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.

Some residents of Koforidua Zongo in abroad have donated health equipment to some selected health centers in New Juaben South and North Municipalities of the Eastern Region.

The donated items included 50 medical oxygen concentrators, bottles of mineral water, and tissues worth over GHS450,000.00.

The beneficiary health centres are; Eastern Regional Hospital, Zongo Health Center, St. Joseph Hospital, Koforidua Polyclinic, and Jumapo Health Centre.

Speaking to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH, the Eastern Regional Chief Imam who lead the delegation to do the presentations on behalf of the personnel, Yusif Amudani Sulemana acknowledged the support the Zongo residents in diaspora offered amidst developing health sectors in Juabenman.

Chief Imam, Yusif Amudani Suleman then show his profound gratitude to the donors for thinking about the health of the people of New Juaben and asked Allah to continue to bless their handiworks.

He was of believed that the items will go a long way to help the beneficiary health centres to use them to save lives.

He then pleaded with stakeholders individuals, and philanthropists, among others to emulate the donors.

The Director of St. Joseph Hospital, Rev. Samuel Worlasi Akoni expressed gratitude for the donors because there were occasions when newborn babies and asthmatic patients find it difficult to breathe due to the lack of machines.

Therefore they are grateful for their kind gesture since the Oxygen Concentrators received would help them to the brim.

He described the news as ‘their prayers being answered by God’ because the management of the facility had in several meetings contemplate on how to get additional oxygen machines to save lives.

Some dignitaries include the Gyaasehen of New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Twumasi Dankwa joined the leaders of Koforidua Zongo Community to do the presentations on behalf of the New Juaben Ɔmanhene.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The Eastern Regional Population Officer, Isaac Ter-Ibinibe Sopelle has pointed out that the issue of gender inequality still exists in most sectors of the country.

According to him, the predicament continues to beingness in various sectors such as the businesses sector, education sector, politics, health sector, and the right to own properties.

Mr. Ter-Ibinibe Sopelle emphasises that some cultural practices including Female Genital Mutilation, early marriage, inadequate access to agricultural land, and discrimination in the workplaces just to mention a few, sometimes compromised their reproductive health.

This, he thinks women must be empowered to challenge these rooted gender-based discriminations to enable increased chances of holding high positions in different job opportunities.

He further cited a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), which says ‘unless women and girls have access to quality and affordable health care, freely exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights are treated and respected as equal, there is no way we can achieve our SDGs 2030 agenda.’

Mr. Ter-Ibinibe Sopelle made this known to the pressmen during the celebration of World Population Day in Koforidua on Monday, August 1, 2022.

The year’s celebration was held on the them “A World of 8 Billion: Towards Resilient Future for All-Harness Opportunities and Ensuring Rights and Choices for All: whiles National theme is “Prioritizing Rights and Choices: Harnessing Opportunities: The Road to Resilient Future for All.

He further indicated that achieving gender equality and realizing the human rights of women is a key requirement of a just and sustainable country.

Echoing the priority of the theme Mr. Ter-Ibinibe Sopelle believes ‘when they are healthy and have equality in all aspects of life, the sustainable development goal would be possible.’

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source//Obohnews.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration of the Ghana Police Service, Christian Tetteh Yohuno has charged the newly recruited police officers to exhibit good behavior to gained the trust from the public.

According to him doing so will make them be respected and to built their confidence.

He advised them to refrain from any conduct that would dent their collateral image.

Mr. Tetteh Yohunu continue to say, they should be reminded that knowledge and skills are only part of the approach to law enforcement as they will be dealing with all kinds of people usually involving some stress, strain and sometimes confusion and understanding of other human nature is essential.

With this, he noted, they must be understanding and sympathetic and above all be just and fair in their dealing with the public.

COP Tetteh Yohuno made this remarks at the Koforidua Jubilee Park in the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region during the passing out of 416 newly recruited police personnel.

To wit, he further entreated them to respect the right of the citizens in which they are going to protect.

He thus wish them well in their next endeavours and noted that they will soon be posted to their various stations to commenced their post training practical attachment following their successful six months training regime.

Furthermore, the government representative of New Juaben South Municipality, Isaac Appau Gyasi also expressed his excitement to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH for seeing such exuberant and young men who have gone through intensive training and passing out to serve the country.

The MCE urged Ghanaians to give maximum respect to the police officers because they give the general public protection and also ensure there is peace in the country.

