tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-544162521943611452024-03-21T20:23:19.199+00:00Ghana Broadcasting CorporationThe Authentic and Trusted Voice Of Ghana.gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.comBlogger691125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-30861244504517070122021-03-22T14:11:00.002+00:002021-03-22T14:11:49.942+00:00Need For Ghanaians To Support The 2021 Budget<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The 2021 budget focused on the need to complete all previously initiated projects, consolidate the economy and continue with new programmes for the benefit of the people. The previous practice where some of the uncompleted projects were delayed for various reasons is unacceptable and must be abandoned for the progress of the country. This is good and ought to be realized because abandoned or neglected projects constitute a drain on the resources of the country. Development programmes must be well thought through before their implementation. Their implementation must also be well planned so that they will not constitute a waste of resources in the country. If this is done at all times, the entire country will benefit from a sound and maximum use of its limited resources for Ghanaians. This must therefore guide all governments, present and future for the rapid socio-economic development of the country. It is clear that government needs more revenue to be able to finance its development programmes. This means that more revenue will have to be raised for this purpose. Without this not much can be achieved.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">For this reason, the country needs to find innovative ways of ensuring that adequate revenue is raised for the development of the country. At the same time, there should be an improvement in the sanitation situation in the country. If this is done, it will minimize the number of diseases that affect people. When this happens, cost of medical care will reduce to the advantage of citizens in the country. It is also important to pay attention to all sectors of the economy to ensure that there is balanced growth for the country and its citizens. Indeed, the country needs to ensure balancing of fiscal consolidation for economic growth. All these go to emphasize the need to find ways of providing adequate resources for security, Agenda 111 which seeks to build district hospitals for many of the districts as well as regional hospitals and all ongoing development programmes, for economic growth.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">This is quite ambitious on the part of government for which reason all agencies and officers of state must pledge and commit themselves to this noble dream of consolidating the gains of the economy. The transportation sector deserves further development because a good transportation system, facilitates and promotes rapid socio-economic developments. Many of our roads have not been in good shape for sometime now and that has been the complaints of majority of the people in the country. The year of roads declared in 2020, was very good because it helped to construct a number of roads across the length and breadth of the country. In spite of this, there is more distance to cover and this explains why the same programme is going to be continued in 2021 according to the 2021 budget. It means that some more resources will be needed for the construction of more roads. This explains why the increase in road tolls is a step in the right direction and must be embraced by individuals and groups of people in the country. If more revenue is generated, much can be achieved. So, more developments imply more revenue. We need to rebuild the Ghanaian economy for national development.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In order to make this dream a reality, the revenue base must be well designed and efficiently implemented to minimize any waste. Property rates for example are not paid by many people and this is not good in terms of revenue mobilization for national development.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In view of this, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies are expected to work hard along this line so that as much revenue as possible can be realized for development. The objectives of the budget are good but their realization will depend on the effective implementation of programmes and projects outlined in the budget. Again, structural reforms are necessary and must be in line with government development programmes and agenda. This is attainable if programmes under the budget are effectively and efficiently implemented. Indeed, real economy is expected to grow by 5% this year. This is not beyond reach.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The performance of the economy, began well in 2017 but this has been slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic. The year 2020 was made difficult for Ghana and the rest of the world because of the pandemic. The revenue of government dropped by 13.6 billion Ghana Cedis. The result of this was very unpleasant because it slowed down the level of progress that could have been attained. Economic performance over the past four years shows that most of the macro-economic indicators have been realized but we still need to do more to ensure that the country moves at a faster rate than has been achieved previously.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The challenge facing the country today, includes the need to increase spending for social services for all groups of people, among others, and also presenting a consolidated picture of funding allocations on key services. If these are done, it will help rapid socio-economic development and there by lead to the realization of the Ghana Beyond Aid strategy in line with the vision of the President of the Republic.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">By Dr. Kofi Amponsah Bediako, Director Of Corporate Communications, Ghana Standards Authority</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-36408819656881856762021-03-16T14:54:00.001+00:002021-03-16T14:54:07.689+00:00One Year Of Coronavirus In Ghana<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Exactly a year ago, Ghana announced the first two recorded Coronavirus cases in the country. This was after few months that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern. It became the highest level of alarm under international law. The WHO published an interactive timeline showcasing how the organization has taken action on information, science, leadership, advice, response and resourcing. A year on, Ghana’s Covid-19 death toll has reached 656, with active case standing at 4,782 with 272 new cases recorded, leading to 86,737 total confirmed cases. Experts are of the opinion that the figures might have been terrible but for the pragmatic and prudent measures put in by the Government, which was hailed across the globe. Ghana is said to have been one of the world’s best countries to have managed the spread of COVID-19 very well.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Indeed, the country’s leadership with respect to the control of the pandemic has been superb. WHO’s recommendation on Ghana’s efforts in stopping the spread is still echoing in our ears. Arguably, Ghana was the first African country to announce lockdown and also closing all its borders. The restrictions in attendance to churches, mosques, restaurants, and other recreational centers, schools, and universities ban on conferences, political rallies, festivals, and sporting events as measures to help curb the diseases spread proved positive. The government instituted the wearing of face masks as mandatory in line with WHO recommendations. Social distancing was encouraged. All these were religiously adhered to in the early days of COVID-19. Schools and universities were closed as pupils and students were encouraged to stay home whiles teaching and learning continued via technological means. The quick intervention with respect to the provision of new health facilities and the augmentation of the existing ones to help curb the spread as well as ensuring the cure of citizens who were already victims of the virus were all intriguing and fascinating as well as commendable. The provision of basic amenities and needs such as food, water, electricity, among others to the vulnerable in society, especially during the lockdown periods, was a good show of leadership by the government. The Government also provided substantial stimulus packages to support individuals and organisations whose businesses have been affected by the COVID-19. This is not to say all was perfect. There were series of allegations of corruption and mismanagement against officers who led the rather prudent exercise. The quarantining of Ghanaians who were returning home for a fee, for instance, was very much spoken against.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The National COVID-19 Trust Fund Institution provided the opportunity for benevolent Ghanaian institutions, churches, and individuals to assist the Government in logistics and financial terms to fight the disease. In just two months, a hooping amount of nearly 54 million Ghana Cedis had been raised. The National COVID-19 Task Force, as well as all regional and other task forces set up across the country, have done an unparalleled job to see the nation where we are now. The Ministers of Health and Information and their team regularly updated the citizenry on all information they needed to know. The Government of Ghana, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, frequently and timely briefed the nation on where we are and what to do in his Sunday evening Nation Broadcast, which has been popularly referred to now as “Fellow Ghanaians.” All this while, an extensive search of a vaccine by the global community had been triggered. Precisely in June last year, the WHO welcomed the initial clinical trial results from the UK that show dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, and can be lifesaving for patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. A few weeks ago, Ghana received the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines through the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global vaccine-sharing program. The 600 thousand doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University were manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, representing part of the first wave of COVID vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries. The delivery is part of the first wave of arrivals that will continue in the coming days and weeks. So far, a nearly 165 thousand people have been vaccinated. As a country, we need to be mindful that the vaccine is not the ultimate antidote to the fight. There is more to it. Strict adherence to the protocols is crucial and we must all work religiously towards it. “We are not in normal times,” but it is also true that “the battle is the Lords,” so “this too shall pass.”</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">By: Dr. Nana Sifa Twum, Media Communications Consultant.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-91429335129732407662021-03-16T14:52:00.003+00:002021-03-16T14:52:44.088+00:00Showing compassion to the less privileged<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Poverty, it is said, is a serious disease which when it afflicts you, will not kill you easily but rather disorganises your plans and ways of living and renders you impotent. Nobody is born poor on this earth but rather, certain unforeseen circumstances give way to poverty.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">A touchy and heart-rendering story of an 18-year old orphan who is desirous of becoming a doctor in the future but currently facing financial challenges to support his education to realise his ambition is for some time now trending on social media. Edward Elorm Gbanaglo is said to have completed his secondary education at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC) in Accra with seven A’s and two B’s and has gained admission into the University of Health and Allied Sciences at Ho in the Volta Region. He managed to pay his admission fees with the help of his late mother’s friends.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">However, Elorm, who defied all odds to make excellent grades, fears he might not be able to complete the program because he does not have a constant source of funding. His two brothers were raised by their grandmother who is now indisposed, leaving the children including the medical student to their fate. Elorm’s two brothers—Edwin, who is a final year student at St Augustine’s College at Cape Coast in the Central Region, and Kelvin, who was just placed by the Computerised School Selection and Placement—are likely to face similar challenges. To safeguard his life and that of his brothers, Elorm is making a passionate appeal to the public as well as philanthropic organisations and individuals to come to their aid since their grandmother, Josephine Gbanaglo, who is a petty trader can no longer ply her trade because of ill-health.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Making an emotional appeal through the Daily Graphic last Friday, Elorm called for public support to enable him to realise his dream of becoming a medical doctor in the future. He said he wanted to save lives to ensure that parents do not die and leave their children behind like they are suffering now. My mother died in 2010 and my father died in 2019, while I was in PRESEC and I do not want any child to go through such trauma.” According to Elorm, he like watching documentaries on medicine and doctors and had been motivated by the way doctors always strive and worked around the clock to save lives of people, adding, he has always wished to be one of them. He said anytime he watches such movies, ‘it strengthens his passion for it and so he also wants to be in a position to save lives of people’. He expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the free SHS programme because but for that intervention, he would not have been able to complete SHS as well as his brothers. He said he needs support while in the university so that when he is able to complete medical school, he will also be able to impact society in the health sector.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">This emotional story of this young teenager deserves attention by all well-meaning Ghanaians to assist him to realise his noble ambition so that he can contribute to national development. Indeed, Elorm is a great asset to the nation and the fact that he has passion for the medical profession speaks volumes of what he can do for society. His remarkable exploits in his education show how committed he can be in the study of medicine and deserves national support. There are many such people like Elorm in society who are facing similar financial problems who deserve support to enable them to complete their education for them to render their humanitarian services to their dear country and we must not lose sight of these unfortunate ones.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">It is important to acknowledge the contributions of the friends of Elorm’s parents who contributed in diverse ways for the payment of his tuition, accommodation and other fees. To these philanthropic personalities, your contributions have not been in vain and you will be rewarded accordingly by the Almighty God. Special thanks also go to the Rhema Outreach Church at Ashaiman near Tema, which we are told also gave its support to Elorm.