AM News with Samuel Kojo Brace on JoyNews (13-10-23)
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Well, let's do AM News now.
00:01 Government has started its urban renaissance project through the Sista City project.
00:06 This project seeks to foster improved urban management through strategic investment.
00:11 Government says the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program is a testament to the nation's
00:16 commitment to creating vibrant, well-managed cities that will undoubtedly propel Ghana
00:22 into a new era of prosperity and modernity.
00:25 Here is Jacqueline Ansumayya-Boas' report.
00:30 Government says a test channeling $245 million into the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program.
00:37 The project, led by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development,
00:43 will reshape urban landscapes and fortify institutional capabilities across 35 municipal
00:49 assemblies and 16 regional coordinating councils.
00:54 During the sword-cutting ceremony at Awutsu-Sunya East and Agona West Municipal Assemblies,
01:00 Minister for Local Government and Decentralization, Dan Buche, rallied community members to ensure
01:06 judicious use of the allocated funds meant for the execution of the various projects
01:12 there.
01:13 It's important that people are well informed.
01:16 You get the understanding of the people so that even if you don't meet their expectations,
01:21 because you are being in touch with them, they have a way of living with it.
01:25 We have examples of areas that they have built very beautiful structures, but people have
01:31 even refused to use it.
01:33 Because why?
01:34 They were not consulted.
01:35 And if this relationship are to keep emphasizing that the unity committee, other sub-committees
01:43 of the local assembly, the assembly members, and then the municipal assemblies will perform
01:50 as expected of them.
01:52 Because the injunction that you share, share, share, the assembly share.
01:56 You understand that?
01:57 There are so many sub-committees of the assembly.
01:59 And if they are all working, they are all meeting very well, then the other person will
02:03 say that government is closer to us.
02:06 When they say there's a disjoint, government is not closer to them, it's not necessarily
02:10 the president or the MP.
02:12 You are talking of those who represent the people at the base, and that is the assembly.
02:17 And that's why I see the opportunity to talk about the forthcoming disassembly elections.
02:23 That they should let people of merit, people who have time to serve the people.
02:29 And the interaction is key.
02:31 The interaction is key.
02:33 If people know they are involved in the decision making, if people know that you are consulting
02:37 them very regularly, even if you don't satisfy them to the level they want, they will try
02:43 to appreciate and understand it.
02:45 And that's why I'm urging them that the chief should be able to go around.
02:48 And I'm happy the chief even said it.
02:50 If they think that the way they are mixing the concrete is not good, they are preferring,
02:55 so instead of applying 100 versus when they are applying 60, they should be able to draw
02:59 our attention to it.
03:01 Member of Parliament for Aguna West, Cynthia Morrison praised the government for heeding
03:06 to the plight of traders and constituents as a whole for bringing the project to the
03:10 area.
03:11 What our hearts desire has come to pass.
03:14 You see in our market women squatting in the scorching sun, when it rains they have nowhere
03:17 to sit.
03:18 But today of all days, by God's grace, 9/11/23, the sword has been cut for the commencement.
03:25 Money is ready, now that we are going for a loan, the money is ready and everything.
03:29 And we pray that almost a year that they've given us, by the close of day, the market
03:35 should have been constructed for the women to have a good place to sit and sell.
03:39 The project is expected to end in the year 2025.
03:44 For JOYN News, I am Jacqueline Ansuma-Iyoboa.
03:46 Now a 52-year-old fiscally challenged person is asking society to stop stigmatizing them.
03:55 Franklin Toga, whose arm was amputated after an accident at age 19, says the discriminatory
04:00 act only prevents fiscally challenged individuals from bringing out the best in them to support
04:06 themselves and their families.
04:07 He has been speaking with Otirigins Peter Seno.
04:26 He lost his arm while trying to learn a trade after he dropped out of school at the age
04:30 of 19.
04:31 He took apprenticeship with his uncle in vulcanizing and while he was inflating a lorry tie, it
04:37 blasted.
04:38 He woke up on a hospital bed only to realize he lost his left arm.
04:42 That did not deter him to become independent and self-reliant.
04:47 This is the story of 52-year-old Franklin Toga, a resident at Sandro Kofi in the Otirigin
04:53 who is now into cuckoo farming with one arm to take care of his family.
04:58 He tells us how he has been managing over the past years.
05:02 This is my cuckoo farm.
05:06 I started it somewhere in 2015 and then I've been trying to do my best to bring the cuckoo
05:17 to a surviving place where it can take care of me and my family.
05:25 Initially I wasn't like this.
05:31 An uncle of mine who is called Ajimai Francis, he was a vulcanizer on the 6th of December
05:39 1989 at the age of 19 years.
05:44 And then this unfortunate thing happened.
05:47 He also says life has been tough for him even when he tried to get a wife.
05:53 Yes, yes, yes.
05:55 I want to say this.
05:58 People with disability, in fact we have challenges.
06:02 Look, people don't see you as somebody who can do anything better.
06:09 It is there.
06:11 People stigmatize to us.
