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NewsTranscript
00:00 Hello, good afternoon and welcome to join you today.
00:03 Coming up in this bulletin, dysfunctional traffic light in Iran,
00:07 a crime term creating lots of chaos and road rage at major intersections
00:12 and junctions of the two cities this morning.
00:15 This afternoon, we'll take you around some of the intersections
00:18 and understand the actual problems.
00:22 Also coming up, death toll in the northeast
00:27 flat rises to five with the discovery of another body
00:31 one week after torrential rains flooded and broke the banks
00:34 of a major dam in the region. We have details.
00:37 Now, on Niger, a cool minority in parliament, it says
00:42 the government resolves the current crisis in Niger through a diplomatic means.
00:48 Our stance in the minority hasn't changed.
00:52 We are firmly of the view that the Niger crisis
00:57 ought to be resolved through diplomatic means.
01:02 And on our climate focus series today, we tell you about the growing efforts
01:08 by agriculturalists to encourage farmers to return to indigenous food production
01:13 due to its environmental environmentally friendly nature.
01:19 These plus business spalls, what do you do in showbiz coming up in this?
01:24 Remember, we're live on DSTV channel
01:28 421 and go to the channel 125 around the world on my journey.
01:32 My dot com stay with us for details.
01:33 Now, in the heart of the busy capital, a silent danger has been steadily growing,
01:56 casting a shadow over the safety of road users.
01:59 The once reliable traffic light are falling into a state of disrepair,
02:05 rendering them dysfunctional at many key intersections in the city.
02:09 As the city's roads become a chaotic scene of vehicles navigating
02:14 without proper guidance, concerns are mounting over the increasing risk
02:18 of road traffic crashes.
02:20 This critical issue not only disrupts the flow of urban life,
02:24 but also threatens the lives and well-being of countless individuals
02:28 who traverse these dangerous intersections each day.
02:31 Somewhere in Burova, Drive Safe campaign team was on the ground
02:35 monitoring the situation and shared the following report.
02:38 Right behind me, you can see that the traffic light is totally off
02:42 at the UPSA traffic intersection.
02:45 I'm told that this is this has been there for over a year now,
02:49 and it is causing a serious chaos for drivers here.
02:52 Let me just try and engage some of the drivers to hear from them
02:55 how the situation has been for them for the past years.
02:58 So, um,
03:00 my partner, um,
03:01 the one-year time I might say, you know, because I'll join you.
03:04 And how not to say, well, you know,
03:08 problem.
03:10 Because when I am a road from
03:16 the 70s to my dinner, which will be a little while
03:22 would be highway traffic light way.
03:24 First, not a solar system.
03:27 And I will not turn off now.
03:30 So I'm not going to be a cable.
03:34 It's not a free solar panel.
03:35 No, I bet.
03:36 You might have the power.
03:37 My traffic light cable will be a bit.
03:40 You talk for our baby.
03:41 Our informant.
03:42 It's a little bit.
03:44 Oh, no, no.
03:45 Three years.
03:46 Traffic light.
03:47 Traffic light.
03:49 You might not have to say, no, no, no.
03:51 Accidents were as a result.
03:53 Accident today.
03:54 Be brave.
03:55 Accidents.
03:56 Almost every day in a day time.
03:58 Maybe a accident.
03:59 And see, because police for ever directed traffic.
04:02 They go on police for a higher point in your mother.
04:05 I think traffic.
04:06 What?
04:07 Final.
04:08 And visibility for.
04:09 So no.
04:10 I want to be a.
04:11 It's a more directed traffic.
04:12 No, no.
04:13 I do.
04:14 I said 50.
04:15 I'm not.
04:16 You better not.
04:17 I'm not.
04:18 I'm not.
04:19 We came across the car and after it's damaged Unfortunately the car stopped we didn't push it
04:31 Half the people didn't see the debris
04:33 Well them 26 people were killed by the traffic lights
04:37 So to witness the halt the situation is something that they are worried about
04:45 His claim earlier was that the traffic light used to be solar panel powered
04:50 But some thieves allegedly came and broke and then stole some of the wirings
04:56 Rendering it dysfunctional
04:58 They have made several appeals to no avail
05:01 What they want now is authorities to move in because they have been witnessing accidents here
05:05 There are police officers here to control traffic ensuring that there is a traffic flow
05:09 But they are not here at all times
05:11 Like the driver said as early as 4 a.m. the police are not here and because it is a major highway
05:17 We know that this the road that leads to a brewery and this environs and it's actually
05:22 I mean one of the critical highways in Accra here. I have one of the drivers here
05:28 Now Kwame Kodia-Chiayene is the director in charge of regulatory inspection and compliance at a National Road Safety Authority
05:38 He joins us now for some interaction on this grateful to you for joining us sir
05:42 Now last year you gave a directive to the urban roads to ensure that all traffic lights that are malfunctioning are fixed
05:48 Why do we still have you know malfunctioning traffic light a year on?