“Its unfortunate that Ghana Police Service was being ranked the first corrupt institution in Ghana. But I hope as time goes on their leaders will put measures in please to end it,” Mr. Appau Gyasi added.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has praised Government of Ghana for the passage of the new Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020[ Act 1019] to help reduce the usage of drug in the country.

“In 2014, I was privileged to be member of the 6th parliament and this bill was introduced in parliament. Unfortunately we couldn’t complete the cycle ensuring it has become an act to guide as respect of our policy and management for the related issues on drugs,” he observed.

He disclosed how privileged he was to be a member of the 7th parliament but chaired and led the passage of this bill to become law and is gratifying to be sensitizing themselves with the good works that the house is doing for the country under the sponsorship of Ministry of Interior.

Mr. Kwame Acheampong stated, he is very excited that the law is being recognized as a progressive law.

The Ghana’s new drug law seeks to treat drug use and dependence as a public health issue rather than focusing on law enforcement, punishment and repression.

The Eastern Regional Minister made this known at a sensitization workshop with the media on ensuring the Effective implementation of the Narcotics Control C’ssion Act 2020 [ Act 1019] held in Koforidua on July 29, 2022.

The theme for the programme was” UNDERSTANDING THE NARCOTICS CONTROL C’SSION ACT 2020[ ACT 1019]; THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN HEALTH AND RIGHT-BASED BEST PRACTICES TO HANDING PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT”.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director for Perfector Of Sentiments (POS) Foundation, Jonathan Osei Owusu said, some portion of the law needed to be reviewed and when it is done anybody who want to do narcotics work should go for a license.

Narcotics Control Commission will bring the license to all the 16 regions of Ghana so that those who seek to plant marijuana can do it in a proper way.

Country like California are making huge of amount of money from marijuana despite it negative and positive aspect.

Mr. Osei Owusu adds, weed is use for medicine, hair lads among many other important products. We are not saying people should go and smoke it but we are looking at it positive impact that will benefit the country.

Furthermore, the Eastern Regional Police Crime Officer, ACP Mr. Reuben Asiwoku said the fact that the Narcotics bill has been passed into law doesn’t mean there is a freedom for people to be smoking weed anyhow.

He indicated that, the new law converted the prison term for drug possession for personal use into a fine of between 200-500 penalty units (translating to GHC2,400-6000).

It means that instead of sending people to prison for up to 10yrs for simple possession of drug for personal use, they will offer alternatives to incarceration and criminalisation.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The Chairman hopeful of the opposing National Democratic Congress (NDC) party in the Eastern Region, Mr. Basil Ahiable has said the lapses of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo exposed him in his first month in office.

He indicated that the President’s super incompetence is a true reflection of his failure to fulfill the numerous promises he made to Ghanaians when seeking the presidency seat in 2016.

Against this background, Mr. Basil Ahiable said comes as no surprise over the current happening in the country since many predicted doom for the country’s economy under the leadership of Akufo-Addo.

“When they won power in 2016 and 2020 elections respectively, they were expected to forgo their super incompetent in opposition, come and work hard to transform the economy since they claim they have the men but not knowing they haven’t learned anything from the opposition but to rather sink the country’s economy into a ditch,” he noted.

The chairman hopeful was quick and could not fathom why the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta remain at the post despite his abysmal performance.

He noted that there’s a hang Parliament that calls for parliamentarians to jointly take decisions, but, in his view, the NPP gov’t had been acting wayward to breeding corruption as their trademark.

In his view, President Akufo-Addo must act proactive and fire Mr. Ofori Atta as soon as possible for the betterment of Ghanaians because he has failed to steer the economy of the country considering how the E-levy taxation was implemented.

“So what we [NDC] have to do is to put in place proper measures that Ghanaians will keep their hope alive to know that whenever NDC is in power they can sleep and breath well,” he told Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH in an exclusive interview.

He was optimistic that come what the NDC will recapture power in 2024 to continue their good work for mother Ghana.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source//Obohnews.

A Community Development Advocate for Community Alternatives (ACA), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) situated in Fanteakwa South, has assured its commitment to seeking compensation for victims in the Fanteakwa South District as a result of the activities of mining companies.

According to the Director of ACA, Nana Ama Nketiah Quaidoo its outfit will ensure that all victims are compensated.

She urged citizens who feels cheated as a result of damaging their farm crops by the activities of mining to report such incident to their firm for assistance.

