News
SHSs reopen today! … as heads pledge to support govt to enforce COVID-19 protocols after disinfection of schools by Zoomlion
The Headmasters and headmistresses of senior high schools (SHSs) and junior high schools (JHSs) in the Ashanti Region have given assurance of their readiness to support government to enforce the COVID-19 safety protocols in their schools to protect the final-year students to write their exit examinations.
They gave the assurance when Zoomlion Ghana Limited last Wednesday extended its nationwide disinfection of SHSs and JHSs to the Ashanti Region.
The exercise, collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, was part of measures by the government to protect students and pupils in SHSs and JHSs respectively from contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 10thh address to the nation on measures on COVID-19 directed final-year students of both JHSs and SHSs to go back to school.
In the case of final-year SHS students and Form Two Gold Track Students, they are expected to report back to school today while final-year JHS pupils are expected to resume on June 29.
The President’s directive is to allow final-years of SHSs and JHSs to be prepared to write their exit examinations.
The exercise in the Ashanti Region started in earnest on Tuesday, June 16, and was aimed at getting rid of germs, bacteria and viruses in the both the SHSs and JHSs.
Among the schools which benefited from the exercise were the Adventist Senior High School, Our Lady of Apostles School, Asem Cluster of Schools, Atonsu Bethel Presby Experimental School etc.
Addressing journalists at the Atonsu Bethel Presby Experimental School, the headmaster of the school, Rev. James Dapaah, indicated that his school was earnestly putting plans in place in readiness for the re-opening.
According to him, his school has 129 final-year pupils, adding that in observing the social distancing protocol, the pupils would be divided into groups and would be accommodated in the Form 1 and 2 classrooms.
He disclosed that the school had decided to put the pupils in groups of 25 to ensure that the social and physical distancing protocol was observed to protect them against COVID-19.
At the Asem Cluster of Schools in the Asokwa Municipal Assembly of Kumasi, the headmaster of the school, Mr Samuel Asare Kwarteng, hinted that his school was counting on the support of the government to make available the needed personal protection equipment.
The administrator of Our Lady of Apostle, Madam Anne Andoh, which school also benefited from the exercise, disclosed that her school as part of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 had engaged the services of a nurse who would be tasked to take temperatures of every student and staff members.
“And instead of 28 pupils in each class, we have resolved to reduce the number to 14,” she added.
Source: Ghanaian Times
News
Richard Ahiagba calls for future review of alleged injustice against former Chief Justice Torkornoo
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagba, has called on a future government to revisit what he described as the abuse of the rights of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
In a Facebook post following the decision of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to dismiss all claims filed by the former Chief Justice against the Republic of Ghana, Mr. Ahiagba described the ruling as “deeply disappointing” and said it should concern all Ghanaians who believe in the independence of the judiciary.
According to him, the ruling raises questions about the ability of regional judicial institutions to protect public officials from what he termed targeted persecution and also casts doubt on the health of Ghana’s democracy.
Mr. Ahiagba alleged that the process leading to the removal of Justice Torkornoo was unprecedented and hurried, and accused the government of publicly humiliating one of the country’s highest judicial officers.
He further claimed that constitutional safeguards meant to protect the independence of state institutions were disregarded.
He argued that the former Chief Justice’s removal has sent a worrying signal to judges and public officials that exercising independence could come with consequences.
The NPP Communications Director accused President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of weakening state institutions and seeking to exert political control over the judiciary, which he said should operate independently of partisan influence.
Mr. Ahiagba described Justice Torkornoo’s attempt to defend her rights and office as a significant moment in Ghana’s democratic history and called on a future government to investigate and address what he considers an injustice against her.
He further urged Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliation, to speak against any actions that could undermine judicial independence, warning that a weakened judiciary poses a threat to every citizen.
Mr. Ahiagba called on supporters of democracy to channel their concerns into political action and work towards voting the NDC out of power in the 2028 general elections.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice recently dismissed all seven claims brought by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo against the Republic of Ghana, including her claim for damages, ruling that Ghana had not violated her rights under the African Charter as alleged.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, says the proposed Gomoa Eco Park in the Yenku Forest will become the biggest eco-tourism park in Africa and could rival the famous Kakum National Park.
Speaking in an interview with the ghanaiantimes.com.gh, the MP said the development would transform tourism in the Central Region and attract visitors from across the country and beyond.
He said the park would feature several attractions, including canopy walks, glass walkways, zip lines, hiking trails, quad biking and an increase in the forest’s animal population.
“We are going to do everything in that forest,” he said, adding that the project would make Gomoa a major tourism destination.
Mr. Obeng urged authorities at Kakum to invest more in their facilities and expand their offerings to remain competitive.
“If you are in Kakum, start looking for investment and start expanding and making it better because what we are going to do in the Yenku Forest, if you’re not careful, nobody will come to you,” he said.
The MP announced plans to introduce a hot air balloon attraction from Kenya during next year’s Easter celebrations in Gomoa.
According to him, the initiative forms part of a broader plan to turn the area into one of Ghana’s leading tourism destinations.
He further disclosed plans to build an artificial waterfall and dancing fountains that would be visible from the Lagos-Abidjan Highway at night.
Mr. Obeng expressed confidence that the tourism projects would be completed during the tenure of President John Dramani Mahama and would help position Ghana as Africa’s premier tourism destination.
He said the government and local authorities are committed to ensuring that the vision for Gomoa becomes a reality.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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