Bismark Kwabla Kpobi, Executive Director of ASK Health Advocacy Foundation, has raised serious concerns about the detrimental impact of government corruption on the mental health of citizens. Despite being endowed with abundant natural resources such as gold, bauxite, timber, crude oil, and cocoa, the populace continues to suffer due to the self-serving and corrupt practices of government officials. These leaders, prioritizing their wealth over sustainable development and public welfare, have plunged the nation into socio-economic hardship, severely affecting the mental health of its citizens.
The pervasive incompetence and lack of foresight among government appointees have led to widespread stress, anxiety, and depression among the populace. As a result, many individuals turn to substance abuse to cope with suicidal thoughts and hunger. The negative effects of corrupt governance extend to societal issues such as marital breakdowns, high youth unemployment rates, and a decline in sexual health, with some resorting to dangerous aphrodisiacs that pose severe physical health risks, including organ damage and heart attacks.
Adding to the distress is the blatant disrespect and arrogance displayed by government officials, who often dismiss citizens as lazy or unqualified. Opportunities that once offered hope to the youth, such as careers in security services or positions in state institutions, now require substantial bribes or connections, further eroding the public’s trust and hope.
Citizens are left in a state of despair, their talents wasted in an environment that stifles their potential. Kpobi calls for a radical change in leadership behavior, emphasizing the need for accountability, maintenance of culture, and selfless governance to alleviate the suffering of the masses. He stresses the importance of mental health support, urging individuals not to succumb to despair or suicidal thoughts, but to seek help and remain safe.
Bismark Kwabla Kpobi concludes with a powerful plea: “One cannot attain total physical health without total mental health.” It is imperative for leaders to prioritize the well-being of the people and work towards creating a nation that values and uplifts every citizen.
Last year, 2021, was the saddest year in the lives of public sector workers since salary increment was pegged at 4% and 7% for 2022 despite the cost of living and the prices of goods and services. So it was a shock to all to see that our monies wouldn’t see any marginal increment as compared to previous years since the introduction and implementation of the single spine salary structure SSSS.
Very appalling to say, even the 4% stipulated arrears that was marked to be paid , over 80% of Nurses and some percentage of teachers were denied Two Solid Months Arrears that should have reflected in December,2021 payment. Upon several enquiries, we were made to understand that it was due to some few technical challenges hence all the two months arrears will be addressed and paid together with the January 7% salary increment, but alas, we woke up to another deception and shocks since the two months 4% salary arrears never reflected or paid.Most colleagues don’t usually check their salaries when paid , some only spend whatever that comes so it took the eagle eyes of few to detect that.
So we believe that government wanted to shortchange us for reasons best known to them.We have over 120,000 nurses working, so if such a percentage of people are denied the 4% ,in addition to some teachers, you will appreciate how much someone is making through the backdoor with our salary arrears.
Bismark calls on the government and director at controller and accountant general department to come out clear on this mishappenning to nurses and some teachers.Enough of the delays or stagnation in points changes and its accompanying monies and the rest.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENFORCE CITIZENS TO BUILD TOILET IN THEIR HOMES
A branch Pastor of Journey of Hope Ministry Anyaa Palas Town – Ga Central Municipal of Greater Accra Region, Apostle Edward Amoh Inkoom has urged the citizens of Ghana to add toilet to their homes.
Pastor Edward further said, the government of the republic Ghana should enforce the citizens to build toilet when building houses.
The man of God said, he doesn’t understand why people add kitchens to their homes but do not add toilet, forgetting that after eating you would have to ease yourself.
Dr. Bawumia & NPP Government Never Promise Free Cars to Okada Riders in 2020: Razak Kojo Opoku Writes to Franklin Cudjoe/NDC Members
I have read a news item emanating from the camp of the Founding President of IMANI, Franklin Cudjoe, and NDC Members, asking the whereabouts of the cars Dr. Bawumia proposed to the Okada riders during the 2020 general elections.
It is interesting to state the facts and diffuse the propaganda from Franklin Cudjoe and NDC Members.
1. Ahead of the 2020 general elections, John Mahama promised to legalize the Okada business in the Country as well as create a facility for the purchase of more motorcycles and tricycles for the riders at a much cheaper cost. 2. Dr. Bawumia and NPP Government on the other hand proposed that We give the Okada riders an opportunity to buy safer vehicles through lease and pay over a period of time. At no point in time did the Vice-President, Dr. Bawumia says he was going to offer free vehicles to the Okada riders.
3. Unfortunately, the commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders bought into the Okada legalization vision of John Mahama and wholly rejected the noble proposal by Dr. Bawumia and NPP. The Okada Riders believed in the lies of John Mahama and rejected the truthful proposal by Dr. Bawumia and NPP Government.
