On Wednesday, a delegation from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by former President John Dramani Mahama paid a visit to former President JA Kufuor and his family to extend their condolences over the passing of former First Lady Theresa Kufuor. Mr Mahama, accompanied by his wife, former First Lady Lordina, said the deceased was affectionately known as the mother of the Nation during her tenure as First Lady due to her dignified personality. The delegation included the national chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Chair of the NDC Council of Elders, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, members of the NDC Council of Elders, and the party’s Political Committee. Mr. Mahama left a message in the Book of Condolence, stating: “We are all saddened by the passing of our respected mother, former First Lady Madam Theresa Kufuor" "She carried herself with dignity and was truly acknowledged by the people of Ghana as the mother of the Nation" "On this sad occasion, our hearts go out to the widower, President Agyekum Kufuor, and the entire family. May God grant her peaceful repose.” Credit: Daily Democratic

The Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed that all flags of the party at the National Headquarters, Regional Offices and across the 275 Constituency be flown at half-mast in honour of the Late E. T. Mensah and Dr. Sidney Laryea. According to the NDC, the directive takes effect from October, 5, 2023 in honor of the memory of its deceased comrades. In a communique signed by its General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey, he said "At the appropriate time, the party will join their respective families to honour their memories and give them a befitting burial" The NDC revealed that the decision was made at its regular meeting held on Wednesday, 4th October, 2023 "Hon. Enoch Teye Mensah was the first National Youth Organizer of the NDC. With unwavering dedication and patriotism, he rose through the ranks to become the longest serving Minister for Sports under the 4th Republic" "At the time of his death, Hon. E.T Mensah was a Member of the Council of State of the Republic of Ghana" "Dr. Sidney Laryea was the first National Treasurer of the NDC and served the party with dedication and unflinching commitment" The NDC says it is proud of the invaluable contributions of these great personalities to the development of Ghana and party. "May the gentle souls of our departed comrades rest in perfect peace" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison has replied protestors of the #OccupyBoGProtest saying he will not resign from his position. He made these remarks as a response to a demonstration which was held by the Minority in Parliament calling for his sack. The Governor said "I'll not resign. Demonstrating like hooligans unnecessary" He added that neither he nor his deputies intend to step down despite the numerous calls by the Minority. “The Minority in parliament have many channels to channel their grievances in civilised societies, not through demonstrations in the streets as hooligans,” It will be recalled the Ministry in Parliament staged a demonstration calling for the removal of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana. The demonstration which was championed by the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), saw its National Chairman, General Secretary, and some other Members of Parliament (MPs). After many hours of demonstrating, it will be recalled that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana deployed his Head of Security to meet and receive the petition from the protestors. However, the protestors failed to submit the petition to the Head of Security and described the failure of the Governor to step out as disrespectful. The Minority says it will come back again. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison has described the #OccupyBoGProtest organised by the Minority and held on some principal streets of Accra as completely unnecessary. He made these remarks as his response to the Minority over their #OccupyBoGProtest. Dr. Addison said "The demonstration yesterday was completely unnecessary,” He added that neither he nor his deputies intend to step down despitethe numerous calls by the Minority. “The Minority in parliament have many channels to channel their grievances in civilised societies, not through demonstrations in the streets as hooligans,” It will be recalled the Ministry in Parliament staged a demonstration calling for the removal of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana. The demonstration which was championed by the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), saw its National Chairman, General Secretary, and some other Members of Parliament (MPs). After many hours of demonstrating, it will be recalled that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana deployed his Head of Security to meet and receive the petition from the protestors. However, the protestors failed to submit the petition to the Head of Security and described the failure of the Governor to step out as disrespectful. The Minority says it will come back again. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Professor at the Department of Physiotherapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Professor Ajediran Idowu Bello has commended Allied Health Personnel in Ghana for performing creditably well, and impacting meaningfully to the healthcare delivery system in Ghana. According to him, the track records of allied health disciplines as regards health promotion, diagnosis, evaluation, rehabilitation, remediation, and therapy services remain noticeable. Soeaking at a Maiden Round Table Conference of the Allied Health Sector held in Accra, he said "Allied health professionals are found in public and private health sectors providing essential health services within the limits of their available resources. The Maiden Round Table Conference of the Allied Health Sector in Ghana, organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professions (GFAHP) and Key Stakeholders, at the Ministry of Health conference room on Room, FifthFloor of the Ministry New Building, Accra, on September 29, 2023. He added that Allied health professions are a conglomeration of various groups of professions which forms a sub-group of healthcare workforce, thus placing huge expectations at their doorsteps to catch up with the global healthcare advancements. "Since the culture of healthcare is NOT stagnant, transformed models are needed to match the changing landscape of the emerging diseases" He stressed scores of allied health personnel are also joining military and paramilitary medical corps. "Our personnel have made significant contributions in sports, special care homes, diagnostic centers, and industries in Ghana. Even though there are more to be done, the practicing and training standards have been found to meet the basic benchmarks set by various global professional bodies" "By my own candid assessment, our score card can be rated as ‘fair to good’! Thenotable achievements thus far includes establishment of allied health task force (which metamorphosed into Allied Health Professions Council-Ghana, by the Act of parliament 857, in 2013), establishment of Allied Health Directorate, expansion of training in our higher institutions to the graduate level, collaboration with fellow African professional bodies, intra-professional eagerness to improve practice, improved performance by individuals on the global stage and better professional identity. "These are all positive transformations within our professional cycle. Despite these seemingly lofty achievements however, do we say that the promised land has been reached? The answer is no! Every ground-breaking event in history came as a result of breaking new grounds. We should be fully aware that still waters have their lurking dangers" "There are avalanche of prevailing affronts bedeviling our practice which are both intrinsic and extrinsic in nature. These include shortage of manpower, unfavourable practice environments, lack of clinical practice guidelines, inadequate ethical competence, shortage of requisite practice equipment, low local research outputs, declining morale among professionals (apathy), silent inter-profession tussles, quackery, and professional encroachment due to lack of identity" He noted that given the identified challenges, transformed models areneeded to match the changing health care landscape in. "Change is necessitated to minimize wastage in healthcare delivery. It is already known that our healthcare system is under serious pressure occasioned by new wave of health challenges among the teeming population, which deserves new dimensions to the healthcare structure and strategies" "The ravaging effects of COVID-19 pandemic is still fresh in our memories during which the out-patients services provided by many allied health professions were relegated to the background, describing them as secondary, thereby leaving our patients in a state of bewilderment" Moreover, the Ghana recent assessment report on ageing and health by the World Health organization indicates that, majority of older people now die of noncommunicable diseases such as heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes rather than from infectious and parasitic diseases, and those who are living are suffering from appalling physical dysfunctions, higher levels of anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. "At the same time, young adults between ages of 30 and 40 years who are the hope of the nation are suffering from cardiovascular problems and other non-communicable diseases with total estimated mortality rate of 42%. That is not to talk of the incessant outbreak of preventable diseases that deserve rigorous preventive actions in the form of health education" "As a matter of fact, the major causes of death in Ghana have shifted from predominantly communicable diseases to a combination of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases over the last few decades. It is glaring that the Allied health professionals need to look inward toward a renewed model in combating the emerging challenges" "Hitherto, preventive healthcare has been dominated by the medical practitioners, nurses, and public health personnel. Allied health professionals are still struggling in this arena which underscore the above ‘shifts’ with the view to stem the tides of the diseases of lifestyles. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" Conceptual framework for better practice and delivery Honorable Deputy Minister and distinguished Stakeholders, having assessed our present situations and presented our score card, I would like to embark on some meaningful tips and policy proposals that will bring about transformative changes needed to make allied health practice top-notch in Ghana. As healthcare professionals, we should always remember that the healthcare system is our laboratory and platform to test our ideas and refine our clinical skills" Highlighting on measures for innovative practice, Prof. Bello hinted that given the presented shortage of manpower in Ghana, Government needs to explore aggressive cost control measures. He revealed that the World Health Organization in 2010 advocated the exploration of e-Health and Mobile Health Clinic as strategies of choice to make healthcare accessible to every member of the communities. "Tele-health technology which entails the delivery of healthcare remotely by means of telecommunications" Taking his turn, Deputy Minister of Health, Mahama Asei-Seini said "At the peak of the covid-19 pandemic, allied health professionals played crucial roles by providing timely diagnostic services, clinical care and support services, mental health and rehabilitation of covid-19 survivors" "The commitment of allied health professionals has been instrumental in improving the quality of care, enhancing patient outcomes and contributing significantly the overall health and well-being of our citizens" "Our theme for today's conference 'Assessing the Allied Health Landscape in Ghana, Envisioning the future is both timely and apt. It underscores our commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and pursuit of excellence in allied health practice" "Today, we have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights and chart a course for a brighter future in the allied health sector" He was confident that the perspectives shared will ignite a spark of inspiration and innovation that will propel the sector to new heights. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Profile of Bank of Ghana's (BoG) Head of Security, Wing Commander (Retired) Kwame Asare-Boateng (Esq), whom Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament, Sam George described as a "Watchman" during #OccupyBoGProtest on Tuesday. Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament (MP), Sam George, on Tuesday afternoon (Oct 3, 2023) slammed the Bank of Ghana for sending its Head of Security to meet the leadership of the #OccupyBog protestors. The MP in an interview criticized the BoG and its Governor for disrespecting the protestors by sending the BoG's Director of Safety and Security, Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng to meet the protestors and receive their petition. The Minority Group, led by Cassiel Ato Forson, chose not to present their petition to BoG's Head of Security, Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng, who Mr. George described as a watchman. Who is Wing Commander (Rtd) Kwame Asare-Boateng (Esq) Wing Commander Kwame Asare-Boateng Rtd (Esq) joined the Bank of Ghana in 2019 as a Director and in charge of its Security Department. He has since transformed the Security Department into an effective professional Unit. Prior to this, he served for 26 years in the Ghana Air Force and rose through the ranks terminating as a Wing Commander and Deputy Director of the Legal Directorate at the Air Force Headquarters. He served in various capacities while in the military notably as Intelligence Operator, Administrator and Legal Officer. He has undertaken various operational assignments including serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) as Force Conduct and Discipline Officer and as Force Intelligent Officer as UN Observer in Liberia. Kwame Asare-Boateng was called to the Ghana Bar in 2007 having successfully completed the professional law programme. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts Degree both from the University of Ghana. He is a recipient of several awards and UN Medals in recognition of his professionalism and dedicated service to the nation and the United Nations. Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament (MP), Sam George, has slammed the Bank of Ghana for sending its Head of Security to meet the leadership of the #OccupyBog protestors. The MP in an interview criticized the BoG and its Governor for disrespecting the protestors by sending the BoG's Director of Safety and Security, Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng to meet the protestors and receive their petition. The Minority Group, led by Cassiel Ato Forson, chose not to present their petition to BoG's Head of Security, Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng, who Mr. George described as a watchman. In an interview on TV3, Sam George expressed his dismay, characterizing Dr. Addison's nonattendance as a sign of disrespect. "Parliament invites the Bank of Ghana at least twice a year and he has appeared only three times in seven years so it's not strange. It is the height of disrespect that we will come here and he will send the watchman, the watchman at the Bank of Ghana to come and receive the petition," he said. "Okay, the watchman should come to Parliament as well, when next he needs anything from Parliament he should send the watchman as well but we will be back. We will give the Police some days to rest but we will be back". Credit: Graphiconline.com

Minister for Public Enterprises Joseph Cudjoe has been sharing details of significant strides his ministry has made since its inception in the quest to improve the fortunes of public enterprises. Until the creation of the Ministry, he revealed that a worrying number of public enterprises had not signed any performance contracts nor had any prepared accounts for onward audit, which was a “a clear violation of the Public Financial Management Act”. “Majority of the public enterprises had no performance contracts and so really it was hard to tell what they were about. Currently as I speak more then 75 out of a total number of 175 of the public enterprises have signed performance contracts and more are expected to do so as the days go by,” he told Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, host of Connect FM’s morning show Omanbapa on Monday, October 2, 2023. “Before 2016, less then 10 out of the 175 public enterprises had audited account. For example, for more than 10 years the Ghana Publishers was not preparing any accounts but now, they are doing exceptionally well in this regard. They have an updated account and even have their 2022 accounts prepared.” He explained: “These awakening including strict monitoring and many other measures have helped to improve the financial standing of many public enterprises and more will follow until they all become self-sufficient. “Now when you mention BOST, it is not about contaminated fuel or debts but about profits. VRA is also making impressive progress and as I mentioned Ghana Publishers. There are many others as well.” According to the minister, President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision to create a new ministry is paying off. He further disclosed that government has extended an invitation to private investors to help revive 17 public enterprises that “are locked up in the bushes”. Credit: 3news.com

