Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

The demolition of about 150 houses at Adjei Kojo by the Tema Development Corporation, TDC, has generated much controversy. Initial assessment by NADMO indicates that more than 800 people mostly women, children and the aged have been displaced after a team of military and police personnel had demolished houses on lands in the Sraha and King Solomon suburbs. These lands were acquired by the TDC for the expansion of Tema. The Tema co-ordinating Council of the ruling NDC has subsequently called for the dismissal of the Managing Director of the TDC for supervising the demolition of the houses, thereby causing pain and devastation to the residents. The NDC wonders why the TDC allowed the residents to completely put up their buildings before the demolition. Speaking at the presentation of relief items to victims of the exercise, the National Co-ordinator of NADMO, Kofi Portuphy bemoaned the manner in which the exerci...

COMMENTARY ON GM CROPS AND THE NEED TO CONDUCT DEBATE ON EVIDENCE Ghana is at the cross roads, debating the introduction of genetically modified crops (commonly referred to as GM crops) into the country. Public debates are generally good if conducted in an atmosphere of civility and with the intention of arriving at evidence-based decisions. The ongoing debate on genetically modified crops is not unusual and the literature on the diffusion of innovations is replete with examples of individuals, groups and organizations rising up against the introduction of new ideas or technologies. Historical antecedents to debates on new ideas dates back to ancient times and they were all resolved by evidence-based science. Ghanaians should therefore conduct the current debate not on emotions or ideological inclinations but with available empirical and science-based-evidence. From what is going in the media, it appears that...

Rural urban migration has assumed serious national proportions in recent times. This rural urban drift has brought in its wake many human problems such as pollution, lack of accommodation, poor sanitation, street boys and girls and the sale of wayside foods on our streets, schools, in industrial areas, and lorry parks. Transportation and other household chores make it impossible for majority of the working class and school children to eat before leaving home for their various duties. Research has shown that many of those who patronize street food are people in lower average income brackets, who cannot afford to eat in restaurants. Street or wayside food business has therefore come as a 'saviour' to these groups. Some of such foods include 'waakye, banku, koose, yakayaka, bread, konkonte and agbli kaaklo' just to mention a few. The business is serving as one of the main...

Developments on the labour front is not one any Ghanaian will be enthused about. It is unfortunate the friction between organised labour and the PURC and by extension government over the hikes in utility tariffs has been allowed to deteriorate to the extent that organised labour has declared a nation-wide strike effective the 18th of next month. Before the strike workers will embark on nationwide demonstrations in protests over the increases. At a meeting early this month, organised labour issued a ten day ultimatum to the PURC and government to reduce the tariffs or face the wrath of workers. Following the ultimatum, government constituted a technical working group to among other terms of reference examine mitigating measures that would allow industry and consumers to adjust to any new level of tariff increase The Technical Committee warned that anything below 60 per cent will be dangerous for operators of the uti...

Reports have it that the killings in Nairobi at the West-gate Shopping Mall is a revenge for the situation in Somalia. Late Professor Awoonor at that time he was shot was minding his business there, giving directions on knowledge as he has been doing here in Ghana. He had earlier made major contributions in Literature and general learning, setting people in nation building through his lectures and instructions. As a former student in the then Secondary School,  I recall my first contact with the illustrious Prof.  What I learnt those days were very illuminating and instructive.  I suspect Prof was a Christian or traditionalist but that did not bother us, after all Prophet  Mohammed instructs us to seek knowledge even if it is in China. Here it was in our local school, coming from our own. And then  Prof. goes to Nairobi for similar cause-impacting knowledge and he is killed as part of the collateral damage.  Yes, the Koran allows us to revenge justifiable w...

After the ruling of the Supreme Court and its recommendations for electoral reforms, many important personalities and organizations have added their voice to the need for such reforms. The Electoral Commission on its part has extended invitation to the political parties to bring forth proposals in connection with this noble national assignment. This is in recognition that political parties are major stakeholders in elections. As a matter of fact, the acceptability or otherwise of election results, in actual sense, rest with the political parties. It is instructive to note that electoral reforms have been a continuous process since 1992. As a matter of fact, the EC has been embarking on electoral reforms after every election or major electoral activity. The commission embarks on post-election evaluation or debriefing with the sole purpose of improving its performance in future. ...

The impact of the election petition has been overwhelming for every Ghanaian. The anxiety of not knowing, dealing with contemptuous statements and the expectation of verdict generally contributed to the overwhelmingly challenging experience for the ordinary Ghanaian. In the midst of all these concerns Ghanaians again demonstrated their willingness to subject themselves to due political process. As the so called zero approached, many were those who thought the hard earned peace in Ghana would be whittled away by some magic wand. Here again, it was very refreshing to note that Ghanaians held their own and went about their daily chores with poise and grace. That is why Ghana with all her shortcomings continues to be the oasis in the dessert among the comity of nations. The people of Ghana have shown their love for their country. The children and women of Ghana are particularly grateful for the demons...