Ab TV GH

Category: Art & Culture

  • Akwaaba, Vice-President Harris

    We welcome the Vice-President of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris, into our midst.

    We do not take for granted the fact that she chose Ghana as her first port of call in her week-long first-ever three-nation African tour since taking office.

    Her decision to visit Ghana on her maiden trip to Africa buttresses the fact that Ghana and the USA have a very cordial relationship spanning many years.

    Indeed, although Vice-President Kamala’s visit is the first by the first African-American and first Asian-American vice-president in the history of the US, it adds to the tall list of high-profile visits from the USA to Ghana since the country gained independence in 1957.

    All the visits have further cemented the relationship between the USA and Ghana which started with a trip to the USA on July 23, 1958 by the then Prime Minister of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who also visited Washington, DC on March 8, 1961 as President and was met at the Washington International Airport by US President John F. Kennedy.

    Since then, Ghanaian presidents, including Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Mahama and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, have all received and had interactions with and/or visited US Presidents in Washington, DC.

    The visit by Vice-President Harris and her spouse is, therefore, not surprising because of the decades of friendship between the peoples of Ghana and the USA, which has resulted in many partnerships and cooperation centred on security, governance, education, agriculture, health and many other areas.

    Be that as it may, the visit by Ms Harris has come at an opportune time when Ghana finds itself in economic distress, while the security situation in the West African sub-region is not getting any better.

    The economic challenge has resulted in hot debates in the past few months over a Domestic Debt Exchange Programme the government has introduced as a way of cushioning the country.

    Ghana has also gone to the International Monetary Fund for a $3-billion deal, which for now appears illusive as talks get prolonged over one issue or another.

    We have also commenced talks with the Chinese government for external debt forgiveness to enable us to secure the expected $3-billion cushion from the IMF.

    All these and more are the reasons we believe the visit by the US Vice-President must go beyond mere rhetoric, as has been the case with some high-level engagements.

    Ghana has also gone to the Paris Club to find succor for its economic crisis and the Daily Graphic finds it refreshing that already Vice-President Harris, in her first interaction since arriving here, has pledged that the US will intervene on Ghana’s behalf.

    She also announced that the US would continue to push all bilateral creditors to provide meaningful debt reduction for countries that need it, which is heartwarming.

    Speaking to the security issue in the sub-region, Ms Harris said the US would commit $100 million to combat terrorism in some coastal West African countries, which is also very welcome news.

    Nonetheless, we reiterate the fact that all issues that will be discussed during her three-day visit, be they bilateral, on security or any form of cooperation, should be backed by steps to actualise decisions taken.

  • Shell to exit South Africa’s downstream sector

    Oil major Shell will divest its majority shareholding from a local South African downstream unit after a comprehensive review of its businesses across all regions, it said on Monday.

    “As a result of this review, Shell has decided to reshape the downstream portfolio and intends to divest our shareholding in SDSA … this decision was not taken lightly,” a Shell statement said. It did not specify when the decision took effect.

    Shell Downstream SA (SDSA) was formed after Shell South Africa and black empowerment company, Thebe Investment Corporation, agreed a decade ago to merge Shell South Africa Marketing and Shell South Refining businesses. Thebe held a 28% equity stake.

    Shell, which has been present in South Africa for more than century, is still exploring the country’s offshore, incurring opposition from environmental campaigners who have launched court action.

    During the divestment process, Shell said on Monday it would work to preserve SDSA’s operating capabilities and maintain its brand presence.

    A Thebe spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

    One of SDSA’s main assets and South Africa’s largest refinery, Sapref, in the east coast port city of Durban has not been operating since 2022 when Shell and its refinery joint venture partner, BP, decided on a spending freeze and halt to the refinery’s operations.

    Flooding along the coast that killed nearly 400 people that same year severely damaged the plant, which at that stage provided around 35% of South Africa’s refining capacity

    South Africa’s Central Energy Fund said two years ago it was interested in Sapref, which has a nameplate capacity of 180,000 barrels per day, as it seeks to overcome energy security concerns.

