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United Nations Youth Association, Ghana inducts 275 Parliamentarians

275 Youth Members of Parliament were last week inducted into parliament by the United Nations Youth Association,(UNYA) Ghana in Accra.
The virtual induction ceremony was to make these young MP’s represent the 275 constituencies in Ghana and help achieve good governance in their jurisdiction.
Ms Lillian Sally Addo, Country Head of the Association, was the legal authority who conducted these new parliamentarians after they had gone through series of vetting and interviews over the previous month.
She charged the newly sworn Youth MPs to be diligent in their duties and dedicate their time to effectively work to achieve the goals and objectives of UNYA-Ghana.
The formation of the Youth Parliament, according to her, was to promote Resolution 2250 and most of the activities would be conducted under the supervision of Parliament of Ghana and the National Youth Authority.
In a remark, Ms Addo reiterated that the United Nations Youth Associations across the world were youth led organisations “that model the United Nations’ agenda and the main objective is to be the people’s movement for the United Nations.”
She said that, United Nations of which Ghana is a member, through the Security Council in 2015 adopted Resolution 2250 that talks about the inclusion of young people in the decision making process.
UNYA Ghana has over 5000 youth membership across the country and creating various initiatives to encourage all young people to get involved in pushing its agenda.
Admonishing the youth of Ghana, Ms Addo cautioned them to refrain from violence and bad influence from their peers.
The Country Head further advised the youth to voice out their candid opinions by using the right media.
Madam Kate Addo, Public Affairs Director of Parliament was also present at the induction ceremony to brief the newly sworn executives about Ghana’s Parliament and its proceedings.
Mr Martinson Yeboah Mintah, a diplomat and a policy analyst was the special guest at the ceremony.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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