Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

Since 1993, March 22 has been observed as World Water Day. The day was first officially added to the schedule 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. This year's event focused on, “Wastewater.” Basically, wastewater is water that has been used in homes and businesses in ways that negatively impact its quality with high concentration of pollutants such as human waste, oils, grease, and other harmful chemicals. Water in general is a human rights issue. In 2010, the UN declared water as a basic human right and this makes it critical to sustainable living and survival for all. With reference to wastewater, the third target of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 states that “by 2030, there should be improved water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse globall...

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 15 released a list of 54 Ministers and Deputy Minister Nominees. If approved by Parliament, it will bring his administration's ministerial appointments to 110. For now, this is the highest number of ministers to have ever been appointed in the history of Ghana. It is not surprising therefore that there is a huge public outcry over what can be termed the gigantic appointments. With focus on the Fourth Republic, President Jerry John Rawlings administration worked with 83 ministers. President John Agyekum Kufuor appointed 88 and that of Prof J.E.A Mills was 75. The immediate past President John Dramani Mahama appointed 84. Now we have 110 Ministers, even with the likelihood of adding more when new regions are created.  What is worrying is the Minister of State portfolios, attached to certain ministries, which already have substantive minsters and deputies. It must be admitted that the Minister of State portfolio is not new in the Fou...

At the end of every year, most organisations hold meetings to take stock of their activities and make projections for the coming year. Stakeholders in road safety management are no exception. The country according to statistics from the National Road Safety Commission, as of the end of November 2016, recorded a total of 11,378 road crashes involving 17,746 vehicles. The crashes resulted in 1,990 deaths with 10,154 injuries. The Commission attributes the increase to the 2016 electioneering activities. This year, the Commission intends to focus its road safety programmes on motor riders, driving without seat belts among others. It is laudable that the National Road Safety Commission has identified areas that it wants to focus on to reduce accidents. While stakeholders in road safety take steps to reduce accidents, the country was hit with separate accidents last weekend which left 19 people dead. Commenting on the incidents, the Commission attributes 50 percent of road accidents in Ghana...

The Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid, on a number of occasions, since he was nominated and confirmed, has expressed the urgent need to effectively resource the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to enable it to function as required. The Minister has therefore advocated an effective collection of TV licence fees in Ghana to ensure advance resourcing of the state broadcaster to enable it to deliver its functions effectively. Last week, in a special interview with the GBC after he toured the institution to familiarised himself with its operations, the Information Minister said he will help GBC roll-out innovative ways of collecting TV licence fees. He stressed the need to work to make the state broadcaster a major brand that could be competitive on the international scene. This is a very laudable initiative by the Information Minister, because globally, TV license fees are the major means of resourcing state broadcasting institutions. It is imperative therefore that all stakehold...

Today is the 60th Anniversary of Ghana's Independence. Parades have been held at the Black Star Square, in Accra, as well as Regional and District capitals to mark the Diamond Jubilee. In attendance were personnel of the security agencies, pupils and students, teachers, market women and other identifiable organisation. Yesterday, sixty Senior High School students who distinguished themselves in the 2016 Basic Education Certificate Examination were presented with scholarship packages. In the past years, only 20 students, a girl and a boy from each region, received such honours, But this year, the Ghana at 60 National Planning Committee, decided to increase the number to sixty to commemorate the diamond jubilee. After gaining political Independence on March 6, 1957, Ghana has achieved some modest successes and made strides in its economic development. From the First to the current Fourth Republic, various governments have contributed their quota and played diverse roles towards build...

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, on the authority of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 constitution March 2 presented the government's maiden budget to parliament. The presentation came at a time when the country finds itself between a rock and a hard place, underpinned by an economy that is highly challenged in almost every sector. The fast depreciation of the cedi, high interest rates, budget deficit, increasing debts and unemployment are just but a few pointers of the state of the Ghanaian economy. The NPP while in opposition capitalised on these challenges which featured prominently in its 2016 campaign. The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia then the NPP's running mate, incessantly attacked the John Mahama administration of mismanaging the economy, and tagged the NDC government as incompetent. The NPP in turn, made a number of mouthwatering promises to turn round the fortunes of the economy. It is not surprisin...

The month of March is significant in Ghana's history. It is a month that reminds Ghanaians of the spirit of patriotism as demonstrated by the likes of Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ako Adjei, and Obetsebi Lamptey. Recently, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at Kyebi in the Eastern Region in remembrance of Dr. Joseph Kwame Tweretwie Boakye Danquah. The event helped to bring to focus the great role played by the late J.B, as he was affectionately known. He believed in rule of law, good governance, freedom of the individual and democracy. He stood against suppression of the individual, dictatorial tendencies and lack of openness in government. He played a significant role in pre- and post-colonial times and, in fact, is credited with giving the name Ghana. Again, J. B. Danquah was described as the "doyen of Gold Coast politics" by the Watson Commission of Inquiry into the 1948 riot. On the issue of rule of law, J.B Danquah believed that it is what the law s...

The month of March is significant in Ghana's history. It is a month that reminds Ghanaians of the spirit of patriotism as demonstrated by the likes of Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ako Adjei, and Obetsebi Lamptey. Recently, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at Kyebi in the Eastern Region in remembrance of Dr. Joseph Kwame Tweretwie Boakye Danquah. The event helped to bring to focus the great role played by the late J.B, as he was affectionately known. He believed in rule of law, good governance, freedom of the individual and democracy. He stood against suppression of the individual, dictatorial tendencies and lack of openness in government. He played a significant role in pre- and post-colonial times and, in fact, is credited with giving the name Ghana. Again, J. B. Danquah was described as the "doyen of Gold Coast politics" by the Watson Commission of Inquiry into the 1948 riot. On the issue of rule of law, J.B Danquah believed that it is what the law s...

Members of the newly constituted Council of State February 27 took their oath of office with a charge not to be praise singers of the Executive. With varied background, members have a duty to bring their rich experiences to bear on national policies and programmes to advance the good governance as well as improve the living standards of Ghanaians. This is what citizens expect from members of the Council of State. It is in this regard that Ghanaians welcome and wish the members will go about their functions without fear or favour as stated by the President during their oath taking ceremony. Since their functions contribute immensely to the running of government machinery and national development, Ghanaians expect the council of state members to offer advice to the President. The Council of State, a small body of prominent citizens of proven character, counsels the President in the performance of his functions. It is analogous to the Council of Elders in the traditional political system....

News Commentary condemns the recent mob action in Kumasi where a suspected female thief was subjected to inhumane treatment. The script is by Ruth Abla Adjorlolo, a Journalist. Mother Ghana has once again been given a black eye, few months after the December 2016 general election. The outcome of the polls enhanced Ghana's status as a leading democratic nation in Africa. However, recent developments with regard to repugnant acts of vigilantism have shown the world that all is not well with our systems. Ghanaians have a duty to project positive image for the country all times. Instance justice reared its ugly head in Kumasi recently when a suspected female thief was subjected to inhumane treatment. The young lady was brutally molested by a mob of men. She was stripped naked, beaten up and sexual molested in the full glare of the public. The incident was filmed by someone who later publicised the videos through social media. How can some people be cruel and heartless. This action cann...