GJA Prez appeals to Wisconsin University to grant scholarships to GJA members

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The Newly elected President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has appealed to the Chancellor of Wisconsin University College to give full scholarships to at least 20 of the Association’s members annually.

That he said will enable members to upgrade themselves to develop their mental capabilities.
The GJA President made the call on Wednesday at a meeting with the Chancellor of Wisconsin University.

Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, is one of the earliest established private universities in Ghana. It was established in January 2000 and is accredited by the National Accreditation Board as a university college and affiliated to the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University for Development Studies.

Twenty-two (22) years in existence, Wisconsin University College has been able to establish two campuses, here in Accra and Kumasi with a population of over 6,000 students. The institution also offers Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Certificate (Short Courses) programs.

The long-lasting relationship between the Ghana Journalist Association and Wisconsin University College over the years has seen great achievements. In this regard, the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn invited the newly elected GJA Executives to have an engagement with them as they officially assumed office recently.

As part of the engagement, the GJA Executives, together with some members from the media fraternity had the opportunity to tour the entire department on the campus to have an overview of some of their Ultramodern State -of- the -art facilities.

Speaking at the meeting after the tour, the GJA President, Mr. Dwumfour, expressed his profound gratitude to the Chancellor of Wisconsin for endorsing him during the GJA general elections.

Addressing areas of possible collaboration between GJA and Wisconsin, Mr. Dwumfour seized the opportunity to appeal to Dr. Paul Fynn to support members of Ghana Journalist Association in areas of capacity training workshop, as well as providing quota as side the educational scholarship promised earlier.

“Chancellor is a member of the GJA and he was present on the election day to cast his vote, and I am humbled to say that he endorsed my candidature, as well as the executives here, and I, want to use that opportunity to thank him for his endorsement and we assure him that we are not going to fail or disappoint him”.

“We ask that at least you also support the GJA in areas of capacity training workshops, giving us also quota aside the scholarship, we want to institute a summer school and we want to partner Wisconsin in that regard,” he said.

The Chancellor of Wisconsin University College, Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn, entreated the government to involve more private participation in educational sectors.

“I believe in private participation than government participation. We should not depend too much on the government because it will fail us. I encourage the government to think through on the education system and that it should be handed over to private individuals,” he said.

According to him, this will help improve monitoring and evaluation and also reduce bribery and corruption in most public organizations.

Hajj flights end today


The last return flight of Ghanaian pilgrims for this year’s Hajj is expected this evening, the Director of Communication of the Ghana Hajj Board, AR Gomda, has announced.


According to AR Gomda with touchdown of the flight at the Kotoka International Airport at about 5.40 pm today, the curtains will be drawn over Hajj 22.


The first batch of pilgrims for the Accra chapter of return trip touched at about 8.30pm on Saturday with 426 passengers.


The Tamale airport received four flights of pilgrims which ended on Friday.


Three flights made up the Accra segment of the airlift for the Accra trip.


3069 Ghanaians performed the Hajj this year with two deaths recorded and one delivery.


With only a month to prepare for the Hajj this year, unprecedented in the history of Hajj management in Ghana it was hectic and riddled with challenges.

The reduced quota from a usual 5000 plus aggravated the challenges not forgetting the backlog of 2019 paid up persons who couldn’t make it because of the two year suspended Hajj by Saudi authorities over COVID-19.


According to the Director of Finance of the Ghana Hajj Board Hamza Farouk, refunds will be made when procedural reconciliation and auditing are done.

Dr Akrofi-Quarcoe chairs GJA Media Awards Review Committee

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The National Executive of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has set up a committee to review the GJA Media Awards to make it better, bigger and more responsive to the needs and expectations of members.The seven-member GJA Media Awards Review Committee is constituted as follows:
i. Dr Sarah Akrofi-Quarcoe, Lecturer, Department of Communication Studies, University of Ghana (Chairperson);
ii. Mr Ebenezer Ampaabeng, Director of Television, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (Member);
iii. Ms Doreen Hammond, Editor, The Mirror (Member);
iv. Mr A. B. Kafui Kanyi, Deputy News Editor, Ghana News Agency (Member/Secretary):
v. Nana Yaw Kesseh, News Editor, Peace FM (Member);
vi. Mr Fortune Alimi, Executive Editor, Daily Guide Network (Member), and
vii. Mr Latif Abubakar, Programme Manager, Globe Production (Member).

Article3(j) of the GJA Constitution 2004 provides: “The Aims and Objectives of the Association shall be to reward and honour outstanding members periodically”. In that regard, the GJA instituted media awards organized annually to celebrate excellence in journalism by its members. After years of organizing the media awards, it has become necessary to review the flagship programme of the GJA and make it better.

