Let’s end AIDS by ending gender-based violence – Activists

Daniel Opare
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Let’s end AIDS by ending gender-based violence – Activists

The theme for World AIDS Day 2021 (WAD) is “End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics”. The theme, as set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and its allied agencies seeks to highlight the urgent need to end the inequalities that drive HIV infections, treatment and care.

According to UNAIDS, there were 1.5 million people newly infected with HIV in 2020 globally and 680 thousand people died of AIDS-related illnesses the same year. In Ghana, the 2020 HIV National Sentinel Survey Report estimated that 346,120 were living HIV, with 66 per cent being females. The national prevalence rate stood at 1.68 per cent.

In line with the focus for this year’s WAD commemoration, two organizations: Hope For Future Generations (HFFG) and Young Health Advocates Ghana (YHAG), have jointly issued a press statement calling for stakeholders working in the HIV space to take concrete steps to address factors that prevent the HIV community, especially young people, from accessing essential quality HIV services in Ghana.

The two organizations, in acknowledging the significant contribution of the Global Fund, UNAIDS Ghana, UNFPA Ghana, the Ghana AIDS Commission, National AIDS Control Programme and other partners in reducing the HIV prevalence, pointed out the urgent need for more to be done to end gender-based violence which has a strong correlation with increment in risk of acquiring HIV among many, especially women and girls.

“When we talk of addressing inequalities and ending AIDS, we are also talking of paying attention to gender-based violence which causes immediate devastating consequences to many women and girls. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, child and forced marriage, rape and other sexual violence still exist in Ghana. So in addressing HIV and AIDS, we must put in more efforts to tackle gender-based violence which is a serious health and protection issue,’’ said Mrs. Cecilia Senoo, Executive Director of HFFG.

According to Section 6 of the Ghana 2020 Human Rights Report by United States Department of State[T11] , rape and domestic violence remain a serious issue in Ghana.

The report notes that the fear of stigma surrounding HIV continues to discourage persons from getting tested for HIV infection, and many of those who tested positive do not want to seek timely care, adding that “the physical layout of many clinics often made it difficult for the centres to respect confidentiality. It said HIV-positive persons face discrimination in employment and often are forced to leave their jobs or houses.

The President of YHAG, Priscilla Ama Addo, also commented that: “The current COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the inequalities and violence faced by victims at the hands of their abusers. As an advocacy and support group that fights for the well-being of young people, we are aware that many young people are unable to access youth-friendly HIV services in Ghana due to fear of stigma and discrimination and we want to appeal to all key stakeholders to take cognisance of this issue or challenge and correct the situation.”

Read Also: Akuapem Poloo’s appeal dismissed; continues her 90- day jail term

She said that according to the 2020 HIV National Sentinel Survey Report, nearly 19,000 new infections were recorded in persons aged 15 to 49 with majority of them being females hence the need to eradicate stigma, inequalities and include young people in the creation and implementation of HIV policies and service delivery.

“We humbly recommend that civil society organisations representing children and young people living with HIV are included the creation of HIV policies and are assigned as watchdogs to ensure policy makers/duty bearers are delivering according to policies and implementation plans. We implore all stakeholders involved in the protection of vulnerable people to continue their support towards the vulnerable and remember them in policy formulation,” she said.

Hope for Future Generations is a national community-based non-governmental organisation, involved in issues affecting women, children and girls in the country. The NGO was formed in 2001 and operates in all the 16 regions of Ghana.

Young Health Advocates Ghana is a national network of young people working to prevent HIV among young Ghanaians under the auspices of Hope for Future Generations.

World AIDS Day is marked on 1 December each year to show support for people living with HIV and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care around the world.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Covid-19: Ghana records 2 cases of deadly ‘Omicron’ variant

Daniel Opare
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Covid-19: Ghana records 2 cases of deadly ‘Omicron’ variant

Ghana has recorded 2 cases of Omicron’ variant of the coronavirus, the Ghana Health Service (GHS)has revealed.

This comes days after the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, debunked claims of the ‘Omicron’ variant in Ghana.

Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye on Wednesday 1st December 2021, revealed that 2 cases of the ‘Omicron’ variant have been detected in Ghana.

According to him, although the omicron variant has not been detected in any community, there is the potential of a community spread if someone has omicron and it’s incubating since it will not be detected at the airport.