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Elorm’s touching story should encourage government to empower the Youth and Sports Ministry, Gender and Social Protection Ministry and other statutory youth bodies to support the less privileged in society, especially the youth to attain their avowed ambition in life.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY CHARLES NEEQUAYE, A JOURNALIST.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-1876987243007693682021-03-16T14:50:00.002+00:002021-03-16T14:50:58.501+00:00The behavioral change towards Covid-19 vaccination<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Ghana last Wednesday received the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines through the WHO global vaccine-sharing program. The 600,000 doses of the Astra Zeneca Vaccines were manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, representing part of the first wave of COVID 19 vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries. The delivery is part of the first wave of arrivals that will continue in the coming days and weeks. With this, Ghana became the first country outside India to receive COVID-19 vaccines shipped via the COVAX Facility. This is deemed a historic step towards the goal of ensuring equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The arrival of the vaccines in Ghana is said to be the first batch shipped and delivered in Africa by the COVAX Facility as part of an unprecedented effort to provide at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. We are told there are now several vaccines in use to help fight the disease. At least seven different vaccines are known now to have been administered. The first mass vaccination was started in early December 2020 and as of 15th February this year, about 175.3 million vaccine doses have been administered across the globe.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The vaccines have arrived at a time when the country is experiencing a severe resurgence of the pandemic. Ghana’s COVID-19 cases have more than doubled in just over two months as against the beginning of the pandemic in March last year. As of this week, nearly 82,000 cases have been reported in the country, with almost 600 sadly passing on to glory. As if this is not bad enough, several unbelievable speculations have emerged concerning administering the vaccines. Because of this, fear and anxiety have gripped many people who will have to be vaccinated against the disease due primarily to their health conditions or their professions.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">According to virologists, although some of the vaccine’s side effects are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19, the coronavirus vaccines won’t give you COVID-19. The vaccines will also not make you contagious. For most people, the side effects of the vaccine are mild or moderate and last only a day or two. The sudden emergence of the Coronavirus and its rampant spread coupled with the devastating effect on socio-political, educational, health, economic, religious, and family lives around the globe, as well as the misunderstanding and misbelieve concerning the use of the COVID-19 vaccines have necessitated proactive and pragmatic measures to conscientise and encourage the people to embrace the vaccine.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">People accept and act upon social norms when such norms are better understood and appreciated in our social settings. For this to take place, vigorous and consistent sensitisations have to take place. The authorities have to extend a specified health promotion, public outreach and awareness on administering the coronavirus vaccines to vulnerable populations. This is because some citizens have taken the unfortunate stance that they will not participate in the mass vaccination against the virus. The connotation here is that such individuals are putting themselves at risk and jeopardizing efforts of governments in the fight against the disease, which took the entire world unawares. Circumstances and projections by health managers are such that, Coronavirus will linger around for a while.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The vaccines are what will be used to help curb the spread of the disease. The need for the people to understand and appreciate the use of vaccines and the continuation of public health protocols are paramount to humanity’s survival. Behavioral change communication is the most vital for the initiation and sustenance as well as the enactment of COVID-19 protocols and acceptance of the vaccines as an integral part of social and public behavior. This is known to have been used to promote health and other behavior against the disease around the globe. Effective Behavior Change Communication strategy is always crucial in ensuring all behavioral aspects of disease prevention and control.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Under this, the provision of accurate, precise, relevant and timely information to the public on the urgent need to employ the use of the COVID-19 vaccines is the surest means to contain the virus.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 26px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">BY DR. NANA SIFA TWUM, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-22834421995816671602021-03-16T14:49:00.002+00:002021-03-16T14:49:29.938+00:00The perceived agenda of the LGBTQI+<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">All through its print and electronic media, Ghana has been abuzz with impassioned and well-reasoned discussions touching on whether to permit the promotion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and other related practices in the country or not. The prevailing viewpoint of leading religious, political and traditional authorities, some civil society organisations and the generality of those heard from, is that such sexual orientations or practices are alien to Ghanaian cultural norms and values. They also offend the commandments of God, be they expressed through Christian, Muslim or Traditional codes of conduct Ghanaians adhere to.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">But the push by certain interest groups for the normalisation of such sexual practices, often accompanied by condescending socioeconomic conditionalities or threats of sanctions for non-adherence is not a new phenomenon.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Such overtures have been made at the highest levels of our national governance system with successive Heads of State of the Fourth Republic having laid down the national position of Ghana as being averse to the LGBTQ agenda. Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor, John Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama have all not minced words to some Western powers who threatened to curtail traditional funding facilities to Ghana if we maintain a legal and moral stance against legalizing homosexual activities. Following the controversy his comments in a November 2017 Al Jazeera TV interview raised, President Akufo-Addo also, in March 2018, issued a statement firmly declaring that, “It will not be under his Presidency that same-sex marriage will be legalized in Ghana.” Speaking at the installation programme for the new Anglican Archbishop of Ashanti-Mampong over the weekend, the President again declared categorically and repeated to applause from the congregation, his previous stance on matters concerning same-sex marriage in this country.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Prior to President Akufo-Addo’s definitive statement on Ghana’s position on the LGBTQ matter, the gay rights lobbyists sought to re-emerge with a new onslaught, supported by some western missions in Ghana.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">After the recent inauguration of an LGBTQ community office and fundraising event in Accra, attended by the ambassadors of some western countries, the EU Delegation posted on its official Twitter account support for activities of such groups, while depicting the Ghana flag. This message elicited the anger of most Ghanaians. It is interesting to note in this scheme of impositions that, while sodomy and LGBTQ practices that were judged by God with brimstone and fire in the Book of Genesis are being imposed on us, polygamy, for instance, which is traditionally African and endorsed through the lives of the patriarchs and other men of God in the very Bible the European colonists introduced us to, has been criminalised by the legal systems inherited from the West. So much so that, the United States, which is the global champion of human and civil rights, limits American Muslims, whose religion allows them to marry as many as four women, to legally register marriage to only one woman, per U.S. federal laws.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">But even as the nation is fending off the renewed offensive by the LGBTQ lobby, another of such unseemly or immoral practices is subtly being introduced into our society, especially to our valuable and impressionable youth. This sneaky agenda is the endorsement of premarital or extramarital sexual promiscuity through commercials promoting condom use for casual sex, currently running on many of our television stations. Ostensibly packaged as a measure to combat sexually-transmitted HIV infection, this alluring advert, funded by a consortium of mostly foreign health NGOs coordinated by the Ghana AIDS Commission and the Ghana Health Service, sends the erroneous message that sex should be readily available so far as a man has condoms in hand. That commercial, with the ambivalent tagline, “…come prepared”, conveys more than is necessary to combat HIV-Aids. It is reminiscent of another condom marketing strategy of the early 2000s that had the slogan, “If it’s not on, it’s not in.” Then flag bearer of the Convention Peoples’ Party, Professor George Panyin Hagan, at an anniversary event of a leading mission school in Ghana, disambiguate the meaning of this controversial advert as, “So, if it’s on, it will be in”, and accordingly condemned that campaign, as all well-meaning Ghanaians did too, then.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Today, while the laws of Ghana concerning homosexual and other similar sex-related activities may have to be fine-tuned and made more comprehensive and clear, and we all abide by the scriptural injunction to “Hate the sin of LGBT, for instance, but not the sinners” and not persecute them on that account alone, the uproar that has greeted this new move by the LGBT lobby has sent a strong signal that we as a people cherish our sovereignty and condemn any attempt to unfairly impose upon us practices our cultural, religious and moral values frown upon. It is not normal for people to flaunt their heterosexual activities in the public domain; so Lesbians, Gays, and all related sexual identities – inadmissible as they might be – ought not to be permitted within the ambit of requisite laws and cultural values and norms of Ghana, to do so too.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The President has spoken, saying “It will never happen!”, whether now or till Christ’s return, rendered more imminent by such untoward practices that accord with end-time prophecies.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">By Raymond Tuvi, Media and Development Consultant.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-6058785368206128332021-03-16T14:48:00.001+00:002021-03-16T14:48:23.041+00:00Vetting Of Ministerial Nominees<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">No President of any country in the world operates in a vacuum. He or she needs a set of ministers to assist in propelling the wheel of governance for an effective leadership. That is the situation in our country now, where the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will need his team of ministers to govern the over 30 million Ghanaian people. The President is in the process of forming his government and has already put before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, a first batch of 46 ministerial nominees for vetting and consideration. So far, more twenty of them have been vetted, pending approval by Parliament. The process which started on 10th February, 2021 is expected to end on 9th March, 2021. Those vetted include Mavis Hawa Koomson, Fisheries and Agriculture Development, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Information, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Employment, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Gender, Children and Social Protection, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, Parliamentary Affairs, Godfred Dame, Attorney- General, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Energy, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Communications and Digitization and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Foreign Affairs. The others include Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Health, Albert Kan Dapaah, National Security, Dominic Nitiwul, Defence, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Education and Dan Botwe, Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">It is particularly pleasing that the vetting proceedings are being telecast live on GTV to provide an opportunity for the public to have a feel of what is going on so that they can make an input to the process. There is an opportunity for the public to challenge nominees who have given wrong and false information to the committee. More importantly, it also creates an additional possibility for the public to hold ministers to some of the sweet and juicy promises they make in their quest for confirmation. Clearly, the process is getting more and more vigorous as each nominee so far vetted, spent a longer time of not less than five hours in some cases, as against what transpired in previous vetting in the past which took a few hours and, therefore could be described as a mere rubber stamp. Besides, some of the questions to the nominees by committee members were well researched and challenging which to a very large extent have some policy and governance substance.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Special commendation goes to the Committee, more especially to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus for staying focus and probing the intellectual capabilities of the nominees especially in the areas assigned to them by the President. So far, there have not been cases of witch hunt and victimization. Special mention should be made of the leader of the Minority Group, Haruna Iddrisu, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka, Okudzeto Ablakwa and Alhassan Suhini for the quality of their questions and also how they grilled nominees who have so far appeared before the committee. It is the expectation of the public that the same zeal and enthusiasm will guide them in the approval process. Some of the nominees have proved themselves well in their performance from the way they answered questions posed to them which suggested they are indeed, abreast with the offices being entrusted into their care by the President. Others were just a pale shadow of themselves as they were unable to provide answers regarding the ministries they are being posted to head. Even though some of them are being re-posted to the Ministries they occupied during the first term of the President, they lacked ideas about their former offices and could not provide some figures to support their answers when they were quizzed. They were just disappointing to say the least. Whether they will get the nod or not, depends on the decision of the committee and Parliament as a whole. But all said and done, the seriousness with which the Appointment Committee is tackling its assignment, this time around provides evidence of the healthy growth of democracy, notwithstanding the wholesale approval of the ministerial nominees including those with serious question marks in the past when we have simple majority in parliament. The committee appears to have made an effort to be meticulous in spite of an obvious partisan and time pressures. It has so far, shown a great openness to the public. All that Ghanaians are expecting is that, the Appointment Committee should be pragmatic with the approval process by weighing all the necessary options including competence, none arrogance and commitment to serve the people and the country as a whole. Ghana has come of age and as such, we need ministers who will be amiable and sympathetic to the people’s cause and not to lord it over them. So far, so good!