The Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) Ghana has launched the Self-Service Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swap in Koforidua, the capital of the Eastern Region.

This initiative will give freedom to Ghanaians to allow them to replace their lost SIM cards on their own without trooping to their service centers for assistance.

“SIM swap remains a major reason for customers engaging with us, both digitally and in person. On average, we process about 250,000 SIM swaps at our customer service centres every month.

“At MTN Ghana, we believe in innovating and delivering services that enhance the experience of our customers. That is why today, with great pride, we officially announce the nationwide launch of our Self-Service SIM Swap,” the telco company noted.

Speaking at the short ceremony held at their office in Koforidua, the General Manager at MTN Ghana responsible for Sales and Distribution, David Gyimah Boadi, stated that before the launch, they conducted a pilot using their App and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channels from October last year through January this year.

In just four months, over 18,000 customers have completed SIM swaps on their own or via assisted options at their branch.

He indicated that beyond convenience, security remains central to this innovation.

“Our self-service SIM Swap uses advanced biometric facial verification, ensuring that only the rightful owner can request a swap,” he explained.

Mr. Gyimah believes that this significantly reduces fraud and protects against risks associated with cloned or compromised ID cards, giving their customers true peace of mind.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The SOS Foundation based in New Juaben North Municipal Assembly of Eastern Region has extended its free National Health Insurance card registration, renewal and replacement to residents of the Effiduase community.

The first edition of registration was held at Asokore where over 700 people were registered. However, they targeted registering about 800 people in Effiduase.

The Foundation believes that good health is wealth, therefore all communities in New Juaben North will benefit from the programme.

Speaking to Kontihen Kofi Oboh, Chief Executive Officer of foundation, Samuel Osei Sarkodie, popularly known as SOS, described the National Health Insurance card as first aid for everybody.

He explained that those who have NHIS cards are at an advantageous point than those who do not have it because they have to pay for services before they would be taken care of.

He added that the Health Insurance card opens the door for one to go to hospital for medical care when unwell.

Samuel Osei Sarkodie, who doubles as Youth Organizer for New Patriotic Party in New Juaben North, hinted that for this reason his foundation has taken it upon itself to register residents of the area to enable them to go to hospital for medical treatment when they are sick.

He indicated that when they are done with New Juaben North, the foundation will move to the other 32 Municipal and District Assemblies in the region to enroll residents because they want everybody to have access to medical care.

He further said, ‘We can only go about our daily activity when we are healthy which is why former President John Agyekum Kufuor implemented the National Health Insurance Scheme and it helped many people in the country.’

SOS urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the cards received and pledged to renew all cards that will expire next year.

Some beneficiaries speaking with Kontihen Kofi Oboh expressed their gratitude to the SOS Foundation for its benevolence.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Kibi Presbyterian College of Education in the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly of the Eastern Region celebrated its 63rd anniversary in grand style.

The Principal of the institution, Rev. Charles Fosu-Ayarkwah, stated that 63 years ago the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and the Okyenhene came together and decided to turn an old basic school building into a college of education. Since then, it has shaped many people’s lives and they have also positively impacted the growth and development of the country.

He explained that in celebrating such a milestone, the college’s management utilized the opportunity to organize the teacher trainees and teach them how various healthy local dishes are prepared.

Rev. Fosu-Ayarkwah added that the rationale behind this was to bring back the real Ghanaian delicious foods so that when they graduate from the institution, they will be able to teach their learners and enable them to appreciate the local dishes.

Rev. Ayarkwa maintained that this forms part of the institution’s 63rd anniversary commemoration to promote the Ghanaian delicacies to the world.

He expressed worry about how some citizens of the country are opting for foreign foods instead of Ghanaian foods, such as mpesi with kontomire stew, fufu with palm nut soup, banku or akple with okra stew, aprepresa, and roasted plantain, among others.

Rev. Charles Fosu-Ayarkwah then advised Ghanaians, especially parents, to cook the local dishes in their homes to enable their children to learn how to eat them because these foods are healthier than the noodles they are eating.

“Our forefathers ate the local dishes, and they lived long, which is essential to go back for them and shun the foreign foods because it is not good for our health,” he revealed

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Akosombo-based Santa Barbara Catholic Church in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region emerged as the winner of legendary musician Akosua Adjepong’s peace cooking competition held on March 7 at Afrikiko Resort.

Twelve agencies, including the Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Ghana Commercial Bank, Methodist Church, Ghana Police Service, Pentecost Church, Ghana Revenue Authority, Queen Mothers, Volta River Authority, and Santa Barbara Catholic Church, among others, participated in the contest.

The program was aimed at educating women on how to exercise restraint and maintain peace with their spouses at home to help protect their marriages.

Speaking to journalists, the legendary musician Akosua Adjepong, who spearheaded the program, stated that her outfit had realized that when most women encounter a small problem at home, they find it difficult to resolve it.

“Since we can’t engage them one-on-one to talk to them, we decided to organize the cooking, dancing, and musical chairs competition to utilize the opportunity and educate them on strategies to be used to calm nerves down when they are angry, to avoid their marriages collapsing, and restore peace at home,” she told Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Mrs. Adjepong advised married women to stay focused and exercise patience if someone tells them their husbands are seeing another woman, because it might not be true.

