News
World Environmental Day: …let’s support environmental restoration efforts
As the world marks Environmental Day today, June 5, 2021, we should focus our attention on some human activities that impact negatively on the environment and the need to reverse the trend and support initiatives meant to safeguard the vegetation.
This year’s celebration, themed ‘Ecosystem Restoration,’ would reinforce the essence of tree planting, cleaning up the environment, and preservation of water bodies, among other activities to help conserve the environment.
On Friday, June 11, the Green Ghana Initiative which would see to the planting of five million trees across the country would kick off. Its long term objective is to return the country’s landscape, which had been affected by illegal mining and lumbering and other human activities, to its past glory.
Apart from sanitation challenges the country is tackling, the impact of illegal lumber and indiscriminate felling of trees is rife in the Savannah Region, where there is an alarming rate of logging for charcoal production.
Some governmental and non-governmental organisations, in an attempt to halt the trend, had recommended a ban on commercial production of charcoal and suggested alternative sources of fuel for rural folks.
But it appears the practice would not stop anytime soon as economic trees such as shea and rosewood continue to be logged in large quantities for charcoal.
Trees and forests provide a myriad of ecological services such as water supply, maintaining soil fertility for purposes of agriculture, and serve also as habitat for animals and other living things.
It is for this reason that Mr. Yussif Abdul-Mumin, Chief Executive Officer of United Force for Development, a non-governmental organisation based in the Northern Region, has urged the citizens to “take deliberate steps to help heal the earth” on the occasion of World Environmental Day and beyond.
He agrees that the citizen’s effort towards environmental conservation through tree planting, especially in urban areas would, to a large extent, contribute to dealing with issues of climate change.
Pictures captured here by our photographer, Mr. Geoffrey Buta, stress the importance for all citizens to join global, regional and local environmental restoration efforts, to help prevent the loss of plant and animal species, enhance food and water supply, and help improve livelihoods.
By Geoffrey Buta
News
GBBF Treasurer, Aurora Commodore-Toppar eyes GOC Treasure slot at Elective Congress on Saturday
The treasurer of the Ghana Basketball Federation (GBBF), Madam Aurora Commodore-Toppar, has set her sights on becoming the next assistant treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) at the upcoming Elective Congress on Saturday.
The daughter of the former Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mr. Emmanuel Martey Commodore-Mensah, will be vying for the position against Bernard Quartey of the Ghana Boxing Federation and Edward Patrick Nii Lante Banerman of the Handball Association of Ghana.
Having had her nomination approved by the GOC’s Electoral Commission, the well-seasoned banker, with over 15 years of rich working experience, believes she is well-suited and positioned to help structure the finances of this esteemed organisation.
In a chat with Spectator Sports, the captain of the bronze-winning 2024 University of Ghana basketball team at the 11th African University Games in Zaire, Nigeria, revealed her commitment to effective and accurate financial management, growth, and development of all associated sports federations.
She said, “I am committed to the growth of the GOC, and I want to offer my financial knowledge to aid in ensuring that the GOC operates with the highest standards of financial governance and set-up.”
According to her, the mission is to help promote the GOC’s agenda widely, and having served for over two decades in sports—especially basketball—in various capacities and roles, she believes this experience will help protect the GOC’s finances.
“If elected as assistant treasurer, I will do my utmost, together with the treasurer, to manage the GOC’s finances, including accounting and financial reporting among others,” she added.
According to her, “Accurate financial record-keeping has been a problem across the board; I will help eradicate this issue.”
Aurora Commodore-Toppar stands for transparency, hard work, and an inclusive work culture, she further added.
The former Aburi Girls’ Secondary School basketball team captain has played pivotal roles in improving sports in the country—especially basketball—including being a member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2023 Africa Games, an LOC member for the recently concluded Hoop Rave SHS competition, a project lead for FIBA’s “Her World, Her Rules” initiative, chair for the 2024 Fetu Afahye Basketball Tournament, and founder of the Stomp De Yard Basketball Tournament, among others.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
News
113 Cardinals hold 3rd General Congregation in Rome
The 113 Cardinals present in Rome held the third General Congregation on Thursday morning, and announced who will deliver the two pre-conclave meditations.
The Cardinals decided that Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández will celebrate the Mass on the sixth day of the Novemdiales, instead of Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
They agreed that Fr. Donato Ogliari, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls, will deliver the first meditation on Monday, and that Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher Emeritus of the Papal Household, will deliver the second meditation at the beginning of the conclave, whose starting date has not yet been decided.
The Cardinals began a conversation about the Church and the world, deciding to hold the next General Congregation on Friday morning at 9:00 AM.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told journalists that 61,000 people have paid their respects to the late Pope Francis as of 1:00 PM on Thursday, adding that St. Peter’s Basilica should close at midnight on Thursday, unless large crowds are still queuing to enter.
Following the Pope’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, a Rosary will be held in front of the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday at 9:00 PM.
Mr. Bruni said the burial service for Pope Francis will take place in private.
Starting the morning of Sunday, April 27, the faithful may begin to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at the Marian Basilica.
