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STMA to demolish ghettoes at European Town
• Some unauthorised structures (Ghettoes) dotted along the rail lines
at European Town, Sekondi
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) is set to demolish all unauthorised structures at the Sekondi Railway Station, close to European Town, at Sekondi, in the Western Region, where prostitution is said to be thriving.
Over 400 illegal structures are expected to be removed or demolished to make way for the relocation of traders towards the reconstruction of the Sekondi Market.
Although, STMA had explained that the action was to pave way for Sekondi Market Project, the rail line, near the Sekondi railway station, had generated much concern among the security architecture in the metropolis especially on the use of the base for prostitution, which had attracted foreigners mostly Nigerian girls.
Recently, Social Welfare and Community Development (SW&CD), expressed worry about the increasing rate of child prostitution in some coastal areas of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, particularly, European Town.
It said, some persons notably adults were exploiting children, even at age 16, to engage in sex work.
“No person can exploit the labour of children but this is ongoing in the Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis, in European Town and Amanful. It’s not a joke. It’s against the law,” the Metropolitan Director of SW&CD, Ms Constance Baiden, revealed at a community campaign targeting the youth.
She reported that elderly men in these communities were those patronising the child prostitution, saying that “after school, these child prostitutes sleep with the men to get some income.”
Ms Baiden again reported that, girls under 16 were staying alone in makeshift(ghettoes) rooms dotted along the rail lines at European Town and collected GH¢20 for sleeping with men, and “nobody is asking questions.”
“Some of the men have no conscience and no morals, indeed, child prostitution and teenage pregnancy are worrying . We need to reduce the trend in the metropolis,” she said.
The Assembly member of Airport Ridge and Chairman of Social Services Sub-Committee of STMA, Mr. Michael Deku, also expressed concern about some married men who targeted the young girls to satisfy their sexual needs.
He blamed the European Town situation on some key people in the communities.
Also, Assembly member of European Town, Mr. Samuel Kojo Mensah, complained about the springing up of ghettoes along the rail line, fuelling prostitution (trade) in the Twin City (Sekondi -Takoradi).
Last Sunday afternoon domestic fire gutted scores of makeshift structures (ghettoes) dotted along the rail lines closed to the train station at European Town, Sekondi.
About 64 structures, mostly drinking bars, and makeshift rooms, were burnt, fas reported by the Ghana National Fire Service.
A 65-year-old woman collapsed in the process.
Six gas cylinders exploded during the fire while another 65 were retrieved to safety, to prevent further explosions.
STMA explained that the action follows the eviction notice served on owners of affected structures in 2021 and the subsequent stakeholder meeting held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Sekondi Youth Centre.
At the said meeting, the release added, that, all the squatters were given two weeks ultimatum, ending Sunday, November 7, 2022, to remove their structures.
“The Assembly, therefore, reminded and urged all affected persons to comply with the directive before expiration of the ultimatum. The exercise will be carried out on the said date without any further notice whatsoever,” it stressed.
Various personal belongings were also burnt, Regional Fire Public Relations Officer, Divisional Officer II, Emmanuel Bonney said.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Sekondi
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NHIA set to boost its cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in partnership with a leading private cybersecurity solutions provider in Ghana, CyberHawk Limited, is advancing the Authority’s digital infrastructure to ensure seamless operations.
This is to safeguard the Authority’s digital technologies and maintain the trust of active members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
In this context, the NHIA Management Information System (MIS) Directorate in the Head Office, on February 11, 2024, launched a three-day brainstorming session on the organization’s cybersecurity enhancement agenda.
The MIS Directorate Ag. Director, Mr. Daniel Blankson explained that the collaborative meeting aimed to scrutinize the NHIA’s Information Technology architecture, identifying potential risks and gapsto enhance its cybersecurity posture.
“By leveraging CyberHawk Limited’s expertise, the NHIA seeks to fortify its defenses against cyber threats, protecting sensitive information and maintaining the trust of its members.”
Mr. Blankson applauded the synergy between the two organizations and underscored the Authority’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to drive its mission forward.
The Head of Information Security and Standards Unit, in the MIS Directorate, Mr. Ebenezer Hooper, highlighted the Authority’s significant milestone on the digital transformation journey.
According to him, the NHIA is actively engaged in fully adopting and implementing modern digital systems to improve its operations.
He said, “The three-day brainstorming meeting will culminate in the development of a robust IT infrastructure, as well as strategic plans to translate security implementations into tangible IT cost savings for the organization.”
“There is the need to form a steering committee or IT advisory committee, operated under the Board, so that they can pay more attention in protecting the huge IT investment while ensuring cyber security-related policies are well protected,” he added.
The Project Manager of CyberHawk Limited, Mr. Chetan Narayana Murthy, lauded the collaboration and anticipated that it would empower the NHIA to implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
According to him, “This is a huge project that will greatly benefit the NHIA by implementing robust cybersecurity measures, safeguarding their systems, and ultimately protecting the sensitive information of NHIA members and healthcare providers.”
A Senior Manager of IT infrastructure, Mr. David Asare Addo, and his colleague, a Senior Manager of Applications, Mr. Enock Afanyi, with the MIS Directorate, gave an overview of the NHIA’s current technological landscape.
Present at the meeting were representatives from the Claims, Membership and Regional Operations (MRO), Research, Policy, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RPME), Corporate Affairs, the Audit, Administration, and Human Resource Directorates.
Story By : Vivian Arthur
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Swedru All Blacks back to winning ways, Roshan humble King Faisal
Sekondi Rospak FC made it eight wins in eight successive home games after three second-half goals from John Amoah, Joseph Ntow and Stephen Anthony Kofi. John Amoah opened the scoring in the 55th minute after a barren first half. Joseph Ntow added to the tally in the 56th minute before Stephen Anthony Kofi rounded things up in the 74th minute to give Rospak a 3-0 win over former Premier League side King Faisal.
Elsewhere at Swedru – leaders Swedru All Blacks humbled PAC Academy in an emphatic 2-0 win. Zayat Bubakari scored first for Swedru All Blacks in the 27th minute before Rudolf Junior Nana Kwasi Mensah made it 2-0 in the 34th minute. Swedru All Blacks are top of the table with 36 points – 4 points ahead of second placed Rospak FC.
Meanwhile, Former Premier League side Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs recorded their fourth successive home victory after beaten New Edubiase United 2-1 at the Robert Mensah Park. Enoch Odoom struck first for Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs in the 19th minute but Steven Asante equalized for New Edubiase United before halftime. After the interval, Godfred Eshun scored from distance in the 65th minute to help Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs secure all the points.
Here are the results in Zone Two
