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Political interference discourages rail sector investment–GRWU
Political interference discourages vital investors for the railways sector, the General Secretary of Ghana Railway Workers Union (GRWU), Mr Godwill Ntarmah, has observed.
He believed the trend, over the years had been one major factor which had affected the development and fortunes of railway subsector of the economy of Ghana.
Mr Ntarmah expressed these concerns at the second quadrennial delegate conference of the GRWU which ended at Fijai, in Takoradi, on Friday on the theme ‘Revamping the railway sector, the role of stakeholders’.
“It is important to state that in the past, unnecessary political interference and influence did not allow potential investors to succeed in the quest to revamp the railway sector.” he stressed.
The GRWU Secretary General declared: “The ongoing construction of the Akosombo to Mpakadan railway line has really raised the appetite of Ghanaians for more railway construction and we cannot afford to fail them.”
Mr Ntarmah told the conference that another major challenge facing the railway industry was the view held by most railway workers and observers that owners of the bulk road vehicles and the very influential in the society were“behind the non-revamping of the Western Railway line to Awaso.”
He said, such observers wondered why there was no contract for the revamping to reach Awaso, especially when the current government had shown the commitment to revamp the railway sector.
“The benefits that the nation will get by hauling bauxite and other minerals by rail far outweigh the benefits any individual will get. It is our belief that in the not too distant future our cry to get to Awaso will receive the needed response it deserves for us to have our jobs secured.” Ntarmah mentioned.
He reported that from December 2019 to April 2020, Ghana Manganese Company’s decision to stop the haulage manganese to Takoradi Port, had affected the operations of GRCL which now rely on Central Government for total payment of salaries of railway workers.
The General Secretary indicated that the situation could have been avoided if the GRCL had diversified its operation to include the haulage of bauxite and cocoa.
Mr Ntarmah, however, noted some positive interventions including the rehabilitation of the existing narrow-gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa that has ensured resumption of passenger services, rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge from Accra to Nsawam and the award of contract to M/S AMANDI for the construction of standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Huni Valley.
Despite the positive initiatives, the GRCL, he added, was currently faced with challenges of old locomotive engines, inadequate rolling stock and lack of spare parts for the old locomotives and rolling stock available.
He called for an effective collaboration and cooperation of all stakeholders in the railway sector based on transparency and trust, to revamp the railway sector.
Source: Ghanaian Times
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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