News
We shall take The Spectator to new heights – Editor
The new Editor of The Spectator, Mr Emmanuel Amponsah, says he will adopt an enterprising editorial culture to make it possible for the newspaper to appropriately inform, educate, entertain and inspire readers, so as to attract wider readership to rake in more revenue.
“The return to profitability to cope with the changing trends in the media landscape means The Spectator will be using creative and innovative approach to enhance consumer satisfaction experience, and loyalty,” he said.
Mr Amponsah was speaking on Monday in an interaction with the Editorial staff of this paper in Accra about what he plans to do to turn around the fortunes of the weekly newspaper.
He said in view of the thirst of people for quality news, and also their desire for exclusive stories, “there is the need to fill this vacuum in the newspaper to catch the eye of readers.”
The Editor said an aspect of life that was of great interest to readers, which The Spectator was going to aggressively pursue, was social-related matters in their various dimensions.
Amongst others, Mr Amponsah said the weekly newspaper would focus in-depth on the performance of various business entities in the country to catch the eye of readers.
“Dealing with business issues as well as highly social and human-interest stories will make The Spectator stand the chance of capturing the attention of a substantial number of readers and help rake in more revenue,” he said.
Mr Amponsah said that he intended making The Spectator venture big into digital/online media with in-depth analyses of credible news to capture more consumers, particularly the youth, who have acquired high taste for online news.
He noted that introducing attractive products and services would be of great interest to vendors, readers and other stakeholders, adding that, “with the needed support and cooperation from all of us, the sky will be the limit.”
Until his appointment, Mr Amponsah, who is a Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) graduate with more than 32 years experience in journalism, was the Deputy Editor of the Ghanaian Times, the flagship newspaper of the New Times Corporation (NTC).
Before assuming the role of Deputy Editor three years ago, Mr Amponsah was the Business Editor of the Ghanaian Times, where his job responsibilities involved selecting and analysing business and finance news for publication in the Ghanaian Times.
Prior to that, he was in charge of the Sports Desk of the Ghanaian Times and doubled as a columnist (The Watchdog) for the erstwhile Evening News.
A product of GIJ and Saint Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, both in Accra, Mr Amponsah’s areas of interest include sports, business/finance and environment.
He has attended a number of national and international conferences and tournaments, and written extensively on global and local events bordering on various fields of human endeavour.
The Board of the New Times Corporation (NTC) appointed him the new Editor of The Spectator, the weekly newspaper of the NTC on Monday, November 2, 2020.
He took over from Mrs Tina Aforo, who retired from the company in August, 2018.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
