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NPP primaries: Candidates asked to accept results in party’s interest
Nii Odarley France, the Greater Accra Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has asked aspiring parliamentary candidates of the party and their followers to accept the outcome of the upcoming primaries in the interest of the party towards Election 2020.
He cautioned supporters, members, well wishers and faithful to maintain discipline after the contest and unite as a family with a common agenda to retain power in 2021 to continue the good works of the party.
“Comport yourself, follow all rules of the elections, do not love an aspirant more than yourself, which must not divide the party since it is just contest if you lose today, it is not end of the world because you can contest the next time and on Saturday after poll there will be winners and losers.
“What we all need to understand is despite divergence of ideas, we are all working in interest of party, personally I lost number of times before securing current position, we are one family, we need to work together at all times, it is only through togetherness and intensive campaigns re-election of President Nana Akufo-Addo will occur for NPP to continue its growth and development agenda,” Nii Odarley France stressed.
Speaking on primaries to be held at 20 constituencies in Greater Accra Region, he noted that bearing in mind COVID-19 pandemic precautionary measures and hygienic protocols by the state, the constituencies had been decentralised to ensure that no more than 100 delegates congregated to vote.
Using Ablekuma Central as an instance, Nii Odarley France indicated that the constituency had seven polling stations but due to decentralisation the number would be increased to 10 stations, saying, “The party has put in place measures to ensure all precautionary measures and hygienic protocols are observed to keep voters safe and both party and aspirants have enough personal protective equipment for the elections.
“The party is liaising with security agencies to provide adequate security at all centres, and about three constituencies including Dome-Kwabenya and Ablekuma North to maintain peace and order, however, a committee is working assiduously to protect and promote welfare of sitting Members of Parliament, women aspirants as well as encouraging youth participation,” Nii Odarley France assured. -GNA
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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