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Sight of poverty makes me cry – The New Force leader
Nana Kwame Bediako
Everyone has that one thing that could move them to tears- it could be the loss of a loved one, being jilted by a lover, failing to meet a target, losing an election, being robbed and the list could go on and on.
For Nana Kwame Bediako, the leader of the New Force, he just cannot stand the sight of poverty.
Poverty, he said makes him emotional and could let tears run down his face uncontrollably.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on Monday, Mr. Bediako said it was heartbreaking that poverty is everywhere in the country.
“People are struggling but you cannot help everybody. The pain isn’t because people are poor, but the pain is you cannot help everyone” he lamented.
He said as an individual, he had tried to help as many people as possible by giving them jobs or one form of assistance or the other to improve their lives.
However, he was sad that it was not possible for any individual to help everyone eventhough they all needed help and that is what makes him cry.
Mr. Bediako said some people were going through so much difficulties that they could not even afford basic needs of life such as food, water, clothing and shelter.
The man behind the mask on several billboards all over the country which got many speculating what that was about, said the fact that people were not being given enough opportunities to explore their full potentials was something every well-meaning citizen should be concerned about.
Ambitious of becoming the next President with a vision to change the lives of the citizenry, especially the youth through job creation and industrialisation, Mr Bediakosaid he was convinced that, the young people were not being given the chance to give what they have to their country.
Mr Bediako, also known as Cheddar, said the potential of children should even be built right from the scratch when they are very young so that they could become a force to reckon with in whatever field they find themselves in future.
According to Cheddar, countries that had done these over the years had made commendable progress.
He advised that the youth should be groomed to have entrepreneurial skills so that the country could make a lot of money for development.
He said, it was important for people to know that there would beimpediments on their ways but instead of being bitter about them,they should see that as a motivation to strive harder to be successful.
He recalled that as a young person, tension between him and his stepmother, had motivated him to be determined to work for his own properties and not just sit back to inherit what his father had acquired.
He said crisis could bring a lot of good things out of people to make them and achieve things they never thought they could.
Mr. Bediako encouraged the youth to do what is right at all times and work hard for things to get better.
“Pray before you start whatever you want to do and if you are convinced that what you are doing is good, don’t allow anyone to discourage you. Go all out and do it. I tried it and it worked for me” he assured.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
