“With Deep Regret From Kumasi”

A sea of sorrow raptured my heart as I got informed that some fellow citizens had been trapped in a ‘galamsey’ pit in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. 

How could this happen especially when we are all eager to behold the New Year? 

The 7 energetic Ghanaians who went several feet below the earth surface in search of precious minerals were trapped in the deep pit after the in caved in on them. 

The 2 who have been rescued so far died upon their arrival at the hospital with 5 more still underground. 

The issue of 'galamsey' has long remained a threat to Ghana’s labour force in mining communities.

It is about time we all rise to support efforts to promote small-scale mining to replace ‘galamsey’ activities in Ghana before some of those people we care most about are wiped off the surface of the earth by our collective negligence and ‘’sweep under carpet” attitude.     

There are certainly numerous ways we can make this business safe one. 

Share your thoughts below

Think CORRECTION not PUNISHMENT!

Looking at the photo above, I once again stand to condemn the kind of correctional method employed but some teachers in our basic school. 

Its quite surprising some teachers in this 21st will resort to inflicting this kind of pain on students and for that matter future leaders in the name of correction.

Whatever the offense committed, I believe there are better ways of barring a student from doing them that using two canes on them. 

Dear Teacher,

Lets think of CORRECTION rather than PUNISHMENT!

John Mahama Wins Presidential Election in Ghana

The Chairman of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan last night declared Ghana’s incumbent president John Dramani Mahama who filled in for the late John Mills few months ago, winner of the 2012 presidential elections.

President John Mahama

President Mahama who ran on the ticket of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), pulled a total of 5,574,761 representing 50.70% to win the polls held on Friday and Saturday.

The presidential candidate of the major opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Akufo-Addo had 5,248,898 of the valid votes cast, representing 47.74% with the other parties sharing the remaining 1.56% of total valid votes cast. 

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party came third with 64,362 votes representing 0.59%.

Out of the total 14,158,890 registered voters, 11,246,982 voters exercised their franchise. 10,995,262 of this number were deemed valid. The total rejected votes stood at 251,720. The total percentage of voting turnout was 79.43%

Full statistics are available on www.ec.gov.gh

Congratulations to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama

We ask for a peaceful, transparent and an all-inclusive government 

Saint John’s Grammar School Marks 58th Speech and Prize Giving Day

Saint John’s Grammar School, Achimota last Saturday marked its 58th Speech and Prize Giving day.
The special guest of honor Hon. Minister of Education Hon. Lee Ocran who was represented by the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister Mr. Isaac Nii Djanmah Venderpuiye said that education plays a crucial role in the molding of the youth and national development hence the need for the State to pay attention to the institutions that provides training to the youth to become useful agents for development.

Speaking on the theme: "Infrastructural Development- Key to Quality Education," he said government is pursuing quality education with infrastructural development as kingpin.

Mr Vanderpuiye said the Government is committed to making education affordable, accessible and relevant to the needs of the Ghanaian society through the expansion and provision of infrastructure, teaching and learning materials and adequate training of teachers.

The deputy minister further added that it was wrong for the nation to overlook the general welfare of teachers who are the pillars upon which quality education rest on.

He congratulated the Old Students Association (JOSA) for complementing government's effort in making the dreams of quality education a reality.

Mrs. Gloria Laryea, the headmistress of the school said textbooks meant for the first year students as well as personal belongings of students were destroyed by rain.

She however said the Ghana Education Trust Fund, parents and guardians and the Old Students Association have assisted the school with infrastructural developments.

Mrs. Laryea mentioned the government had built a six-unit classroom block, boys dormitory block, girls dormitory block and a 12- unit classroom block whilst the headmistress's office had been renovated.

The headmistress however pleaded with Government to help the school with a modern dining hall and modern kitchen complex, staff bungalows, a modern auditorium and streetlights.

On academic performance, Mrs Gloria Laryea said she was gratified by the monumental strides made by the school despite its challenges for the 58 years of its existence.

The school has a total student population of 2,228 with 117 teaching staff and 39 non-teaching staff.

Master Freeman Easmon , School Prefect pleaded with the government to provide the academic institution with a dining hall and more dormitory blocks to cater for the needs of the students.


Jonas Nyabor/GNA - Nov. 17