Pope Francis has suggested he would be open to having the Catholic Church bless same-sex couples. Responding to a group of cardinals who asked him for clarity on the issue, he said any request for a blessing should be treated with "pastoral charity" "We cannot be judges who only deny, reject and exclude," he said. He added, however, that the Church still considered same-sex relationships "objectively sinful" and would not recognise same-sex marriage. The request was one of a number sent to the Pope ahead of a weeks-long global gathering to discuss the future of the Church, set to get under way at the Vatican on Wednesday. In the Catholic Church, a blessing is a prayer or plea, usually delivered by a minister, asking for God to look favourably on the person or people being blessed. Bishops in a number of countries, including Belgium and Germany, have begun to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, but the position of Church authorities remained unclear. Though this seems a significant change in tone, it has to be remembered that as recently the spring of 2021, the same pope approved a decree from the Vatican's doctrinal office forbidding priests from blessing same-sex unions. Then, it was stressed that such partnerships are sinful and as such could not be blessed. Earlier this year, when Pope Francis talked of homosexuality not being a crime, he still talked of it as being a sin. In referring to blessings now, Pope Francis has not expressly talked of what would be blessed: the unions or the individual or group wanting to be blessed. He talked more generally of those asking for blessing as expressing a request for help from God to be able to live better, something he said should not be denied them. The Pope said the Church understood marriage to be an "exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman" and should avoid "any type of rite or sacramental that might contradict this conviction" But he added that "when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better". "Pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage," he said. Appearing to suggest that requests for blessings should be considered on a case-by-case basis, he said that "decisions that may be part of pastoral prudence in certain circumstances should not necessarily become a norm". "Canon law should not and cannot cover everything," he said. He added that the Church should always approach its relationships with people with "kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness and encouragement" While this does not mark a doctrinal departure, Pope Francis' papacy has been characterised by moves to soften the Church's language on sexuality and other key issues. That is something that, throughout, has angered those conservatives who look to hold more strictly to the historic teachings of the faith. In February, a vote of senior figures in the Church of England backed proposals to allow prayers of blessing for same-sex couples. The move would mean a same-sex couple could go to an Anglican church after a legal marriage ceremony for services including prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and God's blessing. Credit: BBC

Evangelist Diana Asamoah who is also a renowned Gospel Musician has slammed critics who are discrediting the good governance of the country under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo. She insisted that, Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has performed creditable in all sectors of the Economy thus he should be crowned the best president ever in the political history of Ghana. According her,there are a lot of developmental projects that have been chalked by this current administration for all to compare and contrast to that of the previous government. “President Akufo Addo hasn’t failed Ghanaians as perceived by Ghanaians” she stressed. She cited, the President’s introduction of Free SHS as the very powerful government flagship program which has relieved the financial burdens of Ghanaians as the testament to the fact that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has done tremendously well. “If you say Akufo-Addo has done nothing, what do you mean? Do you know the amount of money supporting children to go to school? You cannot say that about your father. We should be grateful and stop being ungrateful,” she reiterated. Credit: ghanaweb.mobi

Minority Leader of Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has described the failure of the Bank of Ghana Governor to meet and receive petition from protestors of the #OccupyBoGProtest as disrespectful. He made these remarks while addressing a delegation dispatched by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Addison to receive a petition from conveners. Addressing the gathering, Minority Leader of Parliament, Dr. Ato Forson said "We demanded to present a petition to the governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Ghana, otherwise known as the Bank of Ghana" "The governor has two deputies, namely deputy one and deputy two. Unfortunately, he has decided to disrespect us and his two deputies has also decided to disrespect us or not been here and receive our petition" "We never said we are going to present a petition to the head of security or someone responsible for security with all due respect" "Without recourse to Parliament, they have unilaterally written off Ghana cities being government debt. Let me say that all of this was done without parliamentary parliamentary approval" "The fat printing of money is like an alcoholism, the good effect, or the perceived good effect comes immediately, but the hangover comes after the party" "Governor