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CEO advocates strict policies on the use of internet, social media by children
Mr Nathaniel Quaye educating some of the pupils on the positive use of internet and social media
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anansesem Media, an online platform, Nathaniel Quaye has advocated strict policies that will safeguard the right of a child on the internet and social media.
According to him, countries like North Korea and China have strict restrictions with regard to the use of social media and the internet which have protected children from being exposed to some indecent content on social media, therefore, when such strictness is applied in Ghana, it will make children use social media in a positive way.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator in Accra recently, Mr Quaye stated that issues related to Child Online Protection (COP) should be given serious consideration by major stakeholders.
He noted that some students were abusing the internet and social media to promote illicit contents which some had gone viral.
“Recently we saw viral videos of students and pupils insulting the president, also some explicit acts which they should not have used the social media to do,” Mr Quaye said.
To promote awareness of child safety in the online world and to develop practical tools to assist governments, industry and educators, his office has embarked on a school campaign project to teach students on means of using internet to improve their education and bridge the gap of internet illiteracy.
Dubbed: “The benefits of social media/ internet and the impact on the Ghanaian students,” Mr Quaye said, he had visited three schools namely, Evergreenfield Montessori, Deok Foundation and Thy Mercy International School in Accra to create awareness of violence, abuse and exploitation within the online space while promoting the benefits of the use of the internet for pupils.
He said with time the project would be extended to various schools in the country, if his outfit got all the necessary support and resources from other benevolent organisations and individuals whose children’s safety on the social media mattered to them.
“The project will ensure that all Ghanaian children learn safety online and explore all the opportunities presented to them by the online environment to develop their full potentials while learning new ways in generating income from the social media platforms,” Mr Quaye added.
By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
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Sam George authorises dismissal of about 100 Ghana Post staff over irregular recruitment
Communications Minister, Sam George, has authorised the dismissal of nearly 100 staff of the Ghana Post Limited, citing an irregular recruitment process.
The affected staff members were employed after the December 7, 2024, election, a period during which the minister says proper procedures were not followed.
Speaking about the decision, Sam George expressed his commitment to clearing the ministry of individuals whose recruitment was not in line with the established protocols.
He stated that as the head of the ministry, he could not work with staff members whose employment was marred by irregularities.
“If you are a minister and you take over a ministry that has 3,117 staff in the ministry and its agencies and 600 were recruited after December 7, you cannot expect me to come and inherit such a mess, and so the rationalisation is ongoing,” he told the press on Tuesday.
He added, “Today, I have authorised a termination of a few more at Ghana Post, almost 100 that were done post-election.”
The Communications Minister explained that the irregular recruitment had created a situation where positions were filled without following due process, leading to inefficiencies within the department.
The Ningo-Prampram legislator emphasised that he is on a mission to “Clean up the ministry to make sure that it is lean and efficient and carries out its works.”
The government has been reverting many post-election employment in the public sector, which it says was done without following the laid down procedures in various sectors of the economy.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana pays courtesy call on Minister of Health
The High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana, Juliette Byone-Sutherland, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to discuss key issues in the health sector.
During the meeting, Mr.Akandoh highlighted the need for increased funding to ensure the effective implementation of healthcare processes.
To address the challenges faced by health workers in rural areas, the Minister mentioned a proposed package of incentives, including an additional 20% of their basic salaries, quicker promotions, and scholarships for further training.
He also emphasised the importance of providing steady leave with pay to encourage health workers to remain in these areas.
Mr.Akandoh stressed the need for six additional hospitals to cater to the new regions created in Ghana. He also discussed plans to upgrade regional and teaching hospitals to attract more skilled health workers.
In response, High Commissioner Byone-Sutherland expressed her appreciation for the Minister and the government’s efforts to improve the health sector.
She also suggested that nurses from Barbados could benefit from health training programmes in Ghana, gaining practical experience in the field.
This courtesy call highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between countries to improve healthcare outcomes.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to addressing the challenges faced by health workers and ensuring that Ghanaians receive quality healthcare services.
