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SOS Children’s Village Ghana in partnership with Jiossam and Green Tec Africa commission solar water facility for Papramanten
The National Director of the SOS Children’s Villages, Mr Alex Mar Kekula in group picture with partners
and chiefs and people of Papramanten
SOS Children’s Village Ghana in collaboration with Joissam Company Limited and Green Tec Africa has commissioned a solar energy and water facility for Papramanten, a farming community in the Fanteakwa North District of the Eastern region.
The solar energy facility which has a solar light, potable water container, a phone charging unit and a refrigerator, would provide electricity and its associated services to the people of the community.
The solar facility has a mechanized borehole which would also provide clean and potable water to school children and community members in the area.
The National Director of the SOS Children’s Villages, Mr Alex Mar Kekula the project as part of his outfit’s Family Strengthening project aimed at building the capacity of families and communities by providing them with support and resources, to empower them to become self-resilient.
He said the solar energy was to provide the community members with clean and sustainable energy in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) seven.
“We believe that access to electricity is not just a luxury; it is a fundamental right that can catalyze progress, improve education and enhance healthcare. The solar panel we believe will not only provide clean and sustainable energy but will also serve as a beacon of hope for generations to come,” he said.
The water project, he said, was a fundamental resource to life, adding that it was provided to promote Water, Sanitation and Hygiene to create a positive impact of safe access to water in schools and improve health, growth and continued education of school-aged children and communities by reducing related diseases incidents.
He said the provision of water was in line with his outfit’s commitment to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, had access to water.
For his part, the District Chief Executive of Fanteakwa North expressed gratitude to SOS Children’s Village and their partners for the kind gesture and called on the people to ensure that the facility was maintained well to benefit all and future generations.
The Chief of Papramanten, Nene Angmor Tetteh said previously community members had to walk long distances to charge their phones, adding that the solar energy facility would make it easy for them to charge their phones and help improve communication in the area.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Papramanten
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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.