05:53 Thank you, it would have been good if we have feedback from the Department of Urban Roads. Have you tried to talk to them?
06:07 What sort of feedback are they giving you?
06:09 Yeah, I was actually whether you have tried to talk to them. I
06:12 Have tried to no no no I mean
06:15 You gave the feedback you gave the order to them to try and then yeah
06:20 I appreciate that but yes
06:21 And that's what I want to find out from you because once you give the order
06:24 It means that they will be reporting to you whether or not you've been able to do it
06:28 And what the factors are and that's why I'm asking you why we still have more functioning traffic. Yeah, so
06:35 Let's go. Let's take a step back of it. Okay. I think yes when we issue the directive
06:40 they responded within the 60-day ultimatum and indicated that
06:45 Some of them were actually
06:49 not disfunctional except to say that because of
06:54 supply of power
06:57 At some point they go off that was one the second
07:00 was that
07:03 Some that's what this one's another time has been taking on contracts
07:07 so
07:10 Within a period of time the expectation was for the ones on contract to be fixed
07:15 I must say that between then and now even though some improvements have been
07:22 recorded on the ones that were identified in the audit of
07:26 2022
07:30 I mean some other traffic lights
07:33 have gone into the safety and
07:36 And we have brought that to their attention
07:40 The same issues about contract
07:44 issues
07:47 Delays have accounted for the constraints that we have on our own in order to provide an interim measure
07:54 I mean
07:56 Working with the police and the account formula report
08:00 confirms that that for
08:02 major hotspots during wash period and we work with the police employ
08:07 interim
08:10 traffic wardens, but there's a discussion that the ISP needs it for the
08:14 newborn planning agency
08:17 To assist to provide those gaps within the intervening period
08:22 And that's what we can report on ultimately
08:26 I mean the Department of Airmanhood is a public agency like the authority
08:31 We all have your duty whereas we owe the public a certain measure of responsibility
08:38 So I would encourage you
08:40 That with the same force that you apply in getting feedback from us
08:46 When you expect the same level of
08:51 That's fine, so what percentage of the ones that you identified have been worked on
08:56 Say again. What percentage of the ones that you identified last year?
09:01 Well you just called a few minutes ago. I will not be able to give you
09:04 The fine details yes, but some of them and I must admit there was a book which was in your report
09:12 Has been a standing issue for the longest period
09:14 Even though it was in our report. We haven't seen as much improvement between then and now
09:21 It is unclear what the issue is
09:23 Whether it's the repair and suffer
09:26 the
09:29 effect of
09:31 Crest and all that I'm unable to
09:33 To give an account of that, but there were a number of traffic lights doing which were captured in the first report
09:40 Worrying is it for the road safety when traffic lights are not functioning in the city
09:49 Yes, I mean the safety issue
09:51 It has safety
09:53 Implications which is why we should be allowed to draw motorist attention to them
09:58 You know when you have vehicles coming into conflict with other road users
10:04 At these intersections what the traffic lights do is to manage conflict is to
10:10 affect the pedestrian to cross the road
10:13 at the appropriate time vehicle to move and
10:18 That kind of thing so to avoid vehicular pedestrian
10:22 Conflict in the roadway the traffic light in the absence of the policeman
10:27 provides a sense of
10:30 Sightiness and regulation. So it's not a major concern
10:32 so I asked that question because
10:35 if for a over a year and
10:38 We've not been able to deal with all the problems
10:42 We identified a year ago, and today we have new traffic light that have begun malfunctioning
10:48 I
10:50 sought not to see the
10:52 Seriousness it is for us when the traffic lights are not working. Say that again. You dare say that
11:00 I'm saying that you know I asked that question based on something that if
11:04 After a year the traffic lights were identified not all of them have been repaired and today
11:11 We've had more joining in the malfunctioning bandwagon
11:15 I don't see how serious they are then to us if traffic light are not functioning
11:21 Yeah, so that's why I said I would add a benefit of an updated data
11:25 I won't be able to confirm that but yes at the last count
11:30 Before the airbahn was got to us
11:33 I think close to our 60% of those that were dysfunctional at the time had been fixed
11:39 within the 60 day
11:41 period
11:43 Ultimate that was given and that was progress and they provided an explanation that for the ones that
