Ghanaian News - APRIL 2019

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Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) participate in City of Toronto’s 1st Annual Spring Cleanup Initiative

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

Group picture of participants at the Clean Up Exercise with Councilor Anthony Perruzza and Consul-Gen. Thomas Seshie The Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) in collaboration with the City of Toronto on Saturday 4th May organized its 1st annual Spring Cleaning Initiative. The cleanup took place at the Chalk Farm Park, 2230 Jane Street, North York.

The participants were not put off by the unfavorable weather that day, but converged in their numbers to take part in the project. The cleaning supplies were provided by the City of Toronto. The participants were then divided into groups as they sang, danced as they engaged in the cleanup with enthusiasm. The community spirit of giving back to the City of Toronto was on display

as they scoured the park and its environs way up to the area around the Manse of the Ghana Calvary Methodist United Church.

The community members who took part in the 1st annual spring initiative included a large number of our youth, members of some community associations, pastors, Nananom, and Consulate staff led by Consul General Thomas Seshie as well the versatile Ghanaian News team. City Councilor Anthony Perruza in his speech to the community members after the cleanup thanked them for their laudableinitiative and cobt’d on pg. 6

National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) Commemorates World Press Freedom Day

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

The rotunda of the Toronto City Hall was the venue for the celebration of World Press Freedom Day on Friday 3rd May, 2019. May 3rdwas designated as World Press Freedom Day by the UN General Assembly.

This proclamation was to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that ‘’Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.” cont’d on pg.

Presentation of certificate to Thomas Saras by MPPs Roman Baber (L) and Aris Babikian (2nd R) with Tony Ruprecht

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

EDITORIAL KEEPING YOU IN TOUCH WITH NEWS FROM HOME AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ISSUES

EDITORIAL Publisher / Editor Emmanuel Ayiku Contributing Editors Dr. Michael Baffoe Joe Kingsley Eyiah Director of Operations Comfort Ayiku Community Reporter Jonathan Annobil Winnipeg Bureau Dr. Michael Baffoe The Ghanaian News Publishes news and comments from the Community, serves Ghanaians across Canada with good source of information is committed to give good community Journalism The Ghanaian News is published in Canada by The Ghanaian News Corporation Editorial Office 1111 Albion Road, Suite 103 Etobicoke, Ont. M9V 1A9 Tel:(416) 916-3700 Advertising Fax (416) 916-6701 Internet: www.ghanaiannews.ca E-mail: cayiku@gmail.com info@ghanaiannews.ca $1:00 per copy Subscription costs $66.00 for one year. including postage U.S. and foreign subscriptions costs US$120 per year.

Letters to the Editor We encourage your feedback and value your comments. Please feel free to write to us. keep letters to a maximum of 200 words, include your full name, Telephone # and mailing address with all correspondence.

Address your letters to the Editor The Ghanaian News 1111Albion Rd., Suite 103 Etobicoke, Ont., M9V 1A9 Tel: 416-916-3700 or Fax: 416-916-6701 or e-mail us at info@ghanaiannews.ca Articles appearing in various columns of the Ghanaian News are intended to generate civil and informed public discussions.

You do not have to agree with opinions expressed by the writers.

That should encourage you to write to express your own views.

This is the way we generate lively and civil discussions in the community. Rejoinders are not forums for personal insults and we want readers to adhere to these principles.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Participating in Civic Responsibilities Last week, the Ghanaian Community in Metro Toronto came together to participate and engage in an important aspect of community life: civic engagement and responsibility. Responding to a call by the Ghanaian Community Association of Ontario, many members of the Ghanaian community participated in what was billed as a Clean Up Campaign in one corner of the community where most of our community members reside: the Jane and Wilson neighborhood. Specifically, they spent a number of hours cleaning up the Chalkfarm Park in that neighborhood.

Mohammed Shamji Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murder Of Wife Elana Fric Shamji She was a well-respected family doctor and mother of three.

A Toronto man who murdered his wife two days after she filed for divorce has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years.

Neurosurgeon Mohammed Shamji, 43, pleaded guilty last month to seconddegree murder in the death of 40-year-old Elana Fric Shamji, a well-respected family doctor.

The large number of community members who showed up to participate in this exercise and the enthusiasm they exuded was refreshing to watch.

Some top community and civic leaders, including City Councilors were on hand to participate in this civic responsibility and that was commendable Justice John McMahon says the case is as well. And yours truly, your versatile Ghanaian yet another tragic instance of domestic homicide that he sees far too often.

News Team participated as well in this exercise.

It may seem and sound simplistic on the surface, but we see this exercise and similar ones geared towards making our communities and environments cleaner and livable as very noble exercises worthy of commendation. There may have been some people, our own community members, who just watched and passed by, but we need to realize that making our community environments cleaner and safer is the responsibility of all community members.

Mohammed Shamji pleaded guilty last month in the murder of his wife Elana Fric-Shamji, a well-respected family doctor.

Court heard Fric Shamji served her husband with divorce papers two days before he attacked her, broke her neck and ribs, and choked her to death as their three children slept nearby.

“Three young children have lost their mother forever,” McMahon said.

“Their father has now admitted, and convicted to, killing their mother and sentenced to life in prison today.”

Her mother told court at a sentencing hearing yesterday that Shamji destroyed their entire family, leaving them heartbroken and filled with rage.

McMahon credited Shamji for his last-minute guilty plea, which saved his young daughter from testifying as a key witness at the trial. But he also condemned Shamji for the nature of the brutal murder at the couple’s home.

‘Three young children have lost their mother forever’

The leaders who organized the clean-up exercise last week in Toronto announced that more of such The Crown and defence had asked both similar exercises and othersare being planned and the court to set the parole ineligibility will be announced soon. We urge our community period for Shamji at 14 years. members to actively participate in these exercises whenever they are announced.

We have had cause to remind our community members in times past to be mindful of their civic responsibilities in this society. These responsibilities include events referred to above and others that are undertaken from time to time in the community. Civic responsibilities also include participating in times of elections to elect political leaders and School Trustees. These are critical cont’d from pg. 1 issues that affect our lives in society which some of our community members sometimes ignore or fail also spoke about his migration from to participate in.

Italy as a child with his parents and Other civic responsibilities, which may also be legal how he tapped into the opportunities responsibility, include participating in the Census, here and he is now a City Councilor. the counting and enumeration of citizens that are He said others have occupied positions done every four years. During such periods, census in other levels of government and the forms are mailed to all citizens and residents in private sector. He pledged to support every neighborhood. We have an obligation here, the Ghanaian community to achieve its both civic and legal, to complete these forms and aims. return them to the appropriate or designated authority. That is our obligation as citizens and residents of this country that we call “home”.

“I recognize there is no evidence of planning. A heated argument led to the killing,” McMahon said. “The nature of the violence is extreme.” Canadian Press

Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) participate in City of Toronto’s 1st Annual Spring Cleanup Initiative

This brings us to another aspect of civic responsibility and engagement: volunteering.

Volunteering is an important aspect of Canadian civic life. There is joy, satisfaction, as well as ultimate rewards in volunteering. These actions increase your networks, build friendships, some of them for a lifetime. There are so many avenues for volunteering: in hospitals, libraries, schools, community centers, Old Age Care Homes and many more. One can even volunteer on political campaigns at the Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels. And there are benefits to be derived from these as well, including those enumerated above.

Once again, we commend members of our community who continue to volunteer for these civic engagements. We urge them not to rest on their oars but continue to participate in these activities that are designed to make our communities better.

And to those who have yet to participate in these voluntary civic engagements, we urge them to get involved. We all stand to gain from these civic responsibilities.

Ghana’s Consul General Thomas Seshie gave thumps up to the community members for their great participation.

Mr. Emmanuel Duodu, President of GCAO was very much elated with the attendance and offered his appreciation to all the participants after which refreshments were provided by GCAO.

Ontario’s remaining red-andwhite health cards will be getting cancellation date

TORONTO -- More than two decades after Ontario started phasing out its redand-white health cards, the government is setting a firm end date to cancel all remaining ones.

The province has been gradually removing them from the system and issuing residents more secure photo ID health cards since Bob Rae was premier, but now the Ministry of Health is working with ServiceOntario to set a final day after which red-and-white cards will no longer be accepted.

The specific date hasn’t been set, but it won’t happen overnight, said Health Minister Christine Elliott.

“It has been out there for a very long period of time,” she said. “Some people are still hanging onto their cards, in some part, because nobody has required them to do the conversion. But in order to be responsible

stewards of taxpayers’ money, it’s necessary to bring that process to an end.”

It was late 1994 when the then-NDP government announced that due to fraud and misuse, the cards -- that were introduced just four years prior -- would be phased out over three years.

Twenty-five years later, there are still 400,000 in circulation, representing about three per cent of all Ontario health cards, a Ministry of Health spokesman said. Last year, ServiceOntario sent out about 27,000 final notices, telling people to convert to a photo health card or their coverage would be suspended.

“This time, I think we have to send out notices with specific timelines that I’m sure people will respond to,” Elliott said. cont’d on pg. 7

The Ghanaian News April 2019

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Fitzroy Gordon left a legacy of resilience and inclusion The Canadian media landscape lost a great leader, with the passing of Fitzroy “Mr. G” Gordon, founder and chief Executive Officer of G98.7FM, at age 65.

Mr. G took pride in combining music programming with meaningful political and social discourse and ensuring the content was available online for listeners around the world to engage. He built the radio station, with the tag line, “The way we groove,” as a space for Black and Caribbean communities in Toronto, Milton, Oakville, Brampton, Aurora and Pickering to come together.

On Sunday afternoons, as the baseline of the Marvin Gaye classic “Heard it Through the Grapevine” hit the airwaves, listeners knew a dynamic political discussion was underway. Mr. G hosted the weekly Grapevine show himself with an aim to share important information on policy, politics and process to cultivate stronger civic engagement among his broad audience.

Politicians on all sides of the political spectrum frequented the program in an effort to get their messages out, and Gordon ensured the platform was available to community organizers and grassroots movements alike.

The political impact left by Mr. G is immense. Upon his passing, statements were released by politicians at all levels of government in Canada and abroad. The trail he blazed by founding and sustaining G98.7 is one that will continue to be built on for years to come.

Mr. G was a champion for Canadian newcomer communities.

He immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in his 20s and worked initially as a medical equipment technologist before carving out space as a sports journalist, contributing to both Canadian and Caribbean publications. He believed there was lost potential in professionals immigrating to Canada and struggling to find work in their own fields.

The path to launching G98.7 was lined with hurdles. The Canadian institutions

a connection to the political realities and current issues beyond Canadian borders. He reported on elections, promoted travel and tirelessly supported disaster relief efforts.

Fitzroy Gordon Mr. G navigated were complex and took years to overcome. The CBC opposed his initial application on technical grounds with support from Rogers Media, Astral Media, Bell Media and Durham Radio. In the end, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission testing proved no disturbance of the CBC signal. Each challenge faced along the way would have been enough to force most to give up — but not Mr. G.

In my final conversation with Mr. G before his passing, he was in the process of launching a representative body called the National Congress of Black Canadians. He was working with a team to lay the foundation for the organization with an aim to uplift Black Canadian populations, and as the website describes, “shed the vestiges of historical and systemic discrimination.”

Mr. G was also in the process of expanding into television. His vision was to connect Black populations from

cont’d from pg. 6

I met Mr. G for the first time at a youth event at Queen’s Park in 2012. He had just completed his decade long journey to launch his station, and shared the need to be resilient when working within Canadian institutions. If we were to find barriers, he encouraged our group to be creative, patient, learn from the process and find a new way.

When the photo ID cards were first announced, the government estimated the red-and-white cards were being used for $65 million in fraudulent claims a year.

At the time, Ontario’s health cards had the least amount of printed information of any province, including only a name, and no expiry date, according to a 2006 auditor general report.

Mr. G endeavoured to cover both local and international news so those with families and interests spread across Africa and the Caribbean could feel

I stand among the thousands of Canadians who found a home in G98.7FM. I’m thankful for the sacrifices Mr. G made in order to dedicate his life to creating this space to connect the music and stories of the diverse African diaspora in Canada.

This week we lost a giant, but he left us with a dream. More than that, he left us with an increased capacity to dream for ourselves and work relentlessly until those dreams are realized.

Tiffany Gooch TheStar.com

Ontario’s remaining red-and-white health cards will be getting cancellation date

The legacy he left is one of resilience in building what many deemed to be an impossible dream.

He taught by example, illustrating the need to do more than take up space as a leader, but create more space for the sharing of Black Canadian stories in mainstream media.

Halifax to Windsor on political issues and beyond. He wanted to bring Black Canadians together, build leaders and build bridges regionally and intergenerationally.

There were about 300,000 more health cards in circulation than there were people in Ontario, the auditor said.

In the years before the photo ID cards were introduced, health officials warned that some cards had fallen into the hands of Americans and other non-residents, with fraudulent use the most prevalent in

Ontario’s border communities.

The rate of conversions to photo ID health cards dropped off sharply -- by about 45 per cent -- when ServiceOntario took over responsibility for it from the Ministry of Health in 2008, the auditor said in a 2013 report.

That year, the Liberal government announced in its budget that it would invest $15 million over three years to expedite conversions and have them all completed by 2018.

At the time, about 800,000 people who still had with red-and-white cards had outdated addresses attached, and 144,000 had no address listed at all, meaning there was no way to determine if those card holders were Ontario residents, the auditor said. CP24

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Federal commissioner decries ‘erosion of language rights’ across Canada

THINKING OF SELLING OR BUYING A HOUSE Credit Valley Real Estate "INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED, BROKERAGE"

lodged last year came from the National Capital Region of Ottawa and Gatineau, where many federal government offices are located.

Surveys of public sector workers by the commissioner’s office showed that the satisfaction rate for francophone workers is “much lower” than that of English-speakers when it comes to the language of work, Theberge said.

Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Theberge responds to a question during a news conference in He believes Canadians are “much more Ottawa, Thursday May 9, 2019. THE aware of their language rights, and are CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld much more ready to say so.”

OTTAWA -- Canada’s official languages commissioner received 21 per cent more language complaints in 2018-2019 than the previous year, and the uproar over Premier Doug Ford’s cuts to French-language services in Ontario could be partly to blame, commissioner Raymond Theberge said Thursday.

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“It’s a reflection, I would say, of the events of the past year. It’s also a reflection of a situation that is not improving, but that, in my opinion, is getting worse,” he said.

The report tabled Thursday recommends that bilingual greetings such as “Hello! Bonjour!” should be the standard at airports, border crossings “Across the country, there has been an and Service Canada counters, and that erosion of language rights for a number full service should be available in both of years. I think the situation in Ontario English and French. has focused attention on this issue,” Theberge said as he tabled his annual Theberge noted the Official Languages Act already obliges federal institutions report in Ottawa. to offer service in both languages, but Almost half of the 1,087 complaints cont’d on pg. 13

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Province unveils plans to alter four big Toronto transit projects Premier Doug Ford has unveiled his vision for a transit plan that would introduce some major changes to several transit projects that are already underway in Toronto.

The plan would see the provincial government commit $11.2 billion to an overall plan that would cost $28.5 billion.

The announcement includes plans for the downtown relief line, the Scarborough subway extension, the Yonge North subway extension of Line 1, and the Eglinton West LRT project.

The provincial plan would rely heavily on further investment from the federal government, seeking up to 40 per cent of the cost from Ottawa. That 40 per cent stake would include

$4.8 billion in previous federal commitments to transit infrastructure in Toronto. The province is hoping that $2.25 billion of the extra $6.6 billion that it wants from Ottawa will come through the green infrastructure stream.

The plan would also rely on “significant investments” from the city of Toronto and York Region.

Wednesday’s announcement, saying he could not attend an announcement about an infrastructure project that he doesn’t know anything about.

Describing it as “fabulous” and “the best ever,” Ford said the new transit system would serve the GTA for the next 50 to 100 years and added that the province is able to build transit “faster, better, cheaper” than the city.

While the exact numbers have not yet been worked out, Ford said that discussions with the city have been positive so far.

“We’re going to get the largest system in Canada moving,” Ford said.

While the premier said that provincial and municipal officials have spent “hundreds” of hours discussing the plan, it’s not clear how much the city knows so far about what the province is asking. Mayor John Tory did not attend

Asked what he would do if the federal government does not come to the table with the funds, Ford said the province would be willing to foot the entire bill and said he’d be willing to stake his reputation on the plan.

“If need be, we’ll backstop it ourselves,” he said

will “invite the market” to offer cheaper technologies.

Major changes to relief line

The alignment is also different from what the city has planned so far. Current plans for the downtown relief line envision it running between Pape and Osgoode stations. According to the province, the Ontario Line would connect Ontario place downtown with the Ontario Science Centre near Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue , also connecting at East Harbour GO, Pape, Queen and Osgoode stations.

Some of the most drastic changes affect the planned downtown relief line.

The provincial plan would rename the relief line “The Ontario Line” and would change the project from a subway line that connects with the rest of the TTC system into a “free-standing transit artery.”

The province says that driverless trains, lighter, smaller and more frequent vehicles and elevated track portions could all be part of the new line.

While it appears that the technology for building the route has not yet been decided, the government says that it

The line would cost $10.9 billion and would have an estimated completion date of 2027.

The latest estimate for the city’s relief line plan is $7.2 billion. TTC staff have said that they were expecting more detailed design work for the line to be compete early next year, along with an updated cost estimate.

Scarborough extension

subway

The province also plans to spend $5.5 billion to build a three-stop subway extension in Scarborough instead of the planned one-stop extension.

“This one’s for you, Rob,” Premier Ford said in a nod to his late brother and former mayor Rob Ford, who championed the idea of building a subway in Scarborough.

The Scarborough extension, as envisioned by the province, would include stops at Lawrence East, Scarborough Town Centre and McCowan Road.

City council had previously considered building the threestop subway, but had rejected it over cost concerns.

The change would add $1.6 billion to the latest cost estimate for building the one-stop subway. Ford said Wednesday that the province is willing to pay the entire cost of the Scarborough extension if need be.

The estimated completion date for the project would be 2029-2030, according to the province.

Yonge North extension

Subway

Ford said the extension of Line 1 along Yonge Street from Finch Station to Richmond Hill Centre would be fast-tracked so that it is built concurrently with the Ontario Line.

Various levels of government have committed to eventually building the extension, but the TTC has said that it would not make sense to do so until there is a relief line, as the extension would likely add passengers to cont’d on pg. 10

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Ontario will cut government-run travel insurance program: minister Ontario is pushing ahead with a plan to eliminate basic out-of-country travel insurance, saying the program is very costly and does not provide value to taxpayers.

The insurance currently covers out-of-country inpatient services to a maximum of $400 per day for a higher level of care, and up to $50 per day for emergency outpatient services and doctor services.

public outreach effort will be needed to remind travellers to purchase health insurance before they leave the country.

“I think many people didn’t even know there was any level of coverage before,” she said. “But it is important and we will have a public campaign to advise people because we don’t want people to have that unfortunate shock if they have a health problem while out of country, to have those costs which can be quite extraordinarily high.”

Health Minister Christine Elliot announced the decision to scrap the program following a six- Opposition politicians day public consultation. have said ending the program will hurt The province spends $2.8 snowbirds and frequent million to administer travellers. approximately $9 million in claim payments NDP Leader Andrea through the program Horwath criticized the move, saying it was part every year. of the province’s larger “We know that is plan to reduce healthnot good value for care spending.

Ontarians,” Elliott said. “People should be Green party Leader Mike making their own plans Schreiner said people to obtain coverage, deserve to have health which can be obtained coverage wherever they quite inexpensively are, at home or travelling and provide them with abroad. full compensation if they sustain any health “Changes to the program problems while out of are essentially equivalent to taking away health the country.” insurance from people,” The change is expected to he said. come into effect Oct. 1.

