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NPP ready for 2024 IEA presidential debate – Kodua Frimpong
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced its readiness to participate in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary debates organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), as stated by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong.
On Thursday, August 22, the IEA inaugurated a 9-member Presidential Debate Committee tasked with coordinating engagements with political parties ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Justice Sophia Akuffo, the committee’s chairperson, emphasized their commitment to fostering a debate process that encourages participation and focuses on issue-based, people-centred discussions.
In an interview on Eyewitness News, Justin Kodua underscored the importance of these debates in providing a platform for political parties to present their visions and policies to the electorate.
He noted that while the NPP had opted out of similar debates in 2014 and 2016, the party is now eager to highlight its achievements and give voters a clear comparison of what each party offers.
“The reason why we are interested in this debate is for us to be able to espouse what our flagbearer has been going around the country and talking about in terms of his vision for the country in the next four years. So, if for instance in 2014 and 2016, there were reasons why the party didn’t attend but this time around the party is ready for any debate because we feel that as a nation we have made progress and also the election between the NPP and the other political parties, Ghanaians need to know what each political parties offer the best and credible manifesto,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed reluctance to participate, citing dissatisfaction with the IEA’s approach.
The Mahama 2024 campaign team criticized the IEA for not consulting the NDC before announcing the debates, calling the move unacceptable.
Despite this, the IEA remains committed to continuing the debate process, even if the NDC opts out. Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, a member of the Presidential Debate Committee, underscored the IEA’s history of successfully organizing debates, regardless of non-participation by some parties.
He emphasized the importance of engaging with the electorate and reaffirmed the IEA’s openness to further dialogue with all political parties.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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