News
Coastal Development Authority donates PPE to NTC
The Coastal Development Authority (CoDA) has donated 200 nose masks and 100 hand sanitisers to the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in support of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Additionally, the Authority is to provide vendors of the company within the coastal zone with some of the products to protect them from being infected with the disease.
Presenting the items yesterday in Accra, Chief Executive Officer of CoDA, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, commended NTC for continuously creating awareness on the preventive protocols and measures to help fight the disease.
As an agency helping to fight the spread of the virus in the country, he said, CoDA appreciates the role the media had played in sensitising the populace on the measures already announced by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“The fight against this disease does not solely rely on the government and institutions in the country. We cannot do this alone as an agency. We need all of you and that is why we appreciate the work the media is doing in this fight. You have been supportive and we really appreciate it,” he stated.
Mr Shaib singled out Ghanaian Times for praise for its campaign on nose or face masks wearing as one of the protocols to prevent the spread of the disease stating that “your publication has given relevance to what we are currently doing including donation of sanitary items and nose masks to fight COVID-19.”
CoDA, he said, would continue to remain a true partner to the NTC to further the country’s development agenda.
Editor of Ghanaian Times, Dave Agbenu, who received the items, expressed gratitude to CoDA for the gesture saying that the donation would be an added boost to the company which had been at the forefront of the fight against the disease.
He said NTC, through its publications, intensified its campaign on nose mask wearing to create awareness on the effective use of the product to stop the spread of the virus.
“Our work here is a public service. We commenced this campaign to educate the public on the importance of wearing nose mask and how it could be done properly. This is our contribution to the fight against COVID-19 and we will continue until this ‘new enemy’ is defeated,” he stated.
The Ghanaian Times, he said, would not renege on its core mission to provide the platform for people to voice their opinions and ideas and help build the country.
BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS
The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has defended the conduct of the Minority in Parliament during Tuesday’s chaotic sitting, insisting their actions were to protect what they believe is a violation of parliamentary procedure.
Explaining the incident, he said the Minority was reacting to developments surrounding a letter which allegedly directed that a seat belonging to the MP for Kpandai be declared vacant despite an earlier ruling by the Speaker.
He argued that the Speaker’s ruling should stand unless overturned by a competent court, and described the sudden reversal as shocking and against parliamentary precedent.
Mr Ahmed said the Minority only attempted to make a statement to register their displeasure, but tensions rose when the Majority Leader insisted on responding instead of commenting, which he said was against the rules.
He also denied claims that Minority MPs crossed the aisle, stressing that they remained within their side and only sought the Speaker’s attention.
He further complained that during proceedings, the Mace—the symbol of authority in the House—was not present and Minority microphones were disconnected, making the process one-sided.
He said the caucus intends to continue pushing to ensure that the MP for Kpandai retains his seat, adding that their next steps will be strategic.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Mahama has stated that it is too early for anyone to call for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) despite recent controversies surrounding the institution.
He argued that the office remains an important part of Ghana’s fight against corruption.
He explained that government is strengthening anti-corruption bodies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the OSP, noting that the OSP is the only agency with the power to independently prosecute cases without going through the Attorney General.
President Mahama said many people distrust the Attorney General’s office because it is headed by a government minister, and some fear it may be slow to prosecute its own.
He believes an independent body like the OSP offers stronger accountability, regardless of who is involved.
He admitted that citizens want to see more prosecutions and visible results, but urged the public to give the OSP time.
He encouraged the office to speed up its investigations to show that it remains relevant in the fight against corruption.
By: Jacob Aggrey
