News
UG holds thanksgiving service
The University of Ghana (UG), Legon, last Friday held its 75th anniversary thanksgiving service to climax the year-long celebration and to recognise God’s divine providence and sustenance in the affairs of the institution.
There were two separate ser¬vices held for the same purpose, both Christian and Islamic where staff and students of the Univer¬sity.
This year’s anniversary is under the theme: “Nurturing Resilience: Adopting Technology, Embracing Humanism.”
At the Islamic service, the Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyau Shuaib, said gratitude to God was a virtue, principle of divine character and a product of the faith that one upholds.
“His interventions at differ¬ent phases of our development must be acknowledged. God even inspires himself to be thankful for the deeds he has bestowed on us,” he said.
In his sermon, Sheikh Shuai¬brecognised the pacesetters and predecessors of the university and prayed for blessings for the current management to continue to train people to transform the society.
On his part, Managing Director of Japan Motors, Mr Salem Kalmoni said his family has approved the pioneering initiative to construct a state-of-the-art mosque com¬plex which would resonate with the eminence of the University of Ghana.
The mosque would house a conference room, lecture hall and administrative offices.
This followed appeals from the leadership of the Legon Muslim Society to have the mosque -built in the mid-70s- expanded, due to the increasing population of the university.
The President of the Society, Dr Osman Alhassan, said they were eager to see a befitting mosque in terms of size and quality thereby making worship much fruitful.
Regarding religious tolerance, he expressed that the Muslim com¬munity has made strides over the past through dialogues between students and the leadership.
Officiating Imam of the Madina Zongo Mosque, Suleiman Moham¬med Alhassan, led the congre¬gation in prayers to seek God’s favour and blessings on the Univer¬sity.
The function had the Vice Chan¬cellor of the University, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, some lead¬ing Muslim clerics and Principal Officers of the University in atten ¬dance.
By Yunusah Essandoh
The Director of the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and observe good hygiene during the flooding and rainy season to prevent a cholera outbreak.
According to him, although flooding in some parts of the country has subsided, the risk of cholera remains because the conditions that promote the spread of the disease still exist.
“The risk of cholera still exists,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe said, explaining that cholera is closely linked to unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.
Speaking on 3 FM on Thursday, he cautioned the public against becoming complacent a few days or weeks after the floods, stressing that people should continue to be careful about the food they eat and the water they drink.
“I want to urge Ghanaians to be careful what we eat and drink. Let’s not assume that because the flood came last week, we can lower our guard,” he said.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe noted that countries with access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation have largely eliminated cholera, adding that Ghana still has challenges in those areas.
He therefore advised the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, especially by washing their hands regularly with soap and clean water.
According to him, handwashing remains the most effective and affordable way to reduce the spread of cholera and other infectious diseases.
“The most cost-effective intervention is handwashing with soap and water,” he said.
According to him “That does not depend on whether there are floods or not. Make sure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water.”
He called on Ghanaians to maintain clean surroundings and practise proper sanitation to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Supreme Court has dismissed all four suits challenging the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkonoo from office as Chief Justice.
The court delivered its rulings earlier this morning, ending the legal challenge at the domestic level.
This follows last week’s judgement by the ECOWAS Court, which also rejected applications seeking to overturn Justice Torkonoo’s removal.
Each of the four cases filed at the Supreme Court argued against the processes that led to Justice Torkonoo’s exit. The court, however, found no legal basis to grant relief and dismissed each application in its entirety.
In a brief statement by the Deputy Attorney-General Jusrice Srem-Sai after the rulings, he expressed appreciation to the legal team.
“Gratitude to our team of State Attorneys and members of staff,” he posted on Facebook, acknowledging their role in defending the state’s position through both ECOWAS and Supreme Court proceedings.
Background
Justice Gertrude Torkonoo was removed from office as Chief Justice following proceedings initiated earlier this year.
The move triggered multiple legal challenges, including four separate suits at the Supreme Court and petitions before the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Both courts have now ruled against the challengers.
Last week, the ECOWAS Court dismissed the regional applications, and this morning’s Supreme Court decision closes the matter in Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