4. The commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders jointly formed a group known as Okada Riders Association and claimed to have a membership of about 800,000 across the Country. 5. The Okada Riders Association campaigned, endorsed, and voted for John Mahama during the 2020 general elections. They fully rallied behind John Mahama with their campaign platform dubbed, “Get Okada Votes Campaign” for John Mahama in the 2020 general elections.
Notwithstanding the rejection of Dr. Bawumia’s Hire Purchase Policy by the Okada Riders in 2020, if they have repented and are willing to cooperate with Government, I think the Government will put measures in place for the Okada Riders to acquire safer vehicles through lease and later pay over a period of time with a payment plan. In any case, John Mahama is still in a better position to provide free motorcycles and tricycles to the Okada riders if truly indeed IMANI Africa still believes in Mahama’s Okada Policy.
Franklin Cudjoe and NDC Members should demand from John Mahama to honour his promise to the Okada Riders since he enjoys their support and votes in the 2020 general elections. However, they should understand that the Okada business is still not legal and again, it is not safe. The Hire Purchase Policy for safer vehicles for Okada riders proposed by Dr. Bawumia and NPP Government is still the best option.
“We are still at home miserably”.. unemployed registered Nurse assistants, 2019 Batch reminding the Government about their posting
The Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive (RNAP) & Registered Nurse Assistant Clinical (RNAC) are calling on the government to absorb them for they have stayed in the house unemployed for quite too long.
In an exclusive interview with Listowel Aboagye Dacosta of Sweet FM, the National President of the Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive and Registered Nurse Assistant Clinical 2019 batch Mr. Eric Kwakye explained that, recently, a joint communique was sent to MoH by Rotational Nurses Leadership about their financial clearance. Surprisingly, a few days after, YEA and GHS signed a Memorandum of Understanding to train 3000 SHS graduates for six months on “Zoom Nurse Module” for the same work there are already trained and licensed professionals numbering over 20,000 in the house unemployed
Mr. Eric Kwakye disclosed that they have severally met with the Director HR of MoH on their posting, but nothing fruitful seems to manifest out of the engagements.
“DROP the Zoom Nurse Module which seeks to train & recruit 3,000 SHS graduates and post us first”
Miss Addo Baffour- Sandra is the secretary of the Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive & Registered Nurse Assistant Clinical also lamented on the economic and social implications that the members have been going through in their various communities of abode.
• Elizabeth Akua Ohene has received a government appointment • She is now the board chair of SSNIT • She takes over from Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor
Madam Elizabeth Akua Ohene, a former journalist and minister of state under the John Agyekum Kufuor administration has been appointed as the chairperson of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) board of trustees.
According to an Asaase Radio report, Madam Ohene takes over from Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, who served as the board chairman of SSNIT between 2017 and January 2021.
Elizabeth Ohene once served as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s speechwriter, and pior to the December 2020 elections, she was also part of President Akufo-Addo’s campaign team.
Elizabeth Ohene in the course of her work at SSNIT, is expected to partner the management of SSNIT to pursue the vision of the Trust which is to be the model for the administration of Social Protection Schemes in Africa and beyond, “which would eventually lead to the provision of income security for workers in Ghana through excellent business practices.”
The report further indicated that, how to improve the core function of SSNIT which are to register employers and workers, collect contributions, manage records on members, invest the funds of the Scheme and process and pay benefits to eligible members and nominated dependants, would also certainly engage the efforts of the board chair and the management team of SSNIT.
Elizabeth Ohene joins a list of prominent personalities who have received appointments under Akufo-Addo’s presidency.
About SSNIT
SSNIT was established in 1972 under NRCD 127 to administer the National Social Security Scheme. Prior to 1972, the Scheme was administered jointly by the then Department of Pensions and the State Insurance Corporation. The Trust administered the Social Security Scheme as a Provident Fund Scheme until 1991 when it was converted to a Social Insurance Pension Scheme then governed by the PNDC law 247.
The scheme in Ghana was reformed by an Act of Parliament, Act 766 of 2008 and was implemented in January 2010 to replace all pension schemes in Ghana including Cap 30. In 2014, the National Pensions (Amendment) Act 883 was passed to amend portions of Act 766.
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is a statutory public Trust charged under the National Pensions Act, 2008 Act 766 with the administration of Ghana’s Basic National Social Security Scheme.
Its mandate is to cater for the First Tier of the Three-Tier Pension Scheme. The Trust is currently the largest non-bank financial institution in Ghana.
The primary responsibility of the Trust is to replace part of the lost income of workers in Ghana due to Old Age, Invalidity or Death of a member where dependents receive lump sum payment.
It is also responsible for the payment of Emigration benefits to a non-Ghanaian member who is leaving Ghana permanently.