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY: CHARLES NEEQUAYE, A JOURNALIST.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-27897425435827644722021-03-16T14:47:00.001+00:002021-03-16T14:47:13.015+00:00Ebola outbreak in neighbouring countries<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">At a time the deadly Coronavirus pandemic is at its peak and causing a lot of havoc in the country, news filtering in from neighbouring countries indicate that on the sideline, the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is knocking on our doors asking permission to enter. Whether this permission is granted or not depends on how Ghanaians comport themselves. The Ghana Health Service has hinted that incidents of the Ebola disease have been recorded in neighbouring Guinea with three deaths out of seven cases. A press statement issued by the Ghana Health Service on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, advised Ghanaians to take precautionary measures against the virus by protecting themselves through the avoidance of contact with blood and fluids such as urine, saliva, sweat, faeces, vomit, breast milk and semen of people who show symptoms of the disease.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, which are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and rash. The Ghana Health Service, the statement said, had also ordered all regional and district public health emergency committees to include the Ebola virus disease on their agenda. Additionally, regional and district health facilities, port health units at all border posts, particularly along the western border, and all landing beaches are being asked to heighten surveillance for the disease, using standard case definition.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Even though the country has not recorded any case yet, we are still in a serious situation because of the proximity between Ghana and Guinea and the movement of goods and services across these two nations. The 2014-2016 outbreak of the disease in West Africa was the largest since the virus was first discovered in 1976. The outbreak started in Guinea and then moved across the land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia. The 2018-2019 outbreak in Eastern DR Congo was highly complex with insecurity adversely affecting public health response activities.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">For the benefit of those who do not know about the disease, it affects people and non- humans such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. It is caused by an infection with a group of viruses within the genus Ebolavirus. The disease causes an acute illness which is often fatal if untreated. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spread to humans through human-to-human transmission. The average fatality rate is about 50 percent while case-fatality rate varies from 25 percent to 90 percent in the past outbreaks. Many experts say community engagement has been key to successfully controlling the outbreaks and good outbreak control relies on applying a number of interventions namely case management, infection prevention and control practices, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe and dignified burials and social mobilization.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">It is important to note that the last time the disease was recorded in the country in 2018, it came from same Guinea and that is the more reason why we should be worried and disturbed and to take immediate steps to block it from entering our dear country to aggravate the terrible condition we found ourselves in at the moment. We need to tighten security at our borders and other entering points especially along the coast of Guinea. Lessons from our previous experience should be our guiding principles. While we adopt measures to deal with the deadly Coronavirus pandemic which continues to cause a lot of misery and havoc in our dear nation, let us not lose sight of this equally dangerous disease that has no respect for human beings.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">These two dreadful diseases must be given equal attention in schemes of the country’s health programs through the allocation of adequate resources to deal with these pandemics. Let us not behave as we did in the past when we lost our guards and allowed the Coronavirus disease to cross our borders and other entering points into the country through China and other places across the globe where the pandemic was widespread.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Already, there is a heavy burden on our health personnel including doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians as well as other frontline workers in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus disease. Most of them had died in the course of their duties. Our medical facilities and equipment have been overstretched and overwhelmed and should we allow the Ebola disease to take another center stage in our national affairs, it would be dangerous and disastrous for our dear country. We are not in normal times at all and, therefore we must follow rigidly all the safety protocols in place to safeguard our lives and property.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Let us prepare against any eventuality!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">By Charles Neequaye, A Journalist.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-32851958382109911622021-03-16T14:46:00.000+00:002021-03-16T14:46:02.151+00:00The experiences shared by Covid-19 persons<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Two harrowing experiences shared by two patients of the Covid-19 disease showed how painful it is to be a victim of the disease. There is therefore the need to pray for divine intervention to help Ghana overcome this deadly monster that has plagued this country within the shortest time. I heard the first victim of the disease was interviewed on an Accra-based radio station last week in which he narrated his harrowing condition when he was attacked by the virus.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">According to him, he could not recollect how he got the disease but he suspected it might have happened at a function he attended the last time somewhere in Accra. When he returned home that night he could not sleep because of the severe pains all over the body in addition to difficulty in breathing. He therefore alerted the Covid-19 team operating in Accra who quickly responded and came to his aid. After receiving first aid from the team, he was rushed to the Adabraka Polyclinic for further treatment. He said the excruciating pains he went through that night and the period whilst on admission were unbearable. He said: “My brother, you cannot sleep for even a minute or lie in bed because of the pains. The pain subsides a bit only when you stand, no appetite, loss of smell, severe headache and many more difficult and terrible conditions.”</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">While thanking the Almighty God for saving his life, he paid special tributes to those doctors and nurses who took greater care of him saying if it was not for those people he would have been dead by now. He ended his interview by advising Ghanaians to adhere strictly to all the safety protocols put in place by the health authorities. These include the wearing of face masks, washing and sanitizing of hands, keeping their distance and more importantly staying at home if one does not have any urgent and important assignment in town. Listening to the narration of the patient, one could not help it than to shed tears.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Another scary experience from one of the finest and prominent pastors of high repute, Most Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast trended on social media for some time. According to the Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, ‘the revered prelate has spent some time at the Ga East Hospital. He is therefore calling for prayers for all frontline workers as well as persons battling the virus. Most Rev Palmer-Buckle is heard saying, “my dear family and friends, today Saturday. February 6, is my day five at the Ga East Covid-19 Care Centre. I woke up with a hymn of thanks on my soul, namely hail Queen of Heaven. As the first Saturday of this month of our Lady of Lourdes, I pray her intercession for all frontline medical personnel at this center offering such commitment to care for us Covid-19 patients of which I am a very privileged one”. The Archbishop admonished that the disease is real and asked all to be religious in their observation of the health protocols, adding that God helps those who help themselves.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">From these two emotional observations, it is apparent that the Covid-19 pandemic is not a respecter of persons and that we are all potential victims. No one knows where he can contract this dreadful disease. It can be your home, room, church, office, funeral grounds, parties, and anywhere on this earth. The harrowing and pathetic conditions of these two patients should serve as a wake-up call to each and everyone in our country to embrace the protocols which serve as a stop-gap for acquiring the disease.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Our prayer is that government will provide our health authorities especially the frontline workers with all the necessary resources to perform their humanitarian services to Covid-19 patients in this trying period so that they will not get frustrated in their work. In spite of some losing their lives, they have kept the faith in this difficult assignment. Indeed, they need our prayers in the task ahead.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">More grease to their elbows.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">By Charles Neequaye, A Journalist.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-2063503165900611622021-03-16T14:44:00.003+00:002021-03-16T14:44:47.593+00:00Graduate youth unemployment, a disturbing phenomenon in Ghana<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Despite major investments by both public and private sectors, Ghana is reportedly faced with 12 percent youth unemployment and more than 50 percent general underemployment. This challenge could worsen if deliberate efforts are not made to create the needed job opportunities. A 2020 World Bank report titled “Youth Employment Programs in Ghana: Options for Effective Policy Making and Implementation”, has identified agribusiness, entrepreneurship, apprenticeship, construction, tourism and sports as key sectors that can offer enormous employment opportunities for the Ghanaian youth. The report which has been described as another milestone towards addressing the unemployment challenge also calls for more investments in career guidance and counseling, work-based learning, coaching, and mentoring to equip young people with the needed skills for work. The report suggests that although these are not new areas, government could maximise the impact by scaling-up these priority areas in existing youth employment interventions and improve outreach to the youth.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">At the end of their 2019 plenary meeting at Elmina in the Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese, members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference expressed worry about the steep rise in youth unemployment in the country describing it as “a veritable national security threat which has to be addressed immediately and urgently with a well-articulated programme”. The call by the Bishops two years ago is still relevant as currently, the situation has not changed much especially when it comes to graduates from tertiary institutions.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Stakeholders comprising Government, Private Sector, Political Parties, Faith Based Organizations and Civil Society Organizations are therefore urged to treat the growing menace of joblessness among our youth as a national emergency so as to come up with practical and innovative solutions to relieve our young citizens of the lingering stress of persistent unemployment. Since about 70 percent of Ghana’s workforce is employed by the agricultural sector, it is only reasonable that agricultural education in Ghana is streamlined to adequately prepare the youth to take advantage of the many opportunities that exist. The youth must also take note of the changing times by being proactive and creative in exploring available opportunities to establish their own businesses to be self-employed.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">We are in a new era where everything is changing therefore government should consider raising the daily minimum wage and put together more and better workforce training programmes for fresh graduates. Some organisations do not employ fresh graduates based on the perception that most of them do not perform well when they are engaged, therefore organisations lose lots of resources. If “Work Experience” thus becomes a basic requirement, it must be properly administered but the question is: who should train graduates to acquire the requisite experience to qualify them for the job and meet the needs of demanding managers or organizations? Even though some might have the qualification, they may lack skills and experience. Those who have the work experience may also not necessarily have the needed academic qualifications to do the job. The bottom line is if you are not employed after pursuing a professional course, how then do you get the experience for the job market?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Most organizations or employers are therefore deterring qualified graduates due to this “Work Experience” policy. This should be thought through again mainly because someone must be willing to offer job seekers the opportunity to learn on the job and gain the experience and skill. The onus also lies on students in our tertiary institutions to take their industrial attachments or internships seriously because it is a way of acquiring the experience being demanded by employers. The National Service Secretariat should be considering the background of students before placement. Students should be posted to institutions of their field to enable them to have a clear understanding of their area of study and get the requisite experience.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Again, organisations could invite applicants for interviews and do their selection based on specific requirements and merit. Some of these graduates may have fresh ideas that could boost the growth of organisations. Government must provide pragmatic measures that will stand the test of time because previous policies have not yielded results.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">By Damian Avevor, a Freelance Journalist.