Category News

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Sam Jonah urges journalists to speak up against threats to Ghana’s democracy

The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sir Sam Jonah, has called on Ghanaian journalists to actively safeguard the country’s democracy by not shying away from addressing critical issues affecting its governance system.

Sir Sam Jonah emphasized that media professionals in Ghana should serve as paragons of objectivity, promoters of informed discourse, and unwavering champions of freedom and truth.

Speaking at the launch of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, Sam Jonah expressed concerns about troubling trends in the national dialogue, urging a renewed commitment to the principles championed by Ephraim Amu, especially in the current era where democratic values and social cohesion face significant tests.

Furthermore, he encouraged media practitioners to utilize their platforms to address pressing issues such as the perceived politicization of state agencies against dissenters, encroachments on press freedom, public scepticism regarding the impartiality of the judiciary, and the concerning lack of accountability in public finance management.

“In this era, where the essence of our democracy and the fabric of our society are tested, let us recommit ourselves to the principles that Ephraim Amu so eloquently espoused. I implore you to be the standard-bearers of objectivity, the architects of informed discourse, and the unyielding defenders of freedom and truth. In this regard, all of us have to be concerned about some disturbing developments in our national discourse,” he said.

“The perceived weaponisation of state agencies against opponents, the creeping assault on freedom of the press, the perceived lack of trust in the dispensation of justice, and the pathetic lack of accountability in the protection of the public purse, this is the time for patriots to find their voices,” he added.

Sir Sam Jonah also urged journalists “to be fearless and courageous. We cannot and must not compromise on our defence of the national interest. The success of our attempt at a democratic order will depend crucially on how free the press is. In the words of Walter Cronkite, a widely respected American journalist, ‘freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy!”

The theme for the 75th anniversary celebration is “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: Past, Present, and Future.”

• Christian
• April 21, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 2 minutes Read

Ghana, Vietnam commit to upholding bilateral relations

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and Vietnam have held discussions in Accra to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratum-Sarpong, said the two countries shared rich historical bonds of long-lasting friendship based on mutual respect and shared aspirations dating back to the 1960s.

Ghana established diplomatic relations with Vietnam on 28th March 1965, becoming the 10th African country and the 26th in the world to do so.

As a result, Vietnam opened its Embassy in Accra on 5th November 1965, and closed it in June 1966, after the coup d’état, which ousted President Kwame Nkrumah from power, he said.

Although Ghana and Vietnam had no resident Missions in each other’s country, relations between the two countries over the years have been cordial and fruitful.

Mr Ampratum-Sarpong reiterated that the visit of his colleague to the country symbolised the beginning of a new chapter in the bilateral cooperation and a testament to their collective commitment towards strengthening their ties and exploring new avenues for mutual benefits.

“This collaboration, which is built on a solid foundation of understanding, respect, and shared growth is destined to reach new heights, setting an exemplary standard for partnership and diplomacy,” he stated.

Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong expressed the hope and expectations that together they could rekindle the bonds of friendship and cooperation for mutual benefits.

“We are encouraged by our shared commitment to enhancing our partnership in the areas we discussed earlier: trade, technical cooperation, agriculture, energy, and technology, which are vital for the prosperity and well-being of our peoples.”

Nguyen Minh Hang, the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on her part, congratulated Ghana on its socio-economic development achievements, saying Vietnam did appreciate the tireless efforts Ghana had made in its course of national development.

She said she strongly believed that Ghana would achieve major targets envisioned in the National Medium Term Development Policy Framework 2022 to 2025.

Madam Hang touched on the importance of bringing bilateral relations to a new height to meet current demands and lauded Ghana for completing her role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2022-2023.

The Accra meeting not only reaffirmed their mutual interests but also strengthened the bonds of friendship and cooperation, he said, and that the discussions had been productive, offering invaluable insights and numerous opportunities for collaboration.

• Christian
• April 20, 2024
• 0 Comments
• 3 minutes Read

Saglemi Housing: Government promises transparency as private sector takes over

The government, through the works and housing Ministry, has assured the public of its commitment to transparency and increased diligence as it opens the door for private sector takeover of the Saglemi Housing Project.

In a move to finally address the long-stalled Saglemi Housing Project, the government has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), inviting private sector participation in its redevelopment.

This initiative marks a significant shift in strategy, aiming to leverage private expertise and resources to complete the project and contribute to bridging Ghana’s housing deficit.

The Saglemi Housing project has been marred by allegations of corruption, with former Works and Housing Minister, Collins Dauda currently on trial. He has denied any wrongdoing, just as the erstwhile administration that birthed the project.

Despite the investment of over $200 million in the Saglemi Housing project, there have been issues of vandalism and theft of various fittings such as burglar-proof materials, plumbing works and metal coverings on culverts.

In an interview on Accra-based JoyNews, the sector Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, disclosed that the government has no intention of spending extra money on the project, the reason private sector participation is being courted to participate in its redevelopment.

“The dynamics have not necessarily changed. It’s a source of funding that is changing now and our objective is to be able to finish this and make it available. This is also to develop a settlement on its own. So there are questions on where is the school, where is the hospital, where is the commercial centre?,” he queried.

“Community and social responsibility, technical and managerial ability as well as ethical business practices – all come together as part of the eligibility criteria of who qualifies to put in a bid, local and or international,” Oppong Nkrumah further stated.

In his view, a transparency policy associated with the entire process has been published to show the government’s commitment, adding that the transparency policy talks about all the disclosure of information that will be made available.

“It talks about the fact that we have an open and competitive bidding process. For example, nobody is going to get an opportunity to put in a bid before the other. All the bids will be received on the same day and then at the end of that day, at that 5pm close, all the bids will be opened transparently. So we have clarity on what everybody has brought to the table.”

“We have also committed in our transparency policy that when this transaction is done, in consonance with the pro-active disclosure clause of the Right to Information Act, we will publish all the bids that were received, the evaluation report of the independent evaluation panel, we will publish the decision memo that the end based on all of these, this is the company that is selected as the successful bidder, we will publish that decision memo and we will also publish the final agreement that is entered into with the successful bidder,” Mr Nkrumah said.