News
A ‘Soldier’ at 5
Young Michelle in her military uniform
Even at the age of five, little Michelle Asamoah knows that it is important to fight for her country to defend her citizens and maintain peace and security.
Based on this, she is determined to be an officer of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) specifically with the Military Police when she grows.
Young Michelle disclosed this in an interview with The Spectator on Friday while returning from school in her ‘military outfit.’
Walking majestically, probably rehearsing for what the future throws at her, to the admiration of people that met her, she responded with confidence to questions posed by this Reporter.
As the traffic lights went red, many drivers and passengers in the various vehicles around the Base Ordnance Depot at El-wak near the 37 lorry station could not help but admire young Michelle both from far and near.
Although she appeared to be an ‘officer’ of few words, she was straight to the point with her views.
The second year Kindergarten pupil of the Base Ordnance Depot Basic School located at El-walk in the Greater Accra Region said she admired soldiers and hopes to become one in future.
Her mother, Ms Belinda Nsiah Acheampong, a resident of Accra Newtown who accompanies her to and from school said she had observed her child’s interest in the profession and would give her the full support.
She said her daughter’s teacher had informed her (Ms Acheampong) that they were treating a topic about careers and each child was required to dress up in the profession he or she wished to part of.
And since young Michelle had made it known to everyone around her an ambition to become a Military Officer, her appearance in a military attire came as little surprise to all.
In an interview with her father, Michael Yaw Asamoah, a Librarian, he said he was happy his daughter has chosen that path and was encouraging the spirit of patriotism in her to enable her achieve her goal.
He disclosed that while growing up, he also had dreams of becoming a military officer but that had not materialised and so he was happy that his daughter had chosen the path.
He expressed optimism that with the right push from her parents and the grace of God, she would be what she desired to be to contribute her quota to the development of the nation.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
News
Craze for x’mas shopping: Crowded markets, low patronage
Vendors of food and other wares associated with the Christmas celebration have expressed surprise at the low patronage despite the increased number of visitors to some of the major markets across the capital.
Four days to the celebration(Christmas), the markets are filled with various products ranging from food, clothing, livestock and many other stuff, but according to the vendors, patrons are doing more ‘window’ shopping.
The Spectator on visits to some of the markets in the capital, notably the Odawna, Makola, Accra Central Business District, New Town and others made similar observations as shoppers crowd them but did little in terms of purchases.
The paper also observed that majority of vendors, originally selling other wares have switched to product related to the festive season.
What it means is that there are a lot more clothes, food and vegetables, livestock and poultry, toys, firecrackers, drinks of different types and many others on display.
The markets have also stretched to the pedestrian pavement, leaving very narrow spaces for commuters to move about freely.
That, in addition to a few of the female vendors dressed in coloured attires to reflect the occasion, has heightened the euphoria, leaving the low sales as the only headache for the vendors.
Speaking with this paper, they sounded very optimistic, believing that sales would improve in the last few days to the yuletide.
According to them, there was the opportunity to sell beyond Christmas as the New Year celebration offers similar opportunity to trade the same wares.
They urged patrons to throng the markets to shop since prices were quite moderate and products affordable for all.
News
Retirement service for Elder John Ackom-Asante,3 others
Retired Deputy Editor of The Spectator, Elder John Ackom-Asante, was last Sunday honoured by the Church of Pentecost Windy Hills District in Kasoa in the Central Region, with a retirement thanksgiving service, after serving for 26 year as an Elder of the church.
He was honoured with a citation and certificate of service along with three other elders who served in the capacity for various years.
Elder Ackom-Asante was baptised at the Darkuman Central Assembly in 1979 and ordained as an Elder in 1997.
The citation read “Your selfless service, zeal, willingness to relate wholeheartedly and your desire to effect change has gone a long way to shape the lives of many people in the church and the nation over the 26 years of your dedication to the service of the Lord.”
Elder Ackom- Asante held many positions at the Darkuman Central Assembly, Obuasi in the Ashanti Region and Tema, serving in various capacities as youth and evangelism ministry leader and marriage counsellor.
He was the founding member of the Darkuman Christian Fellowship, a member of the Greater Accra Christian Fellowship; member of Bible Society of Ghana; founding member Obuasi Chapter Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International and founding member of New Times Corporation Christian Fellowship and Chaplain, Methodist University Tema Campus 2009- 2010.
As a professional journalist, Elder Ackom-Asante combined effectively and efficiently his duty as a member and elder of the church and the demands of his profession, with admiration from the church, kith and kin, till his retirement on December
From Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahaman, Kasoa