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-88586258517133970262021-03-16T14:43:00.003+00:002021-03-16T14:43:37.191+00:00Calls on Ghanaians to be more vigilant of cyber fraudsters<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The emergence of social media and electronic transaction services have opened the door for criminal and fraudulent practices in society which are indeed disturbing. Fraudsters have capitalised on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp among others on the internet to dupe innocent and unsuspecting people of their hard-earned money. Every now and then the fraudsters devise several ways of hacking into individual banks and mobile money accounts, sometimes under bizarre circumstances.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">With the subtle manner in which they go about their criminal activities, one needs to be more alert and vigilant. One of their common tricks these days is a phone call telling you that an undisclosed amount meant for somebody has wrongfully been sent to your mobile money account. They will then appeal to you to return the said money with threats to get the network provider to block your account if not returned. The way they speak, you may be convinced and will want to check your account only to see that there is nothing like that.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Few minutes later, another call will come from a different person, this time a female voice, posing as an official from the fraud detection office of the said network in Accra, informing you that they had detected that somebody was trying to hack your mobile money account and, therefore needs your assistance to block the person from having access to the account. If you are not smart, you will begin to follow a process on your phone to enable the supposed mobile telecommunication official to block the person. The humble demeanor on the phone will make you believe what the voice on the other side of the phone is telling you. The little mistake on your part will see the fraudster deplete your mobile money account completely.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In other instances, you will see on a Facebook wall, photos of familiar faces with their particulars boldly displayed inviting you as a friend. It is done cleverly that you will be obliged because of the clear evidence provided, and that will begin your friendship right away with series of chats.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In such chats, the fraudsters will ask about your residence, job and tell you of juicy employment opportunities in blue-chip organisations. You express interest at your own risk. They may even come promising to facilitate any process for one to acquire auctioned cars. You need to be worried when such people request your mobile number and other financial account details. That should give signal of a foul play, do not hesitate to stop the chat and quickly block them and report to security agencies. If you take chances, the fraudsters perpetuate the nefarious activities to your surprise especially when they pose as certain prominent and high-level personalities including Ministers of State as a cover-up in their dubious malpractices.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Let us bear in mind that these fraudsters are well over the internet and Ghanaians must be on guard so that they would not fall into their hands easily. It is a fact that the internet and social media has become a perfect tool for the dissemination of information in a faster and sometimes accurate manner. However, the problems associated with their usage can have disastrous results, where fraudsters get the chance to manipulate the system.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">We need to be extra careful in the application of the internet and social media to safe guard our lives and property.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">By Charles Neequaye, A Journalist.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-47021557046916430822021-03-16T14:42:00.002+00:002021-03-16T14:42:28.830+00:00The need to provide quality healthcare for Children suffering from all forms of childhood cancers<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The World Health Organisation indicates that 300,000 children are diagnosed with different types of cancer each year. In the last decade, the survival rates for most types of cancer such as leukemia, brain cancer, and lymphoma in children have improved in developed countries. Up to 80 percent of the patients survive, thanks to early diagnosis, timely treatment, and advance medication. However, most children who are battling cancer live in the developing world, where their survival rate is less than 25 percent.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In other words, children who find themselves in Ghana and other developing countries have lower survival rates. Ghana is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Right of the child. Article 24 requires parties to recognise the right of a child to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and facilities for treating illnesses and rehabilitation of health. But from all indications, this is a mirage in Ghana. The country has only two hospitals- Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye Teaching hospitals that can provide comprehensive childhood cancer treatment, a few care centers, and five trained paediatric oncologists. This is a disaster in waiting because 37 percent of the population is under fourteen years, a vulnerable group susceptible to childhood cancers. The World Child Cancer, an international charity organisation, report indicates that there will be between 1,200 to 1,300 new childhood cancer cases to be recorded in the country in a short period of time. There is an urgent need for government and stakeholders to provide comprehensive policies to support children’s treatment, care, and rehabilitation in the area of cancer treatment and management.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The cost of chemotherapy, drugs and few radiotherapy facilities make treatment very expensive for most people to afford. Though it is possible for parents to enrol their children on the National Health Insurance scheme under the cancer treatment policy on the National Health Insurance Scheme, the policy is not effective and does not help much. The problem of insufficient health care workers trained in paediatric cancer must be addressed urgently. Some of the over eighty district hospitals government intends to build in the coming years must be dedicated solely to childhood cancer treatment. Travelling distance to the hospitals plays a major role in parents bringing their children for treatment. Therefore, every region should have a facility dedicated exclusively for cancer treatment and management. It is disturbing for parents to travel long distances to seek medical attention in the few facilities which are already constrained by inadequate personnel and logistics. Authorities must raise more public awareness about childhood cancers for early diagnoses and treatment.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In Ghana, myths surrounding childhood cancers contribute to late and low diagnosis rates. Some believe children cannot get cancer, others do not know the early warning signs. Some are of the view that childhood cancers are incurable, that a child with cancer can infect another child when they are playing together or that a child who survives cancer will be infertile. Education on the illness will go a long way to ensure that people do not treat cancers as a spiritual sickness but a medical condition that is treatable if diagnosed early. Public Health Awareness campaigns on breast cancer and some non-communicable diseases have yielded significant results over the years. Same should be done in the case of childhood cancer.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">With collective effort and promotion of universal health coverage, every Child in Ghana can access high-quality care with the greatest chance of survival. We must give childhood cancer the needed attention now.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">By Pearlvis Atsu Kuadey, a media Monitor.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-15520913018632368672021-01-05T17:00:00.001+00:002021-01-05T17:00:25.791+00:00Ghanaians Urged To Support Government For Successful Reopening Of Schools<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">President Akufo-Addo last Sunday, announced the reopening of schools after being closed in March last year to avoid the spread of Coronavirus. As per the announcement, Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High School students in both private and public schools will return to the classroom from January 15. Furthermore, Senior High School students, except those in SHS 1, will return to school on January 18, 2021. He further stated that all SHS 1 students would start classes on March 10, 2021, while students in universities and other tertiary institutions will be in school from January 9. According to President Akufo-Addo, during his 21st national update on COVID-19, the decision to reopen schools resulted from extensive and detailed consultations with all stakeholders in the health and educational sectors.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The announcement has generated debate among people with more divergent views. While many deem the reopening as long overdue, others have expressed the view that it is premature as the pandemic is not yet over. Some argue that the school closure has left its woeful traits in the nation’s academic calendar, which will negatively affect holistic education in the country and eventually the national human resources capacity in the future. For others, the closure of schools in the country has created a vacuum between the interest of the pupil and academic activities. It has brewed truancy and heightened child labour. Some girls in first cycle school have been impregnated and may have their education truncated. The closure of schools, according to some parents and guardians, disorganized them as they had to choose between working and staying home to take care of their wards. Whatever the debate is and however it is looked at, Coronavirus has come to stay and according to experts, it will continue to linger on for a while.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">There is the need for government to strategize and pragmatically work out modalities to get education in the country running as it should. This is paramount now more than ever.COVID-19 is threatening to erase many of those gains chalked up as a nation, including those in the education sector. Around the globe, more than 91 percent of students have been impacted by temporary school closures, according to the United Nations. By November last year, close to 1.6 billion young students were out of school. Ghana unfortunately is not exempt, having its fair share of the unfortunate effect of the situation. Some experts fear school closures and the loss of some family incomes could keep children out of school indefinitely. Ghana has worked so hard to get school children in school. The urgent need to move on as a country is key. Coronavirus or not, life must go on. After all, many economic, social and religious activities are religiously going on, and education, which we all consider as the bedrock of the nation, cannot be relegated to the background.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">If we are looking at the future and not only the present, then all efforts must be employed to see our educational system running and doing so well again. It is said that the presence of educated citizens can help to achieve multidirectional growth and development in society, thereby covering all the economic, socio-cultural, technological, and political aspects of regional and national development.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The same is true about future educated citizens. This is why government and all agencies within the education and health sectors need to be commended for the bold and pragmatic steps to reopen schools in the country. The assurance by the president must be taken in good faith. National sensitization by the Ministry of Information and Education, GhanaHealth Service and the Ghana Education Service which began last Monday, to help prepare, inform and educate guardians, students and the public on further modalities associated with the re-openings is commendable.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The future of this country depends on education. let’s not play politics with it rather everyone must play his or her role effectively and efficiently to succeed in getting schools to resume. Together Ghana can beat this pandemic in the shortest possible time.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY DR. NANA SIFA TWUM, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-79048315092104832162021-01-05T16:56:00.001+00:002021-01-05T16:56:12.408+00:00Press Freedom And Protecting The Reputation Of Journalism<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The Media reflects society and depict what its members want to hear, listen to, read or view. Its role as the voice of the people cannot, therefore, be downplayed, since information dissemination plays a significant role in society’s progress. Qualitative and independent media impact positively because the role they play is a critical development tool in governance, economic and social realms as well as fighting corruption. In providing accurate and timely information for the allocation of resources efficiently; the media platforms help citizens’ participation in decisions making to shape their lives. There is no doubt that freedom of expression and the right to information have been really boosted with the increasing participation of the media of all kinds.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Indeed, the increasing role of the media in helping to sustain participatory democracy in the post-Independence era, particularly of developing economies, has been enhanced by having unfettered access to information. In fact, free media uphold the democratic principle of publicity. Media freedom implies media responsibility and accountability. For free media to fulfill these vital functions through their traditional, the public needs assurances that the media are seeking the truth and acting to guard its interest. Media freedom and independence have thus often been central to the organization, make-up, working practices and outputs of media systems across the globe. There is however the danger of subduing the freedom and independence of the media, through excessive government control and regulation, as well as by market forces and practices. In developing countries, for example, most media outlets are controlled by governments, powerful business tycoons and politicians whose influences on the media landscape pose great danger to public peace and security.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">They use the media as weapons of manipulation and suppression of citizens’ rights to unfettered information. Free, independent and pluralistic media, based on the tenets of Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution, are core elements of any functioning democracy. Issues of torture, discrimination, corruption and misuse of power are exposed by the work of investigative journalists. Worrying signals, however, of repression and violations of media freedom can be seen in cases of journalists being deprived of their liberty because of their work. It sometimes results in harassment, intimidation, violence and even murder. It is pertinent to state that, most of the unethical issues that journalists encounter in the course of their duties are variants of what confront them in their everyday working lives.