The Canadian Snowbird Elliott said a broader Association urged the

government not to make the move and said it would not only impact the snowbird community who travel south during the winter months, but also cross-border shoppers and anyone planning a family vacation.

In her 2018 report, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk said the Ministry of Health processed an average of 88,000 out-ofcountry claims per year over a five year period and paid an average of $127 per claim.

Lysyk also noted the high administrative costs of the program, but said they arise because staff must check varying physician services fee rates and process claims manually. She recommended that the government seek ways to reduce administrative costs by adopting a single reimbursement rate for all health services obtained out-of-country.

She also recommended the government bolster efforts to inform Ontarians of the limit on reimbursement rates under the program and on the need to purchase private health insurance before travelling.

Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian Press

Ontario to expand use of mobile crisis teams to help first responders TORONTO - Ontario is planning to expand the use of mobile crisis intervention teams that help first responders, and increase mental health supports in schools.

Health Minister Christine Elliott highlighted an investment today of $174 million this year from her government’s recent budget for community mental health and addictions services, mental health

and justice services, supportive housing, and acute mental health inpatient beds.

Elliott says her vision is for integrated, wraparound mental health services, so people don’t have to be in crisis to find timely access to services.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says there have been some successful mobile crisis team pilot projects in smaller

Province unveils plans to alter four big Toronto transit projects cont’d from pg. 9

an already overwhelmed subway line.

Ford said the $5.6 billion project would only open after the proposed Ontario Line is built.

provincial changes. However Ford said Wednesday that none of that work will have been wasted.

“We’re going to utilize every bit of the planning,” he told reporters.

Eglinton Crosstown West The provincial plan would alter the planned Eglinton West LRT project so that the line is buried between Royal York Road and Martin Grove Road.

The project would cost $4.7 billion with an estimated completion date of 2031.

Province says it can build faster, cheaper According to background documents, provincial officials believe for several reasons that they are better positioned to deliver major transit infrastructure projects that the city is.

The province said that it would like to ultimately connect the line to the airport, but that part is not planned currently.

Those reasons include the ability to amortize costs over long periods, streamlining of permits and approvals, and the ability to relocate utilities where need be.

First part of subway upload coming this spring

“The mayor understands. He doesn’t have the funds,” Ford said.

The province also says that it will split a planned upload of the TTC subway system into two parts. The first part of the upload would give the province responsibility for building all new subway infrastructure. The province says legislation will be introduced this spring to make that happen.

He reiterated that while he thinks the TTC is good at operating subway systems, he doesn’t think it is good at building them.

Discussions would then continue with the city about the upload of existing subway infrastructure, with an aim of introducing legislation to do so sometime next year.

According to a recent report by city staff, the city has already spent roughly communities, so that $224 million over the past few years on model will be expanded. planning for priority transit projects.

Elliott says mental health It’s not clear how much of that planning is still relevant given the workers will be placed in secondary schools so youth can have access to early intervention.

“It’s not their fault. They just can’t get it done,” Ford said.

The province believes that it can deliver cheaper transit infrastructure more quickly by changing the delivery method from the tradition plan-bidbuild model. The province said it will seek public-private partnerships to try and build some of the new transit infrastructure.

Mayor John Tory is expected to comment on the provincial plan later this afternoon.

Joshua Freeman, CP24.com

PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS

The former Liberal government had promised in its last budget to give every high school mental health supports by 2020.

The Canadian Press

IS OUR BUSINESS. SO LET’S TALK CALL GHANAIAN NEWS 416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News April 2019

Feds propose making some employers offer menstrual products for free at work OTTAWA -- Workers in federally regulated workplaces may soon find free menstrual products under a government proposal made public Friday.

The government proposes to put menstrual products, such as tampons, in the same group of supplies employers must provide free, which includes toilet paper, soap, warm water, and a way to dry your hands.

“Having open and honest conversations around menstruation, and providing women and employees with the products they need, is part of our plan to ensure equality for women and support safe and healthy work environments,” Labour Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement.

There are also questions about how to provide products in trains and aircraft, for instance, where there may space limits or where workers share washrooms with the public.

The federal government removed the Goods and Services Tax from menstrual products in 2015, and other jurisdictions in Canada and the United States have followed suit.

The proposed rules would apply to the 1.2 million workers in the federal labour force, a group that includes banks, telecommunications and transport workers and makes up about six per cent of the nation’s workers.

At the same time, there has been a growing movement to provide free feminine hygiene products on campuses and in schools.

The cost of menstrual products varies significantly across the country. A 40-pack of tampons in Northern and remote communities can cost upwards of $15.

And affected workers bear that cost alone.

SIKAMAN-JOHNSON ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICE

A 2018 survey from Plan Canada International, cited in the government’s notice, suggested that one-third of women under age 25 found it difficult to afford menstrual products and further suggested that almost threequarters had missed work for reasons connected to menstruation -- because of, for instance, not having the supplies they needed when a period started unexpectedly.

The government isn’t sure yet exactly how the program will work: The notice made public Friday afternoon launches a 60-day consultation to figure out what products are needed and how to take into account the cost the move might have on businesses.

Of those workers, the rules would affect about 40 per cent of them, the government notice says -- or about 480,000 workers.

11

Starting in September, students in British Columbia’s New Westminster School Board will have access to free tampons and pads in their washrooms.

Earlier this year, Toronto city councillors decided to spend more than $222,000 to buy menstrual products and dispensers for city-run homeless shelters, drop-in and respite centres, as well as some neighbourhood community centres.

The Canadian Press

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

FOCUS “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Brookview MS, Toronto, Canada April 22 this year was celebrated the world over as Earth Day. The day was used to hype awareness on and the need to keep our environment clean. It also focused on bringing the citizens of the globe together to engage in public activities and programs that promote environmental cleanliness and support sustainability in economic development!

This year the Ontario Conference of the Seventhday Adventist Church in Canada organized its first ever Earth Day Summit on April 21, at the International Center in Mississauga, Ontario. The summit invited all physics and science buffs to join Dr. Jack Polihronov to test their knowledge on the 2nd law of thermodynamics and more. Very interesting! It was well attended by many, especially the youth.

This May, the EcoSchools Team (over 70 students) of the Brookvlew Middle School would be collaborating with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to do tree-planting (restoration) in the Black Creek Ravine in Toronto to mark Earth Day extended activity. Truly speaking, Earth Day should be everyday!

Ghanaians living in Toronto have already stolen the show as the leadership of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) in collaboration with the City of Toronto organized them for a massive cleanup of Chalkfarm Park in Toronto on May 4, 2019. The attendance at this cleanup campaign by the Ghanaian community in the Greater Toronto Area was huge!

It is sad to note that for 20 years now the world has failed in its attempts to create an effective international treaty on climate change mitigation. Hopefully, the challenge by concerned environmentalists to big countries like China, who are the worst polluters to lead in the crusade against climate change, will be taken seriously by all world leaders.

Over the years, physical development and human activities have posed a great danger to our environment.

Industrial pollution, deforestation, over population, unauthorized construction and dumping of waste in surface waters, to mention a few, has brought degradation to the environment threatening

it. How are we keeping our environment? I am proud to note here that the leadership of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) is mobilizing the Toronto Ghanaian community to do some public cleaning in some other parts of the city again in May this year in response to the City-wide “Clean Toronto Together” (Community Cleanup) campaign. our very existence on the planet earth.

Reports have it that at least 170 facilities that handle chemicals, including substances that are toxic or flammable, are scattered across Toronto. And that many of these facilities are close to schools, play grounds and some of the most heavily populated areas of the metropolitan.

Sadly, most residents have no idea what chemicals are being used in their neighborhoods or whether adequate precautions are being taken in case of emergency.

In Accra-Ghana, some developers have constructed unauthorized buildings in and across the drainage of the city. The result is the devastating loss of property and lives during heavy rainfall as the Accra becomes flooded.

The world’s human population was expected to have surpassed 6 billion in 1999. This will double by 2020 should the trend of population explosion continue. “The increasing population is placing a nonsustainable stress on the environment, as humans consume everincreasing quantities of food and water, use more and more energy and raw materials, and produce enormous amounts of waste and pollution,” says the 1997 World Population Report published by Saunders College.

The Amazon in South America and the equatorial forests of Africa are losing most of their flora and fauna species to deforestation.

Managing Our E n v i r o n m e n t : Cleanliness is next to godliness. I personally believe in this axiom.

How clean we keep our environment shows how responsible we are to the Creator-God! The Creator put man in the first environment on earththe Garden of Eden and instructed man to keep

As human settlements develop into cities like Accra in Ghana and Toronto in Canada, garbage disposal management becomes crucial. Such management if neglected or poorly handled leads to environmental hazard.

This is where recycling becomes important and the responsibility of all residents. I’m heartened to learn that as part of a plan to improve recycling rates at apartment building in Toronto, the City is making sure that all buildings receiving city garbage collection also receive recycling collection. The goal is to have all buildings on the program eventually.

Good for Toronto! I hope Accra learns from Toronto’s experience.

Another area is managing our air and water. We have to prevent or minimize air and water pollution.

Pollution is an unwanted change in the atmosphere, water or soil that can harm humans or other organisms.

Though many governments have made legislation/ regulations controlling pollution in their countries, we have an obligation as concerned citizens of the planet-earth wherever we are to be the watchdogs of the environment.

Let’s

Act

Now:

1. We have to join the largest climate petition to save our world. As voters, we must tell our local, national and international leaders to phase out carbon.

2. There is the crucial need for us to support environmental education wherever we are and of course, live by what we preach to other about keeping the environment healthy.

3. We must reduce our energy consumption and use clean energy.

Let’s keep our home-the Earth-safe to live in.

Truly, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”!

April 22 this year is celebrated the world over as Earth Day. The day is used to hype awareness on and the need to keep our environment clean. It also focuses on bringing the citizens of the globe together to engage in public activities and programs that promote environmental cleanliness and support sustainability in economic development!

This year the Ontario Conference of the Seventhday Adventist Church in Canada is organizing its first ever Earth Day Summit on April 21, at the International Center in Mississauga, Ontario.

The summit is calling all physics and science buffs to join Dr. Jack Polihronov to test their knowledge on the 2nd law of thermodynamics and more. Very interesting!

The following month, the EcoSchools Team (over 70 students) of the Brookvlew Middle School is collaborating with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to do treeplanting (restoration) in the Black Creek Ravine in Toronto to mark Earth Day extended activity.

Truly speaking, Earth Day should be everyday!

It is sad to note that for 20 years now the world has failed in its attempts to create an effective international treaty on climate change mitigation.

Hopefully, the US President Obama’s recent challenge to big countries like China, who are the worst polluters to lead in the crusade against climate change, will be taken seriously by all world leaders. Obama was speaking at the U.N. Climate Summit, a one-day meeting hosted by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and open to leaders of all 193 U.N. member states.

Over the years, physical development and human activities have posed a great danger to our environment.

Industrial pollution, deforestation, over population, unauthorized construction and dumping of waste in surface waters, to mention a few, has brought degradation to the environment threatening our very existence on the planet earth.

Reports have it that at least 170 facilities that handle chemicals, including substances that are toxic or flammable, are scattered across Toronto. And that many of these facilities are close to schools, play

grounds and some of the most heavily populated areas of the metropolitan.

Sadly, most residents have no idea what chemicals are being used in their neighborhoods or whether adequate precautions are being taken in case of emergency.

In Accra-Ghana, some developers have constructed unauthorized buildings in and across the drainage of the city. The result is the devastating loss of property and lives during heavy rainfall as the Accra becomes flooded.

The world’s human population was expected to have surpassed 6 billion in 1999. This will double by 2020 should the trend of population explosion continue. “The increasing population is placing a nonsustainable stress on the environment, as humans consume everincreasing quantities of food and water, use more and more energy and raw materials, and produce enormous amounts of waste and pollution,” says the 1997 World Population Report published by Saunders College.

The Amazon in South America and the equatorial forests of Africa are losing most of their flora and fauna species to deforestation.

Managing Our E n v i r o n m e n t : Cleanliness is next to godliness. I personally believe in this axiom.

How clean we keep our environment shows how responsible we are to the Creator-God! The Creator put man in the first environment on earththe Garden of Eden and instructed man to keep it.

How are we keeping our environment? I am proud to note here that the leadership of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) is mobilizing the Toronto Ghanaian community to do some public cleaning in some parts of the city on May 3, this year in response to the City-wide “Clean Toronto

Together” Cleanup)

(Community campaign.

As human settlements develop into cities like Accra in Ghana and Toronto in Canada, garbage disposal management becomes crucial. Such management if neglected or poorly handled leads to environmental hazard.

This is where recycling becomes important and the responsibility of all residents. I’m heartened to learn that as part of a plan to improve recycling rates at apartment building in Toronto, the City is making sure that all buildings receiving city garbage collection also receive recycling collection. The goal is to have all buildings on the program by the end of this year. Good for Toronto!

I hope Accra learns from Toronto’s experience.

Another area is managing our air and water. We have to prevent or minimize air and water pollution.

Pollution is an unwanted change in the atmosphere, water or soil that can harm humans or other organisms.

Though many governments have made legislation/ regulations controlling pollution in their countries, we have an obligation as concerned citizens of the planet-earth wherever we are to be the watchdogs of the environment.

Let’s

Act

Now:

1. We have to join the largest climate petition to save our world. As voters, we must tell our local, national and international leaders to phase out carbon.

2. There is the crucial need for us to support environmental education wherever we are and of course, live by what we preach to other about keeping the environment healthy.

3. We must reduce our energy consumption and use clean energy.

Let’s keep our home-the Earth-safe to live in.

Happy Earth Day to All!

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News April 2019

13

Three missing girls, a police chief and a big circus

By Edmund Agbeko, Toronto Nearly two-thirds of a year has passed since it was first reported that some unidentified persons had seized a young lady in Takoradi in exchange for a ransom. No sooner had the shocked inhabitants of the historic port city come to terms with the unusual disappearance, than they had to contend with more worrying news of the kidnapping of two teens by the same as yet unidentified clique.

It had been thought at the time, that this was an open and shut law and order situation, fitting perfectly into the purview of the Western Regional Police Command, who surely possess the know-how and capacity to unravel it within a reasonable time. Alas, the holders of that view were wrong.

Instead of a swift, laserguided resolution of the crime, we have been served a cocktail of inefficiency, insensitivity and an overall lack of appreciation of the enormity of the problem.

Three teenage girls belonging to three families have thus been held captive for the greater part of a year to the anguish and pain of their loved ones. A pronouncement that the Police have treated this matter with nonchalance would pass for the understatement of the year. After an inexplicable period of delay, a suspect in the shape of Nigerian, Samuel Udoetuk, was taken into custody to assist with investigations.

Udoetuk has, according to the same Police, done everything but assist them since his arrest.

He has reportedly only provided wrong leads on many occasions and sent them running in

kidnapped girls and was preparing to rescue them.

Approximately zero action has been seen in the intervening period, leaving many to wonder whether the CID Chief, was merely playing on the emotions of the girls’ families and that of the Ghanaian public. circles most of the time.

This only followed his re-arrest after escaping from Police custody under unexplained circumstances.

Days ago, a Takoradi Court sentenced him to a total of 36 months imprisonment on charges completely unrelated to the substantive case of the kidnapping of the three girls. The Police officers who were alleged to have aided his escape effort, are yet to face any disciplinary measure, or at least there is no word on that for now.

The dismal showing of the Western Regional Police prompted calls for intervention from higher levels of the Police Service. The Police Administration, in turn, responded by placing the case under the control of its elite investigative division, the Criminal Investigations Department.

If the CID’s takeover of the case had quickly instilled confidence in the public that the saga was near its end, that expectation has long given way to deep skepticism and doubt as more drama and less action has followed since. Barely a month ago, COP Tiwaa Addo Danquah, Director General of the Police CID, whose meteoric rise through the Police hierarchy has raised a few eyebrows, boldly declared that her outfit had zeroed in on the whereabouts of the

The question has inevitably arisen as to why a senior Police officer of Mrs. Addo Danquah’s standing, would speak so clearly on a matter and yet fail to deliver so spectacularly?

The drama surrounding this case took yet another turn, when the Daily Guide newspaper published, that the girls had in fact been rescued and kept safely at an undisclosed medical facility for treatment.

The proximity of the Kokomlemle-based daily to the corridors of power would have convinced many a skeptic that it was on to something.

The Police, however, moved to disperse any semblance of hope that could be invested in that bit of news, when they issued a statement distancing themselves from any such rescue.

There was, of course, no word on whether they still had the girls in their line of sight and were in the know about their location.

Having to endure yet another round of rollercoaster emotion proved too much for the family of the unfortunate girls to bear. They descended on the Police headquarters last week, demanding answers to the many nagging questions surrounding this case. Beyond lame assurances of efforts to retrieve the girls, no concrete outcome could emanate from the end of the Police.

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The problem with this index case is not so much the length of time it is taking to unravel, as it is about the seeming ineptitude that has attended its handling.

In the period following the abduction of Ruth Love Quayson, Priscilla Blessing Bentum and Priscilla Mantebea Korankye, there has been something of an explosion in kidnapping cases with three of such cases cracked within a space of a month alone by the police including one involving an Indian businessman in Kumasi only last week.

The same Police Service that has acted with dispatch and achieved success in recent cases appears unwilling to attach similar importance to this one which predates them all. It is known that every case is different even if parallels can be drawn in some instances. A cold case spanning many years may be deeply troubling for affected parties, but it is not unusual.

The real agony here lies in the feet dragging, false hopes, misleading claims and unprofessionalism that is written all over the Takoradi case. The Ghana Police Service

remains our best hope for the maintenance of law and order and deserves our support.

That support is not to be taken for granted as it must be earned through measurable performance and a clear appreciation of their brief.

These key ingredients have been missing in the case of the Takoradi girls and public confidence is fast waning in their ability or willingness to solve it. It would help if they considered the suffering and pain of the victims’ families as well as the disappointment they feel and act in a way that gives real assurance to these families that their very best personnel and resources have been deployed to find the girls.

The families await news of the rescue of the girls with bated breath, but until that news filters in, they ought to be treated with respect and sensitivity. Updates on progress made in the case must reach them in a timely manner, in so far as it does not compromise the safety of the girls or undermine any operation that may be mounted to achieve same.

Strangely, Popular Prophet, Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word and Power Ministry International, says he knows the whereabouts of the three kidnapped girls in Takoradi in the Western region. Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah said he would only disclose the whereabouts of the girls if he is invited and forced by President Nana Akufo-Addo to disclose it.

“I know the whereabouts of the girls. If you dare me, just allow the President to call on me and ask me about their whereabouts and I will gladly tell him with the help of a police officer.

Some things are not only papers and writing but spiritual,” he said on Neat FM. The plight of the girls and the anxiety of their families must not become the subject of Police PR spectacles that yield no tangible results. This is the least that can be demanded of an institution in whose hands we have placed our peace and security.

At the moment, they are making heavy weather of the situation.

Federal commissioner decries ‘erosion of language rights’ across Canada cont’d from pg. 8 the rules are applied inconsistently.

Theberge suggested new regulations should be brought in to clarify the expectations.

Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer have also both committed to move ahead with modernizing the Act, Theberge said.

The report concluded that when Canadians are greeted in both languages, they respond in the language of their choice 80 per cent of the time -- a number that drops significantly if only one language is used.

Joly said Thursday that revamping language legislation has been partly motivated by fears over the decline of French communities outside Quebec.

In order to fix what he called “systemic” problems, Theberge called for the Official Languages Act to be fully modernized by 2021 in order to make it more “current, dynamic and robust.” In particular, the revamped legislation should have greater powers to impose sanctions when the rules aren’t respected, he said.

