News
Don’t kill vultures…they’re natural environment cleaners
Vultures are very useful birds and should not be killed because they are “natural environment cleaners” and killing them poses a threat to wildlife conservation.
“Vultures are neither evil creatures nor a source of bad luck. Some wild animals were “worshipped” by our ancestors with the ultimate aim of preserving their lives not because they were demonic.”
Mr Thomas Gyimah, Acting Manager, Biodiversity Research and Conservation of the Ghana Wildlife Society, said these in an exclusive interview with this reporter ahead of International Vulture Awareness Day which falls on September 5, 2021.
He said that in spite of their environmental benefits, the population of vultures continued to dwindle due to constant attacks on their habitats thus forcing them to move into human settlements to find food to survive.
“The threats against these birds are increasing and if nothing is done we can lose them all. There is the need to raise awareness to help protect and stop the decline in Vultures’ population”, he emphasised.
Mr Gyimah, making reference to Research Work, said that about 2,900 vultures were killed daily in South and East Africa due to poisoning but was quick to add that this scenario was not so serious in Ghana.
He again said that persons who considered vultures a delicacy also contributed to the gradual extinction of the wild birds and advised such people to find better alternatives and leave the vultures in peace.
He said that it was wrong for people to associate some birds and other wild animals with evil spirits or bad omen when they were encounted and urged society to stop treating such animals and birds with disdain.
Vultures are carnivorous and eat both fresh meat and carcasses that might be rotten.
They play a unique and essential ecological role in their contribution to the prevention of the spread of diseases from decaying corpses.
“If you poison a rat, do well to bury it, so that vultures and other scavengers do not feed on them and more importantly, it is essential to get a professional when using rodents and pest control chemicals at homes, farms and other places” he added.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
News
President John Dramani Mahama to kick off 2025/26 Premier League season in Accra
The 2025/26 Premier League will officially kick off on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, performing the ceremonial kick-off ahead of the season opener between Accra Hearts of Oak and league debutants Hohoe United.
President Mahama will be joined by Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, members of the Executive Council and football fans from across the capital as the curtain rises on what promises to be one of the most exciting campaigns in recent years.
Giants Hearts of Oak will open their quest for a league title when they take on newly promoted Hohoe United under the floodlights of the Accra Sports Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm local time (19:00 GMT).
The Phobians, bolstered by new signings and a strong pre-season campaign, are eager to end a four-year run without an opening-day victory, while United will be aiming to make a statement in their first-ever top-flight match.
Before the main fixture, there will be a curtain-raiser between the Black Starlets (Ghana U-17) and Auroras FC, the youth side of Hearts of Oak, at 4:00 pm local time.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, top Afro-dancehall and reggae musician Stonebwoy (Livingstone Etse Satekla) will deliver a live performance at the venue, ensuring fans enjoy not only football but also top-class entertainment on opening night.
This season is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with traditional heavyweights, ambitious newcomers and revitalized clubs all targeting glory. From title races to survival battles, fans are set for months of excitement, drama and unforgettable moments.
News
GES opens promotion applications for teaching staff
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has invited applications from qualified teachers and officers for promotion to higher ranks within the service.
In a notice signed by the Acting Deputy Director-General for Management Services, Prof. Smile Dzisi, the GES said the ranks available are Deputy Director, Assistant Director I, Assistant Director II and Principal Superintendent.
According to the statement, applicants must meet the minimum years of service required for each position.
Teachers seeking promotion to Deputy Director must have been promoted to Assistant Director I in or before 2021.
Similarly, those applying for Assistant Director I should have held the rank of Assistant Director II since 2021 or earlier.
Applicants for Assistant Director II must have been Principal Superintendents from 2021 or earlier, while those applying for Principal Superintendent must have been Senior Superintendent I since 2021 or before.
The GES stated that teachers with approved Master’s or PhD degrees may use their certificates to apply for promotion out of turn if the qualifications meet set conditions.
These include completing an approved course of study and obtaining the certificate after their previous promotion but not later than 2023.
Applicants are to complete the online application form and upload all required documents in PDF format, except for the passport-size photograph.
The application window runs from Thursday, September 11, to Thursday, October 2, 2025. The GES urged all applicants who had applied earlier to re-apply.
By: Jacob Aggrey
