Day: June 5, 2023

Tamale (N/R), Mr George Agbenyo, the Northern Regional Statistician has reiterated the need for journalists to always sharpen their skills in analysing basic data and understanding issues about population.

According to him, Journalists were at the forefront of reporting about issues in the communities, districts and regions, hence, it was appropriate to know and understand issues about the population they reported on.?

Mr Agbenyo was addressing journalists at a three-day training workshop for media practitioners on population issues in Tamale, designed to equip them with skills and knowledge to produce facts and evidence-based reports.

The programme organised by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) started on Monday to Wednesday, June 5-7, 2023.

The about 40 participants were drawn from media houses and focal persons of UNFPA across the Bono and Bono East, Upper East, West, North East and Northern Regions.

Mr Agbenyo explained the growing demand for accurate and reliable news could not be contested, saying, that had been identified as providing an important role in the provision of vital information that greatly shaped public opinions on issues that affected the lives of the people.

He, therefore, urged the participants to upgrade their knowledge of data gathering and issues about the population through the workshop to enhance and enrich their reportage.

Alhaji Seidu Issifu, the Northern Regional Director of the National Population Council said population factors affected development, saying the development process also impacted population growth, structure and distribution.

He said population policies were therefore expected to be dynamic to address emerging issues as a society kept on developing.

Mr Majeed Yakubu, the Northern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association encouraged journalists to reflect on the ethics of the profession by focusing on honesty, neutrality, fairness and accountability.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Tema Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned an attack on one of its members, Mr Augustine Ahiabor, a reporter for the Angel Broadcasting Network at Ashaiman.

A statement released by the Association and signed by Mrs Emma Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema Regional Chairperson, said Mr Ahiabor had gone to cover the collapse of a private toilet facility at Ashaiman Lebanon Zone 2 on May 25, 2023.

It said his presence incurred the wrath of some members of the community who attacked him, adding that a man of advanced age and his son led the attack that took place and was subsequently joined by other residents.

They forced the reporter to delete the video shots he had taken and, in the process, physically assaulted him as well as damaged his cell phone.

According to the GJA, a report was subsequently made at the Ashaiman District Police Command, whose officers assured him and the Association of a thorough investigation to bring all culprits to book by arraigning them before the court.

The Association cautioned the public against attacking journalists but to appreciate their work and accord them the respect they deserved in their line of duty.

‘Even where community members feel aggrieved by the work of journalists, they must use lawful means to seek redress instead of taking the law into their own hands. It is worth reiterating that journalism is not a crime, and the GJA condemns the attack on Augustine Ahiabor in no uncertain terms,’ it added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Sunyani, Nana Kwaku Sarbeng, the Akwamuhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area has advised the Management of the newly-promoted Ghana Premier League (GPL) side Bofoakwa Tano Football Club to do everything possible to remain in the league after 16 years in the Division One League.

He also charged the team to emulate its regional neighbour, Aduana FC, by going all out to win the ultimate premier league in their first season to set a record after many years of absence.?

Nana Sarbeng gave the advice when the players, Management and Board Members of the team paid a courtesy call to the members of the Sunyani Traditional Council in Sunyani.?

The team qualified from the Zone One of the National Division One League, after beating Techiman Eleven Wonders by 7-6 on penalties in the play-off decider at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium after the match had ended one all-in regulation and extra times.

Nana Sarbeng urged the Board and Management of the club to prioritise the welfare of the players by establishing a welfare package for them to serve as a motivation factor for them to perform beyond the ordinary in matches.?

Nana Akosua Duaa Asor Sika Brayie II,?the Paramount Queen Mother of the Sunyani Traditional Area called for collaboration among football teams in the region and urged the Bofoakwa fraternity to support their brothers Bono Ahafo United to also gain qualification to the premier league.?

Mr Alexander Ababio, the Chief Executive Officer of Bofoakwa Tano thanked the chiefs and people of Sunyani for their support, saying this was the time the team needed their utmost support to further climb the ladder of success in the GPL to be able to survive the challenges.?

The Council donated GhC10,000.00 to support the activities of the team.?

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Black Stars winger, Inaki Williams has confirmed he will not be available for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Madagascar this month.?

A statement released by the Athletic Bilbao man said ‘For a few weeks, I have been playing with pains in my right knee. I decided to play until the end of the season, but after having spoken to the medical services, we have decided to stop and solve the problem to be 100 per cent for the pre-season’.?

According to him, this decision would not allow him to play for the senior side in the continental competition.?

He noted that his commitment to the national team was exceptional and promised to be available in the next call-up to represent his beloved nation.?