    On Monday, an energy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said CEF had signed a non disclosure agreement with the parties involved and therefore could not comment.

    South Africa is a net importer of refined petroleum products, a challenge exacerbated since the closure of Sapref and the country’s second largest refinery Enref, also in Durban.

  • Bringing order to Nkrumah Circle

    The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra was built and opened to the public in 2016 to help decongest the area and allow the free flow of traffic, as the original circle had outlived its usefulness, in view of the increase in traffic, both human and vehicular.

    However, after a brief respite, we are back to square one, seven years after the opening of the interchange, as the disorder in the area has returned,  this time in a worse condition.

    The chaos at the place now is not because the interchange has failed to deal with the traffic situation but because city authorities have failed to bring sanity to the area.

    Human beings always do what suits them or is convenient for them, and that is why there are laws to whip people in line.

    But it seems our laws are just in the statutes.

    The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, like other such structures in city centres elsewhere, is very important because it is the central point of the national capital where many people (about three million daily) transit when commuting to other parts of the city and other towns in the country or to do business.

    Unfortunately, the place has gradually been turned into a jungle where only the strongest survive, while law enforcers and city authorities look on helplessly.

    The question that begs for an answer is: How did we get here?

    And the answer is simple: Enforcement of the city’s bye-laws has been so weak over the years that it has culminated in the disarray in the area.

    If care is not taken and action taken now, the area will become a no-go area and will become the hotbed of criminal activities, with mentally challenged persons and beggars also joining in to make the place unwelcome.

    Indeed, Circle has long been notorious for the mugging of pedestrians, but things are getting to a head now because of the chaotic nature of activities there, which has also contributed to insanitary conditions and the constant pollution of the Odaw drain.

    City centres the world over attract hordes of people who visit to do shopping and business and commute to other areas, but those centres are not chaotic because city authorities are up and doing and any disregard for or flouting of the laws on the parking of vehicles, trading and even crossing the road anyhow attracts a fine and you dare not refuse to pay because you will be fished out.

    Some years ago when the late WOII Salifu Amankwah was the landlord of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, no one dared misbehave there, which kept the area in order all the time, although some excesses resulted in the death of an aged man.

    While the Daily Graphic is not calling for such brute force to be used on people who throng the Nkrumah Circle daily for various reasons, we are calling for the city authorities especially the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KKMA), led by Samuel James Nii Adjei Tawiah  to stamp its authority in the area for sanity to prevail.

    For example, it does not make sense that in spite of a pedestrian mall that has been built to take care of hawkers, we still have people (both sellers and buyers) trading on the pavements, leaving pedestrians with no choice but to walk on the streets and forcing vehicles to use one lane and move at a snail’s pace.

    What is wrong is wrong and we must not allow people to sell on the streets and pavements for whatever reason

    By creating the human and vehicular traffic, we have also made the area very conducive for all manner of criminal activities, including pickpocketing, such that the area is no longer safe for people who go there to do genuine business or pick transport.

    We urge the resourcing of the KKMA and other assemblies linked to the area to bring some order there.

    For starters, we must also ensure that more policemen are roped in to clear traders from the pavements, penalise members of the public caught buying things from hawkers and street vendors and fine drivers who stop or park anywhere they like to pick up or drop off passengers at will.

    We must clear all makeshift and illegal structures at the city centre that have become an eyesore to make the place comely – we must not politicise this activity, so that it is sustained.

    The Daily Graphic calls on the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, to take charge of the exercise of making the Nkrumah Interchange beautiful once again, and we pledge our support to this endeavour. Enough is enough!

  • Bringing order to Nkrumah Circle

    Abtvgh Ghana / A.M.A.

