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Sight of poverty makes me cry – The New Force leader
Nana Kwame Bediako
Everyone has that one thing that could move them to tears- it could be the loss of a loved one, being jilted by a lover, failing to meet a target, losing an election, being robbed and the list could go on and on.
For Nana Kwame Bediako, the leader of the New Force, he just cannot stand the sight of poverty.
Poverty, he said makes him emotional and could let tears run down his face uncontrollably.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on Monday, Mr. Bediako said it was heartbreaking that poverty is everywhere in the country.
“People are struggling but you cannot help everybody. The pain isn’t because people are poor, but the pain is you cannot help everyone” he lamented.
He said as an individual, he had tried to help as many people as possible by giving them jobs or one form of assistance or the other to improve their lives.
However, he was sad that it was not possible for any individual to help everyone eventhough they all needed help and that is what makes him cry.
Mr. Bediako said some people were going through so much difficulties that they could not even afford basic needs of life such as food, water, clothing and shelter.
The man behind the mask on several billboards all over the country which got many speculating what that was about, said the fact that people were not being given enough opportunities to explore their full potentials was something every well-meaning citizen should be concerned about.
Ambitious of becoming the next President with a vision to change the lives of the citizenry, especially the youth through job creation and industrialisation, Mr Bediakosaid he was convinced that, the young people were not being given the chance to give what they have to their country.
Mr Bediako, also known as Cheddar, said the potential of children should even be built right from the scratch when they are very young so that they could become a force to reckon with in whatever field they find themselves in future.
According to Cheddar, countries that had done these over the years had made commendable progress.
He advised that the youth should be groomed to have entrepreneurial skills so that the country could make a lot of money for development.
He said, it was important for people to know that there would beimpediments on their ways but instead of being bitter about them,they should see that as a motivation to strive harder to be successful.
He recalled that as a young person, tension between him and his stepmother, had motivated him to be determined to work for his own properties and not just sit back to inherit what his father had acquired.
He said crisis could bring a lot of good things out of people to make them and achieve things they never thought they could.
Mr. Bediako encouraged the youth to do what is right at all times and work hard for things to get better.
“Pray before you start whatever you want to do and if you are convinced that what you are doing is good, don’t allow anyone to discourage you. Go all out and do it. I tried it and it worked for me” he assured.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
