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Political interference discourages rail sector investment–GRWU

Political interference discourages vital investors for the railways sector, the General Secretary of Ghana Railway Workers Union (GRWU), Mr Godwill Ntarmah, has observed. 

He believed the trend, over the years had been one major factor which had affected the development and fortunes of railway subsector of the economy of Ghana.

Mr Ntarmah expressed these concerns at the second quadrennial delegate conference of the GRWU which ended at Fijai, in Takoradi, on Friday on the theme ‘Revamping the railway sector, the role of stakeholders’.

“It is important to state that in the past, unnecessary political interference and influence did not allow potential investors to succeed in the quest to revamp the railway sector.” he stressed.

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The GRWU Secretary General declared: “The ongoing construction of the Akosombo to Mpakadan railway line has really raised the appetite of Ghanaians for more railway construction and we cannot afford to fail them.”

Mr Ntarmah told the conference that another major challenge facing the railway industry was the view held by most railway workers and observers that owners of the bulk road vehicles and the very influential in the society were“behind the non-revamping of the Western Railway line to Awaso.”

He said, such observers wondered why there was no contract for the revamping to reach Awaso, especially when the current government had shown the commitment to revamp the railway sector.

“The benefits that the nation will get by hauling bauxite and other minerals by rail far outweigh the benefits any individual will get. It is our belief that in the not too distant future our cry to get to Awaso will receive the needed response it deserves for us to have our jobs secured.” Ntarmah mentioned. 

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 He reported that from December 2019 to April 2020, Ghana Manganese Company’s decision to stop the haulage manganese to Takoradi Port, had affected the operations of GRCL which now rely on Central Government for total payment of salaries of railway workers. 

The General Secretary indicated that the situation could have been avoided if the GRCL had diversified its operation to include the haulage of bauxite and cocoa.

Mr Ntarmah, however, noted some positive interventions including the rehabilitation of the existing narrow-gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa that has ensured resumption of passenger services, rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge from Accra to Nsawam and the award of contract to M/S AMANDI for the construction of standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Huni Valley. 

Despite the positive initiatives, the GRCL, he added, was currently faced with challenges of old locomotive engines, inadequate rolling stock and lack of spare parts for the old locomotives and rolling stock available.

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He called for an effective collaboration and cooperation of all stakeholders in the railway sector based on transparency and trust, to revamp the railway sector.

Source: Ghanaian Times

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 Intake of ‘Gobe’ can prevent heart diseases —Nutritionists

Gari and beans is good for the heart
Gari and beans is good for the heart

Nutritionists have advised Ghanaians to eat more beans-based meals, including the popular local dish, gari and beans, also known as ‘Gobe’ to prevent heart diseases. They said incidenc­es of obesity and cancer could be minimised with the regular intake of beans meals.

At a programme in Accra to mark the World Pulses ( Beans) Day on Monday, Mr Wise Chukudi Letsa, Nu­tritionist and Dietician, who spoke on the topic: ‘Beans: The Super Food for Healthy Living and Healthy Farmlands,’ admonished Ghanaians to include beans in their diets.

Mr Letsa said beans was rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, miner­als, irons and other nutrients and contained just a little fat. Mr Letsa, a Nutritionist with Lets Consult, stated that the presence of those nutrients in beans explained why its intake could prevent heart diseases and other ailments, hence the need to consume it regularly.

The event, dubbed: ‘Meatless Monday’ was organised by the Com­munications Initiative for Change (CIC), a Ghanaian non-profit organ­isation.

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The ‘Meatless Monday’ is an initiative aimed at encouraging Ghanaians to reduce their intake of meat by taking in more beans-based meals on every Monday of a week.

It was launched after the United Nations in 2019, set aside Febru­ary 10 to celebrate and encourage the consumption of pulses (beans) worldwide. This year’s celebration was hinged on the theme: ‘Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems.’

Mr Peter Agbovi, National Secre­tary, Chefs Association of Ghana, said a variety of meals could be prepared with beans, which include Waakye (rice and beans), Kose (beans paste made into cakes), Ayikple, Aboboi, Tuo Zaafi, Akyeke, and kakro.

He encouraged Ghanaians to con­sume more of those foods to stay healthy.

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Mr Emmanuel Fiagbey, the Ex­ecutive Director, CIC, indicated that even if people could not eat beans-based meals regularly, efforts should be made to consume them every Monday.

He said that was the essence of the introduction of the ‘Meatless Monday’ initiative. -GNA

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 Restore beauty of Kwame Nkrumah Circle area / State of Kwame Nkrumah Circle an eyesore!

A homeless man sleeping in the sand close to the removed blocks
A homeless man sleeping in the sand close to the removed blocks

Small size quarry stones fixed at open spac­es under the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange was to leave the place open and free from activities of beggars and other activities of the homeless.

By the way the stones were fixed, it makes the area, particularly the VIP and Neoplan Station stretch of the Interchange, inhabit­able by the destitute.

But a walk through the area currently suggest the opposite.

At the median where pavement blocks have been taken over by these home­less and destitute, the area has been turned into a hotel where a number of these unfortunate ones have com­fortably laid their mattress­es and other stuff to rest from the day’s activities.

They have crossed over to the SSNIT and Kaneshie Station area with their activ­ities and have removed the quarry stones which were to ward them off the place to enable them find spaces to sleep comfortably.

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The pavement blocks re­moved from different loca­tions under the interchange now serves as foundations on which beds were laid and in some cases, mosquito nets erected.

Their continued pres­ence is not only creating a nuisance for commuters but marring the beauty and serenity of the place.

Sadly, the activities of these deprived fellows have been ignored while the numbers keep increasing day by day.

The Spectator finds the development very worrying and calls on the responsible authorities to clear the area to restore the beauty and serenity of the area.

 By Victor A. Buxton

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