“There is the emergence of the new variant and I must say, through the robust testing at the Kotoka International Airport, Ghana has detected the Omicron variant already and the cases have come mainly from Nigeria and South Africa. The very first case that was detected during our sequencing was on the 21 of November”, Dr Patrick Kumah Aboagye told media men.

Read Also: COVID-19: Omicron not in Ghana- Ghana Health Service

Meanwhile, GHS has declared December a month of vaccination against COVID-19.

The campaign will target specific venues and groups  and that Unvaccinated persons will be denied entry into sports stadia, restaurants, beaches, among others.

“We are declaring December as a month of vaccination and it will be launched by the Minister on Tuesday. This mandate will be applicable in January and this mandate will become effective,” Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye explained.

He noted that by the December campaign Security personnel, staff of tertiary and secondary institutions, commercial drivers and bus conductors, government workers, the various arms of government and health workers are all expected to be vaccinated in December.

Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye  has also urged Ghanaians to continue observing the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

Akuapem Poloo’s appeal dismissed; continues her 90- day jail term

Daniel Opare
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Akuapem Poloo’s appeal dismissed; continues her 90- day jail term

Actress and Social media influencer, Rosemond Alade Brown aka Akuapem Poloo has been asked by the Accra High Court to continue her 90 day jail term.

Akuapem Poloo appeared in court after allegedly displaying her naked picture together with her son on social media.

Poloo was charged with publication of obscene material, two counts of engaging in domestic violence, pleaded guilty after pleading not guilty from the onset.

Poloo was, however, granted bail in the sum of GHS 100,000 with four sureties, two to be justified with landed property worth GHS100, 000 after serving few days out of the 90-day jail term.

Lawyers for Poloo appealed against her sentence arguing that it was harsh considering that fact that she was a first time offender and she had pleaded guilty.

Read Also: School Feeding: Gov’t set to pay Second Term arrears to caterers

Poloo in her application for bail, contended that her days of incarceration was so short and if not admitted to bail immediately, by the time the appeal was heard, she would have finished serving her sentence.

In her substantive appeal, she prayed the High Court to convict her to a fine instead of serving a custodial sentence.

But in a latest development, The High Court in Accra has dismissed the appeal filed by Akuapem Poloo which sought to challenge the 90-day jail term handed to her by the Accra Circuit Court

The actress will therefore continue his 90- day jail term

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

Budget: No consensus henceforth- NDC to NPP MPs

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Budget: No consensus henceforth- NDC to NPP MPs

The Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Godwin Ako Gunn NDC says there is not going to be any consensus building between the Majority and Minority in Parliament henceforth.

According to him, the Minority MPs urged the Majority to remove and or reduce some items from the budget, but they refused.

The 2022 budget statement was on Friday rejected by the country’s Parliament after a heated debate.

Read Also: 2022 Budget rejected, Majority Caucus walk out

The rejection was made possible after all 137 Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) voted against the motion on Friday while members of the Majority Caucus had abandoned their seats in protest against alleged bias on the part of the Speaker of Parliament Prior to the crucial voting, the Speaker had called for a head count to establish if the House had form a quorum in order to proceed.

A quorum was formed per the Speaker’s judgement even though members of the Majority caucus had staged a walkout.

All members of the Minority Caucus proceeded to reject the 2022 budget when the question on the motion for the approval of the budget was put out.

But on Tuesday, the budget was approved by the Majority in the absence of the Minority.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Ako Gunn said,”They said those who are sending 100 will not pay the 1.75% and we said that the threshold will kill people so they should increase it to GHC200 or GHC3,00 but they didn’t listen to us”

He said there will be no consensus building because the NPP MPs did not meet them at a point when they wanted to build consensus with them.

“There is nothing about consensus building henceforth with regards to negotiations ” he added.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

School Feeding: Gov’t set to pay Second Term arrears to caterers

Daniel Opare
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School Feeding: Gov’t set to pay Second Term arrears to caterers

The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) has promised caterers on the programme that government will pay the second term arrears soon.

In a statement, the leadership of the School Feeding Programme (GSFP) revealed that the Ministry of Finance has released the warrant to the Controller and Accountant General to mobilise funds to defray the second term arrears for 2020/2021 academic year.

According to the statement, work on the caterers’ payment file and all relevant data for the payment of the second term arrears is complete.

It added the the leadership is awaiting the transfer of funds by the Controller and Accountant General to the Ministry of Gender’s account with the Bank of Ghana for onward disbursement to the caterers.

