Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif has launched a National Fitness Day at the Accra Sports Stadium in Accra. According to the Minister, the National Fitness Day seeks to promote good community relations among residents of various communities. Speaking at the launch, the Minister said "The National Fitness Day seeks to create awareness about fitness and health issues and promote community sports and recreation" He added that the National Fitness Day will also promote physical and mental health and well-being likewise provide a platform for talent discovery. Explaining further, Mustapha Ussif added that the concept of National Fitness Day is common around the world. He mentioned countries, including United States and United Kingdom have established National Fitness Days. He noted that even though their National Fitness Days are observed once a year, Ghana intend its to be more regular on a monthly basis. "The initiative is in response to a clarion call by the Vice President for a day to be set aside every month, and dedicated to promote exercise and fitness among Ghanaians. To that effect, the Ministry worked assiduously towards the realisation of this day" "The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that about 60 per cent of the world's population fails to complete the recommended amount of physical activity required for healthy lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyles appear to be increasingly widespread in many nations despite being linked to a range of chronic health conditions" He added that leading a sedentary lifestyle is becoming a significant public health issue. "Physical inactivity levels are rising in many countries with major health complications particularly the prevalence of non-communicable diseases" "Physical inactivity has been identified as one of the leading risk factors for global mortality. It is estimated that physical inactivity accounts for approximately 21 to 25 per cent of breast and colon cancers, 27 percent of diabetes and 30 per cent of ischemic heart disease globally" It is recommended that adults should be getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. The Minister underscored the need for individual behaviour change to reduce the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. "It is for these reasons that the Ministry of Youth and Sports supports the call by the Vice President for the establishment of a National Fitness Day, to be observed across the country once every month" "The launch today, ushers us into the maiden National Fitness Day, which shall be observed on the second Saturday in September, which is the 10th of September, 2022 in Accra" "Subsequently, the National Fitness Day shall be observed on the second Saturday of every month, across the country, with a national version, rotating in regional capitals" Other speakers lauded the initiative and pleaded their support to the National Fitness Day. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Some scores of social media users have taken to Twitter to express mixed reactions over an ongoing clash between Continuing and Katanga on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus. While others are sad about the amount of damage caused, others seem to be happy about the situation. In series of tweets sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, CungleeA tweeted "Violence is the key to success #knust" Barima Ofori also tweeted "#knust Conti et Katanga displaying tactical knockout🤣🤣WWE" Latin added "UG then Knust should abolish these traditional halls before someone dies. Them for change commonwealth hall to Bawumia hall, make them help fight the dollar" Kukurantumi further added "Live happenings of clash between Conti and Kat in KNUST #knust" Kwamena Abeka tweeted "Same people who were advocating for student rights some few weeks ago . #knust conti | Kat" Below are screenshots: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Special Assistant to the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya Adwoa Safo, Nana Dubin says the lawmaker is prepared for the outcome of Parliament’s inquiry into her long absence from the house. The aide to the MP noted that Adwoa Safo will be present when the law-making body returns from recess. “The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya will be present after Parliament’s recess and will take any decision the Speaker of Parliament gives in good stride,” he said. The Speaker, Alban Bagbin announced a deferment of his decision on the matter after the Privileges Committee presented its report to the house. Parliament is on recess and is expected to reconvene in October 2022. Adwoa Safo is among three members of Parliament who were called before the Privileges Committee for being absent from parliamentary duties, without any reasons, beyond the permissible period. Even though the other members Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central and Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso West, appeared before the committee, the Dome-Kwabenya legislator failed to appear. She attributed her long absence from Parliament to family issues, saying, among others, that her son was unwell. She was recently sacked by the president from her portfolio as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Credit: Citinewsroom

