GHANAIAN NEWS - JANUARY 2020

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York Regional Police open Barack Obama Human Rights Education wows young people Classroom as part of their in Toronto with a Black History Month Celebration call to embrace the

creative skills

By Solomon Kobina Aremu, Aurora, ON

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

York Regional Police Officers salute during playing of the National Anthem

Evoking memories of trailblazing icons of civil liberties, social justice and human rights like Lincoln Alexander and Herbert H Carnegie, the outgoing

York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe announced the opening of the Human Rights Education Classroom at their Community Safety Village.

“This classroom for global

Compiled by Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

learning, the first of its kind in the world, is a welcome addition to our youth outreach programs”, he said.

Chief Jolliffe revealed that cont’d on pg. 39

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has made a passionate appeal and advice to young people in Canada to embrace the creative skills that will help them stand out in a rapidly changing world economy.

Addressing a crowd of about 6,000 young people from across the GTA at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as part of the #CreateFate event organized by the Economic Club of Canada, President Obama emphasized that “anything that’s replicable, anything that’s repeatable is worth trying”. The event was held under the Theme “Exploring the future of work and the new economy”.

Obama saidyoung people need to think about things

Former President Obama speaking at Economic Club of Canada

that have not been done before, and skills that include interacting with other human beings. “Creativity, analytical thinking and team building are the types of skills that cont’d on pg. 52

Year 2019 in review

The Year 2019 was very eventful for our community here in Canada and in the land of our birth, Ghana. We bring you some of the month by month highlights of major events that we covered and reported on during the past year JANUARY • Send off party held for former Consul-General John Bosco DeryKpebesani • Government of Ghana partners Novartis to improve diagnosis, treatment of Sickle Cell disease.

• Federal tax changes kick in as 2019 begins.

• Commemoration for Hon. Lincoln Alexander, first

Black cabinet minister and 1st African-Canadian Lt. Governor of Ontario.

• Supporting visible minority newcomer women in Toronto pilot to address multiple barriers to success for women in Canada’s job market.

FEBRUARY • National Black History Month celebrated in Ottawa with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in attendance.

• York Regional Police celebrates Black History Month • John Mahama beats 6 others to become NDC flag bearer again for the 2020 Presidential cont’d on pg. 50 Elections

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of the Commissioning of 307 Ambulances for Ghana’s Health Sector and the Carnage on Ghana’s Roads News coming from Ghana early in the last week of January 2020 concerning improvement to resources for the health care sector in Ghana is really good.

The President of the Republic, Nana Akufo Addo, accompanied by his Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, officially, and finally after months of waiting, commissioned 307 well-equipped, state-ofthe art Ambulances to augment the small fleet that were available for emergency health-care delivery in Ghana. The delivery, commissioning and distribution of these Ambulances were in fulfilment of one of the promises the President and his NPP made during the last electioneering campaign to provide one Ambulance for each of the 275 electoral constituencies in the country.

There has been too much noise and hullabaloo about these ambulances from the time the promise was made through the time they started arriving in the country in batches, to their commissioning on Tuesday January 28th, 2020 and after. First, the President and his party’s critics shrugged off the promise calling it a hoax and empty, questioning how the President was going to keep this promise.

When the Ambulances started arriving and were being furbished and set up, members of the main Opposition Party, the NDC kept berating the President for parking the Ambulances and idling away while people were dying for lack of emergency intervention vehicles and equipment in the health care sector. At one point, one of the NDC MPs from the Western Region issued an ultimatum to the President and his government to distribute the Ambulances and get them working within 48 hours, failure to which he, the MP, wouldread the riot act to the President. The President did not succumb to these noise-making, insisting that the Ambulances will be distributed to ALL Constituencies at the same time, noting that if some Constituencies got their Ambulances while others waited, the same critics will come up with narratives accusing the President and his government of favoritism of some Constituencies over others.

The much-awaited events thus came on Tuesday January 28th when the President commissioned these Ambulances amid great fanfare. The critics again went to town with new arguments and criticisms.

One notable criticism came from former President John Mahama who strangely took a position that the government should have renovated existing hospitals and completed those under construction before they distributed the hospitals. He wondered where the Ambulances were going to transport injured and sick people in emergencies when many hospitals needed improvement or completion. Coming from the Leader of the Party whose members were always on the throat of the President for being “insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians by parking the Ambulances for a long time, this argument sounds so hollow and infantile.

At any rate, The Ghanaian News will like to join millions of other Ghanaians to congratulate the President and his government for making these Ambulances available to help solve very pressing emergency health care needs of the country. We urge Ghanaians to, for once, cut politics out of this Ambulance issue. They are urgently needed now, more than ever, in the face of the continuous carnage on our roads in the country. The rate and frequency of motor accidents on Ghana’s roads and the resultant casualties and fatalities are frightening, the recent one being a head-on collision of two passenger buses on the Cape Coast-Takoradi road in which over forty people perished and a large number suffered various degrees of injuries, some still very life-threatening.

We also employ the government to seriously repair roads in the rural areas with ‘elephant’ potholes to make those places accessible to the smooth operations of the new Ambulances allotted to the constituents.

We entreat all road users in Ghana to be careful on the roads since most of these accidents are attributed to careless driving, especially unnecessary overtaking of other vehicles at dangerous sections of the roads. Let us make the year 2020 less accident-prone than the years past.

The Airbus Bribery Scandal, a mischievous political interest?

ASEPA quizzes I have been up for only a few hours and already my inbox is filled with news items of the Airbus bribery scandal…

Honestly I didn’t see the Ghanaian interest in it and why it was trending until I decided to read the story.

Now here is it, the long and short of the whole matter is that Airbus, Europe’s largest aerospace company has admitted that it paid bribes in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and Ghana between 2011 and 2015 to secure contracts and the company has been fined by the Court in the U.K. So a foreign company admits bribing our officials or influence their acquisition of contracts by inducing government officials and we are not angry at the Multinational Company for their dealings in our Country?

Are we serious???

Let me state this fact, that the new colonialism is Multinational companies doing business in Africa and how they are ripping the African people off millions of dollars by annexing the resources of the People through bribery and corruption….

Airbus must really be ashamed of themselves but the point is this happening almost every day and not under one regime but almost every regime and as a people we must begin to rally together against these Multinational companies for their roles in the exploitation of Africa’s resources.

But again I have seen attempts to link former President Mahama to this story and you are likely to be caught up in that narrative until you actually read the story.

First of all there is nowhere in the story that said Airbus paid bribes to a President or a Vice President in the 5 Countries it admitted in paying bribes in so anybody trying to create mischief out of it must first read the story.

Secondly nobody is making a fuss out of this in Sri Lanka or in Indonesia not because they don’t care but because this time round the burden of guilt lays heavily on Airbus and no one else because they were supposed to be doing genuine business in Africa and across the World and not paying bribes to officials.

There was also nowhere in the story did Airbus say the officials came to them to demand those bribes before awarding the contracts..

This means that Airbus deliberately on their will or perhaps their modus operandi decided to grease people’s palms to facilitate the award of Contracts… How is that the fault of John Mahama?

Or John Mahama has suddenly become an employee of Airbus?

Or it was John Mahama who was dishing out those bribes on behalf Airbus?

I am not saying if there legitimate reasons to ask questions from our leaders and past leaders we shouldn’t… only this time there is no legitimate basis to draw John Mahama into this conversation at all unless Airbus publicly provides the list of government officials who were recipients of those bribes and John Mahama’s name appears on the list then we can ask questions.

For now we must demand more answers from Airbus for their dirty deals in Africa and elsewhere whiles we continue to put more pressure on Multinational companies working here in Ghana to conform to the National Anti Corruption Action Plan of the Country which was promulgated in 2015……. and guess who was President at the time??

And Oh, even after all these admissions, Airbus has not been collapsed by the UK government…they will pay their fine and continue with their business as usual and no one, absolutely no one, is going to loose their job or their investments because of the actions a Company which is a legal entity on it’s own… interesting contrast isn’t it?

Mensah Thompson Executive Director, ASEPA

The Ghanaian News Celebrating 23 years of Community Service 1997 - 2020

Coronavirus declared global health emergency

by WHO The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.

“The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems.

Meanwhile, the US has told its citizens not to travel to China.

The state department issued a level four warning - having previously urged Americans to “reconsider” travel to China and said any citizens in China “should consider departing using commercial means”.

China has said it will send

On Wednesday, January 22, the U.S. officials joined Ghanaian Minister of Defense Dominic Nitiwul and National Security Coordinator Joshua Kyeremeh to inaugurate the National Border Fusion Center and attend the 6th SGI Steering Committee Meeting.

Coronavirus: Scientists race to develop a vaccine

By Tulip Mazumdar Global health correspondent in San Diego

A deadly new virus. Thousands of people infected. No cure. No vaccine.

We’ve been here many times before.

charter plans to bring back Hubei province residents who are overseas “as soon as possible”.

A foreign ministry spokesman said this was because of the “practical difficulties” Chinese citizens have faced abroad.

Hubei is where the virus emerged.

At least 213 people in the China have died from the virus, mostly in Hubei, with almost 10,000 cases nationally.

The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 other countries, but no deaths.

Most international cases are in people who had been to Wuhan in Hubei.

However in eight cases - in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States - patients were infected by people who had travelled to China. BBC

U.S. and Ghana partner to Build Capable and Resilient Security and Justice Sector Institutions The National Border Fusion Center will serve as an information-sharing hub for border security to facilitate informed, rapid decisionmaking The United States and Ghana continue bilateral efforts in the areas of border, maritime, police peacekeeping, cyber security, and the administration of justice to build capable and resilient security and justice sector institutions. Three high-level officials – U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Kirsten Madison, the U.S. Government’s Security Governance Initiative (SGI) Ghana Head of Delegation Ambassador Michael Arietti, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Assistant Commissioner Erik Moncayo – visited Accra from January 19-23, 2020. During their visit, the three officials joined U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan in multiple bilateral engagements in the security sphere.

The Ghanaian News January 2020 7

The National Border Fusion Center will serve as an information-sharing hub for border security to facilitate informed, rapid decisionmaking. This is one of many collaborations under SGI. In her remarks, Assistant Secretary Madison underlined the value of this bilateral effort: “With shared common values, our partnership and cooperation are underpinned by our joint commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law.” Assistant Secretary Madison also reaffirmed the U.S. government’s support by announcing an additional $3 million in U.S. foreign assistance funding to continue efforts to improve the capacity of law enforcement, promote the rule of law and the administration of justice, and combat transnational financial crime.

The 6th SGI Steering Committee Meeting took place at the West Africa Regional Training Center in Accra. The senior Ghanaian and U.S. officials emphasized both countries’ commitment to improving security sector governance in Ghana. In his remarks, Ambassador Arietti noted that “Ghana’s longstanding partnership with the United States, coupled with cont’d on pg. 13

In the past five years alone, the world has faced outbreaks of Ebola, Zika, another coronavirus called Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), and now the virus simply known as “2019nCoV”.

It’s already infected thousands of people and killed more than 100.

But unlike in many previous outbreaks, where vaccines to protect people have taken years to develop, research for a vaccine to help stem this outbreak got under way within hours of the virus being identified.

Chinese officials released its genetic code very quickly. That information helps scientists determine where the virus probably came from, how it might mutate as the outbreak develops, and how to protect people against it.

With technological advances and greater commitment from governments around the world to fund research on emerging diseases, research facilities were able to spring into action fast.

Unprecedented speed At Inovio’s lab in San Diego, scientists are using a relatively new type of DNA technology to develop a potential vaccine. “INO-4800” - as it’s currently called - with plans for it to enter human trials by the early summer.

Kate Broderick, senior vice-president of research and development at Inovio, said: “Once China had provided the DNA sequence of this virus, we were able to put it through our lab’s computer technology and design a vaccine within three hours.

“Our DNA medicine vaccines are novel in that they use DNA sequences from the virus to target specific parts of the pathogen which we believe the body will mount the strongest response to.

“We then use the patient’s own cells to become a factory for the vaccine, strengthening the body’s own natural response mechanisms.” hope to have a vaccine ready to enter human trial by early summer Inovio says if the initial human trials are a success, larger trials would follow, ideally in an outbreak setting in China “by the end of the year”.

It is impossible to predict whether this outbreak is likely to have ended by then. But if Inovio’s timeline goes to plan, the company says it will be the quickest a new vaccine has ever been developed and tested in an outbreak situation.

The last time a similar virus - Sars - emerged in 2002 - China was slow to let the world know what was happening. So by the time work on a vaccine started in earnest, the outbreak was almost over.

The timeline of 2019-nCoV  31 December 2019 - China alerts the World Health Organization (WHO) about a spate of

pneumonia-like cases in Wuhan

 1 January 2020 - The seafood/animal market believed to be at the centre of the outbreak is    

closed 9 January - The WHO says the infection is caused by a new type of coronavirus 10 January - China shares the genetic code of the new virus 11 January - Scientists start working on a vaccine - and the first death confirmed 13 January - Virus spreads abroad for the first time, with a case in Thailand

The work in these labs is being funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi), which is made up of and funded by governments and philanthropic organisations from around the world.

It was created in the aftermath of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to provide funding to accelerate the development of vaccines for new diseases.

Dr. Melanie Saville, director of vaccine research and development at Cepi, said: “The mission is to make sure that outbreaks are no longer a threat to humanity and to develop vaccines for emerging infectious diseases.”

‘Molecular clamp’ Cepi is also funding two other programmes that are developing a vaccine for this new coronavirus.

The University of Queensland is working on a “molecular clamp” vaccine, which it says “enables targeted and rapid vaccine production against multiple viral pathogens.” bacteria to provide the main ingredient for a vaccine Moderna Inc in Massachusetts has also joined forces with the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to accelerate its research. cont’d on pg. 13

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More than 200 cabinet-appointed positions empty: Memo OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been warned that more than 200 senior jobs need filling across the federal government, including dozens in key leadership and oversight roles.

In a memo to the prime minister shortly after the Liberals won re-election last fall, officials said there were 220 so-called governorin-council appointments that needed to be made immediately and another 360 that are set to expire by the end of 2020.

Federal records show Trudeau’s cabinet has since

The Ghanaian News January 2020 9

Senate rejects witnesses in Trump trial, ensuring acquittal

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety to Canada’s By Lisa Mascaro, Eric Tucker And Zeke Miller ambassador to the U.S. and the federal auditor general. WASHINGTON -- The Senate former national rejected the idea of witnesses in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial late Friday, all but ensuring his eventual acquittal.

But senators considered pushing off final voting on his fate to next week.

The auditor general’s office raised concerns in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau December about delays in responds to a question during Question key appointments, noting Period in the House of Commons THE the government had failed CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld to name new directors to the The vote on allowing new boards of more than a dozen witnesses was defeated 51-49 appointed or re-appointed Crown corporations. on a near party-line vote. people to at least 16 such positions, but others have the Democrats The watchdog warned that Despite expired or fallen empty. singular focus on hearing new such boards are essential testimony, the Republican for providing oversight majority brushed past those The list of empty seats today and direction to taxpayer- demands to make this the includes everything from first Senate impeachment funded corporations. positions at the Canadian trial without witnesses. Even Dairy Commission and The Canadian Press new revelations Friday from

security adviser John Bolton did not sway GOP senators, who said they’d heard enough.

That means the eventual outcome for Trump would be an acquittal “in name only,” said Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., a House prosecutor, during final debate. Some called it a coverup.

The impeachment of the president now lands squarely in an election year before a divided nation. Caucus voting begins Monday in Iowa, and Trump gives his State of the Union address the next night.

Trump was impeached by the House last month on charges the he abused power and obstructed Congress like no other president has done as he tried to pressure Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, and then blocked the congressional probe of his actions.

The Democrats had badly wanted testimony from John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser whose forthcoming book links Trump directly to the charges. But Bolton won’t be summoned, and none of this appeared to affect the trial’s expected outcome.

In an unpublished manuscript, Bolton writes that the president asked him during an Oval Office meeting in early May to bolster his effort to get Ukraine to investigate Democrats, according to a person who read the passage and told The Associated Press. The person, who was not authorized to disclose contents of the book, spoke only on condition of anonymity.

In the meeting, Bolton said the president asked him to call new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and persuade him to meet with Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who was planning to go to Ukraine to coax the Ukrainians to investigate the president’s political rivals. Bolton writes that he never made the call to Zelenskiy after the meeting, which included acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone.

The revelation adds more detail to allegations of when and how Trump first sought to influence Ukraine to aid investigations of his rivals that are central to the abuse of power charge in the first article of impeachment.

The story was first reported cont’d on pg. 14

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

Ontario sets official end date of July 1 for red-and-white health cards

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press

Hundreds of thousands of Ontarians will soon have to say goodbye for good to their old, redand-white health cards.

The Canadian Press has learned the government has set July 1 as the date the cards will no longer be accepted.

It comes more than 25 years after the province first announced those cards would be phased out.

There are still about 300,000 red-andwhite health cards in circulation, representing about two per cent of all Ontario health cards.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says those cards are more susceptible to fraud than the newer cards, which feature a photo and a signature.

She says people who still have the old health cards will get notices this month, and after that they will get monthly reminders to get a new card.

“After July 1, the card will not be accepted for services,” Elliott said in an interview. “Hospitals, if someone attends with an emergency where they need medical attention right away, of course they won’t be denied care, but they will be receiving the hospital bill for those services.”

Anyone who has to pay up front for doctor’s office or hospital services will be reimbursed once they get a new health card, Elliott said.

Photo health cards can be obtained for free at ServiceOntario locations.

The province is also going to ask doctor’s offices, hospitals and pharmacists to remind anyone using a red-andwhite health card about the imminent need to switch to a new one.

It was late 1994 when the then-NDP government announced that due to fraud and misuse, the cards -- which were

introduced just four years prior -- would be phased out over three years.

When the photo ID cards were first announced in 1995, the government estimated the red-andwhite cards were being used for $65 million in fraudulent claims a year.

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

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

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

RCMP secrets arrest triggered warning, internal advisories: documents

By Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press

After the shocking arrest of one of their own on national-secrecy charges, rankand-file Mounties were encouraged to get counselling if needed, decline to speak with the media and avoid the headquarters venue where a news conference on the case was taking place, newly released documents show.

RCMP members were also advised what to say to colleagues at home and abroad who asked about the Cameron Jay Ortis file.

Ortis, 47, faces eight charges under the Security of Information Act. He is also accused of breach of trust and a computer-related offence.

The director general of the RCMP’s National Intelligence Co-ordination Centre was arrested Sept. 12 for allegedly revealing secrets to an unnamed recipient and planning to give additional classified information to an unspecified foreign entity.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada says the secrecy charges will proceed by way of direct indictment, meaning there will be no preliminary inquiry. Ortis, being held at an Ottawa jail, is due back in court today.

Internal memos and emails released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act provide the latest glimpse behind the scenes at the RCMP in the early days of the case.

In a force-wide message Sept. 13, the day after the Ortis arrest, Steve White, acting commissioner at the time, emphasized it would “impact some employees personally who may have worked with the employee.”

“We must remember to look out for one another. If you or someone you know needs support as a result of this, or other incidents, please reach out to someone who can help,” said White, who provided details about the RCMP’s employee assistance programs.

