News
ATU holds ‘Evening with the Vice-Chancellor’
Prof Amevi Acakpovi with the Media and others photos Lizzy Okai
The management of Accra Technical University (ATU) on Tuesday held an event dubbed ‘An evening with the Vice-Chancellor’ at the school’s premises.
It was aimed at sharing insights into recent achievements of the university, update Ghanaians on upcoming projects and innovations and foster a collaborative environment with the media.
It brought together the university’s management, the teaching staff and editors of various media houses.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Amevi Acakpovi (PhD) said the university, since its inception had undergone various phases of transformation.
“I am particularly impressed with the growth in students’ population and programmes offered by the university,” he said.
Prof Acakpovi said despite the successes chalked by the institution, there were some challenges confronting it.
He said the university’s satellite campus at Mpehuasem was faced with encroachment while the access route to the campus was in a deplorable state.
He also mentioned that “the university was in need of extra vehicle and a dedicated laboratory and workshop to support the Curriculum Base Training (CBT) Agenda.”
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of ATU said plans were in place to establish a vibrant graduate school to run both Masters and PhD Programmes, increase access to grants, conduct more impactful applied research with groundbreaking solutions to societal needs.
Prof Acakpovi said the university hopes to improve its language centre to support the delivery of French, Chinese, Twi and Ga languages, increase student accommodation on campus to about 25 per cent while developing hostel and lecture facilities at Mpehuasem to achieve a fully-fledged satellite campus status.
On the relationship between the media and the university, he described it as cordial, adding that “we hope to explore avenues in enhancing collaborative efforts between ATU and the media in the future.”
Giving highlights on the 75th anniversary celebration of the University, the Chairperson of the anniversary Planning Committee, Prof Alice Mensah (PhD) said the celebrations will begin with a launch on February 8, with the CEO lecture series and public lectures.
Other activities to herald the anniversary, she said were, alumni homecoming, debate with four Technical Universities, sports and games, faculty mini exhibition, cooking competition, old school and food bazaar, Vice Chancellor’s conference, anniversary concert, grand exhibition, awards and dinner night and thanksgiving service.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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