  • Second cycle schools enrolment and matters arising

    On February 27, 2023, all senior high schools (SHSs), technical and vocational institutes (TVIs) opened their gates to first-year students to begin their three-year secondary education journey.

    The over 500,000 candidates started moving into various schools of their choice to settle down for academic work.

    The day came as a relief to parents and guardians who had been waiting for almost a month since the release of the results by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for the enrolment of their wards into senior high school.

    Anxious parents have since been moving to the various schools and institutes to ensure that their children are properly placed.

    The Daily Graphic is happy that as of February 26, 2023, a report from the Ministry of Education put the number of candidates enrolled at 492,437 out of the 538,399 representing 91 per cent.

    It is our expectation that by now, the rest of the nine per cent have enrolled so that they do not unnecessarily miss out on academic work.

    This is particularly important because, every minute counts in the academic work and the longer the child stays at home, the more the contact hours that are lost.

    The Ghana Education Service estimates that every student is expected to complete 1,134 contact hours per academic year, culminating in a total of 3,402 contact hours for the three-year stay in school

    It is in the light of this that the Daily Graphic believes that the continuous stay at home by the remaining candidates, who are yet to be enrolled, will be counter-productive and ultimately affect the academic outcomes of those students.

    We advise the students to take their studies seriously as they settle down for academic work and not to follow others blindly.

    It is important that every student must know why he or she is in school and not look at what others have or are doing and do likewise.

    All of them must know that their academic journey has just begun and how they make use of the time available to them, will determine their level of success tomorrow.

    They should not allow peer pressure to influence their decisions.

    They must focus on their studies while in school.

    However, one major concern which the schools need to be flexible with is the list of items in the prospectus.

    Some of the schools are said to be asking for items that compelled the GES to issue a caution note that schools caught in the act of billing parents unnecessary items would be dealt with.

    Some of the schools are said to be selling the items on the prospectus to parents in the schools, a development management of education in the country frowns upon.

    We believe that there is wisdom in the composition of the items in the prospectus, but it should be possible for the schools to be flexible and allow in students whose parents are unable to acquire all the items and give them time to settle that.

    In the prospectus, there are some items that are basic and must be provided and those are the ones that the heads must insist on but not the other peripheral items of which the heads themselves know.

    Those peripheral ones can be collected while the students are in school and not a must that the list should be conclusive before the student is allowed in school.

    Some of these and school fees are among the things that informed the rollout of the free SHS policy and nothing, not even the prospectus, should prevent qualified students from acquiring secondary education.

    As President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated during the launch of the free SHS policy, we, as a nation, have a sacred duty to our children and the generations beyond in ensuring that, irrespective of their circumstances, their right to an education is preserved.

    The heads of second cycle schools should enrol the students and take up issues with their parents.

    After all, the sins of the parents should not affect the academic progress under this era of free SHS.

    As the students report to school, the countdown to the 1,134 hours begins and there is no time to waste.

    Time and tide, we all know, wait for no man.

  • Auto Show, Thursday, 23rd November, 2023

    MOG announces “2023 new wine” concert

    Themed, “The coming glory”, MOG’s flagship annual programme will take place on 19 March at the Oil Dome of the Royalhouse Chapel International, Accra

    Abtvgh / MOG

    Award-winning gospel musician and songwriter, Pastor Nana Yaw Boakye also known as MOG Music has announced the 2023 New Wine Concert.

    Themed, “The coming glory”, MOG’s flagship annual programme will take place on 19 March at the Oil Dome of the Royalhouse Chapel International, Accra.

    The much-anticipated event which would be held in-person has lined up gospel artistes including Ohema Mercy, Uncle Ato, Piesie Esther, Kofi Owusu Preprah and Ella Duncan Williams.

    Also ministering will be Keepers Music and Liberty Voices Choir. The 2023 edition will see the ministration of new singles on the Koinonia album Phase 2 and great worship songs from the guest artistes.

