The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong, Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem North Municipal Assembly including Eastern Regional Agriculture Director among Others has paid a day working visit to farmers who grows vegetables in Akuapem North and Yilo Krobo Municipal Assemblies in the region.

The visit took him to a private owned Maroun and Green Housing firm at Amonokrom, Legacy Crop Improvement Center firm at Otariso all in Akuapem North Municipality and later proceeded to Akpo Akpamu, a cabbage farming community in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.

Speaking to the media Mr. Acheampong noted that the region is dominated by farmers therefore it is the core mandate of the gov’t to support them to ensure they produce enough vegetables crops for the country and import purposes.

“I’m very much impressed with the kind of work this farmers are doing in the region and wouldn’t be surprised if a farmer from Eastern Region is being crowned as 2022 best farmer,” he noted.

He continue that the gov’t is committed to farmers; thus, the introduction of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) and the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD).

According to him, in the view of the gov’t will enable change the destiny of the Ghanian farmers by way of making them well resourced.

The gov’t representative of Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, Berimah Sarpong Asiedu Larbi told Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI that, he is happy to have Maroun and Green housing and Legacy Crop Improvement Centre companies in his municipality, hence they will create job opportunities for the youth in the area.

At Maroun and Green housing, the management complained that about the lakadasikal attitude of youth where they report to work every two weeks once they exhaust the little money in their possession.

Responding to that, Berimah Larbi expressed worry over the canker and said such behavior is a threat to investors from carrying out their business in the municipality.

“We will educate them to desist from such behavior and appreciate what the private firms in the area are doing to support them. Stating for the private owned companies to established their businesses on his soil would boost their local economy,” he fumed.

On his part, Eastern Regional Agriculture Director, Henry Crentsil Junior, added that “their aim is that the Assemblies will take farming activities very serious because agriculture is also contribute to the country’s development.”

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The Retired Commissioner of Police and Chief Executive Officer of Mother Love Hospital Facility, Mr. Kwasi Nkansah has asked Apedwahene in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council of the Eastern Region, Osabarima Frimpong Manso to retract a statement he made and also render unqualified apology.

It is recalled that the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has accused Mr. Kofi Anokye, the CEO for Koans Buildings Solution illegally acquiring their lands. And this has brought misunderstanding between the two parties.

The Apedwahene Osabarima Frimpong Manso in one of his press statement ” alleged that COP Kwasi Nkansah (Rtd), who works with Kofi Anokye, the Chief Executive Officer of Koans Building Solutions, is not the Krontihene of Akyem Apedwa neither is he a member of the council of elders of the Akyem Apedwa Stool and he should therefore be ignored”.

In response to that allegations Mr. Kwasi Nkansah has denied working with Koans Buildings Solutions and moreover he quitted the Akyem Apedwa Krontihene stool for the past 15yrs ago.

According to him he wanted to focus much on his policing job and does not understand why Osabarima Frimpong Manso is associating him into such land dispute.

“I feel worried, because I worked hard for my good name over decades. Stating, for peace to prevail between the two of us, I’m given him 10 day ultimatum to come out publicly to redraw that ill statement and apologise to me other than that would advice myself accordingly,he told Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH.

He further stated categorically that he have no connection with the said Kofi Anokye.

He explained he came into contact with Koans Buildings Solutions CEO when he and Apedwahene, Apedwa Hemaa, the current Apedwa Krontihene among other prominent persons from Apedwa went to his office at Panpanso on the Nsawam road to talk about the said land.

Mr. Nkansah further mentioned that, apart from that particular day they all went to Mr. Kofi Anokye’s office to have discussion with him about the land, he has since not met or spoken with him again.

“As I have mentioned earlier on, am given him 10 day ultimatum to come out publicly to apologized to me and retract his ill statement against me other than that would take him on,” he threatened.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The District Chief Executive for Fanteakwa South District Assembly in the Eastern Region, Ernest Ofosu has cut the sod for the commencement of three projects with the cost of GHS 2 million.

The projects include, the face- lifting of Osino main lorry station and the construction of 3-Unit classroom block at Nsutam and Hemang SDA JHS respectively.

Speaking to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH, the DCE noted that, Osino that is the District capital of Fanteakwa South has been lacking some social amenities hence the decision the to raise the image of Osino high.

Mr. Ofosu adds, out of the 3 projects which would commenced soon, the face-lifting of the Osino lorry station is dear to his heart because it will enhances the activities of the drivers in the area.