11:48 Were reported as dysfunctional it was because the light
11:52 Could not stay on or some were actually dysfunctional which had been given on contracts
11:58 I'm suggesting that between then and now even though there's been some improvement in the ones that were audited and
12:06 reported to them I
12:08 Admit you also use the road and we we come into contact with these difficulties on a regular or daily basis
12:15 There are some others that have gotten into a similar state
12:20 Now but it doesn't mean that the ones that were
12:24 Reported or the ones that were captured in the earlier report had not been fixed. Not all of them some of them
12:30 And I alluded to the Awosipu Kwazi incident
12:35 So yes, we'll do an update
12:37 Scientifically to be able to see where we stand from that before and after and be able to take
12:45 Further action, but in all of this
12:48 Who we are aware of what we are quite to do
12:52 I'll try to encourage you that the Department of Airborne would is a public agency like us
12:58 Which is accountable to the public so in as much as we demand
13:05 The impact from us you want us to go to encourage you
13:09 That's fine that you're not very hard on the adults and they may be able to provide
13:14 Frontline information which I do I may not have at this point. Okay
13:18 I mean we've tried to get them to respond to the issues where they are not responding to our course
13:23 But when we do get them or put some of the questions to them as well
13:26 I'm grateful to you for joining us here to other stories the National Council for curriculum and assessment NACA
13:33 began a thorough assessment and
13:35 Scrutiny of the proposed test books for basic schools in the country professor Edward Appiah director general
13:43 De Naca is currently leading a delegation to versus some schools in Accra to inspect test books being used in selected public and private
13:50 Schools here is an interaction between professor Edward Appiah and the head teacher for
13:56 Manche Turkey the first primary
13:59 The
14:01 Standard curriculum is fine whereas some of them say it's based on NACA curriculum but it's not NACA
14:07 It's fine, the test book was last two weeks so I gave it to the test book to check
14:13 But have you gone through it?
14:15 Yes, it's very useful
14:17 I'm setting some of the questions for you
14:19 From that, what makes it useful?
14:21 It's very useful
14:23 It's very useful
14:25 It's very useful
14:27 From that, what makes it useful?
14:31 It's easy to comprehend
14:33 Because they didn't bring it to us to assess
14:37 So the supplementary is alright, fine
14:39 But even the supplementary was three months
14:43 Okay, so this
14:45 You see one of the things that we are also doing is we want to avoid soul or test books
14:55 Okay, so you can see that one, two, three, four, five, four test books
15:01 One, two, three, four, five
15:03 That one is a soul or test
15:05 Between this and this, which one do you think will be missed?
15:07 So in trying to look for the books, those are the things that you need to look for
15:13 Look for books that are not soul or test
15:17 For example, Religious and Moral
15:19 For example
15:21 Religious and Moral, for example
15:23 You have
15:25 What do you call it?
15:27 The African Tradition
15:29 You have the Christian
15:31 And then you have the Muslim
15:33 So one person, do you think he can do it all?
15:35 So it's important that you get those
15:39 So in trying to get the books, try as much as possible to look out for those things
15:43 Which will help you
15:45 Yes, we are not saying you have to use only our books to prepare
15:49 But for the kids, only our books
15:51 But in your preparations, you have other resources
15:55 Make sure that the books will help you
15:57 A teacher of Manche, Taki, the first Prime Rebellion, Dedé Sefako
16:03 Revealed that the test books available are inadequate
16:07 She appealed to parents for the meantime to purchase those books by themselves
16:11 We have some of the textbooks that have been provided
16:15 But there are three other subjects which have not been provided
16:20 So we are grateful for the government's help
16:23 What are those three subjects?
16:25 There are people, history, religious and moral education
16:30 And in addition, those in the upper primary also need creative access books and computing as well
16:37 But how do you teach in this subject area without the textbooks?
16:41 We use the internet
16:43 Now the internet helps a lot
16:45 You get details from the internet?
16:47 Yes, we get details from the internet because we have the curriculum and the resource pack
16:51 So we get other references from the internet
16:57 Is the lack of it affecting teaching in Manche?
17:01 In a way, I would say yes
17:04 Because the children need it to...
