectors, particularly among the youth.
38:13 People who have a significant pedigree, they are respectable people in society,
38:19 but when they speak, they leave so much to be desired.
38:22 And it is for some of these challenges why they are learning all this positive intelligence,
38:28 cultural intelligence, affirmatively disruptive questions, how do you talk to authority,
38:33 because an authority is not just somebody who is older,
38:36 but somebody who has a particular portfolio, like a soldier in uniform.
38:41 We are respecting that uniform, that position, that role, so you must approach them with that dignity,
38:49 so you get what you want. But we don't have this kind of appreciation anymore.
38:54 So that awareness, that lack of sensitivity is what we want to now bring back,
39:00 so that we appreciate that there is a way of doing things, there is an expectation for leaders,
39:07 the way you talk, the way you walk, decorum, tact and diplomacy,
39:11 it's not for nothing that we choose words to communicate.
39:14 There's a reason why you use "honorable". Now you even find people being called "honorable",
39:19 and immediately the person finishes "honorable", they insult.
39:22 Bernard Kwam, the writer and CEO of Level Up Council, stated that the five-year-long
39:28 career plan project will, among other things, equip the next generation of youth with critical skills
39:35 that will alleviate the burden of unemployment on the government.
39:40 The career life project is a five-year personal development for the youth in Ghana.
39:46 It is Ghana-specific. It is geared towards impacting the life of one million Ghanaian youth.
39:52 The focus of it is to engage their minds, the intellectual discourses,
39:59 that is going to bring up what we call practical, meaningful living.
40:04 On his 60th birthday, Ghana's Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bamiya, chose a path of compassion
40:11 and generosity, leaving a lasting imprint he celebrated by giving back,
40:17 shining a light on the needs of the Kumasi children's home in the Ashanti region.
40:23 Dr Bamiya's heartfelt gift of a bus, 60,000 Ghana cities and other essential items,
40:29 promised a better future for inmates.
40:33 Then, Kofi Assare has more in this report.
40:37 At the heart of Kumasi, within the Ashanti region, lies the Kumasi children's home,
40:44 a haven for over 80 children who have faced life's harshest realities.
40:51 The challenges faced by this home came to the forefront when the manager,
40:56 Mabel Amponsa, expressed their struggle with transporting the children
41:01 to and fro educational and social programs.
41:05 We have 86 children, comprising 30 girls and the remaining being boys.
41:10 Out of these 86, we have 28 being children with special needs.
41:15 For now, we need a bigger bus to carry the children to and fro educational and social programs.
41:25 Responding to this call for help, Vice President Dr Mahmoud Bamiya extended a helping hand
41:31 as he celebrates six decades of a remarkable life.
41:35 A generous donation of a coaster bus, 60,000 Ghana cities and other essential items,
41:41 was made to ease the burden on Kumasi children's home.
41:52 If you look at the situation, everybody needs a supportive hand in this country,
41:57 but the most needful people are the orphans.
42:00 Kumasi children's home put their prior request before me that they are in need of a coaster bus,
42:07 so on this special day of me, I am presenting you the coaster bus.
42:13 I am the birthday presenter, I am the one who is going to give you the coaster bus
42:21 and the one who is going to give you the children's home.
42:25 The Vice President's benevolent act has sent ripples of hope,
42:29 inspiring others to join in and support causes that uplift the underprivileged.
42:35 We thank His Excellency Dr Alajj Mahmoud Bamiya for donating our long-awaited bus,
42:43 to be precise, coaster bus, to Kumasi children's home for educational and social trips.
42:49 In fact, we are so grateful.
42:51 This will also enable the children to see what happens outside the home.
42:56 As Vice President Dr Mahmoud Bamiya celebrates six decades of a remarkable life,
43:02 he is demonstrating that true celebration lies in giving to those in need.
43:07 Kofi Asare's report, read to you.
43:10 Let's turn our attention now to some news from the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz
43:18 in a culminating fierce competition.
43:23 An unexpected twist in turns, Kumasi Academy beat Simms Senior High School and Sandema Senior High School
43:30 to qualify for the 1A stage of the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz.
43:36 Here's my colleague Jacqueline Nansumaye, one with more.
43:40 Just won with some cool 50 points. How do you feel?
43:43 Oh, I am over excited. I believe in them, that they can do it.
43:48 We can do it. We are the best school in the world.
43:52 Now, you are not done yet. You are going to 1A stage. What do you have to say about this?
43:57 Nothing to fear. We have our God of Kumasi here.
44:00 And we know that we are going to win the National Science and Maths Quiz.
44:04 Nothing to fear.
