GHANAIAN NEWS - APRIL 2022

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Ontario general election 2022: Here’s what the PCs, NDP, Liberals and Greens have promised so far Ahead of the June 2 election, Ontario’s political parties are working hard to get voters’ attention and support

By Emmanuel Ayiku and Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto, ON

Premier Doug Ford, Conservative

Andrea Horwath, NDP

Steven Del Duca, Liberal

Mike Schreiner, Green Party

On May 3, 2022, Premier Doug Ford met with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to request dissolution of the legislature and for writs of election be drawn up.[7]

held on the first Thursday in June in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election.[4]

pass. In terms of an unexpected snap election, on October 5, 2020, Ontario MPPs voted unanimously in favour of a motion stating that the government will not call an election prior to the fixed election date in 2022.[5][6]

Progressive Conservative Party unveils 2022 budget ahead of provincial

The 2022 Ontario general election will be held on June 2, 2022, to elect Members of the Provincial Parliament to serve in the 43rd Parliament of Ontario. As of December 2016, Ontario elections are

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario can be dissolved earlier by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on a motion of no confidence or if the Premier triggers a snap election.

Since the current government has a majority, it is a near-certainty that any non-confidence vote would not

Here is a list of some promises made by the PCs, NDP, Liberals, and Greens so far. This list will be updated as the campaign unfolds.

April 20: The PC government says it is exploring increasing compensation for workers injured on the job, but the change wouldn’t take effect until after the election. It says the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act would need to be amended to set a new rate. It says the proposed change would be cont’d on pg. 12

New “Seniors Keeping Connected’ Program Launched Staff Reporter, Toronto, ON

Pilgrim Feast Tabernacle launched a new program designed to nourish the well-being of our senior community. The inaugural event yielded smiles and laughter throughout the afternoon, as musical memories from the 60s and 70s and the aroma of delicious food wafted through the premises at Forks & Fingers Restaurant in Etobicoke (African and Caribbean cuisine). Participants noted that the event was well-organized, and the desserts were swooned over as ‘sinfully delicious’!

The many shocking stories of seniors who suffered throughout the COVID pandemic revealed large gaps in their having access to sufficient care and companionship. Committed to the belief that every senior should have the opportunity to experience a vibrant and exciting life, the sponsors behind “Seniors Keeping Connected” sought to find solutions that would help reduce those gaps. The program has a mission of providing a supportive haven for seniors to congregate and socialize, together with a vision that these events will foster the natural evolution of a trusted and mutual support network for the attendees. cont’d on pg. 31

Group Picture of the seniors

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

EDITORIAL Publisher / Editor Emmanuel Ayiku Contributing Editor Joe Kingsley Eyiah Director of Operations Comfort Ayiku Community Reporter Jonathan Annobil Local Community Reporter Mickson Addo 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 Website: 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

Ontario Votes June 2, 2022, what’s new and COVID measures With the formal dissolution of the provincial legislature on May 3 by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell at the request of Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Leader Doug Ford, the 2022 election campaign is officially underway.

The general election in Ontario is on June 2 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and candidates in 124 ridings across the province have begun their formal campaigns.

Up until the night of June 2, thousands of Elections Ontario workers will be helping eligible residents cast their ballots.

“Ghanaian News is here to advice all eligible members of our community to go out in their numbers and cast your ballot, especially if you have that voter information card, as quickly, as easily as possible.

“Voters need to bring one piece of ID with their name and their address, and if they do receive a voter information card they can bring that as well and that just makes the process really simple when they get to the voting location,.

If you cannot Vote on June 2, eligible Voters can begin voting from May 5 at your local Elections Ontario returning office up until 6 p.m. on June 1.

Also if you want to vote by mail you must apply by 6 p.m. on May 27. Advance voting this year will occur between May 19 and 28. Voting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This year, Elections Ontario staff has moved some processes onto digital platforms.

For instance, they launched an Elections Ontario app (on Apple Store or Google Play) that allows voters to find out where they can vote, download their information card to use in conjunction with ID in order to vote, check to see if they’re on the voters list along with the ability to make changes, and access the application to vote by mail.

For someone who doesn’t want to download the app, many of its functions are on the Elections Ontario website.

As you are all aware COVID-19 is still a Health issue therefore public health precautions will be still be in effect. Elections Ontario staff have been working with the province’s chief medical officer of health to incorporate measures at polling locations.

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.

11-year-old Princess Kumi wins 2022 Bono East Girls in ICT Programme

Voters will see a lot of what they’re already used to in terms of physical distancing, hand sanitizer, disinfecting high-touch surfaces and that sort of thing, This year’s provincial election campaign will shape the direction Ontario takes in the years ahead from economic recovery to public health, from the minimum wage to the cost of living, from what we give to government to what we get back.

Ontario looks beyond a pandemic that has upended our economy, the health-care system, the housing market, that has remade our province and touched every part of our lives, therefore your vote matters a great deal.

Ghanaian News appeals to all community members to go out in their numbers to vote. Your vote is your power.

Remember that a single vote makes a huge difference and as the saying goes, those that refuse to take part in government are bound to live under a government of fools. Examine these various platforms and decide which of them satisfies your family as well as community interests. Let us rise up to the occasion and make our Community stand up on this election.

The 11-year-old pupil was initially not selected among the 1000 girls to be trained in the region

An eleven-year-old pupil of the Prang R/C Primary School in the Pru West District, Princess Kumi, has been adjudged the winner of the 2021 Bono East Girls in ICT programme.

The 11-year-old pupil was initially not selected among 1,000 girls to be trained in the region but joined the programme as a substitute for another girl, who could not make it due to ill health.

“With my dream to become a programmer, there was no way I would miss this opportunity. When I learned my elder sister, Tabitha Kumi, had been selected to take part in the Girls in ICT programme, I quickly went to my teacher and told her to allow me to join”, she said.

“I was so happy when I was called to replace a girl who could not make it. I knew it was my time and here I am, the winner of the 2022 Bono East Girls in ICT programme. I think I deserve a standing ovation,” the 2022 winner stated during the climax of the girls in ICT programme held in Techiman in the Bono East Region on Wednesday, 20 April 2022.

Communications and Digitalisation Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful noted that this year’s Girls in ICT initiative seeks to train 5000 girls and 500 ICT/STEM teachers in the Bono East, Bono, Ahafo, Savannah and Northern Regions.

She also noted that her Ministry, through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) is implementing the Rural Telephony and Digitalisation Inclusion Project which will construct 2,016 rural sites for voice and data nationwide to aid in accessing ICT. “In bridging the ICT gap, it is absolutely crucial that we learn how to utilise digital infrastructure, applications and systems in a secure manner, and protect our cyberspace and citizens as a nation.”

A hundred students who excelled in the programme, received laptops while the best 3 received a cash award and other incentives.

Also, the top 20 girls will have Cyber labs built and equipped in the schools where there are no labs, while those with existing labs will be refurbished.

The teachers of the top 10 girls were given laptops.

Source: classfmonline.com

The Ghanaian News April 2022 7

History of Mother’s Day Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.” Once a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, this celebration fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was originally seen as a time when the faithful would return to their “mother church”—the main church in the vicinity of their home—for a special service. Over time the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted into a more secular holiday, and children would present their mothers with flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually faded in popularity before merging with the American Mother’s Day in the 1930s and 1940s.

Who is a Mother; Redefining Motherhood Mother’s Day for most women means eating out, receiving flowers and cards, gifts and services. Unfortunately, Mother’s Day can be a difficult day for many women. Some women have mothers who have passed away, have difficult relationships with their own mothers, or are childless. Perhaps the hardest hit among this group are women without children. There are some women who because of mental or physical illness as well as drug use have lost their children to other family members, the state and Forster homes

Who and What Is a Mother?

The true meaning of motherhood and what the definition of a mother is, will vary with every individual. There is no one definition that fits all what makes a mother is an all-important question because it forces us to explore, think critically, consider others, and better understand ourselves.

The world is filled with mothers. A mother selflessly gives and helps those around them. She nurtures children.

She helps those around her deal with difficult things. A mother can be a teacher, aunt, or friend. Mothering has less to do with having children and more to do with how you treat the children in your life.

Redefine what the word “mother” means. It can mean a Forster mother, stepmother doing all she can for a child she didn’t give birth to or a teacher who worries aboutand helps students in her class. As you redefine the word “mother,” the focus on Mother’s Day changes from honoring women with children to honoring all women. In this regard, they do not have to meet or fit into the typical social definition of who amother ought to be.

In short, I believe, a mother is anyone who provides care to people. Or, anyone who considers herself one. Simply put, being a mother is not only a definition; it’s a feeling as well.

By Porcia Boateng, Toronto, ON

As we approach mother’s day, many people are preparing to celebrate the women in their lives who have raised, loved, cared and nurtured them; their mothers. “What is a mother?” has been a topic of debate for years. Many have wondered if motherhood is only biological or not.

And what makes someone a mother?

By Doris Osei Bonsu, Brampton, ON

Whether a woman is childless by choice or by chance, Mother’s Day can stir up a lot of negative feelings and emotions. If a woman you love doesn’t have children, Mother’s Day is an important time to be aware of her feelings. They don’t want us to stop celebrating mothers. But they want us to be respectful and conscious of their experience. So how can you help?

What is a mother?

Doris Osei Bonsu

There was a colleague of mine at work who had a couple of miscarriages and told me she hated Mother’s Day.To her the day is a trigger. She told me she had an amazing friend who validated that she was a mother. She felt better afterwards. This friend is a remarkable example of effectively helping a friend who feels sad during Mother’s Day because she doesn’t have a child.

But everyone who’s been through infertility, pregnancy loss, or adoption knows how rare it is that people recognize you as a mother.

She told me in the past, she hid away on Mother’s Day for fear of people not recognizing her as a mother, she was all to herself.

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate all women, whether they have children or not, and part of celebrating all women means being aware and respectful of all women’s experiences on Mother’s Day. Even women without children.

A little extra thoughtfulness can help make this day enjoyable for everyone.

I say,Biology does not make a mother, nor does the legal paperwork of adoption or foster parenting.

For me, I don’t know. but no matter how abundantly thankful I am to God to have children, but I believe I was a mother long before I had them.

Are You a Mother?

If you make the world a better place for the sake of future generations and people around you, you can most certainly be a mother.

The noun definition of a mother is someone who births a child. However, as a verb, a mother is someone who brings up a child with care and affection.

For this article, I wanted to focus on the verb definition of a mother. A verb is an action word which means that motherhood is more than just giving birth to a child but rather someone who raises and nurtures the child from infancy to adulthood. Motherhood is not a temporary role but rather a continuous role that a woman occupies.

As the world evolves, there has been a massive change in the traditional family structure. The conventional definition of motherhood has shifted dramatically.

We have seen more women who are not birth mothers being great mothers to children they did not biologically birth.

In addition, many grandparents, aunts, adopted parents, godparents and foster mothers are raising, loving and caring for children who are not their own.

As a mother of six young children, I love my children very much. However, I also understand that the values I imprint in my children will be what sustains them when they leave my home. Therefore, we all must come together to help raise

Porcia Boateng a generation of men and women that we can all be proud of. We must also nurture other mothers and children who need love, support, and protection due to their home environment.

I grew up in a period where the village raised the children in the community!

An era where women took on raising, loving, disciplining and nurturing each other’s children. Some women also raised and took care of children who were not biologically theirs. This display of love is what motherhood is all about. Lastly, being a mother is more than biological; it is about loving, caring and nurturing a child, whether that child is biologically or not.

Therefore, instead of judging another mother, embrace and help them so they can be better for their children. To all mothers, we are all in this together.

Happy mothers day

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

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Ontario deficit rises to $19.9 billion in Ford government’s 2022 election budget Ontario’s deficit will rise this year to $19.9 billion, with the Ford government enacting new measures for seniors, low-income workers and auto commuters in a budget that holds out hope the province can return to balance around the time of the next provincial election in 2026.

$33.1 billion in the 2021 and $21.5 billion in the 2021 Fall Economic Statement to $13.5 billion.

The 2022 budget says the deficit will fall to $10.8 billion in 2023-24, $6.1 billion in 2024-25, $5 billion in 202526 and only $700 million in 2026-2027 once a $1.5 billion reserve is removed.

The deficit for the fiscal year that ended last month is down from an estimated The

independent

Financial

Accountability Office suggested earlier this month the PCs could balance the budget by 2023-24 without the new spending confirmed on Thursday.

Premier Doug Ford’s election-year budget includes a pledge for tax relief for low-income workers, a cut to the gas tax, and reveals what his muchtouted end to vehicle license plate sticker fees will cost.

The Ford government is betting big on infrastructure, with $10 billion in additional money for hospital construction and redevelopment over the next 10 years.

The funds will build new hospitals in Brampton and Mississauga, and redevelop other hospitals in Etobicoke and Scarborough, along with a raft of other projects across the province.

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION There’s also nearly $4 billion more for highway construction in the province over the next decade, though provincial bureaucrats would not say how much of that will be committed to the new Highway 413 or the Bradford Bypass, projects expected to cost billions on their own and have not yet been put out to tender.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy defended the size of the nearly $200 billion spending plan, which sees the province stay in deficit until the next election or later, saying it addresses affordability issues brought on by oncein-a-generation high levels of inflation.