17:07 At least when they see pictures of things, it will help them
17:13 When they see the pictures and they are able to read through it, it helps them
17:18 The teachers jot down a few points for them
17:21 But if they have their books, it will help them more
17:24 How long has this been?
17:26 Since the curriculum started in 2019
17:31 You've had this challenge?
17:33 Yes, we've had this challenge
17:34 But they've solved it to a point
17:36 By providing some of the books for us last year
17:39 Leaving out the three books that you talked about
17:42 The other three have not been provided
17:44 At all?
17:45 At all
17:46 When they were provided, I could see their identity
17:49 The books are shared through the internet
17:52 The teacher said she's sharing the books
17:54 How do they do their homework?
17:56 They don't send them home
17:57 We use them in the school
17:58 Because where most of them live, if we give the books to them, they wouldn't bring it back
18:03 So we use it as references in the classroom
18:06 And they copy the homework from it and send it home
18:09 What if they need to make any reference?
18:12 How do they work on it?
18:13 Some of their parents are provided
18:16 We've asked them to try and get some on the market
18:19 We've been educating them to do that
18:22 Their parents
18:23 They get the same copy on the market?
18:25 Yes, these books are on the market
18:27 They're approved books by NACA?
18:29 Yes, they're approved ones
18:30 The winning marks and the rest, they're all on the market
18:33 This is strictly not for sale, so how will they get the same copy?
18:36 No, there are copies that are for sale
18:38 But this one is made for the public schools
18:41 So it's not for sale
18:42 Let's go over the phone now and speak with Jacqueline Yabua for more
18:47 Jacqueline, which schools have you visited and what more can you report for us?
18:52 Okay, great
18:53 So we've been to eight schools so far
18:56 All under Manchete Taki Schools and Omuji Class Style Schools
19:01 And as you heard earlier, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
19:05 has initiated a comprehensive evaluation
19:08 which is intended for most of the schools across the nation
19:12 So currently we are with Professor Edward Apia, who is the Director General of NACA
19:17 And a few of the regulations that came out was that
19:22 most of the unapproved books were in the schools
19:27 And also we found out that most of the books in here were authored by just individuals
19:33 and they didn't go through the whole process
19:36 So these were most of the issues that came out during the tour
19:40 But the discussion is not ending today, it is expected to continue in the upcoming days
19:45 Okay, but how is NACA responding to the concerns?
19:49 Okay, so generally the movement today is to sensitize them
19:54 So if they come back later on to find out that the teachers in the school are still giving out textbooks which are unapproved
20:01 they will definitely take sanctions against them or take decisions against them
20:06 But today is just mainly to sensitize them and educate them about the approved books
20:12 by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
20:16 Alright, Jacqueline, grateful to you for joining us
20:19 She is on a tour with the NACA team
20:23 To tell the story, as a ranking member on the Defence and Interior Committee in Parliament
20:26 James Sagalga has advised the government to resolve the current crisis in Niger
20:30 through a diplomatic means
20:33 According to the ranking member, the minority still stand by their previous assertion
20:37 and not backing up even after the meeting between the Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior
20:45 together with the National Security Minister and the Interior Minister
20:49 to brief them on the unfolding situation in Niger
20:53 Basically, what they did was to brief us on the unfolding situation in Niger
21:02 behind closed doors
21:05 Now, I will not speak to the issues that were discussed in detail
21:14 because I'm injuncted from doing so
21:17 The rules were set for ourselves prior to the commencement of that meeting
21:23 So if I were to zero in on the details, it would amount to a betrayal of the trust that we forged
21:30 But having said that, one thing was very clear
21:36 The three security ministers did not come to the Joint Committees of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior
21:46 to seek parliamentary approval. That is fundamental
21:51 In any case, if they had attempted to do so, the Joint Committees would not even have the capacity
21:58 because the committees do not constitute Parliament
22:02 So if you really want parliamentary approval, you come before the entire House
22:10 with the Speaker and the Chair presiding
22:13 Then resolutions can be passed appropriately
22:17 So what they did was to pass on some information to the committee
22:22 We argued. Our stance in the minority hasn't changed
22:27 We are firmly of the view that the Niger crisis ought to be resolved through diplomatic means
22:40 We are convinced in our minds that we haven't exhausted the diplomatic option
22:45 and therefore should not start a war in Niger
22:49 The Member of Parliament has assured that should government act in a haste to deploy troops to Niger
22:56 without giving an ear to the minority, they will turn the government away when they come back for funding
23:02 Mr Galga says Ghana deploying troops involves the use of money to equip the troops which the House has to approve
23:09 because Parliament controls the purse
23:12 Fundamentally, I made the point earlier on that
23:15 we can talk about our international obligations and how we must be compliant
23:22 but here we are talking about war
23:25 You cannot go to war without funding
23:28 Who controls the purse?
