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Akufo-Addo: I prefer noisy, mischievous press to sycophantic one 

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that the safety of journalists to go about their duties is sacrosanct.

Condemning attacks on media personnel when the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) called on him on Wednesday evening, President Akufo-Addo said: “I don’t condone any attacks on any journalist even those who abuse me.”

He said he preferred a noisy and mischievous press to a sycophantic one.

He explained that journalists have to feel safe to go about their work because of what they do for the country and the community as their work was extremely important.

He said he preferred the current kind of press in Ghana which is very active and vibrant especially, the diversity and proliferation which had made the presence of the media felt in every corner of the country.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated that there could be no press freedom if systematically journalists were always afraid for their lives 

Armed Suale

He described as unfortunately the fact that despite very widespread efforts made the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ghana Police Service, they have not been able to lay hands on the perpetrators of Suale’s death.

He said that it was worrying because without the findings, it was difficult to ascertain the reasons behind the killing, whether it was because of his work as a journalist or for other reason.

Responsible Journalism

President Akufo-Addo opined that the concept of responsible journalism was extremely important for the welfare of the country and that most people were sensitive about the capacity of the media to generate its own information.

He said the media’s capacity and position to independently verify the truth or otherwise of what state actors and others were also saying so that the population was not denied any informed scrutiny of the claims that were being made was crucial.

Welfare

Regarding decline in the ratings of the country in press freedom index, he wondered why it was like that because he did not know of many countries in Africa with such proliferation of independent media outlets like what pertained in Ghana.

When the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that the country’s downgrading was because the ratings was more about welfare of journalist, President Akufo-Addo said “if it is that it is about the condition of journalists, well, I can understand it”.

He said this was because journalists in Ghana were notoriously not well paid and that it was the collective responsibility of all to ensure that was addressed.

He assured the association that he would grace the GJA awards night.

GJA

The President of the GJA, Albert Dwumfour said this year’s GJA awards night scheduled for November 12, was on the theme “Walking the Path Towards Ghana’s Economic Recovery – The Role of the Media”.

He said the topic sought to highlight the essential role of the media in the present challenging socio-economic circumstances and how best the media could help in the economic recovery efforts.

He called on the President to revive his annual media Encounter’ series to enable him share thoughts on pertinent national issues with the media and to also enable the media express their concerns about the operations of the government.

He expressed worry about the welfare of journalists and said the association was engaging media owners as to how best to address the situation and urged government to also do its part in saving the Ghana Broadcasting from collapse.


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Good news for teachers: 1 teacher, 1 laptop

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His remarks came after the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) expressed reservations about the Ghana Smart School Project, which debuted on Monday, March 25, 2024. According to GNAT, since 2021, when the government launched a similar scheme for teachers dubbed as the "1 Teacher 1 Laptop" project, over 100,000 instructors in public schools have yet to receive theirs. However, Dr. Adutwum, a teacher himself, told teachers that his Ministry has their best interests at heart and will never fail them. He indicated categorically that the instructors will receive their computers by the end of June.

Teachers in public schools will receive the laptops promised by the government in 2021 by the end of June 2024.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, said this on Adom FM’s morning broadcast, Dwaso Nsem, on Tuesday.

“I can tell you that the instructors will receive their computers by the end of June, as promised. They’ve already met with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and are figuring out how to get their laptops,” he said.

His remarks came after the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) expressed reservations about the Ghana Smart School Project, which debuted on Monday, March 25, 2024.

According to GNAT, since 2021, when the government launched a similar scheme for teachers dubbed the “1 Teacher 1 Laptop” project, over 100,000 instructors in public schools have yet to receive theirs.

However, Dr. Adutwum, a teacher himself, told teachers that his Ministry has their best interests at heart and will never fail them.

He indicated categorically that the instructors will receive their computers by the end of June.

Speaking about the Ghana Smart School Project, Dr. Adutwum emphasised its significance as a component of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, which aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning in public second-cycle schools.

He stated that these tablets, packed with necessary textbooks and previous questions, will be great instructional aids, improving students’ access to information critical to their academic endeavours.

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Create your own ‘dumsor’ timetable – Energy minister to critics

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However, speaking to media at the launching of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Opoku Prempeh urged detractors to create their own timeline if required. He questioned the point of defining a timeline since ECG said that there is no such strategy in place. "Ask those who desire it to bring it, if any. I have not seen any timeline. The ECG claims there is no timeline coming; why do you wish to bring one, and for what purpose? Why would someone wake up and want wicked and awful things for the country? You can't inform the individual when it's unplanned."

Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has challenged those lobbying for a load-shedding timeline from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to submit their own proposals.

His statements came amid the country’s current electricity issues, particularly in the Greater Accra Region, which affect both residents and companies.

Despite rising calls for a systematic load-shedding plan, ECG has maintained its opposition to creating one, citing the lack of a formal “dumsor” scenario and so judging a timetable unnecessary.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and numerous important personalities have repeatedly urged ECG to give a timeframe. They also urged the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to address the present power situation.

However, speaking to the media at the launching of the NPP campaign team in the Ashanti Region, Dr Opoku Prempeh urged detractors to create their own timeline if required.

He questioned the point of defining a timeline since ECG said that there is no such strategy in place.

“Ask those who desire it to bring it, if any. I have not seen any timeline. The ECG claims there is no timeline coming; why do you wish to bring one, and for what purpose? Why would someone wake up and want wicked and awful things for the country? You can’t inform the individual when it’s unplanned.”

Dr. Opoku Prempeh told the public that measures are underway to solve the difficulties facing the electricity industry.

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Deputy CHRAJ Commissioner reported dead

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Mr Quayson was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Commission in August 2005, overseeing the Commission's anti-corruption duty, as well as public education and research. He joined the Commission as a senior legal officer in 1993, having previously served as a legal officer at CHRAJ's predecessor organisation, the Office of the Ombudsman, from 1987 to 1993. He was the Western and Central Regions' regional director prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner. He also headed the National Working Group that established Ghana's National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) and served on the Commission that oversees its implementation.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has confirmed the death of Richard Ackom Quayson, its Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Henry Ashley, the Director of Human Resources and Administration, signed a notification on behalf of the Commissioner on March 22, 2024, announcing the death.

The letter, which was sent to the GNA, read: “It is with a heavy heart that we inform members of staff of the death of our Deputy Commissioner (APR), Mr Richard Ackom Quayson, who passed away unexpectedly on the 21st of March 2024, after a short illness.”

Mr Quayson was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Commission in August 2005, overseeing the Commission’s anti-corruption duty, as well as public education and research.

He joined the Commission as a senior legal officer in 1993, having previously served as a legal officer at CHRAJ’s predecessor organisation, the Office of the Ombudsman, from 1987 to 1993.

He was the Western and Central Regions’ regional director prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner.

He also headed the National Working Group that established Ghana’s National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) and served on the Commission that oversees its implementation.

He was a lawyer by profession, specialising in human rights promotion and protection, administrative justice, and corruption prevention and investigation.

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