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">However, these concerns and dilemmas may present themselves in particular ways of audience encounter; such as concerns over professionalism in employing journalists; uncontrolled social media, the ever-growing influence of online media portals; low remuneration; poor working conditions, sponsorship biases; infiltration of the profession by charlatans, political skewedness, and limited patronage. In promoting and maintaining the reputation of the media profession particularly in Ghana, there is an urgent need for media practitioners to adopt and adapt guiding principles for effective media practice in 2021 and beyond. For example, the media should realize that they are operating in a developing country environment where provision of unfettered information for the maximum utilization of our resources will help the citizens from the shackles of poverty. It is equally important to access how far the media have been truthful in their reportage, especially on issues contrary to their perceived stance. How far do practitioners abide by the code of conduct?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Media practitioners must to be circumspect in whatever is published for public consumption. In fact, how do media practitioners overcome open political biases and patronage that undermine their gatekeeping role? In Ghana, it is not uncommon to easily identify the editorial stand of a radio or television station, which invokes the echo-chamber phenomenon through their programmes all day long. One crucial area to consider and protect is the need for journalists to fight to protect their collective interests. Hodges in 2009 argues that it is journalists who must begin to take themselves seriously as members of a unique and noble profession if journalism is to gain the respect to function effectively in society.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The increasing pluralism and polarization of the media landscape are fast eroding to free and independent media practice; particularly, where constant attacks of journalists who hold discerning views but abide by code of ethics needlessly operate at the peril of their lives. There is however no alternative to free and independent media practice for society to survive and grow. It is a task that must be done.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">BY NANA OSEI PIESIE-ANTO, A SOCIO-POLITICAL ANALYST</b></p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-6052826630856091432021-01-05T16:54:00.002+00:002021-01-05T16:54:47.861+00:00Does Ghana Need COVID-19 Vaccines?<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Indeed the year 2020 will go down in record as the year the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) swept through, shook and brought on its knees the economies of the world after the Spanish Flu pandemic a century ago. What seemed to be a local issue in Wuhan, China took the world by surprise and hit hard when no preparations were put in place and became the main news headline in every News broadcast throughout the world. At least for once, the world stopped monitoring the stock exchange and focused on Coronavirus case count. The Western World; the ‘metropolis of modern-day civilization’ has so far been the worse hit and the so-called sophistication in modern medicine and technology hasn’t helped much as hundreds of thousands have died already as a result- so unfortunate. Condolence to families and everyone that lost a loved one to the deadly Corona Virus.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">On the contrary, Africa where the pandemic was predicted to ‘kill’ so much that there will be no graves for burial is, in reality, the least affected-unbelievable, right? Maybe Africa should not be bothered too much about external opinion!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Though, not the best way to learn, the Corona Virus pandemic has no less taught the world many lessons.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">First, the rate at which the virus traveled from Wuhan, China to Bolgatanga in Ghana reminds us of our interconnectedness, interdependence and common humanity. And this certainly commensurate with the old saying that when you see your neighbour’s house on fire, help to put out the fire before it spreads. I guess there is still lot of wisdom in ancient tales?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Secondly, the pandemic unearthed hidden talent and innovation around the world. In a matter of months, all sort of innovations and technology to aid in hand washing and so on including proposed cure for the virus emerged. Everyone was on board the innovation train even the non-literate. Where did all this end especially the proposed cure? Are they still being tested by the regulatory bodies or thrown away? What of the Madagascar mixture?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Again, COVID-19 has exposed our collective weakness and vulnerability as a human race. It became evident that there are poor people everywhere in the world who cannot break even for a day without work otherwise they starve. Will this stop African youth from swimming through the icy ocean to find greener pastures? We have also seen that the so-called wealthy nations may actually be nations of a few wealthy people who camouflage the poor. Thanks to the ‘haves’ who shared with the ‘have nots’ including some of us through our networks who made donations to orphanages. The Churches, Mosques and some social groupings were right in the centre of the pandemic supporting in all sorts of ways. What a way society can live together! The poor are thankful.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The world of science went to work as nurses, herbal medicine practitioners, doctors and laboratory scientists worked tirelessly not only to save lives but to find a cure for the virus- a vaccine. Big salute to the nurses and doctors who defied all odds to work with little or no Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)! Salute to the scientists at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) and the University of Ghana for the groundbreaking sequencing of various strains of the Corona Virus. Great start to find a vaccine!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />No doubt the world will not be the same way again after COVID-19. The world has moved and worked online than never before in history I guess. Waow! What a leap in just one year. The world is now familiarizing with new vocabulary and terminologies; Zoom, Sanitizers, Nose Mask, and Social/Physical Distancing etc.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">After one year of struggle with the Corona Virus Pandemic, a vaccine has finally been found in the West. What of the earlier discoveries in Africa? Or they don’t meet WHO standards?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Given the record of infections and deaths so far in Africa and Ghana for that matter and the discovery of various strains of the virus across the world as it has undergone mutation, is a vaccine necessary at this point in Africa? What about commissioning African scientists to further their research for a vaccine? Or it is expensive for our governments. Maybe the World Bank may not finance it. In the meantime, is there a potent vaccine in our case than ensuring the COVID protocols are observed? Should our governments invest in a COVID Vaccine while they careless about the ‘free’ protocols? What about continuing to ensure that PPEs are available for health workers some of whom have unfortunately died in their line of duty? Will citizens be required to pay for the vaccine and the poor too? Or the vaccine will be a cash cow for the politician?</p><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Hillary Adongo</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">hillaryadongo@gmail.com</p></div>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-37459978208707354042021-01-05T16:53:00.000+00:002021-01-05T16:53:00.726+00:00The Impending Presidential Election Petition by NDC<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Member of Parliament for South Dayi-Rockson Nelson Darfeamekpor has revealed that the NDC is set to file a petition at the Supreme Court to challenge the declaration of President Akuffo Addo as the winner of the December 7 presidential election. This revelation is good news for Ghana, which is touted as a beacon of democracy in Africa. The filing of the election petition is a signal to the global community that the NDC believes in due process and will also get the assurance that Ghanaians are firmly committed to keeping the much-cherished peace and stability.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Indeed Ghana’s peace and stability portray the country as an attractive destination for foreign investment and tourism. In the impending election petition, NDC will be asking the supreme court to declare that president Akuffo-Addo has not been vividly elected, in addition to other serious reliefs such as praying the court to declare the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, as the duly elected candidate, a rerun of the presidential election among others. It is important to look at some major aspects of the law on election petition, in reference to timelines for commencement and completion of such a petition.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Although Article 64 of the 1992 constitution gives every citizen of Ghana the right to file such a petition within 21 days of the declaration of a winner of the election through a written instrument by the electoral commission, that right has been narrowed down extensively to only the presidential candidates through CI 99. The CI states that a presidential candidate who desires to challenge the declaration of any co-candidate as winner of the election by the EC, has 21 days to do so or forever hold his peace.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">On the matter of the completion of the hearing, happily, in2016, a new law was enacted which states that a presidential election petition hearing must be completed within 42days of the commencement of the case. That is to say, the case must come to an end by 8th February 2021, if president Akuffo-Addo and the EC are served on the same day the petition is filed, that is 30th December 2020. Otherwise, a few more days or weeks should be added to the 42 days to cater for eventualities in the attempt to serve the president and the EC. This new law is a great relief because the last election petition in 2012, traveled 8 months with its attendant’s high political tension and uncertainty in the business environment.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">It is no secret that quite a number of businesses held back on investment, as the country waits with rated breath for the verdict. Since there has been a precedent of a Presidential election petition, being the one filed by now president Akuffo Addo and Vice President-Bawumia in 2012 that will surely provide guidance going into the impending petition. However, there is a caveat that the Supreme Court reserves the right to change its mind from the judgement on the 2012 petition. By law as stated by the majority of the Supreme Court in the 2012 presidential petition, the reliefs to be sought must be based on evidence that the violations of the electoral laws in the 2020 elections, were widespread to the extent that if the votes in those areas of violations were discounted either none of the candidates got at least 50% of the votes cast in order to be declared winner consequently there must be a rerun or that John Mahama won the Election.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In addition, the court unanimously held that some administrative issues cannot nullify the votes of the people. Examples include the pink sheets not being serially numbered, lack of polling station codes or repetitive codes and unknown polling stations that is polling stations created late but brought to the notice of the political parties. The majority of the court held that the absence of the presiding officer’s signature does not also nullify the votes. This time round, by the same CI 99, the respective political parties of the candidates, cannot be made parties to the case. So neither NDC nor NPP can be parties. Of course the parties reserve the right to challenge the constitutionality of the law with regard to their exclusion as interested parties.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The brief step-by-step requirements of (CI 99) are as follows. Once the President and the EC are served, they must each present their response within 10 days of the service. On the 15th day, the judges will meet the parties, to prepare for the plenary trail, which is the one that usually involves witnesses testifying in the witness box. The trial will be conducted and concluded within 7 days making it 21 days thus far. The judges have the remaining 21 days to come out with their verdict. In the event of any unforeseen challenges within the 7-day trail, the judges are at liberty to give part of their 21 days to the parties to make the trail extend beyond 7 days.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">To foster transparency as was done in the last petition in 2012, the law gives the court power to allow for a live broadcast of the proceedings. It is highly expected that the court will allow such a broadcast, which will help to educate Ghanaians on the processes and outcomes of the trail. This will prepare the citizens to accept the verdict. Indeed, legal terms such as “further and better particulars” became common knowledge. So did the nation get some comic relief in the phrase “you and l were not there”, as often repeated by Dr. Bawumia? Certain comments which were regarded by the judges as constituting the offence of contempt of court were dealt with. Several persons were hauled before the panel and sanctioned.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In fact, some persons, including Kenneth Kuranchie and Stephen Atubiga. For instance, Mr. Atubiga in an attempt to purge himself of contempt infamously referred to himself as “a foolish man from Binduri”. Ghanaians, therefore, expect that the lessons learnt from the 2012 petition will go a long way to discourage the parties and their supporters from making prejudicial and or contemptuous statements during the hearing of the case.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">BY THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC)</strong></p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-18627614559538372072021-01-05T16:50:00.001+00:002021-01-05T16:50:08.727+00:00Let’s Remain Calm After The December Election<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Ghana the first nation to gain independence in Africa, South Sahara is considered worldwide as a peaceful nation. However, happenings after the just-ended election on 7th December seem to be giving Ghana a different outlook. After the polls which gave the NPP and NDC almost equal number of MPs in parliament with President Nana Addo being declared winner of the presidential poll, a number of towns across the country are being turned into battlegrounds with youth groups going on a rampage to attack some MPs DCE’s destroying properties and threatening to kill people.