The Terms of Reference of the Committee include, but not limited to, the following:
i. The categories of the awards;
ii. Eligibility criteria for the awards;
iii. Processes of filing entries;
iv. Nature and form of organization of the awards;
v. Prize packages for award winners.

The Committee has a three-week tenure, beginning Monday, July 25, 2022, and it is expected to submit its recommendations to the National Executive of the GJA on or before Monday, August 15, 2022.

This year’s Awards ceremony will take place in November.

We urge members to accord the Committee the needed support to ensure the success of the task assigned it.

The National Executive of the GJA is eternally grateful to the venerable members for accepting to serve on the GJA Media Awards Review Committee.

Albert Kwabena Dwumfour
(President)

One robber shot dead, two on the run

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The Ghana Police Administration has stated that it went on a manhunt to arrest some robbers who attacked a company at Achiaman in Amasaman, Accra.

In the process, it reported that one person died while two others sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, the Police assured that it will surely get the robbers arrested to face justice.

“We wish to assure the public that we will surely get the robbers arrested to face justice,” the Police stated.

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In other news:

DCOP Kwesi Ofori pulled out after 35 years of service

Kwesi Ofori

After 35 years of committed service to the Ghana Police Service and the nation, DCOP Kwesi Ofori has received a pull-out ceremony as he retired on Wednesday.

At a beautiful ceremony at the Police Training School in Tesano, the outgoing Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service received numerous accolades for his contribution to the police service.

The ceremony was graced by Members of Parliament, colleagues from the security agencies, family and friends.
DCOP Kwesi Ofori started his police career over 35 years ago and rose through the ranks to his present rank as Deputy Commissioner of Police.

He obtained his diploma in Public Relations from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1988, his first degree and likewise his Master’s degree from the same institution in 2015. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Center (KAIPKTC).

He was the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, became the Director of the Department and now General Director of the Ghana Police Service.

He also served as the District Commander for Adabraka and Dodowa, the divisional commander for Dodowa and Tema, the deputy commander, VVIPU, office of the President of Ghana and Accra regional operations commander.

He conceived programmes such as ‘’YOU AND THE POLICE, CRIMEFIGHTERS, POLICE CADET CORPSE IN SECOND CYCLE INSTITUTIONS’’ and many more.

DCOP K. Ofori thanked the good people of Ghana, the media, the gallant men and women he’s worked with and his family for the support given him during his service.

He charged Ghanaians to support the police to bring sanity on our roads to aid in the country’s development.

He also urged Ghanaians to give their unflinching support to the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Akufo Dampare

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

Integrity Survey: We did not talk to bribe takers – GSS

The Director and Deputy Coordinator, Ghana Statistical Service, Mr Anthony Amuzu-Pharin has made it known that information on Integrity survey was gathered from only persons who paid bribes to government officials but not those who took the bride.

The new survey that gauges the actual payment or actions that constitute bribes has revealed that nearly GH¢5 billion was paid in cash as bribes to public officials last year.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) commissioned the survey, in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC).

According to the Ghana Integrity of Public Services Survey (GIPSS), bribes totaled more than $17.4 million in the first nationwide poll, “Corruption in Ghana — People’s Experiences and Opinion.”

People aged 18 and over were interviewed in 15,000 homes throughout Ghana to acquire evidence-based information on the sorts of corruption impacting the community.

Except for 84.8 percent of bribes given in cash, 13.3 percent were meals and beverages; 9.7 percent were other services provided; 5 percent were jewels; and 2.2% of bribes paid were animals.

Many people paid bribes to expedite operations; 15.8% paid as a sign of gratitude; 13.88% paid to prevent fines; 10.8% paid to avoid issues, and 3.18% paid to avoid the termination of public services.

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Speaking on Atinka TV‘s morning show, Ghana Nie, with Ama Gyenfa Ofosu Darkwa, Mr Anthony Amuzu-Pharin explained that,”We selected 15,000 people across the country so we go to the respondents in the households and ask them of their experience, whether they have ever paid a bribe. If they have ever, to which institution? And that is the way we came out with the results. If someone says he or she paid bride, we ask them how much they paid, whether it was cash or kind. We did not talk to those who received the bribe.”

Police

The Integrity survey also indicated that Ghana Police Service topped the list of public entities that accept bribes and engage in corrupt behaviour.

Mr Anthony Amuzu-Pharin speaking on that said when they asked the respondents if they ever paid bribes to any institution or persons, they mostly mentioned the police.

Meanwhile, he said CHRAJ will use the report to do their policy review and advise government on how to minimise corruption

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

Kufuor officially Invited to Dr. Agyepong’s father’s funeral

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The Founder and Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, together with some prominent members of his family, on Thursday (July 21, 2022) called on former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The visit, which came off at the Peduase residence of former President Kufuor at Aburi in the Eastern Region, was to officially extend an invitation to him for the funeral and burial of the late father of Dr. Siaw Agyepong—Opanyin Samuel Kwame Agyepong.

