Former Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, Paul Asare Ansah, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately declare a State of Emergency to gain extraordinary powers to combat the illegal mining menace, also known as Galamsey.

According to him, he made a similar appeal to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, but it proved futile.

“I’m excited to note that it has become a clarion call since 2024 with every concerned citizen calling for the declaration of a State of Emergency over Galamsey. If I were the President of Ghana I would have declared a State of Emergency over the fight to stop Galamsey.”

Paul Asare Ansah, the 2020 parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Asuogyaman Constituency in the Eastern Region, further explained that declaring a State of Emergency would give the president absolute powers beyond those granted by the 1992 Constitution to fight Galamsey and save future generations from unforeseen tragedies caused by environmental threats.

He mentioned countries like Nigeria, where militants attacked pipelines in Rivers State and the President declared a State of Emergency. He also referenced blackouts in Spain, after which their leadership declared a State of Emergency.

He noted that the President of America, Donald Trump, also declared a State of Emergency when he realized that immigrants had taken over their country.

“The steps that were taken by these leaders don’t form part of their constitution, and their laws also don’t permit that, but they did that to prevent their countries from going into a ditch, and Ghana can emulate,” he opined.

Paul Ansah urged President Mahama to declare Ghana a nation under existential threat from:

The destruction of our water bodies and forest reserves by Ghanaians and their foreign collaborators.

Water and food poisoning with mercury, cyanide, and other chemicals from Galamsey.

Sickness, diseases, and deformities of newborn babies caused by Galamsey pollution.

Destruction of our main cash crop – cocoa.

Mr. Ansah believed that should the president comply with this directive and implement proper measures and policies, eradicating Galamsey is feasible, as force is sometimes needed to find lasting solutions.

He then urged President Mahama to order the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to enforce the ban and remove the usually armed environmental terrorists from the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.

He also stated that the President should order the CDS to recover and restore the integrity of Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves within one year and sustain it thereafter.

Finally, he called for the approval of a national afforestation and restoration budget to support the CDS’s operations.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The District Chief Executive for Atiwa East District Assembly in the Eastern Region, Ernest Owusu Ntim, commended President John Dramani Mahama for having confidence in him and entrusting the District under his care as the new District Chief Executive.

He reiterates his commitment to working hard to change the narrative of Atiwa East to bring more developmental projects in the area to honor President John Mahama.

Owusu Ntim stated that one of his topmost priorities was to initiate policies and programs to ensure that miners in the Atiwa East engaged in responsible mining for the sustainability of the environment.

Ernest Owusu Ntim further explained that President Mahama was not against mining activities if not, the Gold Board policy wouldn’t have existed.

‘But he wanted it to be done in a genuine way that would not damage our forests, lands, and water bodies to safeguard our environment for future generations,’ he noted.

The Atiwa East DCE added that the mining sector generates a huge income for the country, and his, District has developed something called an ‘audit of the land.’

Its purpose, he said, is to ensure that the miners will reclaim the lands after being used to avoid any unforeseen tragedy at various mining communities in Atiwa East.

“After my investiture as District Chief Executive of the Assembly, I realized that there is no welfare for the staff members, and in the course of their duty, if they encountered a problem, where would they run to for support?” he asked.

He continued that “This is a worrying situation and we have to address it to ensure that every staff of the District Assembly is secured. I told them to establish a welfare scheme, and I have devoted seed money to that so that if something occurred to them, they would go there for help to enable them to enjoy the fruit of their labor.”

Ernest Owusu Ntim, therefore, entreated the Assembly’s staff to collaborate with him and work together to develop and raise the name of the Atiwa East to a higher height.

The District Coordinating Director of the Assembly, Shakil Mahamood Kpeadu assured their new DCE that they will work with him assiduously to develop Atiwa East to benefit the residents in the area.

He entreated the staff of the Assembly to note that Ernnest Ntim was not there for any political party, but the President appointed him to come and serve the interest of the people, not specific individuals.

Mahamood Kpeadu admonished them to know that the core objective of every Local Government staff is to help the Government in power achieve its aim by changing the fortunes of the country.

“Apart from that, the staff has no business to do with the DCE to tarnish the image of their co-worker to him to seek his favor; that attitude is not good,” he cautioned.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region, Samuel Adongo, has had his first familiarization and durbar meeting with the assembly staff.

His confirmation followed a 100% endorsement by assembly members on Thursday, May 15, 2025, as the new M.C.E.

Addressing the staff of the Assembly, Mr. Adongo admonished them to approach their duties with diligence, integrity, and a sense of purpose.