In doing so, she said, they would safeguard their marriages and ensure their homes remain peaceful.

At the end of the contest, Santa Barbara Catholic Church scored 265 points to cement the first position, followed closely by the Ghana Police Service with 264 points in second place. The Methodist Church secured third place with 263 points, while the Volta River Authority (VRA) placed fourth with 258 points.

Speaking on behalf of the Catholic Church team, Linda Bour gave thanks to God for their victory.

She revealed that although they had not planned for it, they told themselves they had to represent Santa Barbara Catholic Church because they believed they would be declared winners, and indeed, they won the competition.

Legendary musician Akosua Adjepong presented gifts to other participants to appreciate them for honoring her invitation to the program.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

On Saturday, March 7, the Dan Botwe Highway was flooded as hundreds attended the maiden edition of the Get Okere Walk. The exercise begins from Adukrom and ends at Aseeseso.

The program was championed by Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth, the Member of Parliament for the Okere Constituency in the Eastern Region, and it aimed at showcasing the beautiful tourist sites in the area to the world.

Speaking to Kontihen Kofi Oboh, Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth mentioned that walking plays an important role in the human body.

According to him, many young people are suffering from stroke and dying because they lack walking exercise. He indicated that walking exercise cures many diseases and makes people healthy and stronger.

Mr. Addo used the opportunity to call on fitness clubs, institutions, and individuals to come and experience the Dan Botwe Highway in the future exercises.

The Okere MP also thanked Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known in the sports fraternity as Countryman Songo, the Nanaanom of the Akuapem Nifa Division, and the youth of Okere for making the maiden Get Okere Walk exercise successful.

The District Chief Executive of the Okere District Assembly, Williams Ayettey, commended the organizers of the program for projecting the image of Okere to the world and for letting people know that they also have mountains for health walk exercises.

He believes that such events bring unity among the people irrespective of their political affiliations because the citizens can only work to transform the economy when they are healthy, which is why he joined the walk.

The Akuapem Nifahene, who serves as the overlord of Adukrom, Ahunuabobrim Osuodomgya Otutu Ababio V, said unity is the backbone of the progress of every developed country, and walking together to exercise their bodies as one people demonstrates their commitment to uphold the peace God has bestowed on the country, especially in Okere.

He pledged that the Nanaanom of the Akuapem Nifa Division will make sure that such a program becomes an annual event because it boosts the local economy and helps others get the opportunity to meet new people and discuss business ideas with them to help Okereman develop.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Atiwa East District Assembly joined the nation on Friday, March 6, to mark the 69th Independence Day Anniversary celebration, themed “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”

In Atiwa East, 11 Junior High Schools, 6 Primary Schools, 3 Cadet groups, and the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association participated in the march-pass to commemorate the colorful occasion.

Speaking at the Anyinam Presby School Park, where the program was held, the District Chief Executive of the Assembly, Ernest Owusu Ntim, said every individual has a role to play in developing the country.

According to him, attaining prosperity requires self-discipline, dedication, hard work, and commitment. He indicated that by doing so, the nation could build the country it wants and restore hope for the unborn generation.

The Director of Education of the Assembly, Pearl Acquah, mentioned that Atiwa East recognizes that building prosperity begins with stakeholders and from the classrooms.

She described the work of teachers as nation-building, stating that every lesson taught, every learner encouraged, and every life mentored contributes to Ghana’s prosperity.

Furthermore, the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Abena Osei Asare, emphasized that freedom comes with responsibility, therefore charging every Ghanaian citizen to discharge their duty to move the country forward because this day reminds us of the sacrifices our forefathers made.

She used the occasion to advise women, especially young girls, to refrain from taking naked pictures and sharing them with their partners, as it has negative implications for their future, reminding them that the internet does not forget.

On his part, the Anyinamhene, Okogyeabusua Banin Duodo, stated that 69 years ago, some people secured independence and used the little resources available to them to undertake infrastructure projects to develop the country.

He added that many of the leaders the country has produced after them are amassing wealth for themselves instead of thinking about the nation’s prosperity.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The SOS Foundation, based in the New Juaben North Municipality in the Eastern Region, organized a free registration and renewal of the National Health Insurance cards for the entire Asokore community.

More than 700 residents benefited from this program.

This initiative is part of the Foundation’s benevolence to give back to the vulnerable members of the community who are unable to afford NHIS enrollment.

Speaking to journalists, the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Samuel Osei Sarkodie, popularly known as ‘SOS’ in the political circles, noted that the development of any country depends on the good health of its citizens.

“If every Ghanaian citizen has a valid NHIS card, it will help them to go to the hospital or any health center to do screening to know their health status, and get treatment, to enable them to live longer,” opined Mr. Sarkodie.

He maintained that healthy citizens are more likely to work diligently and help contribute to the growth of the economy.

SOS, also the Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party in the New Juaben North constituency, explained that the Foundation found it necessary to assist the community, especially the elderly who lack the funds to register or renew their NHIS cards.

He added that this will propel them to access healthcare and regular check-ups.

