News
Attach seriousness to girl-child education – Proprietor

Parents have been advised to take the education of the girl-child seriously just as they do for the boy-child.
This is to pave the way for more girls to be in school, be well informed on issues and take the right decisions when it came to making critical choices for their present and future life.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on Tuesday, the Proprietor of Johniemerz Academy at Gbetsile Mexico in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Rev Johnson Nyarko observed that some challenges the world face today were as a result of the lack of education of the girl-child who had grown to be an illetrate woman.
He said as part of efforts to curb this situation, the school which was four years old had put measures in place to support needy girls by giving their parents the opportunity to pay their fees in instalment to enable more girls to stay in school hence it has 86 girls as compared with boys who were 57 in his school.
He said the school gave equal opportunity to all pupils and, therefore, it was not surprising that it had a Head Prefect being a girl.
Rev Nyarko was of the view that when a woman was well informed on issues, then major part of the world’s challenges would be addressed.
He said issues on malnourishment in children, maternal mortality and morbidity, among others were more likely to be drastically reduced because if a woman was more educated on such subjects, she would know the right approaches to use when she was confronted with these issues.
“An educated woman for instance would know the importance of antenatal and child welfare clinics which would go a long way to save herself, both born and unborn children and her home at large” he stressed.
Rev Nyarko said such decisions which might appear little had a huge impact on the development and population of society.
He said an educated woman was also a confident woman who contributed intellectually at symposia and fora to help in the making of major decisions for society.
He called on all parents to give their all when it came to education of their girl children saying that they would not regret it.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Gbetsile Mexico.
Hot!
Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
Hot!
NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency

The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.