News
Remain committed to work – National Media Commission tells NTC staff

The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, has tasked staff of New Times Corporation, publishers of Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, to continue to lend support to management and Board of Directors and help improve the fortunes of the corporation.
Addressing a staff durbar on Wednesday in Accra, he urged the workers to make a “new commitment” and work hard to mitigate losses the corporation might have incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Touching on other staff and managerial concerns, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh said the NMC, in consultation with the relevant authorities, would appoint a substantive Managing Director of the corporation in the weeks ahead.
He, however, noted that the appointment would not be “a panacea” to the challenges of the corporation. Rather, NTC would only achieve results when staff focused on doing the job they were tasked to do effectively and efficiently.
“Everybody no matter your position, has a contribution to make, nobody should discount the contribution made by his or her colleague for everyone’s role is important.
“Let us cherish the little given to us, it is out of this that we can assume bigger roles,” he stressed.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh further said there was the need to define the role of management and the board since usurpation of power generated internal conflict.
Very Rev. Ama Afo-Blay, Board Chair of the Corporation, emphasing attitudinal change and commitment, also asked the employees to continue observing COVID-19 safety protocols, indicating that “wearing the mask is a must.”
She admitted the corporation had some challenges hence the urgent need to “turn things around.”
Rev. Afo-Blay further urged workers to “put their creativity to work” adding that management should implement suggestions from all sectors to the letter, for the progress of the corporation.
“Let us resolve to put in our best, it calls for little bit of sacrifice and commitment than we have been showing.
“We should think of what we can do to assist the corporation than what the corporation can do for us, we are better if not best when we resolve to do so,” she said, and advised staff to work as a team and desist from tarnishing the image of the corporation.
Mr. Martin Adu-Owusu, the acting Managing Director, described the meeting as unique as it was the first the board was meeting workers since their appointment.
By Ernest Nutsugah
News
Intake of ‘Gobe’ can prevent heart diseases —Nutritionists

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

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.


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