He stressed that time management is crucial, as punctuality and efficiency in their work would set a positive tone for the assembly and reflect their dedication to service.

He urged them to foster a culture of collaboration and support, treating one another with kindness and respect.

According to him, a harmonious workplace leads to greater productivity and innovation; therefore, he is entreating them to celebrate their diversity and work together as a united team to transform New Juaben North.

Mr. Adongo mentioned that remuneration is vital to their well-being and assured them that their contributions would be recognized and valued.

He then pledged to improve working conditions for the staff of New Juaben North to motivate them to discharge their duties effectively for the betterment of the assembly.

The Municipal Coordinating Director for the Assembly, Ndinga Nborinyi, in his speech, advised the staff that with a new Municipal Chief Executive in place, they should refrain from backbiting their colleagues to win his favor.

He added that tarnishing a co-worker’s image for personal gain would not add value to oneself.

He, however, indicated that anyone seeking a favor from their leader may do so, but not at the expense of their colleagues.

Ndinga Nborinyi emphasized that Samuel Adongo is not there to serve only the NDC party faithful but was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Assembly Members to serve the interest of the people of New Juaben North, not his political party.

“As Local Government workers, our core mandate is to support the Government to succeed,” he warned.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The President’s nominee for the New Juaben North Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region, Samuel Adongo, has highlighted key sectors he intends to prioritize after receiving overwhelming approval from the Assembly members.

Mr. Adongo, in his inaugural address, thanked President John Dramani Mahama for trusting him with such an important position and for being part of his administration to serve him at the Local Government level.

“The mandate ahead of us is clear; we must work together to enhance the quality of life for every resident of New Juaben North,” he noted.

“This indicates that by investing in critical infrastructure and promoting sustainable economic development, ensuring access to quality education, healthcare, and fostering a safe and secure environment for all,” he continued.

According to the MCE, education has become the backbone of every developed country, as a result, he would advocate for improved educational facilities and resources to enable the children in the municipality to have access to quality education that will equip them with the needed skills to succeed in an ever-changing world.

He also mentioned that healthcare is another crucial area that demands urgent attention, indicating that with togetherness, they will work towards improving healthcare facilities and services in the municipality.

This, he stressed, will help make sure that every resident has access to quality healthcare delivery without facing insurmountable costs.

“Preventive healthcare initiatives will also be prioritized as we strive to promote healthier lifestyles among our citizens,” he stressed.

Mr. Adongo also highlighted safety and security, which have become fundamental rights for every citizen in the country; therefore, he would collaborate with the relevant authorities to implement measures to ensure public safety.

In his closing remarks, he extended his appreciation to his Assembly members, who fully endorsed his candidature as MCE with 100%. He assured them he would work with them to transform and bring more development to the municipality.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, Nana Osei-Adjei, promised to work collaboratively with Samuel Adongo to lobby for developmental projects for the residents in the area.

He also commended the Assembly members for not looking at the political colors of Samuel Adongo but rather giving him a 100% endorsement, which shows that they have a united front, culminating in a hunger for development and success.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The President’s nominee for the Fanteakwa North District in the Eastern Region, Osuman Abubakar, has received overwhelming approval from the district’s Assembly members.

Out of 41 Assembly members, 37 voted in favor, 3 opposed, and 1 was absent. With 37 yes votes representing 92% of the valid votes cast, Mr. Abubakar secured the necessary two-thirds majority for his confirmation.

Following his swearing-in, he took on the role of District Chief Executive for Fanteakwa North.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Abubakar expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for the opportunity to serve and represent him at the local government level.

“Let me set the record straight, this is not the time to claim victory. Rather, it is time for us to reflect on the hydra-headed challenges confronting the good of Fanteakwa North and how we can collectively navigate through them to bring relief to our people,” he stated.

Emphasizing collaboration, he labeled himself a team player and noted that his doors are open for ideas, strategies, and plans that will lead to the development of the Fanteakwa North that everyone desires.

He concluded by pledging to work assiduously and diligently, and by the Local Government Act 2016 (Act 936) (as amended) to uphold the trust placed in him.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The newly confirmed Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region, Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikins Junior, has affirmed his commitment to work collaboratively with the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, to champion developmental projects in the area.

He noted that despite having different political party backgrounds, working hands in hands is paramount as lobbying for infrastructure projects does not know the political party’s colors because such projects benefit local communities, not political parties.

He has therefore expressed his readiness to effective collaboration with his MP and other key stakeholders to transform the municipality.

Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikins Junior added that in his administration, he will serve Abuakwa South with “humility, respect, truth, and unity” to ensure success.

