News
The next NDC government will invest heavily in creative arts – Emmanuel Bedzrah
The Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah has indicated that the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would invest heavily in creative arts.
He said the move would be part of a robust agenda targeted at developing the creative arts industry and projecting players on the world stage, to improve lives.
He was speaking at the launch of two albums by the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) Azagonorkofe Deladem Church Choir in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.
He said his political party established a support scheme for creative arts, hence has the blueprint that would be fine-tuned to current trends to propel the arts industry.
“We [NDC] have started, you remember we started some time ago when [late] Professor Mills was there. He even allocated about GH₵100 million to the creative arts industry which was used to support industry players. So, we will repeat the same thing because we know that through that we will also be able to build this industry to where it is supposed to be”, he said.
Mr. Bedzrah lamented how the choral group with a talented lead singer had to undertake menial jobs such as working as farm hands and engaging in charcoal making to raise funds for the production of the albums.
He echoed the massive growth of Nigeria’s creative arts industry which he said stems from the private sector investment and proper regulations by the government.
“Nigeria has devoted a lot of resources to that [creative arts industry]. They support the academy, the arts, the music industry, and the film industry. There are people who invested heavily, the private sector invested heavily, government regulates and makes sure that everything that you put in there, you will get your returns on it”, he said.
A teacher by profession, Etsiam Wornu, with the stage name ‘Dela Tsiam’ led the Apostles Revelation Society Azagonorkofe Deladem Church Choir to compose and record two professional choral albums.
Both albums titled “Aƒenya me wua ame o” and “Dekaworwor” contained religious advisory songs written in Ewe, English, Zulu, and Swahili.
Mr. Wornu, who is currently pursuing music said he was gifted a talent to write songs in these languages he didn’t learn and hopes to become a world figure someday.
“In 5 years, I want to specialize in acapella music, see myself on international stages where my music and the choir will go far and viral”, he said.
He appealed for any form of support for the choir to enable them to record professional songs and execute plans of breaking onto the world scene.
“My message to philanthropic organizations is that they should come on board and support me, because God has given me a great talent and this talent can go far, really far.
Our arms are open to welcome any support so that we can push this talent to the world”, he said.
A music lecturer at the University of Education, Wineba, Moses Adzei described Esiam as an “exceptional gift to the world” considering how he is multi-talented and gifted in the field of composing, theory, and stage performance.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
