News
UMaT wants Land Deed for School of Railways
Prof. Amankwah delivering his address
The Vice Chancellor of University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, has appealed to the Ministry of Railway Development, to help secure a land deed the School of Railways and Infrastructure Development (SRID) at Essikado, in the Western Region.
This, he argued, would help SRID prevent future litigation and also expand its infrastructure to service the needs of the industry.
Prof. Amankwah made the appeal last Saturday when UMaT’s SRID observed the rail transport day on the theme ‘Ghana’s Rail Transport: Challenges and Future Prospects’.
“I appeal to the minister to approve the pending agreement to fully operationalise the Memoranda Of Understanding (MOU) and help in the development of SRID,” he added.
SRID, Prof. Amankwah said, was ready to expand and provide accommodation to prospective students but was faced with land deed.
“Somebody is ready to build a 2, 500 bed facility for us but the issue is that the land does not belong to us. In two years time, SRID will become a college and if government wants to proclaim it as a university, we are ready to release,” he added.
He stated that presently SRID, which began operations in 2020/21 academic year, had about 800 students offering BSc Engineering and seven Certificate Programmes tailored for the railway sector, including Locomotive Engineering, Permanent Way Engineering and Signalling and Telecommunication.
Again, Prof Amankwah said, as part of the school curriculum, BSc students would undertake at least three railway related courses to enable them to earn additional qualification in Railway Engineering at the end of their four-year programme.
Plans for a Post Graduate Certificate Programme in Railway Engineering was also underway.
In 2021, the VC said, SRID in collaboration with AYA Engineering and GIZ began a Summer School Training programme on railway engineering and allied disciplines
UMaT SRID, he explained, championed the rail transport day, in solidarity with gallant railway staff, who worked tirelessly for the benefit of the country and shared ideas on sustainable implementation of the railway master plan of Ghana.
Prof. Amankwah believed the railway sector would continue to see significance improvement to become the once vibrant sector of the economy.
Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, also spoke about operations of railway which he said reduced pressure and traffic on road networks and also improved the internal and external trade among neighboring countries.
Noting challenges of GRCL, Mr Darko-Mensah assured that “government was working hard with the craftiest technology and stakeholders to aid in the lifting of the glory of our reputable institutions again.”
Reminiscing the railway days, Omanhen of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, also reiterated that Ghana could work again with railways.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Essikado
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