“What you’ve seen is us bringing costs down on many fronts – lower income tax for those making $50,000 or less is part of our plan – we’ve given the license plate stickers – and the previous liberal government, they just increased fees every year – with the license plate stickers, that’s like an immediate tax cut.”

Addressing the budget hawks, he said the new plan still eliminates the deficit two years earlier than was projected in his last budget.

“Our debt to GDP (ratio) is down eight per cent and our commitment to balance the budget is going to happen two years faster than we said last year,” he said.

But asked four separate times whether he would actually pass the budget presented Thursday if the PCs win the June 2 election, Bethlenfalvy was less than clear.

“What I will commit to the people of Ontario that this is our plan. This is the budget that we’re tabling and we’ll get the people of Ontario to vote on that budget. And I have full confidence in the people of Ontario that they will pass this budget.”

NDP leader Andrea Horwath said she felt there was no guarantee that the PCs would pass the budget in its current form should they win the election.

“I am absolutely concenrned about a bait and switch. There must be a hidden budget somewhere – because the finance minister refused to commit to the document he put in front of you today, he was very uncomfortable.”

She called said the budget was full of “gimmicks” and “boondoggles,” and failed to recognize the seriousness of housing unaffordability and rising inflation.

MONEY CARE

FOR

SENIOR

Entirely new is a tax credit aimed at frail seniors who still live at home and receive home care from a nurse or attendant.

The new Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit will offer tax filers age 70 or up a credit of 25 per cent of medical costs up to $6,000, for a maximum credit of $1,500. Seniors earning $65,000 a year or more are not eligible.

It’s expected to cost $110 million in 2022 and help up to 200,000 seniors. cont’d on pg. 11

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The Ghanaian News April 2022

FOCUS Cyberbullying in our schools must be stopped!

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Brookview Middle School, Toronto-Canada

Bullying is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance use and even suicide in our schools.

Recent report on cyberbullying among students is alarming and teachers as well as parents ought to watch out for signs of bullying among students and act accordingly to stop it.

Bullying is considered by experts as the ways in which boys and girls act out of their aggression. It usually occurs among younger teens and pre-teens but begins to fade during late teen years. Research has shown that middle school years are crucial years to be aware of bullying!

At the middle school in Toronto where I teach, the guidance department has recently organized some presentations for our students on ‘Six Categories of Digital Citizenship’ which include 1. Media Balance and Well-Being 2.

Privacy and Security 3. Digital Footprint and Identity 4. Relationship and Communication 5.

Cyberbullying, Digital Drama and Hate Speech 6. News and Media Literacy The presentations were warranted by

recent inappropriate use of cellular phones and social media by students to bully their fellow students.

In today’s changing environments within school settings, increased attention is geared towards effective learning. There is a sense of urgency for innovation in education which arises as part of rapid economic and social changes.

Sometimes, phones and digital equipment can help students achieve critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and autonomous learning.

At the same time if these equipment are used inappropriately by students they become tools of Cyberbullying!

The essential question is:

“What should you do when someone uses mean or hurtful language on the internet?”

Students must be taught to understand that it is very important to think about the words they use because everyone interprets things differently.

They need to identify ways to respond to mean words online and, decide what kinds of statements are good to say online and which are not!

Students can use the social media to bully others in the form of racist, sexist or homophobic remarks. There had been situations where the bullied had taken their lives in solitary. The dangers of Cyberbullying are frightening and ways and means must be constantly used to stop them in our schools.

Parents expect schools to provide environments that are emotionally and physically safe for their children. As parents, we normally feel enraged and frightened by any environment that poses a threat to the wellbeing of our

children, especially in schools.

According to the psychologist and bullying expert, Evelyn Field, bullies and targets of bullies often have undeveloped assertive communication needs. Assertive communication is the open expression of one’s needs, feelings, thoughts and desires. It involves speaking for your needs while respecting the needs of others.

Cyberbullying, though relatively new on the bullying field, it is spreading very fast as modern communication technology advances.

My humble advice to teachers and parents is that they should look for early signs of Cyberbullying among their children. They must pay attention to changes in their child’s behaviour and encourage their children to talk about what happens at school.

We must all, teachers, school administrators, parents and students help stop Cyberbullying in our schools.

No foul play suspected in deaths of four cadets at Royal Military College, CAF says The Department of National Defence says foul play is not suspected in the deaths of four officer cadets at Canada’s Royal Military College last week.

The department says the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, the local military police detachment and Kingston police are supporting an ongoing coroner’s investigation into the incident.

Officer cadets Jack Hogarth, Andrei Honciu, Broden Murphy and Andres Salek, who were all poised to graduate, died early Friday morning on the

Kingston, Ont. campus when their vehicle plunged into Lake Ontario at Point Frederick.

A statement from the department says no further information will be released until the coroner’s report is completed.

The loss of lives is being felt across the Royal Military College community, the department says.

The department is asking anyone with information about the fatal incident to contact investigators.

The Canadian Press

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The Ghanaian News April 2022 11

Make E-Levy work for Ghanaians

By Edmund Agbeko, Toronto, ON

better oversight on spending.

Disadvantages such as corruption, the trapping of funds which could have been used for a more beneficial investment and occasionally averting superlative apportionment of government budgets (Fingleton, 2005) could be the reason for formulating the E-Levy in its current form.

I couldn’t agree more with Frederick Affum, where argued that, the Electronic Transfer Levy, popularly referred to as E-Levy, as assented to on March 31, 2022, is said to be imposed on electronic transfers to enhance revenue mobilisation by broadening the tax base and providing for related matters.

The act regulating the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022, Act 1075, (E-Levy) spells out its management, collecting authority, payments, recovery and submission of reports, just as other existing national levies.

At a 1.75 rate previously, it was estimated to raise approximately GH¢6.9 billion annually for the nation, which has been argued by the former Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper, to be immaterial to overcoming the anticipated deficit gap of GH¢37 billion by the end of the year 2022 (Business and Financial Times Online, 2021).

According to Brian Bass in 2017, “A government levy is a distinct tax imposed on citizens to cover budgets related with routing the business of running towns, states or countries through referendums or laws.”

It represents an obligatory imbursement by a certain group of persons to fund an associated public amenity and is typically collected by a government or an agency formed by the government (Fingleton, 2005; Oyedele, 2014).

Commonly, the policy in managing taxes is to require all proceeds collected by the government to be paid into a collective or consolidated fund first, after which payouts are made according to law and budgetary apportionments, which is the case of the E-Levy.

However, there also exist occurrences where special funds are established for special taxes or levies to be paid into, for specific government agendas, and this is often associated with the setting up of boards or other establishments to direct the raising of the levy and its application to the distinct purpose concerned.

In this way, government actions are lifted in such establishments, with probable consequences of lessening political interferences (Fingleton, 2005). The latter is the approach of Special Purpose Levies (SPLs), which I wish to suggest E-Levy must be similarly fashioned.

I believe Act 1075 might not be detailed enough in realising its intended purpose or the government’s aim; and also in ensuring accountability and sustainable resources in national development regardless of the government in power.

For instance, the act states that the E-Levy is imposed to “enhance revenue mobilisation”; which could only mean to improve, augment, increase, boost,

supplement or complement all existing efforts bringing in income into coffers.

Taxation has always been a traditional way by which governments raise funds to finance their activities from their citizens or entities (Fritz et al, 2022), and by merely increasing it won’t be a “purpose” enough for the imposition which caused chaos in Parliament (Graphic Online, 2021). Detailing a specific purpose of the E-Levy to meet a special demand will be key in the administration and future of the tax.

Taking a cue from the Energy Sector Levy (ESLA), it was imposed to specifically combine all prevailing energy sector levies for their resourceful use, pay legacy debts and other obligations within the energy sector, enable maintainable longstanding investments and provide for related matters (Energy Sector Levies Act, 2015; ESLA Report, 2016).

Other specific taxes for specific purposes are the Energy Debt Recovery Levy to precisely take care of debt recoveries, Price Stabilisation and Recovery Levy to be used as a buffer for under-recoveries and to ensure steady petroleum prices and merging already existing levies, such as the Road Fund Levy to maintain roads, Energy Fund Levy to support the Energy Commission of Ghana, Public Lighting Levy to finance the running of community lights and maintain public and traffic lights, and National Electrification Scheme Levy to fund national electrification plans (Energy Sector Levies Act, 2015).

We can likewise talk of the Financial Sector Recovery Levy, also paid into the Consolidated Fund and collected by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and specifically imposed on banks to raise revenue to provide funding for the financial sector restructurings and to provide for related matters (Financial Sector Recovery Levy Act, 2021); the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy on the supply of goods and services and imports to raise revenue to support COVID-19 spendings and other associated matters (COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy Act, 2021); and the Sanitation and Pollution Levy under the ESLA. SPLs meet special needs for long-term investments, arm sectors against the instabilities of national budgets, help kindle a more effective administration by government agencies and permit

I suggest it should be a special purpose levy considering the current trend of government spendings (Bloomberg, 2022; Trading Economics, 2022)

and the lot of government policies or agendas that need some kind of financial backbone to aid their execution (Agenda 111, Free SHS, 1D1F etc).

This way, Ghanaian subscribers to the E-Levy can concretely ascertain what they are paying for. By narrowing the purpose of the E-Levy and sensitising the public, Ghanaians would be more amenable to the payment of the levy, contrary to the current situation where a lot of Ghanaians are withdrawing their funds from their Momo wallets.

Ontario deficit rises to $19.9 billion in Ford government’s 2022 election budget cont’d from pg. 9 Ford’s largest promise, by cost, is the government’s ongoing effort to end vehicle license sticker renewal fees and send rebates of $60-120 per year per vehicle to all Ontario car owners.

But the budget document says the rebate will cost taxpayers $1.8 billion, $800 million more than was suggested by government sources when the pledge was first made public.

LOW-INCOME TAX CREDIT The budget also details plans to expand eligibility of the Ford government’s Low-Income Individuals and Families Tax Credit (LIFT).

The new LIFT credit will include tax filers earning up to $50,000 individually or up to $82,500 for a household, and provide up to $875 in tax relief.

The expanded threshold means 700,000 additional Ontario tax filers will qualify for the credit.

It will cost taxpayers $400 million each year.

contains nearly $20 billion more in revenue compared to last year, owing largely to the full reopening of all sectors of the economy after closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many sectors outside health care are running below projected expense targets.

Education is $1.3 billion under budget in 2021-22, largely due to lower than expected enrolment. Social services and children ran $632 million under budget due to lower need for the Ontario Child Benefit and fewer social assistance applications than expected.

The impact of rising interest rates has begun – with borrowing costs increasing $21 million over last year – a rounding error in a nearly $200 billion budget, but significant nonetheless.

Interest rate hikes cost the province $7 million per basis point, per year, meaning a .50 per cent hike costs the province $350 million in added interest costs.

NDP finance critic Catherine Fife said the credit amounts to just a few “dollars” per tax filer each year.

Under a faster than projected growth scenario, the province could be in the black by 2024-25, with a $2.4 billion surplus.

“There hasn’t been a huge take-up. It’s not easily navigated and this is small, what we’re talking about actually is really just dollars in people’s pockets, one or two dollars. There’s no substantive recognition that people are hurting.”

Net debt is set to rise to $395 billion this year, up from $324 billion five years ago.

Also coming in July is an 11 cent per litre cut to provincial taxes on gasoline, expiring at the end of 2022.

The 2022 budget projects this tax cut will cost the province $645 million in lost revenue this year.

Also in the document is an additional $3.5 million for emergency preparedness measures, and $96 million over three years to equip and train Ontario police services to respond to future protests and blockades at land border crossings.

Generally, the deficit is shrinking not due to cost cutting, but rising revenues.

Bureaucrats said the 2022 budget

Ontario is still budgeting $1.1 billion for COVID-19 testing in 2022-23.

This is equivalent to approximately 64,000 PCR tests per day using existing cost figures of roughly $47 per test, a rate of testing the province has not hit in more than three months and would struggle to achieve under current eligibility rules.

Real estate continues to contribute strongly to government coffers, with land transfer tax revenue up $212 million to nearly $5.7 billion in 2022.

Also, the tightening of the NonResident Speculation Tax, which now covers all of Ontario and includes groups such as foreign students and foreign workers that previously had an exemption, will earn the government $175 million this year and $235 million by 2024-2025 Cp24

12

The Ghanaian News April 2022

Ontario general election 2022: Here’s what the PCs, NDP, Liberals and Greens have promised so far

cont’d from pg. 1

possible due to surplus WSIB funds.

April 25: The PC government says it will spend $1 billion more over three years to expand home care. It says the funding will help prevent “unnecessary” hospital and long-term care admissions and shorten hospital stays.

April 26: The PCs say they intend to move the WSIB head office from Toronto to London. They say the current location in Toronto has more than 600,000 square feet and has an annual cost of $30 million. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act requires that the head office be located in Toronto, so it would need to be amended for the change to be possible.

April 27: The PC government says it is committing $87 million over three years to provide Toronto police with new resources for community safety and to fight gun and gang violence.

April 27: The PCs say they would commit $15.1 million over three years to “improve and expand” the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.

April 28: The PC government releases its budget, doubling as the party’s platform. Much of the content was previously announced. The budget includes: •

•

The budget outlines new tax breaks for low-income workers and for seniors to help them age at home. It proposes changes to the Low-income Individuals and Families (LIFT) Credit and creating an Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit, both taking effect this year. Eligibility for the non-refundable LIFT credit would be expanded and the maximum benefit would rise, while the rate at which it is deducted compared to one’s income would lower.

The Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit would be refundable and is aimed at helping low- to moderate-income seniors over the age of 70. “Eligible recipients of the new Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit would receive up to 25 per cent of their claimable medical expenses up to $6,000, for a maximum credit of $1,500,” the budget notes.

•

Moving some provincial agencies out of Toronto in a bid to save on real estate costs and bring jobs to other regions.

•

Making film and television productions distributed exclusively online eligible for a credit. Scrapping

a rule that limited tax credits to books with more than 500 hard copy editions published.

•

Committing an additional $114.4 million over three years in a Skilled Trades Strategy. Providing an additional $268.5 million over three years to Employment Ontario.

•

Providing $4 billion to support highspeed internet access across all of Ontario by the end of 2025.

•

The PCs indicate they would balance the budget in 2027-28

NDP May 2: Guarantee quick job offers for 2,000 internationally educated nurses by investing $60 million to expand the Nursing Graduate Guarantee Program.

April 26: Reform lobbyist legislation so every meeting is publicly reported. Restore the cap on annual political donation limits to $1,600 from $3,200. Restore the auditor general’s power to veto government advertising as partisan. Allow an all-party committee to review every government appointee. Ban public board chairs from engaging in partisan activity.

April 25: End exclusionary zoning. Bring back rent control. Create a portable housing benefit.

Begin working immediately on pharmacare for Ontario, instead of waiting for a federal plan, and strengthen and accelerate the expansion of dental care.

Hire 10,000 personal support workers, give them a raise. Hire 30,000 nurses, expedite recognition of nursing credentials of 15,000 internationally trained nurses.

Scrap Bill 124, which limits public sector compensation increases.

Hire 300 doctors in northern Ontario, including 100 specialists and 40 mental health practitioners. Fund travel accommodations for medical residents to take elective rotations in rural and northern communities. Create more residency rotation positions to help retain doctors in the north.

End health-care user fees, such as doctors’ notes.

Create a mixed-member proportional voting system designed by an independent group of citizens.

Freeze taxes for low- and middle-income families.

Hold a public inquiry into the COVID-19 response.

Establish provincial standards for home and community care services. Establish a caregiver benefit program to provide $400 a month to informal caregivers who don’t qualify for existing federal tax credits or respite care. Build a new public and nonprofit home and community care and longterm care system. Build 50,000 new and modern beds.

Raise the minimum wage to $20 in 2026, with $1-an-hour increases annually.

Legislate 10 permanent personal emergency leave days.

Implement a four-day work week pilot project.

Reduce Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Establish a new cap-and-trade system. Offer up to $10,000 incentives for zero-emission vehicles, excluding luxury vehicles. Expand the Greenbelt. Ban nonmedical single-use plastics by 2024.

Introduce an energy-efficient building retrofit program to help families and businesses with the cost of retrofitting their homes and lowering electricity bills.

Hire 20,000 teachers and education workers.

Cap class sizes for Grades 4 through 8 at 24 students. Cap full-day kindergarten classes at 26 students. Cancel EQAO standardized testing. Scrap the requirement for two online courses for high school graduation.

Restore the previous government’s free tuition program. Convert post-secondary student loans to grants. Retroactively erase student loan interest.

Increase Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program rates by 20 per cent and index raises to inflation. Restart a basic income pilot.

Build 100,000 units of social housing over the next decade. Update 260,000 social housing units to extend their lifespan.

Regulate gas prices.

Implement a provincial anti-racism strategy; appoint a minister responsible for anti-racism. Erect a Holocaust memorial on the grounds of the legislature. Immediately pass the Our London Family Act to combat Islamophobia.

April 22: Plant one billion trees by 2030.

Establish a Youth Climate Corps. Mandate all newly built public, residential and commercial buildings to have net-zero emissions by 2030. Have 100 per cent of vehicle sales be zero emission by 2035.

Introduce a new cap-and-trade program.

Electrify all municipal transit by 2040.

Give households $600 to install electric vehicle charging stations.

April 21: Cover prescription birth control under OHIP, including Plan B, the pill, intrauterine devices, implants, shots, patches and rings.

April 12: Implement a $25-an-hour minimum wage for registered early childhood educators and $20 for other program staff.

April 3: Establish universal mental health coverage. Establish Mental Health Ontario.

Invest $130 million over three years in children’s mental health. Boost funding to Canadian Mental Health Association branches by eight per cent. Invest $10 million more in mobile crisis services.

Invest an additional $7 million for safe bed programs to support mobile crisis teams.

Liberal Party Ontario Liberal leader Del Duca promises 10 paid sick days, higher minimum wage March 28: The Liberals launch planks of their election platform focusing on “economic dignity.” The promises include raising the minimum wage to $16 per hour by January 2023, 10 paid sick cont’d on pg. 51

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The Ghanaian News April 2022 13

What would it mean to codify Roe into law – and is there any chance of that happening?

Abortion rights advocates are looking for alternative ways to protect a woman’s right to the procedure following the publication of a leaked draft opinion from Justice Samuel Alito indicating that the Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW,” tweeted Sen. Bernie Sanders as news broke on May 2, 2022. His plea was echoed a day later

by Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and President Joe Biden.

But is enshrining abortion rights in legislation feasible? And why has it not been done before? The Conversation put these questions and others to Linda C. McClain, an expert on civil rights law and feminist legal theory at Boston University School of Law. What does it mean to ‘codify’ Roe v.

Wade?

In simple terms, to codify something means to enshrine a right or a rule into a formal systematic code. It could be done through an act of Congress in the form of a federal law. Similarly, state legislatures can codify rights by enacting laws. To codify Roe for all Americans, Congress would need to pass a law that would provide the same protections that Roe did – so a law that states that women have a right to abortion without excessive government restrictions.

It would be binding for all states.

But here’s the twist: Despite some politicians saying that they want to “codify Roe,” Congress isn’t looking to enshrine Roe in law. That’s because Roe v.

Wade hasn’t been in place since 1992. The Supreme Court’s Planned Parenthood. v.

Casey ruling affirmed it, but also modified it in significant ways.

In Casey, the court upheld Roe’s holding that a woman has the right to choose to terminate a pregnancy up to the point of fetal viability and that states could restrict abortion after that point, subject to exceptions to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman. But the Casey court concluded that Roe too severely limited state regulation prior to fetal viability and held that states could impose restrictions on abortion throughout pregnancy to protect potential life as well as to protect maternal health – including during the first trimester.

Casey also introduced the “undue burden” test, which prevented states from imposing restrictions that had the purpose or effect of placing unnecessary barriers on women seeking to end a pregnancy prior to viability of the fetus.

What is the Women’s Health Protection Act? Current efforts to pass federal legislation protecting the right to abortion center on the proposed Women’s Health Protection Act, introduced in Congress by Congresswoman Judy Chu and sponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal in 2021. It was passed in the House, but is blocked in the Senate.

The legislation would build on the undue burden principle in Casey by seeking to prevent states from imposing unfair restrictions on abortion providers, such as insisting a clinic’s doorway is wide enough for surgical gurneys to pass through, or that abortion practitioners need to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

The Women’s Health Protection Act uses the language of the Casey ruling in saying that these so-called TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) laws place an “undue burden” on people seeking an abortion. It also appeals to Casey’s recognition that “the ability of women to participate equally in the economic and social life of the Nation has been facilitated

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by their ability to control their reproductive lives.”

Has the right to abortion ever been guaranteed by federal legislation?

You have to remember that Roe was very controversial from the outset. At the time of the ruling in 1973, most states had restrictive abortion laws. Up to the late 1960s, a majority of Americans opposed abortion. A poll at the time of Roe found the public evenly split over legalization.

To pass legislation you have to go through the democratic process. But if the democratic process is hostile to what you are hoping to push through, you are going to run into difficulties.

Under the U.S. system, certain liberties are seen as so fundamental that protecting them should not be left to the whims of changing democratic majorities. Consider something like interracial marriage. Before the Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia State that banning interracial marriages was unconstitutional, a number of states still banned such unions.

Why couldn’t they pass a law in Congress protecting the right to marry? It would have been difficult because at the time, the majority of people were against the idea of interracial marriage.

When you don’t have sufficient public support for something – particularly if it is unpopular or affects a non-majority group – appealing to the Constitution seems to be the better way to protect a right.

That doesn’t mean you can’t also protect that right through a statute, just that it is harder. Also, there is no guarantee that legislation passed by any one Congress isn’t then repealed by lawmakers later on.

So generally, rights have more enduring protection if the Supreme Court rules on them?

The Supreme Court has the final word on what is and isn’t protected by the Constitution. In the past, it has been seen as sufficient to protect a constitutional right to get a ruling from the justices recognizing that right.

But this leaked opinion also points out that one limit of that protection is that the Supreme Court may overrule its own precedents.

Historically, it is unusual for the Supreme Court to take a right away. Yes, they said the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling – which set up the legal basis for separate-but-equal – was wrong, and overruled it in Brown v. Board of Education. But Brown recognized rights; it didn’t take rights away.

If Alito’s draft ruling is to be the final word, the Supreme Court will be taking away a right that has been in place since 1973. For what I believe is the first time, the Supreme Court would be overriding precedent to take away a constitutional right from Americans.

Moreover, the leaked opinion is dismissive of the idea that women have to rely on constitutional protection. “Women are not without electoral or political power,” Alito writes, adding: “The percentage of women who register to vote and cast ballots is consistently higher than the percentage of men who do so.”

But this ignores the fact that women rarely make up close to half of the members of most state legislative bodies. cont’d on pg. 49

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The Ghanaian News April 2022

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

Cessation of Refugee Applications and Refugee Protection Status Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), refugee protection is conferred on a person when the person has been determined by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to be a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection or when the Minister allows an application for protection. .

Section 96 of the Act defines a “Convention Refugee” as a person who, by reason of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, is outside each of their countries of nationality and is unable or, by reason of that fear, unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of each of those countries; or not having a country of nationality, is outside the country of their former habitual residence and is unable or, by reason of that fear, unwilling to return to that country.

Section 97 of the Act defines a “person in need of protection” as a person whose removal to their country or countries of nationality or, if they do not have a country of nationality, their country of former habitual residence, would subject them personally to a danger of torture or to a risk to their life or to a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. On application, a refugee claimant is expected to provide supporting evidence to substantiate the alleged risk to his life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or torture that might have necessitated his request for protection.

However, several acts of a refugee claimant could trigger an application by the Minister for cessation of refugee protection. Under the section 108 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, there are several grounds upon which a cessation application may be initiated by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Section 108 of the Act indicates that a claim for refugee protection shall be rejected, and a person will not be considered a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection, if (a) the person has voluntarily re-availed himself of protection of his country of nationality; (b) the person has voluntarily reacquired his nationality; (c) the person has acquired a new nationality and enjoys the protection of the country of that new nationality; (d) the person has voluntarily become re-established in the country that the person left or remained outside of and in respect of which the person claimed refugee protection in Canada; ; or (e) if the reasons for which the person sought refugee protection have ceased to exist.

In cessation cases, the Minister applies in writing to the Refugee Protection

Ontario’s new tax credit for seniors’ home care, explained The Ford government is proposing a new tax credit for seniors receiving care at home to cover some of the costs of medical devices, nurse’s visits or even the cost of dentures, wheelchairs or scooters.

The credit is refundable and anyone earning up to $65,000 can qualify.

Meant to add on to the existing provincial and federal medical expense tax credits, the Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit offers a 25 per centtax break on a senior’s at-home medical costs up to $6,000.

The CEO of Home Care Ontario, representing nurses and allied professionals providing home care in the province, applauded the new tax credit.

The maximum amount the credit can net is $1,500.

Under the terms of the new credit, anyone 70 or older can claim expenses associated with home nurse visits, a hospital bed at home, wheelchairs, attendants, canes, oxygen, eyeglasses or hearing aids.

It is estimated to cost taxpayers $110 million this year and help up to 200,000 seniors.

“These investments make Ontario a leader in prioritizing home care.

Like the extremely successful HomeSupport Services tax credit found in Quebec, Ontario’s new tax credit will help seniors live more independently, remain in their homes for longer, and avoid accidents and illnesses that could cause them to seek institutional care,” Sue VanderBent said in a statement issued on Thursday afternoon.

Division to hold a cessation hearing and must disclose any evidence supporting his position to the refugee. The Minister, in a cessation application, will seek to demonstrate that the refugee has acted voluntarily and with the intention to re-avail himself of the protection of the country of his nationality and has actually obtained that protection and will argue further that the person being protected no longer needs international or Canada’s protection as the refugee has demonstrated that he is no longer “unable or unwilling to avail himself of the protection of the country of his nationality. The burden to show that there is a cessation of refugee status rests on the Minister.

Prior to 2012, cessation only affected one’s refugee protection but with the coming into effect of the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act (PCISA) in December 2012, the law has changed. When one’s refugee protection is ceased the person will also lose his permanent residence and become inadmissible. .A refugee who finds himself in such a situation must necessarily address the issues of voluntariness, intention to reavail and actually re-availing himself of the country’s protection to disprove

the allegation. Voluntariness could be mitigated in circumstances such as returning to care for a sick parent. A number of factors such as the refugee keeping himself hidden from the police authorities while in his country and precautions he took to keep himself safe in the country will determine whether or not he availed himself of the protection of the country.

