News
Sekondi-Takoradi markets to be closed till June 3

Major markets in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis will be closed from today (Thursday) to Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
This forms part of the enhanced measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the area, a press release signed by the Public Relations officer (PRO) of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), John Laste, explained.
It said, “A joint security council meeting of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metro and the Effia- Kwesimintsim Municipal Assemblies, took place on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, to review measures put in place to control the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area.”
The statement said, “for the avoidance of doubt, sections within the Central Business District of Takoradi, entire Market Circle, Ebirewfomu Second-Hand and Shoe and Cloth Market , Old Axim Station Market (excluding the Taxi Terminal) , Behind All Saints Anglican Church Second-Hand Shoe and Cloth Market would be affected.”
It declared that all special market-days had temporary been suspended in the metropolitan area, reiterating that the Presidential directives to suspend all public gatherings, including conferences, workshops, funerals, parties, nightclubs, drinking spots, beaches, festivals, political rallies, religious activities and sporting events are still in force.
The statement said, whilst the markets remained closed, their leadership would be engaged to introduce shift system using colours, when the markets are reopened.
It announced that the Takoradi market would run three shifts (red, yellow and green) while Sekondi, Kojokrom and Effiakuma number nine markets would run two shifts, thus red and yellow.
The statement ordered “operators or managers of public places are directed to visibly display notices of ‘No Face Mask, No Entry’ at the frontage of their premises. Leadership of commercial transport operators are to ensure that their drivers and passengers wear face masks and observe social or physical distancing. Again, motorbikes are to be manned by only the rider.”
It said the various assemblies would undertake fumigation and disinfection exercises.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, SEKONDI
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