He added: “I would like to remind everyone of the importance of their

responsibilities to safeguard information under their control.”

The same day, Eric Slinn, an assistant commissioner, advised colleagues the RCMP was aware of the potential risks from the Ortis case to the force’s investigations and to those of other agencies. He drafted a list of suggested responses to questions, seeing as “you will be asked for information from your partners.”

In a message a few days later, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said the force “has engaged domestic and foreign partners in order to mitigate concerns, address risks and answer questions they might have.”

She reminded members of the counselling supports available. “If you see someone struggling, reach out to them.”

Lucki also said anyone contacted by a journalist should refer them to the RCMP’s media relations unit.

She addressed reporters at a brief news conference Sept. 17 at the RCMP’s national headquarters.

“Media will be escorted through the building to the auditorium in order to participate in the event,” the force’s director general for national headquarters said in an email to members.

“Employees are kindly asked to please avoid the area surrounding the auditorium until the conference has ended. For those wishing to view the press conference, we encourage you to make use of the televisions throughout the building.”

The same day, senior officials, including the force’s director general for departmental security, were informed of a meeting on the Ortis investigation, known as Project Ace. Slinn also asked officials Sept. 20 to join a call to “see how things are progressing in each of your respective areas in support of the investigation and ascertain if there are any challenges that we need to address as a collective.”

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GTA mayors call on feds to toughen bail laws in response to rise in gun violence

By Chris Fox, CP24.com

Mayors from across the Greater Toronto Area are calling on the federal government to toughen bail laws and make needed investments in programming for “atrisk and high-risk young people” amid a rise in gun violence.

The mayors of Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Pickering and Markham made the request in a joint statement that was issued following a meeting with federal and provincial government representatives at Toronto city hall on Tuesday.

The statement alludes to the need for further government investment in general but specifically singles out the federal Liberal government.

It urges them to “take action” on gun violence in their upcoming budget by introducing tougher bail and sentencing laws that will “send a clear message that gun violence is not acceptable.” It also asks them to make needed investments in youth and family programming to address the root causes of violence and border security to stop the illegal flow of guns into the country.

“Make no mistake we need the support of the other governments, through legal changes, financial support and

otherwise, to continue to try to attack this menace that poses such a threat to safety in our communities,” Toronto Mayor John Tory told reporters following the meeting. “Far too many neighbourhoods in all the regions and cities represented today have been terrorized by gun violence and people shouldn’t have to endure that.”

Tory convened Tuesday’s meeting, which was also attended by police chiefs and regional chairs, in order to share best practices and discuss a regional response to the gun violence problem.

He said that one of the things that was clear from the meeting is the “disconcerting” reality that the perpetrators and victims of gun violence “are getting younger and younger” all across the GTA. He said that in order to address that there needs to be more programming aimed at at-risk and highrisk youth as well as a labour market strategy that will help give them “hope” that there are opportunities out there for them beyond the world of crime.

“We talked about collectively sitting down and looking at every one of the programs we are funding and trying

The Ghanaian News January 2020 11

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to identify ones where there is a huge return on investment that are working so we can focus on those ones and try to fund those together,” he said.

Bail laws must be ‘substantially toughened’ Premier Doug Ford told reporters last week that the federal government needs to be focusing on bail reform and on Tuesday Tory and the other mayors joined him in that call.

He said that one change that could be made would involve a “reverse onus” being placed on certain offenders facing firearms-related offences.

“When it comes to these people who are being repeatedly arrested on firearms offences and gun violence offences we believe the laws need to be substantially toughened and frankly there has to be some look at how those laws are being administered because clearly there is some disconnect between the intention of those laws and what is actually happening,” he said.

Toronto police say 771 people were injured or killed by gunfire in the city in 2019, up 26 per cent from the year before.

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

FOCUS Promoting Ghana’s Image Home and Abroad through our Culture and Artifacts.

Asks Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Brookview Middle School, Toronto-Canada Toronto, the most multicultural city in the world will from Tuesday, February 4 to Sunday 9, 2020 experience a highenergy week of dynamic Ghanaian cultural program at the Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive in North YorkToronto, Canada.

The program dubbed ‘Ghana Week’ is a collaboration between the Ghana High Commission/the Consulate-General of Ghana in Toronto and the Aga Khan Development Network to showcase Ghanaian arts, culture and made-in-Ghana products. Programmed

by Aim2Impact, the Ghanaian Cultural Week is part of the Aga Khan Museum’s Fall/ Winter season-Africa!which explores new dimensions of the vast and complex continent with a world-class lineup of art, performers, and speakers.

The opening ceremony on February 4, 2020 of this cultural fiesta promoting the image of our beloved homeland, Ghana, drumming & dancing, story-telling, authentic Ghanaian dishes and artifacts will be under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Joseph Ayikoi Otoo, the Ghana High Commissioner to Canada. Also expected

at the function are the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Ghana, Dr. Ziblim Iddi Barri and, the Chief Executive of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Yofi Grant.

ObviouslyGhana produces some of the best authentic African arts and crafts which range from wood carvings brass works, sculptures, jewellery and a range of textiles.

Craftsmen painstakingly fashion exquisite artistic masterpieces from wood, bamboo, leather, cement and textiles.

Our motherland is also very rich in its cultural heritage including monuments, festivals and languages as well as natural attractions which if efficiently managed and marketed, both locally and abroad, would earn our nation huge revenue!

Research shows that tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. It can be

domestic or international, and international tourism has both incoming and outgoing implications on a country’s balance of payments. Today, tourism is major source of income for many countries, and affects the economy of both the source and host countries, in some cases it is of vital importance.

The industry of tourism in Ghana is run by a ministry which was created in 1993 to promote, develop and coordinate tourism related activities in the country. It is on record that 1,087,000 million tourists visited Ghana in 2011. The country is endowed with all year round tropical climate and exotic wildlifes which are sources of major attraction to many tourists (both local and international).

The country’s tourist attractions include waterfalls such as Kintampo Waterfalls and the largest waterfall in west Africa, Tagbo Falls; Ghana’s coastal palmlined sandy beaches; caves; mountains, rivers; meteorite impact crater and reservoirs and lakes such as Lake Bosumtwi or Bosumtwi meteorite crater and the largest lake in the world by surface area, Lake Volta; dozens of castles and forts; UNESCO World

Liberals’ income tax cut to cost more in lost revenues than planned, PBO says The parliamentary budget watchdog estimates the Liberal government’s newly enacted income tax cut will cost $2.5 billion more than projected.

A report from the budget office this morning says the tax break will result in just under $21.5 billion in lost tax revenues through to

March 2024, compared to the $18.9 billion the Finance Department reported in December.

The report says Canadians will, on average, have $218 in annual tax savings and $364 for families The income tax cut came when the cut is fully into effect on Jan. 1, and implemented in 2023. will be phased in over four years.

The report also suggests the biggest beneficiaries It increases the amount of the tax cut will be someone can earn before those earning between they are taxed on it, $103,000 and nearly ultimately to $15,000 $160,000 a year.

The Canadian Press from $12,300.

Heritage Sites; nature reserves and national parks such as the Kakum National Park and the Mole National Park. What a category of tourist attractions in the land of peace and political stability, called Ghana! After 63 years of independence from colonial rule Ghana ought to grow in her tourist industry!

I feel nostalgia of my numerous visits with my students through the GBC Fan Club & Wildlife Clubs of Ghana to many of these places in the 1980s! Then the roads were good! It was safe to travel in Ghana!

The government must maintain these roads and improve security in the country.

I am personally encouraged by the fact that the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Ghana would be present

at the forthcoming Ghana Week Cultural celebration in Toronto this February.

His presence coupled with the interest of the Ghana High Commission in Canada in this Ghanaian cultural promotion event in Toronto underscores the importance that the government of Ghana attaches to the promotion of Ghanaian Arts and Culture abroad.

Investment in this area by the government ought to be substantial and sustainable!

“The World Economic Forum statistics in 2010 showed that Ghana was 108th out of 139 countries as world’s favorite tourism destinations.

The country had moved two places up from the 2009 rankings. In 2011, Forbes Magazine, published that Ghana was ranked the eleventh most friendly country in the world. The assertion

was based on a survey in 2010 of a cross-section of travelers. Of all the African countries that were included in the survey Ghana ranked highest. Tourism is the fourth highest earner of foreign exchange for the country.”

I strongly suggest that the younger generation of Ghanaians in Diaspora must be encouraged to embrace and appreciate Ghanaian culture (including our languages, food and artifacts). The Ghana Week celebration this February at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto is very welcomed.

It is my hope that the many Ethnic (Ghanaian) Associations in Toronto and other parts of the world will be highly inspired by the Toronto event to do programs which will whip up the interest of their youth in Ghanaian Arts and Culture.

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The Ghanaian News January 2020 13

Safe Elections for 2020

By Edmund Agbeko, Toronto

January 7 was a special day for the whole country… It is the Constitution Day which was being observed for the second time running since it was first introduced in the country on January 7, 2019 as a public holiday.

The year 2020 itself is also a special year in the sense that the whole nation once again is gearing up for another crucial elections to elect a crop of political leaders to steer the affairs of state for the next four years. It is even more special because this year happens to be the beginning of another decade full of promise, expectations and high hopes.

Significance Constitution Day

of

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa

Akufo-Addo, set January 7 each year to recognise the coming into force of the 1992 Constitution and the beginning of the Fourth Republic.

Since the day comes right after both the Christmas and New year holidays, many citizens continue to express varied opinions over the significance of the day.

But notwithstanding the pros and cons, January 7 in my view has come to stay and it will hold a lot of good for the country, if we deploy educative strategies to inculcate and reinforce civic educational values in the citizenry.

Election year This year is also an election year and there is a lot at stake. Political parties are feverishly preparing to contest and win the 2020 polls.

Predictably, during the watch-night church services on December 31, 2019, there were a litany of prophecies by some pastors on the possible outcome of Election 2020. While some of the pastors predicted a clear victory for the NPP others pointed to a done deal for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

But can prophecies alone win election without hard work? Can the political parties really depend on these prophecies for election victory in 2020. What these prophecies can do is to make political parties feel complacent ahead of the crucial polls and stagger the preparation of the parties to win an election.

New voters register Already, electoral tension is rearing its ugly head within the political space as some parties are demonstrating in regional capitals - the six opposition political parties are not at peace with the Electoral Commission over the new voters register and have constituted themselves into a coalition dubbed “Interparty Resistance Against the New Voters Register (IPRAN).” At a recent press conference, the NDC, the People’s National Convention, All People’s Congress, the United Front Party, United Progressive Party and the Eagle Party, declared a nationwide resistance to the EC’s decision to compile a new register for the 2020 polls.

Coronavirus: Scientists race to develop a vaccine cont’d from pg. 7

The WHO is co-ordinating this global quest for a new vaccine. It says it is following the progress of a number of research facilities, including the three supported by Cepi.

In their view, the move by the EC was not only a drain on the national coffers, but also a bane to peaceful elections.

We do not need such differences at this time and the EC will need all the support to make it work effectively, fairly and in the collective interest of all political parties and the nation.

Dialogue, compromises and buy-ins must be the watchword as we journey towards election, hopefully on December 7, 2020.

Two new political parties - Ghana Union Movement and Power Unity Party - have also received their final certificates from the EC to commence political activities in the country.

While they are welcome as they strive to play their roles in seeking the mandate of the people, it will be prudent to caution them to conduct their political activities in a respectful, decorous and civil manner to maintain and safeguard the peace of the country.

What the citizenry and Ghana need at this material moment are issues-based campaigns which will place emphasis on how and where their bread will be buttered. The sad spectacle is that out of the 26 or so certified political parties, most

of them are moribund or have lost their voices but will suddenly find their voices during this election year. The appeal is for all political parties to become constructive in their engagements and, particularly the smaller ones, not to play any bootlicking roles which does not augur well in nation building.

But while we are on the parties, the EC itself must continue to have a listening ear so as to bring everybody on board in the chain of election management process.

Moving On… The violence at Ayawaso West Wuogon, the failure of the main opposition and the government to resolve the issues of the violence during local level, Parliamentary and Presidential elections amicably, the regrettable dismissal of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of Enquiry report in its white paper, the failure of state agencies like the Ghana Police Service to bring the perpetrators of the violence to book, are enough to remind Ghanaians of the need to drum home the necessity for peaceful elections this year.

The need for peaceful elections is more important than the

elections itself. For if there is no peace before, during and after the elections, both the victor and the vanquished will have no reason to celebrate and lessons to learn, respectively. Peace in Ghana is paramount, but not automatic, as assumed by many.

To ensure peaceful elections, the effort of all stakeholders, especially the major players like the Electoral Commission, the political parties and the government must instil trust, confidence, commitment and most importantly, patriotism in citizens. Current situations in the country, however, show meaningless verbal assurances of peace, with no commitment to same.

Political parties who lose elections must realise that failure is a detour, not a dead end.

State institutions should implement to the letter, rules and regulations that help better govern the country. We must all realise that if God wanted us to live in a permissive society, he would have given us 10 suggestions and not the 10 Commandments. As Shakespeare stated, the world is a stage where everyone must play a part. Play your part to ensure peaceful elections in Ghana. The benefits outweigh the costs.

U.S. and Ghana partner to Build Capable and Resilient Security and Justice Sector Institutions

Although efforts to come up with a vaccine for this new coronavirus have been accelerated, research is still at an early stage at all the facilities in the race to find cont’d from pg. 7 a new vaccine. Clinical trials take time and are best carried out within an outbreak a shared belief in the setting. value of strong security institutions, has enabled There are no guarantees any of the designs so far will be safe and effective enough a smooth and productive partnership under SGI,” to be used in the outbreak in China. and encouraged the SGI Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo from the WHO’s Health Emergencies programme Steering Committee to said: “We have developed a framework to inform decisions on which candidate continue to focus on implementation. vaccine(s) should be tested first.

SGI is a partnership “The experts will consider a number of criteria, including acceptable safety between the Government profile, induction of appropriate immune responses, and the timely availability of of Ghana and the United States aimed at improving sufficient supplies of vaccine doses. the effectiveness of security “Understanding the disease, its reservoirs, its transmission, its clinical severity and Ghana’s sector and enabling the developing effective counter measures is critical for the control of the outbreak.” conditions for national prosperity. Under SGI, The WHO is due to decide which vaccine will be tested on humans first in the the United States has coming days. provided more than $35 million to strengthen maritime, Inovio has announced that it will collaborate with a biotech company in Beijing border, and cyber security, who can help manage human trials which are due to start in the summer. as well as to improve the administration of Dr J. Joseph Kim, president and CEO of Inovio, said: “This collaboration allows justice. These efforts us to enter China and deliver our vaccine into the areas where they need it most have included technical as soon as possible.” BBC assistance, study visits

to the United States and Kenya, trainings and workshops at the strategic and operational levels, and material support.

On Tuesday, January 21, Assistant Secretary Madison and Ambassador Arietti paid visits to the Minister of National Security Albert Kan-Dapaah to discuss bilateral efforts to advance mutual priorities in the law enforcement and security sectors.

On Thursday, January 23, Assistant Secretary Madison met InspectorGeneral of Police James Oppong-Boanuh and Ghana Police Service (GPS) International Relations Directorate (IRD) Director Baba Saanid Adamu. In these

meetings, Assistant Secretary Madison discussed continued U.S. assistance through the International Police Peacekeeping Operation Support program which to date has trained over 1,400 personnel from eight deployed Formed Police Units to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, as well as mechanics and police trainers.

The visit underscored the U.S. Government’s commitment to partnering with Ghana to strengthen security and justice sector institutions to the benefit and prosperity of the Ghanaian people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the United States - Accra - Ghana.

14

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Transvaginal mesh: Johnson & Johnson fined $344m for deceptive marketing to women Company ‘knew the danger of its mesh products but put profits ahead of the health of millions of women’, says California attorney general

A California judge has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay nearly $344m in penalties for deceptively marketing pelvic mesh devices for women, as the state attorney general accused the company of putting “profits ahead of the health of millions of women”.

Eddie Sturgeo, a San Diego superior court judge, ruled against the medical company in a lawsuit brought by the California department of justice in 2016. A Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman, Mindy Tinsley, said the New Jersey-based company

planned to appeal the decision.

The products, also called transvaginal mesh, are synthetic devices surgically implanted through the vaginas of women whose pelvic organs have sagged or who suffer from stress urinary incontinence

Senate rejects witnesses in Trump trial, ensuring acquittal cont’d from pg. 9 Friday by The New York Times.

Trump issued a quick denial.

“I never instructed John Bolton to set up a meeting for Rudy Giuliani, one of the greatest corruption fighters in America and by far the greatest mayor in the history of NYC, to meet with President Zelenskiy,” Trump said.

“That meeting never happened.”

Key Republican senators said even if Trump committed the offences as charged by the House, they are not impeachable and the partisan proceedings must end.

“I didn’t need any more evidence because I thought it was proved that the president did what he was charged with doing,” retiring GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a key hold out, told reporters Friday at the Capitol.

“But that didn’t rise to the level of an impeachable offence.”

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said she, too, would oppose more testimony in the charged partisan atmosphere, having “come to the conclusion that there will be no fair trial in the Senate.” She said, “The Congress has failed.”

Eager for a conclusion, Trump’s allies nevertheless suggesting the shift in timing to extend the proceedings into next week and it shows the significance of the moment for senators in casting votes in only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history.

The situation remained fluid, but senators have indicated they want more time to publicly debate the charges and air their positions on the coming vote, according to a Republican familiar with the proposal but unauthorized to discuss it. The person was granted anonymity.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the offer to Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the person said. Senators were considering it while the proceedings were underway on the Senate floor.

Schumer had not yet agreed to it.

Under the proposal, the Senate would resume Monday for final arguments, with time Monday and Tuesday for senators to speak. The final voting would be Wednesday.

To bring the trial toward a conclusion, Trump’s attorneys argued the House

had already heard from 17 witnesses and presented its 28,578-page report to the Senate. They warned against prolonging it even further after House impeached Trump largely along party lines after less than thee months of formal proceedings making it the quickest, most partisan presidential impeachment in U.S. history.

Some senators pointed importance of the moment.

to

the

“What do you want your place in history to be?” asked one of the House managers, Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a former Army Ranger.

Trump is almost assured of eventual acquittal with the Senate nowhere near the 67 votes needed for conviction and removal.

To hear more witnesses, it would take four Republicans to break with the 53-seat majority and join with all Democrats in demanding more testimony.

But that effort tell short. Just two Republicans, Mitt Romney of Utah and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine are expected to join most Democrats in voting to seek more witnesses and documents.

Chief Justice John Roberts, in the rare role presiding over the impeachment trial, could break a tie, but that seems unlikely.

Murkowski noted in announcing her decision that she did not want to drag the chief justice into the partisan fray.

Protesters stood outside the Capitol as senators arrived on Friday, bu few visitors have been watching from the Senate galleries.

Bolton’s forthcoming book contends he personally heard Trump say he wanted military aid withheld from Ukraine until it agreed to investigate the Bidens. Trump denies saying such a thing.

The White House has blocked its officials from testifying in the proceedings and objected that there are “significant amounts of classified information” in Bolton’s manuscript.