Official Languages Minister Melanie Joly has already announced that a series of consultations will be held aimed at updating the law. Prime Minister

“The danger of assimilation is real, it is present, and it’s what motivates us to be sure we can modernize the Official Languages Act, because while the population is increasing, the proportion of French speakers is decreasing,” she said.

Bloc Quebecois MP Mario Beaulieu, however, said merely updating the law wouldn’t suffice. He instead suggested fully changing the legislation, as well as allocating more resources to areas where there’s currently a “critical mass” of francophones.

PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS. SO LET’S TALK CALL GHANAIAN NEWS 416-916-3700

14

The Ghanaian News April 2019

The demise of public education in Ghana: Double Track or Double Tragedy - Part 2

By Thaddeus P. Ulzen MD There is general agreement on the curriculum for the presecondary years but even then there are some glaring deficits.

One glaring deficit, being that history is not taught in junior secondary school. Children who do not have a sense of their own history cannot develop a national identity and cannot engage effectively in a global society. In senior secondary school, history is still an elective subject, so Ghanaian children’s knowledge oftheir own history in relation to world history is completely absent for most in this education system.

Furthermore, international evidence suggests that the “quality of secondary education, especially in math and science, has a stronger impact on economic growth than years of schooling.

Equitable access to secondary education for poor students, and especially girls is an additional factor enhancing countries’ economic growth performance”.

However, only about 25% of SSS have an appropriate math and science curriculum. As a result graduation rates from tertiary institutions in math and science barely hits the 10% mark.

Graduates of Ghanaian secondary schools from the 60s and early 70s excelled on international standardized examinations in both the US and the UK, often receiving advanced placement in many elite universities.

They were sought after in both undergraduate and post graduate programs because of the quality of the product of the education system embodied by these young graduates. In the US, many were routinely exempted from English Proficiency examinations. From the 1980s to the present, our students have lost their place of pride around the world and many are barely able to qualify for community colleges in United States after graduating from Ghanaian universities. Their predecessors easily made it into the most competitive Ivy League schools after Ghanaian secondary education from the 60s and 70s.

Faculty of Ghanaian universities attest to the fact that new students now routinely have to complete remedial courses on admission for readiness for the university curriculum. The effects of the drastic reduction in the number of years in pre-university education are quite obvious and educators should be left to make the necessary changes to achieve the identified and agreed-upon objectives of the system. This is not a matter for politicians. Years of political interference have essentially

individual variations in aptitude of students, psychosocial stressors etc. which may cause a student to need more time to graduate.

destroyed the system and greatly endanger the future of development of the country, as most of the products of the system are unemployable.

In attempting to address problems of access, which is only one dimension of the difficulties in the system, the current NPP government has introduced a double track system which further reduces the number of hours and days of direct student teacher contact. This double track system is really a double tragedy system. In addition to the reduced didactic hours, the period that students spend when they are off track is also grossly underutilized.

Structured community education on the “off” periods could include subjects in the humanities such as creative arts, history, music, literature and even Information and communications Technologies (ICT). The prospect of many adolescents having so much unstructured time between Green and Gold tracks, only increases the risk of such social ills as increased delinquent behavior and teenage pregnancies. The social costs of this hurriedly implemented policy are yet to bear fruit. This is a kneejerk response to a complex and multi-faceted problem which is a core driver of our continued underdevelopment.

As a comparison, in Canada and the US, in the ninth year of basic education students arrive at secondary school and have 4 or more years of formal curricular education ahead of them. In the ninth year of basic education Ghanaian students would have completed junior high school, with only 3 years between them and university and no alternative pathways for other career options.

In Canada the four-year high school student who is unable to achieve enough in four years, can take an optional fifth year.

In the United States similarly, such a student can enroll in a junior college and remediate to obtain a General Education Diploma (GED) certificate.

There must be flexibility in the system, recognizing different school standards,

The recent World Bank Human Development Index (HDI) assessment of our students is a clear indictment of our education system.

We ranked 116th out of 157 countries in education. On the UNESCO Education for All Development Index, Ghana ranked 97 out of 120. For math and science education our ranking was 90 out of 137 and trending downwards. This is nothing less than dangerous for the future of the country.

Most educators use a version of Bloom’s Taxonomy which outlines progression from “remembering, understanding, application, analysis, evaluation to creativity” in the outlining the goals of the learning experience in an educational system. Our system produces graduates who show little critical thinking and generic problemsolving abilities and sadly the dearth of critical thinking abounds in our national discourse. We do not analyze facts or respect data, we make major decisions fueled by emotions, with deadly results around us in all spheres of life.

We have at least two lost generations of youth to a disintegrating education system and its impact on our daily lives is pervasive.

These range from associated poor health literacy and preventable causes of morbidity and mortality, to a minimal understanding of environmental sciences and our unsolved and growing sanitation crisis in the country.

Using Bloom’s Taxonomy as a guide, a significant number of students completing SSS barely achieve any of the

markers of critical thinking and analysis. Any employer in Ghana is also familiar with the singular lack of ethics, poor listening skills, inability to follow instructions accurately, indiscipline and the absence of team-centeredness in many employees. We all know how hard it is to find ethical, disciplined and professional workers for the many projects that are part of our rapidly growing economy. The economy is growing rapidly but economic development is not occurring at a commensurate pace, largely because of a poorly educated and poorly skilled work force. Many are simply unemployable in an economic transformation dependent on translatable skills from an education system that must be STEM focused.

The country is at a point where because of the lost generations, a significant revamp of our adult education programs by our leading universities is necessary to provide enriched education to adults outside the workforce, to make them employable. The $1m per district program touted by the present government, should be applied to human capital development in conjunction with input from the captains of industry at the local/district level.

Joint government and industry funded workbased skills development and education is necessary to sadly bring us to the education and labor metrics of the pre-1966 era. This is truly a national emergency.

Some of the aspects of the education include trained teachers at the kindergarten level, where until recently only 25% of teachers were qualified.

Exposure to science, math and information technology at the pre-school level is key to developing young minds in a functional way.

At this point, an investment

in access and quality yields the greatest long-term return.

Also, much lip service has been paid to vocational/ technological pursuits.

These professional and skills development programs are capital and resource intensive.

No government since that first republic has made the necessary investment.

Finally, though the Young Pioneers Movement was vilified after the 1966 coup, for many unfounded reasons, one must remember that patriotism, the African identity and broad social discipline, which were the fundamentals, do not meet young Ghanaians along their developmental journey these days. That is partly why there is so much lawlessness in all spheres of life. There are no secular institutions for the development of social discipline. No Boy Scouts, Girl Guides or Ghanaian equivalent of same. This lawlessness has now been validated by the two major political parties in the form of vigilante groups and threatens to grossly undermine democratic and electoral institutions in the country.

We have not stood still after February 1966, we have lost ground. A lot of it.

How the country utilizes knowledge and experiences from these repeated educational reforms outside the political lens, will determine the extent to which education and economic development will interact to achieve Ghana’s goal to become a middle level income country by 2020.

We are well off that target.

T. P. Manus Ulzen is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Alabama and Author of Java Hill: An African Journey – A historiography of Ghana tulzen@yahoo.com w w w. j a v a h i l l e l m i n a . w o r d p r e s s . c o m Twitter: @thaddeusulzen www.javahillelmina.com

The Ghanaian News April 2019

Otumfuo, Thomas Mensah to build Ghana’s first Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Kumasi

By Emmanuel Ayamga

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has entered into a partnership with world renowned inventor Dr. Thomas Mensah to construct the first Airport Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Ghana.

Pulse Ghana Otumfuo, Thomas Mensah to build Ghana’s first Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Kumasi

Forum” organised in Kumasi as part of the Asantehene’s 20th Anniversary.

“The Airport Aircraft Management facility MRO, which will be the first in Ghana will be located in Kumasi.

It will be built on land donated by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,” he said, as quoted by Citinewsroom.com.

The project is estimated at $400 million, while the Asantehene has also agreed to donate a land for its construction.

“We have already raised the moneyso we have it already. This is going to be an anchor for an Airport city that will bring development to Kumasi and entire West Africa.”

Speaking to Accra-based Citi FM, Dr. Mensah said funds have already been secured for the construction of the mega facility.

Dr. Mensah said the Aircraft Maintenance Facility will benefit both local and international airlines when constructed.

He further disclosed that the facility will be constructed at Kaase, located in Kumasi in the Ashanti region.

According to him, it will the base where aircrafts are thoroughly checked by engineers before they take-off.

The Ghanaian-American inventor, who is the creator of Silicon Valley of Ghana, added that the Aircraft Maintenance Facility will built on an 23,000-acre land.

Dr. Mensah revealed this following the “World Meets-In Ghana Investment

“All people in West Africa will fly in here and they will be and put into the Aircraft Maintenance facility.

Engineers from KNUST will come in, look at all the systems and instrument and change those that are bad before the Aircraft takes off. This will be for all airlines including the international ones,” Dr. Mensah added. Pulse Ghana

USA and Ghana inaugurate New Women’s Cancer Center Unit at HopeXchange Medical Center The HopeXchange Medical Center is a modern specialist hospital, research center, and medical training facility On May 6, U.S. Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan visited the HopeXchange Medical Center to launch the new Women’s Cancer Center, including a new Clinical Pathology Laboratory and Surgical Suite, which were largely funded by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The HopeXchange Medical Center is a modern specialist hospital, research center, and medical training facility. It was specifically designed to serve as a regional hub for medical training, research, and patient care to address public health priorities in subSaharan Africa, with particular expertise in maternal-child health, infectious diseases (including HIV and malaria), ophthalmology, and cancer. The Center is a unique broadly collaborative effort among the United States Government, Ghana’s Ministry of

Health, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Mission Foundation of Malta, the Catholic Church of Ghana, Yale University, H o p e X c h a n g e Foundation, NGOs, and some of the world’s foremost academic and medical institutions from around the globe.

In her remarks, Ambassador Sullivan lauded the combined efforts of all partners in successfully launching the new Center. She said, “Deaths from breast and cervical cancers can be avoided if the disease is caught early.

HopeXchange will improve early screening through communitybased advocacy programs that raise public awareness, reduce stigma, and empower women and girls to seek preventative and curative cancer care [and] I am confident that by working hand-in-hand with the Government of Ghana, leading universities, the private sector, and communities, together we will continue to make

a difference in saving women’s lives and chart a bright and healthy future for all Ghanaians.”

In his remarks, HopeXchange President Mario Cappello stated, “The dream of providing world class healthcare in breast and cervical cancer to the poor and needy in Ghana is being realized through the generous support of the United States of America through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).”

Through communitybased screening, HopeXchange will support women to detect cancer early, when it can still be treated and cured. Research programs will seek to define cancer incidence in the Ashanti region and establish appropriate screening methods to improve outcomes.

15

UK is committed to ensure everyone is equal, safe and empowered: Speech by Enyonam Azumah Department for International Development (DFID) Ghana’s Deputy Social Sectors Team Lead, Enyonam Azumah, delivered a speech at the National Stakeholders Dissemination Event

By Enyonam Azumah

It’s an honour to be here today to speak on behalf of DFID - at this important dissemination event of the What Works research and COMBAT intervention.

and psychosocial wellbeing of all people with high rates of depression among victims being linked with observing IPV and or experiencing violence in childhood.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) occurs in all parts of the world and in all societies and remains one of the most systematic widespread human rights violations worldwide. 1 in 3 women has suffered violence in her lifetime with abusers generally being members of the family. Women are predominantly victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) at a rate of around 5 times more than males. For children exposed to IPV, the long-term health and social consequences are similar to those of child abuse and neglect.

DFID is proud to be a global leader in efforts to eradicate violence against women and girls in all its forms.

Eradicating VAWG is a key pillar in our new Strategic Vision on Gender Equality and the FCO’s Special Envoy for Gender Equality has made a commitment to ensure a foreign policy that focuses on 3 themes to achieve gender equality – Equal, Safe and Empowered. Our work typically provides support to women’s rights organisations; tackles the attitudes that normalise violent behaviour; gets comprehensive services to survivors; ensures that national legislation and policies are in place and implemented and ensures that we conduct rigorous research to produce evidence on What Works to prevent VAWG.

DFID’s new Strategy on Disability Inclusion Development places a greater focus on mental health and psychosocial support. We recognise Distributed by APO that exposure to all forms Group on behalf of of conflict, violence and Embassy of the United States - Accra - Ghana. insecurity more broadly can have a major impact on the mental health

The objective of this forum is to share DFID-funded research, evidence and best practices on preventing domestic violence. The ‘What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’ programme is a flagship programme from the UK Department for International Development (DFID), which is investing an unprecedented £25 million over five years to the prevention of violence against women and girls supporting primary prevention efforts across Africa and Asia.

Component Three of the Economic and Social Costs of Violence against Women and Girls is a 3-year multi-country project that estimates the costs of VAWG, both social and economic, to individuals and households, businesses and communities in Ghana. Today, ISSER will present findings from a survey conducted among businesses in Kumasi and Accra revealing how domestic violence impacts businesses in Ghana.

The findings show that domestic violence has ripple effects throughout the community and is not contained within the four walls of the home.

No such analysis has previously been carried out in Ghana, or indeed elsewhere in West Africa.

The impact of the Ghana study may be significant in breaking new ground in understanding the impact of VAWG eg. on the physical and mental health of individuals, community cohesion, economic stability and development in order to provide further evidence for Government to accelerate efforts to address VAWG.

Ladies and gentlemen, Our commitment to ensure everyone is Equal, Safe and Empowered aligns with His Excellency the President’s vision to create a Ghana where all citizens are able to actively participate and contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country to create a selfreliant and prosperous Ghana Beyond Aid. It is crucial that we act together to stop IPV: women, men, youth, teachers, political leaders, government ministries (health, education, gender and finance), traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, international, multilateral organisations, academia, grassroots organisations and the media – in a coordinated, multiactor and multi-sectoral approach if we are to meet the Goal 5 of the SDGs by 2030.

In conclusion, failure to eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls constitutes a drag on the national economy and on inclusive human development. There is thus strong incentive for investment by the government and other stakeholders to address VAWG as the cost of inaction may be significant. Finally, I’d like to applaud ISSER for their hard work and expertise in developing the research and intervention. I’d like to thank the Minister of Gender and the Government of Ghana for their leadership and look forward to working together, in partnership, to build a safer, healthier and more prosperous Ghana for all ensuring, above all, that we reduce gender inequality and eliminate violence against women and girls in Ghana.

APO Group on behalf of Department for International Development (DFID).

16

The Ghanaian News April 2019

IMMIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES By: James A. Kwaateng, B.A. (Hons), LLB (Hons)

Basic changes to the process and rules for sponsoring parents and grandparents It is permissible for a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada and a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act to sponsor his or her own parents and grandparents related by blood or adoption.

changed. Under the current system, the first step to sponsor your parents or grandparents is to fill out an interest to sponsor form. This form is available at the beginning of the year for only a limited time after which submission of the form will be closed.

In a situation where the parent or grandparent is divorced or separated, one can include the spouse or commonlaw partner of the parent or grandparent as a dependent relative.

Regarding siblings, only sponsor’s brothers and sisters or half brothers and sisters who qualify as dependent children of the parent or grandparent can be included in the Application.

At the second stage, Immigration will invite potential sponsors to submit a complete application. It is at this time that you complete an application package, pay the necessary fees and submit the application.

The complete application should get to Immigration within 60 days of receiving the invitation.

Like all forms of immigration sponsorships, apart from status in Canada, other conditions of eligibility exist. A sponsor must provide a proof of income to demonstrate capability to support the persons being sponsored.

And among other things,

the sponsor must not be in jail, prison or penitentiary; must not have defaulted in payment of immigration loan, a performance bond or court-ordered support payments; must not have defaulted in any sponsorship agreement; must not be an undischarged bankrupt; must not be receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability; must not have been convicted of a violent criminal offence or any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada; and must not be under a removal order.

The process of sponsoring parents and grandparents has

The current minimum necessary income for sponsoring parents and grandparents is the existing Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) amount plus 30 percent of it. The period for demonstrating the minimum necessary income has extended from one year to three years. Thus, sponsors will be required to

demonstrate that they meet the new income threshold for the three consecutive tax years prior to submitting the sponsorship application.

This, as opposed to 12 months that used to be the case, will assure the Government that sponsors have income stability and the financial means to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored parents and grandparents.

This assurance is further enhanced by the fact that under the new plan, evidence of income for eligibility purposes is confined to Canada Revenue Agency notices of assessment.

The sponsorship undertaking period for parents and grandparents has been extended from 10 to 20 years. This means sponsors and cosigners (if applicable) will be responsible for repaying any supplementary health care costs or provincial social assistance benefits paid to the parent and grandparent and their accompanying

family members within sponsorship validity period of 20 years, and not 10 years.

While the foregoing measures do not benefit the sponsor and the sponsored relative, it is presumed the lengthened sponsorship undertaking will protect Canadian taxpayers by compelling the sponsors to shoulder financial responsibilities associated with the care and upkeep of their sponsored aged parents and grandparents and their accompanying dependent children.

Notwithstanding the increasingly tough process and measures being adopted in respect of such applications, the Government still places a cap on acceptance of new applications for sponsorships of parents and grandparents. The newly-adopted tough measures however do not seem to have had the dissuasive effect the policy makers might have anticipated.

Children and grandchildren still

struggle to sponsor their parents and grandparents in large numbers. They rush to submit their sponsorship applications in the very early days of January of each year to bring their applications within the range of acceptable sponsorships.

Sponsorships of parents and grandparents are becoming increasingly complex due to the ongoing changes to the process, laws and regulations.

Contact immigration law professionals for advice and assistance whenever you deem it necessary.

James A. Kwaateng, is an Immigration Law practitioner with offices located at 168A Oakdale Road, Suite 4, Toronto, Ontario. For thorough discussion of your immigration and related social and legal issues, contact him at telephone number (416) 743-2758.

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

17

Teach Your Kids Financial Responsibility

BY AJAY OBEROI

important as understanding the need of oxygen.

“You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.” – Dave Ramsey Effective money management can be a key to a fulfilling life. To understand the value of money and to know better about its right use is as

It’s important for everyone to manage their money wisely and control the expenses in order to avoid a situation where they find themselves under the immense burden of debts. Financial responsibility and money management are some important things that everyone should be aware of.

As we grow older, we learn more and more about the value of money. Indeed, life has its own way of teaching.

However, kids in today’s times,lack the knowledge of money management.

Although they are well capable of spending money online on various games and apps, they still lack a sense of financial responsibility.

Therefore, it’s the duty of the parents to provide awareness to their children regarding financial responsibility and teach adequate money management. The appetite for money management from early age is important because kids will then know how to spend their money wisely in college or their whole life, for that matter.

Here are some ways in which parents can teach financial responsibility to their children.

Be an inspiration Kids learn what they see. Their parents are the best source of learning for them. Set an example yourself and ensure

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Ask for their opinion as they grow up We all plan monthly budgets.

It’s what makes us live through the month without having to worry about the issue of money a week prior to your payday. When your kids are well capable of understanding the basics of money management, involve them in home budgeting. Ask them what they think needs investment and what does not.

Ask Yourself?

Teach them lessons through their pocket money

Are you using your Overdraft all the time?

Are creditors constantly Threatening & Harassing you at home or at work?

Are you struggling to pay your Rent, Mortgage or Car Payment?

Are your financial difficulties the cause of your Marriage or Health Problems?

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Discuss normal house finances with them Casually discuss with your kids about the things at your house that require money to stay the way they are. Let them know that the TV, electricity, gas and even internet that they use come from money.

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Allow your kids to set a budget for themselves in the form of pocket money. Teach them how they can better spend that money and also give them space and freedom to evaluate their understanding of money management.