Chris Hughton, Head Coach of the Ghanaian side would look for a replacement following the unfortunate incident.?

The prolific striker made his debut appearance for the Black Stars in the 2022 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in Qatar.?

He was recently named in Hughton’s 24-man squad and would seek to book qualification to the 2024 AFCON.?

Ghana would face Group E opponents Madagascar at the Kianja Barea Stadium on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Portuguese Premier António Costa announced Monday in Luanda the opening of a credit line for Angola, estimated at 500 million euros.

The Portuguese Prime Minister said in addition to the 500 million euros, in the form of loans, there is the remaining balance of 250 million euros from the previous Programme of Strategic Co-operation (PSC).

During official talks, as part of his visit to Angola, António Costa said that the new PSC would continue to focus on the traditional areas of Portuguese cooperation, with priority to economic diversification.

In his speech, the Portuguese official underlined the extension of the credit line from 1.5 billion euros to 2 billion euros was, “not only as an important instrument for development in Angola, but also for the activities of Portuguese companies in that country.

He noted that the new 2023/2027 Programme of Strategic Co-operation would be associated to a strong financial envelope for the next five years.

The Portuguese leader said the relationship with Angola was “solid” and praised the constructive approach of the Angolan government in paying off debt to Angolan companies.

António Costa spoke of the very important steps that have already been taken since 2018, which enable the Portuguese companies to continue to contribute to the diversification of the Angolan economy.

He assured that Portuguese companies are “able” to invest in new areas of the Angolan economy, such as agri-food, renewable energy, blue economy, fisheries, tourism and others that Angola defines as priorities.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

National Assembly Speaker Carolina Cerqueira left for Brussels, Belgium, this Monday to participate in the Annual Summit on “Women Political Leader” (WPL), between 7 and 8 June.

Prior to her departure, Carolina Cerqueira, who was speaking to the press, considered encouraging the women representation in decision-making bodies, at state level, in the public and private sectors and in social activism in Angola.

The Parliamentary leader said that the summit is very important, adding that the event will allow exchanging experiences, sharing opinions and approving goals to face the challenges that arise in the world situation.

She explained that the issues related to the role of women in decision-making, gender equality and the commitment that women leaders and politicians should have to improve the quality of life of the populations and society in which they are inserted.

Carolina Cerqueira noted that the forum could also boost and encourage the renewal of public policies that could promote more development in the country.

The official added that she will take the opportunity to, in her speech, speak about the peace and the Angolan child, as well as the contribution of women, especially Parliamentarians, to the growth of Angola.

The participants in the forum, which celebrates 10 years of existence, will analyse the progress and challenges in the sense of reinforcing equity, women’s participation and opportunities globally.

This is an entity that aims to contribute to increasing the number and influence of women in political leadership positions.

The WPL functions as a global network of women political leaders at national level, including the European Parliament, which currently has around 9,000 members.

Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, it was founded in 2003 by Silvana Koch-Mehrin, former Vice Speaker of the European Parliament (2009-2011) and Member of the European Parliament (2004-2014).

Currently, according to the Interparliamentary Union, almost 80% of Parliamentary seats are occupied by men. In total, around the world, some 9,000 women are members of national parliaments.

The Angolan delegation comprises the second deputy Speaker of National Assembly Arleth Chimbinda, from UNITA, and MP Antonieta Baptista, from the ruling MPLA party

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan Head of State João Lourenço stressed Monday the importance of the legal instruments signed in Luanda between Angola and Portugal, adding that the move reflects the level of relations between the two countries.

The two Governments signed Monday 13 cooperation agreements, as part of the 48-hour visit the Portuguese Prime Minister, António da Costa, to Angola.

The Agreements signed in the Angolan capital focus on the Finance, Health, Staff Training, Fishing, Ports and Construction sectors.

Addressing a joint press conference, after the Agreements signing ceremony, the Angolan President said that the move also reflected the two countries leaders and people’s will.

“The importance the Angolan authorities attach to the Portuguese Premier’s visit to the country represents the two countries commitment to building and consolidate an increasingly strong relationship,” said the President João Lourenço.

He reiterated that the two countries will continue to work, more and more, to reach a good level of cooperation relations.

Angola’s term at the CPLP

As for the Angola’s Presidency at the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), the President of the Republic said that it was up to the member countries to draw conclusions about what had been done during Angola’s mandate.

Angola took over the rotating presidency of the CPLP in July, 2021 and is due to hand over leadership of the organisation to the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

The Portuguese Prime Minister arrived in Angola Monday for a 48-hour visit, at the invitation of the Angolan government, aimed to boost bilateral cooperation relations

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)