News
‘Lucky Trip’ TV series launched in Accra
A session of guests at the function
A television (TV) project aimed at instilling social and behavioural change in young people through significant members of society was launched over the weekend.
Dubbed ‘Lucky Trip’, it was developed by Sacrefilms Multimedia in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and CFAO Motors.
The third season will include personalities such as Elikem Kumordzie, James Gardiner, Efe Grace, Roselyn Ngissah and Fiifi Coleman, among others.”
Mrs Mabel Asafo, Deputy Director, Health Promotion Division, GHS, said that the TV show was in accordance with the GHS objective to promote healthy behaviours, lifestyles, and comprehensive activities that target the very fabric of the nation’s health.
She said that the GHS was committed to utilising more innovative methods to promote healthy living, and make the TV show ‘Lucky Trip’ so important.
“We aim to make healthy living attractive and, dare I say, ‘trendy’ by leveraging the influence of prominent Ghanaians who are celebrities but role models for our youth,” she explained.
Mrs Asafo added that Sacrefilms understood the importance of the mandate of the GHS hence the partnership with them.
“They understand that storytelling has the power to shape perceptions and alter behaviours. Through their creative prowess, we can amplify our message, engage the masses, and ignite conversations that transcend screens and resonate deeply within our communities,” she stated.
The acting Health Office Director of the USAID, Mr Stephen Dzisi said the TV programme would combine education and entertainment to effect behavioural change.
“The episodes will shed light on vital topics like adolescent health, family planning, nutrition, gender equity, disability inclusion and how we are adapting to life with COVID-19,” he said.
Mr Dzisi added that as part of his outfits commitment to ensuring healthy living in Ghana, it has collaborated with the GHS on various progammes such as ‘You Only Live Once’, ‘Good Life among others” and would further collaborate with GHS in the future.
“These examples of edutainment give us 360 degrees, sound messaging on television, online, radio, and are paired with interpersonal communication at the community level. We take great pride in our collaboration with the GHS and Ghanaian influencers, to make this show a reality,” he said.
The Chief of Party for Accelerating Social and Behaviour Change (ASBC) Activity, Mr Joshua Kweku Ofori in his remarks said the TV programme was not only an embodiment of entertainment but also the potential for tangible change within the society.
“Our journey with ‘Lucky Trip’ Season 3 is a testament to the incredible partnership we’ve established with the GHS.
The synergy between our organisations underscores our shared commitment to driving positive behaviour change for the betterment of Ghana’s citizens,” he said.
By Jessel Lartey Therson-Cofie
News
Craze for x’mas shopping: Crowded markets, low patronage
Vendors of food and other wares associated with the Christmas celebration have expressed surprise at the low patronage despite the increased number of visitors to some of the major markets across the capital.
Four days to the celebration(Christmas), the markets are filled with various products ranging from food, clothing, livestock and many other stuff, but according to the vendors, patrons are doing more ‘window’ shopping.
The Spectator on visits to some of the markets in the capital, notably the Odawna, Makola, Accra Central Business District, New Town and others made similar observations as shoppers crowd them but did little in terms of purchases.
The paper also observed that majority of vendors, originally selling other wares have switched to product related to the festive season.
What it means is that there are a lot more clothes, food and vegetables, livestock and poultry, toys, firecrackers, drinks of different types and many others on display.
The markets have also stretched to the pedestrian pavement, leaving very narrow spaces for commuters to move about freely.
That, in addition to a few of the female vendors dressed in coloured attires to reflect the occasion, has heightened the euphoria, leaving the low sales as the only headache for the vendors.
Speaking with this paper, they sounded very optimistic, believing that sales would improve in the last few days to the yuletide.
According to them, there was the opportunity to sell beyond Christmas as the New Year celebration offers similar opportunity to trade the same wares.
They urged patrons to throng the markets to shop since prices were quite moderate and products affordable for all.
News
Retirement service for Elder John Ackom-Asante,3 others
Retired Deputy Editor of The Spectator, Elder John Ackom-Asante, was last Sunday honoured by the Church of Pentecost Windy Hills District in Kasoa in the Central Region, with a retirement thanksgiving service, after serving for 26 year as an Elder of the church.
He was honoured with a citation and certificate of service along with three other elders who served in the capacity for various years.
Elder Ackom-Asante was baptised at the Darkuman Central Assembly in 1979 and ordained as an Elder in 1997.
The citation read “Your selfless service, zeal, willingness to relate wholeheartedly and your desire to effect change has gone a long way to shape the lives of many people in the church and the nation over the 26 years of your dedication to the service of the Lord.”
Elder Ackom- Asante held many positions at the Darkuman Central Assembly, Obuasi in the Ashanti Region and Tema, serving in various capacities as youth and evangelism ministry leader and marriage counsellor.
He was the founding member of the Darkuman Christian Fellowship, a member of the Greater Accra Christian Fellowship; member of Bible Society of Ghana; founding member Obuasi Chapter Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International and founding member of New Times Corporation Christian Fellowship and Chaplain, Methodist University Tema Campus 2009- 2010.
As a professional journalist, Elder Ackom-Asante combined effectively and efficiently his duty as a member and elder of the church and the demands of his profession, with admiration from the church, kith and kin, till his retirement on December
From Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahaman, Kasoa
