News
‘2 c’nities identified as hotspots for child labour in Bono’
Kwatiri and Adentia, two farming communities in the Sunyani West Municipality, have been identified as hotspots for child labour in the Bono Region.
The areas are also a hotbed for teenage pregnancies and school dropouts among children under 18 years, necessitating traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals to join hands to tackle the challenges.
The Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Senior Programme Officer for General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) of TUC, Paschal Ajongba Kaba disclosed these on the sidelines of the inauguration of a 14-member committee setup by GAWU to spearhead a campaign against child labour in the two communities, to mark this year’s World Day Against Child Labour, at Kwatiri.
Although Mr Kaba could not provide statistics to back his claim, he noted that efforts were underway to implement programmes and policies geared towards eliminating the child labour and teenage pregnancy in the three regions.
He stated that child labour was very high in mining and cocoa producing communities, and called on all stakeholders, especially parents, to play their part to address the issue.
The Regional Senior Programme Officer for GAWU of TUC said his outfit had taken upon itself to help minimize child labour by creating a Child Labour Free Zone in the country.
The Chairman of one of the Committees, who is also the Krontihene of Adantia, Nana Kwame Boakye, said the was urgent need to tackle child labour and teenage pregnancy as they continued to affect development.
A teacher at Kwatiri, M/A School, Alex Appau, noted that some primary (class) six and Junior High School (JHS) students dropped out of school and found themselves in ‘child labour and pregnancy,’ due to financial constraints..
World Day Against Child Labour focuses on the negative impact of child labour. Globally, it is estimated 151 million children are involved in child labour with about 71 percent in the agriculture sector.
FROM: DANIEL DZIRASAH, ODUMASE
News
President Mahama appoints Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama has in accordance with Section 17 of the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612) as amended, appointed Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu as the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
This was revealed in a statement signed by Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye-Ofosu.
Mrs. Asante-Asiedu is a Chartered Banker and seasoned corporate leader who has served as Group Head, Retail Banking at Access Bank Ghana PLC.
Mrs Asante-Asiedu holds an MBA in Marketing from GIMPA Business School (2021), an MA inJournalism Studies from Cardiff University (2005), and diplomas in Journalism (Ghana Institute of Journalism, 1997) and Politics and Public Affairs Reporting (International Institute of Journalism,Berlin, 2000).
A Chartered Executive Banker (CIB-Ghana, 2024).
She has undertaken Executive Programmes at Said Business School at Oxford University (2023), Wharton School (2015) and Marquette University’s Les Aspin Centre (2003), among others.
News
Prez Mahama is committed to open-up Afram Plains once and for all – Kwame Agbodza
The government is set to construct a 3.6km bridge over the River Afram in the Eastern Region, along with approximately 100km of road network.
This initiative, part of President Mahama’s “Big Push” infrastructure plan, aims to boost agricultural productivity, stimulate economic growth, and reduce poverty.
Some of the roads being considered included Mpraeso – Obomeng – Nkawkaw, Abooso – Mpaem, Mpaem – Kwahu – Adawso and Feyiase – Kwahu Tafo. The rest are, Ekye Amanfrom – Takoratwene, Takoratwene – Dome, Takoratwene – Donkorkrom and Donkorkrom – New Kyeiase.
Earlier today, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr.Kwame Agbodza, led a team of engineers to assess the proposed location of the bridge and some critical roads.
Speaking to the media at Donkorkrom after the assessment tour, Mr. Agbodza assured the people that President Mahama is “committed to opening up the Afram Plains once and for all.”
“The bridge when completed will connect Eastern, Ashanti and OTI regions in a very strategic way. It will open up the place for big time agriculture and investment in agro-processing,” he emphasized.
The project is expected enhance economic development, foster regional integration, generate income through agriculture and other sectors.