Bolton resigned last September -Trump says he was fired -- and he and his attorney have insisted the book does not contain any classified information.

The Associated Press

when they cough, sneeze or lift heavy objects.

Such incontinence is estimated to affect 3% to 17% of women and sometimes becomes severe after age 70.

However, women with the implant say they have been left with debilitating and chronic pain. In a similar, landmark case in Australia last year, a federal court heard how, in many cases, the mesh had internally eroded, causing infections, multiple complications, and becoming nearly impossible to remove.

Johnson & Johnson sold more than 780,000 devices in the US between 2008 and 2014, including more than 42,000 in California alone, according to that state’s attorney general’s office.

“Johnson & Johnson knew the danger of its mesh products but put profits ahead of the health of millions of women,” said Xavier

Becerra, the attorney general, in a statement on Thursday.

the “gold standard” by many for treating incontinence.

Advertisement His office said it was the first time a court had ruled that the company had engaged in false and deceptive business practices.

Last week, Johnson & Johnson, the world’s biggest maker of healthcare products, reported net income of $4.01bn, or $1.50 per share – an increase from $3.04bn a year earlier.

The company is dealing with thousands of lawsuits over drug side effects, its role in the US opioid epidemic and allegations its baby powder caused cancer in some users.

In October, Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $117m settlement with 41 states and the District of Columbia over similar allegations involving the mesh devices.

At the time of the multi-state settlement, a spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon surgical products unit said the company did not admit misconduct and that the devices were considered

Higher prescription drug sales and lower legal costs drove its fourthquarter profit 32% higher.

After the most recent earnings report, Erik Gordon, a professor and pharmaceuticals analyst at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, commented on the legal issues in an email to the Associated Press.

“A big question hanging over the company is how many billions of dollars it may have to pay as a result of the wave of products liability lawsuits it faces,” he wrote. The Guardian

Ryerson University decision an assault on democracy, says OFL The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) condemns the illconceived and shortsighted decision of Ryerson University to terminate its operating agreement with the Ryerson Students Union (RSU).The RSU has been instrumental in fighting for student autonomy, and studentled change on campus for 72 years.

“This is an attack on student union autonomy and the right for students to independently organize. It undermines the democratic rights of students and student organizations that represent them,” said Ontario Federation of Labour President Patty Coates. “Ryerson is

shamefully leaving its student body without the representation they voted for.”

Student unions are an essential democratic institution that bring the voice of the student body to the administration, advocate for studentpositive change on campus and in university policy.

“Ryerson is acting against its own students, who stand to lose important services that student unions advocate for and provide, including mental health advocacy, safe space for LGBTQI+ students, campus food bank, and sexual assault support services,” said OFL Secretary-Treasurer Ahmad Gaied.

Conservative cuts to education have affected all levels of education in Ontario. Student unions have also been under attack and have been forced to close services due to the Conservative’s Student Choice Initiative.

“Now is the time when Ryerson should be supporting its student union to succeed, not choosing to turn its back on decades of reliable activism and student democracy,” said OFL Vice-President Janice Folk-Dawson.

“Any decisions about the fate of student unions must be done through the proper democratic channels, rather than through a unilateral decision that silences the voices of students.”GLOBE NEWSWIRE

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News January 2020 15

The role of Education in empowering ourselves and our communities

George J. Sefa Dei [Nana Adusei Sefa Tweneboah I Social Justice Education OISE, University of Toronto

that is put into action to be relevant in transforming our communities and the wider society. d) We must endeavor to build “communities of learners” by reaching out to each other. But, we are not simply “communities of sameness”.

Clearly, we are communities with shared aspirations and futures, but also, also communities of difference.

We must welcome and celebrate our differences as strengths with everyone having something to offer for community development.

I. INTRODUCTION Recognitions: Our Ancestors, Elders, & the Indigenous peoples’ Land.

II: SHARING WORDS OF WISDOM “I am because we are and because we are therefore I am” [Ubuntu] “Any community is as good as we collectively work to make it”.[Dei, 1996].

“The starter is not beneficiary”.[Kiembu Kenya].

always the Proverb,

III: WHERE AM I COMING FROM? I speak as an educator and community worker.

In my brief remarks, I want to engage a few simple questions.

It is often said Education is so important. But, why so? a) What do we mean by education (as distinct from schooling)? b) What kind education are we talking about and what would learners do to make their education relevant to themselves, peers, families, communities and the nation?

IV. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY‘EDUCATION’?

Critical educators would see education as the varied and complex ways, options and strategies options through which we [as individuals and groups] come to know, understand and interpret our worlds and to live and act responsibly within such worlds [e.g., my late colleague, Roger Simon].

Education does not happen solely in schools and in the four-walled classrooms. It is about everything we do – families, streets, communities, churches, workplaces, union halls, etc.

The social worth of education is not measured by what and how many degrees or qualifications one has, but instead, by what we do with the education and learning we receive for ourselves, peers, families, communities, nation and global world and the LAND on which we occupy.

V. THE ‘FAULT LINES’ OF CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION FOR US Many of us normally see“ problems” in terms of application and relevance, the existential realities of education.

When we approach education this way we simply focus on the technofix dimensions of the “problem” (so for some good reasons we become concerned with science and technology education, the 3Rs, education for employment, social mobility, etc.).

These are all good concerns to occupy our minds.. But I want to focus on what I am calling the “humanness of education” – i.e., bringing human-and social-centredness to education – how education can help reclaim out lost humanity and make us human [again].

Why am I am saying this? a) Dislocations from Our Communities and the Idea of “Community”

Prof. George Sefa Dei

A colleague of mine in the US, Dr. Mwalimu Shujaa has a book titled “Too Much Schooling, Too Little Education”.

One problem here is a lack sense of education for community building and empowerment (e.g., using our education to help resolve pressing daily challenges and problems our communities face today, and for community building). b) The Possibilities of Education, i.e., Education is not just a search for knowledge. It should be about social and collective transformation and designing new futures.

We must build new futures from our rich African intellectual traditions of relationality, sharing, reciprocity, mutual interdependence, responsibility and social accountability.

Using these ideals we will all working collectively for the welfare of our community. c) Redefining the Idea of “Community” First, education should prepare us understanding what is community and what community membership means?

We create and build our own communities. They do not hang in space for us to plug.

Community membership is about responsibilities which are far, wide, contesting, and sometimes contradictory.

For example, “community” is not defined by temporal or physical limits. And, neither is the community apolitical. It is contested and powerembedded. But it is still a community.

VI. SIX (6) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTEMPORARY LEARNER IN COMMUNITY BUILDING. With these three fault lines in mind, I want to highlight some major responsibilities for the young learners of today, as Ghanaians/ Africans/Canadians to help build our communities and to design and imagine new futures for ourselves and for the next generation to come. a) Understanding education as a “right” and also a “privilege”. b) Understanding our own “responsibilities” in our education.

We must use education to uplift our communities, strengthen relationships, families, promote self help and community development through mutual interdependence. c) We must allow our “knowledge to compel action”, i.e., to transform society. Our education should not be knowledge for the sake of knowledge.

It should be producing knowledge

e) We must cultivate the idea of ‘giving back’ what society has bestowed on us (e.g., community work/service).

Our accomplishments today could never have been possible without the sacrifices of others – parents, communities, teachers, families and friends etc. The poor were part of those who contributed to our riches!

c) Assist in membership drive for an umbrella organization like GCAO, but also, the many local organizations in our community promoting self and collective development and support initiatives for our peoples. d) Assist in the many numerous initiatives to search for solutions to challenges facing our community.

Issues around youth education, domestic and youth violence, employment, and Ghanaian family social welfare, and Immigration. e) We must be part of initiatives that define our responsibilities, obligations and connections with the Mother Land, Ghana and Africa.

As noted the Ghanaian community is not defined by temporal or physical location limits.

We are and must be part of the search for genuine Ghana and African development. Home is always home

f) In effect, we must always seek to define our “success” broadly to include both academic and social success.

Initiatives like collecting hospital medical supplies, textbooks and computers for Ghanaian schools, colleges and universities, local development projects in our communities in Ghana for youth employment, education, housing and health care.

For us as a Black/African community failure is NOT as option. We must continue with the tradition of Black and African excellence defined broadly.

Making our skills, talents and professional skills available to Ghana at home at every opportunity that is offered us, etc.

We should also insist that failure is not seen as the flipside of success; and neither can society serve up the success of some of us for consumption to explain the failure of others.

VIII. SOME THOUGHTS

VII. WHAT CAN WE DO CONCRETELY TO BUIILD OUR COMMUNITIES THEN

a) First, we meet here to celebrate and recognize excellence. Such recognitions of excellence must continue to make a difference for ourselves, our families, our communities and the nation.

Even if our parents or ourselves pay school fees, etc. we must also remember that society has largely contributed to our education at large.

a) Contributing our respective knowledge, talents, skills and expertise to building a strong Ghanaian-Canadian Community Organization that brings us all together (e.g., currently elections slated for November, get involved by volunteering to take on some tasks, leadership roles etc.).

GCAO must be made more effective from our collective participation so as to become a mouth piece for our community. b) Working to realize a long term goal of the community: working towards the establishment of a Ghanaian-Canadian Community Centre, a meeting place for all us that gives us an identity in Canada.

CONCLUDING

I leave you with two (2) simply messages:

This is important so that we can continually meet to celebrate our successes.

After all, no one wants to meet to celebrate their irrelevance! b) Second, education is valuable and too important to be left in the hands of educators alone.

However, our education must foremost transform ourselves and our communities.

Anything short of that cause is NOT education worthy of discussion.

Asante Sana!

PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS. SO LET’S TALK CALL GHANAIAN NEWS

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IMMIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES

By: James A. Kwaateng, B.A. (Hons), LLB (Hons)

Counselling and Legal Representation in Immigration Matters Generally, a person has a legal right to represent himself in all immigration matters just as he has the right to selfrepresentation in most criminal and civil matters. However, where certain categories of people such as children and mentally incapacitated are involved in cases, it may be mandatory for such people to be represented by a counsel.

A person may also be advised to avail himself of the services of a legal counsel if the seriousness and complexity of the case at issue so necessitate.

Immigration forms, as well as many other legal forms, are simplified to facilitate self-representation.

In fact, the instructions and advice contained in some of the forms might even discourage applicants from availing themselves of services of legal counsels.

While the immigration department denies any obligation to give legal advice to applicants, it nonetheless appears to dissuade applicants from seeking such advice by stating in application kits that if applicants choose to hire a representative, they cannot expect “a more favourable outcome”.

Immigration and other court officials would give their clients basic procedural guidelines but do not be deceived. Such guidelines are given to the clients primarily to facilitate smooth provision of services by the immigration and court personnel. The guidelines are not provided with the view of enhancing the success of the clients’ applications or cases.

Immigration and court officials are generally unwilling, and are not supposed, to discuss the substance of the law as it applies to an applicant’s case with the applicant. The Federal Court has even declared in an immigration case that visa officers are not under any obligation to provide legal advice to applicants or even to reply to requests for such advice.

Quebec prepares to give its citizens Digital Identity: Be Aware

By Yvonne Sam, Contributing Columnist

Well, here we are, right smack bang into another New Year and the start of another decade, coinciding with the Quebec government’s desire to launch a new identification system for its citizens to use, in accessing public services.

In February 2018, Canada joined the Digital 7, a network of countries that aim to harness digital technology for the benefit of citizens and the broader digital economy. As of November 2018, the Digital 7 became known as the Digital 9.

On December 10, Eric Caire, the Minister responsible for government digital transformation, disclosed that Quebec has disseminated a public notice to explore if a private company is interested in undertaking such a project.

The basic concept is to create an identity that would be used for log-ins to government services, and create digital identification cards on smartphones to replace driver’s licenses and plastic Medicare cards.

According to Minister Caire, utilization of the social insurance number as a means of identification for services, is archaic and outdated, further implying that safer and more current methods of creating a real identity must be found.

Despite the fact that Quebec has been working on the idea for a while, the recent data thefts at Mouvement Desjardins and Capital One, which exposed serious security glitches in protecting personal, private information, acted as a further incentive to commence working on a new

plan. It was later discovered that the breach at Desjardins had extended to an additional 1.8 million Master Card and Visa credit cards.

“I think today, we need to be very, very aware of the value of data. When I say data is the petroleum of the 21st century it is exactly that. It is coveted.

Attacks on data are a huge threat, and we must address it in future cybersecurity policies. Look at recent events: the security breach emerged from the inside,” Caire said.

The path to be navigated is not unfamiliar to Quebec, for in 2017 it tried to launch Project Acces UniQC. The CAQ government immediately dismissed the project on assuming office, following the emergence of reports of escalating costs and internal problems with the developers.

Currently the project has been handed over to the Centre Québécois d’excellence numerique (CQEN), an agency recently created by the Minister himself.

Also being looked at is biometric identification – using photo, voice or image as a fingerprint to prevent identity theft, but according to Minister Caire, there are other even safer systems.

He added, conclusively, that ideally an individual should be able to show a certain level of information — such as a driver’s licence — on a smartphone and be able also to hide other data, when not required.

Even in the face of such a trendsetting initiative, cybersecurity experts are somewhat divided.

The former president of the Montreal security company

GoSecure, Pascal Fortin, said that using biometric data can be an Achilles heel, in terms of cybersecurity. He opined that having biometric data stolen or compromised could have very serious consequences for one’s entire life.

Because the two documents generally considered the most credible as identification — the social insurance number and the passport — are both under federal jurisdiction, he would like to see Ottawa get involved.

The Minister is hoping to have a working plan to present to the Cabinet early in the new year, and, conceivably, put in motion the new identity system by the end of 2021.

Ironically, the Minister has omitted to state the financial cost of such a move, on either the government or the taxpayers’ part. However, according to cybersecurity experts, the potential financial benefits to a Canadian digital identity system could be millions of dollars Yvonne Sam, a retired Head Nurse and Secondary School Teacher, is Vice-president of the Guyana Cultural Association of Montreal. A regular columnist for over two decades with the Montreal Community Contact, her insightful and incursive articles on topics ranging from politics, human rights and immigration, to education and parenting have also appeared in the Huffington Post, Montreal Gazette, XPressbogg and Guyanese OnLine. She is also the recipient of the Governor General of Canada Caring Canadian Citizen Award.

Generally, the onus is on the applicant to provide all relevant information and documentation in support of their cases or applications.

Applicants are free to submit to immigration authorities or decision-makers in courts and tribunals whatever document and information they deem worth-considering.

The decision maker’s role is to simply review what is in front of him and come up with a decision based on the totality of the information and documents presented.

Let us focus narrowly on immigration. If an applicant decides to appeal against a sponsorship refusal decision, the applicant should, first and foremost, determine that the decision being appealed is wrong in law, or in fact, or in mixed law and fact, or a principle of natural justice has not been observed. The applicant should also be able to estimate the extent to which the appeal is winnable on a balance of probabilities.

It is doubtful if a lay man can competently do the abovementioned assessments.

In immigration hearings and appeals related to criminality and other forms of inadmissibility, for instance, the person involved must clearly know and understand the facts of the case and legal issues involved and should also be able to assess chances of success and reasonableness or necessity of proceeding with the case. At a refugee hearing, for instance, greater focus would likely be on identity, credibility, subjective fear, generalized risk versus particularized risk, availability of state protection, internal flight alternative and legal residence in another country.

This will certainly require some professional assistance and guidance. Do not proceed with a case or file an appeal

just because that is permissible under the law.

From the perspective of cost, one may gain nothing from proceeding with immigration matters without a legal counsel.

Should an initial application fail, one should bear in mind that the subsequent appeals and judicial reviews could be very costly – in terms of time and money. Also, in many situations, the grounds for appeal in applications processed without legal guidance are almost always weak. Thus, a counsel would be faced with an uphill or nearimpossible task of convincing decision makers at the appeal stage to overturn negative decisions in respect of such applications.

One should also bear in mind that decision makers, in the course of making decisions, do not take into consideration the fact that a client represented himself. Equal weight is attached to mistakes and omissions made by both unrepresented clients and clients with counsels. After all, the decision to go it alone was a free decision of the applicant and ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Immigration laws and regulations are becoming more complex and incomprehensible. Contact a professional in immigration law whenever necessary.

Don’t take chances. What you consider to be a trivial immigration issue could be a complex immigration matter.

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

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

The Ghanaian News January 2020 17

7 Thіngѕ You Can Do Whеn Yоu Are Dеbt Free

BY AJAY OBEROI

frоm debt can mаkе your lіfе bеttеr іn just about еvеrу wау.

In this аrtісlе, we аrе going tо hіghlіght and еxраtіаtе оn 7 thіngѕ you саn dо whеn уоu аrе Dеbt Frее 1. Start wіth Invеѕtmеntѕ Bеіng ѕtuсk іn a dеbt trар ties uр уоur money ѕо уоu саn’t do all thе things уоu’d lіkе tо dо wіth іt. Ovеr time, thе constant рrеѕѕurе of dеbt саn аlѕо dаmаgе уоur wоrk, hеаlth, аnd rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ. Frееіng уоurѕеlf

Alternative

Now thаt you hаvе mоrе money frееd up each month you hаvе thе frееdоm оf looking fоr wауѕ tо earn еvеn more. One оf thеѕе mеthоdѕ соuld bе thrоugh аltеrnаtіvе іnvеѕtmеntѕ. Some thіngѕ tо consider include: Investing

іn Rеаl Eѕtаtе, Invеѕtіng іn Pееr to Pееr Lеndіng Learning Hоw to Trаdе Stосkѕ.

Equally important, bе ѕurе tо thoroughly research аnу nеw іnvеѕtmеnt іdеа. Lеаrn as much аѕ уоu саn bеfоrе іnvеѕtіng lаrgе amounts!

2. Increase Your Sаvіngѕ If уоu hаvе bееn living іn a starter emergency fund while рауіng down your dеbt then thеrе’ѕ no dоubt, nоw іѕ thе tіmе tо bееf it up. If уоur еmеrgеnсу fund іѕ full уоu саn аlѕо consider things lіkе саr ѕаvіngѕ оr a house dоwn рауmеnt.

3. It іѕ vital tо рау оff Yоur Mortgage Thе mоrtgаgе іѕ usually the last dеbt tо be раіd оff. Once

уоu рау off уоur mоrtgаgе you wіll hаvе еxtrа brеаthіng rооm іn уоur monthly budget. Not only wіll іt free up еxtrа mоnеу еvеrу mоnth, but it provides added financial ѕесurіtу during a hоuѕіng сrіѕіѕ, аllоwѕ you tо ѕаvе more, оr even lеtѕ you chase dоwn your drеаmѕ thаt nееdеd еxtrа fіnаnсіаl backing.

4. Put Mоrе tоwаrd Rеtіrеmеnt Evеn іnсrеаѕіng уоur retirement ѕаvіngѕ bу 5 оr 10% can gо a lоng way. Thіѕ is оnе оf the bеѕt ѕtrаtеgіеѕ fоr rеduсіng the taxes уоu have to рау before thе end оf thе уеаr.