44:06 We have some of the trainers here that we would like to speak to.
44:11 It was a fierce contest between the three schools.
44:15 We had Sandema Senior High School and Kumaka with Simms having some 47 and Kumaka with 50.
44:24 How do you feel about this?
44:26 In fact, it has really been a very, very, very, very tense and tough contest.
44:32 But I am much happier that my boys were able to stand their ground.
44:36 Even with a deduction of minus 5, they were not perturbed by this deduction of minus.
44:40 And they were able to stand on their grounds and still come out victorious.
44:43 I think we have learned something from that.
44:45 And as we move on to the 1A stage, we are going to do better than that.
44:48 We are going to correct our mistakes.
44:50 We also wish Simms the very best. I think they have a very good score,
44:53 which will help them to become one of the runners-up as part of the 12 schools
44:57 that can join the other schools in 1A.
44:59 And we are praying that God will take us through.
45:01 And as God has started this good work, we will definitely get to the finals.
45:05 Well, Simms was one of your biggest contenders.
45:08 Because looking back at the regional qualifiers, they did marvelously great in their contest.
45:13 Did you see them as a threat in any way?
45:15 Oh, yes. It is a competition. It is a quiz. You have your day. You win.
45:19 How was the feeling when you were on stage?
45:22 You were deducted some 5 marks. How did you feel?
45:25 We were able to control ourselves. We were able to get...
45:29 Were you sad when you were deducted?
45:32 Oh, yes. We felt a little bit sad. But we saw that that is not the end of the contest.
45:36 We are going to the draw for us now.
45:38 The draw for us. We could get it wrong. We could get it correct.
45:41 So we were very determined. We were very determined.
45:44 Just as you can see, their excitement is way beyond us right now.
45:48 They have been expressing themselves as to how they feel today.
45:51 But I have students from Simms Senior High School.
45:57 Well, great stuff there.
45:59 They stunned their competitors and drew the crowd into a frenzy
46:03 in a masterful display of wit and speed.
46:07 Motivated by Biamota, Primas Inter Paris, the pace setters of St. Louis Senior High School,
46:14 have entered the 1H stage of the National Science and Maths Quiz
46:18 as a top scorer at the preliminary stage so far.
46:23 There's more in this report by Emmanuel Baikweku.
46:27 [Singing]
46:45 Alright. In a masterful display, St. Louis Girls Senior High School have won their contest.
46:51 And by far, they are the top scorers for our preliminary stage.
46:55 Just as we saw during the qualification, they qualified to the national stage with some 65 points.
47:01 And today, they've won their contest with 52 points.
47:04 It feels very exhilarating to know that we are the top school at this point in the competition.
47:10 And it just makes us feel like we can do better in the upcoming stages.
47:14 Okay. So, Minin, should we expect a lot more?
47:16 Or is this the least match you're going to give us during this particular year of the National Science and Maths Quiz?
47:22 I wouldn't promise anything but I know we can do better if we put out our best.
47:26 And we are going to do better as it goes on.
47:29 You met a lady school and I heard you girls saying something. What did you say?
47:33 Are your girls good? No, sorry.
47:38 So, literally, you're saying Kenya and Ceola girls are not good?
47:42 They're not our match.
47:45 So, who is your match?
47:47 Not girl's school.
47:49 There is wrestling girls, there is Yassan, Tua and the others.
47:53 No, we don't see them.
47:54 They're just kids.
47:58 You're also old girls from Saint Louis.
48:01 Which year did you come from, please?
48:03 2021.
48:04 And then you?
48:05 2021 as well.
48:06 Okay. So, you're also part of the quiz girls.
48:09 Seeing your girls, I wouldn't want you to compare but do you see any improvements and that they have the ability to actually clinch the title and become the first girl's school to win the NSMQ?
48:19 Well, the ability is, they do have the ability and we see ourselves in them.
48:25 So, we know that they are definitely going to go further than we did.
48:29 What's up with something so unexpected yet mind-blowing?
48:33 And don't dare underestimate us.
48:37 Don't you dare.
48:38 Even if you end up winning at any stage, it would be the toughest contest you've ever had.
48:46 So, I understand you have a target in this particular contest, a particular school you'd want to beat.
48:53 I understand it's precisely going. In case you meet them, what is going to happen?
48:58 Oh, we'll do our best in case.
49:02 You don't have any message for them? You might be sending some shock waves to them.
49:07 Oh, no. For now, we know that we'll do our best if in case we meet them in any contest.
49:12 We're going to show them. Yeah, we will show them.
