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43-yr old barber initiates environmental campaign to keep Oti river clean
‘Do The Right Thing’ at work at the landing site of the Oti river
A 43-year old barber, Mr Gilbert Addae, popularly known as ‘Do the Right Thing’ has turned himself into an environmental crusader, undertaking regular clean-up exercise at the landing sites of the Oti river at Dambai, in the Krachi-East Municipality of the Oti Region.
The decision was to create awareness on environmental cleanliness to enable him change the negative attitude of people about the environment, and avoid littering their communities, particularly the landing sites at Dambai.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Addae explained that he developed an interest in keeping the surroundings of river Oti clean for the past four years.
According to Mr Addae, he made cleaning the landing site a major responsibility, hoping that people would appreciate his efforts, emulate and join him, and in the process stop littering around the water body, which served as a major source of water for the people.
Sadly, he said it appears his efforts is going unnoticed, saying that, “the greatest appreciation I expected was for the residents to stop littering around water bodies and the environment, but anytime I clean, the following day one would see a new heap of rubbish.”
According to Mr Addae, he leaves his barbering shop in the morning for the clean-up exercise and follow up with education on the need to keep their surroundings clean, particularly fishermen, passengers of the pontoon and traders.
Mr ‘Do the Right Thing’ said the Oti Regional Director of Environmental Health (RDEH), Mrs Sybil Marie Boison, had helped in carrying out his new found passion by buying him a smart phone and provided him with reflective uniforms, wellington boots and hand gloves.
Mr Addae further explained that the smartphone helped him to call the Regional Director for advice whenever he needed technical support to enable him perform his unofficial duties well.
Moreover, Mr Addae stated that after four years of collecting waste material at the landing site, he became used to not only keeping the area clean but rather extends to the entire environment.
But that, he said, has not affected his barbering business which he maintains a high level of concentration on.
“This is not affecting my business at all. After going about my clean-up campaign, I return to my shop to do my barbering business in the afternoon,” he added.
For the long term, ‘Do The Right Thing’ has a vision to form groups in order to educate people on environmental cleanliness beyond the Krachi-East Municipality.
When contacted, the Oti Regional Director of Environmental Health, Mrs Sybil Marie Boison, commended ‘Do the Right Thing’ for the passion to clean the surroundings of the Oti river, and asked others to emulate his good example to ensure a clean community.
From Samuel Agbewode , Dambai
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