5. Stаrt a Sіdе Buѕіnеѕѕ Whеn уоu’rе ѕаddlеd wіth dеbt taking аnу type оf rіѕk wіth іnсоmе саn seem ѕсаrу.

Pеrhарѕ thаt dеbt hаѕ held уоu bасk frоm trуіng out a nеw side buѕіnеѕѕ іdеа you’ve bееn іntеrеѕtеd іn? If ѕо, nоw is a good tіmе tо gеt your fееt wet аnd give уоur idea a fаіr trу.

6. Rееvаluаtе Your Inсоmе In thіѕ realm, оnе vіtаl thing to do іѕ reevaluate your іnсоmе.

Yоu’vе hаd all of уоur extra mоnеу going toward уоur dеbt рауоff аnd іt’ѕ nоw tіmе tо rеdіrесt thе money ѕоmеwhеrе еlѕе. Furthermore, іf уоu’vе been working yourself tо the bone аnd ріnсhіng реnnіеѕ оvеr thе last ѕеvеrаl mоnthѕ оr уеаrѕ tаkе thе tіmе now tо fіgurе out how you wаnt tо rеаllосаtе уоur іnсоmе.

7. Keep out оf Dеbt Yоu have wоrkеd ѕо hаrd tо gеt rіd оf уоur debt. Dо not let іt come bасk. Kеер уоur саѕh savings high so that you can соvеr emergencies and рlаn fоr future рurсhаѕеѕ. Don’t rеlу оn уоur credit саrdѕ оr реrѕоnаl loans fоr аnуthіng.

In a nutѕhеll, thе аbоvе іdеаѕ are thе most ѕuіtаblе things уоu саn dо whеn уоu аrе dеbtfrее.

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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The Ghanaian News January 2020 19

Britain leaves the European Union, leaps into the unknown LONDON -So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu.

2016 to walk away from the club it had joined in 1973.

With little fuss and not much fanfare, Britain left the European Union on Friday after 47 years of membership, taking a leap into the unknown in a historic blow to the bloc.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Britain’s departure “a moment of real national renewal and change.”

The U.K.s departure became official at 11 p.m.

(2300GMT), midnight in Brussels, where the EU is headquartered.

Thousands of enthusiastic Brexit supporters gathered outside Britain’s Parliament cheered as the hour struck. They had been hoping for this moment since Britain’s 52%-48% vote in June

But many Britons mourned the loss of their EU identity, and some marked the passing with tearful vigils. There was also sadness in Brussels as British flags were quietly removed from the bloc’s many buildings.

Whether Brexit makes Britain a proud nation that has reclaimed its sovereignty, or a diminished presence in Europe and the world,

will be debated for years to come.

While Britain’s exit is a historic moment, it only marks the end of the first stage of the Brexit saga.

When Britons wake up on Saturday, they will notice very little change.

The U.K. and the EU have given themselves an 11-month “transition period” -- in which the U.K. will continue to follow the bloc’s rules -to strike new agreements on trade, security and a host of other areas.

The now 27-member EU will have to bounce back from one of its biggest setbacks in its 62-year history to confront an ever more complicated world as its former

member becomes a competitor, just across the English Channel.

French President Emmanuel Macron called Brexit a “historic alarm signal” that should force the EU to improve itself.

“It’s a sad day, let’s not hide it,” he said in a televised address. “But it is a day that must also lead us to do things differently.”

He insisted that European citizens need a united Europe “more than ever,” to defend their interests in the face of China and the United States, to cope with climate change

and migration and technological upheaval.

our unique union,” she said.

In the many EU buildings of Brussels on Friday, British flags were quietly lowered, folded and taken away. This is the first time a country has left the EU, and many in the bloc rued the day. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lamented that “as the sun rises tomorrow a new chapter for our union of 27 will start.”

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted post-Brexit Britain would be “simultaneously a great European power and truly global in our range and ambitions.”

But she warned Brexit day would mark a major loss for the U.K. and said the island nation was heading for a lonelier existence.

“Strength does not lie in splendid isolation, but in

“We want this to be the beginning of a new era of friendly co-operation between the EU and an energetic Britain,” Johnson said in a prerecorded address to the country broadcast an hour before Britain’s exit.

In a break with usual practice, independent media outlets were not allowed to film Johnson’s speech, which the government recorded Thursday at 10 Downing St. Johnson won an election victory in December with a dual promise to “get Brexit done” and deliver improved jobs, infrastructure and services for Britain’s most deprived areas, where support for leaving the EU is strongest. On Friday, he symbolically held a Cabinet meeting in the pro-Brexit town of Sunderland in northeast England, rather than in London.

Johnson is a Brexit enthusiast, but he knows many Britons aren’t, and his Conservative government aimed to mark the moment with quiet dignity.

Red, white and blue lights illuminated government buildings and a countdown clock projected onto the prime minister’s Downing Street residence.

There was no such restraint in nearby Parliament Square, where arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage gathered a crowd of several thousand, who belted out the patriotic song “Land of Hope and Glory” as they awaited a moment that even Farage sometimes doubted would ever come.

Londoner Donna Jones said she had come to “be part of history.”

“It doesn’t mean we’re anti-Europe, it just means we want to be self-sufficient in a certain way,” she said.

But Britons cherished cont’d on pg. 31

who their

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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Saint Valentine’s Day

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

Saint Valentine’s Day, also known as Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them.

St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus.

Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14, and added to later martyrologies.

A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire.

According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote

her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.

Today, Saint Valentine’s Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church.

The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine’s Day, albeit on July 6th and July 30th, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni).

In Brazil, the Dia de São Valentim is recognized on June 12.

The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

In 18th-century England, it evolved into an

occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”).

Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly– romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Meet and Greet with Peter MacKay of PC Party at Elite Banquet Hall Etobicoke, Saturday February 1, 2020

Photo by Emmanuel Ayiku, Etobicoke

Peter MacKay

Surdeep Girija Varma

Peter MacKay (l)and Surkeep Girija Varma

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

CONSULATE-GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA- TORONTO

PUBLIC NOTICE RELOCATION! RELOCATION! RELOCATION The Consulate-General of the Republic of Ghana in Toronto is pleased to inform the general public that with effect from 2nd December, 2019, relocated its Chancery from 4665 Yonge Street #205-206, North York to 8977 Woodbine Avenue, Markham.

All clients of the Consulate-General may, therefore, take note of the change of address and direct correspondence and applications for Consular Service to the new address.

The Consulate-General may also be contacted by the following: Tel : 365-608-5007 Fax : 905-604-1906 Email : ghanaconsulate@rogers.com The sketch below may assist clients visiting the Consulate-General:

8977 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON, L3R 0J9

Ghana’s Profumo Moment

By Thaddeus Ulzen MD

The real issue was a security matter not a moral one, as our discussions of Mr. Dapaah’s case have become. Ms. Keeler it seemed was simultaneously involved with Captain Yevgeny Ivanov, the naval attaché at the Soviet embassy at the height of the Cold War. An official inquiry was called into the matter. After it was all over, John Profumo who had resigned from Parliament, later took on volunteer work at a charitable trust.

Closer to home and more in recent national memory is the SoussoudisScranage affair of 1983-84. Michael Agbotui Soussoudis a Ghanaian citizen who was said to be a relative of then Head of State J. J Rawlings, became romantically involved with Sharon Scranage, an employee of the US Embassy in Accra. It turns out that she was an Operation Support Assistant for the CIA. On her return to the US, she failed a polygraph test and it was revealed that through the course of her 18 month “relationship” with Soussoudis, she had revealed the identities of eight Ghanaian CIA agents in the country. Soussoudis is an example of employing what is known as a successful “honey trap” to gain classified information in the intelligence world. Through this, a planned US supported coup was foiled.

Mr. Soussoudis who held US permanent residence, was eventually lured to the US by Ms. Scranage after her own arrest. He was arrested and eventually sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was freed in exchange for the 8 Ghanaians

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The fallout from The Kan Dapaah saga continues but the tenor and direction of the public discussion misses the mark completely. Mr. Dapaah is Minister for National Security, which means as a nation, we rely on him for our safety.

Many may be too young to know about the “Profumo Affair” but that is the gold standard for discussing this episode.

The Profumo Affair was a 1961 British political scandal in which it was revealed that, John Profumo, then-Secretary of State for War in the conservative British government of Harold MacMillan had a brief sexual dalliance with a 19-year-old would-be model, Christine Keeler. After initial denials in the House of Commons, Mr. Profumo eventually admitted to the facts of the case as they were widely understood. He then went on to resign from parliament and the government. It is believed that this episode contributed to the conservatives’ electoral loss, later in 1964.

The Ghanaian News January 2020 25

NOW INTRODUCES: SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY STATE OF THE ART TREATMENT FOR: 1. Protruding and Herniating Discs 2. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) 3. Spinal Root Impingment 4. Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) 5. Compression Fractures

Thaddeus Ulzen MD whose identities he had exposed. They were eventually resettled in Virginia and he returned to a hero’s welcome to Ghana. This is a situation in which the “honey trap” worked in Ghana’s favor.

The main concern of most rightthinking Ghanaians is that very question of whether a man who has been publicly compromised in this manner, can inspire confidence in the security agencies he superintends.

With this vulnerability of his exposed, he may already have caused the nation harm, or is most likely to do so, if he stays in his position with the great responsibilities entailed in his job.

This is a situation in which the national interest must remain supreme, well ahead of any partisan, parochial or other interest. This is not a situation in which a man is forgiven by the president and all is well. The national interest is the only consideration here.

The radio rantings by pastors and other politicians, debating the morality of all this, are largely irrelevant and miss the point completely. Our safety as a people is all that matters and must trump the individual issues of the minister or the governing party.

If the minister has any shred of integrity left, he needs to hand over his job back to the president, so he can appoint an alternative person in the interest of our nation and its security. If he doesn’t resign, the president should follow the courage of his convictions and thank him for his service, then replace him.

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T. P. Manus Ulzen is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Alabama, Annual Visiting Professor at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences and author of “Java Hill: An African Journey” – A historiography of Ghana tulzen@yahoo.com www.javahillelmina.wordpress.com Twitter: @thaddeusulzen www.

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The Ghanaian News January 2020 27

M A K O L A Tropical Foods

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28

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Canada’s 2020 tax season: 4 things you need to know before you file

By Erica Alini

4. What’s new this year?

Let’s face it, online software and autofill features are making tax-filing less and less painful even for the do-ityourselfers.

Here are the highlights:

Still, whether you’re outsourcing the work to an algorithm or an accountant, it’s always a good idea to know when deadlines fall and what’s new every year.

Climate Action Incentive. Albertans will now be able to claim this federal incentive, while residents of New Brunswick will not. If you live in Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario, you continue to be eligible and stand to receive a considerably larger amount this tax season compared to last year.

Here’s our guide to the 2020 tax season: 1. When is the deadline to contribute to my RRSP? Since March 1 falls on a Sunday this year, the cut off this year is March 2.

Remember, you can put money into your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) any time. But if you want to get a tax refund for your RRSP contribution with your 2019 return, you have to add the funds by the March deadline.

2. When’s the tax-filing deadline?

As usual, April 30 is the date most Canadians need to keep in mind. For the majority of tax filers, this is the deadline to both pay any tax due and file returns.

If you’re self-employed, this year you have until June 15 to file. Remember, though, that if you owe taxes, you still need to pay up by April 30.

If you’re late to either settle your balance or send in your paperwork, you’ll face late-filing penalty and daily interest charges on any taxes owed.

3. When’s the earliest I can file?

If you just can’t wait to get that big refund, know that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will start accepting electronic returns on Feb. 24.

Most people want to skip the taxprocessing queue because they anticipate getting money back. But having a big tax bill is also a good reason to file early. That allows you to set up a plan to pay your tax in installments. The more you manage to pay by April 30, the fewer extra charges you’ll face.

Still, there are potential drawbacks with filing too early, said Robin Taub of TurboTax. Many of the tax slips you need to file your return are due March 2, so it’s not a good idea to file before then unless you’re sure you’ve received all of them, she noted.

Also, it usually takes until mid-March for tax slips and other information the CRA has on file to become available through its auto-fill my return feature, which allows you to automatically fillin part of your return.

New and improved federal tax breaks:

The money, which may create or boost a tax refund or reduce a balance owing, is meant to offset the cost of the carbon tax in provinces that do not have a carbon price regime of their own. The amount of the tax credit depends on family size.

It’s important to note that the tax credit applies to the household, not the individual taxpayer, said Lisa Gittens of H&R Block. This means that only one person for every family living under the same roof should claim the credit, she added.

In Alberta, where the federal carbon tax took effect in January, taxpayers will now be getting the federal incentive instead of the Alberta Leadership Adjustment Rebate, which was only available to lower-income taxpayers.

Larger withdrawals under the Home Buyers’ Plan. The Home Buyers Plan allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to buy your first home. The withdrawal is tax-free as long you put the money back into your RRSP within 15 years according to a set schedule that starts the second year after the year in which you first withdrew funds.

(However, you can also repay in full or more than the required amount.)

What’s changed here is that the maximum amount you can pluck from your retirement account increased from $25,000 to $35,000 for withdrawals made after March 19, 2019. While this has no impact on 2019 returns, if you took advantage of the beefed-up plan, you’ll find your HBP statement account in the notice of assessment for your 2020 return, Gittens said.

That statement will indicate any amount you have repaid, your remaining balance and what you need to put back in the RRSP the following year. It’s important to know you need to designate your RRSP contributions as HBP repayments. If you don’t, it will be considered a regular RRSP contribution and you’ll be deemed to have missed an HBP repayment. That repayment instalment will become taxable, as if it had been a regular RRSP withdrawal.

“It really is a simple step to miss,”

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

Gittens said, “especially for those who are using like online software or don’t communicate correctly to their tax professional.”

$6,000 per child under the age of seven and up to $3,750 per child between the ages of seven and 16.

Cannabis as a medical expense. If you’ve been prescribed medical cannabis products, you may now be able to claim them under the medical expense tax credit.

New Brunswick

Canada Workers Benefit. The Working Income Tax Benefit, a refundable tax credit for low-income Canadians who work, is now the Canada Workers Benefit. With the CWB, the maximum tax credit increases by up to $170 and the income level at which the credit is phased out completely is higher.

New and improved provincial tax breaks: Ontario The low-income individuals and families (LIFT) tax credit. The LIFT credit is designed so that someone working full-time making minimum wage pays no provincial tax. It works out to tax relief of up to $850 for individuals and up to $1,700 for couples. Those who qualify will get a tax reduction of $450 on average, the government estimates.

Childcare access and relief from expenses (CARE). This refundable tax credit aims to help families with children up to age 16 and income of up to $150,000. The credit is in addition to the provincial and federal childcare expense deductions and includes a broad range of child-care options, such as day camps and boarding schools.

Eligible families stand to receive up to

The tuition tax credit is back. Eliminated in 2017, the tuition tax credit is now a thing again. Students and eligible relatives will be able to claim tuition fees paid in 2019 as well as in 2017 and in 2018.

Tax breaks that are no longer: British Columbia Education tax credit. The provincial government has nixed the education credit starting with tax year 2019.

Happily, you can still claim tuition fees.

Service upgrades from CRA: Check processing times. The CRA now has an online tool that lets you check the estimated processing time for tax returns and other tax-related requests.

This isn’t real-time tracking of your actual return, though. If you input your filing date, you’ll get an estimate of when the agency aims to issue your notice of assessment.

PINs for phone calls. You can now set up a personal identification number to quickly identify yourself when calling the CRA. You can set up the PIN over the phone or in My Account.

Paper returns. If you filed with pen and paper last year, you’ll receive your tax package in the mail by Feb. 17. Global News

Leaked report shows United Nations suffered hack Sophisticated hackers infiltrated U.N. networks in Geneva and Vienna last year in an apparent espionage operation that top officials at the world body kept largely quiet. The hackers’ identity and the extent of the data they obtained are not known.

An internal confidential document from the United Nations, leaked to The New Humanitarian and seen by T he Associated Press, says dozens of servers were compromised including at the U.N. human rights office, which collects sensitive data and has often been a lightning rod of criticism from autocratic governments for exposing rights abuses.

Everything indicates knowledge of the breach was closely held, a strategy that information security experts consider misguided because it only multiplies the risks of further data hemorrhaging. “ Staff at large, including me, were not informed,” said Geneva-based Ian Richards, president of the Staff Council at the United Nations. “All we received was an email (on Sept. 26) informing us about infrastructure maintenance work.” The council advocates for the welfare of employees of the world body.

Asked about the intrusion, one U.N. official told the AP i t appeared “sophisticated” with the extent of damage unclear, especially in terms

of personal, secret or compromising information that may have been stolen. The official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity to speak freely about the episode, said systems have since been reinforced.

Given the high skill level, it is possible a state-backed actor was behind it, the official said. “It’s as if someone were walking in the sand, and swept up their tracks with a broom afterward,” the official added. “There’s not even a trace of a clean-up.”

The leaked Sept. 20 report says logs that would have betrayed the hackers’ activities inside the U.N. networks what was accessed and what may have been siphoned out - were “cleared.” It also shows that among accounts known to have been accessed were those of domain administrators - who by default have master access to all user accounts in their purview.

“Sadly ... still counting our casualties,” the report says.

Jake Williams, CEO of the cybersecurity firm Rendition Infosec and a former U.S. government hacker, said the fact that the hackers cleared the network logs indicates they were not top flight.

The most skilled hackers - including U.S., Russian and Chinese agents - can cover their tracks by editing those logs instead of clearing them. cont’d on pg. 66

The Ghanaian News January 2020 29

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30

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Remembering those who passed on to glory in 2019 May their souls rest in perfect peace

Kwame Ampem Benson a.k.a. Democracy 59 yrs January 1, 2019

Emmanuel OseiKwaku - 62 yrs February 13, 2019

Dr. Ben Kofi Ekuban 71 yrs July 26, 2019

Amy Amankwah a.k.a. Nana Yaa 34 yrs November 1, 2019

Obaapanin Mary Ama Ofosuaa a.k.a.

Maame Sakrawusu

Akosu Adoma 49 yrs January 2, 2019

Hannah Afram 58 yrs January 5, 2019

Serah Boahemaa Nyarko - 58 yrs March 25, 2019

Felicia Adwoa Kesewaa a.k.a.

Aunte Kesewaa 71 yrs April 8, 2019

Michael Ampadu - 27 yrs April 13, 2019

Nana Oduro Baafi 60 yrs August 22, 2019

Mrs. Felicia Lartey 64 yrs August 22, 2019

John Kofi Abaidoo Abbiew - 61 yrs September 29, 2019

Yvette Adjeley Laryea 45 yrs.