The DCE recounted how the residents especially the drivers always “lambast” him over the poor nature of the roads network in the district.

He admitted that the road network in the area is in a bad state but fixing that of the lorry station will help calm down nerves for the meantime.

Mr. Ofosu then pleaded with the gov’t led by President Akufo-Addo and his roads minister Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta to come to his aid and help fixed their roads because there is fire in his cap.

Furthermore, the headmaster of Nsutam SDA JHS, Mr. Nketiah Fredua noted that there are many challenges confronting their school especially when it rains it flood the whole compound which the JHS students find themselves wanting.

“So if the gov’t through the District Assembly led by Mr. Ernest Ofosu are coming to built a new 3 unit JHS classroom block for the school, we are most grateful to them,” he appreciated.

In addition, Mr. Oscar Adu Sarfo, the CEO for Osafric Construction and Mining Ltd who will build the Hemang SDA JHS assures of a quality work and to complete the project in its stimulated eight months period.

“This is the way of creating job opportunities for the localities, therefore most of the workers would be employ from Hemang to at least reduce the unemployment challenges in the area,” he added.

By/ Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Sourcce// Obohnews

The former President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his call on the government to consider a review of the implementation of the free Senior High School policy.

According to him, there are a lot of educational experts who will be able and willing to bring their experience and knowledge on board to enable resolve the challenges confronting the programme.

Mr. Mahama admitted that the free SHS policy has come to stay therefore it is the government duty to make it affordable for both public and the private schools.

“A suggestion to review will never be misinterpreted to mean a cancellation of the programme,” he observed.

He was speaking at the 2022 Ghana National Association of Private Schools 8th Biennial Delegate Conference held in Koforidua on August 17,2022.

THEME for the 2022 celebration is; ” REPOSITIONING PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE ERA OF DIGITAL GROUP: IS TIMING AS IT IS SIGNIFICANT”.

Furthermore, the President of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools, Dr. Damasus Tuurosong said the world has become a technological world, with digitization facilitating learning in molding minds in many specialized sectors of development.

“The needs for embracing digital school has become even more glaring with the Covid-19 outbreak and its subsequent impact on educational institutions across the world,” he stressed.

He again stated that, a 2021 I.D.P. foundation study show that 80% of low fees in the private schools risk collapsed in January 2021 when Schools were reopen fully and added that parents inability to settle fees has further worsened the plight of financial emaciation of low fees in the private schools.

A Minority Ranking Member on Education who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Akatsi North Constituency in the Volta Region, Peter Kwasi Nortsu-Kotoe, indicated that, government alone cannot provide quality education in the country.

“The private sector plays an important role but what we have seen in this country for sometime now is the non-inclusion of the private schools in the formulation of policies regarding education.”

Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe noted that if a curriculum is outdoor for the Basic Education and you don’t use public funds to train the teachers in the private schools who are supposed to use it, then what do you expect them to do?.

“So there is the need for everybody to be engaged so that they can deliver quality education,” he concluded.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The Legislature for Abuakwa North Constituency in the Eastern Region, Gifty Twum Ampofo has said, governance is not about the parliamentary proceedings but rather at the constituency levels.

According to her, parliament is there to discussion and deliberate on the issues that will help benefit and push the country forward in terms of development.

She added when they go for recess she ceased the opportunity to return to her constituency to visit and explained things the gov’t has done and would be doing to her constituents, this she believe will bring good relationship between herself and the constituents.

“In doing so, it help them to know and understand the gov’t policies. As an MP, it is my core responsibility to have time for my constituents, listen to their plight and address them. But the visitation shouldn’t be ones awhile when am seeking for re-election,” she observed.

The MP who doubles as the Deputy Education Minister in charge of TVET told Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH during a town hall meeting held with her constituents at Anyinasin and Tontro respectively on Friday August 12, 2022 to listen to their problems and address to them.

Mrs. Twum Ampofo adds, during the interactions, they raised many concerns but they admitted that a lot of interventions have come to the various communities.

She stated that, had not been Prez Akufo-Addo’s government the residents of Tontro wouldn’t have seen coaltar in their life before and this indicate the gov’t think about the well-fare of every Ghanaian citizen.

At Anyinasin community, the residents told Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH that they are facing so many challenges in the area especially their roads.

They added that, they need clinic and more borehole water in the area, but in a nutshell they believe their MP will work on their challenges being presented to her.

Furthermore, the NPP Chairman for Abuakwa North Constituency, Alhaji Seidu Ibrahim commended his MP for spending time with her constituents anytime the Parliament goes for recess which is a good call.