    Speaking about the concert, the VGMA two-time male vocalist of the year, MOG said the 2023 event presents an array of local artistes who are prepared to usher God’s children into his presence.

    He said the Phase 2 of the ‘Koinonia’ album will take gospel music lovers to another level as the Christian community worldwide comes together to worship God.

    According to MOG Music, activities have been outlined to garner support for the event. “I can assure you that lives are going to be touched and there will be testimonies.

    Under the patronage of the Most Rev Sam Korankye Ankrah, founder and Apostle General of Royalhouse Chapel International, the concert will be live telecasted on TV platforms including Powerline TV as well as social media handles of MOG Music.

    Patrons of this year’s event would have to get their tickets ready for the life transforming event.

    Tickets are going for as low as GHC40 (single) for the gallery stand and GHC 70 for double. The standard regular ticket is going for GHC 80 and GHC 150 for double. The special VIP tickets are going for GHC 200.

    “Patrons should expect a night of the manifestation of the power of God through song ministrations including hymns,” a statement from the singer said.

  • Happy 66th Independence Day

    Today marks the 66th anniversary of attainment of independence from colonial rule for our dear nation Ghana. The attainment of independence signalled our liberty as a country to take our destiny into our own hands and be in charge of our own affairs.

    It was indeed an affirmation of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, that “the Black man was capable of managing his own affairs”.

    In Nkrumah’s moving speech in the early morning of March 6, 1957 at the Accra Polo Grounds, he proclaimed the expectation and the hope of Ghanaians, the rest of Africa and the world for the new homeland of Ghana. 

    There was a new hope for prospects because the opportunity had been offered the people to determine their own destiny and affairs. The independence journey had been tortuous and at certain stages uncertain. There had been difficulties, imprisonments, hardships, suffering and deaths. 

    Quite rightly the people had cause to jubilate.

    On the occasion of 66 years of nationhood, therefore, the Daily Graphic joins all Ghanaians to congratulate ourselves on the feat that we have chalked up over the years. We have not been a total disappointment; certainly, we have built on what was bequeathed to us by our forebears and we must have cause to celebrate. 

    The country has seen tremendous improvements in its Human Development Index (HDI), indicating progress in life expectancy, adult literacy and combined secondary and tertiary school enrolment, and real GDP per capita.  Until 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country, we were one of the fastest growing economies. 

    We have a thriving, stable and deepening democratic governance and a high degree of media freedom that are the envy of many.

    We must be encouraged by these and pat ourselves on the back for our efforts. But as we do this, we must understand that all is not rosy. It does not also mean that we could not have done better. There are many challenges that we need to work on in order to experience the rapid and accelerated development we yearn for.

    Currently, the country is in dire economic straits, with our debt to GDP growing to unsustainable levels. This is the time we need all citizens on board to help turn the situation around. We need the understanding and support of citizens for policies and measures to build a strong socioeconomic foundation. Something that will provide economic freedom and curtail our dependence on foreign aid, to lead the country to move away from the source of economic growth where we rely on extractive and capital-intensive services that do not directly help in reducing poverty. 

    We must immediately also work on our political psyche to move away from the acrimony, mistrust and suspicion that have become synonymous with our society. Our political actors, especially, owe the nation a duty to lead this charge. The Daily Graphic won’t mince words in pointing out that they are the primary source of this unfortunate state of affairs. 

    As our schoolchildren, the security agencies and others march today to mark our 66th Independence Day, we mustn’t see it as just an occasion for the fun of it. We must reflect on the whole essence of independence. The Daily Graphic points to an excerpt from one of Dr Nkrumah’s speeches that “. . . from now on, today, we must change our attitudes and our minds. . . . and that [our current state] entails hard work”.

    Ghana must demonstrate to the world that it is prepared to build on our foundation, but we must admit that reshaping the destiny of this country depends on us all.

  • We must deal with air pollution

    abtvgh.com / march 05 2023

    Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sounded the alarm over the worsening air quality in the country.