He thanked President John Dramani Mahama for having trust and confidence in him by appointing him as the Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa South.

Adu Sarpong also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Assembly Members of the Municipality for voting for him massively to become the MCE of Abuakwa South.

The Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, thanked God for the successful elections and described Abuakwa South as ‘a beckon of peace.’

Dr. Agyemang stated that they are going to combine their energies to create effective signage.

He stated that Abuakwa South is well known as a natural resources hub and pleaded with all and sundry to come together to form a unity force to work hard to develop Okyeman.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Student Loan Trust Fund, Dr. Saajida Shiraz, has disclosed that the government has allocated GH¢499.8 million for the reimbursement of all first-year students, including those in public Colleges of Education.

According to her, financial hurdles should not prevent any Ghanaian from pursuing higher education.

This initiative, implemented by President John Dramani Mahama, aims to eliminate one of the biggest barriers to accessing tertiary education.

Dr. Shiraz further revealed that all first-year students of public tertiary institutions, pursuing accredited diploma or degree programs, will be reimbursed for their academic user fees for the 2024/2025 academic year by the Student Loan Trust Fund under the No-Fees-Stress policy.

The CEO made this known during the opening ceremony of the 29th Annual Delegates Congress of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), Eastern and Greater Accra Zone, held at Presbyterian Women’s College of Education, Aburi, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

The No-Fees-Stress portal is accessible via nofeesstress.sltf.gov.gh, entreating all first-year students to get registered urgently to enable stakeholders fast-track the disbursement process.

Madam Cynthia Anim, the Principal of Presbyterian Women’s College of Education, said the theme for the program, “Reimagining Teacher Education in Ghana: Policy, Practice, and Partnership,” wasn’t just timely, but rather, it is urgent.

“It challenges us to step beyond traditional expectations and envision a new future in which we, as 21st-century educators, are not just conveyors of knowledge but torchbearers of transformation,” she opined.

Madam Anim further emphasized that trainee teachers go beyond instructors to architects of societies. The classroom, she noted, is their construction site, and the minds of pupils are the bricks and mortar with which they build Ghana’s future.

For his part, TTAG President for the Eastern and Greater Accra Sector, Kingsley Ayitey, said the association’s only source of income has been from members’ dues. These proceeds cater solely to administrative expenses, making it difficult to meet other financial obligations. As a result, the sector struggles to fund certain projects, programs, and initiatives.

“Another significant challenge is the absence of a secretariat and inadequate logistics, such as laptops, projectors, and printers, which makes coordinating events, training, and administrative running of the secretariat difficult. Upon assuming office, we inherited limited assets from the previous executives, which proved insufficient for effective administration,” he mentioned.

Ayitey stressed that the sector is grappled by infrastructural deficits in colleges, including inadequate lecture halls, limited access to technology and digital resources, and poorly maintained recreational facilities.

These shortcomings, he said negatively impact the quality of education and the overall well-being of teacher trainees.

He emphasized that addressing these issues requires urgent and collective action from stakeholders.

Echoing this sentiment, the former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC, Obidombie Kwabena Asamoah, urged trainee teachers to add value to their profession to better position themselves for additional job opportunities that may arise.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The General Overseer of the Leaders Light International Church, Apostle Dr. Samuel Kofi Dadzie, has called on all 54 African countries to rally behind Ibrahim Traore, the President of Burkina Faso, and urged men of God to remember him in their prayers, asking for protection from any attacks.

According to him, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, said that “our freedom is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.”

He mentioned that although Ibrahim Traore leads a military government, looking at the kind of infrastructure projects he is doing and giving hope to his people as well as transforming his country, then it is important for all men of God across the African continent to pray for him to live long to enable him to do more for its citizens.

He further stated that the Western world has always wanted Africans to beg for aid from them, which is why when they saw Africa developing, they tried bringing them down or eliminating the leader of that country, and it is about time they end that devilish act.

“Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are all breaking chains with ECOWAS, and why is it that only the Burkinabe President has been targeted by France and America to be assassinated on several occasions?” he asked.

Apostle Dr. Kofi Dadzie emphasized that this shows the Western world especially America and France, have nothing to offer African countries other than to make them slaves and keep them in submission.

He explained that Western powers have realized Ibrahim Traore is undertaking mind-blowing developmental projects and positively impacting his people which If they don’t take care, it will pave the way for other African countries to emulate, hence their numerous assassination plan actions against him.

“They teamed up to kill several great African leaders who were developing their countries, and these great leaders—including Thomas Abu Sankara, former military President of Burkina Faso, and Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan leader, among others, were all killed in a pool of blood, and had power over their country. And they want to do the same thing to Traore,” he revealed.

