Hot!
US envoy hails Ghana Navy
The USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams ship
A United States Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, Ambassador Robert Scott has described Ghana’s Navy as “one of the best he has encountered.”
He said this in response to a question by The Spectator about his assessment of the institution on the sidelines of a visit by an American ship USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams which docked at the Tema Port last week Tuesday.
The about 800-foot ship which arrived on April 30 was the first US Navy ship assigned to the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and has since left.
Ambassador Scott said he has received highly complementary remarks about the institution and its Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu for doing a good job.
Even though he was reluctant to give further detail, he said he was impressed with the organisation of the second annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and third Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium- Africa (NILS-A) in Ghana.
The event brought together about 40 countries and shared concerns to expand maritime cooperation and coordination.
The fora which is expected to strengthen strategic-level relationship to help facilitate better regional cooperation when dealing with maritime threats according to Ambassador Scott, had been an opportunity for the various institutions to “talk about and learn about each other’s maritime security.”
He said America values its relationship with Ghana and the collaboration between both countries over the years in the area of logistics and capacity building.
He said the various security agencies had a responsibility to be good stewards of their water bodies and ensure that illegal activities were addressed to make the waters and fishes safer everywhere.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
The Ghana First Alliance, a movement, is today staging a protest in Accra against the renewal of the mining licence of Gold Fields, a mining company owned by a South African citizen operating in Ghana.
The demonstration, dubbed “Operation No Contract Renewal: South Africa Must Go,” is being held to demand that government does not renew the company’s licence.
The group says their protest is linked to recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa by a protest group known as “march to march.”
They claim that many Ghanaian-owned shops were looted, while others were attacked, with some cases leading to deaths.
They also say the situation forced the Ghana government to evacuate thousands of Ghanaians from South Africa back to Ghana.
Speaking to some of the protesters, they said they will move to several key locations in Accra, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jubilee House, where they intend to present their petition.
The protesters are calling on government to terminate the Gold Fields contract and hand over the mining concessions to capable Ghanaians to manage.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