Teach them the importance of savings An important part of money management is savings. Tell your kids how important it is to save money for the time of need and how they can do it. Subtly let them know how you incorporate saving in your lifestyle.

Teaching kids financial responsibility is like planting a tree. If they learn about money management at an early age, it is going to benefit them and the people depending on them for life. However, be subtle with your approach. Kids should see money as an important thing, but not the only thing in the world.In case if you want any help regarding debts call 416 650 5200 or visit www. gtacredit.com

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

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RAMESH SANGHA, Member of Parliament Brampton Centre

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Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

BUDGET 2019 HIGHLIGHTSCommitment to Canadian Middle Class: • Our Government will be providing support to Canadians buy their first home with the new First Time Homebuyer Incentive.

• Investing in Workers and introducing the new Canada Training Benefit to help working Canadians find the time and money to progress in their careers.

• Also Implementing National Pharmacare- the key objective for National Pharmacare is to lowering drug costs and improving drug coverage.

• Government has taken concrete steps to improve Canadians retirement security by enhancing the Canada Pension Plan, which will raise the Max CPP retirement benefit by up to 50 per cent over time.

Constituency Office Ottawa Office Room 361 100 Kennedy Road S, Brampton, Ontario, L6W 3E7 Confederation Building Tel: 905-790-9211 Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Fax: 905-790-9507 Tel: 613-992-9105/Fax:613-947-0443

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

The Ghanaian News April 2019

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) Commemorates World Press Freedom Day

Prof. Nick Demos Guest Speaker

From left: Tomy Ruprecht, Tom Saras and Jim Karygiannis

Some VIPs with some Ethnic Press members

Tom Saras (2nd right), Rosemary Sadlier (3rd right) Soo Wong and other guests Some VIPs, Ethnic Press members and some guests cont’d from pg. 1 Hon. Tony Ruprecht, the MC for the event welcomed all and VIPS after which he called on Vanessa Wheatle to sing the Canadian National anthem followed by a minute observation of silence for fallen media colleagues.Mr. Thomas Saras, President and CEO of NEPMCC in his welcome address stated that we, the Ethnic Media practitioners gathered at the event are not celebrating tonight but rather mourning for our brothers and sisters, 285 in total who are in jail all over the world.

Their crime, he added, was to write articles criticizing their respective governments.

He also asked for remembrance for the over 187 journalists who lost their lives in 2018 in the course of their duties.

Mr. Saras also said that we are gathered here to pay our respect and show solidarity with international journalists who have faced arbitrary arrests, equipment seizures, harassment and violence at the hands of multiple groups including state security forces and protesters. He continued that according to the report of Committee for the Protection of Journalists based in New York, a total of five journalists have been killed this year (including Ahmed HusseinSuale Divela of Ghana who was murdered on January 16, 2019). Venezuela and Turkey are the worst jailers of journalists, Mr. Saras added. He therefore emphasized that the NEPMCC today stands in solidarity with our colleagues and demand that our government, the Canadian government, takes action to ensure the well-being of these hard working and innocent colleagues.

He ended by stressing the point that we must all remember that when journalists are silenced, the society and democracy suffers.

The Keynote Speaker for the occasion was Prof. Nick Demos of Ryerson University and Seneca College, Toronto. In his speech, Prof. Demos pointed out that the existence of a free press in society is good for the health of democracy. If democracy is to thrive in a society, the press must enjoy complete freedom to investigate and report the truth about happenings in

society. “A free Press:, he opined, “is the ability to hold governments and those in power accountable”. A free press keeps governments in the know about the issues and problems of the people. “Censoring the Press”, he continued, “is therefore a suppression of the voice of the people”.

Turning his attention to Media practitioners, Prof. Demos insisted that “freedom of the Press comes with greater responsibility and accountability”. The media, he said “must use its power to investigate issues to come up with the truth and not be part of the process to suppress the truth.

Prof. Demos enumerated a number of challenges that the press and society face in today’s society. He pointed out that the media has in some cases been compromised by autocrats and dictators who constantly attack the press and attempt to curtail its freedom. He also pointed to a lack of “quality control” currently existing in the media landscape because of the proliferation of media outlets including the social media. These include facebook and the issue of internet anonymity.

Special interest groups, especially business magnates and powerful groups in society are constantly attempting and seeking to control the media. He concluded by urging media practitioners to be fearless and always strive to unearth the truth.

Greetings from the Ontario Government were presented by MPPs Aris Babikian (also a journalist and member of NEPMCC) and Roban Baber. Some of the speakers at the event were Councilor Jim Karygiannis, Joe Volpe, Senior Vice-President, Press and Electronic Media and publisher of Corriere Canadese, George Carothers of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

In attendance were Consul Generals from Romania and Germany and others, as well as Canadian Association of Equality representative, some MPPs and City Councilors. There was entertainment and refreshments after the speeches. Certificates from the Ontario Government and City of Toronto were received by Thomas Saras on behalf of NEPMCC.

The Ghanaian News April 2019

SIM swap fraud: A New Wave of Attacks Targeting Financial Services and online services in Africa In South Africa this type of fraud more than double in the last year, according a report of South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) During Kaspersky Lab’s (www.

Kaspersky.co.za) annual Cyber Security Weekend that took place in Cape Town, South Africa, Kaspersky Lab experts discussed the wide spread growth of mobile payments across the globe and the many cyber risks that surround such technology. Especially the recent SIM swap fraud wave, which have become very common in Africa and the wider region. In South Africa this type of fraud more than double in the last year, according a report (https://bit. ly/300GGac) of South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC).

A SIM swap fraud happens when someone convinces your carrier to switch your phone number over to a SIM card that a criminal possesses.

In some cases, there are carrier’s employees working together with criminals. By diverting your incoming SMS messages, scammers can easily complete the text-based two-factor authentication checks that protect your most sensitive accounts in financial services, social networks, webmail services and instant messengers.

Frauds using SIM swap are becoming common in Africa and Middle East, affecting countries like South Africa, Turkey and UAE. Countries like Mozambique have experienced this firsthand. The implemented solution, by banks and mobile operators in Mozambique, as a result, is something I believe we must learn from and encourage other regions to investigate and apply, among other aspects, to mobile payment methods of the future – as a way to ensure that mobile phones do not become an enemy in our pockets,” said Fabio Assolini, Senior Security Researcher of Kaspersky Lab. The total money lost in the attacks varies by country: there are extreme cases, such as one in the United Arab Emirates, where one victim lost $ 1 million (https://bit.ly/2Yae6l0), while in South Africa one victim reported losing $ 20,000. “In average fraudsters can steal $2,500 to $3,000 per victim, while the cost to perform the SIM swap starts with $10 to $40,” conclude Assolini.

In order to protect the growing mobile digital life and payment Many African countries are suited methods, Kaspersky Lab recommends to mobile payment methods. In fact, the following key considerations: research (https://bit.ly/2xNoHrp) notes that at the end of 2017, there were 135 Voice and SMS methods avoided live mobile money services across as authentication methods for the Sub-Saharan African region, with payments - OTPs in mobile 122 million active accounts. While apps like Google Authenticator payment methods through mobiles or the use of physical tokens offer a convenience that is hard to should be used. debate, Kaspersky Lab research shows that mobile payments and the banking Biometrics - there is no better system are suffering a wave of attack authentication than that of a – mostly powered by SIM swap fraud physical characteristic. Voice - and people are losing their money authentication is an option that as a result. This type of attack is can be investigated further. used to not only steal credentials and capture one-time passwords (OTPs) An automated ‘Your number will sent via an SMS, but also to cause be deactivated’ message – to financial damage to victims, resetting be shared upon SIM swap the accounts on financial services, request. This will support the allowing to the fraudsters access to user to report the activity, if it currency accounts not only in banks is not legitimate, faster. but also in fintechs and credit unions.

Fraudsters are also using it as way to Activate 2FA on WhatsApp – in an steal money using WhatsApp, loading attempt to minimize WhatsApp the messages in a new phone, contacting hijacking, activating Twothe victim’s contacts asking for money, factor authentication (https:// simulating an emergency situation. bit.ly/2vihws7) using a sixdigit PIN on your device is “Despite financial inclusion services critical. This supports the user prospering, the flip side to this is that in having an additional layer it opens up a world of opportunities to of security on the device. cybercriminals and fraudsters who are using the convenience a mobile phone Distributed by APO Group on behalf of offers to exploit and poke holes in a Kaspersky. two-factor authentication processes.

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

African Caribbean Groceries Inc 63 Dundas West, Mississauga, Ont

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

The Montreal Enslaved Woman - Angelique

By Rosemary Sadlier OOnt

Imagine finding yourself in Montreal - a Black woman needing to work, trying to work with the cards that have been dealt to you.

At every turn, you find you are dealing with issues related to being a woman, and a Black woman and you find you are unable to have your truths heard even though you offer them clearly and repeatedly. You experience workplace harassment, sexual exploitation, unfair treatment due to racist views. You try to find community with others who are also of African origin but you still yearn for something deep in your soul, deep in your memory. A freedom that you do not have and may only find by leaving whether that is moving away, or, in the ultimate freedom of earthly concerns, in death.

This is the story of MarieJosèphe Angélique, the enslaved African woman from a Portuguese colony, purchased to work in the home of a Montreal businessman and his wife. Or, is this the story of Lorena Gale, the African Canadian woman who crafted this play? The realties for Canadians of African origin whether framed in 1734 or 2019 will appear to be familiar to Black Canadians and likely not as clear for those who feel this is a post-racial society.

In the same space, in our own time, we experience many things differently because of our “otherness”. That otherness was connected to the reality that during

the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, Black men, women and children were regarded as commodities not as people. Our story is not forgotten - it is not told.

The play is not meant to be a history lesson, despite quotes from the trial of Angelique, but rather it is an exploration of the ongoing search for freedom and equality, of identity and belonging, of the gulf that separates and the bridges that need to be built to ensure that we all can experience the same Montreal, or whatever space we occupy. It is about making visible our presence, our experience, our reality.

Not much exists about Angelique to tell us what her life was like, almost as if she was not ‘here’.

Not much exists about the many who were here before her and the many who have come afterwards because we in Canada still do not have a educational system that requires this history, that Black history, needs to be told.

Gale herself regarded slavery as being demeaning and inhuman.

She felt that “Slavery is not Black history; it is Canada’s history”.

Having cousins who were raised in Montreal, like Gale, I had heard about their experiences, their stories and I knew about mine. Was it Gale’s own lived experience of being visible yet invisible in the city of Montreal that we see woven through the play?

When a 1734 character, César, says, ‘they are all

Stop the presses: Canadian newspaper readership at an all-time high Seventh annual Newspapers 24/7 Report confirms that 88% of Canadians read newspapers every week - the highest number since the study began in 2012

In the midst of continued discussion and debate about the state of Canadian media, the seventh annual Newspapers 24/7 Report (an annual benchmark of Canadian newspaper readership conducted by Totum Research on behalf of News Media Canada) found that readership of Canadian newspapers is at an all-time high.

According to the survey, which was conducted in February of this year, 88% of Canadians read a newspaper, in either print or digital format, at least white together!” I could once a week—a three per cent increase not help but feel that this from the inaugural study, which was was something that other conducted in 2012. in/visible members, the Black members of the “Given heightened levels of global audience might have mistrust, we’re seeing a clear and heard as well - in their continued affinity for the reliable spaces, based on their reporting that newspapers provide,” day, or the news of the said Bob Cox, Chair, News Media day. We simultaneously Canada. “Newspapers continue to be experience our spaces the go-to source for credible, trusted in different ways and and independent news, in both print are impacted by them. and digital formats.”

The basic issue of finding community, of Unsurprisingly, digital newspaper belonging, resonates readership continues to increase yearto date even though over-year: the 2019 report found that Lorena Gale passed 83% of newspaper readers are accessing away in 2009 and this at least some of their newspaper award winning play was content online. Interestingly, however, produced in 1995, it still speaks to the micro and the macro aggressions in ‘belonging’.

This creative retelling of an actual incident where Angelique was captured, tortured and hanged despite protesting her innocence, for a fire that was set as she attempted to flee her enslavement, manages to weave together past and present, while remaining in the ‘space’ of Montreal. So you will see a modern day character attempt to purchase an enslaved woman or a historically clad character being sent to have the car tended to. In her work, Gale is trying to convey the ways in which Black people experience their Blackness whether it is 1734 or 2019. It has not really changed that much, or has it?

Go and see this play!

TICKETS: 416.504.9971 FACTORY THEATRE 125 BATHURST ST. Angélique • Obsidian Theatre Company h t t p s : / / w w w. obsidiantheatre.com/ season/angelique/

the majority of these readers are using that digital content to supplement—not replace—readership of a print edition of the newspaper. In total, 52% of newspaper readers access newspaper content from both print and online sources.

“This year’s research clearly demonstrates that both print and digital newspaper sources play a unique and distinct role in the lives of Canadians,” said Claude Heimann, President, Totum Research. “For example, it’s clear that people like to start their day with the comprehensive and in-depth reporting of a print newspaper, and then stay upto-date on breaking news on digital as the day progresses.

The report confirms that most print reading happens early in the day, while digital reading is more consistent from morning to night.

Finally, the research specifically looked at the newspaper reading habits of younger Canadians. And while Millennials have been blamed for the death of everything from mayonnaise to department stores, newspapers appear to have avoided that curse: 88% of Millennials read newspapers weekly, accessing newspaper content primarily through their mobile phones.

More detail on the Newspapers 24/7 study is available at www. newsmediacanada.ca.

The Ghanaian News April 2019

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan arrives in Canada OTTAWA -- Conservatives in Canada want the federal government and the international community to push Pakistan to address its “abhorrent misuse of blasphemy laws” after the safe arrival in Canada of a Christian woman who spent eight years on Pakistan’s death row.

only: “I do know that Pakistan has indicated that she was safe and she’s in the process of travelling somewhere ... We are thanking Pakistan for her safety.”

Politicians in many parts of the world praised Bibi’s safe exit from Pakistan, including United States Secretary Aasia Bibi’s lawyer told The Canadian of State Mike Pompeo and United Press she arrived in Canada Tuesday Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May. morning, though he had not spoken to May confirmed in the British House of her before she left.

Commons Wednesday that Canada’s asylum offer had been accepted.

“She is finally free from all ordeals,” Saif-ulMalook said in an interview “Canada made this offer and we from Lahore, Pakistan. “Her daughters thought it was right and appropriate are in Ottawa. They landed in that we supported the offer that Canada December last year so naturally she had made,” she said. must have been joining them.”

Many Canadian politicians welcomed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Bibi to Canada in statements on Twitter, last November that Canada was in but Edmonton-area Conservative MP talks with the Pakistani government Garnett Genuis used the platform to about Bibi but would not comment on say Canada must do more than just the case Wednesday, citing “sensitive provide a safe haven. privacy issues and security issues.”

“Canada has a responsibility to speak Officials at Pakistan’s interior and out on the international stage for foreign ministries confirmed her persecuted religious minorities in departure, speaking on condition of Pakistan and around the world,” he anonymity because they were not said. “We must deepen our commitment authorized to brief media. to being a global defender of pluralism, human rights and democracy.”

Canadian officials would give very little information about the Bibi case. Rob Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy Oliphant, the parliamentary secretary law carries an automatic death penalty. to the minister of foreign affairs, said

Bibi was accused of blasphemy in 2009 after a fight with two fellow farmworkers who refused to drink from the same water jug as a Christian woman. She was convicted and

sentenced to death in 2010. She was in solitary confinement in prison until Pakistan’s Supreme Court overturned the conviction last October, citing cpmt’d on pg. 32

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The 18th Annual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards a celebration of Excellence Honoring our Community Achievers Hosted by The Ghanaian News in November 2019

Call for 2019 Award Nominations Awards Criteria and Selection Process This year’s (2019) presentation recognizes achievements in the following areas: 1. National honour: A community member whose work/contributions have been recognized nationally in Canada and thus brought recognition and pride to our community.

2. Community Service/Voluntarism: Persons who have consistently volunteered their time for a minimum of two years to a project or cause in our community or the larger Canadian society which has contributed to the quality of life of our community and/or Canadian society.

3. Professional Excellence: A continuous display of professional competence and excellence, devoid of any ethical violations in a person’s professional field or practice which can serve as a model for other professionals in our community.

4. Academic Excellence: Top class performance in academic pursuits at various levels of the educational ladder from High Schools, Colleges (CEGEP in Quebec), University or vocational/Professional training.

Cultural Promotion: An individual, group or organization which has worked consistently to promote Ghanaian culture for visible recognition in Canadian society.

6. Music, Arts and Entertainment/Firm Production: Individual or group artistes living in Canada who have consistently excelled and promoted Ghanaian music, Arts or other entertainment activities to international recognition levels over the past five years.

7. Sports: A consistent performance and achievement in the sports sector which has won nation-wide recognition and thus brought honour to our community.

8. Religion: Church groups or Religious organizations that have promoted religious and moral values in our community over the past five years.

9. Community Business Pioneers: Individuals or groups whose pioneering efforts in the business sector have spurred on and motivated other community members to venture into the business field.

2019 Nomination Form I wish to nominate: Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss/Dr........................................................................................................................................................................

Address.......................................................................................................................................Category........................................................................

For an award at the above event for the following reasons:.............................................................................................................................................

Name of Sponsor.................................................................................................................Tel #......................................................................................

Please mail, fax or e-mail this nomination form to: The Awards Selection Committee, c/o The Ghanaian News Corporation, 1111 Albion Road, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9V 1A9 Fax: 416-916-6701, Email: info@ghanaiannews.ca

Deadline for nominations: August 30th, 2019

The Ghanaian News April 2019

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COMMUNITY INFORMATION

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Ghanaian Women’s Fasting and Prayer Conference May 20th 2019 (Monday, Victoria’s Day Holiday) VENUE: Ghanaian Presbyterian Church 51 High Meadow Place (Finch/Signet) 9 a.m. - 12 noon Contact: 416-877-3077, 146-916-3700, 416-904-0148, 647-768-8579, 416-558,8593, 647-878-0905, 416-882-5186, 416-820-9522, 647-654-5570, 647-300-6469, 647-892-9212, 905-488-9763, 647-718-4819

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Sarah Efumwaa Obeng

Seven things to start doing for yourself 1.

Start spending time or more time with the right people. The people we spend time with frequently help make or break us. It is wise to start spending more time frequently with people we enjoy who love and appreciate us, who encourage us to improve in all aspects of our lives. On the other hand it is stupid to continue to spend time with people to contribute in breaking us or taking back in life.

For example if your breaking a bad habit and you continue to accept the invitation of ‘friends’ who keep drawing back then you don’t need anyone to tell you you’re irresponsible. I have a colleague at work who said she’s quit smoking, but she has this friend she was smoking with who still smokes and will always invite the quitter when she’s going out to smoke. Stupidly this quitter will go out with her. I’m not sure what happens out there but I’m sure if she hasn’t already gone back to smoking then she’ll surely go back to smoking. Take ownership of your life and be responsible. You know the ‘friends’ you need to leave behind and the new friends to need to be hanging out with. Of course, unless you don’t want any good thing out of this life or you’re going nowhere with your life.

2.

Start seeing the value in the lessons of your mistakes. So much of life is about perspectives – the good and the bad. If we’ll review the perspectives of the problems we face in life we’ll learn a great deal from them.

In the problems or hitches we face; in the mistakes we make are values to learn. Mistakes are okay and they could be stepping stones of progress if we pay attention to them and use them appropriately. I’ve heard it said that if you’re not failing from time to time then you’re not trying hard enough and for that matter you’re not learning. It’s time to take risks, stumble and fall, get back up and try again. Be proud of yourself that you’re pushing yourself; you’re learning and growing and improving.