The General Overseer of Leaders Light Int’l Church then pleaded with all who matter, especially the men of God, to pray for God’s grace, protection, and guidance over Ibrahim Traore’s life, to strengthen him during this crucial time when his life is at risk.

“It is good that Burkina Faso has partnered with Russia and other countries to enhance their security to protect its boundaries because those vying to eliminate their President are stronger than them,” he added.

Apostle Dr. Samuel Dadzie indicated that if America and France realize Russia and other powerful countries are supporting Burkina Faso in this fight, it will scare them into halting whatever measures they have put in place to hunt Ibrahim Traore from running and managing the affairs of his country as President.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Member of Parliament for Suhum Constituency in the Eastern Region, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, has embarked on a street-to-street campaign against opioids and substance abuse among the youth in the area.

He stated that the rate at which the youth have fallen in love with these dangerous substances is alarming, warning that if leaders of the country do not rise up and implement immediate remedies to curb the menace, the future of the country will be in a sorry state.

Protozoa, as he is popularly called in the political terrain, added that when Parliament resumes from recess, he would lay a proposal for the Ghana Education Service (G.E.S) to include drug and substance abuse education into the curriculum.

Frank Asiedu Bekoe believes that when this is done in schools, teachers will educate pupils about how drug abuse can be destructive to their careers prematurely and make them irrelevant in society.

“Children are fast learners, and once they get to know the implications of these substances when they grow up, they will desist themselves from it and pay attention to their education and to become prominent people in the country.”

He described the act as a ‘national security concern’ and said the country must be alarmed that the children we see as future leaders are now engaged in substance and drug abuse as early as ages 7 and 8.

The lawmaker stated that to tackle this national security concern, apart from tightening our borders and ensuring these substances don’t fall into the wrong hands, it is essential to educate children to stay away from them.

Hence, his plans to make the proposal in Parliament to help save the lives of the youth for the betterment of the future generation.

He pledges continuation of the sensitising exercise to make the youth come to the realization that there is no glory in engaging in drug and substance abuse.

Protozoa revealed that recently, six people from the same community in Suhum have died due to opioid and substance abuse while the situation escalates in the area.

“As a Member of Parliament, I can’t sit down aloof and watch the youth in my constituency die and destroy their lives because I don’t know what the future holds for them, hence embarking on this important campaign to educate them to refrain from it,” he mentioned.

The campaign was supported by the Suhum Municipal Health Directorate, various security agencies, the local council of churches, Assembly Members, opinion leaders, and the Muslim community from Suhum and its surrounding areas.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Eastern Regional Focal Person in charge of Maternal Health, Doris Darkoa Mantey, has revealed that the region recorded 18 maternal deaths from January to May 2025.

According to her, investigations show that most of these deaths occurred at prayer camps where women preferred to hospitals, a situation she described as devastating.

Madam Mantey noted that men of God are not experts in childbirth compared to midwives. The midwives, she stressed are well-trained for complications, not for normal cases, which is why every pregnant women needs to go and deliver at the hospital for their safety.

She made this known in Koforidua during the celebration of the International Day of the Midwife. It was celebrated under the theme: Midwives: Critical In Every Crisis.

Madam Mantey hinted that it is not their wish to perform surgery on pregnant women, but rather to enable them to deliver successfully to save both the mother and the child. Therefore, she urged people to bear with them.

“Those who are saying they don’t want a knife to touch them when going to deliver should know every situation and what it demands but the most important thing is that at the end of the day, you deliver peacefully and go home,” she explained.

She used the occasion to applaud Ghanaian midwives for their dedication and commitment to saving lives in the country.

She further admonished them not to let money control them in the course of their duty, indicating that their work is a calling and that they should continue serving the country with a clean heart.

The National Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) of the Midwives Society, Augustine Adu, who was the guest of honor for the program, underscored the crucial roles played by midwives in the health sector.

Against this backdrop, he suggested that midwives should be properly cared for in the country, proposing an honorarium as a form of motivation.

He cited the global COVID-19 pandemic era in 2020, when midwives stood their ground and risked their lives to save many souls.

Mr. Adu noted that as they commemorate another year of the special day, they deserve appreciation and celebration from Ghanaians to highlight their massive contributions to the country.

This program was spearheaded by the Eastern Regional Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) under the leadership of Rev. Hayford Laryea, the Regional Chairman of the association.

They presented awards to some selected hardworking individual midwives in the region and urged them to continue providing quality healthcare services to their clients.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.