The law is not clear on how long after a successful refugee protection claim the refugee would be free to go back to the country in respect of which he made a claim for protection. What is reasonably long is subjective and would depend on the circumstances of each case. Refugees intending to go back home must exercise some caution and must, if necessary, discuss the probable consequences with an immigration law specialist to avoid surprises.

James A. Kwaateng is an Immigration Law practitioner. He has his 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) 7432758 for an appointment.

The Ghanaian News April 2022 15

TDSB planning to do away with auditions and entrance exams for specialty programs and schools The Toronto District School Board is planning to do away with entrance exams, grade evaluations and auditions, as a means of deciding who gets admitted to dozens of highly sought after specialty schools and programs.

Staff have developed a new admissions policy for the TDSB’s specialized programs, which will go before the board of trustees for final approval later this month.

The board says that the new policy will

allow schools to “move away from a model that only accepts those with demonstrated strength and/or ability” towards a model that will provide all students who express an interest with an equal chance to enroll in one of the programs.

TDSB’s website notes. “While these programs have provided incredible opportunities, benefits, and experiences for some students, barriers to access – including admission processes, entrance criteria and geography – have limited these opportunities for a significant number of students.”

“The proposed policy is intended to address a decade-worth of data that consistently shows that not all students have benefited equitably from TDSB’s specialized programs,” a post on the

The TDSB’s new policy would create a centralized application for all of the board’s specialty programs as of this fall. That policy would, in turn, apply

to students applying for acceptance to speciality programs for September 2023 and beyond.

Staff say that students could still be asked to share their “passion, interest and motivation” in the subject area as part of the application and, in some circumstances, be required to submit “reflections or demonstrations of creativity.”

But they say that academic marks will no longer be considered, and administrators will not be allowed to use entrance exams and formal auditions as a means of evaluating candidates.

They will also be prohibited from collecting application fees.

“Students meeting the base requirements of application will be considered for a random selection process if demand exceeds available spaces,” the staff report notes.

“Priority access will be given to students self-identifying as representing currently and historically underserved communities and students who are residing in the City of Toronto.”

The TDSB says that as part of the new policy schools will have flexibility “to accommodate all students, including English Language Learners and those with Special Education experiences and/or requirements.” Cp24

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The Ghanaian News April 2022

Youth eating disorder hospitalizations rise during pandemic: CIHI New data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows a spike in the rate of youth hospitalized for eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The data was drawn from the Discharge Abstract Database and Ontario Mental Health Reporting System.

The numbers show the rate of eating disorder hospitalizations in Canada was 15 per 100,000 in the two years leading up to the onset of the pandemic, and jumped to 20 per 100,000 in 2020-21.

Dr. Leanna Isserlin, psychiatric director of the child and adolescent eating disorders program at CHEO, says the number of hospitalizations is just the “tip of the iceberg” because there are so many more patients who don’t have access to care.

CIHI says girls aged 10 to 17 with eating disorders were hospitalized nearly 60 per cent more following the onset of the pandemic.

She says she’s seen the spike bear out in her practice over the past two years.

The rate went from 52 hospitalizations per 100,000 people in 2019-20 to 82 hospitalizations per 100,000 in 2020-21.

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Let’s restore authority of traditional rulers – Duffuor to NDC Dr Kwabena Duffuor A former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor has urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to work to restore the authority and effectiveness of traditional rulers for national development.

According to him, the NDC must include the empowerment of chiefs and traditional rulers in their manifesto to show how serious they take the institution as partners in development.

“I, therefore, propose to the NDC that the restoration of the authority and responsibility of our chiefs should have top priority in a future NDC government, and this should be clearly encapsulated in the manifesto we will be putting before the people at the next election.

“The next NDC government should enter into a renewed partnership with our nation’s chiefs and give them a fraction of all revenue generated from their communities, so they have the opportunity to care for their people, community institutions and infrastructure while also being answerable to the state government,” the former Governor of the Central Bank wrote in an article

He continued: “Giving our chiefs back their status as well as sustainable income for the development of their local communities and its institutions would incentivize them to make sure that their communities prosper, as the community’s success is their own success and vice versa.”

Dr Duffuor said chieftaincy institutions had long been at the forefront of governance before the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th century.

“This institution emerged from the people’s need to come together for security and protection.

Thus, a chief was enjoined to protect and add value to the community through civic engagement with his people.

“Today, we are witnessing inadequate interaction between customary and modern local governance with the “constitutional sidelining of chiefs” which has led to a progressive weakening of the chieftaincy institution with its attendant national crisis.”

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The Ghanaian News April 2022

The Ghanaian News April 2022 19

Climate change may increase risk of new infectious diseases Climate change will result in thousands of new viruses spread among animal species by 2070 — and that’s likely to increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases jumping from animals to humans, according to a new study.

This is especially true for Africa and Asia, continents that have been hotspots for deadly disease spread from humans to animals or vice versa over the last several decades, including the flu, HIV, Ebola and coronavirus.

Daniel R. Brooks, a biologist at University of Nebraska State Museum and co-author of the book “The Stockholm Paradigm: Climate Change and Emerging Disease,” said the study acknowledges the threat posed by climate change in terms of increasing risk of infectious diseases.

“This particular contribution is an extremely conservative estimate for potential” emerging infectious disease spread caused by climate change, said Brooks.

Researchers, who published their findings Thursday in the journal Nature, used a model to examine how over 3,000 mammal species might migrate and and share viruses over the next 50 years if the world warms by 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), which recent research shows is possible.

Aaron Bernstein, a pediatrician and interim director of The Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said the study confirms long-held suspicions about the impact of warming on infectious disease emergence.

They found that cross-species virus spread will happen over 4,000 times among mammals alone. Birds and marine animals weren’t included in the study.

“Of particular note is that the study indicates that these encounters may already be happening with greater frequency and in places near where many people live,” Bernstein said.

Researchers said not all viruses will spread to humans or become pandemics the scale of the coronavirus but the number of cross-species viruses increases the risk of spread to humans.

Study co-author Gregory Albery, a disease ecologist at Georgetown University, said that because climatedriven infectious disease emergence is likely already happening, the world should be doing more to learn about and prepare for it.

The study highlights two global crises — climate change and infectious disease spread — as the world grapples with what to do about both.

Previous research has looked at how deforestation and extinction and wildlife trade lead to animalhuman disease spread, but there’s less research about how climate change could influence this type of disease transmission, the researchers said at a media briefing Wednesday.

“We don’t talk about climate a lot in the context of zoonoses” — diseases that can spread from animals to people, said study co-author Colin Carlson, an assistant professor of biology at Georgetown University. “Our study ... brings together the two most pressing global crises we have.”

Experts on climate change and infectious disease agreed that a warming planet will likely lead to increased risk for the emergence of new viruses.

“It is not preventable, even in the best case climate change scenarios,” Albery said.

Carlson, who was also an author on the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said we must cut greenhouse gas and phase out fossil fuels to reduce the risk of infectious disease spread.

Jaron Browne, organizing director of the climate justice group Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, said the study highlights climate injustices experienced by people living in African and Asian nations.

“African and Asian nations face the greatest threat of increased virus exposure, once again illustrating how those on the frontlines of the crisis have very often done the least to create climate change,” Browne said.

The Associated Press

Navigating the high costs of mental health care in a time of high demand Asking for help may be the most daunting part of dealing with a mental health issue, but paying for that help is often not much easier.

“Most folks who are doing this work are in it because they have a mind to help and want to support people, so they will offer some low cost.

While there are numerous public health-care options, a lack of funding and a system focused on the most acute cases means many confront long wait times, eligibility barriers and limited therapy sessions that leave them feeling lost.

“They often fill up really quickly, and don’t become available very often.”

“It takes a lot of courage to reach out, and it frustrates me to no end that when they do reach out, we basically, you know, we turn them away,” Gary Thandi, founder of the not-for-profit Moving Forward Family Services, said of the public system’s limits.

Moving Forward, which offers paywhat-you-can sessions with counsellor students working through their practicum, is one of the numerous alternatives in Canada for people stuck between the high costs of private treatment and the constraints of public care.

“These students are excellent, and with the right support they are able to see some of these clients who otherwise would sit on long wait lists,” said Thandi.

There were already many people who weren’t finding the treatment they needed before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and significantly ramped up demand. Data from Statistics Canada found about 2.3 million people, or 44 per cent of those who needed some mental health care in 2018, reported that their needs were unmet or only partially met, with the need for counselling most likely to be fully unmet.

More recently, a survey commissioned in late 2020 by two psychologist associations found that 78 per cent of Canadians said that cost was a very significant or somewhat significant barrier to accessing care.

Kate Scowen founded Hard Feelings in 2017 to help reduce the cost barrier, offering people in need discounted sessions of between $60 and $80 an hour for professional counsellors.

Those fees represent a significant discount from going rates that can top $200 an hour.

Because demand is so high, Torontobased Hard Feelings caps its counselling at 12 sessions, which Scowen said can sometimes be enough to address patient need or serve as a bridge while they wait for other options.

“It was really about just creating a space where people could get the support they needed in a fairly timely way,” said Scowen.

She said it’s worth asking any therapist if they have a sliding pay scale, though such an option can be tough to find with demand so high.

Group therapy, which comes in many forms, is another potential avenue that could also come with cost savings, and while not for everyone, it can confer its own benefits.

“There can be real movement and connection that happens in a group that can be quite important,” said Scowen.

Canadian Mental Health Association centres also offer a wide range of free services that vary by community. The centres have, however, also seen a huge increase in demand, such as a 300- percent spike in people under 24 looking for early psychosis intervention, said Sarah Kennell, the association’s director of public policy.

She said more government funding is needed and mental health should be made an integral part of the universal health care system, rather than relying on individuals to navigate it alone.

“As much as I want to say individuals can save money on their mental health by doing X, Y and Z, it’s really about a broken system,” she said. “That’s not the individual’s fault at all.”

The federal government has somewhat ramped up mental health commitments and programs during the pandemic, including the launch of Wellness Together Canada that offers numerous free online courses as well as counsellors people can speak with by phone.

Provincial governments have also started offering free online programs like MindBeacon and AbilitiCBT, which are often focused on cognitive behavioral therapy, while CMHA offers its own program called BounceBack that’s free nationally thanks to private funding.

For those who are paying out of pocket for private therapy it’s important to check employment benefits, especially as some companies have boosted coverage during the pandemic. It’s also possible to use employment insurance and benefits coverage to take disability leave. There’s also the possibility of getting a small break by filing therapy sessions under the medical expense tax credit.

Ultimately, therapy is a big commitment, both emotionally and financially, but the range of options are increasing, said Scowen.

“Just keep trying. I know for a lot of folks it feels discouraging right now out there in terms of how to find someone and connect with the counselor. You’ve just got to start somewhere.”

The Canadian Press

20

The Ghanaian News April 2022

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The Ghanaian News April 2022 21

Toronto travellers should arrive at Pearson Airport 2 hours ahead of flights Travellers flying within Canada are being asked to arrive at Toronto Pearson International Airport at least two hours ahead of their flights amid longer-thanusual delays at security screening.

A spokesperson for The Greater Toronto Airport Authority issued the warning Tuesday morning, urging travellers to not only arrive early, but be prepared to pass through security by having all relevant documentation and items on hand.

“Domestic departing passengers are asked to arrive at least two hours ahead of their scheduled flight and international departing

passengers are asked to arrive at least three hours ahead of their scheduled flight,” they said.

It’s typical for domestic travellers to arrive closer to 90 minutes ahead of their flight.

The problems began Monday morning, with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) confirming to CTV News Toronto that they were experiencing issues with staffing.

Individuals flying out of Pearson took to social media Monday saying they were stuck in “a chaotic situation” due to long

lines and delays at security. (Moved down)

passenger volumes more challenging.”

“CATSA’s screening contractors are not immune to the recruitment and retention challenges experienced by the broader commercial aviation industry,” the CATSA said in a statement.

One traveller told CP24 that he missed his flight on Monday after waiting in line for over an hour and a half and had to return on Tuesday.

While there were delays reported early Tuesday morning, the lines appear to have cleared. According to CATSA’s website, the wait time around 9:30 a.m. is less than 10 minutes.

“Prior to the pandemic, resources could be cross-utilized more efficiently between the transborder and domestic and international checkpoints due to staggered passenger peaks. As air travel recovers we are observing simultaneous peaks, which can result in passengers flooding more than one security checkpoint at a time, making the redistribution of resources to address these

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said travellers could see long lines at the airports for weeks while the airport gathers the resources it requires. CTV News

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22

The Ghanaian News April 2022

African Caribbean Groceries Inc 63 Dundas West, Mississauga, Ont

Tel: 905-281-9515 Business Hours Monday - Wednesday Thursday - Friday Saturday Sunday

-

10:00am - 8:00pm 10:00am - 9:00pm 9:30am - 6:30pm 12:30pm - 5:30pm

63 Dundas West of Hurontario Mississauga, Ontario

Kaf African Caribbean Market

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We Carry All Your Tropical Grocery Items For All Your Family Grocery Needs * Fresh Ghana Yam (Pona) * Palm Oil * Titus Sardine * Exeter Corned Beef * Accra Kenkey * Akwaabi * Fresh Garden Eggs * Red Snapper And much more at discount prices We are open 7 Days a week.

