News
Ministry to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocol
The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), will from July 1, 2020, embark on a nationwide inspection tour of workplaces, to ensure strict adherence to health protocol, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The random inspection of offices, shops and factories will also ensure strict compliance with and enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols and guidelines outlined by government, the World Health Organisation and the Ghana Health Services.
A statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the ministry, and copied the Ghanaian Times, in Accra, stated that MELR had noticed with grave concern the spread of COVID-19 infections at workplaces, despite measures taken by government to curtail the spread of the virus.
“The MELR and its social partners (Employers and Organised labour) issued a ten (10) point communique urging employers and workers in general to continue to observe the necessary protocols and guidelines in order to keep workers safe,” the statement indicated.
It said as part of the inspection, the MELR envisaged strict adherence to management’s commitment and responsibilities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 at a particular workplace.
“A response plan indicating preparedness for COVID-19 prevention at the workplace and regular consultation of occupational health services, local public health authorities and other partners to promote and develop information materials and other technical advice to prevent risk of exposure,” the statement added.
It said “workplace system provides reliable information on emerging situations of COVID-19, monitoring and evaluation mechanism for COVID-19 prevention”.
The statement disclosed that there would be risk assessment of potential interaction between workers and non-workers at the workplace, and training of management and workers on the correct use, maintenance and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),” it indicated.
It said “there should be existence of an isolation room for persons who develop COVID-19 symptoms at the workplace, while awaiting transfer to an appropriate health facility.”
Source: Ghanaian Times
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