November 29, 2019

Akwasi Afranie Frimpong - 56 yrs

Gordon Ato Kumson - 46 yrs December 3, 2019

Atta Atakora-Gyan - 33 yrs September 26, 2019

Kofi Antwi Agyei 57 yrs December 14, 2019

Richgold Godson a.k.a. Kwaku Dunyoh - Odishie 38 yrs

Maclean Acquah 70 yrs

Dora Eva Anie 70 yrs

Kwaku Asamoah Sarkodie a.k.a. Jr Lumba - 57 yrs December 19, 2019

Theophillus Kotei Neequaye - 59 yrs

Foster Dornu Osakonor - 61 yrs January 11, 2019

Pastor George Ayisi Boateng - 61 yrs January 6, 2019

Jonathan Kwasi Doe Gameli (Efo Doe) 77 yrs January 22, 2019

Doris Asantewaa a.k.a. Bertha Akosua Tawiah - 59 yrs January 25, 2019

Alex Opoku Afriyie a.k.a. Chido 61 yrs May 22, 2019

Mimi Oduro 39 yrs June 21, 2019

Kwadwo Poku - 38 yrs October 6, 2019

Kwabena Opoku Agyemang a.k.a. JB 57 yrs October 8, 2019

Very Rev. Dr. Samuel Victor Mpereh - 66yrs December 25, 2019

Akwasi Addai Owusu a.k.a. Peter 57 yrs

Charles Afwireng a.k.a. Apollo 59 yrs

Margaret Acheampong a.k.a.

Akua Bemah 67 yrs

Yaw Adu - 64 yrs

Oheneba OsieMensah - 63 yrs

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

Rosemary Armoo Kotoka - 59 yrs January 28, 2019

Rev. Isaac Kwaku Blessed - 64 yrs July 22, 2019

Jaden Mensah 9 yrs October 13, 2019

Madam Theresa Effah Afful - Akosua Theresa - 74 yrs.

Bruce Emmanuel Kyereh-Addo 33yrs

Thomas Dankwa 59 yrs January 28, 2019

The Ghanaian News January 2020 31

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Britain leaves the European Union, leaps into the unknown cont’d from pg. 19

WorldRemit and Arsenal celebrate first female Future Stars winner

membership in the bloc -- and the freedom it bought to live anywhere across of 28 countries -- were mourning.

“Many of us want to just mark our sadness in public,” said Ann Jones, who joined dozens of other remainers on a march to the EU’s mission in London.

Female youth football coach Chinasa Mandy Ukandu from Nigeria, flew to London for a personalised training session with Arsenal Football Development coaches

“And we don’t want trouble, we just want to say, well you know, we didn’t want this.”

Online money transfer company WorldRemit and Arsenal Football Club welcomed the winners of the 2019 Future Stars competition to London.

Britain’s journey to Brexit has been long, rocky -- and far from over.

Sponsored by WorldRemit, Chinasa Mandy Ukandu from Nigeria was one of two winners who won an all expenses paid trip to London to take part in a personalised training programme with Arsenal Football Development coaches. The weeklong programme is designed to help Future Stars coaches to assist the children they coach to develop life skills both on and off the pitch.

The U.K. was never a wholehearted EU member, but actually leaving the bloc was long considered a fringe idea.

It gradually gained strength within the Conservative Party, which has a wing of fierce “euroskeptics” -- opponents of EU membership. Former Prime Minister David Cameron eventually agreed to hold a referendum, saying he wanted to settle the issue once and for all.

Chinasa coaches boys and girls aged 5 to 16. Together with her friends, she helps provide young people with an opportunity to develop football and life skills at Help the Talent Academy in Lagos State. She completed phase three of the Premier Skills Coach Educators Course (an initiative by the English Premier League and British Council) in 2015.

Arriving in London Chinasa enjoyed a week of scheduled activities including attending the Arsenal Vs Manchester City football game, an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the renowned Emirates Stadium, personalised theory coaching sessions with Arsenal Football Development Coaches followed by a practical session where they had the opportunity to lead a coaching session with children from Arsenal in the Community. The winners also spent a day in the WR offices meeting staff and WorldRemit co-founder, Catherine Wines.

Chinasa commented: “I can never forget how the WorldRemit and Arsenal Future Stars programme made me feel. I have been influenced, encouraged and edified so I am ready to duplicate this attitude to others.”

Andrew Stewart, Managing Director Middle East & Africa at WorldRemit said: “At WorldRemit, we are inspired every day by our customers, who work hard to send money home to support their communities.

“Through our partnership with Arsenal and the Future Stars programme, we are delighted to celebrate the stories of inspiring individuals such as Chinasa who use sport to make a difference to the lives of the young people they train.”

Simon McManus, Head Coach at Arsenal Football Development, said: “Through our programmes in London and across the globe, our Football Development coaches are dedicated to helping set young players up for success both on and off the pitch.

“The Future Stars winners’ work within their communities shows just how powerful football can be and the importance of promoting diversity within the sport. We hope this experience will support Chinasa to amplify her contributions to grassroots football in Nigeria even further.”

It hasn’t worked out that way. Since the 2016 vote, the U.K. has held fractious negotiations with the EU that finally, late last year, secured a deal on divorce terms. But Britain is leaving the bloc arguably as divided as it was on referendum day.

By and large, Britain’s big cities voted to stay in the EU, while small towns voted to leave. England and Wales backed Brexit, while Northern Ireland and Scotland voted to remain.

Candlelit vigils were held in several Scottish cities, government buildings in Edinburgh were lit up in the EU’s blue and yellow colours, and the bloc’s flag continued to fly outside the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Brexit “will be a moment of

profound sadness for many of us across the U.K.” “And here in Scotland, given that it is happening against the will of the vast majority of us, that sadness will be tinged with anger,” she said in a speech in Edinburgh.

Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party government is demanding the right to hold a referendum on independence from the U.K., something Johnson refuses to grant.

London, which is home to more than 1 million EU citizens, also voted by a wide margin to stay in the bloc.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “heartbroken” about Brexit. But he insisted London would remain that welcomed all, regardless of “the colour of your skin, the colour of your flag, the colour of your passport.”

Negotiations between Britain and the EU on their new relationship are due to start in earnest in March, and the early signs are not encouraging. The EU says Britain can’t have full access to the EU’s single market unless it follows the bloc’s rules, but Britain insists it will not agree to follow an EU rule book in return for unfettered trade.

With Johnson adamant he won’t extend the transition period beyond Dec. 31, months of uncertainty and acrimony lie ahead.

In the English port of Dover, just 20 miles (32 kilometres) across the Channel from France, retiree Philip Barry said he was confident it would all be worth it.

“My expectation is that there may be a little bump or two in the road but in the end it will even out,” he said.

“Somebody once said: short-term pain but long-term gain.” The Associated Press

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32

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Sarah Efumwaa Obeng

YOUR WORDS, YOUR WORLD! SAY GREAT THINGS OR SAY NOTHING! Hello, my friend. I believe you’re off to a great start to a new year. You better be because you have no choice not to be. If you choose not to, you’re living anyway, so you might as well live well, and part of that has to do with our words. I am excited to be here with you and to share with you or perhaps remind you about what your words are doing to your world!

We are here today, partly because of what we have said about ourselves; because of what we have asked for ourselves; because of what we have agreed to for ourselves based of what others have said (whether we like them or not); because of what we have heard about ourselves. Not to sound over spiritual, but our words are self-fulling prophecies. In other words, our words will show up as our physical

reality in the near or far future, whether we like them or not. In this case, we must deliberately or intentionally carve our world with our worlds. We get what we say. Words are like seeds and once they’re uttered it means they’ve been planted and life waters them for us as the days go by. In due time and season, we reap the fruit, therefore.

How about the words spoken by others over us or about us? If we believe and affirm them, yes, they become ours and we get to reap the fruits. On the other hand, if we don’t, they DO NOT have power over us – especially, if spoken behind our backs.

So, focus on you and the words that you are speaking about yourself. Get your hands in your clay and mold your own life with your words, your great attitude, your hard work, your

excellence, your joy, your optimism and faith, and above all, your thankfulness.

I can attest to this and really feel the urge to share this because of what I am seeing and experiencing in my life. You will find as you do this or start to do this that your life goes in the direction of what you say and keep saying. In a difficult situation, what you say and declare determines how long or short you remain there, and it also determines how you come out of that situation or the outcome of it. At some point we must stop describing situations and start saying what we expect to be the outcome. Description magnifies situations, and the magnitude gives us more of what we must keep the descriptions going. On the other hand, words of expectation of the outcomes, brings the outcome in sight

and we get more words to express the expected outcome, which in turn enhances our emotions and mood and draws in the positive expectation of the outcome, and this even brings in the good expectation quickly.

Avoiding negative words isn’t enough, you must speak the positive words, because it’s not simply being positive; IT IS calling in what you’re saying. The more you call those expectations in, the quicker they come.

Call them in with joy, call them in with thankfulness, call them in with expectancy, call them in all day long.

Start paying attention to what you say about yourself and start declaring what you want to see in your life and observe how your world begins to shape up!

To your success and optimal living!

The Aftermath Of The Free- SHS Education In Ghana Do you think that the crime rate in the country right now is bad? Has anyone thought of the tsunami effects of the unemployed free -SHS graduates; four years from now?

Think again!

Wait until the current freeSHS recipients hit the unemployment line in their numbers.

The good news: Within the next four years, without a doubt, the free- SHS initiative is going to push the literacy rate in the country to an astronomical level; so is the crime rate. And, that could shake the nation’s equilibrium severely beyond repairs.

Ever since the Free- SHS policy was initiated, I have been thinking about how such a noble policy could eventually, turn out to be a ‘devil in disgust’ if we focused exclusively on its positive effects.

“Say what? Yeah, you heard me right! Upon all the fanfare about the free- SHS policy and its intended purposes, it’s going to create very negative repercussions down the road if its recipients are totally ignored or neglected after graduation.

This is how I see it in four years time, when the current recipients of the policy graduate from SHS. Unfortunately, only one third of them will probably get access to tertiary institutions .The other 2/3 will end up on the job market, looking for jobs that are nowhere to be found. Not to mention the college graduates who had been home without a job since 2012 and still counting.

One question that still needs to be resolved is the issue of job availability for those who are not college destined after SHS education .Have we thought about what this segment of the population can put this nation(with its fragile democracy) through if its members had nothing else to do with their time and energies? Oh lord, we’re talking about a group of people with a megawatt appetite for material things and a huge desire to own the latest electronic gadgets.

They have instant gratification syndrome with a huge mistrust for any authority or the law.

With the caliber of graduates the new education system is going to spew out, we can’t

take their ‘wants’(that have been turned into’ needs’) for granted because they’re not ready to negotiate their desire to be ‘somebody’ without a fight.

With no job in sight, a lot of them will end up in the unemployment lines permanently .The majority of them will also engage in other antisocial activities to make a living by any means necessary. And, that is where the problem is.

Can you see the picture clearly now? Maybe not, because you’re probably too busy grabbing all that you can from mother Ghana and milking the system to the bones along the way before the general election takes place .Or you don’t want to be bothered with someone else’s problems. But, can you honestly feel secured in your gated communities when the nation is on fire? Oh, well, is good for you. Enjoy your booty and live as if tomorrow won’t come. And, how much money is enough?

My SOLUTIONS: The Government and the education service should introduce entrepreneurship and

super customer -service skills in the free- SHS equation, so as to prepare the students for the future job market. By so doing, a lot of them with creative minds would be able to start their own businesses right after graduation.

Business start -up seed money should also be guaranteed by the government for those who will go on their own to start a business; so they won’t have to look for a job handouts from the government.

Why superb customerservice skills? By far, the most thriving business that doesn’t require a huge capital infusion is the tourism industry or waste disposal management. It’s also an industry that gives a huge dividend in a short period of time. But, there is a catch. One needs tons of well- crafted customer-service skills in order to survive in it.

But unfortunately, this particular generation is devoid of all the skills needed for a hospitality or tourism industry start -ups; so the students need to be taught vigorously and compulsorily before they come out of school.

Having said all that,

a lot of the current g o v e r n m e n t ’s sympathizers will see my genuine concern with jaundiced eyes and classify it as a ‘doom’s day prophecy’. On the other hand, the NDC will run with it and play a political football with it until they get tired. At the end, nothing concrete will come out of it, and no comprehensive action would be taken to prepare the nation for this social tsunami that is about to hit Ghana in the next four years and beyond---if nothing is done about it right now.”Don’t -fix -it, if -isn’t- broke” syndrome is eating us alive.

Nevertheless, if nothing is done about it all the political dividends that the free -SHS initiative

generated will be a waste and the political capital that came out of it will go up in flame as well.

I hope and pray someone is hearing my voice in the wilderness out there; before things fall apart.

Because when things fall apart, none (absolutely none ) of us will be at ease. The volcano is very hot and ready to erupt at any day now, so we shouldn’t aggravate the situation while we have time to fix things.

Prove me wrong, if you can.

Stay Tune!

Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi (voice of reason) *The author is a social commentator and a diehard concerned citizen of this great nation.

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News January 2020 33

34

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Mfantseman Cultural Association of Toronto celebrates 20th milestone

By Jonathan Annobil & Joe Kingsley Eyiah, Toronto

EST Banquet hall in Etobicoke was the venue of the 20th anniversary and Christmas party of the Mfantseman Cultural Association of Toronto on Saturday December 28, 2019.

The opening prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Chris Asman of Narrow Gate Ministry. It was followed by the rendition of Ghanaian and Canadian national anthems by Ms. Cecilia Aikins.

All the members were cladded in Mrs. Harriet Aikins Mensah congratulated both the their colourful anniversary cloth imprinted with the old and new members on coming together to celebrate such a milestone. She disclosed that the logo of the association. cont’d on pg. 65 In her welcome address, the President of the association

Justice Kofi Barnes, Chairman

Group Ficture after Thanksgiving Service Consul-General Thomas Seshie with MC Uncle Ken Sam

Herriet Aikins-Mensah, President

VIPs at the High Table

Youth of Mfantseman

Justice Barnes with award recipients Mfantseman entering the hall

Seraphic Voices of Toronto

Ubuntu Cultural Group

Rev. Fr. Korsah and the Mfantseman Assoc during Thanksgiving Service

MC Kwesi Eduful (l), Cecilia Aikins-Mensah, Bella Stephen

Association Executives

The Ghanaian News January 2020 35

Toronto Ghanaian S.D.A. Church End-of-Year Banquet

December 28, 2019 at The Venetian Banquet & Hospitality Centre, 219 Romina Dr. Concord Unity in Brotherly Love

SAP Photography & Video with Elder Dan Oteng

DJ K.B. and Busy

Pastor & Mrs. Owusu Brobbey

What do you know about Ghana game contestants

MC Elder Elvis Gyebi (Elpizo Counselor)

Social Committee Organizers giving a speech

Rtd Ministers J.B Boateng & wife (left) & Ebow Bonnie (3rd left) with guests Male contestants participating for a game

Male participants for a game

Female contestants participating in a game

Mr. & Mrs. Danso (Yonkodo Radio)

Seniors table

MC Kwabena Asante (far left) & Social Committee Organizers

Female contestants participating in a game

Female contestants participating in a game

36

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Communit

ty in pictures

The Ghanaian News January 2020 37

38

The Ghanaian News January 2020

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Nana Deborah Otuo Prempeh clocks 70 years Nana Deborah celebrated her 70th birthday on 1st January 2020 with a thanksgiving service at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church

Ghanaian News team at Cape Coast Castle during the Year of Return

Nana Deborah ( 5th left) with family and friends

Premier Ford hosts appreciation reception for cultural media in Mississauga

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his PC caucus hosted an appreciation reception exclusively for cultural media on Monday January 20, 2020. The location was Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport, on 3311 Caroga Drive, Mississauga, Ontario.

The room was packed full of

cultural journalists, photographers, videographers as well online radio hosts as the PC caucus mingled and chatted with the ethnic media before the arrival of the Premier. As people networked, they were also served with food and drinks.

When the Premier arrived, MPP Parm Gill (Milton MPP), the MC cont’d on pg. 41

Premier Ford flanded by Parm Gill, MPP

Premier Ford (center) with Thomas Saras and Maria Voutsinas

MPPs and some guests

Premier and MPPs

Ghanaian News team and other journalists Ethnic Media at the event

The Ghanaian News January 2020 39

York Regional Police open Human Rights Education Classroom as part of their Black History Month Celebration

cont’d from pg. 1

almost half a million young people have Christine Elliott MPP for Newmarket-Aurora, Logan passed through its doors over the past ten Kanapathi MPP for Markham-Thornhill. years adding that, “early investment in our Also in attendance were other members of the Executive children and youth will allow them to see Command Team of the York Regional Police, Deputy through the lens of human responsibility Chiefs Andre Crawford, Brian Bigras, Jim MacSween through age-appropriate education in and Robertson Rouse and several senior officers. human rights, cultural and indigenous A poignant closing remarks was made by Alicia Lauzon, history, conflict resolution and peace who told a beautiful story of how members of her village building”. in her native country of Trinidad in South America all This year marks the 16th anniversary of took the responsibility of raising and caring for her and the York Regional Police celebrating Black all other children before she migrated to Canada as a kid.

History Month and the theme for this year is, “It Takes A Village”. The event took place at the Armand P. La Barge Atrium on February 1, 2020 at the police headquarters in Aurora.

Chief Jolliffe who expressed delight at having attended all 16 celebrations acknowledged the many sacrifices, achievements and outstanding contributions of the members of the African Canadian communities said the York Regional Police has welcomed the many opportunities over the years to highlight the strength, character and courage of the Black community, a testimony shown by the many members Chief Eric Jolliffe Steel pan drummer of the York Regional Police of African heritage and ancestry.

“Black History Month is a time set aside to celebrate the power of unity and our shared determination in the quest for freedom and equality.

“It is said that the final test of leadership is that they leave behind them - in others - the conviction and the will to carry on”.

Chief Jolliffe ended his address with a quote from Nelson Mandela, “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way the respects and enhances the Tony Van Bynen, MP for Aurora freedom of others “.

Dwright Drummond, MC

George St. Kitts Band

Chief Eric Jolliffe with the Burundi dancers the Indaga group

The very well organized event was emceed by the debonair and erudite CBC anchor Dwight Drummond and spiced with exciting music from Dee Jay Joshua and performances by George St. Kitts, Burundi dancers the Indaga group, steel pan prodigy Rachel Walcott and Julia Jones.

The well attended event was graced by the Honorable Justice Albert Wong, Tony Van Bynen MP for Aurora, Francesco Sorbara MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, Michael Parsa MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges, Michael Tibollo MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, Det. Don Yirenkyi (l) and other officers

Some guests at the event

Police Officers and some VIP at the event

York Regional Police Officers at their booth

George St. Kitts band entertaining the officers and guests

Some guests at the event

40

The Ghanaian News January 2020

10th Anniversary Grand Durbar of Nene Kwesi Detse 1

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto

Warden Woods Community Centre, 74 Firvalley Court, Scarborough was the venue of the 10th anniversary grand durbar of Nene Kwesi Detse1 on Sunday, January 12, 2020.

Nene kwesi Detse 1, was enstooled as Manoyam Mantse ,Chief of Development,( with focus on youth) for the Manya Krobo State by Nene Sakite II, Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area in October 2009. He is the first non Krobo to receive this honour in the history of Krobo. His enstoolment was in recognition of his contribution to community development and sustainable development work in

Africa, mainly in Ghana over the past 30 years.

Prof. Nene Kwesi Kafele founded Aya Afrika Foundation which has impacted the lives of many people in Africa, particularly Ghana.

During the durbar, Nene Kwesi Detse1 entered the hall amid the beating of drums and humility ritual performance followed by the pouring of libation as custom demanded. It was thereafter followed by the rendition of the national anthem. The purpose of the durbar was then given as the people were officially welcomed. A special tribute dance was performed to honour Nene Detse 1.