Sundays from 12 noon to 6:00 pm

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2642 Liruma Rd, #2A, Mississauga, Ont., 401 or 403 to South on Erin Mills Pkwy,

416-916-3700

New Kantamanto Market WHOLESALE AND RETAIL MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION Opposite CEEKTEX Specializing In African and Caribbean Food & Hair Products

Open 7 Days A Week * Amane * Palm Oil * Atadwe * Adwene * Zomi Oil *Werewere * Fufu * Fish * Momone * Alata Samina * Rice * Fresh Yam * Nkuto * Garden Eggs * Goat Meat * Apem * Koobi * Shito * Kenkey * Geisha * Kpako * Gari * Kokonte * Asanka

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266 Eddystone Ave, North York, Ont. M3N 1H7

Xpress Tropical Foods & Meat

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BUSINESS

We specialize in African, Caribbean Groceries: *Gari Pounded *Yam *Vegetable Salad *Fufu *Potato Starch *Stock Fish *Salted Fish *Smoked Fish *Cerelac *Rice *Bournvita *Milo *Corned Beef *Phone Cards *Cosmetics *Goat meat and many more

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Central Market

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We are open Monday - Friday: 9 am to 8 pm Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Tel: 416-249-7007 1712 Jane Street, Toronto (Jane/Lawrence)

The Ghanaian News April 2022 23

M A K O L A Tropical Foods THE SUPERMARKET IN THE HEART OF ACCRA-GHANA IS NOW HERE IN THE HEART OF TORONTO QUALITY FOODS

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1148 Albion Road. Etobicoke, Ont. (at Islington)

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* Red Snapper * Adwene * Mackerel * Goat Meat * Palm Oil * Creams & Lotions * Egusi * Braids Open 7 Days * Fresh Ghana Yams * Gels * King Fish Steak A Week Business Hours Monday - WEDNESDAY - 10 am - 8:00 pm THURSDAY - SATURDAY - 10 Am - 8:30 pm SUNDAYS - CLOSED

Tel: 905-846-2897

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Cassava leaf Bitter Leaf Ukazi Utazi Egusi Ogbono Eggplant Honey Beans Peeled Beans Gari Indomie Tom Brown Sweet Bread Butter Bread

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• • • • • •

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Business Hours Monday to Friday 10 am - 8:30 pm Saturdays 9 am to 8 pm Sundays 2 pm - 6 pm

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t Prin ican cs r f A ri Fab ble ila Ava

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Retail & Wholesale Delivery

Contact: 416 261 1226

24

The Ghanaian News April 2022

Auntie Hannah’s Supermarket African & Caribbean

NOW OPEN We Carry All African and Caribbean Grocery Items Ground Provisions, Goat Lamb, Chicken, Oxtail, Fish, Patties etc.

Tel: 905-430-0682 Cell: 905-706-2820 701 Dundas St. W, Whitby, ON, L1N 2N3

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-

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The Ghanaian News April 2022 25

C

N

D

26

The Ghanaian News April 2022

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The Ghanaian News April 2022 27

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Family area on the first floor

28

The Ghanaian News April 2022

The Apostolic Church International Canada Easter Convention

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

Special joint Easter service was held from 14th to 17th April 2022, at the Royal Banquet Hall, 181 Rexdale Blvd. Etobicoke, Ontario. The guest of honor of the occasion was Apostle Daniel Kissi Bardoom, Gen. Secretary from Ghana. On Sunday Morning service at the convention climax. Apostle Bardoom delivered the sermon under the Theme: “The voice from the cross” John 12:32, John3:14 and John 6:63.

A section of congregation A group picture of Pastors, Elders, Deacons & Officers

Apostle Daniel Kissi Bardoom & Daisy Agyemang

Media crew Media crew

Congregation Worship team

Officers

Perpetual Adjei

Congregation

Resident Apos. Jeremiah Mensah with the congregation

Congregation Congregation

Congregation

Congregation

The Ghanaian News April 2022 29

Evangel Assembly of God Church Easter Convention Special Easter services were held on Sunday April 17th 2022 at the Church premises 314 Rexdale Blvd. Pastor in Charge Rev. Milton Offei preached the Sermon under the Theme: He is not here, he has risen; Look up to him.

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

Rev. Milton Ofei From left: Rev. Michael Ansu, Rev. Milton Ofei & Mrs. Princilla Ofei

Congregation

Congregation

Congregation

Congregation

Congregation

Worship Team

Congregation

Congregation

Congregation

Congregation

30

The Ghanaian News April 2022

PEOPLE AND PLACES Gloria 's Surprise 70th birthday bash A surprise birthday bash was organized to celebrate her 70th birthday on Saturday April 23, 2022 in Brampton by children.

Gloria flanked by family at the surprise party

Gloria cutting her birthday cake

Eli Kudjo Kudiabor receives 1st communion Eli received his 1st communion at the St. Marguerite D'Youville Parish in Brampton on Saturday April 30th 2022. Officiating Minister was Fr. Roger Pascall, pastor of the parish. Congratulations Eli.

Family of Eli after the service

Fr. Roger Pascall with Eli Kudjo Kudiabor

11th Birthday of Elom Gyaponmaah Elom celebrated her 11th birthday at her parents residence in Brampton on Saturday 30th April 2022. Happy birthday Elom

Elom sitting behind her cake flanked by cousins

Living Word Assembly of God Church Easter Community Call Out !

Family Easter Fun Fair held on Saturday, April 16, 2022

Neighbors chatting

Neighbors enjoying the African food

Food give-out Neighbors enjoying the African food

Community members at the events

Barbecue time

The Ghanaian News April 2022 31

New “Seniors Keeping Connected’ Program Launched cont’d from pg. 1

Funding provided was by Second Harvest in addition to the efforts of Pilgrim Feast and Forks & Fingers. This initiative has gained strong support from not-for-profit organizations including African- Canadian Seniors Network; Mozia Women’s Network Society , Times of Miracle International Ministries and International Afro Society More events are currently being planned, and will include food, beverages and lots of fun. For anyone wanting more information about participating in, or volunteering for future events, please contact...

Group picture of the Seniors

Staff of Forks & Fingers Restaurant

Some of the senior members

Easter 2022 celebration at St. Andrews Catholic Church

Christian Mothers and Fathers Association

Christian Mothers and Fathers Association

The Clergy

St. Joseph Men's Fellowship

32

The Ghanaian News April 2022

The Apostles’ Continuation Church International (Canada) celebrates Easter Festivities

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

Apostle Anokye Manu

The celebration started from 14th to 17th April 2022 at the Church premises 10 Belfield Road, Toronto Praise and Worship

Communion time

Cross section of members

Music ministration

Elder Ben Donkor and some members

Clergy and elders

Elder Ben Donkor

Communion time

Music ministration

Pastor Boakye Yiadom & elders

Women elders

Giving communion Cross section of members

The Ghanaian News April 2022 33

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34

The Ghanaian News April 2022

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1315 Finch Avenue West, Suite 318, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 2G6 (Keele/Finch)

BANSAH & ASSOCIATES Immigration Counsel

Areas of Specialization: ♦Immigration Hearings ♦Foreign Sponsorship & Appeals ♦Applications from inside Canada ♦Humanitarian & Compassionate Cases ♦Detention Reviews & Deportation Order Cases ♦Visa Extensions ♦Federal Skilled Worker Applications ♦Family Class Sponsorships ♦Student Visa ♦Provincial Nominee Program.

Contact: Edward Bansah B.A (Hons), CCIC, FCMI Cert. Mig. & Ref Studies

RAMESH SANGHA LAW OFFICE is back in Business in the following fields of Legal Practice. * Litigation - Civil, Personal Injury & Insurance matter MVA Disability (Long term & CPP) * Family Law matters * Criminal matters * Immigration * Real Estate * Miscellaneous services (Wills, POA, Declarations)

Please call us for your legal needs. We will be glad to serve you.

RAMESH SANGHA LAW OFFICE Barristers, Solicitors & Notary Public.

Former Member Parliament & Chairperson (CPP Review Tribunal) CANADA. Office Address;

34 Estateview Circle, Brampton, ON

Tel: 905-456-9911

Fax: 905-456-9577

Email:Ramesh@SanghaLawyers.com Web: RameshSangha.ca

Call Us First The Ghanaian News

Member: Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants

Tel: 416-785-0522

Fax: 416-782-8563

1111 Albion Road, Unit 207, Toronto, ON, M9V 1A9

416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News April 2022 35

Gold Coast Immigration Services Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant

Nana Adjei-Poku Licensed Paralegal, Notary Public & Commissioner of Oaths GCIS will assist you with the following, but not limited to: IMMIGRATION • Appeals of all matters before the IRB • Refugee Applications • Humanitarian & Compassionate Grounds • Procedural Fairness Letters • Visitors and Student Visas • Business Class • Provincial Nominee Programs • Sponsorships (Family and Spousal) LEGAL • • • •

Human Rights Matters Landlord & Tenant Board Matters Small Claims (Civil) Court Matters Notarization or Commisioning of Documents

Services available all over the GTA and internationally

Tel: 289-298-1086 Fax: 289-284-0163 Email: npoku@goldcoastimmigration.caWeb: www.goldcoastimmigration.ca

G98.7 rebrands to Flow 98.7 as Stingray relinquishes heritage brand Toronto’s G98.7 (CKFG-FM) is getting a rebrand, moving forward as the “All New” Flow 98.7 as Stingray relinquishes the heritage, urban hip hop format to make way for the introduction of a new, yetto-be announced station in the city.

built initially to serve that community before becoming corporately-owned.

This coming together with G is a metamorphosis back to where we started, so Flow moves over to 98.7 as a world-renowned brand, focusing on the Black community through hip hop, but moves over to a Black-focused station with reggae, soca, and whatever “We have always felt that the Flow else we play.” brand played an important role in the Toronto radio landscape, and when we looked at the best path forward for “I take very seriously the sensitivity the 93.5 frequency we examined the of these two brands coming together,” possibility of bringing Flow back to Gunter continued. “I’m going to be its roots as a community-driven station balancing how the programming that not only plays hip hop but also is set so we continue to serve the R&B, soul, reggae, soca, dancehall, current G listener which is an older, and other styles of music,” Steve Black, primarily Caribbean, Jamaican Jones, Vice-President, Brands & audience. But at the same time we have Content, Stingray, told Broadcast to serve and super-serve a younger Dialogue. “That was what Flow was audience coming from the Flow brand, like 20 years ago when Denham which is very diverse. Having run Jolly’s company originally put it on some of the big urban hip hop stations the air. That was an option for us, but in the U.S., I’m going to be bringing going in that direction would compete that experience to this transition to with G98.7. So, we entered into make sure we’re sensitive to that discussions with G98.7 to see if there listener we’re moving away from and was a way to work together to keep still welcoming to the listener we’re the Flow brand – and mission – alive bringing into that fold.” in Toronto. We struck an agreement to have 98.7 license the Flow brand, and we’re really very happy that the brand Gunter acknowledges it will be a “highwire act” initially, trying to satisfy will live on in Toronto.” both audiences, but also presents an opportunity to cement a foothold with As the 93.5 frequency relaunches advertisers looking to reach the Black Monday, Feb. 14 under a new brand, community.

G98.7 will become the “All New” Flow 98.7 as CKFG-FM, which has served the GTA’s Caribbean and African “I think the Flow brand in itself – and communities since 2011, transitions to that’s one of the main reasons why Mr. Ray and CINA Radio made the a more urban format. decision – because of the panache and brand awareness of Flow and what it Flow 93.5 launched in 2001 after a can bring to 98.7. By bringing a very hard-fought, decade-long campaign valuable brand like Flow and the

by Milestone Radio for a radio licence recognition that it has, and the listeners to serve Black listeners. Gary Gunter, that it has, and what advertisers have General Manager of Flow 98.7, who has shared, is that the brand will allow us to worked with urban and hip hop stations open a door as 98.7 to tell our story, or in markets like Detroit, Chicago and get at least invited to the table, and for Baltimore, says he’s approaching people to take the value of our listener the rebrand with the legacies of both more seriously.” stations top-of-mind.

Opportunity to hit reset button “Both of these brands are important to the Black community,” said Gunter, who joined G98.7 in September Gunter says the rebrand also presents following the station’s sale to CINA another opportunity to hit the reset Radio Group, owned by multicultural button. Prior to G98.7’s courtcont’d on pg. 49 broadcaster Neeti P. Ray. “Flow was

Edward Transport Moving & Delivery Services Call 647 833-1754

36

The Ghanaian News April 2022

CARGO - LINK INTERNATIONAL (Freight Forwarders & Consolidators) Competent Commitment & Excellence

For your Reliable Export Services - Shipping Services to Ghana, Nigeria, Clearing & Delivery Services in Ghana * You don't need to go to the Port * You don't need to see any Agent * Just see a CARGO-LINK Representative in Accra & Kumasi for your Safe & Affordable Shipment * We also do door to door in Accra & Kumasi at very low transportation cost (EXTRA) * We give Bill of Lading too to those who want to clear their own goods Contact: Regina or B'B Manu

Tel: 416-736-1905 416-822-9462 Fax: 416-736-9973 1111 Finch Ave. W., Unit 31, North York

Go Seko Shipping Inc. Freight Forwarding Division & Bailing of Used Clothes * Yam * Gari * Rice * Accra Kenkey * Canned Food * Dry Fish * Koobi and Many More We ship Cars, Trucks, Electrical Appliances, Computers, Clothing, Barrels, Personal Effects and many more Call Nana Djan

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

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

The Ghanaian News April 2022 37

BLACK STAR FAST SHIPPING INC. Freight Forwarding WE BAIL USED CLOTHINGS The Most Reliable Way to Ship Overseas! Fast, Reasonable and VERY Great Competitive Rates!