Addison printed money to finance the champagne lifestyle of this President Akufo-Addo and Bawumia lifestyle on the budget" "Today, our country is on its kneels, the Bank of Ghana will not accept it. The central bank of Ghana today is bankrupt. Technically, you are insolvent. You have a negative equity of 55.1 billion Ghana cedis" "And the last one year of system billion Ghana cities. You have again projected to incur additional debt in the year 2023. And counting" "We will not allow you going forward to disrespect us and mismanage the affairs of the people of Ghana. Bank of Ghana has indeed put 850,000 Ghanians down the poverty line" "We will hold you accountable, particularly the governor. we are demanding his exit and now that he has decided to disrespect us not present our petition" "We will go and come back again. We will come back here again. And we will come back and demand to see him in person. The crowd you seen is just the beginning. We will come back again" "We'll come back again for him here. If he thinks that IMF is more important than the Parliament of Ghana. The IMF is more important than the people of Ghana because the people of Ghana are not IMF" "Let him deal with IMF, we will come after him. We are not stopping. This is just the beginning" "You have actually mismanaged the affairs of the central bank to have mismanaged the affairs of monetary policy" "Today, our beloved country is on its kneels, you are not the one responsible and we will also say that, in summary, this governor and this bank of Ghana, led by Governor Addison has unilaterally has printed 80 billion without Parliamentary approval" On his part, Director of Security at the Bank of Ghana, Winger Commander, Kwame Asare Boateng (Rtd) said "I want to congratulate you for the peaceful demonstration that you have conducted today" "We were informed that you will be coming to present a petition to the governor, but the three governors as we speak are currently meeting the IMF and in a meeting, and there's nobody there" "So the government has asked that I meet you and take the petition on his behalf and accordingly respond to the petition" The over 8 hours demonstration drew some leaders of various political parties, Femal Headpotters (kayayei), youth and the elderly to join the convenors to call for the sack of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Addison. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Member of Parliament (MP), Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Sam George has described Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Addison as a coward. According to him, he will not be surprised if Governor falls to step out to meet the convenors of the #OccupyBoGProtest. He made these remarks during the much-awaited #OccupyBoGProtest held in Accra. More to follow...... Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Police Service has stated that no participants in the scheduled street protest against the Bank of Ghana (BoG) will be allowed anywhere near the premises of the regulator of the banking industry. The protest being organised by the Minority in Parliament is dubbed #OccupyBOG is slated for Tuesday (October 3, 2023). Organisers of the protest, the Minority side in Parliament, says the street protest is against some inconsistencies in the national economy recorded in the current administration of the BoG. Describing the BoG as a security zone, the police said they were prepared to ensure security, law and order for the planned street protest and insisted the route does not include the BoG premises or the street in front of the BoG. Adhere to route “The name of the protest does not determine the rout of the protest. We have agreed on the routes and that is the routes that will be used,” said the Public Affairs Director of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi, during a media briefing on the preparedness of the police for the demonstration on Monday. She reminded the demonstrators to adhere to the route, with the demonstration commencing at the Obra Spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange through Adabraka, Ridge Roundabout, National Theatre Traffic Light, High Court Complex Traffic Light and Atta Mills Highway. From there, the protestors would then make a U-Turn at the National Lotteries and end the protest at the Independence Square. The protestors have been further urged to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after in line with the Public Order Act of 1994 (ACT 491). The organisers of the demonstration had indicated that about 5,000 people would take part in the demonstration. “We have adequate number of police officers for the demonstration,” the Director of Police Public Affairs said, after she commended the organisers for cooperating with the police through the process. Road blocks Mrs Ansah-Akrofi said as part security arrangements traffic arrangements had been put in place including a temporary blocking of the road from the Independence Square in front of the National Lotteries towards the Old Parliament Traffic Light during the course of the demonstration. The blocked roads will be diverted through the Starlet Traffic Light through the Ministries Traffic Light to the front of the Office of the Department of Urban Roads (DUR), through National Lotteries. Users of that route will then link the AMA office Road to the road in front of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to take a detour back to the John Evans Atta Mills Highway at the Old Parliament Traffic Light intersection. In line with arrangements, Mrs Ansah-Akrofi said personnel of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) would be deployed at the various intersections to assist the motoring public. Engagements Ahead of the demonstration, there has been series of engagements between the Ghana Police Service and organisers of the protest. Credit: Graphic Online