The Pension Scheme as administered by SSNIT has an active membership of over 1.6 million as of January 2021 with over 226,000 pensioners who regularly receive their monthly pensions from SSNIT.
Miss Elizabeth Akua Ohene was born on 24th January 1945, and attended Mawuli School at Ho, between 1958 and 1964. She gained admission to the University of Ghana in 1964 and graduated with B. A. (Hon) English in 1967.
The former Minister of State, also attended the University of Indiana, Bloomington, Ind. U.S.A. where she obtained a Mass Communication Certificate. The US State Department sponsored her to undertake a course involving travel around the USA and had also work experience from newspapers in three States in 1971.
She was a Press Fellow from January to June 1983 at Wolfswon College, the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Miss Elizabeth Ohene’s professional experience between 1967 and 1982 in Graphic Corporation saw her as a Reporter, Staff Writer, Columnist, Leader Writer, and Acting Editor of the Daily Graphic and Mirror. She also had the opportunity to serve as a Member of a Board of Directors of the Corporation.
In 1986, she solely founded the Talking Drum Publications and until 1986, she was the Publisher/Editor of the publications, a weekly news magazine on West African Affairs. She also worked for BBC World Service, London, UK.
Madam Ohene had worked with the BBC as a Producer of Radio Programmes, then successively became a Presenter, Senior Producer on World Service and British Domestic Radio, Researcher and Columnist on the Focus on African Magazine and Deputy Editor in the African Service for English Daily Programmes, and in charge of the operational budget.
Miss Elizabeth Ohene also edited the award-winning of Focus on Africa Programme. She also reported regularly for the BBC from various parts of Africa and was the resident correspondent in South Africa from 1993 to 1994 during the transition from apartheid to the first democratic elections.
The former Minister has conducted a lot of training programmes for journalists for the BBC in South Africa, Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. She also ran a network of more than 150 stringers located in all parts of Africa for the BBC Africa Service and also supervised their editorial work and kept their equipment and training needs to be updated.
Miss Ohene’s professional activities include being a member of the International Women Media Foundation which actively promotes women’s competency and leadership in the media. The foundation has established an Africa Women’s Media Centre in Dakar, Senegal, where courses are run for African women in the Media according to their needs.
To date, the Minister has been a Board member of the International Commission of Investigative Journalists which coordinates major investigations of stories around the world. Since 1997, she has served as a Member of the CNN Africa Journalist of the Year Competition.
For more than ten years,after the passage of the disability acts in 2006, persons with disability still face lots of barriers in society.The right of a person with disability is entrenched in acts 715 of the constitution.
One of such right spells out that all commercial buildings be structured in a way to make it easily accessible to persons with disability. The issue of public buildings not being disability friendly is a major pain ,especially in our tertiary schools.Here in Ghana,the situation is not different .
The Cry of the Disabled
There are quiet a number of students leaving with disability on our various campuses and the struggle they go through to attend lectures is difficult.
Most of our tertiary have buildings have several floors bur mostly the disability friendly rumps are able to take students only to the middle floor.
The major hurdle comes in when students with disability want to attend lectures.We had the opportunity to speak to one Pollino Binney, who shares with us what he goes through anytime he has a class Speaking to Miss Ivy Bodwe, an assistant lecturer in the Department of Education and Psychology and also a resource person for students with disability, this is what she has to say
The Cry of the Disabled
The pain and struggle students with disability have to go through in order to access certain lecture theatres our various institutions is disheartening .It’s a plea that something be done about it to ease their movement problem. It’s their right,they have pain for it,it’s part of their school feeds,denying them this right is making them feel worse than they already do.
Government Should Consider Changing Single Sex Schools Into Both Sex Schools To Curbing LGBTQ Fast Rising Menace
Open Letter To Education Minister And Director of GES.
As we still deliberating on how best to reducing and orienting LGBTQ victims in our sociocultural settings, I consider the followings :
° That our single Sex Schools be gradually changed into mix schools ; that will help in full orientation of the young ones as they grow into late adolescent and adulthood.
° Psychological Counseling In All Schools ; this will encourage those with issues to that effect to seek redress taking into consideration their confidentiality won’t be broken.
° Empower Mental Health Authority to periodically give intensive Mental Health education in all the schools; this will give insight to the students to appreciating the problems and seeking for solution.
Information available suggested that the induction of LGBTQ victims has their basis from the single Sex Schools. When you take ten 10 victims, probability of eight 8 being introduced to this abominable act started from school or better still, the one who championing this evil course have their second cycle schools in single Sex Schools.
The affinity /attraction starts when same sex students jokingly plays with each others sexual parts and then move into actions. Those who boldly confirmed the disorder testified to that.