    The Executive Director of the EPA, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, stated that the agency’s Air Quality Index station at the University of Ghana had recorded dust particles ranging from moderate, unhealthy to very unhealthy air from February 16, 2023, with the situation getting into hazardous levels on February 18 and 19.

    The EPA added that the high particulate levels, which were above the World Health Organisation and national limit, could cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.The Ghana Meteorological Agency (Gmet) had earlier observed dust movement on its satellite from the Sahel region, including Niger and Chad, heading to Ghana.

    Members of the public have, therefore, been advised to start wearing nose masks and also restrict their patronage of outdoor activities and remain indoors as much as possible to avoid frequent attacks.

    Although the harmattan season (between November and March) is often associated with dusty weather conditions, the EPA boss warned that what was happening in the country was extraordinary. He stressed that the situation was not entirely a natural phenomenon as human activities also contributed to it.The Ghana Health Service (GHS) also warned that individuals who exposed themselves to particles emitted into the atmosphere risked contracting respiratory-related diseases.

    Adding her voice to the matter, a Deputy Director, Institutional Care Division at the GHS, Dr Mary Enyram Ashinyo, said persons who were already suffering from breathing difficulties and other respiratory diseases could compound their conditions if they ignored precautionary measures during this period.

    Just like the EPA, Gmet and the GHS, the Daily Graphic is worried about the bad air quality in the country, especially in commercial cities. 

    The paper has observed with grave concern certain unguarded human activities that contribute to air pollution. For instance, on a daily basis, some parts of Accra are engulfed with thick, dark smoke as dealers in scrap metal burn electronic waste to extract useful matter. In the process, they discharge toxic gases into the atmosphere. 

    There is also the big issue of vehicular emissions that has become a canker in many cities.  As rickety and overage vehicles plying our roads emit volumes of poisonous gases into the atmosphere, they pose serious health threats to the public and injure the environment. 

    It is also common to see some food vendors cooking in open spaces using firewood and charcoal. 

    The Daily Graphic believes that there is the need for concerted effort to tackle the menace of air pollution in the country.  Related state agencies must work together to enforce standards and regulations that will help to reduce air pollution. 

    While the EPA has the ultimate mandate to ensure that the environment is protected, it is important for the other related state agencies to brighten their little corners to help address air pollution. 

    In that regard, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority needs to take steps to deal with the menace of rickety vehicles on the road to reduce vehicular emissions. 

    There is the need for emission testing to be incorporated into the vehicle testing regime to address this challenge. 

    The metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies must also implement bye-laws and regulations that would help to stop open space burning of waste. 

    In the wake of the global climate crisis, we cannot continue the business-as-usual attitude towards the environment. We have a collective responsibility to help address air pollution. After all, the consequences of air pollution spare no one.

  • Real estate, climate change

    Abtvgh

    It is the emission of greenhouse gases, such as, carbon dioxide, methane, etc., into the atmosphere that contributes to climate change.

    To mitigate climate change, therefore, is to control activities, such as energy consumption, that emit these gases.

    Like many other countries, including the US, UK and Canada, across the world, Ghana is experiencing the effects of climate change.

    We are experiencing unprecedented flooding, drought and heatwaves, all being climate-related problems.

    Arguably, these issues have had a toll on our economy, with sectors like agriculture and tourism suffering the most.

    In an attempt to curb climate change, the country has planted millions of trees, which, undoubtedly, is one of the solutions to curbing the menace.

    However, achieving net zero in the real estate sector would be a game changer in the world’s fight against climate change.

    Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

    Real estate

    In the real estate sector, achieving net zero means buildings are designed, constructed, and operated in a way that minimises their carbon footprint (total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, emitted).

    The 2019 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction by International Energy Agency shows that the world’s real estate sector accounts for about 39 per cent of the total global emissions and consumes nearly 40 per cent of the world’s energy.

