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CRIG launches maiden Cocoa Club Ghana project

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The Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) has launched the maiden Cocoa Club Ghana project at the CRIG Primary School in Tafo to bring cocoa education near to the pupils and other youth in the area.
The club which was a fun-based educational outreach programme, would encourage the youth to connect with cocoa from the bean to bar, to shape and develop their knowledge of cocoa and its related activities.
The club would allow the youth to develop and promote their interest, realize their scientific skills and fulfill their quest to acquire in-depth knowledge and information through activities in the cocoa sector as well as provide insight into career opportunities with the cocoa sector and provide information.
At the launch, the Deputy Director, Head of the Social Science and Statistics Unit at CRIG, and Founder of the Cocoa Club, Mr Michael Owusu-Manu stated that for over a century, cocoa has been the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, holding over two million people who were directly and indirectly employed in the sector.
“It has been a primary source of income to many people globally as well as Ghanaian households and a major source of foreign exchange for the economy,” he said and added that the product has tremendous health and nutritional benefits.
However, he indicated that “nothing about cocoa, the most important commodity produced in Ghana is formally taught in schools or part of the regular curriculum,”
He added that it was about time to unveil and spread cocoa education through the club into schools, adding that the club would informally bring cocoa education into the schools to educate, inform, share knowledge and promote the use and consumption of cocoa and cocoa products among the youth.
He revealed that the club which has gone through a phase of testing has for a start started with about 260 pupils from CRIG Primary and JHS who were taken through educational tours at some experimental farms and Favour Laboratory, where they were educated on the history of cocoa and chocolate process making.
He said the club would have many benefits to the youth including building their leadership and managerial skills, sharing experiences and developing new skills, sharing experiences and developing new skills, extracurriculars would boost student life beyond classroom work among others.
For his part, the Acting Managing Director of Cocoa Processing Company, Dr Frank Asante said, the first President of Ghana, Osaagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah did not have the intention for Ghana to produce cocoa but to consume it as well.
He said for that reason he set up the cocoa processing company to process the cocoa beans to bar for consumption, adding that strategies were put in place to enable the country to control its cocoa.
He said over the years, the consumption of cocoa products has been low, adding that the establishment of such clubs was necessary to encourage young ones to patronize and nurture their minds towards the sector, as part of ways to sustain the cocoa industry.
Dr Asante pledged his outfit’s support to the club and encouraged the youth to join the club.
The Abuakwa North Municipal Education Director, Miss Abena Gyamena encouraged schools in the area to establish cocoa farms to whip up the interest of students adding that cocoa education would be added to the science and mathematics quiz programmes done in the area.
Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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NPP suspends Greater Accra campaigns ahead of “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.
The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.
It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.
“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.
The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.
The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.
The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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