News
Implications of easing restrictions on public gathering
The expectations of some Ghanaians were met last Sunday evening when the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the easing of restrictions on public gathering in the country under the observance of strict health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, some have also expressed disappointment over the restrictions to the churches and mosques as they complain bitterly that limiting the gathering to 100 members won’t work for them.
While the leadership of most churches welcome the directive as a step in the right direction as it would enable members to fellowship with one another after over two months of being under lockdown, others are not so much enthused about the announcement. The leadership of those churches have, therefore, decided to continue to hold virtual services for their members.
It is obvious that, it would be quite difficult for the big churches to control the number of attendees, as social gathering is to be allowed under certain stringent conditions hence their decision to continue with their virtual services.
The President made it clear that those who flout the directives would be sanctioned and the leaders of such religious organisations would be held liable.
For those in the hospitality industry,the decision by the government to lift the ban on public gathering was an answer to their prayers because at least their businesses would bounce back to help them make some gains.
In the educational sector final-year students would heave a sigh of relief as they can now continue with their studies and refresh their memories before they write their final examinations after being home for some time now.
The lifting of the restrictions came with its own attendant directives that must be adhered to in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in the country. Currently, confirmed cases of the virus in Ghana have hit 8,548 with 3,132 recoveries and 38 deaths.
For religious gathering which took effect yesterday, June 5, 2020, the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi during a media briefing announced a set of advisories following the resumption of religious activities.
Among these advisories older persons and people of any age with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, and asthma are advised to stay away from attending such services.
Now that the lockdown on public gathering has been partially lifted, it implies that the citizenry would have to be very vigilant and go strictly by the comprehensive guidelines spelt out by the government as community infection is now on the ascendancy.
Any careless mistakes will have dire consequences on individual lives. Thankfully, children have been exempted from having children services since it would be difficult to control them and keep social distancing.
Now that the ban on social gathering has been lifted with the number of attendees increased from 25 to 100, it implies that more weddings, funerals, parties and other social functions would be organised putting more people at risk.
For some people, life must go on normal despite the coronavirus pandemic but the fact is we are not in normal times, therefore, there is the need to put in place more safety measures to save lives.
The government should provide the necessary items needed for final-year students to protect themselves. Although the government has announced that Day students in boarding schools will be made boarders, the Spectator proposes that transport arrangements should also be made for students who attend Day schools to facilitate their movement to and from school in these difficult times.
We express much concern over the fact that some citizenry are still careless and do not adhere to the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols and health directives provided by the government and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) for their own safety. It behoves on all to be responsible and vigilant as the virus is no respecter of persons.
News
Interior minister engages key stakeholders in Ashanti Region

Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, Minister for the Interior, has paid a courtesy call on Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, at the Regional Coordinating Council in Kumasi.
This meeting forms part of his stakeholder engagement efforts to promote peace and security nationwide.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, warmly welcomed Muntaka Mubarak to his office and expressed his gratitude for the Minister’s unwavering support and commitment to enhancing security in the region.
Dr. Amoakohene highlighted key security challenges plaguing the region and sought collaborative solutions to address these issues.
The Interior Minister reassured the Regional Minister of his dedication to working closely together to ensure crime doesn’t go unchecked in the region.
Since taking office, Muntaka Mubarak has been engaging key stakeholders to promote national unity, foster a shared purpose to strengthen peace and security across Ghana, leverage the wisdom and experience of stakeholders for collective progress as well as to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the nation’s prosperity and security.
Also, Muntaka Mubarak is scheduled to meet with Christian Religious Leaders, Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs to foster collaboration and promote peace, social cohesion and security as well as leveraging on their influence in promoting national harmony.
The Interior Minister will also visit agencies under his ministry to boost their morale and encourage the officers to work diligently towards achieving their mandates.
It will also afford him the opportunity to familiarize himself with their operations and assess the situation on the ground for informed decision-making.
News
Rain Foundation makes Ghana proud, strikes key partnership deal

The World Conference of Mayors Inc. led by its founder Johnny L. Ford, its president Jimmie Gardner, and on Sunday,March 30, 2025, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner the Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations (RAIN Foundations), an international missions-based organization headed by the renowned Ghanaian Author Ralph Antwi.
The historic ceremony was preceded by the National Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards 2025 – Ghana Edition held on Saturday March 29, 2025, at The Palms Convention Center in Accra, Ghana.
Changemakers from across the 16 regions of Ghana were present to be inspired and empowered. Youth shakers from various sectors of society were awarded.
The partnership between The World Conference of Mayors Inc. and RAIN Foundations has an overriding objective of preparing young people all over the world to prepare for the mantles of leadership.
RAIN Foundations, through its global youth empowerment initiatives, will create a global network of youth shakers to help secure a better future.
The World Conference of Mayors is a global organization that brings together mayors from around the world. The goals of this great organization are trust, trade, tourism, technology transfer, twin cities, treasury, and training.
The organization is partnering RAIN Foundations to host the National Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards 2025 in twenty-five countries this year, as well as the Global Youth Shakers Conclave & Awards.