    Opportunity

    Net zero in real estate presents an opportunity for Ghana to address climate change while also promoting sustainable economic growth.

    The rapid growth of our construction industry presents an opportunity to build energy-efficient and sustainable buildings that contribute to net zero emissions.

    One key step towards achieving net zero in real estate is to incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power into building designs.

    In Ghana, solar energy has immense potential, given the country’s abundant sunshine.

    The government could promote the use of solar energy by providing incentives such as tax breaks for businesses that invest in solar panels or subsidise and make it mandatory for buildings to incorporate solar power in their design.

    Building design is identified as another critical aspect that can help achieve net zero in real estate.

    This means designing buildings to be energy-efficient and sustainable.

    For instance, buildings can be designed to maximise natural light and ventilation, reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning, which are significant sources of energy consumption.

    Additionally, materials used in building construction can be chosen with sustainability in mind.

    Building materials such as concrete and steel have high carbon footprints, and alternatives such as bamboo and wood could be considered in some instances.

    Green roofs and walls can also be incorporated into building designs to help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

    Such features would not only contribute to reducing the building’s carbon footprint but also provide other benefits such as improving air quality, reducing urban heat islands and enhancing biodiversity.

    In sum, Ghana can tackle climate change by promoting net zero in real estate.

    Achieving net zero in the real estate sector will not only contribute to reducing the country’s carbon footprint but also present an opportunity for sustainable economic growth.

    By incorporating renewable energy sources, sustainable building materials, and building designs that maximise energy efficiency, Ghana can lead the way in the fight against climate change while also promoting sustainable development.

    The writer is a Student of MSc.

    Real Estate,

    University of Aberdeen, UK.

  • Trauma and communication development

    Abtvgh / GHS/

    THE language skills of children who are abused and/or neglected are delayed compared to their peers, according to studies.

    Adverse childhood experiences can greatly impact a child’s development (mental health and well-being), including their communication.

    It is estimated that young children exposed to five or more significant adverse experiences in the first three years of childhood, face a 76 per cent likelihood of having one or more delays in their language, emotional or brain development.

    According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, about 3.4 million children in Ghana had experienced some form of neglect and abuse.

    This suggests approximately one out of every four children in Ghana.

    How?

    Children develop communication skills when exposed to a language-rich environment and reciprocal interaction (back-and-forth interaction with adults and peers).

    It is good to note, however, that the lack of these opportunities alone is not always the reason for speech and language communication needs in children, although they are important.

    Different aspects of a child’s language and communication skills are impacted following trauma.

    These include understanding and use of language.

    Trauma, like neglect and abuse, has a great impact on children’s language development.

    Children with speech, language and communication difficulties are more vulnerable to abuse and neglect.

    Children who have experienced abuse or neglect are often not identified early.

    They may also have certain behaviour that may be found to be challenging.

    It is important for caregivers and teachers to be aware of these to be able to support their children.

    Intervention for children who have experienced trauma is often provided late for various reasons.

    Unfortunately, it is often underestimated.

    Usually, when the trauma results from an action from a family member or close relation, families may want to deal with the issue internally without seeking redress for their child through the legal system, as well as much-needed therapy for the child.

    For families who may want help for their children, they may find it costly.

    Bureaucracy may also be discouraging for families who want to seek help for their children.

    Help

    Speech, language and communication intervention for children who have experienced trauma has so many benefits for them and their families and society in general.

    It improves their language skills, confidence, self-esteem and life outcomes.

    It also helps them to engage in academic learning, to establish relationships and be able to share their experiences in order to get the required appropriate professional help.

    Therapists engage children in fun activities that provide an opportunity for these children to experience meaningful interactions that they enjoy and most importantly, they learn from.

    They begin to get their voice back.

    With support from interventions, they begin to enjoy their childhood and make positive progress.

    The writer is a Speech and Language Therapist/Clinical Tutor,
    University of Ghana.