Society

A group of Ghanaians have planned a massive protest against the government for failing to handle the current energy situation in the country. Ghana has been in energy crisis for the past two years but the current situation is serious as households and industries are deprived of electricity for 24 hours. The group said it will hit the streets of the capital, Accra on the country’s Independence Day celebration on 6^th March to register their displeasure about the worsening power supply which is crippling the country’s economy gradually. Ghana gained independence from British colonial rule on 6^th March 1957. Spokesperson for the group, Atik Yakubu said in a news conference that the protest on Independence Day is symbolic because they want to send a message to the government that there is nothing to celebrate after 58 years of independence. "Businesses are collapsing as well as industries and so if we should sit aloof without doing anything, then we are doing more harm to Ghanaians, hence our decision to demonstrate on 6th March, the erratic power supply is more of a security threat than armed robbery, so government should be swift in solving this power problem" he said.

Residents in the capital have only 12 hours and 24 hours without electricity for the past two weeks. The situation is far worse in the second biggest city of Kumasi. Businesses and industries are folding up and political commentators say it could lead to the collapse of the Ghanaian economy. The Ghanaian government has been struggling to meet the energy needs in the country despite various interventions including importing gas from Nigeria to power its thermal plants to augment the hydro energy from the Akosombo Dam. Majority of Ghana’s energy comes from hydro. But the Akosombo hydro dam which was built by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah in 1964 has not been managed properly by successive Ghanaian governments, culminating in the current energy crisis in the country.

Last week, the Ghanaian government reached an agreement with the United States energy giants, General Electricals worth $1 billion for the supply of energy to the country. But that agreement is not meant solve the short term crisis the country is experiencing. Energy experts have criticized the government for failing to deal with the energy situation and many political commentators say the energy crisis would be a crucial determinant if Ghanaians will or not retain the government in next year’s elections. Ghana will vote in general elections in December 2016.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

06.Feb.2015

Hits: 1724

Ghana has become the first country in Africa to complete a fully fountain with lightening scenery to enhance its public recreation image in the tourism industry in Africa. The facility is located the in the city of Kumasi which is Ghana’s second biggest and commercial center after the capital Accra. The city is close to the middle belt of the country and there are a lot of trees and flowers in the city. The city is nicknamed the "Garden city of West Africa". The fountain is designed in such a way that it dances to music and experts say it is more enhanced even than the one found in the United Arab Emirates’ city of Dubai. The architectural piece of the fountain pours water into a basin and rises high into the sky for a very decorative and dramatic scene.

The place where the fountain is located is about 42,000 square meters which includes the 6 square meters multimedia controlled fountain, children playground, a golf cart, Wi-Fi internet connectivity, a gym and a rest house. The project was financed by the local government is the city headed by the chief executive-Mr. Kojo Bonsu. He built the facility in order to attract more tourists to the city and also open up new employment opportunities. It will be open to the general public and tourists next month. Operations manager of the facility, Masawudu Mahama told local media that the facility can accommodate over one thousand people at a time. He also described the fountain as a wonder which is unprecedented in the tourism sector in Ghana and Africa. "One interesting thing about this place is the fountain, the movement of the water and the lighting scenery commensurate with the multimedia controlled sound system; that is why it is called the dancing fountain, it is very wonderful", he said.

Last month, Ghana again became the first African country to complete a 105-meter long canopy walkway on the Atlantic Ocean at its coastal port city of Tema. British Airways in the month of January listed Ghana as the best traveling destination for the year 2014 which boosted the country’s tourism image as more and more tourists continue to come for visit. Ghana is highly blessed with natural tourism attraction areas but individuals and corporate bodies have stepped up efforts to create artificial ones in addition. The Ghanaian government has recently called on individual both local and international to come into partnership agreement that will transform the country’s tourism potential into a viable and sustainable venture for mutual benefit.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

05.Feb.2015

Hits: 1862

A Ghanaian woman living in the United States of America is reported to have committed a terrible suicide by jumping on the lines of a high-speed moving train earlier this week. The New York Police Department said in a statement that Linda Afriyie, 54, was struck and killed by a southbound R train as it entered the Whitehall Street in Manhattan. Her body is said to have been completely destroyed by the train. Ms. Afriyie was reported missing after she left her home on Steuben Street on Monday morning and failed to report to work. She worked as a dietician at Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Dongan Hills.

