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Sanitation remains the greatest challenge in Accra – Regional Minister

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Sanitation remains the greatest challenge in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Ishmael Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, says.
 
He said the poor attitude towards sanitation by residents had made the situation very challenging.
 
Mr. Ashitey was delivered a speech on the current state of the Greater Accra Region, at the first Regional Co-ordinating Council meeting for 2020, on Tuesday, in Accra.
 
He said the unacceptable sanitation situation was attributed, but not limited to inadequate disposal sites for both liquid and solid waste, non-enforcement of sanitation by-laws by assemblies, poor sanitation infrastructure, among others.
     
He said the average collection in the Region stood at 74.1 per cent, and the deficit posed many public health consequences as contaminated drinking water along with poor sanitation were inherently linked to cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid.
 
Mr. Ashitey noted that solid waste management also presented a major challenge, primarily among residents living within high-density and low income communities.
 
“Mismanagement of solid waste has resulted in a large majority of domestic refuse being dumped into open areas and storm drains, which has further exacerbated sewage and sanitation related problems, leading to subsequent flooding, with its attendant health hazards, “he said.
 
According to the Regional Minister, another worrying phenomenon was the operations of ‘borla taxis’ in the communities, majority of which, were not registered and therefore not regulated in anyway.
 
He said the ‘borla taxi’ operators collected refuse from households and dumped them along the motorways or within the communities when no one was watching, thereby negating all the efforts being made to keep the city clean.
 
He urged the assemblies to take steps to register and regulate the activities of borla taxis to put an end to the nuisance they created daily.
 
“Let us continue to intensify our efforts in tackling the insanitary conditions and improve the health conditions of our people, as the Region will soon benefit from another waste recycling plant by Zoomlion to ease the pressure on the existing facilities,” he said.
 
On potable water, Mr Ashitey said access to water supply in the rural communities and small towns in the Region had increased tremendously with improvements made in water related sanitation and hygiene.
   
He noted that although the Ghana Water Company, had extended water supply to over 8,000 households in Accra, pipelines to homes and industries had been allegedly vandalized by Fulani herdsmen and construction workers.

I will fix Manso roads – Mr Simon Kwaku Agyei

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Mr Simon Kwaku Agyei, aspiring Member of Parliament (MP) on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Manso Adubia Constituency has said that he would fix all the bad roads in the area if given the nod.
 
He said he would use 150 days to fix the Manso road networks in the Constituency.
 
He said the incumbent MP had failed to do so, adding that the electorate should help wrestle power from him for good roads and development in general.
 
This was during the launch of his campaign team held at Manso-Tontokrom in the Amansie South.
 
The 40-year-old farmer promised that half of his MP Common Fund would be used to support farmers to increase productivity.
 
On security, Mr Agyei said when the roads were built, criminals would no longer get the advantage to commit more serious crimes and he would ensure five more police stations were built to check hardened criminals.
 
The aspiring MP said he would use his office to build additional senior high schools in addition to the existing one for more people to acquire secondary education.
 
Youth unemployment, he said would be a thing of the past, if he was voted into power.
 
A-21-campaign team, including; two women were commissioned to support the candidate.
 
Mr Paul Amoateng, the Constituency Chairman charged the team to conduct their campaign peacefully.
 
Mr Issah Iddrisu, the Amansie South Zongo Chief advised the people to vote wisely and not allowed themselves to be influenced by gifts.

President Akufo-Addo inspects road projects in Oti

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has inspected construction works on segments of ongoing road projects in the Oti Region.
 
They are the rehabilitation of Nkonya Wurupong-Kwamikrom segment, the Jasikan-Dodi Pepesu and the Nkwanta North-Nkwanta South road networks.
 
President Akufo-Addo, assured the people that the corridor would receive prompt action tailored according to equitable distribution of the national cake devoid of voting patterns.
 
President Akufo-Addo said the government had taken note of all the challenges bedevilling the Municipalities and Districts in the region and would appropriately address all of them.
 
He said that the creation of the Oti region was to develop and elevate it adding that “if my first term in office is positive, I assure you that my second term will be more. Come and sit on the elephant and if you do, there is no way you will be put down.”
 
Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Minister of Roads and Highways, said the government was committed to working on all road projects in the six newly created regions adding that 38 roads were receiving attention on in the region with 12 at procurement stages.
 
He revealed that the government would construct a bridge over the Oti river at a cost of 125 million Euros and was already in talks with some developers from the Netherlands.
 
The Minister said the roads when completed would connect the Volta, Oti and Northern regions and would make the government’s planting for food and jobs programme more successful.
 
Nana Kwadwo Asiakwa II, Paramount Chief of Nkonya-Wurupong Traditional Area, noted that roads in the region were in deplorable states and impassable, which had cut-off the region from the South to North adding that “not quite long after our plea, the contract for work was awarded.”
 
He noted that health was an essential aspect of human life and appealed for the upgrade of the 40-year-old Nkonya-Wurupong health Centre, which serves more than 40 communities to a hospital adding that the centre had seen little development since its establishment.
 