Outstanding people have said that the some of the biggest mistakes they feared making was actually the lead to their biggest achievements when they faced those fears to make those mistakes. I have had my fair share of mistakes from which I have learned great lessons. My most recent mistake was investing thousands of dollars in a wrong course only to know that I was not going anywhere with that programs. Waste of time and waste of money is what I’d call it. The value in that for me is knowing that I have that qualification and I can go back to it anytime if I choose to. As well, I can use that wisdom to advise others to really assess and review before they invest in courses that they may not be interested in after all.

3.

Start giving your dreams and ideas a chance to come alive and thrive.

Life hardly gives us chances; we must make and take chances – if you do noting you’ll get nothing. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the

way it should be - either you succeed or you learn something. In either case you have won. When I couldn’t land a dream job of being a journalist or program host, I decided to still give dream a chance by writing for free in every way I can and one of those ways is by blessing humanity with my gift of writing and sharing my knowledge like I am doing right here and right now. I am not sure where this is leading me but I am confident it has great recompense.

Dream and keep dreaming. When you do, please give your dream a chance by taking actions – and don’t stop taking actions. The more actions you take and make mistakes the more you’ll learn and fail forward.

4.

Start giving new people you meet a chance. We certainly cannot be friends with all the people we meet – that’s for sure. There may be some exceptions, though. However, when we start respecting and being kind to the people we come into contact with and see those moments as opportune instants and not just coincidences, there’s so much to learn every day. I’m not sure I am the only one who finds that a lot of people respect and are nice to people they have never met based on what they physically see them in such as their clothes or cars or houses.

This to me is wrong, and you could be missing a lot if you’re doing this. I like to interact or have a quick conversation with people to see what’s in them in terms of valuables that i can learn from them or their willingness to learn anything from me. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade, others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment.

Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.

5.

Start believing that you’re ready for the next step or next stage in your life. You are ready, and you’re ready even if you think you’re not!

Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow. I’ve heard it said that the best time to have started what you’re always wanted to start was yesterday and the next best time is today. There is no better time than now and there will not be a perfect time. If we wait for all things to be perfect or to line up very perfectly to get things done in our lives we might never get anything done. Start by believing that you have what it takes to get started and keep going and making mistakes and learning and failing forward. This is growth and this is progress.

6.

Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. Things are hard every now and then. Tough times come to all of us once a while. However, in these tough times are sparks of hope and nuggets of golden lesson to be

learned. I am experiencing such times at the moment and when I began to a better look the situation from another perspective I started to see some silver linings and some wisdom nuggets I can pick and choose for my life ahead and to share with others. I have started to learn some new virtues and values to add to my personal development bank. When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t. Focus on the better person you’re becoming and the greater heights you’re going.

7. Start cheering for other people’s victories. When we begin to notice or acknowledge what we like and appreciate about others and tell them it is not only helpful for them but for us as well. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productivity, fulfillment,

peace, and growth. Be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around and sooner than later the people you’re cheering for will be cheering for you and even other people will be cheering for you too. A couple of weeks ago I walked up to a senior colleague and told her about how I appreciate her for her politeness, her kindness, her respect and her overall humble composure toward everyone.

The spark I saw in her eyes and the way she was so appreciate of my compliment to her brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t mean to flatter her or any such things – I simply wanted to let her know how I appreciate the conduct and especially to me and particularly at the time that she did it – because it was very timely and helpful to me. So let me know what they’re doing right. The world is too quick to point accusing fingers and we forget to mention to people how well they’re doing.

This month let this be your goal – go out there and start living out these seven values – for yourself and for humanity. This is a blessed life!

Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan arrives in Canada cont’d from pg. 30 inconsistencies in the evidence against her but leaving the law in place. She had been held in a locked room in protective custody ever since.

client and spend “many, many hours and I’d tell her when you are released the American president will send his plane for you and she used to laugh.”

of Bibi’s departure from Pakistan around 8 p.m.

ET Tuesday. He also said she is “unwell” after suffering a decade of isolation both in and out of captivity.

The court decision led to several days of riots in Pakistan that culminated with the government striking a deal with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik political party, which was leading the protests, promising that Bibi would not be allowed to leave Pakistan.

Malook said his own safety is in jeopardy for helping Bibi. He hopes she will be left alone in Canada but her safety is not assured, with death threats against her and her family remaining.

“She must be treated with utmost care and receive appropriate medical care now she is free,” he said.

Malook said Bibi, who is in her mid-50s, had been looking forward to coming to Canada.

“If you’re in hell and somebody would say you’re soon to be in paradise, there is no question to ask,” he said.

When Bibi was in prison, he said, he’d sit with his

“The Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced that the allegation against her for blasphemy was false,” Malook said.

“Please don’t follow her.

Let her lead the rest of her life in peace.”

Wilson Chowdhry of the British Pakistani Christian Association said in a blog post Wednesday that he received the confirmation

A friend, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said he last spoke to her on Tuesday. He said Bibi and her husband Ashiq Masih had spent the last several weeks getting their documents in order.

The friend said she was longing to see her daughters, with whom she talked almost daily from her secure location, protected by Pakistani security forces.

The Canadian Press

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Easter Celebration at Ghanaian Presbyterian Church Toronto

By Jonathan Baah ?Annobil, Toronto The Sanctuary of the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, Toronto,was packed full as congregants converged there to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The day was Sunday April 21, 2019 with “A New Day” as the theme of the Easter festivities taken from Luke 24:1-12.

Annointed Singers

Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of West Toronto. After the Scripture readings the Anointed Voices gave credence to their name by the rendition of special music for the Easter. It cont’d on pg. 41

Rev. Dr. Raymond Baah Abekah

Rev. Frederick Stewart

The guest preacher was Rev. Frederick Stewart,

Rev. Dr. Baah Abekah with Session Congregation

Men’s Fellowship with Rev. Dr. Baah Abekah Women Fellowship

Church Choir with Rev. Dr. Raymond Baah Abekah

Ushers

Children at the Sunday School

Rev. Baah Abekah with the Singing Band

YPG Chairman and supporters during the fundraising

Cross section of Men’s Fellowship

The Ghanaian News April 2019

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Rev. Baah Abekah earns a Doctorate Degree

By Jonathan Baah ?Annobil, Toronto

stating, ‘It’s not by might, nor by power, but by the Rev. Dr. Baah Abekah for this achievement and also The Rev. Raymond Baah Abekah of the Ghanaian Spirit and enablement of God that has brought me wish him well as he goes back to Ghana in August Presbyterian Church in Toronto has earned a doctorate thus far.’ He used the occasion to challenge the young this year to continue the ministry God has called him degree from the North Central Theological Seminary people in his church to soar higher and higher, trusting into. Congratulations and God bless. in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. This was after he that the Lord would always be their helper. We, the has enrolled as a student of that institution in 2016. management of the Ghanaian News, congratulate the Among the courses he studied were, Hermeneutics, Advanced New Testament Survey, Advanced Systematic Theology, Advanced Evangelism Practice, Analysis of Prayer and Revelation, to name a few. The Rev. Dr. Raymond K. Baah Abekah having submitted his hundred - paged dissertation graduated on March 12, 2019. Presenting this good news to his congregation on Good Friday at their forenoon service, Elder Nana Adwoa Asare, who doubles as the Co-Moderator to the Presbytery of West Toronto, said it was a joy to see their Pastor climb the academic ladder to such a height. Dr. Baah Abekah, on his part dedicated that feat to God and the church as a whole, Rev. Dr. Baah Abekah and family Rev. Dr. Raymond Baah Abekah Rev. & Mrs.Steward and Rev. Dr. & Mrs Baah Abekah

Rev. Dr. Baah Abekah and Session about the communion

By Alice Afram, Toronto

Elder Nana Adwoa Asare

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Baah Abekah

Community/Church Clean-up

On April 28th 2019, the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church of Toronto partnered with The City of Toronto ‘Clean Toronto Together’ initiative, organized a Community/Church Clean-up in celebration of the church’s upcoming 25th Anniversary. Members of the congregation were grouped and tasked with specific duties in and around the church to ensure that

no stone was overlooked. From the Children’s room to the Choir room, members were photographed dusting, sanitizing, and organizing items with happy hearts in the spirit of fellowship and togetherness.

The Youth of the church are to be commended for an exceptional job in their clean up of the community outside of the church’s premises, extending as far as

Signet/Finch West. At the end of it all, members were rewarded with a delicious Bar-B-Q lunch for a job well done.

Overall, the event was a success as members demonstrated their love for the church and the community, and their dedication to ensuring it is kept clean and safe for all to enjoy!

Hospitality team Participants posing for the camera Participants cleaning the atrium

Participants in joyous mood during the cleaning Enthusiastic participants

Mission accomplished

Group picture of participants inside the church

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Community i

in pictures

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

TRAVEL & TOUR Year of Return - Site Attractions in Ghana

Kumasi City Mall

Ahwiaa Wood Carving Village According to tradition, the great fetish priest Okomfo Anokye in around 1695 invited carvers to a festival in Denkyira to see who was the most skilled. Kofi Yoyo was acclaimed the best, and Okomfo Anokye blessed his home village of Ahwiaa and told the villagers to learn Kofi Yoyo's skills and pass them on to their children.Thus Ahwiaa became and remains the traditional Ashanti centre for carving Royal sceptres and stools, fertility dolls, drums and masks."

In 1701 the Ashanti conquered .. Denkyira, .. Boadu Afeku fled .. And settled at Jukwa, nine kilometres from Cape Coast. After the departure of Boadu Afeku .. a group from Denkyira migrated to settle near Kumasi in order to serve and seek the protection of their new Lord, Osei Tutu I, the Asantehene.

Members of Asona Clan who were in charge of carving in Denkyira also decided to move. They moved in groups in order to avoid suspicion. .. The second group led by the Clan head, Nana Boa Asiri arrived in Ashanti about a month after the members of the first group had introduced themselves to the chief of Aduaben that they had arrived with carving skills to serve the Asantehene. The chief of Aduaben took the immigrants to his overlord the Adontehene who introduced them to Osei Tutu I. The King settled them at Nsensanso at his own expense. They were later called Ahwiaa because of the generosity extended to them by the king. It is derived from the Twi word, hwa, which means a parasite or to be fed at another's expense." A less pejorative term might be 'dependants'.

The Kumasi City Mall is a shopping mall located in Kumasi, Ghana. It is the first of its kind in the city.

The Kumasi City Mall cost $95 million and took 24 months to complete. The mall is one of the biggest malls in West Africa. The property is owned by Delico Property Limited

Kejetia Market From afar, the Kejetia Market looks like an alien mothership landed in the centre of Kumasi. Closer up, the rusting tin roofs of this huge market (often cited as the largest in West Africa; there are 11,000 stalls and at least four times as many people working here) look like a circular shanty town. Inside, the throbbing Kejetia is quite disorienting but utterly captivating. There are foodstuffs, second-hand shoes, clothes, plastic knick-knacks, glass beads, kente strips, Ashanti sandals, batik, bracelets and more.

Wandering around the market by yourself is absolutely fine: few tourists come here and shopkeepers will be pleasantly surprised to see you. Alternatively, go with a guide, who not only knows his or her way around but can also explain the more obscure trades and goods, and help you bargain and meet stallholders.

Mole National Park Mole National Park protects an area of savannah and forest in northern Ghana. It’s home to elephants, leopards and rare birds such as the white-backed vulture. In the western part of the park, the Konkori Escarpment has panoramic views and overlooks waterholes where animals drink. There are waterfalls along the Kparia and Polzen rivers. To the south, Larabanga village has a centuries-old, Sudanesestyle mosque. Uncounted lions, leopards, hyenas and various primates can also be seen in Mole.

Accra Art Centre

Prempeh II Jubilee Museum Located within the National Cultural Centre, the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum tells the story of the Asante Kingdom, a state among the most powerful and wealthy in Africa at its pinnacle of power in the 18th century.

The small museum showcases a selection of artifacts and memorabilia relating to the Asante people and royalty. Items of note include Asante King Prempeh II’s war attire and ceremonial outfits, palace furnishings, jewelry and royal insignia. You’ll also find a recreation of the Golden Stool, the literal seat of power of the Asante Kingdom and an item that sparked the final conflict between the British Imperial government and the Asante Empire.

Also on display is a 300-year-old leather treasure bag, once presented to the king by a fetish priest, though no one knows what’s inside, as local lore says that opening the bag would bring the downfall of the Asante nation. The entire collection is housed within a reproduction of a traditional Asante regalia house from the 19th century.

Nzulezu stilt village

Along the seafront near Black Star Square is the Arts Centre. Hawkers attack from all sides as soon as you arrive, but if you’re not exhausted by the scrum you can find carvings, baskets, drums, bags, beads, fabrics, sandals, sculptures, stools, rugs and occasionally antiques. It’s a place to unearth some incredible finds and gifts. The best bet is to head past the hassle which you’ll inevitably encounter at the entrance and make your way towards the back of the complex, where it’s a bit more relaxed. Haggling is expected. There’s also an art gallery, which sells prints and paintings at reasonable prices.

Near the coast at the far western side of Ghana, near the border with Cote d'Ivoire, is a village that is unique in all of Ghana. Nzulezu is a village that has been built on stilts above a lagoon. It is essentially one long pier, called Main Street by the locals, with buildings constructed on both sides. One side of the 'street' are living quarters while the other side of the street has businesess, the school, a community center and other commercial ventures.

The village of Nzulezu is about a 7 hour drive west of Accra. Some people love it. Some people feel that the travel time is not worth the experience. If you are staying at one of the beaches in the Western Region, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital such as Busua or Axim, the visit to Nzulezu can easily Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is the premier healthbe done as a day trip. care facility in Ghana. Located in Accra, it is the only public tertiary hospital in the southern part of the country. It is a teaching hospital affiliated with the medical school of the University of Ghana.

The Ghanaian News April 2019

39

Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) participate in City of Toronto’s 1st Annual Spring Cleanup Initiative in pictures

Some of the participants

Anna Aidoo and Emmanuel Quaye

Consul-Gen with some youth participants

Mr. Thomas Seshie (center) Consulate Staff and other participants Okyeman Cultural Association of Toronto with GCAO President E. Duodu

Nananom and other participants

Birds eyeview of participants

MPP Tom Rakocevic with GCAO and other participants Councilor Anthony Perruzza, Consul-Gen Thomas Seshie (center and other participants

Consul-Gen Seshie with Mfantseman Association and other participants

Rev. Dr. Charles Mantey(5th left) and church members

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Greater Toronto Area Assemblies of God 2019 Joint Easter Convention

By Vernon Ayiku, Toronto

Members of Living Word Assembly of God, Evangel Assembly of God, Lighthouse Assembly of God, Transformation Assembly of God, Emmanuel Assembly and Everlasting Gospel Assembly of God gathered together for the Semi-Annual Joint Toronto A/G Easter Convention, hosted this year at Living Word Assembly of God, on 139 Millwick Drive, North York, ON.

Rev. Dr. Vernon Fernandes and Lawrence Antoh

Mrs. Fernandes and Lawrence Antoh

From left: Rev. Isaac Takyi DeGraft, Rev. Joseph OseiAmoah, Rev. Milton Ofei

Always a powerful and busy four day event, the semi annual convention combines the cont’d on pg 41 Clergy

Cross section of congregation

Worship Team

Rev. Dr. & Mrs Fernandes with Pastors and wives

Joint A/G Choir

From left: Rev. Milton Ofei, Rev. Dr. & Mrs Fernandes and Rev. Isaac Bonful

Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Fernandes (center) with Mr. & Mrs. Ansu

Cross section of congregation

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Frankly Speaking Media Freedom without “Responsibility” is meaningless By: Prof. Michael Baffoe, Winnipeg, MB World Press Freedom Day was celebrated around the world early this month.

In commemoration of this historic and important day and event, I devote this month’s piece as a searchlight directed at “ourselves”: members of the “Ink Fraternity”, media practitioners, to examine the way we go about our duties. Elsewhere in this issue, a lead story covers the celebration of World Press Freedom day by members of the Ethnic Press Council of Canada.

In delivering a KeyNote speech to this gathering in Toronto, a Professor of Communications charged media practitioners to execute their duties and their associated desired “freedoms” with “responsibility” (emphasis mine). It is within this clarion call by this learned Professor that I examine the whole issue of Press Freedom within the context of the politics of the Land of Our Birth, Ghana.

The media is described, and honorably tagged as the Fourth Arm of the Realm. The term derives from the old European concept of the three estates of the realm - the clergy, the nobility and the commoners. It has come to symbolize the media or press as a segment of society that has an indirect but key role to play in influencing the political, social and economic system in society.

elected or at times impose themselves on the people), and their appointed team of Ministers, the Legislature (Parliament), mostly elected by the people to “represent” them, and the Judiciary tasked with the important duty to administer “justice” without fear or favor.

The equivalent term ‘fourth power’, used in many European languages as it historically belongs to European constitutional lore dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, refers to the separation of powers into legislative, executive and judiciary branches. This separation of power has become the construct upon which nations have been built throughout the world. And the Press is thus recognized as the fourth element.

The ‘raison d’être’, real purpose, of this fourth element, the media, is to act as an counterbalance, a systemically opposite force that is to report, verify and question matters of governance, public matters as well as commercial ones, conducted by the powers, we the people, have entrusted to the three other elements of the real.

We pay much attention to the three arms of government: the Executive (the Presidents/Prime Ministers, (sometimes

The functions of these three realms are supposed to be guided by an elusive and sometimes imaginary term called “separation of powers” where these three arms or realms of government are supposed to be independent of each other and act “without fear or favor” of, and to the other arms of government. In reality, however, this “separation” and independence of the three realms have not really happened. In most countries and specifically in the Land of Our Birth, Ghana, the Executive headed by the President has traditionally being part of the majority political party that populates the second Arm, the Legislature, (the Parliament). The Constitution of Ghana stipulates that at least half of the Ministers appointed the all-powerful Executive headed by the President should be appointed from among the President party members in Parliament.

Right away, this is where the “independence” of the second Arm, the Legislature gets eroded. Members of

Easter Celebration at Ghanaian Presbyterian Church Toronto cont’d from pg. 34 was followed by Bible readings in English, Twi and Ga followed by an anthem by the Church choir.

Rev. Frederick Stewart after giving the intercessory prayer delivered his sermon under the theme: “A New Day.” He started his exhortation that the Triune of God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit, sat together and planned the whole thing. “God’s plan to redeem us and save us was settled long before creation and we know that the program was set because we heard in God’s word from the prophets’ centuries

before the birth of the Savior, the specific and wonderful truth about this Jesus that will come and save us”, he said.

Rev. Stewart addedthat the first new day is Christmas. “God joined himself with humanity in the person of Jesus.

God becoming flesh was a marvelous and wonderful new day and we celebrate it”, he emphasized.

“Another new day”, he said, was the day Jesus died. He emphasized the fact that there is power in the death of Jesus Christ as he was the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He was the

ultimate sacrifice paying the ultimate price for us all. He brought a brand new day because now there was forgiveness not to cover our sins but to wash them completely clean to be white as snow.Concluding, Rev. Stewart said that“Christ is risen, and that new day changed history. It began a movement that spread across the four corners of the globe. The fact that he died and rose again as he said changed everything.”As part of the Easter celebration, a special appeal for funds was held. The closing prayer and benediction were offered by Rev. Dr. Raymond Baah Abekah.

parliament belonging to the President’s (executive) Party start playing sycophancy and boot-licking to catch the attention of the President so that they an be “rewarded” with a Ministerial appointment.

In actual fact then, the Legislative Arm thus become and play “yes” men/women.

The Third Arm of the Realm, the Judiciary, has not fared any better under this separation of power arrangement: the head of the Judiciary, the Chief Justice, and all top officers of this Realm (Judges) are appointed by the President and his Executive. Right away then, their supposed “independence” is also compromised because they also act as “yes” men and women to continuously curt the favor of the Executive.