Rampaging students on the campus of the KNUST have vandalized cars and other property in a clash between students of University Hall ‘Katanga’ and Unity Hall ‘Continental’. A number of cars parked in front of Conti were damaged by the feuding students. The clash left three vehicles damaged. It is believed attempts of students of Unity Hall to restrain colleagues from University Hall from using their frontage in a procession resulted in the incident. Police who were at the scene were able to restore calm minutes after pelting of stones between the two Halls. Luv News' Nana Yaw Gyimah says as part of a Hall week celebration, the University Hall had embarked on what they call a zulu procession within the campus. They had gone through the principal streets of the University. An attempt to use frontage of the Unity Hall resulted in the two factions pelting stones at each other. For over a decade, the two Halls reached an agreement never to go beyond the peace Junction when on procession. A Police team had to intervene to avert further damage to property. In a related development, the Ashanti Regional Security Council has issued a release to that effect asking students to desist from lawlessness. “The REGSEC is informing all students and residents of the university community that, all actions intended by any person or group of persons to disturb the current peaceful security in the university will be addressed with the legal instrument of the state,” the release noted. REGSEC added that “It is requested that people nursing such intentions desist from that and go by the rule of law as any breach of the peace in KNUST and the region will be addressed appropriately.” Below are some videos and press release: Credit: Myjoyonline.com

The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry wants the former president to desist from politicising payment of compensation to victims of the Appiatse disaster. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has asked the former president John Mahama to desist from politicising compensation for victims of the Appiatse explosion. It comes after Mahama called on the government to speed up payment of compensation for the victims of the explosion after donating relief items to the community on Tuesday. However, a statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Wednesday (17 August) said: “Legally, however, it is not for government to compensate victims of the incident.” “The Ministry is, nonetheless committed through the Appiatse Support Fund, to raise enough funds to reconstruct the community and support the victims of the incident transparently with the highest standard of integrity. “As the committee has reiterated on countless occasions, all these measures are being taken without prejudice to the right of any person to seek the lawful remedy, including the payment of compensation,” the statement added. The Ministry, however, commended the former president for donating relief items to the victims of the explosion. Background On Thursday (20 January) Ghana made international headlines following a huge blast in Appiatse, a village in the Western Region. Close to 500 houses were razed down leaving 900 locals displaced with 13 confirmed deaths. Police say a preliminary investigation has established that a truck filled with explosives for mining collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the explosion at Bogoso-Appiatse. Credit: Asaase Radio

The Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly (ACMA) has embarked on an operation clean your frontage exercise in some principal streets of Kaneshie and Abossey Okai in the Greater Accra Region. According to the Municipality, the exercise forms part of the agenda of ensuring that Accra becomes the cleanest city. Thinknewsonline.com gathered that most shops in Abossey Okai and Kaneshie were asked not to operate with its owners tasked to partake in the exercise. Men and women clad in City Patrol Uniforms were also deployed to ensure that the exercise went on successfully. Shops in Abossey Okai and Kaneshie are expected to start operating from 1pm on Thursday 18th August, 2022. The Municipal Assembly has appealed to shop owners to ensure that their environment(s) are safe and clean to avoid the spread of some diseases. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ahafo Regional Minister, George Boakye has called on locals and investors to tap into the massive socio-economic and infrastructural developments in his region. Accordingto him, such move will help better lives and in return, contribute quotas towards making the region a better place. Addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday, the Regional Minister said "I am urging locals and investors to tap into the massive socio-economic and infrastructural developments in the region as a way of bettering their lives and in return, contribute their quotas towards making the region a better place" The Regional Minister also added that being one of the 6 newly created regions in 2019, Ahafo has been experiencing massive development. "The newly created region is experiencing human centered social intervention programmes and rapid growth that previously, were not being experienced" "My region has made significant progress in bringing development to the doorsteps of the people in key areas such as health, education, and governance to ensure that locals have access to social services" “It is gratifying to note that within a period of five and a half years of the administration of the NPP, the Ahafo Region has witnessed significant achievements which have positively impacted on the lives of our people thereby consolidating the vision of President of President Akufo-Addo" “In particular, the government flagship programmes in agriculture, roads, trade and industry, rural/peri-urban/urban electrification, affordable housing, provision of logistics for security services, water and sanitation, employment creation are working well and gaining momentum,” he stressed. Touching on education, Hon. Boakye revealed that the region has been at the receiving end of significant investment in education by government. He noted that the investmens placed the region first as the hub of public basic