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">This is not what happens after polls since the inception of the 4th Republic in 1992. The activity of the wayward groups is considered by many as unghanaian. Indeed since the inception of the fourth Republic Ghana has not witnessed ugly scenes such as this after presidential and parliamentary polls. We must make a move to put a stop to it, otherwise it would affect our reputation as a peaceful nation. Even though the police and other members of our security were deployed to ensure peace during and after the polls, their presence were not felt as expected as though they’re not well prepared for their roles.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The NDC which claims to have detected flaws in the polls are challenging the results but they are not seen to be responsible for the atrocities. The NPP whose candidate, Nana Addo was declared winner has been calling for peace and calling on its members to be modest in their celebration. It’s our prayer that the other political parties would follow suit by calling on their members to remain calm and peaceful. For that matter, all the youth embarking on the rampage must put a stop to the acts of vigilantism. They must know that it is only when there is peace that as young people they can go about their affairs as students and workers. Before the polls a peace PACT was signed between the contending parties in the presence of religious leaders through the help of the Institute of Democratic Governance, IDEG.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">UNDER the agreement the leadership of the contending parties especially NPP & NDC agreed to ensure peace during and after the polls. If after the polls any of the parties have grievances the only avenue left for them is to put forward their grievances to the electoral commission or the law courts for redress. According to IDEG, the Supreme Court has the Mandate to resolve disputes and give interpretations to the electoral laws. It happened that when Nana Addo lost a presidential election against John Mahama in 2012 he took the matter to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of John Mahama. Nana Addo accepted the verdict and moved on. This notwithstanding, the NPP, NDC and the other political parties deserve commendation for remaining calm during and after polls. The NCCE, National Media Commission, GJA, National peace council, religious groups and other civil society Groups in the country must continue playing their part in promoting peace in Ghana. They can do so in their churches, mosques and neighborhoods.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Ghana must continue to march on as a peaceful nation. Since both NPP and NDC have a good number of MPs in parliament, it’s believed that we are gradually moving away from the winner takes all phenomenon. It’s our belief that the new Parliament will do well by ensuring the enactment of good laws in the country to ensure the promotion of education of our children and unborn generations. They will also ensure good infrastructure and honest and credible use of the natural and financial resources in the country. Let’s consider Ghana as a nation that belongs to every citizen.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">We must continue to live peacefully in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, markets and business centers. Ghanaians know that we are one people in one nation with a common destiny with different political parties and still working together. We must therefore promote peace and unity wherever we are and whatever roles we play in the country. This will make Ghana a true beacon of democracy and peace for posterity.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY ALHAJI ALHASAN ABDULAI</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-45371796947553831962021-01-05T16:48:00.001+00:002021-01-05T16:48:18.991+00:00Ghanaians Urged To Maintain Peace After 2020 General Election<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Ghana went on its knees before God for peaceful elections this year so that the country can continue to develop with improved standard of living for the citizens. Thankfully, December 7 had come and gone. One critical period after the election is the declaration of results and the acceptance by the competing parties. It’s a crucial period that needs to be managed well to ensure that all parties are on one page for the betterment of Ghana. It is imperative to call the attention of all citizens, especially the youth to guard jealously the peace, and national cohesion the country enjoys. The youth are the hope of Ghana’s future.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Therefore they should not allow self-seeking politicians to misdirect their energies into destructive activities which will not promote a better tomorrow for them. The country is looking up to our enterprising youth to be creative and use innovative ideas for national advancement.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />By the grace of God, Ghana has held successful elections since 1992 with the ushering in of the 4th Republic on January 7, 1993. It is no secret that during elections in any human endeavour there will be victors and losers. When people do not resolve differences peacefully in elections, it creates acrimony and tension in society. The stakes are even higher in national elections which involve the election of Presidents and Parliamentarians. Thankfully, things have been managed mutually in the past 27 years of constitutional rule with Ghana being the Winner.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Ghanaians have just been to the polls to elect a President and Parliamentarians with some minor disagreements here and there. Disagreements among political actors should not degenerate into violence. After all, what use will it be if one wins an election and have to preside over citizens who are hospitalized because they sustained injuries in electoral violence? We need not forget that in any violence children and women are the most affected. There is consequently the need to preach tolerance in all activities in schools and other social gatherings. Religious leaders take pride in the fact that their congregants are made up of people of different political ideologies. They are therefore at a strategic position to appeal to political actors and their followers to be measured in their utterances and pronouncements as they try to state their positions of disagreements. Peace, love, fellow feeling and unity are critical ingredients that provide societal cohesion.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">We are witnesses to scenes of election violence and how such unfortunate developments have eroded the democratic gains of countries. It is the hope and prayer of all that such scenes will be constant reminders to Ghanaians to avoid acts and utterances that can result in violence and undermine development. Ghana has a number of developmental challenges, including the worrying youth unemployment situation, so cannot sacrifice the future of young people, in the name of political expedience. The issue of party supporters attacking and locking public offices at the least provocation should not be encouraged in the country’s democratic journey. It should be made clear that such facilities represent our collective taxes, so no group of people should think they have the right to just attack or destroy them. The facilities are not for political parties. Even offices of political parties, when they come under attack, are not seen as party property.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">This is why the national security agencies, especially, the police take keen interest in such matters because of the criminal nature. How much more State facilities. Political leaders must denounce their supporters who perpetrate such dastardly acts.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />We should promote an exchange of ideas. Winners and losers in elections should know that they are two sides of the same coin, because, constructive criticism is healthy for national discourse to accelerate progress and development of our dear country, Ghana.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY REVEREND EMMANUEL ANTWI-TUMFUOR NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF EVANGELISM OF THE E.P.CHURCH, GHANA</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-4450554998972005592021-01-05T16:47:00.000+00:002021-01-05T16:47:04.385+00:00The Gateway For Authentic Election Coverage<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Politics provides a great deal of natural content for television news programming. During political campaigns and elections, national networks, as well as many private stations, devote substantial amount of time in covering these activities. Elections constitute a basic challenge to the media, putting its impartiality and objectivity to the test. The task of the media, especially national media outlets, is not and should not function as a mouthpiece for the ruling party or particular candidate. Its basic role is to enlighten and educate the public and act as a neutral and objective platform to accommodate all views.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Public Service Broadcasting was founded on a belief that still holds true in most of the world: the private sector alone cannot guarantee pluralism in broadcasting. The trouble is that public media have largely failed to do that too. In many countries, the advent of private broadcasting has made governments even more determined to cling onto editorial control of the public broadcaster. Going into Election 2020 in Ghana, all eyes were on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to fulfill its mantra as a station with a trusted voice for all Ghanaians. Throughout the broadcast era, television networks consider Election Day as their most visible and important broadcast every four years. Most stations unveil new equipment and visual imagery all in effort to capture the wider audience. Election Day coverage is thus the newsroom golden hour. Election reporting is a major test of media ethics. If opinion is free (and in particular for those media that have adopted a clear political preference), facts are sacred. Honesty in reporting is essential. It requires fairness, the permanent battle for accuracy, the rejection of manipulation, dirty tricks and incitement to hatred as well as a keen sense of responsibility to keep the electoral process open, peaceful, free and fair.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">GBC News Election 2020 team has done a fantastic job from this angle. In these times of modern technology, humans have become very visual-based persons. Therefore, it came as no surprise that GBC News incorporated this principle of television by engaging the viewers with new color scheme for the graphic design to complement the new LED video wall, an innovation adopted by the newsroom. Election Day reportage demands an extensive research and GBC News correspondents dotted all over the sixteen regions did not disappoint, as they gave detailed reports of the constituencies they reported from. The reports were nuanced with appropriate sights and sound combined with well-researched and accurate narrative of political history of the constituency concerned. The positive comments on various social media confirmed that truly GBC News correspondents were apt to the task.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Elections correspond to periods of heightened media coverage and reporting. With each political party wanting to lead the country, these transitional times are often wrought with competitive language, rising tensions, and occasional political disgruntles, sometimes resulting in even violence and conflicts. As a state broadcaster, GBC News played crucial role by showing professionalism in its coverage. Whereas some private stations were busily putting unsubstantiated reports of violence and alleged ballot stuffing on air just to be seen as the first to break the news, GBC News was committed to getting the right information before disseminating to its trusted and cherished audience. Balanced reporting provides news clearly and impartially so that the public is able to draw its own inferences and this was what GBC News gave its audience during the 2020 election coverage. The station was committed to delivering thorough, verified, and unbiased information and this has enhanced its ratings in Election 2020 coverage. In some media systems and outlets, professionalism is defined on the basis of absence of partisan and bias in reports and GBC News being a state broadcaster where opinions over the years have aligned them to the ruling party or government has finally been erased due to the balanced Election Day coverage. Kudos to the staff of GBC News for a well-covered election 2020.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Written By: Atsu Kuadey – atsukuadey20@gmail.com<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />(Media Monitor)</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-2098836641634221352021-01-05T16:45:00.002+00:002021-01-05T16:45:51.590+00:00Gatekeeping Role Of Media During Elections<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Ghana’s democratic credentials as the beacon of hope for Africa are without question. This enviable accolade bestowed on the West African Country largely stems from our record of successfully conducting seven successive elections since the return to Constitutional rule in 1992. As Ghanaians, we often take pride in our recognition as the torch bearers of democracy in Africa. We are always quick to point to the peaceful transitions which saw power beautifully alternating between the NDC and the NPP. While this feat is mostly attributed to the peaceful nature of Ghanaians, we tend to lose cognizance of other equally important factors that have contributed to our largely smooth voyage to the very pinnacle of democracy. Having said that, one critical cog which has helped the smooth running of Ghana’s democratic machine is the solid foundation laid by the framers of the 1992 Constitution particularly in the area of media freedom.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Indeed, the Fourth Republican Constitution is regarded as the most far-reaching as far as freedom of speech and independence of the media are concerned. Refreshingly, the framers of the Constitution in reasoning with proponents of the Libertarian theory allocated double freedom to the media through relevant provisions in the constitution. For instance, Article 21 clause one ‘A’ stipulates that “all persons shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, which shall include freedom of the press and other media”. Chapter Twelve has been dedicated to the independence and freedom of the media with Article 162 explicitly stating that “freedom and independence of the media are hereby guaranteed”. It is against this background that the contribution of the media towards the success of Ghana’s democracy cannot be downplayed. As watchdogs of society, there can never be any well-functioning democracy without first, unfettered media freedom.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Generally, literature has established that access to information, one of the main channels of which is the media, is essential for self-determination, for social and political participation, and for development. Thus the power of media enables participation of the governed in their government, thereby making it the cornerstone of democracy. Moreover, a real democratic society is based upon an informed society making political choices.