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Direct Aid Ghana supports RMU to construct ultra-modern mosque complex
Construction works for an ultra-modern mosque complex at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra commenced in earnest on Friday.
This follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the RMU and Direct Aid Ghana (sponsors of the facility).
Estimated at $70,000, the mosque when completed would have boreholes, decent washrooms and other facilities to ensure that muslim students, lecturers and the RMU community at large have a conducive environment for prayers.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Ag. Vice Chancellor of the RMU, Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jr on behalf of the Board of Governors, expressed appreciation to Direct Aid Ghana for the support.
“We have for some time now been trying to identify resources for the construction of a place for our Muslim community. Not only for our students but for lecturers and people within the Nungua community,” he stated.
“At long last, we do have a worship centre for our Muslim brothers and sisters and are grateful to Direct Aid Ghana for the timely intervention,” he stated.
He was hopeful that a similar gesture would be replicated by the Christian community to ensure that students have a decent place of worship instead of using the classrooms.
“We hope the project would be finished in few months. The faster, the better for our students to have a place to pray,” he stressed.
The Country Director for Direct Aid Ghana, Sami Henedak said, disclosed that the project would be completed in four months as they were through with the foundation.
“We would deliver quality on time since full funding for the project is ready. We also encourage the university to assist in ensuring that the project is completed on time,” he added.
“We are here to support, help communities and change the lives of people here in Ghana and other African countries we operate in,” he stated.
On his part, Country Accountant, Mr Ahmed Jemal Beshir said the project was the beginning of many of such partnerships to happen between Direct Aid and RMU.
“We look forward to a sustainable working relationship with the RMU and we assure you that the project would be completed on time,” he said.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
Entertainment
Stonebwoy releases sixth studio album ‘Up & Running’
Ghanaian multiple award-winning musician, Stonebwoy is out with his sixth studio album dubbed ‘Up & Running.’
As part of the release Stonebwoy performed various songs on the album to patrons at a special listening party last night.
The listening party held at the Alora Beach in Accra brought together Industry players, musicians, actors, corporate Ghana, diplomats and fans of Stonebwoy among others.
The album is made up of songs like, Memories, Pray For Me, Jejereje, Overload remix, Shine, Psalm 23, Betta Tin, Your Body, Geography, Shine, Lovely Weather, Jiggle and White, Ekelebe and Fvck Up Summer.
‘Up & Running’ features the top musicians such as Duncan Mighty, Ir Sais, Spice, Amaria BB, Jahmiel, 10TIK, Larruso, Chi Ching Ching, Kaylan Arnold, and Blvk H3ro, Wyclef Jean and ODUMODUBLVCK.
The album, which includes diverse songs for different target markets, shows Stonebwoy’s calculated effort to reach out to wider and new audiences around the world.
Stonebwoy is expected to hit the road in a global tour with his new album, ‘Up & Running.’
The colourful event was attended by industry personalities like Fred Nuamah, Andy Dosty, Keche, Bullgod, Nadia Buari, Nana McBrown,Kwaw Kese,Robert Klah,D-Black, Larusso and many others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Enjoy the album below
UP & RUNNIN6 – ALBUM OUT NOW!