49:15 Well, if your school hasn't qualified for the 1H stage, all you have to do is skip the news and watch them brag.
49:32 Now, let's take you back to Kumasi where the Lava Firm's Republic Bank Habitat Fair has entered its last day
49:39 with patrons negotiating housing and construction deals with discounted rates from our exhibitors.
49:46 Lava Firm's Moulana-Issa Primpong has been interacting with some exhibitors as well as patrons.
49:51 Let me speak to some exhibitors. I would also speak to patrons.
49:55 But let me visit the stand or Syntex tank and already I have seen some patrons.
50:01 Let me go over to speak with them. I have my gentleman here with me.
50:05 Hello, sir. Please, your name.
50:07 My name is Justice Avogadro.
50:09 Okay. It's nice meeting you. How many stands have you visited? I've seen you visit quite a number of them.
50:14 Could you share your experiences and the services they're offering you?
50:18 Oh, really nice. I started right from Republic Bank.
50:22 I visited a lot of them, the real estate stands and this is where we are currently, the Syntex group.
50:29 I think the products they have on sale are all nice and prices are also affordable with some kind of discounts.
50:37 And I wouldn't be surprised by the end of the day we should carry at least one of the Syntex products here.
50:44 I've been hearing a lot about them and I just want to see exactly where.
50:49 Okay. So today is day three. How would you assess this Habitat Fair as you have come here?
50:54 I think it's a nice exposure. Actually, I heard of you in Accra and Therma.
51:00 So I decided to visit you when we came to Kumasi and lo and behold, we are here. It's a nice experience.
51:07 Thank you very much. Well, let me go over to speak to my gentleman from Syntex Tank. What do you have for us?
51:14 I'm Jacob Asay. We are Syntex Tank. Syntex Tank is designed to store water safely.
51:21 Their tanks are very strong and they are very durable too. So we have a slogan as in "Air Tough, Air Strong".
51:28 And it comes in different colors. We have sizes from 100 liters to 25,000 liters, both for local and also industrial purposes.
51:38 Thank you very much. You heard my gentleman from Syntex Tank and they have been in existence for over 25 years with excellence in service.
51:48 I move to Asante Henness, Land Secretary. Before I engage Joseph who will speak with me, let me also engage some patrons.
51:57 Good afternoon. Well, please could you tell me your name and then why you decided to visit this particular stand?
52:04 I've seen you sat here for quite some time.
52:06 Hello. Good afternoon. I'm Fusena. I just came to do some inquiries about why they are here.
52:17 Sure. Thank you very much. And have you visited any of the stand aside this one?
52:21 Yes, a couple of them.
52:23 And what other services they offered you? I know some are offering free discounts and there are some stands where you go to, they give you a gift for free.
52:31 No, I just passed through to do some few inquiries. I haven't gotten free BC yet. I'm still working through.
52:39 Sure. Thank you very much. But how would you assess the habitat fair?
52:43 Very insightful.
52:45 Thank you very much. I go over to speak to Joseph.
52:49 Joseph, give me a few minutes. What is Asante Henness, Land Secretary known for? I know you are into land, but please explain further.
52:59 My name is Francis. Asante is basically where all land registration starts. All land registration pertaining to lands at Kumasi traditional area.
53:16 There's a wrong idea that it starts at Lands Commission, it starts at the District Assembly. It's totally wrong. When you are given an allocation, the first thing you have to do is to immediately send to our place.
53:33 An allocation is just an introductory letter to you to be given to us that you have been apportioned the land. Therefore, we should take it and start a lease documentation process for you.
53:49 Most people don't know. That's why we are here to educate them that wherever they are hiding their location, they have to bring to us so that we can work on it.
53:58 Thank you very much, Francis. I got your name right this time. You heard Francis of Asante Henness, Land Secretariat. They are into lease documentation, lease renewal, deed of variation, mortgages, assignments, valuation.
54:14 Let me also visit the stand of Interplast Ghana Limited. Good morning. What do you do, Interplast?
54:22 Interplast is a pipe manufacturing company, but part of our products, we have the Everlast, as you see here. It's a UPVC window. We are into doors as well, all UPVC, manufactured here in Ghana.
54:35 We also have irrigation system for your farm or your lawn as well. We have ceiling panel that we call TNG, and we have various products as well for construction.
54:46 The fair is ongoing. You could make time to pass by and also purchase a house if you can. It's the right time, 2023. Let's make it happen. Just a few more months to the end of the year.
54:57 My name is Faustina Safa. For more news, please log on to myjoyonline.com. Up next is the law. I'll be monitoring because, of course, there's a lot to learn.
55:08 [Music]