“We know you are an action leader and as an action leader, we ask you to try your hands on the school to make it the best in the region.”
 
The Paramount Chief also appealed for a bus for the Traditional Council as well as patrol boats for residents at river banks to enable them trade with ease.
 
Nana Aburam Akpandja V, Paramount Chief of Buem Traditional Council said government’s flagship programmes and restoration of teachers and nursing trainees’ allowances were enormous.
 
He said the Jasikan District was witnessing the ongoing projects which spanned across the Hohoe, Jasikan and to Krachi towns, which were due to the efforts of the President.
 
Nana Akpandja asked the President to fast track plans to establish a university in the District to augment the educational projects the District had enjoyed and and grant the Jasikan District a Municipal status.
 
The President would be guest on Beyond FM at Nkwanta, cut-the-sod for the construction of the Regional Directorate of Youth Employment Agency and meet party executives, and parliamentary candidates.

Kumasi residents express mix reactions on presidential candidates

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Some residents in the Kumasi Metropolis have expressed mix reactions on the number of presidential candidates approved by the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest the upcoming elections in December.
 
While some were worried about the high number of the candidates that would appear on the ballot papers, others said the EC should have allowed all of them to contest the elections.
 
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi after the announcement by the EC on Monday, others also said the EC should have pruned the number further down.
 
According to them the high number of candidates on the ballot paper could create confusion for some voters and would lead to the tendency of increased spoilt ballots on the election’s day.
 
The Electoral Commission (EC), on October 19, cleared 12 out of the 17 presidential aspirants who filed their nominations and disqualified five on the grounds of not fulfilling the expected requirements.
 
The presidential aspirants disqualified by the EC were; Mr. Kwesi Busumbru (People’s Action Party, PAP), Mr. Agyenim Boateng (United Front Party, UFP), Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike (United Progressive Party, UPP), Mr. Kofi Gane and Mr. Kofi Koranteng, both independent aspirants.
 
Mrs. Veronica Addai, a trader at the Kumasi central market, told the GNA that though the EC was justified in disqualifying some of the candidates, the number of those approved were still high.
 
She however, said the increasing number of women on the ballot papers this year, indicated that, the EC was trying to close the gender gap in the country’s political leadership and commended the Commission for that.
 
Mr Kwadwo Asenso, a teacher, commended the EC for the good work done so far, despite the backlash it received from some political parties from the time it started the voter’s registration exercise.
 
He said EC had been transparent and fair in all its dealings and that had gained the trust of many Ghanaians.
However, Mrs. Patience Bio, a trader at Adum said the EC did not treat the disqualified candidates fairly since they had wasted their time and resources in coming that far.
 
She called on the Commission to open up and allow all interested parties to contest the elections to help deepen the country’s democratic credentials.
 
GNA

Kumasi Zoo closed for Renovation Works

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The Kumasi Zoological Gardens has been closed down to pave way for renovation works.
 
The Zoo, which is the only wildlife tourist site in the Ashanti region, is located in the central business district of Kumasi and currently houses about 143 animals made up of 36 different species.
 
Dr Meyir Ziekah, Manager of the Zoo told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Kumasi that the renovation was to help replace the weak cages and walls to prevent any disaster.
 
He denied that the closure was due to the outbreak of the coronavirus and the subsequent restrictions imposed by the government.
 
Dr Ziekah, said though the facility was closed during the lockdown period it was reopened following a Presidential directive.
 
He explained that the ongoing rehabilitation works were expected to be completed in December 2020, and if everything goes on well, the Zoo would bounce back for public visits.
 
Dr Ziekah said the Zoo was not just there for tourist attraction, but also to help people to understand how animals live, in order to help protect and preserve their natural habitat.
 
He said, the Zoo was serving its core purpose as a place, where tourists get the opportunity to see different kinds of animals, and at the same time, as a research centre for animal scientists.
 
It is also serving as a preserve haven for animals, currently experiencing extinction in the country’s forest reserves.
Dr Ziekah appealed to NGOs interested in the preservation of animals to help support the efforts of government to reposition the Kumasi Zoo as a major tourist site in the country.

ECOWAS Commission expresses concern over Nigeria

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The ECOWAS Commission, has expressed concern over demonstrations by Nigerian youth calling for police reform, particularly the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria.  
 
The ECOWAS Commission in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency expressed its condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives during the protests and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
 
“While ECOWAS Commission recognizes the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it also wishes to stress that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner,” it said.
 
“In this regard, ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations.”
 
The statement said the Commission also urged the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and act professionally.
 
It said the ECOWAS Commission noted that, in an effort to address the demands of the protesting youth, the Federal Government of Nigeria took important decisions regarding disbandment of SARS, comprehensive police reforms and investigation of cases of police brutality.
 
It encouraged the Nigerian Authorities to conduct the investigation rapidly.
 