23:30 Parliament
23:32 So will you come back to Parliament or not?
23:34 So if you act in a haste, you deploy
23:37 Wait a minute, tomorrow, Kedle spoke about assets
23:43 You need to properly equip the troops to protect their lives
23:51 Will you come back to Parliament or not?
23:54 If you come, is it not about the same thing?
23:57 You'll be seeking for approval to be effective on the battlefield
24:02 You cure that problem if you come first
24:08 If you come back after you have defied Parliament and gone
24:12 we'll turn you away
24:15 Let's take you to the North East now
24:17 because the death toll in that region where floods occurred last week has risen to five
24:23 One more person was found washed ashore in the Naleregud Dam
24:28 The body of the unidentified individual was retrieved and buried
24:32 under the supervision of the National Disaster Management Organisation and the police
24:36 Meanwhile, efforts are continuing today by the regional authorities
24:40 to reach communities that have been cut off since last week by the floods
24:44 The regional minister, Yidana Zakaria, who is leading the effort, said
24:48 he was distraught by the level of destruction caused by the floods
24:52 Correspondent Elias Tutanko reports from the East Bank, receiving news, Palestine
24:56 Following recent flooding in the North East region
25:00 the regional minister has commenced a special working visit across the region
25:04 to assess the aftermath of the destruction unleashed by the floods
25:08 The flooding caused by torrential rains last Wednesday
25:12 destroyed houses and farmlands and crops and washed away roads across the region
25:16 The flood was initially reported in the West and East Bank-precious municipalities
25:20 where lots of attention had been concentrated following the collapse of a dam
25:25 as it washed away the Naleregud-Walewale Road and grounded traffic on the road
25:29 The National Disaster Management Organisation in the region had said
25:33 it was unable to go into some of the flooded communities in other parts of the region
25:38 to conduct assessments. Although the Disaster Management Organisation
25:42 has received relief items, it is yet to deliver them to the victims
25:46 due to a lack of access as a result of damages to roads and bridges
25:50 However, as the floodwaters have begun to recede, the regional minister is leading a tour
25:55 of the affected areas to assess the state of destruction caused by the rain disaster
26:02 Starting from the Eastman-Precious Municipality, Mr. Idana in the company
26:06 of the Municipal Chief Executive visited the Bintri enclave
26:10 On his way, he inspected the Naleregud-Bintri Road, which was devastated by the flood
26:15 Dozens of farmers were seen rushing to salvage their crops taken over by the flood
26:20 The minister also made time to interact with some of the farmers
26:24 [Foreign Language]
26:49 At the Jimbali community located along the road, the flood destroyed almost all the houses
26:54 and other properties in the community, leaving over 150 inhabitants displaced
27:00 These internally displaced residents, composed mainly of women and children
27:04 were relocated and accommodated in a primary school in the next village, Yankazia
27:09 The minister was there to express his empathy and assure them of government support
27:14 [Foreign Language]
27:27 Speaking to Joy News, the displaced persons recount how they escaped the fury
27:32 of the flood as it engulfed their community
27:35 [Foreign Language]
27:41 The clothes you see us wearing is all that is left
27:44 We have to carry our children on trees to escape the floods
27:47 My daughter had a new baby, both of them were saved by the tree
27:52 We've lost everything
27:54 [Foreign Language]
27:56 We've lost our houses, cooking utensils and everything
28:00 This is all that is left of my belongings and properties
28:04 The minister also paid a courtesy call to the chief of Bintri to express his commiseration
28:09 and inform him about the efforts of government to ameliorate the suffering of the people
28:14 [Foreign Language]
28:17 Experts believe producing indigenous food crops is more environmentally friendly
28:21 than commercial agriculture since it uses less water and fewer chemical fertilizers and pesticides
28:28 These ancient agricultural methods preserve soil biodiversity while nourishing the food that grows
28:35 Farmers, experts and agriculturalists all agree that the moment has come to return to indigenous foods
28:41 that are rapidly becoming extinct
28:44 Joy News' Mohamed Nourou Dine reports there is a growing effort to encourage farmers
28:49 to embrace indigenous food cultivation
28:52 In Toronto, you go to the grocery shops, you see organic food
28:58 The prices are very high and then the inorganic food for the poor people
29:05 because you can't afford the organic food
29:07 What we see across the world is an emerging health and food and environmental crisis
29:14 We see the globalization of foods, which is coded language for the westernization of foods
29:21 Cheap food, industrial foods are taking over people's diets, they're taking over people's landscapes
29:27 Because somebody is telling you to produce something different
29:30 When I was growing up, my grandmother was doing canton
29:33 Kara, that is wet corn, when they just harvest it, they use it with this, no plastic
29:41 All these plants you are having, they are using these collard greens to wrap it
29:47 How come? Why are we here? Because it is about policy
29:52 Indigenous foods such as wasawasa, tubani, ngabali, sunquila and even tz for millet are now becoming extinct
30:01 So tz is beginning to be something that only poor people rather eat tz, right?