“Management is also making frantic effort to ensure that all other arrears due caterers are settled accordingly.”

“The Ghana School Feeding Programme would want to commend all our Caterers nationwide for their patience over the delay in the payment of their second term arrears.”

“We want to reiterate the commitment of management of GSFP that all efforts would be made to ensure that arrears due all caterers are paid accordingly,” excepts of the statement said.

Read Also: Parliament approves 2022 budget despite Minority’s boycott

Read full statement below:

The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) wishes to inform all Caterers that the Ministry of Finance has released the warrant to the Controller and Accountant General to mobilise funds to defray the second term arrears for 2020/2021 academic year.

Work on the caterers’ payment file and all relevant data for the payment of the second term arrears is complete, and awaiting the transfer of funds by the Controller and Accountant General to the Ministry of Gender’s account with the Bank of Ghana for onward disbursement to caterers.

Management is also making frantic effort to ensure that all other arrears due caterers are settled accordingly.

The Ghana School Feeding Programme would want to commend all our Caterers nationwide for their patience over the delay in the payment of their second term arrears.

We want to reiterate the commitment of management of GSFP that all efforts would be made to ensure that arrears due all caterers are paid accordingly.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu | [email protected]

                

Twenty dead as boat with pupils sink

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Twenty dead as boat with pupils sink

A boat carrying more than 50 people has capsized in the northern Nigerian state of Kano.

Police say 20 bodies have been recovered and seven people rescued so far following the accident on Tuesday evening.

Officials and residents told the BBC that the boat was carrying dozens of people from the village of Badau to the town of Bagwai, where they were due to attend an Islamic religious ceremony.

Many of the victims were pupils.

A police spokesperson in Kano state says a search and rescue operation is under way. Those rescued so far have been taken to a hospital for medical attention.

It’s not yet clear what caused the boat to capsize.

In Nigeria, such accidents are often blamed on overloading and poor maintenance of the boats as well as a lack of proper regulation by the authorities.

At least seven girls drowned when a boat overturned in neighbouring Jigawa state barely two weeks ago.

In May, more than 100 people died in Kebbi state in a similar accident.

Read Also: We want to remain employed- Tollbooth attendants to Gov’t

In other news: Death toll rises to 29 from Nigeria’s boat tragedy

Nigerian officials have confirmed that nine more bodies from the Tuesday boat tragedy have been recovered on Wednesday morning.

This brings the death toll to 29 so far.

The search and rescue operation is ongoing.

It involves the police, the fire service and members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as local volunteers.

Hundreds of distraught parents and other relatives have gathered at the site.

Police at the location have told the BBC that the number of survivors rescued so far is still seven.

Victims of the boat accident were mostly Islamic school pupils – aged between six and 12 – travelling to a religious ceremony in the town of Bagwai.

Source: BBC

Parliament approves 2022 budget despite Minority’s boycott

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Parliament approves 2022 budget despite Minority’s boycott

Government’s 2022 budget statement  and Economic Policy has been approved by Parliament without the participation of the Minority caucus.

Parliamentary business on Tuesday began without the presence of the Minority who were nowhere to be found as the Majority initiated steps to overturn last Friday’s rejection of the Budget.   

Tuesday’s sitting was chaired by First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu who argued that his boss , Alban Bagbin erred in presiding over the decision to reject the budget last Friday.

More Soon.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

We want to remain employed- Tollbooth attendants to Gov’t

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We want to remain employed- Tollbooth attendants to Gov’t

Tollbooth attendants who were asked to stay off duties due to the suspension of the collection of road tolls have embarked on a demonstration in Accra to register their frustrations to government.

The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, announced that government has abolished all road tolls.

According to him, the directive takes effect as soon as the budget is approved.

Presenting the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, 17th November 2021, Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta mentioned that a new levy will be imposed to make the toll paying more universal.

He mentioned that over the years, the tolling points have become unhealthy market centres, led to heavy traffic on our roads.

Read Also: We’ve not been re-assigned – Toll Booth attendants cry

He added that the toll booths have also lengthened travel time from one place to another, and impacted negatively on productivity.

The Minister also said toll booth workers will be re-assigned

While in waiting on government to re-assign them, the Tollbooth Attendants took to the streets of Accra to register their frustration.

They were given police escort to guide them through the demonstration which started at the Accra Sports stadium and ended at Parliament, where they presented a petition to the the First Deputy Majority Whip, Lydia Seyram Alhassan.

