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Use multi-dimensional approach to tackle poverty – Prof. Kumi Boateng
The Dean of the Faculty of Planning and Quality Assurance, at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) at Tarkwa in the Western Region, Professor Bernard Kumi-Boateng, says a multi-dimen¬sional approach is key to analyse data to tackle Ghana’s poverty divide.
Prof. Kumi-Boateng made the dec¬laration at a lecture at UMaT, on the topic ‘Mapping the poor in Ghana: A geospatial multi-dimensional poverty index approach.’
Prof. Kumi-Boateng said that, accurate data provided a very good platform for planning and implemen¬tation of poverty alleviation pro¬grammes.
He said poverty issues had gained the attention of policymakers, academics and non-governmental or-ganisations, adding that, successive governments, over the years, had developed and implemented sever¬al development policy frameworks for poverty reduction, such as the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy 1, School Feeding Programme and the Capitation Grant.
However, he noted that the country was still faced with several poverty-related challenges, includ¬ing high levels of inequality, low human development, and regional disparities.
He said, the most recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showed there was a decline in poverty levels across the nation, and that, the international poverty rate was estimated at 20.5 per cent of the population in 2022.
He also revealed that in 2023, an estimated 2.9 million people in Gha¬na were living in extreme poverty, majority being male with 1.5 million of the number living on less than 1.9 dollars daily.
“In many developing countries, such as Ghana, the definition of pov ¬erty remains rooted in questionable assumptions, with the use of income as a determinant. It is problematic; it does not provide a full picture of the command of resources that an individual or household possesses,” Prof Kumi-Boateng said.
He explained that, using a multi-faceted approach, could de¬termine the number of children who go to school, people with drinking water, and child mortality, reveal¬ing that, “we have the capability to map them to help policymakers and target areas which are endemic.”
He, therefore, called on the poli¬cymakers not to assume that Accra was rich, because most indicators on overcrowding and drinking water showed “Accra is multi-dimensional¬ly poor.”
He urged policy analysts not to always think about income as the single source to determine those who were poor or rich.
The five northern regions record¬ed the highest poverty incidence ranging from 65 per cent to 80 per cent with poverty head counts (inci¬dence) in Volta Region, also remain¬ing high (52 per cent).
From Clement Adzei Boye, Tarkwa
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