We Ship Trucks to Cars, Personal Items, Building materials, Used Clothes and Electronics. Also Deep Freezers and other.

Linda

Tel: 647-231-4504 647-724-2295 647-361-6026 416-246-0101 Fax: 647-557-2428

293 Eddystone Ave., Toronto, ON M3N 1H8 (Jane/Eddystone)

Hi-Tech Shipping Freight Forwarders & Consolidators 230 Milvan Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M9L 2A5 We ship to all African Countries. We are the cheapest, Fastest and most reliable agents in town.

We have been in successful business for twenty years.

We have moved to 14,000 sq ft. facility to serve you better. We have quality mattress for sale all sizes

Call Kobby or Nana Ababio

Tel: 416-744-2300 / 416-640-2310

Micangel Global Inc. Shipping and Freight Forwarding SEA * AIR

* LAND

Fast Easy And Reliable Service To All African Countries and Other Worldwide Ports

CUSTOM CLEARANCE, PICK-UP, DELIVERY Call Angelina Tel: 416-457-1174 1889 Albion Road, Unit 7, Etobicoke, Ont.

38

The Ghanaian News April 2022

www.220v.com We Carry Brand Name 220v/50Hz Export Model Restaurant and Household Products Kitchen Appliances

Unlocked

GSM Cellphones DUAL SIM

Generator Heavy Duty Restaurant Range

Freezer Deep Fryer

Commercial Oven

FREEZERS, REFRIGERATORS, WASHERS, DRYERS, AIR CONDITIONERS, VACUUM CLEANERS, TRANSFORMERS Gas & Electric Stoves

BIG Generator Sale

LED TVs

Tel: 416-646-0495

5707 Steeles Ave. West,Toronto, Ont. M9L 1S7 South East Corner of Steeles and Fenmar / Pine Valley SIX STAR MOTORS 56 Penn Drive, North York (Finch/Milvan) Specializing In: Air Conditioning Service Tune-ups, Brakes, Mufflers, General Repairs Service to all imports

Paul Nsiah, Manager Tel: 416-746-3275

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

Sam Auto Service GENERAL REPAIR ON ALL MAKE & MODELS

Domestic & Import Contact: Sam

Tel: (416)743-6969

66 Milvan Dr. Units 6& 7, North York, Ont. Guaranteed Job Satisfaction YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS !!!

ERICOS AUTO 647-704-4487 Complete Service for all Foreign and Domestic Cars

6 Namco Road,Toronto

Dynamic Auto Repairs Auto Repairs For All Makes and Models

Business Hours Monday - Friday - 9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm

Sam Auto Body Collusion Repairs * Rust *Minor Repairs and Painting

Sammy Lartey 647-428-6837 172 Toryork Dr., #9, North York, Ont.

Eastern Automotive Repair Inc. Complete Service for all Foreign and Domestic Cars

Sam Tuffour - 416-743-6119 41 Brydon Drive, Etobicoke, Ont.

STANDFAST AUTO INC. Certification - Imports & Domestic Vehicles * TUNE-UPS * MUFFLERS* BRAKES * OIL CHANGE

FREE INSPECTION

Tel: 905-738-4504 Fax: 905-738-4504 30 Freshway Dr., Unit B5, Concord, Ont.

(Jane & Highway 7)

MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION

Obeng Tel: 905-782-4305 Cell: 647-225-4223

B. B.'S AUTO Inc.

1885 Sismet Rd. #5N Mississauga, ON, L4W 1W8

Tel: (416)745-5690 Fax: (416)745-1514

Complete general repairs to all foreign & domestic cars, Body and Custom painting Contact: Bismarck Bright or Nick Bright

16 Taber Rd, Etobicoke, Ont.

The Ghanaian News April 2022 39

40

The Ghanaian News April 2022

Final Funeral Rites for Jeremiah Michael Nii Anang Akogyeram AKA Kokorokoo was held at the Continuation Banquet Hall 10 Belfield Rd. Toronto on April 30th, 2022

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto, ON

1960 to 2021 Chief mourners at high table Chief mourners at high table

Sympatizers

Ga-Dangbe Association of Toronto Widow and other mourners

Chief mourners Okuapemman Association of Toronto Ga-Dangbe Association of Toronto

Chief mourners Mourners Mourners

Chief mourners at high table

Widow and other mourners

Elder Eugene Kotey Mourners

Ga-Dangbe Association of Toronto

Mourners

The Ghanaian News April 2022 41

Celebration of life of Apostle Twumasi Ankrah at Royal Event Centre (Luna Ballroom)

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

30 Gordon McKay Road on 23rd April 2022 Widow (2nd from right) and family members

Chief morners

Donation receivers

Rev. Dr. Charles Martey

Ghanaian Ministerial Followship of Toronto

Abusuapanin and other chief mourners Friends and well-wishers

Presentation of handkerchief GCAO delegation & other community members

Rev. Rockson Owusu Atwima

Friends and Well-wishers

Asanteman Assocation of Ontario in the funeral

Live Band at the funeral

Asanteman Assocation of Ontario in the funeral

42

The Ghanaian News April 2022

The Ghanaian News April 2022 43

The Annual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards a celebration of Excellence Honoring our Community Achievers Hosted by The Ghanaian News Corporation

Call for 2022 Award Nominations Awards Criteria and Selection Process This year’s (2022) 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.

2022 Nomination Form I wish to nominate: Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss/Dr.............................................................................................

Address.......................................................................................................................................

Category........................................................................

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

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 Rd. #103, Etobicoke, Ont. Fax: 416-916-6701, Email: awards@ghanaiannews.ca Deadline for nominations: July 30, 2022

44

The Ghanaian News April 2022

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

416-743-4555 (Office) 905-216-2323 (Residence) Day and Time of Worship:

Very Rev. Joseph Owusu Atuahene Minister-in-charge

Edmonton Methodist

Sunday: Bible Class Meeting:

Church Service:

Jericho Hour Prayer Meeting Wednesday Mid-day Prayer Friday: Bible Teaching/Prayer Meeting Saturday Organizational Meeting: Sunday Brampton Prayer Meeting

587-336-1223

Redemption Methodist Church

Ottawa Methodist 613-823-2291

Vancouver Methodist 416-833-1615

Location: 955 Wilson Ave., Unit 12, North York, ON Weekly Service Schedule: Monday 7 pm - 8 pm Online Bible Study: Thursday 7 pm - 8:30 pm, Prayer Meeting Friday 7:30 pm - 9 pm Divine Service, Sundays 10 am - 12:30 pm Contacts: Agnes Donkor - 647-881-4808, Felicia Owusu - 647-533-1093, Grace Kubi - 647-608-5373

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.

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

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

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

6.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

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

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

Hamilton Society Stoney Creek United Church (Chapel) 1 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Hamilton Contact: 289-244-5914, 289-700-6815, 289-698-1388

Very Reverend Albert K. Appiah, BETHANY METHODIST CHURCH-BRAMPTON PLACE OF WORSHIP1A KNIGHTSBRIGE ROAD (Senior’s Lounge) Sunday Divine Service 2PM-5PM Online Prayer Meeting Fridays at 8PM -9PM 416-800-4317 Code # 9632581 Contact: Robert Frans (289-541-5579) Felix Gyimah (289-931-8443)

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

FOOD FOR LIFE

The Ghanaian News April 2022 45

Bringing the Gospel to our Community By Rev. Isaac De-Graft Takyi THE CHRISTIAN IN 2022: LIVE BY SERVING (THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM)

“Freely we serve, because we freely love, as in our will. To love or not; in this we stand or fall.”

John Milton. Paradise lost “Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”

Isaiah 58:10 I would like to take this opportunity to show gratitude to all our great and selfless volunteers in our churches, communities, Canada and the world at large. From time to time, one finds Canadians of all age groups, faith backgrounds, giving up their time, skills, talents and energies freely to serve the needy, the poor, and the disadvantaged in our communities.

I hope and trust that you are one of the amazing volunteers.If so, thank you for serving!

according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus 3 I thank my God every time I throughout all generations, for ever remember you. 4 In all my prayers and ever! Amen. —Ephesians for all of you, I always pray with 3:16-21 joy 5 because of your partnership in 3. Serve and volunteer in the the gospel from the first day until power of the Holy Spirit to now, 6 being confident of this, that he the glory of God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the “So then, as we have opportunity, day of Christ Jesus. —Philippians let us do good to everyone, and 1:3-6 NIV especially to those who are of the

Consider the Apostle Paul:

“Panic not, fear not, worry not, blame not, complain not, condemn not and criticize not, BUT Trust God, Love God and Have Faith in God” —Isaac De-Graft Takyi

Let us begin with Jesus: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45

2. Serve or volunteer as a household of faith.” —Galatians 6:10 partner with gratitude 23

16

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with “But love your enemies, and do power through his Spirit in your 17 good, and lend, expecting nothing inner being, so that Christ may in return, and your reward will be dwell in your hearts through faith. great, and you will be sons of the And I pray that you, being rooted and 18 may have Most High, for he is kind to the established in love, ungrateful and the evil.” —Luke power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and 6:35 long and high and deep is the love “The greatest among you will be of Christ, 19 and to know this love your servant.” —Matthew 23:11 that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure 20 “Give, and it will be given to you. of all the fullness of God. Now to A good measure, pressed down, him who is able to do immeasurably shaken together and running over, more than all we ask or imagine, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” —Luke 6:38

A volunteer according to the New Lexicon Websters Dictionary, is a person who undertakes some task or service of his or her own free will. The best examples of such for us as Christians is Christ and the “I have shown you in every way, Apostles. by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember We will look at what they said about the words of the Lord Jesus, that He the subject and pick up lessons said, ‘It is more blessed to give than from them to live out. Christians to receive.” —Acts 20:35 are called to serve others and we all need inspiration and biblical 1. Serve or Volunteer because reinforcement for what we do.

Jesus is your example

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, —Hebrews 10:23-24 4. Serve or volunteer encourage others volunteer and serve

to to

Let us End with Peter: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” —1 Peter 4:10

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The Ghanaian News April 2022

EVANGEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH 314 Rexdale Blvd. Etobicoke, Ont. M9W 1R6 Tel: 416-242-7950 Fax: 416-242-8573 Church Activities Sunday School: 10a.m. -11:00a.m.

Church Service: 11a.m. - 1:30p.m.

Sunday Evening: 7p.m. - 8:30p.m.

Pastor in Charge Wednesday Bible Studies: 7p.m. - 8:30p.m.

Rev. Milton Offei Friday Prayer Meeting: 7p.m. - 9:00p.m.

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

Tel: 416-419-6671

The Ghanaian News April 2022 47

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.

Pastor Eric Amoah Friday Night Prayer: 8p.m.-10p.m.

Location: 14 Haas Rd. , #100, Etobicoke, ON, M9W 3A2

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)

Transformation Centre Assembly of God Church, Mississauga Join us on Sundays for Worship at: Venue: 161 Lakeshore Road W, Mississauga, ON Time: 10:30am—1:30pm

Contact: Rev. Isaac K. Bonful Tel: 289-814-5482 Email: transformcentreag@yahoo.ca Website: www. transformationcentreag.ca

Etobicoke, Ont., M9w 5S5

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

416-614-7771

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind… “Rom.12:2a Email:

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

info@disciplesrevivalchurch.org www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org

SUNDAY SERVICE - Morning - 10:00 am Mid-Week Service

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

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

www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org 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

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

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The Ghanaian News April 2022

The Apostolic Church Int'l.

Canada

THE APOSTLES' CONTINUATION CHURCH INTERNATIONAL (CANADA)

Miracle Assembly MOVED TO NEW LOCATION

North American Headquarters: 10 Belfield Road Toronto, Ont., M9W 1G1 Tel: 416-247-6629 Fax: 416-247-5308

Apostle Jeremiah Mensah (Resident Apostle)

31 Airview Road

Apostle Charles Anokye-Manu

Website: www.apostlescontinuation.org

Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 1P6 SERVICE TIMES:

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.

Resident Apostle contact: 437-217-0085 Office Line: 416-740-1979

Worship Service Bible Studies Service All Night Service Deliverance

- 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

Toronto

10 Belfield Road Tel: 416-247-6629 Scarborough Assembly 63 Howden Rd., Unit 'F' Scarborough, ON, M1R 3C7 Tel 647-850- 0142 Fax 416-945- 9445

Immanuel Assembly of God Church, Scarborough

Rev. Douglas O. Ansah Pastor-in-charge

Sunday School: 9:30am -10:30am Church Service: 10:30am - 12 noon

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.

Rhema Power of Grace Chapel Int'l

Invites all Christians, Non-Christians and members of the community to join us worship the Great Jehovah

378 Cremazie East Montreal, Quebec, H2P 1E5 Tel: 514-271-9083 Pastor-In-Charge: John Arhin

Contact: Res: 450-687-4916 Cell: 514-654-6178

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 Sunday Regular Service 11:00 am to 1:30 pm Tuesday Prayer and Healing Service 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday Prayer Night 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm

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.