This is where the Fourth Arm of the Real, the Media, the Press came to be recognized and seen as an independent counter-balance that will be guided by independent thought and the truth.The Press’s primary obligation is therefore seen as that of veritas. To serve the Truth. The question we need to pose for ourselves is whether the Press is behaving in the realm of veritasin our nations.

Like all human beings and institutions populated by human beings, members of the Media have our own biases. We all are biased, prejudiced to some extent. There is nothing wrong with that per se as long as were are aware of it and are mindful of our purpose, our obligation as consumers, reporters and makers of news. Neutral,

objective and critical gathering of news applies to us all. In the case of the Press, it has a professional obligation to do so.

In Ghana, the media to a large extent sometimes carry and publicize News that doesn’t serve the truth but instead obscure political or personal agendas. We say that Facts matter. Facts connect us to reality. Facts matter for they are devoid of morals, ideology or politics.

Facts are reports on reality. When something has happened in the real world and subsequently gets reported on, then we call them ‘facts’.Facts are supposedly always true.

Yet, facts don’t necessarily constitute ‘The Truth’.

The Truth requires more than facts alone.

In celebrating World Press Freedom Day in Ghana, the Chairman of the National Media Commission in Ghana called on the media to be responsible in the discharge of its duties.“Freedom without responsibility is futile.

At all times freedom and responsibility must go hand in hand,” Mr. Yaw BoaduAyeboafoh told a team of media practitioners during the observance of World Press Freedom Day. Ghana has come a long way from eras and periods when the Media was subjected to all kinds of control, intimidation and sometimes outright ban.

The current President, Nana AkufoAddo when he was Minister of Justice and Attorney General spearheaded the repeal of a draconian law that the previous government has enacted to intimidate the Media known as the

Criminal Libel law in 2001. Since then, there has been a remarkable expansion in media outlets in Ghana. According to the National Communications Authority, there are 392 operational radio stations in Ghana and 128 licensed TV operators.And there are lots of Newspapers or something close to that.

And the Media in Ghana noiw enjoys one of the best freedoms in the world.

My point today is that increased freedom must be balanced with responsibility. As the Chair of the Ghana Media Commission pointed out, if the media discharges its responsibility the way it has been trained to do, it can expect reciprocity from the public who confides in it.

This is very true of the Ghanaian media scene.

The concept of media responsibility includes empaneling of the right resource people for media engagements, especially in the electronic media. The current media activists in Ghana now focus their attention on political programming especially on radio and television.

This over concentration of media political activists in almost every radio and television program in Ghana irrespective of their competence and capacity to understand and appreciate the issues that they are discussing, is becoming so dysfunctional that it is blurring the truth that the Media is supposed to unearth and protect.

When media practitioners losetheir professionalism, they become stooges in the eyes of people and therefore lose their focus.

Greater Toronto Area Assemblies of God 2019 Joint Easter Convention cont’d from pg. 40

strength of all of Toronto’s A/G churches and is a reminder of what our community is capable of when we work together.

Convention. Concluding on Sunday morning where he closed the series, raised money for the collective churches and left the combined congregation feeling blessed.

Headlining the event was Pastor Vernon Fernandes from Agape Life Church in Tanzania, East Africa. The convention began on Thursday where Pastor Fernandes preached about the resurrection power of Christ, the theme for the entire Easter

Overall, the semi annual convention always feels, like a mix between an award ceremony and a family gathering, serving as not only the highlight of all the A/G churches year. But, as a reminder of how far we have come as a community.

42

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Tel: 905-565-0059 Fax: 905-565-0559

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Housing Wealth Makes Immigrants Richer Than Canadian-Born Families: Statistics Canada New Canadians put more of their eggs in the real estate basket, which comes with risk.

By Daniel Tencer Canada’s immigrants are all about real estate, and that means newcomers to the country are carrying more debt than their Canadian-born counterparts.

But the upside is that immigrant families have also accumulated more wealth, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday.

The agency’s report, “The Wealth of Immigrant Families in Canada,” found that “established” immigrants are slightly wealthier than Canadianborn households, with an average net worth of $1.06 million in 2016.

StatCan defined “established immigrant family” as one where the major earner is 45 to 64 years old and has been in Canada for at least 20 years.

By comparison, a household with a Canadian-born major earner aged 45 to 64 had an average net worth of $979,000. Net

worth is the value of all of a person’s assets, including their house, minus debts.

Canadian-born households saw their wealth rise by 88.6 per cent between 1999 and 2016, the study found, while established immigrant households saw their wealth grow by 69.6 per cent in that time.

Immigrants exposed to market risk

more housing

Most of the wealth growth came from an increase in house prices and growth in the value of retirement pension plans. But the study found immigrant families are far more reliant on real estate than other families for wealth gains.

For established immigrant families, 69 per cent of wealth growth between 1999 and 2016 came from real estate.

For non-immigrant families, only 39 per cent came from real estate.

This

focus

on

real

Non-immigrant families with a major earner aged 45 to 64 had, on average, debt equal to 137 per cent of household income in 2016. For immigrant families, the ratio is a much higher 217 per cent.

But despite the heavier debt loads, immigrant families aren’t showing signs that they are struggling to manage their debts to any greater degree than others, StatCan noted.

“The study finds no evidence that immigrant families use payday loans, withdraw money from registered retirement savings plans or pay off only part of their monthly credit card balances to a greater extent than Canadianborn families of similar age do,” the report stated.

Huffpost

Private legal practitioner and founder of Legal Advocacy Foundation, Maurice Ampaw has blown the cover over how some top politicians and members of the working class obtain their credentials from the Ghana School of Law.

Speaking in an interview with Kumasibased Angel FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Lawyer Ampaw said though the study of law is supposed to be a full-time course, some “ministers, MPs, soldiers, policemen and other state officials in the working class have made it look as if it were a part-time programme”.

“Ministers, MPs and other top officials who want to become lawyers but would not quit their jobs pay bribes and obtain the pass marks through ways and means since they do not get the time to attend lectures,” he said.

He also revealed that some of the lecturers demand sex from the “block-headed female students and give them the pass marks”, a situation he said accounts for the fallen standard of legal education in the country.

“Some of the lecturers are poor so they take “hundred million, hundred million, hundred” from the “ministers, MPs and other rich students during the examination period and simply pass them”, he disclosed.

Maurice Ampaw He was commenting on some possible reasons for the mass failure that rocked the Ghana School of Law that has prompted the General Legal Council to set up a committee to investigate the matter.

The outspoken lawyer also revealed how “prostitution” is rife at the Ghana School of Law and how the advent of social media is taking a toll on serious academic work in the school.

“The girls have become prostitutes and slay queens, who wear miniskirts and prefer to chat on social media and take selfies while lectures are ongoing because they know they will surely pass even if they do not learn”, he asserted.

He welcomed the decision by the General Legal Council to probe the circumstances that led to the mass failure and advocated for stiffer measures to check how examinations are conducted at the Ghana School of Law. Ghanaweb

The World Medical Association Sunday urged doctors not to enforce controversial new IAAF gender rules for classifying female athletes, warning that attempts to do so would breach ethical codes.

estate means immigrant families are also carrying more mortgage debt than others, potentially putting them at greater risk in the event of a debt crisis.

Ghana Law School: Prostitution, bribery, sale of ‘apor’ prevalent Maurice Ampaw

According to him, sex, bribery, grade selling and plain prostitution have become substitutes for meritorious means by which grades and certificates are obtained from the various campuses of the Ghana School of Law.

WMA warns doctors not to enforce Semenya rules

Semenya lost a court challenge against the IAAF over plans to force some women to regulate their testosterone levels

Montgomery said that for women with DSD “it is just normal to be androgenic and there is nothing pathological about the situation of this athlete”.

It follows South African runner Caster Semenya last week losing her court challenge against the International Association of Athletic Federations over plans to force some women to regulate their testosterone levels.

“No physician can be forced to administer these drugs, and we definitely urge our colleagues to refrain from giving hormonally active medication to athletes simply because some regulations demand it,” he added.

The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport means that female athletes with elevated testosterone will have to take suppressive treatment if they wish to compete as women in certain events.

“If physicians do apply these drugs they do break ethical codes.

The IAAF argued that athletes like the two-time Olympic champion had an unfair advantage over others.

But World Medical Association chairman Frank Ulrich Montgomery advised doctors to play no part in enforcing the rules during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“We do think it is extremely serious if international sports regulations demand physicians to prescribe medication -- hormonally active medication -for athletes in order to reduce normal conditions in their body,” he said.

In a 2-1 decision, CAS judges dismissed Semenya’s appeal against the measures targeting “hyperandrogenic” athletes -- or those with “differences of sexual development” (DSD).

They said that although the rules were “discriminatory ... such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’s aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the Restricted Events”.

“The basic ethical code of all medical practice is never do harm, and it is doing harm to a perfectly normal body with just a rather high level of testosterone by administering drugs to use this in order to make them eligible for women’s sport under these regulations.”

The DSD rules -- first adopted last year but suspended pending the legal battle -- are due to come into effect on May 8.

Semenya is mulling an appeal.

Montgomery said the argument that Semenya had an unfair advantage over others didn’t make sense, using the height of some basketball players to make his point.

“The next issue would be that we demand basketball players who are taller than 2.25 metres should reduce their height surgically to something else because, of course, they do have an advantage over other basketball players that are somewhat smaller,” he said.

“So where is the limit to this? And therefore we say medicine shouldn’t interfere with non-pathological situations simply to enhance sports activities.” AFP

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Ask The Doctor

Lifestyle

45

This column is devoted to answering your questions on health and discusions of diseases which are common among the African Canadians.

By: David Yaw Twum-Barima, MD, MSc, FRCPC

MEASLES: What every parent should know.

Until a few decades ago, measles was an important public health disease that was responsible for many childhood deaths. Thanks to effective vaccines, it was largely eliminated from the front pages. In developing countries like Ghana, it was a devastating disease and a trip to the children’s block at large hospitals like Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye in the seventies presented a sad spectacle of children dying from measles.

white spot on a bright red background — Koplik’s spot — on the inside lining of the cheek. If necessary, a blood test can confirm whether the rash is truly measles.

Treatment The best treatment for measles is prevention. Once it occurs the mortality rate is very high.

Ear infection. One of the most common complications of measles is a bacterial ear infection.

Today, it is a thing of the past, but due to misinformation, some younger parents who did not witness this sorrowful sight are making the dreadful mistake of refusing to vaccinate their children. This article highlights some of aspects of the disease and emphasizes why children should be vaccinated.

Bronchitis, laryngitis or croup. Measles may lead to inflammation of your voice box (larynx) or inflammation of the inner walls that line the main air passageways of your lungs (bronchial tubes).

The concern about measles and autism is unfounded and should not dissuade any parent from vaccinating their child.

Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common complication of measles.

People with compromised immune systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.

Causes The cause of measles is a virus that replicates in the nose and throat of an infected child or adult.

When someone with measles coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets spray into the air, where other people can inhale them. The infected droplets may also land on a surface, where they remain active and contagious for several hours.

Encephalitis. About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develops encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that may cause vomiting, convulsions, and, rarely, coma or even death.

Encephalitis can closely follow measles, or it can occur months later.

You can contract the virus by putting your fingers in your mouth or nose or rubbing your eyes after touching the infected surface.

Risk factors include:

for

measles

Being unvaccinated. If you haven’t received the vaccine for measles, you’re much more likely to develop the disease.

Pregnancy problems. If you’re pregnant, you need to take special care to avoid measles because the disease can cause pregnancy loss, preterm labor or low birth weight.

Traveling internationally.

If you travel to developing countries, where measles is more common, you’re at higher risk of catching the disease.

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).

Measles may lead to a decrease in platelets — the type of blood cells that are essential for blood clotting.

Having a vitamin A deficiency. If you don’t have enough vitamin A in your diet, you’re more likely to contract measles and to have more-severe symptoms.

· Tests and diagnosis · · Your doctor can usually diagnose measles based on the disease’s characteristic rash as well as a small, bluish-

If you or your child has measles, keep in touch with your doctor as you monitor the progress of the disease and watch for complications. Also try these comfort measures: Take it easy. Get rest and avoid busy activities.

Sip

something. Drink plenty of water, fruit juice and herbal tea to replace fluids lost by fever and sweating.

Seek respiratory relief.

Use a humidifier to relieve cough and sore throat.

Rest your eyes. If you or your child finds bright

light bothersome, as do many people with measles, keep the lights low or wear sunglasses. Also avoid reading or watching television if light from a reading lamp or from the television is bothersome.

If someone in your household has measles, take these precautions to protect vulnerable family and friends: · Isolation. Because measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash breaks out, people with measles shouldn’t return to activities in which they interact with other people during this period.

It may also be necessary to keep nonimmunized people — siblings, for example — away from the infected person. · Vaccinate. Be sure that anyone who’s at risk of getting the measles who hasn’t been fully vaccinated receives the measles vaccine as soon as possible. This includes anyone

born after 1957 who hasn’t been vaccinated, as well as infants older than 6 months. · All parents planning a visit to Ghana or other developing countries should ensure that all children are vaccinated against measles before they leave.

Preventing new infections If you’ve already had measles, your body has built up its immune system to fight the infection, and you can’t get measles again. Most people born or living in Canada before 1957 are immune to measles, simply because they’ve already had it.

1. Modified from Mayo Clinic Housecall, 2014 2. Dr David Yaw Twum-Barima is a specialist in Diabetes and Endocrinology. Appointments ( by referral only through your family doctor), may be made by faxing referral letter to : LMC Endocrinology and Diabetes, 412-1235 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON. L6H 3P1.

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Vaccines are saving millions of lives of children in Somalia: urgent need to scale up routine immunization programme Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective public health interventions GENEVA, Switzerland, May 7, 2019/ -- From the moment we’re born, we’re all at risk of contracting diseases. So the question is, are we aware enough?

Are we responsible enough?

Are we immune enough?

Not long ago infections like influenza, tetanus, chickenpox and measles were prolonged, painful illnesses, which often resulted in death. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective public health interventions.

The Expanded Programmme on Immunization (EPI) started in Somalia in 1978 with the support of WHO and UNICEF. Due to the prolonged conflict and instability Somalia’s health system, including immunization services, is very weak, fragmented and severely under-funded. Control of vaccine-preventable diseases remains a huge challenge in Somalia, due to the low routine immunization coverage and the continued inability to reach children in

security-compromised areas, hard-to-reach areas, nomadic children and competing health priorities for parents other than immunization of children.

Low routine immunization coverage and a history of serious outbreaks that have hit Somalia in the past are a strong reminder of the risks posed by large cohort of un-immunized children. Vaccine-preventable diseases are prevalent in Somalia and child mortality is 137 per 1000 live births.

and inactivated polio virus vaccine in 2015 and plans to introduce measles-containingvaccine second-dose (MCV2) in 2020. With the continuous support of GAVI, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Rotary International and other important donors immunization coverage has improved in recent years; however, Somalia has still not attained the desired levels of coverage.

Somalia has been providing the traditional 6 antigens in routine immunization and with the support of GAVI - the Vaccine Alliance and immunization partners like UNICEF and WHO. The country has introduced pentavalent vaccine in 2013

To improve immunization coverage more efforts needs to be in place for integrated approach along with other programmes like nutrition, malaria, water and sanitation cont’d on pg. 58

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Eye & Foot Health

By Andrea Pellizzer There is a lot to think about when it comes to your health and diabetes, however, your diabetes team is here to help along the way. Your endocrinologist, diabetes educator and pharmacist are part of your routine follow-ups, but do you visit an eye doctor and a foot specialist regularly?

An eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) and a foot specialist (chiropodist) are specialists who can help prevent and treat diabetes related complications related to your eyes and feet.

How is diabetes related to your eyes and feet? Blood and nerves travel all around the body. For example, there are tiny blood vessels in the eyes and larger vessels that travel to the heart. No matter what the size is, too much sugar in the blood can damage a blood vessel. Behind the eye, there is a very thin layer of tissue made up of small vessels called the retina. If a high amount of sugar is in the blood, the blood vessels in the retina can swell up and leak causing blurred vision and/or blind spots. This is called diabetic retinopathy.

It’s important to know that blurred vision is also a sign of high blood sugar and does not always mean there is damage to the eye(s). Often when we are first diagnosed with

diabetes, we are dehydrated.

Dehydration causes the lens in the eye to swell which also leads to blurred vision.

if there was a cut on your foot and you did not feel it; if left untreated, it could lead to an infection.

Regular check ups with your eye doctor can help prevent or delay any damage to the retina.

It is recommended to see the eye doctor at least once a year; however, your eye doctor may suggest otherwise depending on your eye health. If you are pregnant, eye damage can get worse. Visit your eye doctor before you become pregnant and during your pregnancy.

If you experience neuropathy, here are some helpful tricks:

Signs that you need to see your eye doctor immediately include: •

Blurred vision

•

You are seeing flashes of light

•

Sudden loss of vision

•

Blotches or spots in your vision

And what about the nerves?

Too much sugar in the blood can also damage the nerves that travel to our hands, arms, legs and feet. Overtime, damage can lead to losing feeling in these areas altogether, this is called diabetic neuropathy.

Your nerves need nutrients to work well so that you can feel pain and temperature. If these nerves are damaged, you may feel burning, numbness, throbbing or tingling. Imagine

•

•

•

•

Look at your feet and legs every day. Do you see cuts or sores?

If so, tell your doctor or chiropodist.

Regular nail care.

Don’t cut your nails too short, or ask your chiropodist to help Apply lotion if your feet are dry. Do not apply lotion in between your toes When taking a bath or shower, test the water with your hand or elbow before to make sure the water isn’t too hot.

•

Do not soak your feet.

•

Wear proper fitting shoes.

Go shoe shopping at the end of the day rather than first thing in the morning.

Your feet swell during the day which is a better indicator for shoe size.

Visiting your chiropodist and/ or getting your feet check

regularly is essential to your diabetes management. It is encouraged to visit your chiropodist once a year or more frequently if needed.

How to prevent diabetic retinopathy & diabetic neuropathy?

The ABCDE’s of staying healthy!

•

A is for A1c – aim for an A1c of 7% or less.

•

B is for Blood Pressure – aim for a blood pressure of less than 130/80

•

C is for Cholesterol – aim for an LDL (bad) cholesterol of less than 2.0 mmol/L

•

D is for Drugs to protect your heart – some drugs can help protect your heart.

Speak with your diabetes team.

•

E is for Exercise and Eating – aim to eat healthy and be regularly active.

•

S is for Screening for complications – prevent complications to your heart, kidneys, eyes & feet.

•

S is also for Smoking Cessation and SelfManagement.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to your health and diabetes, however, your diabetes team is here to help along the way. Your endocrinologist, diabetes educator and pharmacist are part of your routine follow-ups, but do you visit an eye doctor and a foot specialist regularly?

An eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) and a foot specialist (chiropodist) are specialists who can help prevent and treat diabetes complications related to your eyes and feet

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Ghana Diaspora Celebration & Homecoming Summit 2019 Media Launching on Tuesday 30th April 2019 at Marriott Hotel, Airport City, Accra Ghana Akwasi Ababio, Ghana Diasporan Director with Emmanuel Ayiku, Chairman of Canada Diaspora Committee

Group picture of some participants with the Diasporan Affairs officers at the launching

Akwasi Ababio, Diasporan Director with Canadian Delegation

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GHANAIAN WOMEN’S PRAYER CONFERENCE MONDAY, MAY 20TH 2019 (Victoria’s Day Holiday)

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Apostles’ Continuation Church International Holds Spring Crusade

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

A 3-day Spring Crusade was presented by the Apostles’ Continuation Church international, Toronto at their church premises from Friday 3rd May and climaxed on Sunday May 5th, 2019.