Obomeng Aduana Abusuapanyin Barima Osei Berko, who led the delegation of bereaved family members of Dr. Siaw Agyepong, thanked former President Kufuor for sympathising with them during the one week observation of Opanyin Agyepong.

“Not long ago, we respectfully came to inform His Excellency about the passing of our father—Opanyin Samuel Agyepong. But in spite of your busy schedule, you delegated somebody to represent you at the one week ceremony of our late father. We are truly grateful to you, Your Excellency,” he expressed.

He said the family met after the one week observation to agree on the date for the burial and funeral of Opanyin Agyepong.

“And so we are here to formally inform you of the funeral arrangements, and also officially invite you to the funeral ceremony,” the leader of the delegation said.

According to Abusuapanyin Osei Berko, the funeral of the late father of Dr. Siaw Agyepong will be held on Saturday (September 10, 2022) at the forecourt of the State House, Accra.

“And in the afternoon on the same day the family will accompany the mortal remains of Opanyin Agyepong to Kwahu for interment,” stating that the funeral will then continue at the forecourt of the State House from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm,” he noted.

He continued that on Sunday, September 11, 2022, a thanksgiving service will be held in memory of Opanyin Agyepong at the Teshie Nungua Estate branch of the Church of Pentecost, adding that “this was where the late Opanyin Agyepong attended church while he was alive.”

“That same Sunday, after church we will continue with the funeral at his residence at Teshie Nungua Estates,” Abusuapanyin Osei Berko informed former President Kufuor.

On his part, former President Kufuor thanked the delegation for the respect accorded him especially by the chiefs of Obo and family members of Dr. Siaw Agyepong.

He commended Dr. Siaw Agyepong for his relentless contributions towards the progress of Ghana, stressing that his name has become a household name amongst children, youth and aged of this country.

Former President Kufuor said by dint of hard work, Dr. Siaw Agyepong’s services have reached other African countries.

He assured the delegation that God willing on 10th September, the date for the funeral, he will try and attend to commiserate with the family of Dr. Siaw Agyepong.

He also asked for God’s blessings for Dr. Siaw Agyepong and wished him the best in all his endeaavours.

US Ambassador to Ghana congratulates GJA boss

The American Embassy has sent a congratulatory message to the new President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour on his election to that high office.

A statement from the Embassy, signed by the Ambassador to Ghana Madam Virginia Palmer and issued on Thursday 21st of July 2022, said “ on behalf of the US Embassy, please accept my congratulations on your election as President of the Ghana Journalists Association”.

The Ambassador also expressed her continued cooperation in support of professional development for Journalists and Journalism students adding that “Press Freedom is a cherished value in Ghana as it is in the United States, and a cornerstone of accountable democracy”.

“I hope to be able to meet you and your leadership team in person very soon. Until then, please accept my best wishes for your success in your leadership role”, the statement concluded.

Bawumia’s position on use of Ghanacard for travel correct – Foreign Minister

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botcwey has dispelled claims by some media and some members of the opposition NDC that she has contradicted Vice President Bawumia on the use of the Ghanacard as a travel document for returning Ghanaians.

At the launch of the ePharmacy platform on Monday, Vice President Bawumia reiterated the multiple benefits of the Ghanacard, including its acceptance as a travel document for Ghanaians returning home, as well as for Diasporan Ghanaians, who can use it to return home without requiring a visa, as they would have been required when travelling back to Ghana on their foreign passports.

Following Dr. Bawumia’s comment on Monday, an address by the foreign Minister on Tuesday explaining Ghana’s upcoming e-visa, was misconstrued, by what the Foreign Minister describes as “misleading and unfortunate’ headline, which said the Foreign Minister had contradicted the Vice President on the status of the Ghanacard as a travel document.

The Foreign Minister has now hit back, setting the records straight, and corroborating Dr. Bawumia’s position on the use of the Ghanacard as a travel document, in a press statement issued on Thursday.

“The Foreign Minister, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey did not contradict the Vice President, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in her address to journalists during the press conference at the Ministry last Tuesday, July 19, 2022 as alleged by the news article, but rather corroborated his position,” said the statement.

It continued: :the address of the Foreign Minister should be placed in the proper perspective, as it was not focused on the use of the Ghana Card, but on e-visas which were being rolled out for non-Ghanaian nationals who apply for visas in Ghana’s Missions abroad to come to Ghana.”

“The Minister, in her subsequent engagement with the media, confirmed what the Vice President said; that Ghanaians living abroad can enter Ghana with Ghana Cards at all points of entry of Ghana.”

