News
Keta hosts photo exhibition in honour of FK Tagbor
For an eyeful of history, family lore, and tradition, all roads lead to Vui-Keta in the Volta Region from Saturday, April 16 to Monday, April 18, 2020 for the first ever grand photo exhibition.
The three-day event which opens from 9am and closes at 5pm daily would showcase the works of veteran and iconic photographer, Mr. Frank Kodzovi Tagbor of “Agfa Fotos” fame.
FK Tagbor, as he was popularly known, is a self-taught photographer who started photography as a hobby whilst in elementary school. (Profile on page 7).
The range of photos on display spans the 1950s and 2000s, and include social, political, educational, cultural, religious, individual and family collections among others.
Some photographic equipment from the beginning of FK Tagbor’s work, the 1950s to the 2000s will also be on display for those interested in the development of photography for the past seven decades.
The collections depict FK Tagbor’s photographic coverage of activities like sports, speech and prize-giving days of the secondary schools in the southern Volta, including Ketasco, Ketabusco, Anseco, Spaco and Zico.
Basic schools (Dzelukope RC A and B schools, Dzelukope EP, Vui Zion, Keta RC, Keta EP, Keta Zion and Anlo State schools) and churches like St. Peter Claver RC Parish, Dzelukope, the St. Michael-Pro Cathedral, Keta among others are also featured.
The Hogbetsotso Festival of the Anlo and other traditional events also feature greatly. Political events from the pre- and post Independence era are not left out.
Thus, those with an eye for the technological history of photography can feast their eyes on old equipment that did the trick before today’s technological revolution of selfies from phone cameras.
On show are not only the sights of Keta but the diverse traditional music of the Anlo, the sizzling and mouthwatering cuisine as well as the proverbial friendliness of the people of the area.
In all, the photo exhibition tells the story of southern Volta over half a century through the lens of FK Tagbor.
The exhibition, billed to be an annual event on the Easter calendar of the Keta Municipality, is free but donations towards the establishment of a foundation that will organise the event going forward are welcome.
By Spectator Reporter
Hot!
Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
Hot!
NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