NEW Place of Worship:

135 Oakdale Rd, North York, ON Days And Time of Worship 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

Montreal Assembly

Rev. Bishop Joe Bonnah Founder &Pastor-in-charge

Apostle Osei Bonsu

-

8p.m. - 10p.m.

10p.m. - 1a.m.

Contact Lines: 416-321-2796 (Pastor's Res) 416-747-9225 (Church) Cell: 647-921-2414

Pastor Appiah Jacob

For information call: 905-840-7387, 647-208-1093 416-209-9136, 647-710-2573

The Ghanaian News April 2022 49

What would it mean to codify Roe into law – and is there any chance of that happening? pro-abortion rights voters.

So are the promises to get Congress to protect abortion rights realistic?

Republicans in the Senate successfully blocked the proposed Women’s Health Protection Act. And unless things change dramatically in Congress, there isn’t much chance of the bill becoming law.

There has been talk of trying to end the filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes in the Senate to pass legislation. But even then, the 50 votes that would be needed might not be there.

What we don’t know is how this Supreme Court leak will affect the calculus. Maybe some Republican senators will see that the writing is on the wall and vote with Democrats. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation earlier this year that would codify Roe in law, but isn’t as expansive as the Women’s Health Protection Act. And then we have the midterm elections in November, which might shake up who’s in Congress. If the Democrats lose the House or fail to pick up seats in the Senate, the chances of pushing through any legislation protecting abortion rights would appear very slim. Democrats will be hoping that the Supreme Court ruling will mobilize

What is going on at a state level?

Liberal states like Massachusetts have passed laws that codify Roe v. Wade.

Now that the Supreme Court’s apparent intentions are known, expect similar moves elsewhere. Other states are looking to go a step further by protecting residents who help out-of-state women seeking abortion.

Such laws would seemingly counter moves by states like Missouri, which is seeking to push through legislation that would criminalize helping women who go out of state for abortions.

Wouldn’t any federal law just be challenged at the Supreme Court?

Should Congress be able to pass a law enshrining the right to abortion for all Americans, then surely some conservative states will seek to overturn the law, saying that the federal government is exceeding its authority.

If it were to go up to the Supreme Court, then conservative justices would presumably look unfavorably on any attempt to limit individual states’ rights when it comes to abortion. Similarly, any attempt to put in place a federal law that would restrict abortion for all would seemingly conflict with the Supreme Court’s position that it should be left to the states to decide. The Conversation

G98.7 rebrands to Flow 98.7 as Stingray relinquishes heritage brand cont’d from pg. 35 ordered sale to CINA Radio Group, the station had been placed in investigative receivership following the death of its founder Fitzroy Gordon, resulting in a subsequent shareholder dispute.

“This is a second reset which will propel us even quicker into the space of regauging, recalculating, recalibrating the station, as well as it’s responsibility to the market and to the CRTC, and to its advertisers as a sustainable, viable business model,” said Gunter. “Right now, we’re really the only Black station game in town. You want to reach Blacks in Toronto, you have to come to Flow 98.7. There’s even more of a spotlight on us and I look forward to the challenge.”

As far as the station’s sound, Gunter says listeners can expect to hear more R&B in the mix, with Sundays dedicated to oldschool hip hop and reggae.

“The slogan has changed. Where the current Flow is “Toronto’s hip hop,” we’ll be “Toronto’s hip hop and R&B.” So, we will take on the edginess of Flow, but we’ll also take on a softness to please those outside the traditional hip hop heads… it will still be new, still be fresh, but also appeal to more mature listeners as well.”

Gunter says slight adjustments to dayparts and some personality changes may be in the cards down the road, but for now all of the station’s primary shows will be retained.

Broadcast Dialogue

Lighthouse Assembly of God Church THEME FOR YEAR 2020:

“PRAYER AND THE WORD” Acts 6:4 SUNDAY SERVICES: 10:00 am-1:30 pm Ghanaian Service Pastor-in-charge: Rev. Boniface Keelson

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Wednesday - Bible Studies 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday - Holy Ghost Service 7:00 pm -9:00 pm LOCATION:

42 Steinway Blvd. Unit 1&2 (Hwy 27/Steeles) Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6Y6

Tel: 416-740-1200 Fax: 416-740-6435 Email:

lighthouseagtoronto.org

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Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA) Holds the Opening Session of its 4th General Assembly at the ECOWAS Commission HQ in Abuja RECOWA was founded in 2012 to bring the pastoral experiences of the Bishops together to help in the issues affecting the lives of the diverse people in the region The Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West (RECOWA) holds the opening session of its 4th General Assembly at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria today Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022.

H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while opening the Session, encouraged the Conference “to begin building bridges across every divide to strengthen our nations and the subregion as a whole”. He added that peace can only be sustained with peace and not with war.

In his welcome address, H.E, JeanClaude kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission stressed for

fraternity and cooperation in the ECOWAS Region. He added that the vision 2050 of ECOWAS which is based on “A fully integrated community of peoples in a peaceful, prosperous region with strong institutions and respect for fundamental freedoms and working towards inclusive and sustainable development” is aimed enhancing inclusive integration in the Region.

RECOWA was founded in 2012 to bring the pastoral experiences of the Bishops together to help in the issues affecting the lives of the diverse people in the region. The body comprises over 200 Bishops spread across the Dioceses of West Africa APO Group

50

The Ghanaian News April 2022

Lifestyle

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

Unsafe sleep practices present in hundreds of infant deaths in Canada, CBC investigation finds Safe Sleep is an investigative series examining what risk factors were present in more than 1,300 incidents of infant death over an 11-year span in Canada.

Early one morning in 2018 inside a home in British Columbia, a fussing baby was placed to sleep on their stomach on the chest of a family member.

The relative, who was lying on a couch, fell asleep, too. When they awoke, the one-month-old was unresponsive and not breathing.

It’s a tragic scenario that’s occurred for multiple families across Canada, as detailed in records obtained as part of a CBC News investigation into infant deaths during sleep, which found at least 1,338 infants died with unsafe sleep risk factors present between 2009 and the end of 2019.

The infant in B.C. died a natural death from pneumonia, according to a coroner’s report, but bed sharing with the relative on a couch was listed as a contributing factor.

“Perinatal [Services] BC recommends that a baby be placed to sleep alone on a firm mattress such as a crib, cradle or bassinet,” the report says.

“A safe sleep surface reduces the risk of suffocation which can be increased in infants with compromised breathing due to a respiratory infection.”

When the infant was born a month earlier, the family asked the province for help “as an appropriate sleep surface was not available” for the baby. A crib was provided, but it hadn’t been set up at the time of the baby’s death.

Some experts who talked to CBC say such societal inequities and systemic issues must be addressed, and that safe sleep should be a higher priority both federally and provincially.

They include Dr. Ian Mitchell, a pediatric respirologist at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“This is not a new problem,” said Mitchell, who also teaches at the University of Calgary.

“Every death of a child is a tragedy. These are, as far as we can tell, otherwise healthy children who would be productive citizens of our society and contribute to society.”

Health Canada’s infant safe sleep guidelines spell out actions and environments that can put an infant at higher risk of death. Risk factors include a baby being placed to sleep in a position that increases the risk of suffocation or asphyxiation, such as on their stomach instead of their back.

It also includes infants sleeping on a surface that can contribute to suffocation, such as a soft mattress or pillows or a surface cluttered with items, or sharing a sleep space with an adult or another infant.

Bed sharing puts the baby at risk of suffocation and other hazards, according to the federal health agency.

61 per cent of infants were bed sharing In each province and territory, CBC requested reports from coroners and medical examiners that detail the deaths of children who were younger than 12 months, where there were unsafe sleep risk factors present.

Some jurisdictions provided full coroner or medical examiner

reports, while others provided statistics, summaries or heavily redacted reports.

Some jurisdictions didn’t provide enough detailed information to include those cases in the analysis.

CBC had enough information to analyze about one-third of the 1,338 deaths — specifically, 476 infant deaths in five provinces and three territories.

At least 61 per cent of the 476 infants who died had been bed sharing, the information provided to CBC shows.

The records show that in at least 77 per cent of cases, the infant had been sleeping on a surface not recommended as safe by health officials, including an adult bed and a couch.

In some cases, whole families slept together on a mattress on the floor. In others, the baby was placed to sleep in an adult bed or on a couch after feeding. In all, the details were difficult, describing parents, over and over again, waking up to find their baby was no longer breathing.

The findings are similar to data published by Statistics Canada last year that showed more than 90 per cent of infants who died in their sleep between 2015 and 2020 were “in an unsafe sleep environment.”

The researchers found more than half (53 per cent) of the infants who died suddenly in their sleep during that time frame were sharing a bed with one or more people.

“There may be factors involved in a sudden and unexpected sleeprelated infant death other than those discussed here, such as underlying genetic, metabolic or other biological factors,” the Statistics Canada study says.

“In addition, the full circumstances surrounding infant sleep-related deaths is not always known, as the event is not often witnessed.”

‘I wish I had known’ Dr. Rachel Moon has spent decades researching Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, and trying to promote safe sleep.

It’s a difficult topic to study, but the professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia’s medical school does it for the families she’s met.

“Almost every week, I talk to a family who’s lost the baby, and it’s heart-wrenching,” Moon said. “And many times, it doesn’t have to have happened.”

For Moon, prevention starts with understanding why parents do what they do.

Parents often bed share because it’s easier for breastfeeding, Moon said. Health Canada guidelines say parents can minimize risk by putting the baby back to sleep in a crib, bassinet or cradle after their feeding, instead of allowing them to sleep in an adult bed.

Other times, parents see unsafe sleep practices being shared on social media. While images of children sleeping with an adult on a couch might seem cute, Moon said it’s also very dangerous.

Once experts understand the reasoning behind parents’ actions, it’s easier to tweak the message about what

is actually safe and ensure it reaches parents.

“We’re trying to explain to parents why some of the things that they believe are not true,” Moon said.

“I think that for many of the families, it’s just that they didn’t understand,” Moon said.

She said some parents might have thought bed sharing was OK because they’d done it before and it turned out fine.

“And that’s the thing that the parents keep telling me: I wish I had known.”

Cause of death language a concern, experts say In some cases analyzed by CBC, the unsafe sleep risk factor was listed as a contributing factor in the baby’s death. In others, death investigators couldn’t be sure of the significance.

It’s a familiar dilemma for Ontario’s chief coroner, Dr. Dirk Huyer.

In Ontario, at least 539 infants died in unsafe sleep environments between 2009 and January 2021, according to data provided by the coroner’s office.

When describing those cases, Huyer is careful to say the infants died in unsafe sleep environments, but not necessarily from the unsafe sleeping arrangement.

In many cases, the manner and cause

of death are marked as undetermined.

At least 1,338 Canadian infants died with unsafe sleep risk factors present between 2009 and 2019 “We don’t know why their babies died, despite multiple efforts and multiple tests and multiple ways to try and figure it out,” he said.

Huyer does see bed sharing as a risk, but said that given how many people share a bed with their infants at some point, if there was a more direct correlation between bed sharing and infant death, “we would likely be seeing many more children dying.”

Mitchell sees safe sleep practices as being similar to wearing a seatbelt in a car — it may not prevent car crashes, but it can prevent deaths.

“Many of our medical problems, we never have the last word,” he said.

“We have to go on the information we have and do what we can to save lives.”

New sleep guidelines issued in 2021 Last fall, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada released an updated joint statement on safe sleep, written with the Canadian Paediatric Society and Baby’s Breath, a national charitable organization with a focus on SIDS. cont’d on pg. 51

The Ghanaian News April 2022 51

Ontario general election 2022: Here’s what the PCs, NDP, Liberals and Greens have promised so far cont’d from pg. 12 days and a benefits package for workers, including those in the gig economy, which the party says it would classify as employees. The party also promises to eliminate corporate taxes for two years for small businesses hurt by the pandemic.

April 12: The Liberals promise $10-a-day before and after school care to complement the federal government’s promise of $10-a-day childcare for children aged five and younger. The party also promises to reintroduce the Pay Transparency Act that was passed but never implemented.

April 19: The Liberals promise a handgun ban within its first year of government if it is elected. The party does not reveal details of the pledge and promises to work with federal and municipal governments to make it happen.

April 20: The Ontario Liberals pledge a slate of reforms to combat racism. It includes regular police training in deescalation, anti-racism training and cultural sensitivity training. The party also says it would end streaming in Grades 9 and 10, alongside $10 million in grants for Black entrepreneurs and small businesses.

April 22: Ontario’s Liberal Party announces it would expand universal access to medication that prevents HIV transmission and would reduce barriers to gender-affirming surgeries. The party also promises to build 2,000 supportive homes for LGBTQ2 youth. On the same day — Earth Day — the party promises to plant 800 million trees if elected.

April cont’d 25: fromThe 50 Liberals promise to increase the amount low-income seniors receive from the province as a top-up to federal Old Age Security payments. The party says it would raise the threshold to be eligible to $25,000 for individuals and $50,000 for couples, adding $1,000 to the annual total they receive.

April 26: The Liberals announce that they will raise the base pay for PSWs to $25

per hour and increase wages for healthcare workers. The party also says it will repeal Bill 124 and sections of Bill 106.