30:08 Poor people eat tz, if you are rich you eat fried rice and pizza
30:15 They were once farmed and cooked in rural areas and marketed to a small but rising number of people
30:23 who were aware of the nutritional and environmental benefits
30:27 This emerging sector potentially build long food chains
30:31 leaving the food system dependent on global food imports
30:35 As weather patterns change, this has resulted in greater food unavailability in some communities
30:42 We are trying local drinks as well as foreign drinks and pastries and things
30:46 So this is poha, we tried it last night in our dinner
30:50 A study conducted by Dr. Sarah Veselo, assistant professor at the University of Toronto
30:56 on the impact of globalizing local and urban food systems on food security
31:01 calls on local and national decision makers to promote and safeguard indigenous food systems
31:09 and the biodiversity they protect
31:11 Where I come from in Canada, our food system has been transformed in the name of profit
31:17 and not to feed people
31:18 So the only people who can afford food that is nutritious, that is not toxic, that is culturally appropriate
31:29 are wealthier people
31:30 And all of the industrial foods in the west are considered cheap foods
31:36 like KFC is poor man's food in Canada
31:40 Now the Edjusu Municipal Health Directorate in the Ashanti region
31:44 is calling for the immediate completion of a children's block at Edjusu Gartman Hospital
31:49 A construction which started five years ago has stalled due to financial constraints
31:53 Municipal Health Director Josephine Echufe-Ahoso says
31:58 the present space dedicated for care of children is inadequate to ensure quality health care delivery
32:05 Danielle Djemaa has more in the following report
32:09 The children's block which started in 2018 has missed its completion date
32:15 The two-storey structure is at the roofing stage
32:18 Unfortunately, funding for the completion has ceased
32:21 The children's clinic at the hospital is presently being run from a small space within the hospital's main building
32:28 Officials are overwhelmed by the numbers
32:31 Josephine Echufe-Ahoso is Municipal Health Director
32:34 As we speak, we need it badly
32:37 We need this structure to be completed
32:40 so that we could give quality of care to the children who visit our facility
32:50 The space they have now is small
32:53 The space they have for the children's block
32:55 If you go to the children's block, you realise that it's just a small place
32:59 But with this one, because now we have a pediatrician, we have a specialist
33:05 and so it means that she can do more if she's given enough space to operate
33:11 The Echufe municipality has about 10 health facilities catering for the health needs of the population
33:19 For years, some of the facilities have been without proper hospital beds
33:24 Affecting quality health care delivery, Ms. Ahoso enumerated the challenge
33:29 When the bed is not appropriate, it brings strain to the health workers
33:35 And because of that, some of them will fall sick
33:40 They'll have problems with their back and some have slipped and all that
33:45 And we are saying that this is a period where our health workers are hesitating
33:54 And so when we don't make them happy, we don't make them comfortable
33:58 The Member of Parliament of Echufe, John Mpuntiakuma, has mobilised some entrepreneurs
34:04 within the constituency to raise 100 beds for 10 health facilities in the area
34:10 The gesture is expected to help deal with the no-bed syndrome
34:15 which is common in some health facilities in the country
34:18 It was a very dilapidated, weak bed
34:22 And some of the communities like Fumehswa, when I went there, they were supporting the hospital bed with stones
34:29 In fact, it was very, very distasteful to behold
34:34 It pushed me to begin to think about how we can get good beds for various hospitals
34:41 And so I started mobilising the entrepreneurs
34:44 And we were able to raise enough for the first 100 brand new beds
34:49 And we are insisting that we replace all the existing beds in the various wards
34:55 They can use the existing ones as backup beds
34:59 But we want these brand new ones to replace all the existing beds
35:03 For JOY News, Nanaia Ojima, reporting
35:06 Thanks for watching JOY News today
35:16 We'll take a quick break, we'll be back with business
35:18 Stay with us
35:19 Hi, welcome to business, my name is Darrell Kwao
35:26 Ghana is saving from crude oil exports since it started
35:31 Reduce in oil in commercial quantities has declined marginally
35:35 The Ghana Petroleum Fund's report showed that it dropped to $1 billion ending June this year
35:42 George Raffi has more
35:43 In June 2022, the balance in Ghana's accounts in the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, USA, stood at $1.2 billion
35:58 However, fast forward to June 2023 and this amount reduced to $1 billion
