News
Mahama’s comment to labour unions shows he is a man of truth – Segbefia
Former President John Dramani Mahama was being truthful when he told labour unions that the finances of the country have been destroyed by the current Akufo-Addo administration, former Minister of Health Alex Segbefia, has said.
Mr Segebfia indicated Mr Mahama could have simply heeded the demand of labour to increase their condition of service if he is elected into office in the December 7 elections but he did not give the promise knowing how the economy has been damaged by the current administration.
“[John Mahama] is a man of truth and a true patriot. I was at the event and worker groups made the request. The easiest thing that could have been said was ‘We will give it to you ‘ but that would have been popularism but he didn’t say that. He said let us be cautious, what I am going to inherit and what we are in now will not give me the laxity to just say that you will get what you want,” he said on the Big Issue in TV3 Tuesday, January 16.
Mr Mahama told the unions that he was restraining himself from making promises because the country’s coffers had been depleted.
Speaking at a ‘Campus Connect’ event in Hohoe, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer stated that Ghana is broke at the moment.
“This country is broke, and, so, we will beg you that when we come into office, give us a bit of a honeymoon. Let’s put things in place so that we bring the economy back onto its feet,”he said.
“And I will plead with the teacher union: GNAT, NAGRAT, UTAG, and TEWU and all of them; I know all of you are clamouring for allowances.
“Let me caution you that in 2025 when we take over, we will show you the books and the finances of this country, and when we have done that, we can accede to your demands again, and that’s why I’m being very measured in the promises that I make because we all know the crisis in which this country has been plunged,” he further indicated.
Meanwhile, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has told Mr Mahama that they will ensure that whoever becomes president on January 7 2025 after the December 7 2024 general elections, meets the demands of workers.
TUC says that workers have rights under the laws of Ghana and those rights must be respected.
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Daniel Opoku on Tuesday, January 16, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, said “Let me state that in 2025, whoever becomes president of this very country must be ready to meet workers and ensure that workers’ demands are met without any questions.
“Workers in this country, for 66 years after independence, have suffered and sacrificed a lot and we think that anybody who wants to become the president must be ready to ensure that labor rights are not dealt with with a child’s gloves, we are going to demand what is our right or what is good for us.”
Source: 3news.com
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
