News
Gifty Twum Ampofo donates to Local Council of Churches.
The Member of Parliament (MP for Abuakwa North Municipality and Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo has donated a number of boxes of infra-red thermometer guns to the Local Council of Churches in the municipality.
The thermometer guns were to be distributed to all the churches in the municipality to help check temperatures of their members to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the churches.
Presenting the items to the Local Council of Churches, (LCC) Mrs Twum-Ampofo explained that considering the safety protocols slated for the churches, it was necessary for every church in her municipality to get a thermometer gun to check temperatures of their members.
“I realised that among the safety protocols slated for the churches, the thermometer guns were the most expensive equipment that they would need and acquiring a number of them would be a challenge,” she said.
She added that to ease their challenge and reduce the financial burden on them, “I decided to buy them some boxes so that they can use for the time being.”
“By this, I believe that we would be able to prevent a possible spread of the coronavirus in and outside the church.”
Mrs Twum-Ampofo advised the LCC in her municipality to make good use of the equipment and observe all other safety protocols that has been slated for them.
“I would urge the churches to ensure that they observe all the safety protocols by washing their hands regularly, wear their nose masks well and observe proper respiratory hygiene among others so that we can all help to stop the spread of the coronavirus,” she advised.
For his part, the Chairman of the LCC in the Abuakwa North municipality, Reverend Isaac Ofori Asirifi on behalf of the churches thanked the MP for her kind gesture.
He explained that the churches have been able to buy some of the items with the exception of the thermometer guns which were very expensive.
“We are grateful to her for providing us with this equipment and we assure her that we would use them judiciously to prevent the spread of the virus.”
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
News
National Service Authority goes cashless
The National Service Authority (NSA) has announced a mandatory transition to a cashless payment system.
This initiative aligns with the government’s drive to modernize revenue collection.
In a statement, NSA noted that effective immediately, all user agencies and stakeholders are directed to make all payments,
including the 20% and 10% administrative service charges, through the GHANA.GOV platform.
This shift to digital payments offers greater transparency, convenience and accessibility for those working with the NSA.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the full statement below
News
Greater Accra Regional Minister calls on traders to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has called on traders in the city to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion and maintain cleanliness in market centres.
Speaking with traders at the Kaneshie Market on February 4, 2025, during a tour of selected market centres to assess sanitation challenges, reinforce government commitment to address indiscriminate refuse disposal, and improve market conditions, the minister called for collaboration between traders and local authorities to address sanitation and maintain order.
She assured the new government’s commitment to addressing urban challenges and improving market conditions in Accra as part of its broader agenda for a cleaner city.
“We are here to engage you in a conversation about our mission to improve cleanliness in Greater Accra. We are taking into account the conditions of the roads, your problems, and your suggestions. Most walkways have been taken over by traders instead of serving their original purpose, which leads to traffic congestion. We want to understand your challenges so that we can find the best way to assist you,” the Minister stated.
The Minister who was accompanied by officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council ( GARCC) led by the Chief Director of the GARCC, Mrs. Lilian Baeka, some staff from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) and other sister assemblies in the Region used the opportunity to enquire about the state of waste disposal within the market and the efficiency of refuse collection by the assemblies.
“Does it take long for the refuse to be collected after it is gathered? These are some of the issues we want to address,” she added, inviting traders to share their thoughts.
The President of the Greater Accra Markets Association, Mrs. Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan who welcomed the minister, expressed gratitude for the visit and assured traders commitment to rally support behind her as a woman in leadership.
”In the market, we face numerous challenges we wish to discuss. There are various groups of traders with some selling at the top, others beneath, while some can be relocated, others should be removed. However, we must follow due process to ensure that people’s livelihoods are not affected. She cannot do it alone, and we are ready to support her efforts,” she stated.
She noted that efforts to regulate trading activities, especially on the Kaneshie overhead footbridge, had proven difficult despite continuous engagements with the police.
Madam Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan identified street trading as a major concern, explaining that it had significantly affected business inside the main markets.
“Our major problem is those selling outside. Because of them, the market is now dry. Almost everyone has moved onto the streets. They are our brothers and sisters, and we want them inside the market. There are a lot of vacant spaces they can occupy,” she said.
On sanitation, she remarked that significant progress had been made, stressing that previously, the Kaneshie market was associated with rubbish, but the story had changed for good.
