News
Celebrate mothers, they are special
Tomorrow, Sunday, May 12, is a day dedicated in honour of mothers and is celebrated in countries throughout the world.
Ghana is not an exception to this wonderful day, as individuals, families and friends use the occasion to express their admiration for their mothers for the wonderful contribution to their lives.
It is in this spirit that multiple award-winning Ghanaian gospel musician, Empress Gifty expressed the need to celebrate mothers for their special roles.
According to her, mothers will always be special because they were instrumental in raising children and societies.
Speaking to The Spectator ahead of this year’s Mother’s Day celebration, the gospel musician said, “What makes Mother’s Day so special for me is that they are very inspirational. They are people we look up to. They go through a lot for our sake and even when we are matured, they would still be there for us.”
According to the ‘Aseda’ hitmaker, her mother, Evangelist Agnes Annan, affectionately called Maame Fante was one person everyone would love to have as a mother.
“So I see Mother’s Day as an opportunity for us to say thank you in a special way to our mothers. It is a moment for us to honour them and let them know how special they are in our lives.”
“My mother had stood in the gap for me on many occasions, which is why I hold her in high esteem. I believe it is same for many others. These women are very dear to our lives,” she said.
Consequently, she asserted that “I wouldn’t have been this successful in my career without my mother’s constant advice, prayers, and guidance.”
“My mother has received a lot of ‘bullets’ for me, it is because of me my mother was divorced, and I told myself, I will never be separated from her and ensure everything that makes a mother happy would be provided,” she revealed
According to her, the significance of Mother’s Day cannot be overemphasised, considering the mothers’ contribution on the lives of their children.
Empress Gifty said it was unfortunate some people attempt to play down on the day’s significance due to one reason or the other but advised all and sundry to use the opportunity to honour every person that has played a motherly role in his or her life before.
She also advised mothers to forgive their children or whoever wronged them to avoid generational curses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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