education, as pupils in the region led in the first-ever National Standardized Test (NST) for Primary Four (P4) pupils. "The results of the NST, in which almost 390,000 P4 pupils from 14,883 public schools participated, showed that the region, together with the Western and Western North Regions emerged as a strong base for lower primary education" "In addition, the region placed second in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), placing first in specific subjects like Mathematic, Integrated Science and Social Studies" On health, he mentioned that in line with government’s vision to create and expand access to health service and enhance the quality of health service delivery in the region, various development projects in the Health Sector in the Region were commenced and are progressing steadily with some being completed and others still under construction. "This includes the construction of a Poly Clininc at Mim in the Asunafo North Municipal Assembly, construction of CHPS compound at Jachie, Atudrobesa, Konkontreso, Asutifi South District and many others" Mr. Boakye added that government’s flagship Agenda 111 hospital projects have taken off in the region. Contractors have mobilized to site and construction at Kukuom and Kenyasi are both at the substructure stage. Highlighing on governance, the Regional Minister underscored the need for which the region was created; that is to bring governance closer to the people. In this regard, he said all the Departments, Institutions and Agencies are established and fully functional in the region emphasizing that locals no longer have to travel long distances to Sunyani and other places to access simple everyday services as hitherto was the case. He said government has since the creation of the Ahafo Region embarked on a number of infrastructural initiatives to boost governance and improve administration of the Region. These include; Ongoing works on the Main Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) Administration block in Goaso which is at an advanced stage of completion; completion of residential accommodation for senior staff of the RCC at Goaso; ongoing construction of the Regional Health Directorate and office complex at Hwidiem among several others. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Deputy Chief Executive Technical Operations Division, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Akua Owusu Amartey says she is confident that the interest and preparation of participants for the Introduction to Criminal Intelligence Analysis programme would synchronize with the objectives of the training. According to her, enforcement officers participating in the training are not oblivious of the activities of present Criminal individuals and Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs). Speaking at the Introduction to Criminal Intelligence Analysis program in Accra, she said "We are confident that your interest and preparation for this training would synchronize with the objectives of the training and thus the expected outcomes shall be achieved. Enforcement officers participating in this training are not oblivious of the activities of present criminal individuals and Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs). She added that there have been several reports on falsified and sub-standard medicines, unwholesome food, unapproved herbal medicinal products, cosmetics, medical devices, and household chemical substances to enforcement team via media and in-person. She also noted that the inept of the know-how in intelligence-led law enforcement which is applicable in all areas of FDA’s regulatory mandate impeded officers from taking matters on or eventually apprehending offenders and seizing products. Madam Amartey stressed that, in the epoch of advanced Technology and open international market, where businesses and brands are susceptible to imitations and manipulations, the ability to effectively enforce regulatory clauses is dependent on the ability to decipher, analyze and evaluate criminal intelligence-related information, and make succinct inferences, deductions and conclusions. She hinted that the demand for the know-how has necessitated the need for this training in Criminal Intelligence and Investigation for staff of the Enforcement Directorate to step up their operational performances in enforcement activities. "Not long ago the FDA attained WHO maturity level three (3) in medical products regulations and the strive for a level four (4) maturity is attainable if we are able to effectively implement all enforcement clauses for medical regulatory products." "Even though WHO maturity is related to medical regulations, the tenacity to carry out our regulatory mandate effectively would influence and facilitate the attainment of level four (4) maturity in no time" The Deputy Chief Executive Technical Operations Division further mentioned that the FDA as a regulatory body is capable of not completely eradicating the activities of Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs) but can with the right expertise and without any manipulation, control the import, manufacturing, and advertising of all human-related consumables by strictly and firmly implementing and enforcing regulatory clauses backed by Ghana’s constitution that will seek not to compromise regulatory activities. Quoting Maya Angelou, Madam Amartey said “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better”. "Let us all note that we have come this far by what we have known and practiced. Now is the time to learn, unlearn and do better than before" She added that the training is a wake-up call for proactive steps to address and build capacity to mitigate regulatory challenges. "For the first time, the Enforcement Directorate staff is