Clad in green tops and red bands, the demonstrators chanted songs of hope and registered their frustrations on the street, displaying placards with inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions read, “Kurom Aye shi, We want to remain employed, Mr Amoako do you hate us?, Amoako Attah why? The government payroll is full, Toll workers also matter, The workers are more than 800, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, fix our roads.” and others.

They called on government to pay their three months salary owed them and also cried to government to restore their duties.

Video Below:

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Damfa, Kweiman chiefs thank Akufo-Addo over release of lands

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Damfa, Kweiman chiefs thank Akufo-Addo over release of lands

About 40% of the 2,000 acres of the Danfa Dairy Farms have been released by the government back to its original owners.

The 2,000 acres of land acquired for a dairy farm project is located in the La Nkwantanan/Madina Municipality.

The land was originally owned by the stools of Amrahia, Danfa and Kweiman, but government compulsorily acquired it in 1969 about 50 years ago for the project.

However, the dairy farm project has since collapsed and the chiefs consequently asked  the government to  return the land to them . Following several petitions to successive governments, the Nana Addo led government directed the Vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to start the process of releasing 40% of the land back to the chiefs.

Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, announced the release of the 40 percent of the land at a meeting with the chiefs in Madina during a visit by Vice President Bawumia. The Minister stated that all the parties in the land issue had come to a consensus for an amicable settlement.

On the  26th of November 2021, the Vice President met with the chiefs and people of  Amrahia, Danfa and Kweiman  and handed over documents back to them awaiting other documents from the Lands Commission.

Speaking to Atinkaonline,  Nii Dzani Tsuru Afutu Brempong IV, Divisional chief of Damfa warned some government officials and one Clement Gyato to stay off their land.

“You cannot pretend to be helping us because you are a Ga yet looting our land with Clement Gyato,” the chiefs noted.

“The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Vice Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia must hold in check these people who are selling our land for riches,” they added.

The chiefs have vowed to resist and fight till the last drop of their blood to protect their ancestral land.

“Any attempt and pressure from the politicians and one Gyato will be measured with equal resistance,” he said.

Nii Ashirifi Ashong I , Amanklalo of Amanhia together with Nii Djanie Klu ,  spokesperson to the chiefs commended the government for  releasing the lands back to them .

He urged the people in the area to support them against any politician who attempts  to claim their ancestral lands.

The chiefs thanked the NPP National Chairman Freddy Blay, Abu Jinapor, Minister for Lands, Moses Abor, Greater Accra Youth Organizer for their continued support in  claiming  their lands for them.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Car snatcher arrested in Accra

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Car snatcher arrested in Accra

The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious car snatcher, Ebenezer Owusu, aged 27, after bolting away with a Toyota Tacoma at North Hills in Accra.

Suspect Ebenezer Owusu expressed his interest in a Toyota Tacoma which was selling at 160,000.00

Briefing the media, the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Iddi Seidu said the suspect on 26th November, 2021 contacted the victim to express interest and to inquire about a Toyota Tacoma vehicle that was offered for sale by the victim. 

According to the police, on 29th November 2021, Ebenezer Owusu met the victim at North Hills, a suburb of the Accra Metropolis under the guise of test driving the vehicle before payment will be effected.

The commander said, the suspect in the process of test driving, bolted with the car, leaving the victim behind and was apprehended by the police on the same day at Dome with the aid of a tracker in the said vehicle.

DCOP Iddi Seidu therefore extended a word of caution to prospective vehicle buyers as well as sellers to take note of their security before patronising a vehicle for sale.

Read Also: Budget: Majority Leader lacks ‘leadership’- Fmr MP

In other news: Police officer who sexually harassed lady in a car remanded

The Sunyani District Court B has remanded the police officer who sexually harassed a lady in a car last week.

Suspect, Lance Corporal Victor Antwi Yeboah was captured in a viral video touching the thighs of a lady inappropriately in a car as the victim screamed, ” Why are you touching me?”

The police administration arrested the errant officer after the viral video sparked anger on social media.

Lance Corporal Yeboah is facing charges of assault contrary to Section 84 of the Criminal Offences Act 29 and indecent assault contrary to Section 103 of the Criminal Offences Act 29.

The court presided over by his Worship Eric Denning remanded the officer into police custody on Monday to reappear on Wednesday December 1, 2021.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com

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