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Therefore, access to information is not only a basic right of citizens but also a prerequisite for democracy itself. Actually, this is the area where the Ghanaian media continue to receive plaudits whenever the country’s shining democracy is cited. But has the performance of the media been an all-around success in this regard? As with every human institution, the answer is obviously no. The imperfections of the media are well known to discerning observers. The promotion of hate speech, sensationalism, speculative and rumour-mongering reportage, blatant disregard for ethics of the profession and irresponsible journalism are just a few of the well-documented sins of the Ghanaian media.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">As is to be expected, some of these excesses of the media continue to fuel the debate on whether Ghana as a fledgling democracy requires unfettered media freedom with cue lines normally taken from the appalling history of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Posterity can never forget that it was through pronouncements on radio that an entire generation of Rwandans nearly went extinct. Seriously speaking, the Ghanaian media with all the vibrancy we exhibit cannot fall into the Rwandan trap, hence, the need to be highly professional at all times. As the country, heads into crucial elections on Monday, the necessity for the media to live up to expectation cannot be overstated. Precisely, the stakes in this year’s elections are extra high considering the fact that it is the first time in our democratic journey that we have a former president contesting an incumbent.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">History is about to be made and the media as the watchdogs of democracy cannot let the nation and indeed the entire continent down. Journalists on any day are supposed to exercise their freedom responsibly. To put it bluntly, media practitioners have an obligation to be at their professional best by observing to the letter, principles that guide their noble profession. Consequently, they must try as much as practicable to be credible, fair, balanced, objective and reconciliatory in their reportage in order not to stoke an unquenchable political fire in the country.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Thankfully, this clarion call has been well trumpeted by the National Media Commission, the Ghana Journalists Association and like-minded Civil Society Organisations over the course of the electioneering campaign. This scenario can be likened to a candidate going into an examination with all the materials required for success provided by the parents and the school. In that regard, there can be no excuse for failure. For us in the media, we have the framers of the Constitution to thank, for their wisdom that has brought us this far as well as a thoughtful NMC and GJA that give us unrelenting protective cover in our dealings. The final part of the bargain is ours, bearing in mind that there is no media freedom without a functioning democracy. This is the very reason we must put up our best as Journalists to pass the test which awaits us on Monday December 7 and afterwards.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY WILLIAM OWUSU BOATENG, A JOURNALIST</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-12523883158909705632020-12-04T10:31:00.001+00:002020-12-04T10:31:16.199+00:00The Special Voting Exercise<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">It is heartwarming the Special Voting ended smoothly throughout the country yesterday with no reported nasty incident. It is also gratifying that voter turnout was high at almost all the centers. The Special voting gave the opportunity for those who have been assigned special duties on election day like the police, military, journalists and essential service providers to cast their ballot to enable them to get ample time for their assigned roles.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Even though the exercise chalked up remarkable success it was dented by a number of missing names from the special voters’ list which has unfortunately disenfranchised such people as they cannot vote again on December 7 because majority of them might be stationed outside their home region. Equally a minus in the Special Voting exercise was people illegally taking pictures of the candidates they voted for. Such photographs are believed to be demanded from the electorate in return for either cash or any other gifts.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">This is a way of influencing votes and tampering with the franchise of the voter. It is hoped the electoral Commission has taken note of omissions and commissions in the early voting to enable them to correct anomalies so detected. Nevertheless, the commission deserves tons of commendations for ensuring its Biometric Voters Device(BVD) were in shape for voting to proceed smoothly. Equally a plus for the EC was the fact that it ensured the observance of all the Covid 19 protocols to enhance the health of voters. With the Special Voting now complete the stage is now set for the main voting on December 7. The Electoral Commission must ensure it crosses its Tees and dots its I’s to ensure incident-free voting. The situation where malfunctioning BVD’s are sent out to opposition strongholds to slow down the voting process must be a thing of the past. We need to water down the tension that characterized the voters registration and alleged intimidation of voters in areas like the Volta and Northern Regions. As umpires in the elections, the Electoral Commission owes it a responsibility to be fair to all parties and justice must not only be done but seen to be down.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">This is because next week’s elections are very crucial to the nation’s peace and stability. Developments in neighboring countries in their recent elections are not good commentaries and must not be re-enacted in our beloved country Ghana. Ghana has progressed steadily since it decided to chart the path of democracy in 1992 and has often been touted as the citadel of competence as far as election is concern. It is good efforts are being made to get the candidates and their parties to commit to peace by accepting the results of the elections.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In every endeavor, there is a margin of error that is acceptable. That is why independent observers rate some elections as free and far despite some infractions. It is unfortunate some people through no fault of theirs have been disenfranchised. One wonders what compensation would be offered to them. Voting in an election is an unfettered right that no one is allowed to take away.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">As the nation inches towards election 2020 let’s all play it fair and ensure the results are credible. Politicians also ought to be circumspect in their utterances to avoid plunging the country into a state of anarchy and chaos. Ghana is the only place we can call our own and no other. A word to the wise is enough.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY JUSTICE MINGLE, A JOURNALIST</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-86262831231260146482020-12-04T10:29:00.001+00:002020-12-04T10:29:25.486+00:00International Day Of Persons With Disability<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The annual observance of International Day of Persons with Disability (PWDs)started in 1992 after a proclamation of the UN General Assembly’s resolution 47/3. The day was instituted to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disability in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness on the situation of persons with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The UN puts the number of PWDs to about one billion worldwide This year’s global pandemic has undoubtedly reset the world’s compass on Virtually everything and re-engineered attention on ensuring vulnerable Groups are put at the center of all decision making processes. No wonder The UN is using today’s celebration to building a better: disability-inclusive,</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World. Disability inclusion is not about ticking the boxes but inclusion is at the heart of human rights, sustainable development, peace and security. The 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development seeks not to leave anyone behind but ensuring that the rights of persons with disability goes beyond justice; an investment in a common future.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In Ghana, successive governments have built their predecessor’s efforts in ensuring the lives of PWDs are made more bearable. Sadly, though, the quest has been at a rather snail’s pace. The visually, speech and hearing impaired intellectually disabled like the autistic and those suffering from cerebral palsy have to contend with basic things such as easy access to public buildings. Ghana’s Persons with Disability Act, 2006, ACT 715 encapsulates their rights to include: Right to family life and social activities, differential treatment in respect of residence,non-exploitation of and discrimination against a person with disability, access to public places, services and Public employment centers.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">These are but a few of the more than 60 rights and provisions captured in ACT 715. The question however remains that how many of such provisions has the state and society ensured their implementation to the letter. Come Monday, Ghanaians of adult suffrage will go to the polls to elect a president and parliamentarians. According to a 2017 Postgraduate research carried out by a student of the University of Ghana, the “Disability Act has no significant influence on the political inclusion of PWDs. There exist a gap between policy and implementation because the Act sets no guidelines for political engagement.” It particularly notes the work of CSOs and specific state institutions in improving electoral participation of PWDs from 2008.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The study also found that “the growing influence of partisan activities in local government elections informs the withdrawal of PWDs from the electoral participation at the grassroots level. Financial support for a party’s preferred candidates makes local electoral participation competitive and burdensome for PWDs due to their low financial status.” On the eve of the voter registration exercise this year, the Electoral Commission engaged the Federation of Disability organizations to ensure no one was excluded from the civic exercise. With the special voting forming the water test for the national exercise next week, the believe is that the EC, NCCE, Ministry for Gender and Social Protection and all allied agencies will leave no stone unturned in getting all registered PWDs to cast their ballot next week. In the spirit of compassion and the proverbial hospitality of the Ghanaian, it would be most welcoming if PWDs are given prompt attention when they get to their polling station. This is even more necessary as COVID 19 still stares us in the face. The time to build a better society that is disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable, post-COVID 19, starts now.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">BY AUGUSTUS ACQUAYE, A JOURNALIST</b></p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-79337464797014680302020-12-04T10:27:00.001+00:002020-12-04T10:27:21.704+00:00Violation Of Data Privacy In Ghana<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Data privacy, also known as information privacy, is the aspect of technology that ensures data shared by individuals or customers of telecommunication networks are only used for the intended purposes and not shared with third parties. In an era of fast-growing technology, data privacy is becoming an increasing topic of scrutiny.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In the United States of America for instance, laws are enacted to regulate data privacy, which means that each law or compliance regulation has been created in response to the needs of a particular industry or section of the population. Examples of such law include the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) which extends government restrictions on wiretaps to include transmissions of electronic data. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) – gives parents the opportunity to have control over what information websites can collect from their children. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) – ensures patient confidentiality for all healthcare-related data and others.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">In Ghana, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) which was established under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), is to protect the privacy of the individual and personal data by regulating the processing of personal information. It is an independent statutory body that provides the process to obtain, hold, use or disclose personal information and for other related issues bordering on the protection of personal data. The National Communication Authority educates and protects consumers, establishes and monitors the quality of service indicators for service providers, ensure fair competition among licensees, grant licenses and authorizations for operation of communication systems and services and many more. But the question that keeps coming up is, are these institutions in Ghana working to protect data privacy or information privacy of individuals?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">On September 5, 2020, I received an unsolicited message from a political party asking me to vote come December 7.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Below is the message;</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-170465 size-full" height="1028" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" src="https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Elecronic-campaign.jpg" srcset="https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Elecronic-campaign.jpg 750w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Elecronic-campaign-219x300.jpg 219w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Elecronic-campaign-747x1024.jpg 747w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Elecronic-campaign-696x954.jpg 696w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Elecronic-campaign-306x420.jpg 306w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 0px 5px; max-width: 100%;" width="750" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-171042 size-large" height="928" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" src="https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JohnMahama-768x1024.jpg" srcset="https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JohnMahama-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JohnMahama-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JohnMahama-696x928.jpg 696w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JohnMahama-315x420.jpg 315w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/JohnMahama.jpg 810w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 0px 5px; max-width: 100%;" width="696" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">A section of the public also took to social media to raise concerns over unsolicited messages they received from political parties. In response to the issue, Telecommunication companies in Ghana say they are not responsible for Unsolicited Electronic Communications (UEC) received by their clients in recent times. “Mobile Network Operators have not sent out UECs for and on behalf of any Political Party,” the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications said in a statement. So the question again is, how did they get contacts to broadcast those bulk messages? And who should be held accountable? Mobile phone users are constantly being bombarded with bulk messages from one company or the other.