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Hand over reconstruction of Sempe School for timely completion – Sempe Mantse to govt
The Mankralo of the Ga State, Nii Adote Otintor II has pleaded with the government to hand over the reconstruction of the Sempe Primary School to the traditional authority to ensure its completion.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) under the leadership of Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, started the construction of the millennium schools as part of measures to end the school shift system in the Greater Accra metropolis.
The AMA through its own internally generated funds, started the process to rebuild the Accra Sempe School into a state-of-the-art storey educational complex but the project has been left to rot after the previous government left office.
Addressing the media, the Sempe Mantse demanded that the government hand over the project to the traditional authorities to ensure its completion.
“The Accra Sempe School is a government-initiated project started under the leadership of Alfred Oko Vanderpuije of the NDC. Since the NPP came to power, the project has been abandoned. Before the commencement of construction works, the students were relocated to a temporary shed and that has ruined academic activities,” he said.
According to Sempe Mantse “I do get a lot of complaints from residents to act on the situation as a traditional leader because the school is situated right beside my palace. My call to the government is to hand over the project to me to complete it.”
He also criticised the Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey for failing to engage traditional authorities on projects being embarked on in the Ga Traditional Area.
He said “The Mayor of Accra has never engaged the traditional authorities in undertaking any project in the Ga Traditional Area. Reference can be made to a hostel facility for head porters at Agbogboloshie and we are yet to know who is behind that project.”
“However, we gathered that all permits have been issued to the developer by the AMA. There is no mayor or regional minister who has lands for projects hence the need for the custodians of the lands to be engaged in such endeavours,” he concluded.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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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.