“She listen to advice we give her everyday, because in the political circle if you’re an MP and want to be loved just interact with your constituents and listen to their challenges, at least if you can’t solve them all it give them hope to know they are important to you,” he fumed.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The Sefwi Bodi District Assembly in the Western North Region on Thursday, August 11,2022 distributed 55,000 coconut seedlings to farmers under the Planting For Export and Rural Development (PERD) programme by the Government to start planting coconut in the area.

It can be recalled that for some few years ago there had been series of reports on the dying of the cocoa trees in Sefwi area. And this is making the living condition difficult for the residents.

As a result, the Sefwi Bodi District Assembly have taken steps to introduce coconut farming to the farmers in the area to help revamp their living conditions.

Addressing the Farmers during the distribution, the District Chief Executive of Bodi District Assembly, Mr Ignatius Akwasi Amankwa admonished the farmers to make good use of the coconut seedlings received in order to achieve its purposes.

Mr. Akwasi Amankwa then urged them to take advantage of it to change their standard of living.

The DCE further stated, the introduction of Planting for Export and Rural Development by the Government is to help the farmers to involved themselves into a different cash crops to replace their dying cocoa trees. He believe this programme will fetch them money rather than seeking for support from the gov’t.

“I must say, the introduction of the Planting for Export and Rural Development program in our district shows the government readiness to positively change the lives of the farmers living in Sefwi District,” he added.

Mr. Ignatius Akwasi Amankwa assure the farmers that, the gov’t of Prez Akufo-Addo will continue to support them to ensure their life become better, because farmers contributed a lot to the country’s development.

By//Nana Gyawu Asante.

Source// Nana Gyawu Asante.

The Member of Parliament for Suhum Constituency in the Eastern Region, Ɔboafo Kwadwo Asante has expressed satisfaction over the construction of ongoing road projects in the area.

He said this on Tuesday, August 9,2022 when he embarked on a visitation together with some residents, party executives and Assembly Member to inspects the ongoing construction of 71.3Km cocoa roads in his constituency.

The inspected roads include; upgrading of Nkatekwan Junction- Obuotumpam (Km 0.00-6.70) 100% completed, upgrading of Maamesheso-Tetteh Nkwanta-Amanase Feeder Road (Km 0.00-9.00) 79% works in progress, upgrading of Suoreso-St.James Feeder road (Km 0.00-10.00) 61%, works in progress, upgrading of Suhum-Nankɛse Feeder road phase 1( Km 0.00-10.00) 82%, works in progress and upgrading of Suhum-Nankɛse Feeder road phase 2(Km 10.00-20.00) 77%, works in progress.

The project he noted cost some GHS198 million.

Speaking to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH, the Suhum Legislature said, he is impressed with the ongoing roads infrastructure in the area.

He stated further that the Constituency is a beneficiary of the year of roads projects and they are most grateful to President Akufo-Addo.

“I’m not saying all the roads in Suhum are being completed but comparatively we are far ahead of the other constituencies when it comes to the roads infrastructure,” he stated.

Mr. Kwadwo Asante entreated his colleagues MPs to also do well and inspect projects in their constituencies awarded to the contractors to ensure that the resources release to execute those projects doesn’t go waste because there would be accountability to every penny given.

He then urged his constituents whose roads haven’t been constructed to exercise restraint because he is working tirelessly to make sure all the deplorable roads network in Suhum Constituency get fixed to allow smooth transportation in the area.

Some of the Assembly Members and residents who took part in the inspection were in a state of shocked about the ongoing massive roads construction in the constituency.

They said, joining the MP for the inspection of ongoing roads infrastructure in the area has help to know that Suhum Constituency is also benefiting from the year of roads projects by the Akufo-Addo gov’t.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source//Obohnews.

A Koforidua-based Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Old Age Care Foundation in the Eastern Region has called on the general public to as a matter of sympathy to support the aged.

The foundation noted that being old is a blessing in disguise therefore such crop of people must be given the needed attention they deserves.

According to Danlamin Mohammed, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Old Age Care Foundation, most of the aged groups are neglected due to the ‘witches and wizards’ tagged by family members.

He said these accusers have the perception that whenever they offer help to the aged, they will in some other way or spiritually fight against their life or handiworks a reason most people have neglected the aged.

“Therefore neglecting aged in the various societies must be stopped and show them love and care. This will motivate and help them grow more older, because ageing is golden.