Nene’s foundation, Aya Afrika did a presentation to showcase the wonderful work being done in Africa.

Special tributes from royalty, politicians and others were shown to celebrate the anniversary.

As part of the celebration some deserving individuals were given the Liberation Awards in different categories for impacting the lives of people in the community and Africa. Elder Caroline Wright was given the opportunity to speak on the Halifax Connection.

When it was time for Nene to address the people at cont’d on pg. 66

Nene Kwesi Detse I with his elders

Nese Kwesi Detse I being congratulated by Emmanuel Ayiku of Ghanaian News

Award Recipients and some elders

Nene Kwesi Detse I cutting the anniversary cake flanked by elders

Parents of Nene Kwesi Detse I

MCs Ms Thandiwe Chimurenga and Sherwin Modest

Presentation of gift to the linguist

Family of Nene Kwesi Detse I

St John the Beloved Spiritual Baptist Church

The Ghanaian News January 2020 41

Frankly Speaking

Threats of Violence on the Electoral Commission on New Voters’ Register Must Stop!

From Prof. Michael Baffoe, Koforidua, Ghana Over the past couple of months, members of the largest Opposition Party in Ghana, the NDC backed by some a number other individuals and organizations, some barely recognizable, have been launching blistering attacks on the Electoral Commission of Ghana for daring to announce a process for compiling a new Electoral Roll, commonly known in Ghana as the “Voters’ Register”. The stance of the Electoral Commission has been, and is that the current Voters’ Register is unreliable and has some very serious challenges, especially with the storage of data that into its system.

Other reasons cited are that many of the country’s younger people have turned eighteen years old since the last register was compiledand are qualified to vote and their names need to be captured on the Electoral roll to afford them the opportunity to exercise their civic right to vote in the country’s elections. This, to me, is one of the strongest justification for revising the Electoral Roll in order not to deliberately,

and thus illegally, deny this group of citizens their right to vote in the nation’s elections coming up in December 2020 and beyond.

Another reason, and very pertinent, cited by the Electoral Commission is that the management of the Commission’s data base is done by a foreign company, outside the shores of Ghana at a very exorbitant cost and that the process of compiling a new Voters’ Register will include procuring new data bases which will be manned by the Commission’s own personnel, at a much cheaper cost to the nation.

All the above reasons, and more, that have been publicized by the Electoral Commission provide very cogent grounds for the exercise they intend to embark on from mid-April 2020.

The NDC and their associates will have nothing to do with the process. Not only are they vehemently opposed to it, but they have started issuing threats to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her staff. They have so far embarked on some public demonstrations against the proposed exercise, which is their right to do, in Tamale and Kumasi, which passed off without incidents.

Over the past one week, however, the NDC leadership and their cohorts have been issuing direct threats towards the EC Chair and her staff, It should be noted that the pattern of the threats are very consistent with the plan announced by the national Chairman of the NDC party, Samuel OfosuAmpofo, who threatened the life of the EC Chair, among others. A particular disturbing threat came from an NDC member who identified himself as Owula Mangortey, on Thursday January 31 who described the EC Chair as a “mad woman” whose brains and thinking are affected by domestic violence she is experiencing in

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her home. Waaaaw! This is how low the NDC is prepared to sink if they do not get their way in the current discourse in the country.

The big and pertinent question the NDC should answer is why they are so bitter and afraid of the EC producing a new, and what majority if Ghanaians believe, will be a credible Electoral Roll. There have been lots of rumors and suspicions that a lot of foreigners, especially from our neighboring countries, were actively encouraged and assisted to register and got their names on the current Voters’ Register. The on-going violent stance and threats of the NDC point to suspicion of some truth in these allegations, fearing that the compilation of a new Voters’ Register using the on-going credible biometric national Identity document, the Ghana Card, will strike out majority, if not all, of the foreign elements on the electoral roll.

Having being government for

in a

long time before, the NDC should respect the independence of the Elections Body that is guaranteed under the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. Trying to use threats to bully the Commission to prevent it from embarking on a legitimate national exercise, which is part of their mandate, is a dangerous threat to the peace and stability of the nation. What is very frightening, is the pattern of the rhetoric and activities of the NDC members, which are clearly in line with the threats issued a year ago by their National Chairman and recently re-affirmed by their Director of Elections, Elvis AfriyieAnkrah, who called on his party members to do every thing in their power to bring the nation to a standstill with violence in opposition to the compilation of a new Voters’ Register.

My simple advice to the NDC and other likeminded people in Ghana and their supporters and sympathizers outside

the country is that, Ghana is now being ruled and guided by the rule of law. Citizens are allowed to exercise their constitutional rights of expressing their displeasure on any issue of national importance publicly, but PEACEFULLY. No-one is above the law and should they embark on any untoward activities that are designed to destabilize the nation and threaten its peace, then they should not blame the government of “witch-hunting” them (their favorite phrase), if the security services read them the riots act.

Ghana has come a long way from the dark ages of violence and wanton abuse of citizens’ human rights. We all desire to live in peace and participate in all national activities peacefully.

Should any citizen or group of persons decide to engage in any illegal actions that are designed to take away these hardwon freedoms, peace and stability of the nation, then the full rigors of the law must be applied.

Premier Ford hosts appreciation reception for cultural media in Mississauga cont’d from pg. 39 for the event, gave the purpose of the reception and introduced the Premier. MPP Pam Gill lauded the cultural media for the services being rendered to the various communities.

On his part, the Premier thanked the ethnic media for honoring the invitation for the media appreciation reception. He stated that the eraof the cultural media being “starved’ of provincial government’s advertising is over amid thunderous applause from the journalists in

the room. He added that the distribution of provincial government’s advertisement is disproportionally distributed as CBC, CTV, Global and the others takes all. He promised that the distribution will be proportionally distributed hence to enable the ethnic media get its deserved share Premier Ford stated that he has had relationships with the ethnic media way back from the time of his late brother Mayor Rob Ford and he is grateful for that.

He also promised to have a barbecue at his late mom’s backyard exclusively for the cultural media in the summer. He concluded by saying that the reception was to show appreciation for the wonderful service being given to the various communities spread across the province.

He then acknowledged the presence of other members of the PC caucus and after his speech took time for photo sessions first with his caucus and then with the ethnic media.

42

The Ghanaian News January 2020

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Prostate overtakes breast as ‘most common cancer’

Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in England, overtaking breast cancer for the first time, latest figures show.

In 2018 there were nearly 50,000 registered cases around 8,000 more than in 2017.

Public Health England says it is because more men are getting tested.

316,680 cancers of any kind diagnosed, the equivalent of 868 cases a day.

Prostate was the most common type - 49,029 cases - followed by breast - 47,476 cases.

Lung and bowel cancers were the next most commonly diagnosed.

‘Fry and Turnbull effect’

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull went public with his prostate cancer diagnosis in March 2018, encouraging others to get tested, saying: “Maybe if I’d got it earlier and stopped it at the prostate, I’d be in a much better state.”

In 2018, there were

He said his cancer had

And that is thanks to celebrities, like Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull, raising awareness by speaking out about their own experiences.

spread to his bones, including the pelvis and ribs.

TV comedian and presenter Stephen Fry revealed in February 2018 that he was recovering after having prostate cancer surgery, saying it was “thankfully caught in the nick of time”.

According to the head of the NHS, the coverage of Fry and Turnbull’s treatments led to an increase in men getting checked.

Cancer tsar Prof Peter Johnson said: “As people live longer, we’re likely to see prostate cancer diagnosed more often, and with wellknown figures like Rod Stewart, Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull all

talking openly about their diagnosis, more people will be aware of the risk.”

He said more people coming forward for checks and care meant the disease increasingly is detected at an early stage, when treatment is most successful and survival chances are highest.

Lucy Elliss-Brookes, Head of Cancer Analysis at Public Health England, said: “Although we are seeing a continued rise in cancer diagnoses, it’s encouraging that we are also seeing increases in survival, as well as an overall decrease in emergency diagnoses of cancer.”

Lynda Thomas, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said it was good news that more people are seeing their doctor to check for cancer.

But she said the increasing numbers came at a time when the NHS and social care services were under pressure, with long waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

What is prostate cancer?  It

is the most common cancer in men in the UK - an ageing population means more men are developing and dying from the disease

 It

involves the prostate - a small gland in the pelvis in men

 Cancers can develop

slowly over years and many men have no symptoms

 N o t i c e a b l e

symptoms include needing to urinate more often and weak flow

 There is no single

test for prostate cancer - a blood test, biopsies and physical examinations are all used

By Michelle RobertsHealth editor, BBC News online

Burnout is real and here’s how to handle it, according to experts

By RJ Skinner, CBC

We’ve all felt it, even if we didn’t know exactly what it was. Your work/ life balance becomes totally out of whack, you find your to-do list is barely completed (if at all) and you get the sensation that you’re mentally and physically “hanging on by a thread”.

You may have described your state as “burnout”, but you didn’t have “burnout”, you were more likely just really tired, right? Wrong.

Burnout has increasingly become a more distinct and dire concept and now, thanks to the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s considered a legitimate syndrome.

So, what is it?

Researchers have been studying the concept of burnout more closely over the past four decades. The WHO’s particular definition not only helps people understand what burnout is, but also raises greater awareness of its severity, hopefully paving the way for greater access to help dealing with it.

We reached out to some experts for more on what causes burnout and what you can do if you find yourself experiencing it.

What work situations can cause burnout?

Burnout is specifically work-related, but that’s still a broad field — In its International an infinite number of Classification of occupational dynamics Diseases handbook could come into play. the WHO defines Mark Franklin, practice burnout as “a syndrome leader of CareerCycles co-founder of conceptualized as and OneLifeTools, says resulting from chronic workplace stress that has that symptoms could not been successfully arise from things like: managed.” It then goes on “Disliking your work to characterize burnout in consistently, for example, three ways, “1) feelings because you have little of energy depletion of or no control over your exhaustion; 2) increased work.” But even if you mental distance from have an autonomous one’s job, or feelings of position, burnout can be negativism or cynicism brought on by poor work related to one’s job; and relationships, either with 3) reduced professional employers, employees efficacy.” The definition or co-workers. A lack also makes it clear that of positive relationships burnout is specific to an can cause burnout too. “occupational context”, Franklin lists “Social rather than other areas isolation and not being of life, and that it’s a able to communicate separate condition from with supportive allies” as adjustment disorder, a key contributing factor. mood disorders, anxiety/ Another possible cause fear disorders and other of burnout is workload stress-related conditions. or or “extreme activity,

working too long or too many days in a row,” according to Franklin.

While there are many more specific situations that can lead to burnout, Nicole McCance, clinical psychologist and owner of Toronto Neurofeedback, puts it into the general perspective of work/ life balance, “Burn out can happen when the amount of time working, thinking about work and work pressure, exceeds the amount of time relaxing, unwinding and filling your cup with the things you love.”

Signs of burnout Spotting the incoming signs of the syndrome (in ourselves and others) can be a little tricky since so many of the situations can cause fatigue and frustration that aren’t necessarily burnout.

It’s important to pay attention to the severity and consistency of the symptoms.

McCance highlights symptoms such as a chronic feeling of exhaustion and being depleted, even after typically replenishing activities, such as a good night’s sleep. She also cites “brain fog (difficulty concentrating), and trouble making decisions” as strong indications of burnout.

Franklin adds “being cynical at work, using food drugs or alcohol to feel better, bad sleep” and becoming “easily

irritable or impatient” as other telling signs.

According to the classification of burnout, the symptoms have to be in direct conjunction with a work-related cause to be considered burnout-related and not part of another issue.

Managing burnout If you’re experiencing burnout, the first thing to do is to seek help so that you’re not dealing with it on your own. “See your doctor to rule out any organic causes related to your exhaustion,” says McCance. “Your doctor will likely check your iron levels, vitamin D and vitamin B.” You might need more than just medical expertise though, and Franklin suggests, “If you’re functioning but worried you’re going to slide into a worse situation, make an appointment with

a career professional.

They can help you clarify what you like and dislike, what strengths you want to use, and then generate possibilities to change things at work, or possibly change your work.”

When it comes to what you can control by yourself, this is definitely the time to tip the work/ life balance into your favour. Since burnout is the result of work rigors overwhelming you, it’s crucial to put yourself first in all facets of your life. To cut down on too many incoming tasks at work, McCance suggests you “try delegating some tasks at work”, to help lighten the load while still getting stuff done. At home, she says, “Practice saying no to social events or family obligations and commit to getting eight hours sleep,” to attempt to quickly make space and time for recuperation

you need.

Avoiding burnout altogether

The best remedy is to stop this chronic syndrome before it starts by creating an environment where it can’t thrive.

Firstly, to make sure you’re on the right path, Franklin again suggests investing in professional guidance: “Go to a career professional for a career clarification process, to learn about your deeper desires, signature strengths and how you can create work that replenishes instead of depletes you.” He says, “As the world and tech change, investing in yourself with professional development avoids obsolescence [and figuring out] ways of cont’d on pg. 45

The Ghanaian News January 2020 45

Lifestyle

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

How and when to talk to your partner about better sex

By Clifton Mark · CBC

A relationship counsellor gives us specific and actionable advise to use in and out of the sheets

do it anyway, and shared some tips for how to talk about sex in a productive way.

Even if you’re in an active sexual relationship with someone you really like, you still might not be experiencing your best sex life. According to one Canadian survey, while almost 76 per cent of respondents reported being happy with their relationships in general, more than half said they were “unhappy with their sex lives.” This suggests that, for a lot of couples, there’s plenty of room for improvement.

Talking about sex is difficult but important

According to Janna Comrie, a psychotherapist and frequent CBC Life contributor, poor communication is one of the biggest obstacles to experiencing your best sex life. She explains why talking about sex with one’s partner can be so hard, why we should

Sex is an intimate topic surrounded by taboos, shame and moral judgements, and people often worry about how their partner will react if they start expressing their desires — especially if they involve things that aren’t part of their habitual repertoire.

“The biggest problem with anyone getting their needs met in a relationship, sexual or not, is that people are so afraid that the other person isn’t going to be able to handle it — and their feelings are going to be hurt — that they say nothing,” says Comrie.

Of course, if someone

is nice enough to go to bed to you, “If you don’t have anything nice to say…” seems to apply. (“Three stars. Would not recommend,” is not appropriate pillow talk.)

But if you coddle your partner’s sexual ego so much that you never articulate your needs and desires, according to Comrie, you’re doing both you and your partner a disservice.

Keeping silent guarantees you’re not going to get what you want, and that you won’t find out what they want.

Improving your sex life will benefit both of you, and unspoken dissatisfaction, Comrie adds, often “leads to resentment, to partners pulling away, and to feelings of rejection.”

In the long-term, silence doesn’t just hurt your sex life — it erodes the intimacy of your relationship.

Trying to protect your partner’s ego from your

dissatisfaction likely won’t work anyway.

“I’ve never known a person who didn’t know their partner was dissatisfied in bed,” Comrie says.

In other words, if you’re not enjoying sex with your partner, they’ve probably already picked up on it, and there’s a good chance that they haven’t spoken up for the same reasons you haven’t talked about it (or perhaps they have asked you and you avoided the difficult task of saying you see some room for improvement).

Most of the time, your partner will already know something is going on, and it may be a relief to hear you break the ice. So how do you get started?

How to communicate more effectively about sex Some things are best communicated during or close to the actual act — though you may not use many words. Making technical adjustments might include guiding your partner’s hand, or adjusting angles and speeds. Some people hesitate about giving such precise direction, but it’s better to think of this as a way to help your partner please you, rather than an explicit critique.

When you’re trying to discourage your partner from doing something you don’t love or that’s breaking your rhythm in the moment, Comrie’s advice is to redirect.

“Instead of telling them what not to do, tell them what to do,” she suggests. For example, if you don’t like the way they nibble your neck, then tell them to kiss you whenever they begin. After a couple of redirections, they’ll get the message.

get your partner talking and to listen when they do. “Receive their desires without judgment,” to keep the lines of communication open, says Comrie.

According to Comrie, conversations that address more general dissatisfactions are best had in the cold light of day, rather than in the heat of the moment.

Choose a time when you’re both feeling good and that’s not during or immediately after sex.

“If you go to your partner right after sex and say you need to spice it up a bit, it’s not going to go very well,” Comrie says.

Remember to keep things in perspective

What she does recommend is leading with positives.

Emphasize what’s working and what you like about your partner.

But don’t hesitate when it comes to the harder, less complimentary parts.

Being as straightforward as you can about your wants and needs is key.

After all, good communication isn’t just about airing your own grievances and desires.

It’s also important to

“Even if it’s not your thing, say you can totally see why it would be a turn-on, but that you’re not sure it’s for you.

Show them acceptance and understanding about their desires, and they’ll open up.”

Comrie says that good sex talk goes beyond charting a course to climax. Orgasms are to be encouraged, but often people become overly fixated on them as a measure of overall sexual satisfaction. “Sex is a means of connecting with your partner,” says Comrie. “And you don’t measure the level of connection by the number of orgasms you have.

If you do, we have a problem.”

Instead, explain to your partner what you enjoyed and how it made you feel.

“Let them know what you like, and let it be about other things. Let it be about the connection you have, or that moment you were just giggling together in bed,” Comrie says.

Whatever you appreciated, the most important thing is to let them know.

Burnout is real and here’s how to handle it, according to experts cont’d from pg. 44

doing more of what you want and less of what you don’t want” can ultimately help avoid oncoming burnout.

On a more micro level, no matter what your position, McCance says, “Know your limit.” For some, “their limit is when they find themselves easily agitated at home. When they notice this”, McCance explains, “they know that they need to slow down, get more rest and take more breaks. It’s good to know what your limit is and how you will know to unplug and relax for a while until you feel recharged.”

Risky business We all seem to be more at risk for burnout now than ever before. Always plugged in, with rising technology disrupting the workforce, trending us more toward career changes, shift work, freelancing and gig economies — modern jobs make us ripe for it. A viral article earlier this year dubbed millennials the “burnout generation”. An overarching cultural pressure to succeed professionally, even at the expense of our physical and mental health, can distort our identities. Burnout can be more difficult for people of colour too. Experts on the subject of burnout advise that we stay vigilant of its insidious causes, both on a personal and social level, and try shift our work paradigms to a more healthy and balanced model.

46

The Ghanaian News January 2020

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Statistics Canada says 18.1 per cent of director seats were held by women in 2017, a slight increase from 17.8 per cent in 2016.

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Awuku writes

Thinking legally about the new voters’ register

By Seth K. Awuku, Esq.

by law Compile Voter Register Probably, nothing Firstly, the first sentence in article 45(a) threatens Ghana’s before the conjunctive word “and” is peace and democratic that the electoral commission shall credentials more ….. compile the register of voters. In than the sensation fact, this function was accomplished of fear encircling by the then former EC Commisioner, the compilation of a New Voters’ Mr. Afari-Djan.