He further stated that all other communities within New Juaben North will benefit from similar initiatives, and indicated that the health of local residents remains paramount for the SOS Foundation.

Some beneficiaries, speaking to Kontihen Kofi Oboh, expressed their gratitude to the SOS Foundation for its generous support.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The General Overseer of the Leaders Light International Church, Apostle Dr. Samuel Kofi Dadzie, has cut sod for the construction of five major projects at Suhyen in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The projects are; Ankomah Basapong Teaching Hospital, Hotel De Leaders, Leaders Professional University, Leaders International School, and Leaders Nursing and Midwifery Training College.

Speaking to Kontihen Kofi Oboh, Apostle Dadzie stated that it had been his dream to embark on such projects to uplift the image of Suhyen, thanking God for making such aspirations a reality.

“The individuals have a role to play in helping the government develop the country because building a nation is a shared responsibility,” he mentioned.

Dr. Kofi Dadzie emphasized that the government alone cannot employ every Ghanaian.

He believes that the aforementioned projects, when completed, will create numerous job opportunities for Ghanaians, especially those in New Juaben, and will help reduce unemployment menace in the country.

The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North Municipal Assembly, Samuel Adongo, who joined the sod cutting, hailed the church for bringing development to the doorstep of the area.

He assured them that management of the Assembly will rally its support behind them to enable them to have a sound mind to do their work because this is what the government expects of individuals to contribute their quota towards development of the nation.

For her part, the Queen Mother of Suhyen, Nana Amoanimaa Okokodrufuo, acknowledged the projects with excitement, noting that such development in the area has been long overdue for decades. 

She expressed gratitude that, fortunately, a grandson of the land, Apostle Samuel Dadzie, has brought progress to the community. 

“Suhyen is a gateway to Koforidua, and when these projects are completed, the community will look beautiful,” she said.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Kingdom Group of Companies, Dr. Jonathan Kwame Amofa, has commissioned an ultramodern 40-bed capacity Medical Centre in Akropong, Eastern Region, to enhance access to quality healthcare delivery in the area.

Speaking at the commissioning as the Guest of Honour, the Founder of the Movement for Change and a former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen, lauded Dr. Jonathan Amofa for his vision, foresight, and organisational skills in putting together the investment to serve the country.

“If you have both vision and foresight, and if you don’t have organizational skills, your vision will forever remain a dream,” he mentioned.

According to him, all successive governments in the country believe it is their duty to build hospitals, clinics, and CHPS compounds, stating that this is why the country lagsbehind in development.

Mr. Kyerematen added that if the country had offered support to entrepreneurs by giving them incentives to use their own money to build hospitals and clinics to enhance the health sector, Ghana would have been developed.

The Acting Medical Director of the facility, Great Kingdom Medical Centre, Dr. Evans Asiedu Sefa, indicated that the purpose of establishing the facility was to create direct and indirect job opportunities for the people of Akuapem.

“Before the inauguration of the facility, we had already employed over 100 people, and this demonstrates our commitment to reducing the unemployment menace confronting the country as well as providing quality healthcare delivery to Ghanaians, especially the residents of Akuapem,” he opined.

Furthermore, Amonokromhene, Nana Osim Kwatia, expressed confidence that the facility will go a long way to expand healthcare delivery in the area to add to the services of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in Akuapem-Mampong.

Nana Osim Kwatia further made a passionate appeal to Dr. Amofa to set up a foundation to assist the less privileged residents of the area who will come to the hospital for medical care.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.

The General Overseer of the Leader’s Light International Church, Apostle Dr. Samuel Kofi Dadzie, has entreated Men of God to allow the wealthy men in their churches to marry two wives to curb the situation of the numerous unmarried women in the country.

According to him, he has observed that in every church in Ghana, you will find young ladies and women praying to God to give them a man to marry.

Apostle Dadzie stated that there are about 15,000 to 200,000 young ladies and women between the ages of 25 and 40 who are aggressively looking for marriage, but they are not getting it.

“This hard to find a man to marry menace among women in the country would have been solved if the churches amended their doctrines to allow their financially stable men to marry two wives,” he suggested.

“Where things are going, the leadership of the various churches has to apply knowledge and wisdom to address this worrying issue because the Bible says that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, so the men of God have the power to do something about this menace to enable these young ladies and women to get married,” he noted.

He emphatically stated that polygamy is not a sin before God, provided it will pave the way for other women to also get married to avoid collapsing other marriages.

The Man of God added that women and young ladies are more than men in the country, and all of them are praying to God to give them husbands to marry.

“The men of God are praying for the women in their churches to get married, and these prayers have led to many marriages collapsing, and others are also using force to snatch People’s husbands from them,” he noted.

“It is about time the leadership of the churches woke up to find a lasting solution to this problem so that at least most of the Ghanaian women can get married,” he said.

“The Bible says that if you are married and divorced, don’t marry again, and if you want to remarry, then you must marry the same person, and how many people are complying?” he asked.

He posed a rhetorical question: between a man of God who marries, divorces, and remarries, and another who marries two wives but takes good care of them, who is truly doing justice to God and to the nation?

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnewsonline.com.