News
‘Renew spirit of volunteerism among the youth’
An Executive member of a volunteer group within the governing New Patriotic Party, has stressed the need to renew the spirit of volunteerism among the youth and inspire them to make meaningful contributions to society.
Mr. Samuel Emmanuel Adjei-Mante Foxy, Operations Director of the group known as Professionals for Political Action (PPA), speaking in an interview with The Spectator said young people must not be ideal but rather offer their skills to help develop the country and their localities.
He believed volunteerism, to some extent, could help reduce unemployment while the youth strove for better opportunities.
Highlighting various activities the group had embarked upon after elections, he said PPA, unlike other political groups that went mute after campaign and election seasons, was not resting on their oars.
PPA, he said, was established in 2016 to canvass grassroot support to help the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) capture political power and implement its development agenda.
Following the Party’s success in 2016 and a subsequent second term victory in the 2020 general election, Mr. Adjei-Mante said the group continued to harness the skills of members to help provide services on voluntary basis in sectors where their services were needed.
The group, according to him, had over 1,000 members, comprising health workers, teachers, tailors, seamstresses, carpenters, contractors and other professionals from the formal and informal sectors.
“We currently offer cleaning services, catering, construction, ushering, among others. The services we render are free of charge, irrespective of one’s political affiliation, we intend to reduce the burden on people who want quality service but cannot afford the service of professionals,” he noted.
Explaining the scope of their services, Mr. Adjei-Mante said that the group was more vibrant in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions, due to financial and logistical constraints.
He said, they were exploring other sources of funding to boost their operations and help sustain the organisation in the years ahead.
Part of their plan, he noted, included, introduction of free adult education, commercial farming and extending activities to all the 16 regions of the country.
“We are open to individuals who believe in the ideology of volunteerism and we are looking forward to train more young people to render voluntary services,” he stressed.
Mr. Adjei-Mante said that the group would require logistics such as vehicles, computers and other educational materials to enhance their functions in the regions.
Mr. Siaw, Research Officer of PPA Suhum Chapter, in the Eastern Region, praised the impact the organisation had made since its inception, and urged other professionals to join the group and help develop the country.
Another officer, Mr. Alex Asamoah, an Assistant Director at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, urged members of the Association to maintain mutual respect for one another and continue to offer their selfless and dedicated services for social and economic growth of the nation.
PPA has local chapters in the Eastern, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Brong Ahafo, and Northern regions. Mr. Daniel Kweku Denteh, a Deputy Director of Finance at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is the Convener.
Other executives include Dr. Adomako Kisi, Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, National Chairman, Mr. Banasco Francis, General Secretary and Public Relations Officer, and Mr. Michael Kusi Dadzi, Vice Chairman.
By Ernest Nutsugah
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
News
GBBA treasurer, Aurora Commodore-Toppar eyes GOC Assistant Treasure slot at Elective Congress on Saturday
The treasurer of the Ghana Basketball Association(GBBA), Madam Aurora Commodore-Toppar, has set her sights on becoming the next assistant treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) at the upcoming Elective Congress on Saturday.
The daughter of the former Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mr. Emmanuel Martey Commodore-Mensah, will be vying for the position against Bernard Quartey of the Ghana Boxing Federation and Edward Patrick Nii Lante Banerman of the Handball Association of Ghana.
Having had her nomination approved by the GOC’s Electoral Commission, the well-seasoned banker, with over 15 years of rich working experience, believes she is well-suited and positioned to help structure the finances of this esteemed organisation.
In a chat with Spectator Sports, the captain of the bronze-winning 2024 University of Ghana basketball team at the 11th African University Games in Zaire, Nigeria, revealed her commitment to effective and accurate financial management, growth, and development of all associated sports federations.
She said, “I am committed to the growth of the GOC, and I want to offer my financial knowledge to aid in ensuring that the GOC operates with the highest standards of financial governance and set-up.”
According to her, the mission is to help promote the GOC’s agenda widely, and having served for over two decades in sports—especially basketball—in various capacities and roles, she believes this experience will help protect the GOC’s finances.
“If elected as assistant treasurer, I will do my utmost, together with the treasurer, to manage the GOC’s finances, including accounting and financial reporting among others,” she added.
According to her, “Accurate financial record-keeping has been a problem across the board; I will help eradicate this issue.”
Aurora Commodore-Toppar stands for transparency, hard work, and an inclusive work culture, she further added.
The former Aburi Girls’ Secondary School basketball team captain has played pivotal roles in improving sports in the country—especially basketball—including being a member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2023 Africa Games, an LOC member for the recently concluded Hoop Rave SHS competition, a project lead for FIBA’s “Her World, Her Rules” initiative, chair for the 2024 Fetu Afahye Basketball Tournament, and founder of the Stomp De Yard Basketball Tournament, among others.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