06:14 There's a tree where there's a "Odiwe Sokohe" when you are bringing such person to your
06:21 family.
06:22 Ask you, "Odiwe Sokohe, where are you going with this man?
06:25 What can he do?"
06:26 But I am proving them wrong today that disability is not inability.
06:33 Even though I am challenged, my mind is not challenged.
06:37 What I can do, nobody can take it away from me for that one.
06:41 He calls on society to stand discriminating against persons living with disability.
06:46 This he says prevents them from unearthing their potentials.
06:51 So I am putting this to people who are making people with disability shy away from what
07:01 they can do.
07:02 I am telling them they should stop it.
07:04 I'm using this medium to tell them they should stop it.
07:06 They should rather embrace us so that the ability in us can be portrayed so that people
07:14 can see the best of us.
07:17 Simon Opoku-Minta is an assembly member for Central Kufu Electoral Area.
07:22 He is asking for support for Franklin to enable him to succeed at his farming business.
07:26 I'm here as an assemblyman appealing to the public, philanthropists, NGOs and all
07:34 white churches to come to brother Franklin Togan's aid so that at least with some of
07:43 the farm inputs that can make his work easier are provided to him so that he can achieve
07:48 his aim.
07:51 Franklin is also good at music although he did not receive any formal training in this
07:56 regard.
07:57 He directs the EP church choir at Central Kufu Benwa on Sundays and also good on the
08:03 keyboard.
08:04 In fact, it is challenging because sometimes when you are playing, you are jumping, fingering
08:12 to reach the other key while the other hand is not there.
08:18 It's challenging.
08:19 [Music]
08:47 Peter Hakson for JNews.
08:50 [Music]
08:56 Non-governmental organization ActionAid Ghana wants government to commit the needed resources
09:01 to the provision of kindergarten and primary infrastructure during educational development,
09:05 planning and implementation.
09:07 They are handing over over two unit kg block with ancillary facilities at Namasa in the
09:12 Thain district, the head of programs at ActionAid, Justin Bio said such commitment will help
09:18 improve the learning outcomes and empower the people to break free from poverty.
09:22 Precious Semavo has more.
09:24 Namasa DA basic B school in the Thain district of the Bono region was established in 2019
09:31 by ActionAid to meet the educational needs of 251 pupils in the farming community but
09:37 without a nursery.
09:39 Over the years, the kg pupils have been using this abandoned and dilapidated block as classrooms,
09:44 a place not fit for training future leaders.
09:47 According to the headmaster, Alhassan Isifu, the situation of the current 156 kg pupils
09:53 was inhumane.
09:54 You know, before the commissioning of the basic school from P1 to P6, we were having
10:00 only five kg2 students, even no single student for kg1 at that dilapidated building.
10:07 So in fact, I thought it was, we have to convert the library and then the common room to kg1
10:15 and kg2.
10:16 In fact, looking at the enrollment, when the children are in school and you come there,
10:21 in fact, you yourself, you can't breathe.
10:22 So it was very, very bad.
10:24 ActionAid yet again to the rescue has handed over a two-unit kg block at 450,000 cities
10:30 with ancillary facilities, including a ball hole and a playground at a ceremony at Namasa.
10:37 President Bayo, ActionAid head of programs, said they invest in education to empower young
10:42 minds.
10:43 Since 2001, ActionAid has constructed 22 model kindergarten schools with recreational facilities,
10:52 especially in the Bono and Ahafu enclaves.
10:58 This school, which we are commissioning, will serve as a reserve for learning, a space where
11:07 young minds will be nurtured and dreams will take flight.
11:12 It is a space where teachers will inspire, motivate and mold the minds of the next generation.
11:21 The head teacher relishes the positive impact the edifice will bring.
11:25 Myself as a head, I know it is going to help me a lot.
11:29 And then for the people to help them a lot, it is going to boost enrollment.
11:35 And then looking at the infrastructure and all the other things in it, I hope it will
11:39 enhance teaching and learning.
11:41 For now, we don't have fault.
11:42 We will be happy if any benevolent institution can come to our aid.
11:47 Justin Bayo appealed to the government to commit resources to help develop the education
11:51 of the people.
11:52 The government has joined hands and worked together to ensure that every child in Ghana
11:59 has access to a quality education.
12:02 Kindly permit me to humbly appeal to ensure that the government commits the needed resources
12:11 and prioritizes the provision of kindergarten and primary infrastructure in our educational
12:20 development planning.
12:22 My humble appeal to you is to prioritize the maintenance of this edifice.
12:30 Precious Semevo Joy News, Namasa.
12:34 Our agreement officer at USAID, Paul Napare, has urged chiefs and parents to demand accountability
12:40 from managers of educational institutions in their localities.
12:43 He says when that is done, it will give a better outcome for education in their respective
12:48 areas as teachers will no longer take decisions that will be affront to the education of their
12:53 children.
12:54 Mr. Napare made a statement at the original launch of the USAID Ghana Standing Accountability
13:01 and Education System Project in Waa.