Register. In fact, the power to curb Indeed, on all accounts, the this fear lies squarely with the current voter register has proven Electoral Commission, to act fairly credible to express the sovereign will and reasonably with all actors as we of the people in the recently-held approach the 2020 general election. district assembly election; proven True, voter register credible to express the sovereign will demonstration and its related violence of the people to elect President John is not new in our polity. Some five Mahma in 2012; proven credible years ago, the then opposition NPP to express the sovereign will of the held a demonstration, calling for a new people to elect President Akufo Addo voter register. Sadly, the demonstration in 2016; proven credible to express the culminated into a tragic death of one sovereign will of the people in the 2018 Justice Adzakuma which. the voters referendum to create six new regions. never forgot and somehow punished Why spend a colossal GHC400 the then NDC government at the 2016 million cedis (US$71million) cedis to polls. replace a functioning Voters’ register

However, it has become which has proven credible to express obvious in our current polity even to the sovereign will of the people. the oracles of high punditry that the Is the electoral commission, compilation of a new voters’ register therefore, suggesting that we has, somewhat, gingered a sensation should cast doubt on the meaning of fear, whether real or imagined, of article 45(a)? suggesting that subliminal or superliminal, in our we add some additional words into polity. article 45a to justify a new register?

In fact, if the 2018 Ayawaso Is the Commission saying that the by-election and its related violence, Constitutional drafters of article 45a where scores of people were injured, are incompetent? some with blood-oozing through their In fact , a solicitous reading legs, some with gun-shots penetrating reveals that the constitutional drafters through their residential walls, some did not say in article 45a that the with gun bullets flying all over their Electoral commission shall create a) neighbourhood and others, incontinent a new or improved register of voters, with rage and embarrassment, is of any b) protect the credibility of any new c) guide, then it stands to reason that all improve a register or d) create a new members of society must be wary of register with security features the future, vigilant of the next election Indeed, it is presumed that legal and contribute to ensuring a peaceful drafters, especially constitutional 2020 election. drafters are careful users of language

As a man of law, I dare to and that they mean what they say and examine the legality of the proposed say what they mean in a constituitonal New Voter Register by the Electoral provision.

Commission I do not dare to write Respectfully, what has to make an iconoclastic attack of the precipitously changed in the last few Electoral Commission. No, not at all. months in this I dare to write in search of peace as we election year to warrant a demand for tiptoe into the December 2020 election a new voters register.?

According to the Electoral Commission the current voters ‘ Revise it at such periods… register is overstretched and therefore A second element in article a compilation of a new one will 45(a) of the 1992 constitution worthy protect its credibility. It goes further to of attention is the timing to revise the argue that the current register is not fit register. Solicitously speaking article for purpose and that a new incoming 45(a) does not tell a reader of statutes register will be enhanced with better when or which periods to revise a security features. It estimates the cost voters register. for the new register in the gargantuan In fact the words, after the sum of almost four hundred million conjunctive word “and’ in 45(a) reads Ghana cedis (US$71million) for a third as follows …and revise it at such world or developing economy like periods…… Does the phrase mean Ghana. that the voters’ register can be revised

However, the drafters of in the year of elections? What is the the 1992 constitution specifically meaning of periods in article 45a? Can empowered the Electoral Commission the Black’s Law Dictionary assist us with these clear and unambiguous here to define the meaning of periods words in article 45(a) as follows in this context? “the electoral commision shall have the It is very doubtful that in the year following functions of election, as the nation finds itself To compile the register of voters and the Election Commission which, by revise it at such periods as may be practice, is very preoccupied with determined by law other major tasks, such as Thus, a textual reading of the essential a) to prepare the necessary election elements for the EC are as follows: a) materials for the election, compile a voter register, b) revise it as b) to provide the necessary voter such periods, c) as may be determined cont’d on pg. 62

48

The Ghanaian News January 2020

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50

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Year 2019 in review

• Premier Doug Ford opens 2019 Canadian International Auto Show

• Carassauga Mississauga Festival of Cultures 2019 opens

• African Development Bank and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sign agreement for study on Abidjan-Lagos corridor Highway

• Ghanaian community members excel at University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg Spring 2019 Convocations

• Living Word Assembly of God opens Food Bank in Toronto

• Africa Day Flag raising ceremony at Queen’s Park Toronto

• Professor Wisdom Tettey installed as the Vice-President and Principal of University of Toronto-Scaborough

• MPP Rakocevic joins Brookview School to plant 300 trees in the Black Creek ravine

• The Ontario PC Caucus joins Premier Ford in celebrating Black History Month at Queen’s Park

• 1st segment of Ghanaian Women’s Fasting Prayer Conference 2019 held at Presbyterian Church

• President Nana Akufo Addo names ministers for 6 new regions

• Ghana Methodist Church of Toronto celebrates 20th anniversary and dedication of new chapel

• 6 new regions created bringing the Administrative Regions in Ghana to 16

• Ghana Diaspora Celebrations & Homecoming Summit 2019 launched in Toronto

• Black History Month celebrated at Toronto City Hall with Mayor John Tory in attendance • Ghanaian boxer Emmanuel Tagoe wins IBF title

• The Ghanaian community honours Professor Tettey

MARCH • Ghana’s Flag lifted high at Queen’s Park in celebration of its 62nd birthday

• Reigning WWE wrestling champion Kofi Kingston visits President Nana Akufo-Addo

JUNE • Ghanaian High School girls win World Robotic competition in Michigan USA

• Ghana’s High Commissioner Ayikoi Otoo undertakes six-day duty tour of Manitoba capping it with joining the Ghanaian Community in celebrations of Ghana@62 anniversary at a glittering ceremony in Winnipeg

• Supreme Court of Ghana orders sale of Woyome’s properties to pay debt to the state • Ghana beats South Africa as top gold producer

• Ghana ranked fourth happiest country in Sub-Saharan Africa • ECOWAS to start using single currency in 2020. Announcement is made

• Ottawa sets up secretariat to root out racism in federal institutions programs

• Canada ranked ninth on global happiness index; Finland first for 2nd consecutive year

• Cynthia Kwakyewah wins prestigious Governor General’s Gold Medal

• Professor Kwabena Nketia dies

• Send off service and reception for Rev. Dr. Raymond Baah Abekah & Family

• Families Minister Jean Yves Duclos announces that Employment Insurance Parental Benefits available from March 17

• Ordination service for Pastors Agatha Akua Mansah and Edward Yeboah • Ghanaian Presbyterian Church of Montreal dedicates its new chapel

• Ghanaian female scientist, Dr. Priscilla Mante receives international award for research • Ribbon cutting of new English Assembly Sanctuary of Apostles’ Continuation Church International Toronto • “Mental Health Matters” organized by Toronto Presbyterian Church • Ghana @62 celebrated in style across Canadian cities by Ghanaian communities • Dr. Michael Baffoe of the Ghanaian News Team attains Full Professorship at the University of Manitoba

APRIL

• Ghana attends Global Petroleum show 2019 in Calgary Alberta

JULY - President Akufo-Addo launches 2019 PANAFEST and Year of Return in Cape Coast, Ghana -

Ghanaian Presbyterian Church Toronto marks Jubilee celebrations

- Akufo-Addo to Pelosi during her historic visit to Ghana: We want more trade relations with the US

• National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) commemorates World Press Freedom Day at City Hall Toronto

- US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Ghana with Reps of Congressional Black Caucus.

• Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) participates in City of Toronto’s 1st annual Spring Cleanup Initiative

-

Mayor Tory proudly proclaims August as Emancipation Month

-

Ghana Budget Review: Luxury vehicle levy abolished

• Federal Commissioner decries ‘erosion of language rights’ across Canada • Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan arrives in Canada

- President Akufo-Addo declares at Homecoming Summit opening that dual citizens to be allowed to hold public office in Ghana.

• Ghanaian Union of Manitoba elects new Executive Committee and inducted into office by Prof Michael Baffoe

- Homecoming Summit presidential Gala at Movenpick Hotel Accra

• USA and Ghana inaugurate New Women’s Cancer Center Unit at HopeXchange Medical Center in Kumasi Ghana • Ghana Diaspora Celebration & Homecoming summit 2019 Media launched at Marriott Hotel, Airport City, Accra Ghana • K P Boateng wins La Liga with Barcelona

MAY • President Akufo-Addo addresses the Ghanaian community in the Greater Toronto Area at the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church • African community celebrates International Decade for People of African Descent • D-Day anniversary brings Trudeau, Trump to UK for tribute ceremony • Ghanaian-Canadian Social Services Network promotes financial literacy within the community

- Modern Batik Couture workshop in the Toronto Ghanaian Community a huge success.

-

Canada Day celebration at Living Word Assembly of God

- Ghanaian Vice President Dr. Bawumia receives rousing welcome at Ghanafest in Surrey, BC, Canada.

- Ghanaian News visits St Paul Methodist Cathedral, Tema Ghana -

Movie Premiere in Toronto: Bride from Africa

AUGUST - National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada booth opens at CNE 2019 - USA partnerships with women to promote Economic Growth in Northern Ghana

The Ghanaian News January 2020 51

Year 2019 in review -

Bank of Ghana revokes licences of 23 savings and loans companies

-

Federal government gives Ontario $54m to fight illegal guns and gangs

- Public school boards across GTA shed nearly 600 jobs due to cuts by Premier Ford.

-

Mother tongue Literacy for fullness of life in Canada and Ghana launched

-

Ghanafest 2019 opens in Toronto

- Panafest and Emancipation Day kicked off in Accra with wreath-laying ceremony.

- Neema Children’s choir from Uganda visits Living Word Assembly of God Toronto - Rev. Isaac De-Graft Takyi launches book: The Story of the Ghana Assemblies of God Churches inCanada -

Folklorama Cultural Festival held in Winnipeg, Manitoba

-

Ghanaians in GTA to acquire 160 Rivalda as community/heritage center.

SEPTEMBER - President Akufo-Addo lights up NPP Canada Silver Jubilee Celebrations in Toronto - Changes of OHIP - insured services set to take effect on 1st October 2019.ronto’s Peaon Airport to use AI-powered tech -

Ghana gets first “blind” criminologist Miss Mahmound Juliana Afia

- 6th Pan-Nkrumaist Conference of the convention of Nkrumaists of North America (CNNA) held in London, UK - Ghana’s obesity problem blamed on rise in fast food - Nana KwartengAmaning enstooled Omanhene of Montreal Traditional Council.

- President Nana Akufo-Addo presented with plaque by the GhanaianCanadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) at the Four Seasons Hotel -

Dedication of Everlasting Gospel Assembly of God Church in Brampton

- God.

Safe Haven Cancer support society lectures at Living Word Assembly of

- President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo inaugurates Merck Foundation “Merck Africa Asia Luminary” to build Healthcare capacity in Africa and Asia

NOVEMBER - Rev. Dr. Martey launches 2 new books in Toronto - 19th Annual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards a smashing success -

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomes new cabinet into office

- An Ontario Superior Court judge has reinstated Jim Karygiannis as councillor for Scarborough-Agincourt Ward 22 -

President Akufo-Addo confers Ghanaian citizenship on 126 Diasporans

- Toronto Police arrests man, Samuel Opoku, 23, who allegedly threw feces at 5 people -

2nd Annual Ghana Heritage Night at BMO Fields Toronto

-

GCAO organizes 2nd Annual Fundraiser Diner in aid of Heritage Centre

- National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada 2019 awards at City Hall Toronto - Strangers in New Homelands 12th annual Migration and settlement Conference held in Winnipeg, Manitoba - 9th 3G Awards held in Bronx, New York with Ghanaian News coverage

DECEMBER -

Premier Ford attends National Ethnic Press party

-

President Trump impeached by US House of Representatives

- Canada Supreme Court rules sons of Russian spies are Canadian citizens - US House approves USMCA: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade deal - Mayor John Tory, Councillor Perruzza, MPP Rakocevic fetes residents of 235 Gosford Blvd, North York

- Juliana Arkoh wins four gold medals at Commonwealth Power lift Championship in St. John’s, NewFoundland, Canada

- Ghana Consulate relocates to new office at 8977 Woodbine Avenue, Markham

- The Ghana Friendship Association of Edmonton (GFAE) organizes Cultural Heritage Program and Youth Summer Camp.

- 5th Food Drive & Cook out to Evangel Hall Mission, Toronto by the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church

-

De Grasse wins silver in 200 metres for 2nd medal of World championships

OCTOBER - PM Trudeau and his Liberals elected with a minority government in the 43rd Federal election. Canadians elected more women to the House of Commons -

- Asanteman Association of Toronto elects Obarima Kofi Gyamfi as new Asantefuohene of Toronto

Quebec raises legal Cannabis age to 21, bans public smoking

- Province will not upload subways, will cover Toronto share of Ontario line, Scarborough extension according Mayor Tory -

Kurt Okraku elected as President of Ghana Football Association

- 1 in 3 Canadians according to poll voted strategically in the Federal election.

-

Increased production sees Ghana raise its hydrocarbon profile

-

Roots Fest concert at De Runa Banquet Hall 30 Gordon Mackay Toronto

-

Perpetural Nyarko Nhyiraba launches her new album in Hamilton

-

Emancipation Day celebrated in Ghana

- The longest flight in the world just landed after nearly 20 hours in the air -

The Church Pentecost Canada dedicates its new ultra modern building in Toronto. It also served to coincide with the official visit to Ghana of Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost worldwide

- 4 Ghanaians honored at Global Inspiration Awards and Fundraiser night in Toronto - 2nd Segment of Ghanaian Women’s Fasting and Prayer Conference 2019 at Living Word Assembly of Toronto.

Advertising in The Ghanaian News WORKS CALL NOW 416-916-3700

52

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Barack Obama wows young people in Toronto with a call to embrace the creative skills

cont’d from pg. 1

will continue to be vital in a future full of job automation”, he said. The 44th President of the United States opined that “success requires building a team that is diverse, not just in race but also in viewpoints, skillsets and mindsets”.

He cited the example of how the Toronto Raptors have been successful because team president MasaiUjiri surrounds himself with people who “know how to solve problems.”

“During my eight years in office as President

of the United States, I had to have people who had values that I believed in”, Obama said to applause from the youthful audience.“Having said that, for the young people who are here, you still have to do your math,” he said. “You’re not off the hook. Hit your books, people.”

The event was one of a four-part series of events the club is putting together in partnership with the Global Institute for Conscious Economics.

Ebenezer Oteng (MC Ebone)

Artists

MC Ebone and some of the performance

Former President Obama and Dr. Rosemary Sadlier

MC Ebone with parents (Mr. & Mrs. Oteng and siblings

Rosegold Randell Adjei and a performer

Jessie Reyez

The Ghanaian News January 2020 53

Celebration of life of Madam Juliana Aku Sika Biney on Saturday February 1, 2020 at 5366 Ave. Cote De Neiges, Montreal, Quebec Sister of Alexander and Texty Biney Jnr

Greater Swedru of North America paying their tribute

At the cemetery

Montreal Traditional Council

Children paying their tribute

Montreal Ga-Mantse and Alex Biney and Wife(left)

Family paying their last tribute to Julie

His death occured whilst visiting Ghana with his wife, Mrs Mary Hasford

Funeral announcement will follow later

Wreath bearers at the cemetery

54

The Ghanaian News January 2020

The Ghanaian News January 2020 55

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56

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Compiled by Nana Ama

FOOD AND RECIPES How to prepare beef macaroni

Mashed Ripe Plantain (Otor)

Ingredients 1 pound minced beef

Ingredients

Olive oil

4 fingers half ripe plantain

1 Ginger root

5g groundnut paste

3 medium onions, chopped

1/4 teaspoonful ground pepper

3 cloves of garlic

1 large onion

4 large tomatoes, chopped

2 tablespoonful palm oil

4 scotch bonnet, paste

Salt to taste

2 large green pepper, chopped

Method

4 carrots, chopped

1.

Peel the plantain into a saucepan

All purpose seasoning

2.

Add water and salt to it and boil

Method

3.

After 20 minutes, remove it from the fire and drain the water

Cook macaroni per the directions on the package.

4.

Grind pepper, onion and salt

Saute onion, garlic, and ginger in wok for 2 minutes

5.

Add boiled ripe plantain and mix together

Add chopped, water, seasoning and cover to cook for 5- 9 minutes

6.

Add groundnut paste and mix

7.

Put palm oil on fire, add chopped onions

8.

When the oil with the onion is well cooked, pur it onto the mashed plantain and mix altogether using a wooden spoon.

9.

Serve with eggs or avocado

Season with salt and pepper.

Add minced beef and chopped vegetables Cover and simmer for 3 minutes.

Add macaroni, heat through and serve

BREAD PUDDING WITH WARM BOURBON SAUCE INGREDIENTS: Pudding: 1/2 C raisins 3 T bourbon 6 large eggs 1 1/2 C light brown sugar, firmly packed 3 C heavy cream 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp cinnamon 1 lb day-old crusty French bread, broken into 1-inch cubes 6 oz butter, melted Sauce: 3 T butter 1/4 C light brown sugar 1 C heavy cream 1/4 C Steen’s cane syrup 3 T bourbon DIRECTIONS: Pudding: Warm raisins and bourbon in a saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes; remove from heat and reserve at room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Whisk in cream, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Place bread cubes into egg and cream mixture. Press lightly. Stir gently, cover and let stand in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350° (176°C) and grease a 13”x9” baking dish. Remove from refrigerator; add raisin

How to prepare squid curry at home INGREDIENTS Squid, chopped Ginger, puree Garlic, puree Onion, puree Lemon zest Coconut milk Curry powder Scotch bonnet Black pepper

bourbon mixture and half of butter, stirring gently.

Place in greased baking dish, and bake 35-45 minutes until set. Test by inserting a knife into the center; pudding is done when the knife comes out clean.

Brush top with remaining butter. Serve warm with warm sauce.

METHOD Heat oil in a wok over medium heat and add onions.

Stir in ginger and garlic and allow to cook for 2 minutes.

Add squid and season with salt.

Sauce Melt butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in sugar until incorporated, then add cream and cook 3-5 minutes until thickened. Blend in cane syrup and bourbon.

Add lemon zest and stir.

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 35-45 minutes

Leave to simmer for some minutes and serve with boiled rice or yam.

Add curry powder and coconut milk.

Allow to cook for 2 minutes and add your black pepper and scotch bonnet.

The Ghanaian News January 2020 57

CLASSIFIED Classic Videos/Photos

Cynthia High Tech Videos

Nyarkoh Plumbing

* Weddings *Birthdays *Christenings *Portraits

For All Your Plumbing Needs Call Robert Nyarkoh 416-731-1679

New Home & Renovation All Repairs * Plugged Toilet * Plugged Drains

Call Albert Aikins

Isaac Best Photos Inc. Specialize In Weddings: * Christenings * Outdoorings * Parties * Funerals * Private pictures

Tel: 416-244-3465 Cell: 416-278-9674 15 Lexington Ave, Unit 4, Etobicoke, Ont. M9V 2G4

Quality Video Productions * Weddings * Special Occasions * Christenings * Sporting Events * Birthdays * Anniversaries * Anniversaries * Seminars * And Much More

Cell: 647-898-1892

Tel: 647-914-7239

Action Navigator Video Productions

Call Us

SPECIAL EVENT VIDEO COVERAGE FOR ALL OCCASIONS QUALITY D.V VIDEO COVERAGE BIRTHDAYS, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, OUTDOORINGS, ANNIVERSARIES PARTIES ETC.