The Director thus spelled out the readiness of its legal team to fight for the vulnerable farmers or land owners whose plots of land have either been claimed illegally or destroyed by the activities of the small-scale mining companies.

She said, the Advocate for Community Alternatives offers their services on a free basis because they want justice for those living in the mining communities to get what is due to them.

Nana Ama Nketiah Quaidoo made this known to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH on the sideline during a Town Hall Meeting programme held at Fanteakwa South District Assembly in the Eastern Region.

She noted that in most cases, some Assemblies in the mining areas refuse to feed them with basic information that can be used to demand justice for the vulnerable, a situation she said was very worrying.

Against this background, she stated that they won’t be discourage from discharging their duties.

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

Source// Obohnews.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Fanteakwa South District Assembly in the Eastern Region, Mr. Ernest Ofosu has expressed worried over the poor nature of roads in the district.

According to him, since the establishment of Fanteakwa South in March 2018, there is no single road that is tarred in the district.

“The people of Fanteakwa South especially the drivers who ply on the roads always give me a sleepless night and ask when will it get fixed and is my biggest problem as DCE”, he fumed.

Mr. Ofosu then pleaded with the government through its Roads Minister, Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta to as a matter of urgency come to their aid and get their roads fixed for them.

The DCE made the statement when speaking to the media during a Town Hall Meeting held at the Assembly’s Conference Hall together with stakeholders on how to work hand in hand to develop the district.

He reiterated further that he would become the happiest person in the area should their plight be attended to.

Also, Opanyin Kyeremateng Oware Eugene who chaired the meeting commended the Assembly for holding such exercise and suggested to the DCE to making it a continual program every six months.

According to him, embarking on such exercises will helped residents voice out the challenges confronting them in their various communities to pave way for the assembly to fix them.

“I’m glad the District Assembly projected the works they have done so far in every community for the residents to see it. But will plead with the DCE through gov’t to get Fanteakwa South 1D1F programme to create job opportunities for the youth”, he noted.

Furthermore, the Ayinam District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Raymond Mahama Iddrisu tasked Ghanaians to take the “If you See Something Say Something campaign” serious and report any suspected foreign nationals in any part of the country to the police.

He explained that, they have engaged and educated religious bodies, taxi drivers and market women in Ayinam and Osino on how to identify suspected terrorists who may cause harm to the country.

Source// Obohnews.

B// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.

The Vice Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University in the Eastern Region, Prof. Kofi Assumang has urged the gov’t of to strengthened the Technical Education system to help achieve the Ghana beyond aid agenda.

According to him, Ghana is blessed with many natural resources but cannot add value to it.

Therefore urged gov’t to focuse on the Technical Education level and trained more people which will help add value to the county’s natural resource to boost the economy.

“If Ghana take good care of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) serious, it will help the country to achieved its aim from begging for arms from the other countries. And also Ghana won’t borrow money again to run the affairs of the country”, he observed.

Prof. Kofi Assumang made this exclusively known to Kingdom FM’s KONTIHEN KOFI OBOH during the Launching of the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment (FBNE) week celebration held at the school campus on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

The theme of the august programme was “MAKING TECHNICAL EDUCATION RELEVANT TO THE BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT”.

He underscores that if countries such as China, Germany, India, Malaysia, Austria, and Singapore are able to developed their countries through Technical Education, then, Ghana can also emulate them by paying much attention to the Technical Schools.

To add with, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong who was the special guest of honour indicated, Technical Education has benefited many including himself, revealing that he also attended the then Takoradi Polytechnic now Technical University.

To that effect, the minister said came to a realization that had Ghana want to develop in terms of industrialization and finance, then gov’t have to put in more resources into the technical training.

Stressing, he was glad when gov’t changed the name from Polytechnic to Technical University despite some few challenges confronting them.

Mr. Acheampong added, Prez Akufo-Addo has put in place measures to help solve those problems and also to enhance Technical Universities in the country.

In conclusion, the Dean at the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment (FBNE) of Koforidua Technical University, Dr Prince Boateng stated that the FBNE was established in January 2014 to offer high level career-focused, technical and professional training programmes in the built, planning and natural environment programmes to students.

Dr. Boateng continuous that, the faculty prioritises research, cutting-edge environmentally-friendly technologies, building designs and materials, and spatial planning to advance the global quest to achieve sustainable development.

Source// Obohnews

By// Kontihen Kofi Oboh.