News
MTN improves connectivity in Upper West
Telecom service are being improved in the area
Some rural communities in the Upper West Region would henceforth enjoy improved network as telecommunications gaint, MTN, has provided 14 more network sites in the region.
Residents of Kojokperi, Ullo, Fian, Kokoligo, Poyentanga, among others across the region, had to position themselves at specific locations or under trees to be able to access network to make calls.
The least said about browsing, the better as messages sent to people in such rural areas through the internet took days to appear on their phones, therefore the new network sites would aid connectivity for calls and browsing.
This was made known by the Regional Technical Manager of MTN for the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and North East regions, Mr Joseph KwadwoAddai at an Editors’ Forum in the Upper West Region, recently.
He acknowledged that there were still more communities to reach out to with network connectivity in the region and stated that MTN was preparing to provide more sites to help bridge the communication gap and said by the close of next year, many of the areas without network would be taken care of.
He said that even though the company was making efforts to improve upon its network connectivity, there were activities of private developers and road contractors which sometimes led to fibre cuts and interrupted their work.
He said that the company had experienced 29 fibre cuts in the region between January and August, this year stressing that such incidents were hindered their operations.
He called on the media and the public to provide information to the telecommunication network on areas that had issues of network connectivity in order to get them resolved on time.
The Senior Manager of Corporate Communication, Mrs Georgina AsareFiagbenu said MTN was dedicated to not only serving its clients but improving upon their wellbeing by undertaking corporate social interventions to support health and education in the country.
She mentioned that the company had set to lead in digital solutions for Africa’s Progress by 2025, initiate plans to build the largest and most valuable platforms, drive industry-leading connectivity operations, create shared value and accelerate portfolio transformation.
Adding his voice, Mr Obed Akuamoah, the Area Sales Manager encouraged the public to get their sim cards registered.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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