News
Ghanaian Times Journalist, Raissa Sambou wins Int’l Award
A journalist with the Ghanaian Times Newspaper, Raissa Sambou, has won an International award for her contribution towards promoting women empowerment and child protection in her reportage.
The multiple award-winning journalist was recognized this time by the Merck Foundation for winning the third position in West Africa for the online category of Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards (More than a Mother) 2022.
Her entries included stories on encouraging the participation of more women in African politics, ending violence against women and the need to bring an end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Northern Ghana and Africa at large.
A story on the need to encourage young girls to develop an interest in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) was also among the entries Raissa Sambou made.
In all, 84 journalists from various African countries were awarded.
They included media practitioners from West Africa, South Africa and East Africa.
At the virtual award ceremony held on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej commended all awardees for their contribution towards ending stigmatisation against childless individuals, creating awareness about hypertension and diabetes, promoting women empowerment and increasing awareness about the need to end all forms of violence against children and women in their stories.
She assured that her outfit would continue to support all activities geared towards protecting vulnerable groups in Africa and unearthing talents in music and fashion design.
Raissa Sambou in her remarks thanked the Foundation for the honour, saying it would encourage her to keep giving off her best in supporting the fight against all forms of violence against women and children.
At the 2020 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards ceremony, Raissa was recognised as the Most Promising Journalist of the Year and also won the child protection category of the awards scheme in the same year.
News
GES directs Ashanti Regional, Obuasi Municipal Education Directors to step aside over Obuasi SHTS scandal
The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside with immediate effect.
The directive forms part of ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Mr. Zakaria Abdulai.
According to GES, the decision is intended to ensure that the investigations proceed without potential interference, nor the perception of it.
The two directors are to hand over their offices and all state property in their possession to the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr. Thomas Kwame Boateng.
Management added that the headmaster, Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, also remains interdicted and therefore urged the public to ignore any news circulating that he has been cleared.
Management is calling for calm, support and cooperation as thorough investigations into the matter continue.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has joined the family of the late Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday, the Ghanaian community in the UK, and other dignitaries for a memorial service in Southwark, UK.
In a post, Mr. Ablakwa described the service as deeply moving and unforgettable, held in honour of the late professor’s memory.
According to him, in keeping with the government’s pledge, he joined the family, Ghana’s High Commissioner to London, British MPs, Ministers, the Mayor of London, Cambridge scholars, Prof. Arday’s students and loved ones to pay respects and honour his inspiring legacy.
Mr. Ablakwa noted that Prof. Arday’s accomplishments as the youngest Black professor appointed at the University of Cambridge and his widely appreciated charitable contributions will continue to inspire generations.
“The Government and People of Ghana will continue to stand by our compatriots everywhere they are in the world. As we do so, we profess our commitment to justice, equality and the creation of a new world,” he said.
He prayed for fortitude for the family in what he described as an extraordinarily difficult time.
“We shall always remember Prof. Arday for his response when asked what he will wish to do to change the world: ‘I would take a thread and a needle, and I’d interweave love into our society’,” Mr. Ablakwa added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