The Vice President revealed in November 2021 during a lecture at Ashesi University that processes had been completed for the Ghanacard to be recognised as an international travel document by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) the global body that certifies means of international travel identification.

ICA0, in February 2022, officially announced the Ghanacard as meeting the requirements for an international travel document, which means holders of the card, once Ghana enters into bilateral agreements with individual nations, will be able to use the Ghanacard as a travel document to those countries with electronic visas.

Until that, the GhanaCard can now be used as a travel document by all holders returning to Ghana from airports around the world, and the Ghana Immigration Service, currently has a booth at the Kotoka International Airport, which processes Ghanaian holders of the Ghanacard returning home.

Weed smokers are not bad people – Amakye Dede calls for legalizing marijuana in Ghana

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Seasoned highlife musician and performer Amakye Dede says he has no qualms with the legalization of weed. And contrary to most public perceptions, smoking marijuana does not cause someone to be evil.

The respected music icon spoke with GhOne TV about how other countries profit from the sale and use of the psychoactive drug. Cannabis, also known as weed, has been used as a drug for recreational and entheogenic purposes. It has also featured in various traditional medicines for centuries.

“I have tried it before, but I didn’t like it. In America and parts of Germany and Amsterdam, they’ve legalised it. They are earning money from it. So in fact, if somebody tells you Ghanaians should legalize weed, I don’t think it’s a problem.”

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Amakye Dede also addressed the impression that using the drug cause people to act untoward. He mentioned that some musicians use it before performing making them “extra energetic”.

If you smoke weed, you are not a bad person. It makes one extra energetic.

I’ve never been nominated or awarded by VGMAs – Quarme Zaggy

Quarme Zaggy

Ghanaian High Life Artiste, Quarme Zaggy (Mr Lova) has made it known that he has never received a nomination or an award from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs).

Although he has never received an award from the VGMAs, he was not bothered because he said he was exerting his energy rather on quality music.

Quarme Zaggy made the comments during an interview with Atinka TV’s Nana Adwoa Annan on Juke Box.

“I have never been nominated before or never gotten awards before, right from the beginning till date,” he said.

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When asked why, he said, “When you understand the job very well, you will not stress yourself so much. Award is a recognition, it is human beings that organise it and give it to someone. When your hard works shows, you do not have to go and knock that they should give you award.”

Meanwhile, he was of the conviction that most of the awards scheme award popular songs instead of quality songs, hence the reason he has never been awarded.

“Most of the awards scheme in our country awards popularity. They award songs that are popular, but not the quality of the song. Most of the award schemes award popularity and then maybe they think my songs are not popular enough to get in there,” he said.

When asked if he tried to verify why he has never been recognised, he replied that, “Personally, I am not an awards type of artiste. I believe that songs are forever, whether it wins an award or not it will stay forever and so I exert my energy on doing quality music that will stay forever.”

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Teens turning to TikTok and Instagram for news

More teenagers are turning away from traditional media outlets and getting their news from social media, new research from Ofcom has shown.

The number of people consuming news content on TikTok has increased from 800,000 in 2020 to 3.9 million in 2022.

For the first time, Instagram is the most popular news source among younger people – used by 29% of teens in 2022 – with TikTok and YouTube close behind.

But print, TV and radio news outlets still dominate in older age groups.

The growth in news consumed via TikTok is being driven mainly by younger age groups – half of users consuming news on the platform are aged 16-24.

The number of people consuming news via the video sharing platform is now similar to the number using the Sky News website and app, Ofcom said.

TikTok users who took part in the study said they get more of their news from “other people they follow” (47%) than from news organisations’ own accounts (24%).

Increasingly, news stories also originate on the platform. Earlier this week, a video showing a student being harassed by a man on a Cardiff street was watched more than two million times and picked up by news outlets.

And the recent high-profile libel case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp dominated the video sharing platform, with many users watching the proceedings unfold live on YouTube before selecting clips to share with their followers on TikTok.

Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s group director for strategy and research, said in a statement that teenagers nowadays are “increasingly unlikely to pick up a newspaper or tune into TV news”, preferring to stay informed by “scrolling through their social feeds”.

“And while youngsters find news on social media to be less reliable, they rate these services more highly for serving up a range of opinions on the day’s topical stories,” he added.

Despite its newfound popularity though, less than a third of young people (30%) asked in the study said they actually trusted the news content they found through TikTok.

On Instagram, the BBC was the most followed outlet for users who consume news on the platform, with a 45% reach. Sky News (22%), the Lad Bible and Buzzfeed (both14%) also performed well on the platform.

Around 60% of Instagram users who consume news said they followed a public figure, while 44% said they followed at least one specific journalist.

BBC