36:06 A careful look at the accounts shows that an amount of $83 million was withdrawn on this account ending June this year
36:15 However, we don't have fine details of the accounts to establish the exact date the withdrawal was done
36:22 Ghana's savings from oil exports and production has been put into the Ghana Stabilization Fund and the Ghana Heritage Fund
36:30 The country's laws require that part of these earnings should be put in the Ghana Stabilization Fund
36:36 so that governments can follow in times of crisis to finance the budget
36:41 On the other hand, the Ghana Heritage Fund is meant for future generations so they can benefit from Ghana's oil fund
36:49 The Ghana Stabilization Fund currently has $134 million in it while the Ghana Heritage Fund has $962 million
37:01 This brings the total amount in these two accounts to $1 billion
37:06 Again, a careful look at the accounts have raised questions about the returns on them
37:12 This is because the laws that guide the petroleum funds actually restrict areas that it can be invested
37:20 Now, government and other financial authorities have been admonished to create a tertiary financial literacy course
37:29 to furnish the youth with fiscal knowledge and skills
37:32 Experts at a financial prosperity summit in Kumasi raised concern about Ghana's 32% scoring in the Global Financial Literacy Survey
37:41 This falls among countries with lowest financial literacy rates
37:44 That means a large section of the population lacks fundamental financial skills like budgeting, investing, managing debt and revenue
37:52 Quintin Yabua has more in the following report
37:55 Individuals who have little knowledge of financial management are susceptible to making ill-informed decisions that can implicate their financial stability
38:05 About 80% of Ghanaians are financially uneducated according to the National Strategy for Financial Literacy Education and Consumer Protection
38:13 With the global economy evolving, financial knowledge has been acknowledged as necessary for personal economic growth
38:20 Managing Director of EDC Investment Ltd, Paul Kofi Manti, speaking at the Financial Prosperity Summit 2023
38:28 advocated for the inclusion of financial literacy as a mandatory course in universities
38:33 We think that it's a very good program because the issue of money is not taught in school
38:38 So a lot of people go through school, they are highly educated but they are financially illiterate
38:43 It's my strong recommendation that we implement it across our universities
38:48 Anybody who goes through a university education must have some financial literacy
38:54 So it must be a compulsory course that anybody who goes to a university must go through
38:58 So you learn the basic things about money management because money is everybody's business
39:04 It doesn't matter whether you are training to become a medical doctor or an architect or an engineer or whatever
39:11 Money is everybody's business and everybody needs to make their money
39:14 And it's my strong recommendation that we think about implementing this across our universities
39:19 The summit was on the theme 'Building our Financial Future' by the Student Representative Council
39:25 in collaboration with the Accounting Student Association of the Akinta and Apiamenka Universities
39:30 of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development
39:33 The event assembled financial experts to equip students with financial management tricks
39:38 to succeed in an increasingly complex financial world
39:41 Amasted SRC President Stephen Sikawiafi explained the summit will bridge the financial knowledge gap among students
39:48 There are so many ways to generate income or money
39:53 and sometimes we are limited in our dispensation
39:57 Most of the youth are limited
39:59 There are some other stuff some of us needed to know five years back
40:04 because we were limited we didn't get opportunity to some of this information
40:09 But as it stands now, personally I have benefited from this particular program
40:15 because the information I needed to know last five years or ten years I have gotten to know it now
40:22 Financial experts Dr. Evans Dui also indicated that
40:25 Ghana needs more businesses to thrive
40:28 We need to create an enabling condition in our country and that is the best way that we should go
40:34 We need to because Ghana has become a destination of choice for investors
40:38 So many investors in West Africa they prefer Ghana
40:42 So what I think we should do is to create more enabling environment
40:46 policies like 1D1F they should enhance it
40:49 They should open it up and make sure that so many industries are benefiting from it
40:54 So that once productivity is up we will be able to help with our GDP
40:58 We will be able to help with creation of employment
41:01 Reporting for JOYNEWS, Clinton, Yebua
41:03 Alright, up next, what's to stay with us?