participating in a criminal Intelligence and Investigation training program, and we have the honor of having an expert consultants on Criminal Intelligence, Investigations and Crime Prevention as instructors and strong knowledgeable internal facilitators" "The training program has four modules. The first module, Introduction to Criminal Intelligence Analysis, has six iterations for six groups of thirty each." "Your participation in the subsequent modules would be subject to your knowledge-based performance in the previous module training you participated in." As part of its efforts to safeguard public health and safety amid global increased criminal activities, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is rolling out a comprehensive capacity strengthening programme to help the Authority improve its enforcement activities with a focus on intelligence-led regulatory and enforcement regime. This is expected to yield improved outcomes as well as the efficient use of resources to counter the activities of organised crimes that threaten the health and safety of the people of Ghana and the sub-region as a whole. The FDA continuously upgrades its systems, procedures and practices to enable it consistently fulfil its mandate of ensuring public health and safety, through effective regulation of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, herbal medicines, household chemicals, tobacco and tobacco products. The dangers posed to public health and safety as a result of the criminal production and marketing of substandard, falsified, unwholesome, and non-performing regulated products, make a heightened attention on their movement in trade a justifiable adventure. Such criminal groups take advantage of the global nature of trade, weaknesses in collaboration among security agencies, regulatory authorities, border controls, weak and lenient sanctions, and huge gains they make out of their minimum investments. They are also known to employ advanced technologies to outwit detection and arrest. The programme includes a series of training events in intelligence and investigations, covering areas such as criminal intelligence analysis, criminal investigations, and strategic intelligence analysis. The series of training events would be organised in Accra and Kumasi to cover all the staff of the Enforcement Directorate in the Head Office and staff in the Regional Offices who undertake enforcement activities. The first of the series of training is scheduled for 15th to 19th August 2022 in Accra. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) branch in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency in the Greater Accra Region says constituents are not happy with their Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, since she has failed to show up in Parliament to represent them in over a year. As a result, it may be a bit difficult for them to allow her to represent them again in Parliament. Speaking in an interview with TV3‘s Richard Bright Addo on Wednesday, August 17, NPP Constituency Chairman Robert Osei Bonsu observed that the love for Ms Safo in the constituency had been unflinching, forming the basic reason she was re-elected in the last two Parliaments. But he further observed that her third term has been very disappointing and her support within the party has significantly dwindled. He said it has taken the hardwork of the Constituency executives to keep the party on top, lobbying for projects, even in the absence of the MP. “We love her, that’s why we have given her three term as a Member in Parliament,” Mr Osei Bonsu said. “But has she finished with what she is doing in the [United] States now? Is she coming back to be an absentee Parliamentarian or is she now coming back to work? It may be a bit too late for her.” This is coming on the back of the MP’s resolve to turn her attention to the constituency to help the ruling party “break the eight”. “Cognizant of my duties to the 75,000 constituents who elected me, this development is opportune and will afford me more time to concentrate on my Parliamentary responsibilities and Constituency engagements as well as consolidate the gains we have made as a government at the Constituency level in our quest to break the eight.” Story by: Emmanuel Kwame Amoh

Former President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday visited New Appiatse near Bogoso in the Western Region to commiserate with victims of an explosion. The huge explosion happened on Thursday, January 20, 2022, when a vehicle transporting explosives to a mining site the Western region blew off, engulfing the community. In response to complaints about the reduction in voluntary relief support to the people, Mr Mahama during his visit, handed over a quantity of food and non-food items to the Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley, the Municipal Chief Executive, and the Appiate Disaster Relief Committee to be made available to the people. The former President urged Government to act proactively to ensure that the people are supported to bring their lives back on track. “In my remarks, I reiterated the concern of the affected community about compensation and urged government to act proactively to ensure that the people are supported to bring their lives back on tract. The people have appreciated the response and support from government after the disaster but their continued livelihoods are also important”, he said in a statement. The rationale for the visit was to help the former President get first-hand information on how the victims are surviving. Meanwhile, the government is rebuilding the entire Appiaste community. The displaced residence have been given temporary structures to settle while the new green community is built. Construction works are currently underway. Below are some pictures: Story by: Afia Owusu

