News
Kpone Katamanso Imams call on The Spectator, Ghanaian Times Editors
Leaders of the Muslim community in the Kpone- Katamanso Metropolitan area on Wednesday called on the editors of the state-owned newspapers, The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, and called for stronger collaboration to deal with some of the societal issues that confront them.
The visit was to first of all introduce the Muslim clerics in the area and also ensure a fair representation of Muslims’ perspectives on national discourse.
Both parties discussed issues of content balance, community development, and partnership opportunities.
The delegation, led by the Metropolitan Imam, Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, said the Muslim community in Kpone Katamanso alone estimated to be over 620,000, well-structured and plays an active role in both civic and religious life.
He disclosed that the community has been divided into 18 zones, each led by a zonal Imam, with the Municipal Imam serving as the head.
“We have a constitution, and we work closely with the assembly, central government, and traditional authorities. Our presence is strong, and we want the media to reflect that,” the Imam stated.
Alhaji Abdulai further stressed that the Muslim leadership in Kpone Katamanso operates in a democratic and accountable manner, mirroring Ghana’s own political system.
He also stated that zonal Imams were eligible to rise to the position of municipal Imam, and the leadership regularly engages with government, civil society, and traditional leaders to promote peace and development.
Recently, the Municipal Imam received a certificate of recognition from a local chief during a youth gathering, a testament to the cordial relationship between Muslims and traditional authorities in the area.
“Our community is disciplined, organised, and proactive. We believe the media should showcase these positive stories instead of leaving gaps that are usually filled by stereotypes or misinformation,” he added.
Quoting a verse from the Qur’an, one of the leaders reminded us that all humans were created from a single source and must, therefore, treat each other as brothers and sisters, irrespective of religion.
On her part, the Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina Naa Maku Quaittoo, welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to collaborate with the Muslim community.
She indicated that the papers remain committed to inclusiveness and community development.
The Editor of The Ghanaian Times Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahman, expressed concern about the growing influence of social media in shaping public opinion, warning that many online platforms often spread misinformation about religion.
“Social media is full of half-truths. We prefer the credibility of the established press. If issues are reported by The Times or Spectator, they carry weight,” he said.
Practical partnership ideas were also discussed, including establishing newspaper stands in Muslim-dominated communities such as Ashaiman, Nima, and Madina, to create space for regular opinion pieces by Muslim scholars. “If our readers in these communities know their voices are represented in the pages of The Times or Spectator, it builds both trust and readership,” the editor added.
Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue and build a long-term partnership that would give voice to Muslims while also strengthening interfaith understanding.
The Muslim leaders pledged to provide regular articles for publication, while the newspapers assured them of space to promote peace, inclusion, and national development.
They pledged to contribute accurate and insightful content on Muslim perspectives, festivals, and social development efforts, so that the wider Ghanaian public would gain a more balanced understanding of the faith.
The delegation included imams from various communities within the Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Assembly.
They included Mustapha Abdul Wahaab, Appolonia, Mohammed Rufai, Peaceland, Mohammed Aminu Masud, Washington and Sa-id Mukhtar Abubakar, New Zealand.
The rest Shafiu Jibril, Washington, Salih Usman, Chief, Washington, Salis Abubakar, Zenu and Soalihu Mohammed Awal, Kpone-Bawaleshie.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
National Service Authority gets new Director-General
The National Service Authority (NSA) has officially welcomed a new Director-General, Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, following a brief handing-over ceremony at its headquarters on Tuesday.
The event marked the formal transfer of leadership from the outgoing Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, to Ms. Seddoh. Management and staff of the Authority attended the ceremony.
Mr. Gyamfi used the occasion to thank staff for their support during his tenure.
He encouraged them to give the same cooperation to Ms. Seddoh to ensure the continued growth and impact of the Authority.
Ms. Seddoh expressed appreciation to government for the confidence placed in her.
She promised to build on the achievements of her predecessor and called for teamwork, dedication and innovation to help the NSA deliver on its mandate to support national development.
Management of the Authority pledged their full support to the new leadership as the organisation enters its next phase.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NSA board sets up committee to supervise digital reforms
The Governing Board of the National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the inauguration of a Transition and Implementation Steering Committee (TISC) to oversee the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Board, the move follows a letter dated 17 June 2025 from the Office of the President to the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment directing the suspension of the existing deployment system, calling for an audit of its operations and instructing the design and deployment of a new digital platform.
The Board explained that the audit had been completed and had found the existing system unsatisfactory.
It indicated that the Minister had written to the Board to begin the necessary legal processes to ensure the contract for the audited system, which expired in August 2025, would not be renewed, and to take further steps toward designing and deploying a new digital platform that would guarantee transparency, security and real-time verification of service personnel postings.
It stressed that the TISC had been established to ensure a smooth and orderly transition from the current National Service Scheme digital platform to a new ICT-led system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority outlined the Committee’s mandate as overseeing the phased migration from the legacy system, directing the design and deployment of a modern digital platform, and supervising its operationalisation across core functions including personnel enrolment, postings, payroll, allowances and scheme administration.
It further noted that acting under the directives of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment and deriving authority from the NSA Board, the TISC has the power to issue instructions to NSA departments and engage external partners necessary to achieve its mandate through the Governing Board.
The Authority named Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, a member of the NSA Board and Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, as chair of the Committee.
Other members include Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Mr. Shadrack Mensah, Ms. Elorm Goh, Mr. Benjamin Freeman Kusi, Ms. Jennifer Opong, Dr. Stephan Nwolley, Mr. Koku Abotsi, Mr. Japhet Kuntu, Mr. Nabil Abubakar Hussayn and Ms. Regina Obenewa Penrose as Secretary.
The NSA Board assured the public and stakeholders of its commitment to innovation, accountability and excellence in service delivery.
It emphasised that there would be no disruption in the fulfilment of its obligations to national service personnel as outlined in the National Service Act, Act 1119 (2024), and indicated that updates on the Committee’s progress would be communicated in due course.
With the collective expertise of its members, the TISC is expected to deliver a robust and future-ready platform that will anchor the next phase of the National Service Scheme’s operations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