It is unclear what triggered her to take her own life this way but an unnamed close friend of the deceased was quoted as saying that he saw her on Sunday during church services and noticed that she was unusually quiet. He added he couldn’t have possibly anticipated that she would take her life that way. “Nobody believes it, I am really shocked. She was always ready to help someone in the church or anywhere her help is needed. We are very troubled by the tragic way she took her life”, the unnamed close friend said.

Ms. Afriyie is said to be one of the founding members of the Church Of Pentecost in Staten Island but she stepped down as one of the leaders of the church last month. The church authorities say although she resigned from leading roles in the church, she was still very active in church duties including helping with services and counseling others. Her death has shock many back home in Ghana. Many say they cannot imagine what pushed her to commit such a horrible and dangerous suicide which is highly uncommon. Her family has also turned down any media interview, saying it is moment of grief for them.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

04.Feb.2015

Hits: 5045

The elective general assembly of the Cameroon Bar Association held from Saturday January 31 to Sunday 1 February 2015 at the premises of the Red Cross in Yaoundé. Of all the items on the agenda of the meeting which was attended by 2000 lawyers, the election of a new president of the Cameroonian Bar Association was the most anticipated event. Like in the past, the electoral contests were long, stormy and full of twists. And after two days of various negotiations, Barrister Ngnie Kamga was elected President of the Bar Association of Cameroon. He recorded 650 votes as against Barrister Charles Tchakounté Patie who scored 421 votes and Lawyer Abdul Bagui who came third with 135 votes.

There were five announced candidates, namely Barrister Ngoulla Fotso Arlette, Abdul Bagui, Jackson Ngnie Kamga, Tchakounté Patie Charles and Francis Sama. The electoral marathon that lasted over 48 hours finally held with three aspirants. Barrister Ngula Fotso Arlette, the only woman in the competition withdrew and called on her supporters to vote for Barrister Ngnie Kamga. Cameroon Concord gathered that Barrister Francis Sama, outgoing President of the Bar, also withdrew on Sunday morning before the election. Barrister Ngnie Kamga Jackson, the new President of the Bar, will occupy this high office for the first time in his 25 years as a practising lawyer and advocate. So this is a new adventure for the Prince of Bandjoun.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

02.Feb.2015

Hits: 3192

The election of a new president of the Cameroon Bar Association seems to be transforming into a political thug-of-war at the Red Cross Center in Yaounde the nation's capital. Cameroon Concord has learnt that events took a dramatic turn prompting Barrister Sama to stepped down. We have also been reliably informed that the great Ntumfor Nico Halle has been elected president of the General Assembly. The lobbying and electionering to get a new Bar Council president is still rolling. Cameroon Concord is keeping an eye on the goings-on in Yaounde and we will keep our readers posted soonest. 

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

01.Feb.2015

Hits: 2087

The lobby is currently going on in a well-known hotel in Yaounde, which has played host to many lawyers since Friday. They are in the capital for the election of the President of the Cameroon Bar Association taking place today, January 31, 2015 in Yaounde. Cameroon Concord has been reliably informed that a total of 65 candidates are competing-60 candidates did apply for the 15 seats available in the board and 5 candidates will face off any time from now in Yaounde for the election of the President of the Bar.The dwell involves Arlette Ngoula Fotso, Charles PATIE Tchakounté, Abdul Bagui, Jackson Ngnie kamga and Francis Sama, all lawyers well known to the public and with established reputation.Cameroon Concord will bring you the results as they come out of Yaounde the nation’s capital.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

31.Jan.2015

Hits: 2081