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Just today, December 1, 2020, a day set aside for the commencement of the Special Voting, the bulk message making the rounds is one from a Tigo number with a voice note purported to be coming from the First Lady of Ghana, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo asking people to vote for her husband come December 7. Another text message from JM reads: “Hello! My name is John Mahama & I bring you special greetings ahead of the Special Voting on Tuesday. Please vote John Mahama. The time for change is NOW. JM.” The list to these types of messages is unending and can be frustrating at times.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">It is unethical and whoever is responsible for sharing private data should be penalized. Recently, the Electoral Commission (EC) also published the nation’s voter register of over 17 million names on Google Drive which was later disabled. The decision was reversed due to public outcry against the action, which was a breach of data privacy and a blatant disregard for people’s rights.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">It doesn’t end there, few weeks ago I was added to a WhatsApp group called “NLA leaked two sure” without my permission. I quickly exited the group and blocked the page. National Lottery Authority (NLA ) is a statutory agency of Ghana. It was established as the Department of National Lotteries in 1958 with a Mandate to organize raffles for the public to have fun and win prizes.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Below is a screenshot of the group;</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-171044 size-large" height="1024" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" src="https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NLA-whatsapp-576x1024.jpg" srcset="https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NLA-whatsapp-576x1024.jpg 576w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NLA-whatsapp-169x300.jpg 169w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NLA-whatsapp-236x420.jpg 236w, https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NLA-whatsapp.jpg 607w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 0px 5px; max-width: 100%;" width="576" /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Data Privacy is very essential and should be taken seriously in Ghana. Violation of data privacy erodes consumer, stakeholder and investor trust in the organization, which can affect business and the economy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY: SELI BAISIE.</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-37753824352791874312020-12-04T10:25:00.001+00:002020-12-04T10:25:11.956+00:00Online Publication Of Voters’ Register<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">The Electoral Commission (EC) this week posted the nation’s voter register of over 17 million names on Google Drive. The Commission, however, disabled the link to the published register within days after posting it. The decision to reverse their action chiefly emanated from public outcry against the action, which was deemed as a grave breach of privacy and a blatant disregard for people’s rights. Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by the internet giant Google. It was launched in April 2014 to provide file and image storage services for internet users.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The facility is a cloud-based storage solution that allows one to save files online and access them anywhere from any smartphone, tablet, or computer. It also allows users to store files on their servers, synchronize and share them across devices. As of March 2017, Google Drive had 800 million active users, and as of September 2015, it had over one million organizational paying users. As of May 2017, there were over two trillion files stored on the service. The decision by the EC to use Google Drive as the medium of publishing such an important national document appears very unsafe. Still, perhaps the Commission might have been motivated by the many multifaceted benefits of the facility. For instance, each file or folder in Google Drive has its own sharing link and the ability to customize who has access to it. Users of the facility may also be able to open and use the files without any trouble. Whatever the motivation was, generally, it was not a safe place to publish a document like the voters’ register.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">After all, how many Ghanaian voters will have the means to access the register on Google Drive. It is believed the Commission did not just meet the legal requirement of publishing the register but also focused on the importance of the exercise to the public. Details of registered voters, such as age, among others, are also questionable as they may be easily stolen by unscrupulous persons for other nefarious activities. Some members of the public have also expressed concern over the potential insecurity the publication of the voters’ details could entail.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Following the launch of the service, Google Drive’s privacy policy was heavily criticized by some members of the media. Google has one set of Terms of Service and Privacy Policy agreements that cover all of its services, meaning the language in the agreements grants the company broad rights to reproduce, use, and create derivative works from content stored on Google Drive.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Hackers hack or remove one’s important data. One of the disadvantages of the details of registered voters as published on Google Drive will be that hackers hack or remove people’s essential data and sell it for other purposes. It is also possible that the EC did not consider the possibility of hackers installing viruses into their server and the files for that matter. Identity theft these days have seen many activities of IT hackers around the globe.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">This occurs when an unauthorized party uses people’s identifying information, such as the name, address, Social Security Number (SSN), credit card, or bank account information, to assume one’s identity to commit fraud or other criminal acts.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Brushing aside all these, the best under the circumstances and in the face of the law, is for the Commission to have issued a publication alert or warning to all voters who have their names on the register and indeed the entire citizenry. This was not done, and victims of the publication were taken unaware. The Commission justified its decision to publish the voters register on google drive saying it is enjoined by law to make public details of voters on the register before every election.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The steps by the Data Protection Agency to discuss with the Commission on how to ensure transparency and fairness in the handling of the personal data of registered voters is laudable. This is because the balance in complying with the laws by the EC and the urgent need to ensure the safety as well as the security of the personal data must be carefully worked out to establish the extent of voter information the EC could publish and even where to publish.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">BY DR. NANA SIFA TWUM, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT</b></p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-41491323263565677762020-11-27T15:37:00.002+00:002020-11-27T15:37:58.070+00:00Elimination Of Violence Against Women<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Over the years, efforts have been made to eliminate violence against women throughout the world. Unfortunately, discrimination against women still persists in the world today and this is unfortunate. Discrimination against women comes in various forms including disregard for their rights and violence against them. In some countries for example, women, are not given the respect they deserve and also discriminated against along many lines.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">Fortunately, the UN as a global body has recognized the problem and encouraging many women to apply for and occupy positions within its system. This is meant to encourage them to change the perception people have against them. In Ghana, the Akufo-Addo administration has appointed many women to play useful roles in his government and as has been pointed out already, all this is being done to change the negative perception about them. About 25 years ago, a progressive road map for gender equality was developed and implemented by the world in the form of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Since that time, numerous developments have taken place in various parts of the world, some negative, others positive. What this means is that the world still has a long way to go to encourage women to contribute for the transformation of the world.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The observance of International day on the elimination of violence against Women should not be mere declaration or observation of an event about women but be made in practicable terms to ensure that in all countries discrimination and violence against women in all forms are done away with. We need to fight hard in this regard to bring together people of every gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and country to drive in a tremendous manner actions that will create the gender-equal world we deserve. This is possible if positive practical steps are taken to ensure that gender-based violence is punished according to law. In a situation where effective laws are not available, the law making institutions will have to be encouraged to as a matter of urgency enact such laws for the protection of women.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The passing of laws to protect women is good but after they have been passed, we need to implement them rigidly to the letter. It is through such means that we can roll out practical steps for economic justice and rights for all while making sure that respect and autonomy for women is guaranteed alongside sexual and reproductive health rights. In all this, all countries must encourage feminist action for climate justice as well as all forms of justice. Needless to say, there must be technology and innovation for gender equality and feminist leadership. Various governments and groups in the world must make it a point to embark on program</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">mes that are meant to realize the encouragement and enhancement of women’s right in society. To be able to achieve this effectively, women should be encouraged to form groups that will highlight their interest in society and also protect them against discrimination and violence. Such actions can have big impact in making this vision a reality.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">At the same time, men must also be sensitized against the plight of women in society so that in all humility and equality, they will help our women to play useful roles. What this means is that, all of us, that is both men and women need to come together to eliminate discrimination and violence against women.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">As Ghana joins the rest of the world to call for an end to violence to women, everyone must come together and join in efforts to realize equality for women and everyone in the world. This is how the world can move forward in a positive manner towards equality and happiness in a non-violence world where women can thrive to their fullest potential.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH-</b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">BEDIAKO,GHANA STANDARDS AUTHORITY.</b></p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54416252194361145.post-64632052314122972482020-11-27T15:36:00.000+00:002020-11-27T15:36:13.923+00:00Prophecies In Elections And Its Implications On The Body Of Politics<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; text-align: justify;">Bono East Regional Director, Electoral Commission Prophecy in simple terms is the revelation of future events and the intentions of God to his people through a prophet. It constitutes a major component of Judeo-Christian tradition. Prophecy is not a bad thing in itself. After all, who does not want to know the mind of God and what will happen tomorrow. It is its abuse in any shape and form that is a challenge.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">It has become a common phenomenon where the so called prophets and men of God prophesying the results of elections, claiming that the results have been revealed to them by God in advance. This phenomenon is dangerous spiritually and politically since, the legitimacy of elected government can be adversely affected. Legitimacy is one cardinal pillar on which any true democratic government rests. When it is damaged the government has no root to stand on nor any reason to exist.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The legitimacy in the democratic governance emanates from the will of the people which is represented by the choice of the voters. To create an impression, directly or indirectly that voters have been denied of their choice and that the government elect is not the will of the citizens is very serious and dangerous to the health of our democracy and should not be taken lightly. It stands to reason that false prophecies in elections can dent the credibility of election management body: what is even worse is the fact that when the falsehood of those doubtful prophecies are exposed with time, instead of the ‘men of God’ to eat a humble pie by accepting that their prophecies have turned out to be untrue, they rather embark on face-saving exercise at the expense of the election managers. They claim the verdict has been stolen instead of accepting that they did not get it right. In their efforts to shift the blame and the shame on to the election management they – simply claim that the election has been rigged, and end up denting the credibility of the only constitutional body mandated to conducts public elections and referenda in the country.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">The danger of this situation rests in the fact that trust in the election management and confidence in the electoral system which constitute the cardinal pillar on which election results are encored are inextricably lost. At this point, it does not require an expert in conflict management to tell us that the cumulative effect of all the scenarios discussed above is violence especially in the environment of gullibility and fanaticism.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">A genuinely losing candidate can take advantage of the already prepared grounds to create mayhem. What is even worse is the fact that these false prophecies can create doubt about the sincerity of God: we have instances in Ghana where different so called men of God prophecy victory for different candidates in the same presidential election in which only one winner is expected. This puts many minds in a dilemma as to whether God is not truthful? This can also affect the faith of many people in God. The earlier this is eliminated from our body politic in general and elections in particular the better.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: "PT Serif"; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px auto 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;">BY GABRIEL DEI YEBOAH</p>gbcghanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01675349043741652099noreply@blogger.com0