The guest preacher was Apostle Steve Paintsil of Central Charismatic Baptist Church, Gyenyase Kumasi, Ghana. The theme for the crusade was “Expectation” taken from Mark 2, 1-2.

Apstle Paintsil (4th left) Apostle Manu (center) and other Pastors and Elders

Apostle Paintsil on the day of climax spoke on how to function in the midst of unfavorable conditions. “There are lots of potentials in everyone here.

Where there is life there is everything and Jesus is the Supreme Jesus”, he said. Continued his exhortations, Apostle Paintsil pointed out that

Christians should not give up easily because there is an opposition. “You must always know that your rising and shining will always be resisted. Have in mind that even among your family anytime you dare to have something new and become somebody there will be resistance”, he said.

“Many of us can perform better when the atmosphere is encouraging”, the Apostle emphasized, pointing out that “every blessing that God has given you and does not attract enemies is not coming from God”. “The key to all these life events is to stay focused”, pointing out that we live in a very distractive environment where there is always bound to be opposition in things that you embark on. Using the mission of Jesus as an example, he said that Jesus was so focused in the midst of hostilities on his assignment by cont’d on pt. 61

Congregation Apostles Paintsil and AnokyeManu

Women Leaders praising the Lord

Media crew

Congregation

Worship Team Praises Time - Women

Praises Time - Men Women Leaders

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Ghanaian Union of Manitoba Elects New Executive Committee From Ghanaian News Field Team The Ghanaian Union of Manitoba (GUM), the Association of the Ghanaian Community in the Province of Manitoba, has elected a new Executive Committee for a twoyear Term, 2019 to 2021. A large number of community members participated in the elections which were held at the Magnus Eliason Recreation Center on Langside Street in Winnipeg on Sunday April 14th, 2019.

and exemplary leadership qualities. Leadership, he said, entails sacrifice, respect as well as heavy responsibilities.

He urged the new Executive members to lead by good examples.

After the Church service, community members and the congregation were treated to sumptuous lunch of varieties of Ghanaian cuisine at the Church Hall. The formal Induction ceremony of the new Executive into office was conducted with the swearing of the Oath of Office by the Executive, which was administered by Prof.

Michael Baffoe on behalf of the Electoral Committee that conducted the elections. Other members of the Electoral Committee were Mr. Sam Yeboah and Sam Armah.

The newly-elected Executive Committee consists of Anderson Assuah, President, KwabenaAnkomahOseiBonsu, Vice President, Naomi Armah, Secretary, Paulina Mensah, Treasurer, Prince Amankona, Financial Secretary, Ronald Gyawu, Social Secretary, Alice Mensah, Assistant Social Secretary and Abdul-Bari Abdul Karim, Youth Coordinator.

Tony Gadagbui and Patience Anaglatewere appointed as The new President, Anderson Assuah, on behalf of the new Executive Members at Large.

Executive Committee thanked The New Executive members the community for the trust were formally inducted into reposed in them and promised office at a colorful ceremony that they will discharge their at the Calvin Presbyterian duties with diligence and Church on Sunday May build upon the good works 5th, 2019. The ceremonies and foundation that has included a Church Service been laid by the outgoing at which the new Executives Executive Committee. The Inwere offered blessings by coming Executive, on behalf the officiating Pastor, James of the Ghanaian community, Stein.The Pastor exhorted the presented Certificates of new Executive Committee Honour and Appreciation members to undertake to members of the outgoing their roles with humility Committee.

Newly Elected Executive Members

Induction of officers by Prof. Michael Baffoe

Pastor James Stein with new Executive Members at church

President Anderson Assuah presents a certificate of honor and appreciation to Mr. Charles Kankam outgoing social secretary

Emilia Tufuor outgoing treasurer receives her certificate of honor

Community members

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Ford pledges not to re-open abortion debate after 3 MPPs speak at anti-abortion rally Premier Doug Ford said his government will not reopen the abortion debate in Ontario, hours after three members of his caucus spoke at a Toronto antiabortion rally Thursday.

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff, Scarborough Centre MPP Christina Mitas and Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma stood on stage and each spoke out against the legal practice of abortion.

life coming to me telling me ‘abort the baby because it is going to impact your career’,” Mitas said.

Counter protestors yelled “shame” and chanted during the speeches by the three Progressive Conservative MPPs. Later in his speech he said “We pledge to fight to make abortion unthinkable in our lifetime.”

His Scarborough counterpart urged the crowd “For 50 years, Canadian assembled at Queen’s Park pre-born children have to “stand up for the unborn.” been under attack. The human rights of the littlest “I had a baby three months citizens of our country have ago – I am not married been ignored and their lives and we did not plan the taken without their choice,” timing. I had a number of Oosterhoff said. people from all walks of

“Abortion has become a thing of convenience in this country,” Mitas said.

In response to questions about the rally during Thursday’s question period, Ford gathered his caucus for a meeting.

After 1 p.m., his office issued a statement saying his government “will not reopen the abortion debate.”

Vaccines are saving millions of lives of children in Somalia: urgent need to scale up routine immunization programme cont’d from pg. 45

and communication programmes to complement the reach of immunization and improve coverage of all eligible children with equity.

Somalia faced a deadly measles outbreak in 2017; out of the 31 000 people affected, 83% were children under the age of 10. WHO Somalia’s Emergency Response team, Somali national authorities, and partners targeted 4.7 million children in the nationwide measles campaign. During this intervention, around 4.5 million children were vaccinated. As a result of the nationwide immunization campaign conducted, as of April 2019, Somalia witnessed a decline in the trend of cases reported this year. This steady progress can be attributed to partners’ commitment to strengthen routine immunization and to reach out to unvaccinated children to boost their immunity.

However, Somalia’s children are still not out of danger – measles outbreaks are likely to spread in securitycompromised inaccessible areas.

Somalia’s last outbreak of wild poliovirus, which occurred from 2013 to 2014, affected 194 children. Since then, as a result of mass and more focused immunization campaigns, and robust surveillance for polio symptoms to guide immunization activities, the country has been free of wild poliovirus. However, due to the challenges faced in reaching hard-to-reach areas, the country is currently experiencing 2 outbreaks of rare strains of the poliovirus, which have affected 13 children so far.

The last nationwide polio campaign, conducted in March, vaccinated more than 2.7 million children under 5. More than 84 000 children were vaccinated for the first time.

Marked during the last week of April, World Immunization Week aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.

WHO wants to assure parents and communities in Somalia that vaccines are safe, effective, and can lead to lifetime immunity from diseases.

While celebrating World Immunization Week with the theme “Protected Together: Vaccines Work”, Dr Mamunur Rahman Malik, WHO Representative for Somalia, called for scaling up the routine immunization

programme in Somalia through working together with partners, communities and grass-root level organization. In 2018, Somali authorities, WHO and partners vaccinated more than 400 000 children against measles as part of routine immunization programme. Yet, about 170 000 children were missed or did not receive the first dose of measles vaccine last year. “Our priority is to reach out to all these children who misses the routine vaccine doses or remain unvaccinated owing to access or any other barrier. Leaving no child behind, we can ensure every child’s right to lead a healthy and productive life- if all who need to vaccinated are vaccinated in a timely way,” he stated.

In the last decade, Somali health authorities and WHO worked with Gavi and other key partners to strengthen routine immunization. This protected 2.4m children against 8 vaccinepreventable childhood diseases.

Somalia has shown remarkable progress in achieving good immunization coverage for some diseases that is realistically feasible to achieve in a fragile state, lot of works still need to be continued and scaled up to fill the immunization gaps through enhancing partnerships with other local stakeholders which is the key theme of this year’s World Immunization Week.

Responding to outbreaks of measles or polio is a priority but can be prevented through achieving high coverage in routine immunization programme and also by reaching out to the children who do not receive any vaccine during the first year of their life.

Despite the gains made by vaccination over the years, there are still unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in Somalia today. As a consequence, millions of children are being put at risk against vaccinepreventable diseases. As part of this year’s campaign, grass-root level vaccinators who spearhead all barriers to reach every child in inaccessible areas of the country were honoured as immunization heroes. Their roles in keeping children healthy and securing a safer future has been acknowledged throughout the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO).

“The Ontario PC Party is a big-tent. We welcome members from a wide variety of backgrounds and beliefs. Our government is focused on protecting what matters most, cleaning up a fiscal mess left behind by the Liberals, making Ontario open for business and open for jobs, and lowering taxes for families.”

Speaking after question period, Oosterhoff said he stood behind the comments he made at the rally.

“To quote Dr. Seuss, a person is a person no matter how small. I’ve always said I am pro-life, I will always speak for children who are too young to speak for themselves, who don’t have a voice. I will always be a

voice for the voiceless.”

NDP leader Andrea Horwath issued a statement on Thursday afternoon saying Ford’s commitment not to re-open the abortion debate fell short.

“We are horrified that Doug Ford continues to refuse to cont’d on pg. 61

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Tel: 647-895-1315, 416-913-1986, Fax: 416-850-0580 E-mail: sekoshipping@gmail.com

52 Carrier Drive, #8 (Hwy 27 & Carrier)

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Children’s Breakfast Clubs participants journey to Ottawa Train trip was part of Black history celebrations

By Vathanan Jegatheesan

The Children’s Breakfast Clubs have always actively encouraged our children, from all backgrounds, to draw strength and motivation from the triumphs of great black Canadians throughout history.

This year’s theme for our black history poster was “Generations of Keeping Canadians Healthy” where we highlighted some of the many black Canadians that have contributed to medical advancements and triumphs in health care. From doctors, to nurses, to dentists and pharmacists, black Canadians have a proud history, present and future in these fields. We look forward to continuing to shine the light on these influencers and change makers, not just in the month of February, but throughout the year.

To celebrate the accomplishments of black Canadians on April 16, The Children’s Breakfast Clubs and Scarborough-Rouge Park MP Gary Anandasangaree arranged for children from several public schools across southern Ontario to travel to Ottawa. We celebrated the achievements of outstanding individuals that have made their mark in history and paved the road for generations of Canadians to sit at the table of opportunity, while the children learned about the laws of Canada through the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by visiting the

Parliament buildings. This trip was made possible because of the generous support from our proud corporate partner, Via Rail Canada.

The journey started with children gathering bright and early in the morning at Toronto’s beautiful Union Station, proudly wearing the 2019 black history month T-shirts and ready to learn.

Community leaders such as Jean Augustine joined the children on the train and helped answer any questions that their hungry minds might have.

Via Rail’s senior manager of central Canada, Vladimire Jean-Pierre, provided insight on how Via Rail continues to keep communities connected.

In Ottawa, the children had an opportunity to attend a welcome reception at the Parliament buildings hosted

by Anandasangaree, MP Greg Fergus and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen.

Copies of the 2019 black history month poster were presented to other members of Parliament. The children had a guided tour throughout the Parliament buildings, the new chambers and the Senate buildings. They learned about the different processes that take place when laws are introduced and rights are defended.

The children also had an opportunity to meet with several dignitaries, to inquire about their respective

Footnote: Participants of a Children’s Breakfast Clubs’ trip from Toronto to Ottawa stand by the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill April 16. - Lawrence Kerr Media photo professions. They took time • Lauriane Songuissato teach the children all about Moulangou — Parliamentary Parliament. assistant to MP Greg Fergus; These individuals include:

• Touré Fatou — Member’s • Shauna Marie-Benn — assistant to MP Greg Fergus; Casework manager to MP • Nivitha Jeyakumar — Gary Anandasangaree; Member’s assistant to MP • Sebastian Clarke — Special assistant to the Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada;

Randeep Sarai;

• Jess Pierre — operations manager to the Minister of Family, Children and Social • Nyagua Chiek — Special Development — Roslyne assistant to the Minister of Zamor — special assistant to Immigration, Refugee and the prime minister; Citizenship Canada; • François-Olivier Picard • Chukky Ibe — Policy adviser — Special assistant to the Minister of Family, Children to the Minister of Seniors;

and Social Development.

The children returned to Toronto at the end of the day, excited to share their experiences with their peers and motivated to one day be change makers themselves. It was certainly an opportunity of a lifetime.

Vathanan Jegatheesan is the director of administration for The Children’s Breakfast Clubs, a North York-based non-profit organization that serves approximately 4,000 meals each week at more than 20 clubs across the Greater Toronto Area. toronto.com

The Ghanaian News April 2019

5 reasons why Ramadan is important for Muslims Muslims around the world, commenced their annual holy month of Ramadan -- where they fast during daylight hours.

Ramadam comes from the Arabic word ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness and it is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

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NIGERIAN CANADIAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF TORONTO (NCBC)

For every good-standing Muslim, this month long fasting is obligatory. While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations.

Though majority of Muslims strive every year to observe this holy month as a means to entrench their faith in Allah, the five (5) reasons below underscores why Ramadan is very important: •

It is believed that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammed during Ramadan. The holy scriptures were sent down during this month and believed that the tablets of Ibrahim, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Quran were sent down on 1st, 6th, 12th, 13th and 24th Ramadan, respectively.

•

During Ramadan, the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are closed Muslims believe that their good actions bring a greater reward during this month than at any other time of year, because this month has been blessed by Allah.

•

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam.

•

Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).

•

The foundation of Islamic spiritual practice is known as the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis for a spiritual culture. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, constituting one of the most valuable spiritual practices designed to empower a human being. Pulse.com.gh

Apostles’ Continuation Church International Holds Spring Crusade cont’d from pg. 54 which he was sent to the earth. “We have to be near God not only in times of difficulties but also in times of happiness too”. This means, he said, that we have to serve God with consistency.” He then picked the word “FRAME” and explained it as keys to function in unfavorable environment.

He said we should not allow ourselves to be framed for that will put us in a box. He continued that we have to control our frame.

This five-letter word therefore consists of “F” for focus, “R” for reference, “A” for anticipation, “M” for motivation, and “E” for Elimination.

“Focus”, he said,“is the fuel that empowers faith. When Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on the sea but immediately he shifted his focus from Jesus he began to sink

and asked Jesus to save him. Reference means that we have to refer to what the Lord has done for us and that the bible is a practical solution to life. Anticipation is that we should know where God is moving and follow him. We have to anticipate the movement of God. Motivation is also a key to use to succeed in unfavorable situations.

Everybody performs well when they are motivated. Tough situations do not last but tough people do last. Elimination or Editing is the last key which means one has to change one’s perception of life and eliminate those that do not motivate you from your life.

The Closing prayer and benediction of the Church Service were given by Apostle Charles Anokye-Manu, host pastor and North America Apostle and Head of the Toronto Church.

Ford pledges not to re-open abortion debate after 3 MPPs speak at antiabortion rally cont’d from pg. 58 denounce his MPPs’ dangerous, anti-choice and anti-women position.”

At various times since entering Ontario politics, Ford has made comments about abortion and how it is governed.

Rev. John Adedapo (Minister in charge)

We are excited to invite you to the inaugural and maiden service cum the subsequent weekly programs of this church.

Date: Sunday, July 07, 2019

Venue: North Albion Collegiate Institute

2580 Kipling Avenue,

Etobicoke, ON M9V 3B2

Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM (Sunday School)

11:00 – 1:00 PM (Worship Service) If you are looking for a Bible-teaching, praying church, If you are looking for a church with salvation message And if you want to avail yourself for the Lord’s service Then, this is the right Body of Christ you have been waiting for.

Come to be a pioneer member.

May the Lord richly bless you as you plan to be a partaker in this new beginning.

Contact: Phone: 647-765-2492; 416-312-1218 E-mail: ncbcoft@gmail.com Mail: P. O. Box 12514, Etobicoke, ON M9R 4C7

During the 2018 leadership campaign, he questioned why a teenage girl seeking an abortion could obtain one without the consent of her parents, comparing it to other activities teens need parental consent for, such as a school field trip.

Bayo Ogundipe (P.R.O.)

He told the anti-abortion news website Right Now that he was “personally pro-life” but that “all Canadians have to make this decision based on their own conscience and beliefs.”

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (PSALM 122:1, KJV).

He told the Campaign for Life Coalition he opposed the previous Liberal government’s so-called “bubble zone” restrictions on protesting outside locations that provide abortion services. CP24.com

JESUS IS LORD

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

PLACES OF WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Ghana Methodist Churches in Canada ( SOCIETIES UNDER THE GHANA METHODIST CONFERENCE) The Superintendents Minister-In-Charge invites

you

to worship with us Toronto Society Very Rev. Joseph Owusu Atuahene Minister-in-charge

Place of Worship: 69 Milvan Drive, North York, Ont. (Finch Av./Milvan)

Very Reverend Albert K. 416-743-4555 (Office) 905-216-2323 (Residence) Appiah, Minister in-charge Day and Time of Worship: Ghana Calvary Methodist United Church, Toronto Sunday: Bible Class Meeting:

10:00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.

Church Service:

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Jericho Hour Prayer Meeting 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday Mid-day Prayer - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friday: Bible Teaching/Prayer Meeting 8:00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

Saturday Organizational Meeting: 6.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.

Sunday Brampton Prayer Meeting

8:00 p.m.

Worship Schedule: Sunday Church Service - Akan: English Service

-

- 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 12 noon

Friday - Prayer Meeting: - 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Calgary Methodist - 403-603-2864 Edmonton Methodist - 587-336-1223 Ottawa Methodist - 613-823-2291 Vancouver Methodist - 416-833-1615

In Montreal at: Place of Worship: 6870 Rue de Terreborne, Montreal, Que, H4B 1C5

Day and Time of Worship Sunday Divine Service: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Friday Prayer Meetings: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Contact: Rev. Joshua C. Doughan - 514-542-0871

SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED FOLLOWING THE TRADITIONAL GHANA METHODIST LITURGY. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US. WE HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU. GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU

Disciples Revival Church Healing & Deliverance Centre Rev. Dr. & Rev (Mrs) Charles Mantey Founders/Senior Pastors

416-614-7771

Saturday

- Organizational Meetings Choir Practice, Singing Band Practice

Venue of Worship 65 Mayall Avenue, Toronto, Ontario Tel: 416-614-6110 / 647-341-7305 Email: gcmuc.org Hamilton Society Stoney Creek United Church (Chapel) 1 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Hamilton Contact: 289-244-5914, 289-700-6815, 289-698-1388

CHRIST REDEEMER CHURCH

Pastor-in-charge: Pastor Eric Amoah Tel: (416) 748-1242 Cell: (416) 300-9970 Church Services Sunday Service: Bible Study: 10 a.m.-11a.m.

Worship Service: 11a.m. - 1p.m.

Wednesday: Bible Study 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

Friday Night Prayer: 8p.m.-10p.m. Pastor Eric Amoah Location: 4 Racine, Unit 9 (Kipling/Rexdale)

Email: info@disciplesrevivalchurch.org www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org

SUNDAY SERVICE - Morning - 10:00 am Mid-Week Service Wed: Bible Study & Prayer: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Friday: Youth Service 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Friday: Adult Intercessory Prayer - 7:00 - 9:00 pm For deliverance & healing, come to Disciples, a Church that caters to your needs

I AM ALPHA & OMEGA MINISTRY INT'L We invite you to worship with us Church Service: Sunday Worship: 10.00a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Studies: 6.00p.m. - 7.30 p.m.

Friday Prayer Meeting: 7.00p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

JESUS Loves You

Bishop John Mensah

NEW LOCATION

Do visit our website and sign up for the Pastor's monthly newsletter

www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org

100 Penn Drive, Unit #6, North York, Ont.

30 Gordon Mackay Rd, North York, ON, M9N 2V6

Tel: 416-419-6671

FOOD FOR LIFE

The Ghanaian News April 2019

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Bringing the Gospel to our Community by Rev. Isaac DeGraft Takyi

SEEK: SEEK GOD AND SEEK SOULS “Too often we spend all of our time seeking God for answers to our problems when what we should be doing is just seeking God.” —Anonymous

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” Matthew 6:33 (NLT) It is appropriate for me to register my profound gratitude to all my readers. God bless you for your time and timely feedbacks.