“Finally, ECOWAS Commission appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian youth and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social unrest and maintain the Nigerian image as a bastion of law and order.”

Geological Survey Authority installs earthquake early warning equipment

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As part of measures to ensure earthquake preparedness and risks reduction, the Geological Survey Authority (GSA), has installed three earthquake early warning equipment at the Weija-Gbawe municipality and the NADMO head office.
 
Additionally, plans are far advanced to install five new earthquake early warning devices at the Jubilee House, the seat of government, Peduase Presidential Lodge, Parliament House. Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the University of Ghana.
 
Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, announced this at the Meet-the-Press series in Accra on Wednesday.
 
He said the GSA had intensified public sensitisation drive to educate Ghanaians on what to do during earthquake in order to mitigate its effects on lives and property.
 
In June this year, the national capital, Accra, experienced earthquake measuring 4.2 on Richter scale.
 
The mini earthquake was also felt in parts of Eastern and Central regions, which created fear and panic among the populace.
 
Some parts of the Greater Accra Region including; Gbawe, Weija and McCarthy Hill are considered earthquake prone areas.
 
Residents in those areas have been cautioned to find alternative place to settle.

Youth have a better place in the People’s Manifesto – Opoku-Agyemang

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Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, NDC’s Running mate for the 2020 elections says the welfare of the youth and the aged is central in the party’s People manifesto.
 
She said the policies and programmes in the NDC’s manifesto are geared towards equipping the youth with the requisite technical and vocational training skills to enable them create employment and improve on their living conditions.
 
Addressing party supporters in the Obuasi West constituency, as part of her six-day campaign tour of the Ashanti region, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, said the next NDC government would work to transform the country for the benefit of all.
 
She said politics was about developing policies and programmes that would help improve the socio-economic lives of the people and advised against politics of insults which could create violence in the country.
 
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang appealed to the electorate to vote for the NDC to come back to power to continue with its good policies outlined in the peoples manifesto to transform their lives.
 
Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, National Chairman of the NDC said the next NDC government would establish a Minerals Board to regulate and supervise the operations of small scale mining activities to benefit all.
 
“The NDC party will support the small scale mining to make the youth have interest in the business to improve their lot and their family”, adding that, the NDC government would arrange to secure a concession for small scale miners to ensure their smooth operations.
 
Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said the NDC had done more development projects in the Ashanti Region than the NPP, and threw a challenge to the NPP to engage in political debate to find out who had indeed done more for the people of Ashanti.

President calls for calm in Nigeria

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called for calm as the escalating protest by Nigerian youth demanding an end to police brutality threatens to spiral out of control.
 
President Akufo-Addo, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS, has urged dialogue in resolving the impasse, arguing that violence was not a panacea to the situation.
 
 
“I join all well-meaning persons in calling for calm, and the use of dialogue in resolving the #EndSARS impasse in Nigeria.
 
“I have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end, and has begun the processes that will lead to reform, he said in a post on Wednesday.
 
“Violence, be it on the part of the Police or protesters, cannot be the solution. To the families who have lost their loved ones, I express my sincere condolences, and I wish the injured, a speedy recovery,” the President added.
 
Protests are ongoing across Nigeria for two weeks for an end to the country’s Police Force’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has gained notoriety for a litany of human abuses.
 
The protest has spurned a movement, mostly by the youth, which have used the social media hastag #EndSARS to gather a large following both in the country and across the globe, with Nigerians and foreign celebrities alike raising funds to support the campaign.
 
But the largely peaceful protest has over the last three days been characterised with violence, with protestors accusing agitators of infiltrating their ranks to perpetuate violence to discredit the movement.
 
The issue became heady when over 2000 prisoners were freed from jail and several infrastructure and property were destroyed in the course of the protest, prompting the governor of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial Capital, to declare a curfew on Tuesday to calm the situation
 
 
But protestors defied the order in some parts of Lagos. Some were allegedly fired on by suspected military officers at the Lekki Toll Booth axis of the state.
 
Witnesses have claimed that many of the protestors died from the attack, some going for a figure of some 20 dead persons. But the state authorities say that only one person died and 25 other were injured.
 
The situation has lighted the social media, with several eyewitness accounts and third party videos being shared across the globe about the Lekki incident.
 
The Nigerian Army has however denied that it opened fire on unarmed protestors. President Buahari has also appealed for calm as the government seeks a solution in earnest to the problems that originated the protest.

Director-General of NSA donates to two constituencies in Ashanti Region

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Professor Peter Twumasi Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) has donated seven motorbikes, and drums to the Ahafo Ano South West and Oforikrom Constituencies in the Ashanti Region.
 
     
The gesture is aimed at supporting the activities of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituencies and the Region.
 
     
It was also to ensure that the constituencies work efficiently to retain both President Akufo-Addo and the respective MPs in the upcoming December 7, 2020 Elections.
 
   
Mr. Johnson Adu Dr. Emmanuel Marfo the Members of Parliament for the two constituencies received the items.
 
GNA
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