The Liberals say they will guarantee access to mental health services for health workers, and “establish and enforce” protest exclusion zones around health-care buildings. They also say they will provide top-ups for short-staffed shift work and deliver “consistent” pay across home and community care, long-term care, and hospitals. The party also promises to end for-profit long-term care by 2028, build 30,000 new long-term care beds, and redevelop 28,000 existing spaces, as well as expand and make permanent the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit. It would also make the Ontario Caregiver Tax Credit refundable, tax-free and paid throughout the year.

April 29: The Liberals promise to remove the provincial portion of the HST on all prepared food under $20.

May 2: The Liberals say they would slash transit fares to $1 per ride for every transit line in the province and make monthly passes $40 until January 2024. The party says they would replace transit systems’ lost revenue “ensuring no municipal government is impacted by this decision.”

It’s estimated to cost $710 million in 2022-23 and $1.1 billion in 2023-24. The Liberals say they would also commit an additional $375 million in annual transit operating funding and make transit “completely free” for veterans.

May 3: The Liberals promise to cut greenhouse gas emissions by increasing industrial standards, banning new natural gas plants, offering electric vehicle rebates (up to $8,000 for electric vehicles up to retail prices of $65,000 and $1,500 for charging equipment) and grants for home retrofit renovations (100,000 grants of up to $3,000 each year). The party says it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050. The plan for $1 transit announced May 2 will also help, the Liberals say. The party also promises to divert and recycle 60 per cent of waste from landfills by 2030 and 85 per cent by 2050.

May 4: The Liberals say they will invest $10 billion to build and repair schools across the province. The party says the plan would be fully funded by cancelling Highway 413.

Greens May 3: Expand the number of women’s health clinics and abortion clinics in Ontario.

May 2: Amend the Greenbelt Act to make putting new highways through the protected area illegal.

April 29: Significantly expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including in parking lots, transit stations, highway rest stops and homes. Add 4,000 electric and fuel-cell buses by 2030. Electrify GO Transit and Metrolinx.

April 28: Double Ontario Disability Support Program rates. Ensure the rapid implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and update its accessibility standards. Increase highquality home care options for people with disabilities.

April 27: Implement a multiple homes speculation tax on purchases of new homes for buyers who already own two or more homes or condos, starting at 20 per cent for the third home purchased and increasing with each additional home.

April 26: Build 60,000 supportive homes with wraparound mental health and addictions services over 10 years. apprenticeship. Increase sustainable, circular and Indigenous-led access to critical minerals and metals. Scale up electric vehicle innovation and production with a $5-billion EV mobility and green technology innovation fund and a $4-billion climate bank.

March 29: Reduce children and youth mental health wait times to 30 days or less by hiring more front-line workers. Ensure students can seamlessly connect to mental health professionals located at or near schools. Invest in youth wellness hubs.

April 25: Implement time-of-day pricing

on transit to make off-peak use cheaper.

Cancel plans to widen Highway 417.

April 22: Double the size of the Greenbelt to include a Bluebelt of protected waterways. Implement a moratorium on new gravel mining permits to protect water and farmland.

April 21: Immediately clean up mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows First Nation.

Require the Ministry of Environment to develop and report on a strategy to address environmental racism.

Establish stricter monitoring and enforcement standards for air and water pollution in areas with health risks from multiple industries such as Aamjiwnaang First Nation. Increase access to green space in neighbourhoods with larger racialized communities. Safely close the Line 5 pipeline.

April 20: Cancel Highway 413. Create a dedicated truck lane on Highway 407 that is toll free.

April 14: Expand zoning options to increase housing supply. Implement vacancy and rent controls on all units. Cut transit fares in half for three months. Launch a green retrofit program. Offer incentives to make heat pumps affordable. Protect farmland from urban sprawl and freeze urban boundaries. Implement a Grocery Code of Conduct to protect farmers, local food producers and consumers.

April 13: Implement Vision Zero, a plan to eliminate traffic fatalities. Create an $8-billion climate adaptation fund to support municipalities with green and resilient infrastructure. Restore 50 per cent provincial cost sharing for transit operations.

April 8: Implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Change the Ontario Building Code to ensure new housing in multi-unit residential buildings is accessible.

April 1: Offer rebates of up to $10,000 for electric cars, and $1,000 for e-bikes and used electric cars. Bring 60,000 diverse young people into the green workforce and provide one year of free tuition and guaranteed

Unsafe sleep practices present in hundreds of infant deaths in Canada, CBC cont’d from pg. 50 investigation finds “Sharing a sleeping surface increases the risk of SIDS, suffocation from overlay or entrapment, and overheating,” the new guidelines say, noting that children born pre-term are more at risk, as are those sharing with a parent or caregiver who is a smoker, has been drinking or using drugs or is “overly tired.”

But the guidelines don’t explicitly say parents shouldn’t share beds with infants.

“Although bed sharing is not advised, parents/caregivers should be aware of the factors that put infants at greatest risk when bed sharing so they can take steps to avoid them,” the guidelines say.

The federal health agency declined a request for an interview about the guidelines.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson cited data that shows bed sharing is common among parents, “despite over a decade of advising parents not to bed share.”

“This may indicate the need for new messages/approaches, such as those that help parents make informed decisions — which is the direction [the Public Health Agency of Canada] took with its latest updates to its safe sleep resources.”

‘They don’t have to die’ Decades of work have been done in Alberta, Mitchell said, to make sure health-care professionals are giving the same messages to parents about safe sleep.

It’s also crucial that messages don’t blame parents but deliver key facts, he said.

“We have to be very careful we’re not so reassuring that we deny the undeniable facts: That taking the baby into bed with you increases the risk.”

At least 61 per cent of infants who died were bed sharing, according to a CBC analysis of the details of 476 deaths. (Jamie Hopkins/CBC) Beyond changing behaviour, Moon sees sleep-related deaths as a systemic issue that requires fixing inequities in society, such as access to safe housing and drinking water. It’s addressing what leads to a whole family sleeping on a mattress on the floor.

“There are huge disparities and I think that that’s been reported, wherever there are minority populations, disparities have been reported,” she said.

Over her career, Moon has

watched the Back to Sleep campaign dramatically decrease infant deaths in the 1990s, when health professionals started advising parents to place their babies to sleep on their backs. The SIDS rate in the U.S. dropped by more than 50 per cent during a fiveyear period between 1994, when the campaign began, and 1999, according to federal health data.

In Canada, the SIDS rate decreased by 50 per cent between 1999 and 2004, also coinciding with recommendations for parents to place their babies on their backs to sleep, Health Canada says.

But Moon feels momentum has been

stalling.

She thinks more infants could be saved if governments made it a priority “There are still babies dying, and they don’t have to die,” Moon said.

“And if we made changes in how we take care of these babies in terms of how they sleep, where they sleep … I think that ... more of them would live to see their first birthday.”

In the next part of the series, CBC looks at why some provinces are reporting an over-representation of Indigenous infants in sleep-related deaths, and why other regions aren’t keeping track at all. Karissa Donkin · CBC News

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

52

The Ghanaian News April 2022

Around the World Sports Scene

with Jonathan Baah Annobil

Boxing expert Amin Lamptey predicts future of Tokyo 2020 medalist Samuel Takyi after Stop making excuses, you wanted money - Ike his maiden professional bout Quartey slams Gameboy over defeat to Garcia Garcia earns decision over

unanimous Gameboy

prepare

rightdefeat

Former IBF welterweight world champion Ike Quartey has slammed Emmanuel ‘Gameboy’ Tagoe, charging him to stop making excuses for his loss to Ryan Garcia.

The 21-year-old won his maiden professional bout last Friday,15th April at the Ga Mashie Hall of the Trust Sport Emporium in Accra Ghanaian boxing expert Mohammed Amin Lamptey has predicted the future of Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalist Samuel Takyi days after the youngster won his maiden professional bout.

Takyi, 21, defeated Kamalrudeen Boyefio at the Ga Mashie Hall of the Trust Sports Emporium in Accra on Friday.

Samuel Takyi, with a longer reach, defeated Boyefio to register his first professional win The young ring warrior stopped his opponent in round 2 of the 6-rounder with a Technical Knock Out [TKO] to record his first victory as a professional boxer.

Boxing expert and ring announcer Lamptey has predicted a bright future for the boxer as he excelled in the lightweight contest which was staged on the cards of Bazooka Boxing Promotions.

GhanaSportsonline

Confirmed: Otto Addo to lead Ghana to 2022 World Cup Akufo-Addo task GFA to maintain technical team Otto Addo wants both Black Stars and Dortmund job Kurt Okraku to hold talks with Otto Addo over contract Ghana coach Otto Addo has confirmed that German-based club, Borussia Dortmund has granted his request to lead the Black Stars at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Otto Addo’s tenure as the interim Black Stars coach ended after accomplishing his task of qualifying the Black Stars for the Mundial.

Following his success with the national team, the GFA expressed interest in making Otto Addo the substantive Black Stars coach.

However, the coach who has a contract with Dortmund revealed that he had to inform the team about his next move.

In the latest update, the coach has confirmed that Dortmund has accepted his decision to both works with the club and Ghana’s national team on conditions.

“I got permission from Dortmund. Under certain conditions, it works out that I can do the international

Ghana coach, Otto Addo

game phases in June, September and also the World Cup,” Otto Addo said in an interview with Hamburger Adbenblatt Podcast.

When given the nod, Otto Addo would take charge of the Black Stars games in the 2023 African Cup qualifiers and also lead Ghana at the 2022 World Cup. Otto Addo who has worked behind the scenes for the Black Stars in the past was appointed as one of two deputies for Milovan Rajevac but the Serbian tactician was sacked after a terrible performance at the 2021 AFCON. The Dortmund man was made the interim head coach and led Ghana to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar with assistance from George Boateng and Masud Didi Dramani with Chris Hughton as Technical Advisor.

The GFA are expected to engage Otto Addo in contract talks in the next coming days. www.ghanaweb.com

another

bout.

“He went in for the money, he has no excuses, he was well beaten and he should come and do his homework well,” the boxing legend told Graphic Sports.

Gameboy bags over $200,000 from Garcia fight Gameboy faults hand injury after

for

He also urged Gameboy to admit and learn his defeat in order not to make such errors in his subsequent fights.

Tagoe lost in a unanimous decision to American boxer Ryan Garcia in the United States on April 9.

Quartey disclosed that Gameboy had no excuses for his defeat because the boxer went in for the money and not to challenge for a world title.

Former IBF welterweight champion, Ike Quartey

He claimed that the 33-yearold had tainted Ghana’s hardearn reputation in boxing

and must focus on hoisting the flag of Ghana high again by returning to the gym to

Following the loss, Gameboy made excuses that he injured his right hand prior to the bout but still had to fight www.ghanaweb.com

Meet 10-year-old Ghanaian who is the youngest professional footballer in Africa Wearing an oversized jersey on the green turf, 10-yearold Matilda Assabil caught the attention of many when she made her debut for Ghana’s Women’s league for Starlets Ladies FC. At the age of 10, Matilda Assabil became the youngest female footballer to play in Ghana’s Women’s league for Starlets Ladies FC. Matilda was handed the starting role for Starlets Ladies FC in the Ghana Women’s Division One League.

Thanks to her contribution, her club recorded their first victory of the season as they thrashed Nimobi ladies by 4-2 and she played the entire duration.

Prior to her maiden game for Starlets Ladies FC, the Tema based club had played 6 matches without a win.

However, her introduction brought good tidings as Starlets Ladies FC earned their first 3 points in the season.

Matilda Assabil, a primary school student started kicking balls with boys in Takoradi and later moved with her family to Tema where she was discovered by her current team.

On one of the days, she had

Matilda Assabil in action for Starlets Ladies FC gone to the pitch to play football with the boys in the neighbourhood, a scout from Starlets Ladies FC saw her play and quickly invited her to join their team.

the ball for long but keep it simple because she is playing with older girls. When we speak to her, she listens and that is why we have agreed to play her in our games.”

Although it is very rare to find girls her age engaged in football a game dominated by men, Matilda Assabil told TV3 in an interview that her father inspired her to push further.

The young female footballer who is looking forward to playing for Ghana’s national team said that former Brazilian player, Ronaldinho is the player she looks up to.

“My dad encouraged me to play football and not to stop. It is going on very well so I will give off my best because they give me everything I want so I will give off my best,” she said.

“He always does a lot of skills I like, I always watch his videos and try to practice is on the pitch,” Matilda stated.

Despite the risks involved in the game such as injuries, Evans Tetteh, the head coach of Starlets Ladies FC said, “we have spoken to her not to keep

Following her debut, Matilda Assabil has gone viral on social media and has caught the attention of many football fans around the globe. www.ghanaweb.com

The Ghanaian News April 2022 53

Beni Boo Styles WELL MADE - WELL PRICED As all remaining Covid-19 restrictions become lifted across the country — After more than a year of cancellations, postponements, and virtual shows for the most part, event and parties and social gathering have made in-person comeback, and now that we're free to dress like grown-ups with sartorial urgency, once again we are delivering a slew of trends each more daring than the last.

Gone are the grey, comfort-oriented garments of successive lockdowns; now the focus is on color, sophisticated details, and glamour for both ladies and gentlemen and new slew of style tribes have started to emerge on the streets of our cities, and there's never been a better time to get yourself acquainted.

Spring 2022 fahion is bringing an air of freedom and expressiveness embrace vibrancy and joy

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The Ghanaian News April 2022

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Contact: +233-24-161-8182 (Esther), 1-925-961-7554

56 The Ghanaian News April 2022

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