News
Christ Apostolic Church rallies support for Green Ghana initiative
The General Secretary of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) International, Apostle Samuel Amponsah Frimpong has advocated for Ghanaians to accept the Green Ghana initiative to mitigate desertification effect on the Country.
Desertification he said has become a challenge in the West African Sub-region and that, there was the need to confront it by planting trees which will bring shade and make Ghana beautiful.
Apostle Frimpong made the call at a tree planting exercise organized by the Church to mark the second edition of the Green Ghana Day at the Anim Retreat Center (ARC), a 300-acre land acquired by the Church at Ofarkor near Kasoa in the Central region on Friday,
Apostle Frimpong in a remark, indicated that God saw the significance oftree in the lives of mankind and so he himself planted the garden of Eden and placed man in it for his comfort.
He expressed appreciation to President Nana Akufo-Addo for initiating this special programme and that, “as a Church we believe that our collaboration with the government will always yield the positive result and at this particular instance, it is the best for the nation”.
Apostle Frimpong said the CACI has an obligation towards the government and the nation and for that reason will always collaborate with the government in power on her social initiatives that are beneficial to the nation.
He said the Church was planting about 500,000 seedlings nationwide to complement government’s effort in greening Ghana to fight desertification and climate change.
“When this is done there would be food security in the nation as well as protecting the water bodies with a healthy environment thereby curbing epidemics,” he indicated.
Apostle Frimpong pointed out that, the Anim Retreat Center (ARC) which is being developed as the convention center of the Church will include educational and health facilities and Seminary for the various leaderships in the Church.
Others are a prayer center, Campus for the Christ Apostolic University College and a 5000 capacity conference hall among others.
He admonished all and sundry that, the good future of Ghana that everybody is looking for can only be achieved when everybody puts his hands on deck and work together as one people and does the right thing.
The President, Nana Akufo-Addo lunched the second edition of the Green Ghana Day to plant 20 million trees on 1st March 2022 this year as the government’s aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme to mitigate deforestation and climate change effects on the Country.
Apostle Frimpong was accompanied by Apostle Benjamin Ahenful Accra West Territorial Apostle and some Pastors and members of the Church.
By Seth Adu-Agyei
News
Govt urged to provide safe, supportive environment for menstruating girls
The government has been urged to take urgent steps toward providing a safe and supportive environment for menstruating girls to ensure proper personal hygiene and promote school attendance.
Sarah Nkansah Boateng, a midwife at the Eastern Regional Hospital made the call during a forum organised as part of activities to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The event was held under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
She noted that many girls skip school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and appropriate spaces to change them.
“The basic necessities for these girls are not being provided; creating a safe and enabling environment is crucial,” Madam Boateng emphasized.
She called on school authorities and policymakers to prioritise the construction of hygienic and private changing spaces in schools.
She further appealed for a collective effort to address menstrual health challenges affecting girls in the community.
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of Health Services, Nana Yaa Konadu, also highlighted her office’s initiatives in both school-based and community clinics to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, saying, “When girls lack access to sanitary pads and a clean environment, it can negatively impact their reproductive health.”
Madam Konadu warned that the absence of menstrual hygiene facilities and products left some girls vulnerable to exploitation, increasing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North, Mr Samuel Adongo, described menstruation as a natural biological process and not a taboo or burden.
He expressed concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities in schools.
“I have visited almost all public schools in the municipality, and none has a proper, standard toilet facility suitable for girls,” he stated.
Mr Adongo assured that the assembly would work to create an enabling environment to reduce school absenteeism related to menstruation.
“Too many girls are missing school because of their menstrual cycle, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
News
Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