41:14 On JOYNEWS today with me, Muftahu Nabila Adlai, board member of Accra House of Work
41:18 Dr. Nyawo Nyawotamaklu has thrown his weight behind Keto Kriku to be given opportunity
41:23 to study the affairs of Ghana football for the next four years
41:27 According to him, Keto Kriku took over the governance of football in the country
41:31 at a time the football community was facing challenges
41:36 and he believes that an opportunity for the former executive chairman of Dreams FC to continue
41:43 will ensure that he stabilises football even more
41:47 He believes that Keto Kriku so far has been able to stabilise the shape in terms of the governance
41:53 of football in the country and has charged stakeholders to throw their weight behind him
41:58 for opportunity to lead football for the next four years
42:01 The Ghana Football Association, they have scheduled September 27th as the date
42:06 they will be going for the presidential elections in Tamale
42:12 I'm still on Keto Kriku and over the weekend the football governing body launched
42:17 the FIFA Football for Schools initiative in the country
42:21 He believes that this is an initiative that has the potential to produce the next best talent in the country
42:28 You having passed these exams marks the beginning of your role in transferring save to many other people and to our kids
42:39 It's important you truly, truly consume what you have been taught
42:46 It's important that you carry on with the passion of transferring what you have been taught today
42:57 to other people and many others who are not here with us today
43:01 As you will hear today, six volumes of your commitment to be part of a big story that has started unfolding today
43:11 The young kids that we find right in front of us will eventually be some of the stars that we'll be watching in the years to come
43:25 That's our wrap up of sports here with me Muftahu Nabila Abda
43:29 You can head on to myjoyonline.com for some more sports stories
43:32 Good afternoon, welcome to Showbiz here on Joy News today
43:36 Now renowned gospel musician Pastor Joe Beaton has revealed he is still in the gospel ministry
43:42 and will soon come out with a record soon
43:45 He spoke to Joy News
43:48 Why are we not seeing more of you?
43:54 Thank you
43:55 The songs were born out of prayer
43:59 and the motive behind it was to be a blessing to the world
44:05 I've been around, I've been ministering a lot in congregations
44:12 I've not been on the showbiz stage for quite a long time
44:18 I've been singing in congregations all across the world
44:24 I believe that very soon you'll see me again
44:27 You'll be releasing a song soon, any album, any works coming up?
44:32 Yes, a lot is going to happen
44:35 I'll be knocking at your doors very soon
44:38 because there is something going to happen
44:42 and it's going to be massive
44:44 We are going to come out with a lot of singles
44:48 to be a blessing to the nation and the world
44:51 Now Ghanaian musician and influencer Diamond Michelle Magona
44:59 popularly known as Michi has expressed her intention of becoming a politician
45:04 She said on Joy FM Showbiz A to Z
45:07 that apart from serving the people
45:10 her political ambitions is the reason she's currently studying law
45:15 How long do you see yourself doing music?
45:19 For how long?
45:20 As long as it's paying
45:23 I do have goals, that's why I'm going to school now
45:29 I have several goals for the future
45:32 and it would include doing this
45:35 for my 40s, my 50s
45:37 Hopefully we can go into politics one day
45:40 So let's see
45:42 Politics?
45:43 Yes, yes, yes
45:44 You have political ambitions?
45:45 What am I going to school for?
45:46 Whatever, studying law
45:48 Oh
45:49 One, to back my NGO in the future
45:52 and then two, if there's space for me at the top
45:56 Any special reason you want to enter into politics?
45:59 Into politics, that's literally the best job in Ghana at the moment
46:03 Let's be as real as we can be
46:05 The one reason you want to be a politician?
46:07 The one reason, aside that
46:09 It's giving you a certain status in society that opens doors for you
46:13 that might not be open to anyone else
46:16 It's for the status, for the opportunity to be able to help other people
46:20 On that note we end Showbiz here on Joy News Today
46:25 This was Showbiz Today with my friend Becky
46:34 And that's all in our package for you for today
46:36 There's more news on myjoyonline.com
46:38 Up next is Marketplace with Daryl Crow
46:41 My name is Samuel Kojo
46:43 I wish you all have a great afternoon
46:45 [Music]