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Sight of poverty makes me cry – The New Force leader
Nana Kwame Bediako
Everyone has that one thing that could move them to tears- it could be the loss of a loved one, being jilted by a lover, failing to meet a target, losing an election, being robbed and the list could go on and on.
For Nana Kwame Bediako, the leader of the New Force, he just cannot stand the sight of poverty.
Poverty, he said makes him emotional and could let tears run down his face uncontrollably.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on Monday, Mr. Bediako said it was heartbreaking that poverty is everywhere in the country.
“People are struggling but you cannot help everybody. The pain isn’t because people are poor, but the pain is you cannot help everyone” he lamented.
He said as an individual, he had tried to help as many people as possible by giving them jobs or one form of assistance or the other to improve their lives.
However, he was sad that it was not possible for any individual to help everyone eventhough they all needed help and that is what makes him cry.
Mr. Bediako said some people were going through so much difficulties that they could not even afford basic needs of life such as food, water, clothing and shelter.
The man behind the mask on several billboards all over the country which got many speculating what that was about, said the fact that people were not being given enough opportunities to explore their full potentials was something every well-meaning citizen should be concerned about.
Ambitious of becoming the next President with a vision to change the lives of the citizenry, especially the youth through job creation and industrialisation, Mr Bediakosaid he was convinced that, the young people were not being given the chance to give what they have to their country.
Mr Bediako, also known as Cheddar, said the potential of children should even be built right from the scratch when they are very young so that they could become a force to reckon with in whatever field they find themselves in future.
According to Cheddar, countries that had done these over the years had made commendable progress.
He advised that the youth should be groomed to have entrepreneurial skills so that the country could make a lot of money for development.
He said, it was important for people to know that there would beimpediments on their ways but instead of being bitter about them,they should see that as a motivation to strive harder to be successful.
He recalled that as a young person, tension between him and his stepmother, had motivated him to be determined to work for his own properties and not just sit back to inherit what his father had acquired.
He said crisis could bring a lot of good things out of people to make them and achieve things they never thought they could.
Mr. Bediako encouraged the youth to do what is right at all times and work hard for things to get better.
“Pray before you start whatever you want to do and if you are convinced that what you are doing is good, don’t allow anyone to discourage you. Go all out and do it. I tried it and it worked for me” he assured.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