This month we will continue with our quest and secrets to seeking God with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul and all our strength form the New Testament. For the past two months we have been looking at the Old Testament basis for seeking God, and I believe it has been of great benefit to you.

The New Testament among other things emphasises what Jesus Himself revealed to us about the importance of seeking God. I trust that we will take up that challenge in faith.

Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need

Jesus knows that the key to supernaturalconstant supply of God’s best is God the Father Himself, and so He tells His disciples to prioritise God in their lives, and put God first in their lives, families, businesses, relationships, finances and fame. Whose interest do you seek first? Who controls your life and wallet?

Who controls your time, talent and treasure? God’s answer to meeting every need we have is to pursue Him above all else, and act righteously.

Luke 11:9 – 10 So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Both Matthew and Luke reportthat the Lord Jesus gives hope to the disciples in their prayer walk with the Father.

The truth is, any person who asks receives, seeks finds and knocks experiences open doors. Let us, in 2019, cultivate the habit of asking, seeking and knocking with faith in the Christ who never changes and never fails.

Matthew 13:44 – 46 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.

When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The desire to seek God first— His kingdom first—demands a sacrificial given. What do you have to sell today to access the

GLOBAL UNIVERSITY LEARNING CENTER LIVING WORD ASSEMBLY OF GOD TORONTO, CANADA GLOBAL UNIVERSITY: ACCREDITED, ACCESIBLE AND AFFORDABLE Living Word Assembly of God Church, 139 Millwick Avenue, Toronto, Canada is affiliated with Global University, as a Learning Center. We are delighted that you are seeking to prepare yourself for service in God’s harvest field. We trust you will identify a program of study to help you prepare for God’s call on your life.

Global University is a Christian University in the Pentecostal Tradition. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in the USA, part of the North Central Region that includes, Ohio State, University of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute.

Global University is Accessible, you can study anywhere at any time through our open enrolment.

Global University tuition is Affordable, the lowest of any highly accredited distance education university.

Global University learners benefit not only from increased knowledge through studying course content but also from spiritual growth and increased discipline. Should you enroll and study with Global University, you will not be studying alone. Instead, you will join students studying in literally every time zone of the world.

Motto: Winning the Lost and Training the Found Everywhere.

To register please contact Rev. Dr. Paa Kwesi Dadzie (Director) 416-831-2488 or Church Office: Mrs. Victoria Mintah (Administrator)

416 741-6285

Kingdom of God in full? What have you found in your life that demands that you sell or give up everything you owe to possess it? If others are willing to sell everything for a field filled with treasure and fine pearls, what are you willing to give up, to gain up?

Acts 17:26 – 27 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

God has a purpose, a plan and a will for His creation. The Holy Spirit reveals the answer to us.

Friends, you and I are here to seek God, reach out to God and to find God for ourselves.

Are you willing to seek God? The assurance is that He is not far from any of us. Seeking God is God’s will. If this is so, then why don’t we do it as He has prescribed it?

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God does not leave room for speculation when it comes to seeking Him. He tells us to do it and to do it in faith; to do it earnestly, intently, sincerely and seriously. To seek God first, one must believe that God doesexist. Do you believe that God exists? Do you believe that this self-existing God is a rewarder? Please note that God rewards those who please Him and seek Him sincerely.

Be a serious seeker of God. James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubleminded.

To seek God and find Him, we must be single-minded, purehearted, and clean-handed.

How clean are your hands?

How pure is your heart and how focused is your mind on the Lord God? God through both Testaments has revealed that it is His will for His children to seek Him. God has also outlined the blessings and unparallel benefits that His obedient children stand to gain. The Triune God has also spelt out the right means and methods of seeking God. The question is,“Do you believe Him?” If so, how willing are you to sacrifice whatever it takes to seek Him?

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

EVANGEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH 314 Rexdale Blvd. Etobicoke, Ont. M9W 1R6 Tel: 416-242-7950 Fax: 416-242-8573 Church Activities

Pastor in Charge

Rev. Milton Offei

Sunday School: Church Service: Sunday Evening: Wednesday Bible Studies: Friday Prayer Meeting:

10a.m. -11:00a.m.

11a.m. - 1:30p.m.

7p.m. - 8:30p.m.

7p.m. - 8:30p.m.

7p.m. - 9:00p.m.

Christian Hope Ministry Int'l Invites You All To Come Worship With Us

Bethel Prayer Ministry Int'l

Do you desire to experience the power and the presence of God demonstrated in your life?

Do you want to experience the marvelous work of God's grace in your life?

Then, Bethel Prayer Ministry International would like to invite you to visit their church where the word of God is preached powerfully to release the power of God in your life.

Pastor Dennis Awuku COME AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED Senior Pastor

Contact:

Cell. 416-400-8211 Church 416-642-0390 Worship Hours: Sunday Service: 9am - 1pm Tuesday 9am - 2 pm Consultation Wednesday: 7pm - 9p.m.

Friday: 9pm - 12 pm Saturday (Prayer Warriors) 6pm - 8pm Location: 52 Carrier Drive, Unit 12, (Albion/Hwy 27)

Etobicoke, Ont., M9w 5S5

Harvest Christian Church Invites you for a wonderful time with the Lord

Apostle-in-charge: Apostle Twumasi Ankrah

Apostle Twumasi Ankrah

Tel: 647-916-0780 / 647-703-9717 TIME OF WORSHIP: Sunday 10:30 am - 1:30 pm Tuesday 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Friday 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

VENUE: 1177 Finch Dr. #20, North York "And these signs will follow those who believe, in My Name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them, they will lay hands on the sick , and they will recover. Amen (Mark 16:17)

"COME AND EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF GOD"

Worship Hours Sundays (Mornings) 10 - 12:45pm Wednesday (Bible Study) 7 -8:30 pm Friday (All Night Prayer) 8-10:30pm Rev Moses Sarpong

Come and Experience the power of the Word Join us at 196 Toryork Drive(Corner of Weston/Finch)

Tel: 416-743-2507

It’s Harvest Time So Reach Out And Make A Difference

It’s A Great Commission!

The Ghanaian News April 2019

65

The Apostolic Church Int'l.

The Apostolic Church International (Toronto Assembly) is a Branch of The Apostolic Church in Ghana Apostle Nii Aryee (Area Supt. Canada-Wide)

Meeting Schedule Sunday (Worship) Wednesday Teaching Service Friday Prayers Friday: Monthly All Night Service Saturday : Movements -

- - - -

10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

THE APOSTLES'

Field Superintendent contact: 416-454-6141 (cell) 905-913-2037 (Res)

CONTINUATION CHURCH INTERNATIONAL (CANADA)

168 Rexdale Blvd.,

North American Headquarters: 10 Belfield Road Toronto, Ont., M9W 1G1 Tel: 416-247-6629 Fax: 416-247-5308

Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 1P6 Church Office 416-740-1979 Field Secretary: Pastor Cyril Williams - 416-875-9616

Website: www.apostlescontinuation.org

Apostle Charles Anokye-Manu

Lighthouse Assembly of God Church

SERVICE TIMES:

2019: BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT SUNDAY SERVICES: 10:00 am-1:30 pm Ghanaian Service WEEKDAY SERVICES: Wednesday - Bible Studies Friday - Prayer Service LOCATION:

42 Steinway Blvd. Unit 1&2 (Hwy 27/Steeles) Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6Y6

Tel: 416-740-1200 Fax: 416-740-6435 Email: lighthouseag@outlook.com Website: http:/www/lighthouseag.ca www.lighthouseagtoronto.org

Rhema Power of Grace Chapel Int'l

Toronto

63 Howden Rd., Unit 'F' Scarborough, ON, M1R 3C7 Tel 647-850- 0142 Fax 416-945- 9445

Sunday Divine Worship Twi Service - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Multicultural Service - 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesday - Midweek Service Friday - All Night Service

-

8p.m. - 10p.m.

10p.m. - 1a.m.

Contact Lines: 416-321-2796 (Pastor's Res) 416-747-9225 (Church) Cell: 647-921-2414

Tel: 514-271-9083 Pastor-In-Charge: John Arhin

Contact: Res: 450-687-4916 Cell: 514-654-6178

Immanuel Assembly of God Church, Scarborough Sunday School: 9:30am -10:30am Church Service: 10:30am - 12 noon

350 Deerhide Cres, North York, ON Rev. Bishop Joe Bonnah

378 Cremazie East Montreal, Quebec, H2P 1E5

Scarborough Assembly

Place of Worship:

Founder &Pastor-in-charge

Montreal Assembly

10 Belfield Road Tel: 416-247-6629

Invites all Christians, Non-Christians and members of the community to join us worship the Great Jehovah

Days And Time of Worship

- Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday 9:00 p.m.

- Friday 9:30 p.m.

- Saturday 4:00 p.m.

Worship With Us At These Branches In Canada

Pastor-in-charge: Rev. Boniface Keelson

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 7:00 pm -9:00 pm

Worship Service Bible Studies Service All Night Service Deliverance

Rev. Douglas O. Ansah Pastor-in-charge

LOCATION Don Montgomery Community Centre 2467 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, Ont., (Kennedy/Eglinton Subway Station) For more info contact:

647-880-4216

Email: immanuelscarborough@gmail.com Website: immanuelaog.ca.

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Ghanaian Presbyterian Church of Montreal

Minister: Rev. Stephen Azundem

Services:

Welcome Home Evangelistic Ministries Affiliated with the Evangelical Church In Canada

Sunday 10:00AM – 1:00PM Divine Worship Service Wednesday 7:00PM – 9:00PM Teaching Service (Bible Study) Friday 7:00PM – 9:00PM – Prayer Service

Gen. Overseer & Founder: Evang. & Prophetess Winnie Manu BRE, M. Div.

New address: Heart Lake United Church 85 Sandalwood Pkwy E. Brampton, ON Sunday Morning Worship Celebration start from 1:30 pm Wednesday Discipleship class is 7pm Friday Prayer meeting is 7pm Contact Info: Tel: 647 210 7057 Fax: 905 495 4789 Website: www.wheministries.org

Email: whemtoday@gmail.com

Tel (office): 450-314-0871 Tel (Cell): 514 660 2422 Res: 514-542-4142

3000 Boul St-rose Laval, Quebec, H7R 1T6

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67

Glory Pentecostal Ministry of Toronto Pastor-in-charge: Rev. Rockson Owusu Atwima - 416-708-7742

Invites all Christians and Non-Christians to join us to worship the Almighty God WORSHIP SCHEDULE 11:00 am to 1:30 pm Sunday Regular Service Tuesday Prayer and Healing Service 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Prayer Night 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm Friday

PLACE OF WORSHIP 230 Eddystone Ave., #207, North York, Ont. M3N 1H7 We are more tan our conquerors Romans 8:37 "Come and see the manifestation and the power of the Holy Spirit at work"

Praise Temple of Christ International Snr. Pastor: Apostle Osei-Bonsu 336 Gary Ray Drive @ Signet Worship Schedule Sunday Worship - 10 am - 12:30 pm Wednesday - Bible Study - 7 pm - 9 pm Friday - Prayer Meeting - 8 pm - 10 pm Second and last Friday of each month All Night Prayer Meeting 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Apostle Osei Bonsu

Pastor Appiah Jacob

Transformation Centre Assembly of God Church, Mississauga Join us on Sundays for worship at: Venue: Clarkson Community Centre (Margaret Marland Room) Address: 2475 Truscott Drive, Mississauga, Ont (Southdown Rd/Truscott Dr. on Winston Churchill Blvd/Truscott Dr.

Time: 10.00AM-1.00PM Contact: Pastor Isaac K. Bonful Tel: 289-814-5482 Email: transformcentreag@yahoo.ca www.transformationcentreag.ca "...Be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2a

Good Shepherd Prayer Ministry Invites you all to come worship with us Venue: 95 Eddystone Ave unit 4 North York, ON Time of worship: Sunday:10am - 1pm Wednesday bible studies 7pm - 9pm Friday Prayer / Deliverance 7pm - 9pm

Pastor Joseph Nash Sarfo Founder & Pastor-in-charge

The thief cometh not , but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.11.l am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Amen.

John 10 :10-11

Tel: 416 667-9763 cell 647 500-4415 / 647 718-4819 / 416 300-4258 Email:pastorjsarfo@gmail.com I encourage you to join us in worship regardless of your situation the power of God is available to make you whole

For information call: 905-840-7387, 647-208-1093 416-209-9136, 647-710-2573

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The Ghanaian News April 2019

Around the Ghana Sports Scene Callum Hudson-Odoi named among Europe’s most valuable U20s Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi is among seven Premier League youngsters who have been named as the most valuable talents in Europe by an independent study.

The clever guys over at CIES Football Observatory use statistical data to analyse the ongoing fluctuations in the transfer market and today they have announced their latest findings, the most valuable U20’s in Europe’s top five leagues.

In what could be interesting news to Manchester United fans, England forward Jadon Sancho – who has been linked with a big money move to Old Trafford – is the most valuable U20 in Europe, with the 19-year-old being valued at an eye-watering €150.3 million (128.5m), far more than reports have suggested.

The most valuable player currently playing in the Premier League is Arsenal‘s Matteo Guendouzi, who, having joined for Ligue 2 side Lorient last summer for just £7m, has enjoyed an impressive first season at the Emirates and has now seen his valuation leap to €70.1m (£59.6m).

West Ham‘s Declan Rice is another player who has also enjoyed a sensational breakthrough campaign this year, establishing as a first team regular in the Hammers midfield, and the now England international is valued at €64.2m (£54.9m), the fifth most valuable.

One man who has dominated headlines in recent months is Chelsea‘s Callum Hudson-Odoi, with the English winger having been linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Manchester United. The Bundesliga leaders are believed to have made a January bid worth £35m for the 18-year-old, however, these current findings suggest that that valuation was pretty high, with CIES saying he is in fact only worth €20.3m (£17.36m).

Also included in the top 25 are Manchester United’s DiogoDalot, Burnley’s Dwight McNeil, Man City’s Phil Foden, and Fulham’s highly rated Ryan Sessegnon, who could be on

Here are the 25 most expensive players The 24-year-old in Europe.

Ghanaian advised the 25. Diego Lainez (Real Betis) – €16m Mexican to be mindful of 24.Fran Beltran (Celta Vigo) – €17.2m his utterances as he was 23.Forran Torres (Valencia) – €17.9m in the best of conditions 22. Dan-Axel Zagadou (Borussia to avenge his painful Dortmund) – €19.5m 20=. Callum defeat in their maiden Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) – €20.3m fight last December.

20=. Moise Kean (Juventus) – €20.3m 19.OzanKabak (Stuttgart) – €20.8m 18.Phil Foden (Manchester City) – €21.9m 17.Boubacar Kamara (Marseille) – €26.6m 16.Alban Lafont (Fiorentina) – €28.3m 15.Dwight McNeil (Burnley) – €28.6m 14.

Pedro Porro (Girona) – €29.4m 13.

DiogoDalot (Manchester United) – €30.2m

Having lost to Navarrete in an upset in New York, Dogboe (20-1, 14 KOs) has pitched camp at Keta in the Volta Region and is preparing feverishly since the activation of an immediate rematch clause in the contract.

12. Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal) – €35m 11.IbrahimaKonate (RB Leipzig) – €40m 10.Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) – €43.5m 9.Evan N’Dicka (Frankfurt) – €44.1m 8.Justin Kluivert (Roma) – €44.3m 7.Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – €55m 6.Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan) – €59.4m 5.

Declan Rice (West Ham United) – €64.2m

Dogboe has been in training camp since arriving in the country from the United Kingdom with the aim of coming back stronger against the Mexican pugilist on May 11.

4. Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) – €64.3m 3.NicoloZaniolo (Roma) – €67.4m 2.Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal) – €70.1m 1. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) – €150.3m GHANAsoccernet.com

In an interview with the Graphic Sports at his training base at Keta last Tuesday, Dogboe laughed off claims by Navarrete that he would

By Frank Darkwah

After winning the Italia SerieA title, Super Coppa Italia trophy and German DFB Pokal Cup, KevinPrince Boateng has snatched yet another title by winning the Spanish La Liga with Barcelona.

Barcelona thus wins the La Liga back to back having won it last season. The Catalans further grabs their 26th La Liga title.

Boateng however becomes

I am very dangerous - Isaac Dogboe warns Navarrete

Former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super bantamweight champion, Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe, has cautioned E m a n u e l Navarrete to choose his words right ahead of Bradley Hudson-Odoi their crunch rematch at the the move this summer following the C o n v e n t i o n in Cottagers’ relegation from the Premier Centre Tucson, Arizona, League. on May 11.

KP Boateng Wins La Liga Title With Barcelona

The 32-year-old clinched his first title with the Spanish giants after a 1-0 win over Levante on Saturday, thanks to a Lionel Messi second half strike.

with Jonathan Baah Annobil

Isaac Dogboe knock him out in their scheduled rematch and stated that the Mexican fighter failed to achieve that when he was unfit.

He asked how Navarrete could stop him when he was much fit and having the best of training camp. Dogboe called on his opponent to expect a different and much dangerous fighter in their second bout.

“He must be careful in choosing his words because he couldn’t stop me when I was unfit so why does he think he can achieve that now? I just want to sound a warning to him to expect a much fit and dangerous boxer in our second fight. He should know that I am coming for my title and nothing else,” he said.

Meanwhile, Navarrete (26-1, 22 KOs) is hopeful of making a successful title defence against

The Ghanaian who signed a short-term deal with Barcelona from

“In the next fight, I think Dogboe will come in with more desire, he will want to make it more of a fight, but that is my comfort zone. They come to me and I take them in. I feel better when they come to me because I make them fail and I take advantage. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, because he’s a good puncher, he’s tough. It’s going to be difficult, but I think I will have a better chance of knocking him out,” he said.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

the First Round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, with the fifth overall pick.

To date, he has made 31 regular-season appearances (27 starts) and scored two goals for the Black & Gold.

This was after the Black and Gold acquired $125,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) from Rapids.

Italian Club Sassuolo in the January transfer has another opportunity to win the UEFA Champions League with the Spanish powerhouse.

“In the first fight with Dogboe, I think he was confident because maybe he saw me and felt that I’m not really a fighter but nobody looks at my body as being that of a boxer because I do not look like that, but I feel very strong. I feel like that affected him a lot when he could not hurt me and he started to decline.

Columbus Crew send Ghanaian defender Lalas Abukakar to Colorado Rapids on loan Columbus Crew have loaned out defender Lalas Abubakar to Colorado Rapids for the remainder of the MLS season.

the second Ghanaian to have won the Spanish La Liga title after Thomas Partey won it with Atletico Madrid three seasons ago.

Dogboe and told ESPN Deportes in an interview that his chances of knocking the Ghanaian out would be greater than it was last December when the fight travelled the entire distance.

He explained that the Ghanaian’s desire to come after him in the upcoming bout would be to his advantage in the rematch.

‘’We believe that MLS season-long will give Lalas opportunity to valuable minutes,” Crew SC President Bezbatchenko.

He could be on his way to Sassuolo at the end of the ‘’The season.

Allocation

this loan the gain said Tim

Targeted Money

Lalas Abubakar we have received in exchange will benefit us as we continue to shape our roster.’’

Abubakar, 24, was selected by the Crew in

Prior to joining Crew SC, Abubakar played three seasons at the University of Dayton from 2014-2016, making 61 appearances (60 starts), scoring four goals and recording six assists during his time there.

GHANAsoccernet.com

The Ghanaian News April 2019

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