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NTC starts New Year with thanksgiving service
Reverend praying for management
The New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers on Wednesday held a thanksgiving service to kick-start its operations for the year.
Speaking on the theme ‘The essence of thanksgiving,’ Reverend Joshua Samson Aduamah, Head of the Accra North and South Association of the Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC), urged staff to continue to give thanks to God because he is good and his mercies endure forever.
“God is great because He fights battles we don’t see. We sleep and believe it’s a template for us to wake up,” he said.
Citing Psalm 123:1-4, he explained that “we must emulate the lifestyle of David and the fact that he adores God in every situation.”
The Editor of the Spectator and Acting Managing Director of the Corporation, Mrs Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo, thanked staff for their support and immense contribution over the years despite the challenges and urged them to eschew all forms of laziness and adopt professionalism and positive working habits.
According to her, in order to yield positive results, staff must rededicate themselves to responsibilities to achieve greater things.
“There are brighter days ahead; with resilience and hard work we would sail through.”
She further called on government to support the corporation to work to improve its fortunes.
Management and staff of the corporation were led in praises and worship by Mrs Chystable Aduamah, wife of the preacher.
In attendance were the Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times, Alhaji Abdul Rahman, Acting Marketing Manager, Mr Ofori Addo among others.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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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.
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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.
