News
V/R CLOSAG threatens to lay down tools
Members of the Volta Region branch of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSAG) have declared their intension to lay down their tools in two weeks.
This is to press home their stance against what they describe as the ‘unlawful’ creation of the Oti Region for the association, and subsequent transfer of the elected regional chairman and treasurer in the Volta Region to Oti, by the National Executive Committee (EXECO) of the association.
The Regional Organiser of CLOGSAG, Mr Richard Kumedzro, said at a news conference in Ho on Tuesday that there was no demarcation between the Volta and Oti Regions, so far as the affairs of the association were still concerned.
Therefore, he said, the recent appointments of Mr Daniel Danso and Mrs Sophia Amegavi Lumor as acting CLOGSAG Regional Chairman and Regional Treasure respectively to replace Messrs Innocent Komla Agbolosu, the elected chairman and Franklin Komla Atubra, elected treasure who had been transferred to Oti, was totally unacceptable.
“The decision flies in the face of common sense, logic and the rule of law, since the association’s vacancies could only be filled in times of transfers, resignation or death of an officer, none of which has occurred to warrant the decision by EXECO”, he told the conference.
Furthermore, Mr Kumedzro recalled that on June 12, 2018, the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, Mr Isaac Bampoe Addo, in an official letter to all regional secretariats stated that notwithstanding the newly created districts by the government, CLOGSAG had not created any districts and that the existing demarcations remained and as such members could participate in activities of the existing district.
“We believe that same principles should apply to the creation of regions until such a time that proper recognition is given to the new regions for lections to be organised,” he maintained.
The regional organiser said that the appointments took away the rights of members of the association in the region to freely choose their leaders.
Mr Kumedzro revealed that petitions by the regional CLOGSAG to the National President, Dr Evans Agbeme Dzikum and the Complains and Grievances Committee in February and March this year, over the issue, were not responded to.
The Volta CLOGSAC is, therefore, demanding a reversal of the unconstitutional appointments.
Meanwhile, the Volta CLOGSAC is also demanding the release of the mandatory first quarter administrative expenditure allocation for the smooth running of the association in the Volta Region.
Furthermore, it called on the National President to fulfil his campaign promises by reviewing the outdated CLOGSAC constitution immediately by calling an extra-ordinary delegates congress.
Mr Kumedzro warned that if those demands from the regional association were ignored, “we will be left with no choice than to lay down our tools in protest against injustice and unconstitutional actions towards the Volta Executives.”
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, HO
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