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Juaben in the Ashanti Region, Mr Omane Aboagye, has encouraged students to take advantage of the ICT programme introduced by the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation to broaden their scope of knowledge in the modern technology. He stressed the importance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security in the day-to-day operations of entrepreneurs as well as building successful businesses online. The MCE was speaking on behalf of Deputy Minister responsible for Communication and Digitalisation and MP for Juaben Constituency, Mrs. Ama Pomaa Boateng at a programme organised by the Ministry of Communication (MoCD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE); Ghana Education Service (GES) and Huawei Technologies Ghana at Juaben SHS. Mr. Aboagye admonished the students to take keen interest in acquiring ICT skills to participate in e-ecommerce and choose their career paths that would make them become globally competitive within the digital space. He said, the digital space grants women the opportunity to learn and work remotely at their convenience. The MCE aknowledged the fact that, though the ICT space is male dominated, girls could venture into that space as long as they were prepared to learn. To address the gender digital gap, Mr Omane indicated that the Ministry had implemented the Girls-In-ICT programme with the aim of providing the basic ICT skills and to also encourage more girls to take career paths in ICT as well motivating girls and women in the usage securely. In all One Thousand Four Hundred and Forty Four ladies were educated on the ten common cyber security, information security and Date privacy. They were also enlightened on top ten common cyber security threats that are often exposed to on the internet. These include, Malware attack, Phishing Password attack, Man-in-the-middle attack, Distributed Denial-of-service attack Drive-by-download attack, Malvertising, Rogue software attack and Businesses Email Compromise attack. As part of the strategies to ascertain the knowledge of the students in the ICT, the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation officials conducted spot quizzes and gave out cups, pens, diaries and t-shirts as prizes for those who got it right. Madam Josephine Opuni Boakye, Headmistress of Juaben Senior High School (SHS), commended the MCE, MP as well the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation for the girls in ICT initiative. She was confident that with such intervention, Ghana was on course to produce more female experts in ICT. The Girls in ICT Program (SHS) focuses on Cyber Security and Data Privacy. It is aimed at encouraging young girls to stay safe on the internet. "The Girls in ICT Program is an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) aimed at encouraging young girls to take up career courses in ICT. Girls in ICT; Accessing ICT Safely." Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Girls in ICT Program for Senior High schools started in the Oti Region. It is emerging that all girls in the Oti region by the end of the programme would have benefited from the Cyber security and Data Privacy training. The program is aimed at ensuring that all girls stay safe on the internet. They are also encouraged to reach out to the National Cyber Security Authority on the Short code 292 in time of distress. A Huawei Instructor who is also a lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Julius Yaw Ludu took the children through an interactive session. During the training, students were educated on cybersecurity, information security and Data privacy. They were further enlightened on the top 10 common cybersecurity threats they are often exposed to on the internet. The instructor mentioned Malware attack, phishing, password attacks, Man-in-the-middle attacks, Distributed Denial-of-service attacks, Drive-by-download attack, Malvertising, Rogue software attack and Business Email Compromise attack as some of the threats. Students further asked questions on how to be safe on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram and tiktok. They were educated on two major steps which include two-factor verification and controlling devices linked to their accounts. The First day brought together ladies from Kyabobo Girls; Nkwanta SHS and Kpassa Senior High Technical School (SHTS) for the training. On 16th August,2022, the team crossed the Oti River to Krachi SHS where ladies from Krachi SHS and the Kete-Krachi SHTS benefited from the program. On 17th August 2022; the Ladies in Nsukawkwa SHS; Yabram Community Day SHS and Oti SHTS will be benefiting from the training. It is emerging that, ladies from Nkonya SHS, Bowiri SHTS; Tapaman; Wurawura; Biakoye Community have their fair share of the programme. On 18th August, 2022, tye ladies from Kadjebi Asato SHS; Dodi Papasi SHTS; Ahamanso Islamic SHS will participate in the training in the morning whiles, ladies from Buenan SHS; Okadjakrom and Baglo Ridge SHTS benefits in the afternoon. On Friday, 19th August, 2022, the team will train ladies from Likpe and Akpafu SHS. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that the training will be under the topic, Cyber Security and Data Privacy. It is aimed at empowering young girls to stay safe on the cyber space. It is being organized by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation in collaboration with Huawei Ghana; MoE and the GES. "The Girls-in-ICT Program is an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) aimed at encouraging young girls to take up career courses in ICT. Girls in ICT; Accessing ICT Safely" Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith