News
Live up to expectations-Dep. Minister to Tourism Day Celebration Committee
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri, has charged the committee responsible for the organisation of this year’s World Tourism Day Celebration, to live up to expectations making the forthcoming event a memorable one.
Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri who also doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Gusheigu Constituency in the Northern Region indicated that even with the Covid-19 on hand, the committee must strive to further market Ghana in the global Map in relations to Tourism Sphere.
This, according to him, would further spur Ghana’s image, given the huge success the nation has chalked in the Year of Return Programme by attracting both the International and Local tourists to Ghana’s attraction sites, and to also ensure that all the necessary COVD- 19 precautions were adhered to.
Dr. Zublim Iddi Barri made these remarks at the inauguration of the Planning Committee on this year’s World Tourism Day Celebration on the August 11, 2020, on the event slated for September 27 2020, under the theme: Building Peace, Fostering Knowledge.
He stressed that globally Tourism has been viewed as a lead sector for the economic growth and developmental transformational agenda, since it has the propensity to create jobs and accelerate infrastructural development.
Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri observed that many countries and local communities around the world including Japan, China and Korea had properly used tourism to improve on their socio- cultural and economies of their Nations, which had invariably reduced poverty in their countries.
He bemoaned that In spite of the African rich Tourism attractions, its continent is still lagging behind in its quest for development.
He, therefore, used the rare occasion to entreat committee members to discharge their duties with their utmost best.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. John Yao Agbeko also urged the committee members to fastrack their work in order to meet the timelines of the programme.
On her part, the President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and also the Co- Chairperson of the planning committee, Mrs. Bella Ahu, assured the Tourism Ministry that the committee would deliver to achieve the overall goal of making the forthcoming world Tourism Day a huge success.
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