13:03 Rafik Salam reports from Waa.
13:06 The cooperative Assistance and Relief Everywhere and its partners, AFRICAIDS, Community Development
13:13 Alliance, Crown Agents, Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition, and the School for Life
13:20 are implementing the five-year, 50 million cooperative agreement with the Ghana Mission
13:26 of the United States Agency for International Development to assist the Ministry of Education
13:32 and its allied agencies to strengthen accountability at the basic level.
13:38 The objective is to strengthen accountability mechanisms in the education sector.
13:45 Speaking at the original launch in Tamale, the Director General of the Ghana Education
13:49 Service, Dr. Eric Nkansah, in a speech read on his behalf, said, "For GES, any offer
13:56 that would help enhance accountability is welcome."
14:00 "As you are all aware, basic education is key as it forms the foundation that our children
14:16 will build on.
14:17 And so for us in GES, such a project that would ensure accountability to the good learning
14:25 outcomes is a very welcoming one."
14:30 "Ghana has made significant strides to improve access to education and the quality of it.
14:38 The Ghana Education Service has established rigorous structures from the school level
14:44 to the national level to enhance accountability."
14:49 "For us in the Ghana Education Service, we welcome any opportunity that would help
14:55 us strengthen these steps to make them more efficient to improve learning outcomes."
15:03 The Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alahasan-Shaibu, whose speech was read on his behalf by the
15:09 Regional Planning Office, Enusa Abukari, said, "Ghana is committed to ensuring a healthy
15:15 collaborative effort between development partners to achieve the SDG Goal 4."
15:25 The Health Service Supply Chain Practitioners Association of Ghana says it is worried about
15:30 a recent review of their collective agreement.
15:32 The group says it is sitting on a time bomb and wants leadership to be more tactful.
15:37 President of the Association, Stephen Sechi, said this at the Occasions Conference in Tamale.
15:46 The conference, which was under the theme "Leveraging Professionalism for an Impactful
15:51 Supply Chain," brought together members of the Association across the country to deliberate
15:56 on their work and welfare.
15:59 Speaking at the event, the National President, Stephen Sechi, also raised concerns about
16:04 issues of their steady leave.
16:07 "We are calling for the review of the steady leave quota for supply chain staff.
16:16 Since leave with pay is either minimal or not efficient, this is demotivating.
16:23 Hence, an immediate review should be done so that the block for steady leave with pay
16:29 should be widened to include RRK.
16:31 This is why our maternal union is represented here.
16:35 Brother Sakai, Madam Chair, we want to let you know our registered by displeasure to
16:42 the recent review of our collective agreement.
16:45 All we are saying is that the floor allowance component should be accountable for all principal
16:52 groups and not the little groups applied.
16:55 My advice to the union is that we are sitting on a time bomb.
17:01 Hence, in the afternoon of this issue, all eyes will be on them.
17:05 They should seek for the benefit of the majority of their members and not the selected few."
17:12 Responding to their concerns, the National Chairman of the Health Service Workers Union,
17:18 Zakaria Mohammed, assured the union they would fight their cause.
17:23 "But let me assure you, we will do everything possible to better the working condition of
17:32 all of us.
17:33 For that one, I assure you.
17:36 And so what we need from you is just your prayers.
17:40 I know it's not going to be easy.
17:43 But definitely, when we hit a rock and we say 'Tobolu', we expect that all of you
17:51 will say 'Hey', because sometimes that is the language the government understands.
17:58 Brother President, let me take the privilege to tell you that we will do everything possible
18:08 to make sure that even at 6%, what are we going to do with 6%?
18:15 When inflation is rocketing, inflation is galloping.
18:20 When people have refused to stop buying lamp louses, then you can't really go away to
18:28 sacrifice for people, no."
18:31 In a speech read on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister by the Regional Budget Analyst,
18:38 Mohammed Haruna said procurement was one area saddled with issues of corruption in the country
18:45 and called on the procurement officers to help protect the government purse.
18:50 "Ladies and gentlemen, the TV for this conference was meant to be known to me because it emphasizes
18:59 the transformative power of the regional system.
19:03 We, the provincial government, can use every level of our societies, from social welfare
19:11 to the development of our schools, in the fields of efficiency, reliability and sustainability.
19:20 There is no doubt that our interactions are not very good, but at least we can save the
19:27 health of the state."
19:29 The keynote speaker, Dr. Bright Ejekum, who represented the Chief Director at the Ministry
19:36 of Health, called on the officers to uphold the ethics of their profession.
19:42 "Professionalism goes hand in hand with ethical conduct.
19:47 Professionals in the supply chain should uphold high standards of honesty, direct responsibility,
19:54 integrity and respect for all stakeholders involved.
19:59 By adhering to ethical practices, we foster trust in our group, which strengthens the
20:07 overall integrity of the entire supply chain system."
20:11 And that's how we wrap up the AM News here on the show.
20:20 We'll take a quick break.
20:21 We'll be back with the News Review.
20:22 Do stay with us.
20:23 [Music]