News
UEW authorities commended for effective COVID-19 measures
The Minister of State in-charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has commended management of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), for ensuring effective COVID-19 measures for final year students on campus.
He indicated that the various interventions deployed by the university, demonstrated UEW’s support to complement government’s efforts in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
“I am extremely satisfied about the rigorous measures put in place by the university in ensuring the safety of final year students, who are back on campus, to complete the 2019/2020 academic year,” Prof Yankah stressed.
Prof Yankah gave the commendation during a courtesy call on management of the university and also to observe how the institution was receiving and helping the final year students on campus.
He said the government was appreciative of the role being played by the various tertiary institutions in the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, and urged the institutions to continue with such roles.
Commenting on the conduct of final year students, who had reported to campus, he said, “It is gratifying to see all final year students adhering to the precautionary measures announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the university management.”
Prof Yankah urged students and Ghanaians to continue adhering to protocol on the fight against the pandemic.
He reminded the public to observe social distancing, wear face masks, wash hands under running water for at least 20 seconds as well as the use of hand sanitisers.
The Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Rev Fr Prof Anthony Afful-Broni, said the UEW management had allocated a place at the University Hospital for COVID-19 related cases.
Management, he said, was working closely with the public and private health facilities within the Effutu municipality to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Rev Fr Prof Afful-Broni said, “We have been very supportive of the Municipal Directorate of Health. Sometimes, we offer our vehicles to take samples.”
He said that “we have also taken part in contact tracings for the municipality; so there is a very good collaboration”.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof Andy Ofori-Birikorang, explained that most of the final year students had completed their courses and submitted their long essays and project work to their various departments.
Currently, he said, the students returned to campus to wrap-up their take-home papers and subsequently submit same to their lecturers.
The Registrar, Paul Osei-Barima, briefed the minister on the university’s re-opening arrangement for the final year students, and expressed the commitment of management.
Source: Ghanaian Times
The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has defended the conduct of the Minority in Parliament during Tuesday’s chaotic sitting, insisting their actions were to protect what they believe is a violation of parliamentary procedure.
Explaining the incident, he said the Minority was reacting to developments surrounding a letter which allegedly directed that a seat belonging to the MP for Kpandai be declared vacant despite an earlier ruling by the Speaker.
He argued that the Speaker’s ruling should stand unless overturned by a competent court, and described the sudden reversal as shocking and against parliamentary precedent.
Mr Ahmed said the Minority only attempted to make a statement to register their displeasure, but tensions rose when the Majority Leader insisted on responding instead of commenting, which he said was against the rules.
He also denied claims that Minority MPs crossed the aisle, stressing that they remained within their side and only sought the Speaker’s attention.
He further complained that during proceedings, the Mace—the symbol of authority in the House—was not present and Minority microphones were disconnected, making the process one-sided.
He said the caucus intends to continue pushing to ensure that the MP for Kpandai retains his seat, adding that their next steps will be strategic.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Mahama has stated that it is too early for anyone to call for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) despite recent controversies surrounding the institution.
He argued that the office remains an important part of Ghana’s fight against corruption.
He explained that government is strengthening anti-corruption bodies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the OSP, noting that the OSP is the only agency with the power to independently prosecute cases without going through the Attorney General.
President Mahama said many people distrust the Attorney General’s office because it is headed by a government minister, and some fear it may be slow to prosecute its own.
He believes an independent body like the OSP offers stronger accountability, regardless of who is involved.
He admitted that citizens want to see more prosecutions and visible results, but urged the public to give the OSP time.
He encouraged the office to speed up its investigations to show that it remains relevant in the fight against corruption.
By: Jacob Aggrey