“When one become old they will need their children around them to take care of them because at that stage they become weak and sickness also set in. If their children are with them quickly when they fall sick they can take them to any health centre to be treated,” he noted.

Danlamin Mohammed made the statement when speaking to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH when they donated some relief items to the aged in Tinkong Electoral Area in the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly on Sunday, August 7, 2022.

He disclosed that, their initiative of helping the aged has been in a existence for years because the recent one is the tenth times they’ve one to embarked on with all taking place in both Juaben South and North Municipalities respectively.

Against this background, Danlamin Mohammed appealed to the general public and encourage the general public to keep supporting aged persons in the societies.

The Assembly Member for Tinkong Electoral Area, Samuel Kwadwo Abotsi thanked the leadership of Old Age Care Foundation for their kind gesture.

He said, the standard of living of most aged persons they visited at their various homes was not encouraging thus, all hands are needed on board to ensure they are well attended to.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source//Obohnews.

After a back-and-forth, Assembly Members of the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region have finally re-elected their colleague member Mr. Rapchar Botcway as the Presiding Member.

His re-elected comes on the back of four consecutive attempts after one Yaw Debrah had given him a keen contest in three separate polls but both failed to acquire the required two-third votes to emerge victorious.

But in the fourth attempt, the main contender Mr. Debrah bowed out from the race leaving the incumbent Rapchar Botcway to go unopposed to retain his seat with 34 votes.

Speaking to Kingdom News’ KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH, the government representative of the New Juaben South Municipality, Mr. Isaac Appau Gyasi expressed his gratification to the Assembly Members for giving Mr. Botcway another nod to continue his good works for the Assembly.

He served notice that the position which has been vacant for the past five months affected the businesses of the assembly although the laws allow the assembly to run without a PM.

The government representative then advised the retained PM to welcome and have a listening ear to the other members of the house who in other way round consult him for assistance since he is their leader of the house.

Furthermore, the New Juaben South Constituency Chairman for NPP, Mr. Charles Osei Opoku Boakye indicated that the victory of Mr. Botcway didn’t come on a silver platter.

According to him, it took the intervention of the Member of Parliament of the area Michael Okyere Baafi, the MCE, Isaac Appau Gyasi, and some other prominent persons within the municipality to talk to the assembly members to forgo their differences and get themselves a PM to lead them in the fourth elections.

“We also let them know that the absence of the PM is affecting the business of the Assembly. So we are most grateful to them for the honor being done to us” he appreciated.

Source// Obohnews.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Mrs. Gifty Twum Ampofo has expressed satisfaction over how the general public has embraced the training programme since its inception.

She was pleased with the increasing rate of student enrollment in the TVET programmes after its commencement in 2019.

Given the breakdown in enrollment ever since the program started, the Minister accounted that, 17,000, and 24,000 students sat for the 2019 and 2021 final examinations respectively.

Meanwhile, there had been an improvement in students who gain admission to the TVET programmes giving the number of candidates sitting for the 2022 year batch to 29,000 population.

The development, Mrs. Gifty Twum Ampofo, said it is encouraging and described it as incredible and a good sign to the country.

The Deputy Education Minister in charge of TVET who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North Constituency made these known to pressmen during her visitation to the TVET centers in Eastern Region.

Some of the TVET centers visited by the Lawmaker included Liberty Educational Institute and Koforidua Technical Institute.

She further commended parents for allowing their wards to offer TVET courses because it is a means of alleviating poverty in most developed countries.

“On Monday, August 1, I visited TVET centers in Ada and Greater Accra Region, on Wednesday, August 3, I went to Volta Region, and on Friday, August 5, 2022, I proceeded to Eastern Region to continue the monitoring. I didn’t inform the headteachers of all the aforementioned schools of the visit.

“But I’m very much impressed with the performance of both the students and teachers being put up in the exams hall,” she observed.

Mrs. Twum Ampofo then urged the teachers to use the modern method of teaching to teach the school children whiles she admonished the students to also pay attention to their studies to enable them to avoid struggling during periods of examinations to come out victorious.

However, the headteacher of Liberty Educational Institute, Rev. Mrs. Edna Akofa Ametameh indicated that the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy has affected their enrollment rate negatively compared to the previous years when they were admitting more than 400 students in an academic year.

“What’s sustaining the Private TVET institutions now is the government TVET Voucher projects but would plead with the government to put us on the other programmes that will help prevent our institutions from collapsing,” she disclosed to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.