I therefore call on all the stakeholders from parliament, ministry of education, GES, PTA , government and like-minded NGOs to get involved in reducing this rising social disorder among our future leaders.
Our religions are against it, social and moral values against it too. It is time we go into action without fear or favor.
The Office of the Chief of Staff and President Nana Akufo-Addo have directed that this year’s 6th March celebrations and all its related activities be cancelled.
The directive applies to all jurisdictions of local governance across the country, due to the high prevalence rate of the COVID-19 cases in the country.
Consequently, in a press statement dated February 15, the office said the Ghana Education Service has suspended the 64th Anniversary celebrations nationwide.
Thus, no parade, neither will the Independence Square march by schools and organisations hold.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has spearheaded the pulling down of structures on land reserved to develop an alternative road to ease the traffic congestion on the American-House-Adjiringanor road.
The Minister of the Sector, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah, who directed the exercise on Tuesday on a visit to inspect progress on the site, said his Ministry had given the owners of the properties five months notice to stop the construction, which was overlooked.
And people should take a cue from this when I indicated that these two houses will go down, I was not joking and that’s why I wanted to be here myself with my team to ensure that they go down. There is too much indiscipline in our nation, people don’t respect the laws of our country either because they think they are rich or something else.
If you are rich, nobody cares how you came by your riches and it is up to you, your household and your God. Nobody should attempt that because of his wealth, he can do whatever he or she likes in this country,” he said.
“People build anywhere and anyhow. Roads are very necessary to promote the growth of this country and the very good people of this country have the right to drive on good roads and to drive without any difficulties, but with convenience. So anybody who encroaches on the road corridor, the road reservation and I want to repeat, no matter how sophisticated it is, no matter who the person is, will not stand.”
Mr Amoako-Attah said although the exercise had caused inconvenience to the property owners, the compensation will not be paid to the property owners and sent a word of caution to other individuals, who wrongfully acquired building permit to build on waterways and land reserves to desist from the act.
“So I can tell you no compensation has been paid for the land and it will never be paid because those people trespassed onto the land. I have always directed that the wall that has trespassed into the reservation be pulled down. I understand it is the structure of a church. I also go to church and I’m a Presbyterian. If the church is not doing the right thing, it must be pulled down,” he added.
RESIDENTS OF TUBA-KUWAIT CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION AS FLOOD TAKES OVER THE COMMUNITY.
Residents of Tuba – Kuwait in the Ga South municipality of greater Accra region are not in their normal times calling for government intervention as the flood has taken over the whole community and destroyed properties worth millions of Ghana cedis.
The heavy downpour which rained over 6 hours across the country has left 90% of residents in Tuba – Kuwait homeless washing away their properties hence the call.
Pressmen speaking with some affected residents noted that the community lacks drainage systems so they usually experience flooding in the area whenever it rains.
We have been totally neglected by our mp and MCE in terms of basic social amenities, they said.
The residents have appealed to the government led by his Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo, the members of parliament for Botianor – Ngleshie Amanfrom constituency Hon. Habib Saad and the MCE for Ga South municipal Hon. Joseph Nyarni to as matter of urgency put punitive measures in place to construct drains-gutters to make living in the area comfortable
Ghanaian actor and tourism ambassador Ian Wordi has suggestion that the two-weeks lockdown declared by the Government of Ghana as part of it’s fight against Coronavirus will only be effective if the right thing is not done.
Recall that, the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, in a national address delivered on Friday, March 27, 2020, declared a partial lockdown in Accra and Kumasi effective on Monday 30th March 2020.
But Ian Wordi, who is currently trapped in Nigeria due to the border closure, believes many lives will be affected if the President doesn’t take the appropriate measures.
He made this statement during a live Instagram post.
According to the ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ ambassador, the lockdown will only be effective if the government sends mobile money transfer to citizens to feed during this period.
“I think the government shouldn’t lockdown the country without providing measures to feed the people,” he said. “Ghana is a country where a few percentages live on the street and in slums. A lockdown will never be possible until there are measures put in place. For instances, everyone should be given an amount of money via their mobile money accounts so that they can pay for things and take care of themselves before the lockdown. Because in Ghana, a lot of us do hand-to-mouth so if they lockdown, how are they going to get money to buy food?” he stated.
He admitted that the lockdown is necessary, however, he believes people will die if the measures he suggested are not put in place before the lockdown comes into full effect.
“Lockdown is needed but I don’t think it would be effective. People will die. The lockdown won’t work. We have people on the street who depend on the street to make money. Take places like Nima and Maamobi, who can force them to stay indoors? It can work in Trasaco and East Legon. I don’t think it will work in certain areas.”
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The Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive (RNAP) & Registered Nurse Assistant Clinical (RNAC) are calling on the government to absorb them for they have stayed in the house unemployed for quite too long.
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