First

ONE STEP AHEAD IN QUALITY TWO STEPS BEHIND IN PRICE

The

CALL : ACTION NAVIGATOR

Ghanaian

(JOE) 416-616-6070

3 Knightbridge, Brampton, Ont., L6T 3X3

News

Barber Wanted and Chair for Rent

416-916-3700

Nana Ebrey Video Production & Barber Shop Super Quality Videos Specializing in: Video coverage: Weddings, Outdooring, General Events, Birthday parties, Broadcasting Videos,

Nana's Barber Shop

Hair Stylist and Braider wanted for commission Contact: 647-628-4288 or visit us @1844 Jane Street

MAGS MECHANICAL Plumbing & Heating

Super Hair Cuts & Designs

Call Nana Ebrey 416-825-3413

10 Garfella Dr., Etobicoke, (Martin Grove/Albion)

The D.J.’s 911 Soundz

Specializing: Service

Preventative Maintenance Boilers

Furnace Plumbing Sump Pumps DHW Re'circ Pumps Cold Water Booster Pumps Cleaning of DHW Storage Tanks Garage exhaust fans garage heaters Kitchen/bathroom Exhaust, Etc.

Good Rate, Excellent Service Call Magnus Manso

Tel: 905-796-6575

Contact Us Today For Your Appointment

“We Are The Best Among The Rest In Toronto” We cover All occasions and gatherings.

We offer the best rate in GTA

Licence Boiler/FurnaceTechnician 1

Cell: 416-712-1052

6699 Falconer Drive #41 Mississauga, Ont., L5N 2E3 P.O. Box 323, Station 'A' Etobicoke, Ont. M9C 4V3

DJ Emmanuel Osei-Tutu

416-450-6156

DJ (Fine Bee) Charles Addo 905-550-9004

DJ Joseph Osei-Tutu

647-887-5858

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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.

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News January 2020 59

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

www.220v.com

For your Reliable Export Services - Shipping Services to Ghana, Nigeria, Clearing & Delivery Services in Ghana

We Carry Brand Name 220/50Hz Export Model

BIG GENERATOR SALE Household Products Kitchen Appliances Generator Unlocked GSM Cellphones Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Siemens

* 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

LCD/LED/Plasma TVs

BIG Generator Sale Freezer

1111 Finch Ave. W., Unit 31, North York

Tel: 416-646-0495

Hi-Tech Shipping

Gas & Electric Stoves

FREEZERS, REFRIGERATORS, WASHERS, DRYERS, AIR CONDITIONERS, VACUUM CLEANERS, TRANSFORMERS

BLACK STAR FAST SHIPPING INC. Freight Forwarding

WE BAIL USED CLOTHINGS

Linda

Tel: 647-231-4504 or 416-988-1842

63 Huxley Rd. Unit 61 (Wilson/Clayson) Toronto, ON, M9M 3B4

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

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.

5707 Steeles Ave. West,Toronto, Ont. M9L 1S7

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.

Freight Forwarders & Consolidators 230 Milvan Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M9L 2A5

South East Corner of Steeles and Fenmar / Pine Valley

Tawiah

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

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

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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 587-336-1223

Ottawa Methodist

Sunday: Bible Class Meeting:

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

Church Service:

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday Brampton Prayer Meeting

8:00 p.m.

Redemption Methodist Church

BETHANY METHODIST CHURCH-BRAMPTON

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

PLACE OF WORSHIP1A KNIGHTSBRIGE ROAD (Senior’s Lounge)

Location: 955 Wilson Ave., Unit 12, North York, ON

613-823-2291

Vancouver Methodist 416-833-1615

In Montreal at:

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

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

Very Reverend Albert K. Appiah,

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

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

Disciples Revival Church

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

416-614-7771

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

Email:

info@disciplesrevivalchurch.org www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org

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

Wed: Bible Study & Prayer: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Friday: Youth Service 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Friday: Adult Intercessory Prayer - 7:00 - 9:00 pm For deliverance & healing, come to Disciples, a Church that caters to your needs Do visit our website and sign up for the Pastor's monthly newsletter

www.disciplesrevivalchurch.org

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

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

FOOD FOR LIFE

The Ghanaian News January 2020 61

Bringing the Gospel to our Community by Rev. Isaac DeGraft Takyi Reachingthe Community with the Love and Gospel of Christ in 2020 and Beyond But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 8

This is what I hear from Jesus the builder of the church: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

A major new EFC (Evangelical Fellowship of Canada) survey suggests half of Canadians are either agnostic, atheist or unreligious, and only a tenth attend religious services weekly.

Could Christianity disappear from Canada?What is the importance of the church in Canada? Is the church relevant at all in Canada? And how will the church respond?

John Stackhouse, professor of religious studies at Crandall University, as part of his response to the above questions alluded that, “We may pray for largescale revival, but no signs are apparent.

Immigration still brings many believers to Canada; yes, but second and third generations may well deviate to the norm and drift away. Here and there are growing churches, but most of this increase comes from believers trading up to what they perceive to be more vital congregations. Few congregations are making a dent in the vast numbers of uninterested and unaffiliated Canadians.

There are other lands where it has mostly vanished – consider North Africa and the Middle East under the pressure of Islamic regimes, or many former communist countries”.

In the light of the questions and the picture painted about Christianity in Canada, it encourages and motivates me to call the body of Christ to ARISE and live the way Christ wants her to live and do what Christ has commanded and empowered her to do. That is to REACH the LOST for Christ. This year we will

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

Mark 16:15-20 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20:21-23 21

From the Scriptures above one can deduce that Jesus’s job, task, assignment and role given tobelievers include: • To go into the world as witnesses for Christ to all nations

15

explore the theme: REACH - what it means, when it should be done, who should do it, how we should do it, why we should do it , when we should do it and the benefits involved.

What is the primary role and task of Christians? I believe that as a Pastor, and therefore, as a believer, we must know that we are not here to build a church.

Take it easy don’t be mad at me yet. If we are not supposed to build a church or the church, then who is? According to Matthew 16:18, it is clearly stated that Jesus is the one who is supposed to build the church “And I tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hadeswill not overcome it.” (NIV) So therefore, if it is not our job to build a church or the church, then, what is our job as Pastors and Christians? What is our role? What is our kingdom task?

What is our job description as God’s Kingdom childrenc?

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

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

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

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

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

Motto: Winning the Lost and Training the Found Everywhere.

To register please contact

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

416 741-6285

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:46-49 NIV 46

• To preach and teach the truth of the Gospel of Christ to all peoples • To win everybody we can to the Saviour Christ Jesus • To make living disciples of as many that will believe • To teach people to obey the Lord Jesus Christ • To go with the good news of Christ’s forgiveness • To see the sick healed, devils cast out, and people transformed for Christ.

Our objectives, therefore, is to care and obey the great commandments and the great commission of Christ which include soul winning, baptizing converts, preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel with signs, wonders and miracles following.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 NIV 3

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

Thinking legally about the new voters’ register

cont’d from pg. 47

education to the electorate, c) to train election officers across the country, d) engage political parties on election modalities e), liaise with international election observers and d) when the Political Parties are very busy touring all parts of the country campaigning, the drafters of article 45a also in their wisdom intended that the period for the EC to revise the voters register should be within the year of election …As May Be Determined By Law In fact, a textual reading of article 45a in its entirety reveals that any revision of the register is a matter of law to be determined

But even Parliament which has oversight responsibility over the Electoral Commission can not determine the words: revise the register at such periods as may be determined by law in a capricious or arbitrary manner knowing that we are in an election year

What then is the Solution Solicitously speaking article 23 of the Constitution offers harmony and coherence between the conduct of the Electoral Commission and how to revise the new voters register.

It reads “Administrative bodies and administrative officials shall act fairly and reasonably and comply with the requirements imposed on them by law…”.

Thus, in the case of the Electoral Commission, acting as an administrative body on behalf of the

state, the requirement imposed upon it by law within the language is Article 45a as far as the voter register is concerned,

The duty to act fairly and reasonably imposed on the EC in article 23 to revise the voters register include the duty to disclose, involve, and solicit the views and opinions of all political parties and stakeholders and submit a copy of the IT Consultants’ report to the committee of parliament for their response

Respectfully the interest of the major stakeholders can not and must not be underrated in a free and democratic Ghana. The Election Commission therefore must build trust and confidence amongst all stakeholders in our polity

This is what Article 3 of the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (A/SP1/12/01) Ecowas Treaty was referring to when it stated in its Article 3 as follows

“The bodies responsible for organizing the elections shall be independent or neutral and shall have the confidence of all the political actors …”

Truly, if any nation can exercise the confidence of all its political actors through the framework of fairness and fair play with all stakeholders to avert any calamity, it is Ghana and the EC must get this right.

At least we owe it to Ghana, in the exercise of the sovereign will of the people under Article 1 of the 1992 Constitution, to give peace an honest try.

Ghana Calvary Methodist United Church, Toronto Tel: 416-614-6110 647-341-7305 Email: gcmuc.org

Invites all Christians to join us to worship and glorify the Living God

Church Activities Sunday: Church Service - Akan: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm English Service: 10 a.m. - 12 noon

Minister in charge Pastor Eric Nyarko

Monday: Online Prayers - 7 pm - 8 pm 647-797-3341 / 1-855-643-8375 Wednesday: Online Bible Study - 7 pm - 8:30 pm Friday: Bible Teachings / Prayer Meeting: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Last Friday of every month: Half night service 8 pm - 12 midnight Saturday - Organizational Meetings Choir Practice, Singing Band Practice 6 pm - 9 pm

Venue of Worship 65 Mayall Avenue, Toronto, ON Tel: 416-614-6110 Email: gcmuc.org

The Ghanaian News January 2020 63

EVANGEL

ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH

314 Rexdale Blvd. Etobicoke, Ont. M9W 1R6 Tel: 416-242-7950 Fax: 416-242-8573 Church Activities

Pastor in Charge

Rev. Milton Offei

Sunday School: Church Service: Sunday Evening: Wednesday Bible Studies: Friday Prayer Meeting:

10a.m. -11:00a.m.

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

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

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

7p.m. - 9:00p.m.

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

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

Good Shepherd Prayer Ministry Invites you all to come worship with us Venue: 95 Eddystone Ave unit 4 North York, ON Time of worship: Sunday:10am - 1pm Wednesday bible studies 7pm - 9pm Friday Prayer / Deliverance 7pm - 9pm

Bethel Prayer Ministry Int'l

Do you desire to experience the power and the presence of God demonstrated in your life?

Do you want to experience the marvelous work of God's grace in your life?

Then, Bethel Prayer Ministry International would like to invite you to visit their church where the word of God is preached powerfully to release the power of God in your life.

Pastor Dennis Awuku COME AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED Senior Pastor

Contact:

Cell. 416-400-8211 Church 416-642-0390 Worship Hours: Sunday Service: 9am - 1pm Tuesday 9am - 2 pm Consultation Wednesday: 7pm - 9p.m.

Friday: 9pm - 12 pm Saturday (Prayer Warriors) 6pm - 8pm Location: 52 Carrier Drive, Unit 12, (Albion/Hwy 27)

Etobicoke, Ont., M9w 5S5

Harvest Christian Church Invites you for a wonderful time with the Lord

Worship Hours Pastor Joseph Nash Sarfo Founder & Pastor-in-charge

The thief cometh not , but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.11.l am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Amen.

John 10 :10-11

Tel: 416 667-9763 cell 647 500-4415 / 647 718-4819 / 416 300-4258 Email:pastorjsarfo@gmail.com I encourage you to join us in worship regardless of your situation the power of God is available to make you whole

Sundays (Mornings) 10 - 12:45pm Wednesday (Bible Study) 7 -8:30 pm Friday (All Night Prayer) 8-10:30pm Rev Moses Sarpong

Come and Experience the power of the Word Join us at 196 Toryork Drive(Corner of Weston/Finch)

Tel: 416-743-2507

It’s Harvest Time So Reach Out And Make A Difference

It’s A Great Commission!

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

The Apostolic Church Int'l.

The Apostolic Church International (Toronto Assembly) is a Branch of The Apostolic Church in Ghana Apostle Nii Aryee (Area Supt. Canada-Wide)

Meeting Schedule Sunday (Worship) Wednesday Teaching Service Friday Prayers Friday: Monthly All Night Service Saturday : Movements -

- - - -

10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

THE APOSTLES'

Field Superintendent contact: 416-454-6141 (cell) 905-913-2037 (Res)

CONTINUATION CHURCH INTERNATIONAL (CANADA)

168 Rexdale Blvd.,

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

Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 1P6 Church Office 416-740-1979 Field Secretary: Pastor Cyril Williams - 416-875-9616

Lighthouse Assembly of God Church OUR THEME FOR YEAR 2020:

“PRAYER AND THE WORD” Acts 6:4 SUNDAY SERVICES: 10:00 am-1:30 pm Ghanaian Service WEEKDAY SERVICES: Wednesday - Bible Studies Friday - Prayer Service LOCATION:

42 Steinway Blvd. Unit 1&2

(Hwy 27/Steeles) Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6Y6

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

Email: lighthouseag@outlook.com Website: http:/www/lighthouseag.ca www.lighthouseagtoronto.org

Rhema Power of Grace Chapel Int'l

SERVICE TIMES:

Worship Service Bible Studies Service All Night Service Deliverance

Toronto

Rev. Bishop Joe Bonnah

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

Founder &Pastor-in-charge

-

8p.m. - 10p.m.

10p.m. - 1a.m.

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

378 Cremazie East Montreal, Quebec, H2P 1E5

Scarborough Assembly

63 Howden Rd., Unit 'F' Scarborough, ON, M1R 3C7 Tel 647-850- 0142 Fax 416-945- 9445

Tel: 514-271-9083

Pastor-In-Charge: John Arhin

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

Immanuel Assembly of God Church, Scarborough

Place of Worship:

Days And Time of Worship

Montreal Assembly

10 Belfield Road Tel: 416-247-6629

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

350 Deerhide Cres, North York, ON

- Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday 9:00 p.m.

- Friday 9:30 p.m.

- Saturday 4:00 p.m.

Worship With Us At These Branches In Canada

Pastor-in-charge: Rev. Boniface Keelson

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 7:00 pm -9:00 pm

Website: www.apostlescontinuation.org

Apostle Charles Anokye-Manu

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.

The Ghanaian News January 2020 65

Mfantseman Cultural Association of Toronto celebrates 20th milestone cont’d from pg. 34

Welcome Home

Evangelistic Ministries

Affiliated with the Evangelical Church In Canada

Gen. Overseer & Founder: Evang. & Prophetess Winnie Manu BRE, M. Div.

New address:

Heart Lake United Church 85 Sandalwood Pkwy E. Brampton, ON Sunday Morning Worship Celebration Start from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday Discipleship class is 7pm Friday Prayer meeting is 7pm Contact Info: Tel: 647 210 7057 Fax: 905 495 4789

Website: www.wheministries.org

Rev. George Agyei Kwabi

Email: whemtoday@gmail.com

membership of the association has grown tremendously and now stands at 115 members The President remarked proudly that their commitment to the community resulted in some public recognitions for the association, notable among them were awards from the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) and City of Toronto (Councilor Prerruzza).

She pointed out that the association has supported many good causes back home in Ghana and over here in Canada. Also, she declared the association’s full support to the Heritage and Resource Center to give hope to the youth seniors. She lastly thanked sponsors and other associations for making the anniversary a success.

The Ubuntu Cultural Group of Toronto (composed of mainly school children with African background) entertained the audience to classic cultural display.

Also, the Seraphic Voices of Toronto led by Uncle Sam (prolific organist) wowed the attendees with their sweet melodic songs and some Christmas carols.

The Guest of Honour was Consul General Thomas Seshie. He used the occasion to emphasize the fact that all Ghanaians identify themselves with Ghana and lauded the association for getting the anniversary cloth from Ghana thus creating jobs which was very good. He congratulated the leadership of Mfantseman Cultural Association for leading this association for twenty good years. He added that the melodic songs of the Seraphic Voices demonstrated that heaven would be a wonderful place. “The young ones should be trained to replace grown-ups in the community”, referring to what he saw in the skills of the cultural dancers. He ended that we could make our country Ghana great

wherever we are, if we are determined.

Special congratulatory message was sent to the association by Hon. Judy Sgro, the Member of Parliament (Federal) for the Humber River-Black Creek riding in Toronto.

Hon Justice Kofi Barnes of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice who was the chairman for the event wished all a Merry Christmas and asked the audience to give themselves applause and afterwards gave way for the presentation of awards to 8 deserving recipients. Some were the founding members of the association and active youth members including some past presidents and serving executives of the associations. Some of the youth of the association who participated in last summer GCAO organized Modern Batik Couture workshop (sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council) in Toronto were also recognized at the event.

A raffle draw was held to raise funds in aid of the proposed Ghanaian Canadian Heritage Center to be built in Toronto under the auspices of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO).

Many prizes including microwave, ladies handbags, kitchen wares and other items were won with Juliana Robertson winning the grand prize of 60 inches-RCA TV Sumptuous dinner was served and as usual the members danced as flags of Ghana and Canada were displayed. The anniversary cloth made the atmosphere very colourful indeed. The MCs were Kwesi Eduful alias Shatta, Uncle Ken Sam and Bella Stephen.

The association held its 20th Anniversary Thanksgiving Church Service at the Ghanaian Anglican Church in Toronto on Sunday, January 5, 2020. To God be the glory.

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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

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cont’d from pg. 28

“The intrusion definitely looks like espionage,” said Williams, noting that the active directory component - where all users’ permissions are managed - from three different domains were compromised: those of United Nations offices in Geneva and Vienna and of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“This, coupled with the relatively small number of infected machines, is highly suggestive of espionage,” he said after viewing the report. “The attackers have a goal in mind and are deploying malware to machines that they believe serve some purpose for them.”

Any number of intelligence agencies from around the globe are likely interested in infiltrating the U.N., Williams said.

The hack was not severe at the U.N. human rights office, said its spokesman, Rupert Colville.

“We face daily attempts to get into our computer systems ,” Colville said. “ This time, they managed, but it did not get very far. Nothing confidential was compromised.”

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the attack “resulted in a compromise of core infrastructure components” and was “determined to be serious.” The earliest detected activity related to the intrusion occurred in July and it was detected in August, he said in response to emailed questions.

He said the world body does not have enough information to determine the author but added“the methods and tools used in the attack indicate a high level of resource, capability and determination.

“The damage related to this specific attack has been contained, and additional mitigation measures implemented,” Dujarric wrote. “Nevertheless the threat of future attacks continues, and the United Nations Secretariat detects and responds to multiple attacks of various level of sophistication on a daily basis.”

Peter Micek, general counsel of the digital civil liberties non-profit AccessNow, said U.N. leadership made a “terrible decision” from an information-security standpoint by denying staff information about the breach.

Apostle Osei Bonsu

Pastor Appiah Jacob

Leaked report shows United Nations suffered hack

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

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10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Contact Information Adu Kwasi 647-745-8074 Brother Acheampong 416-671-4268 Sam - Ghana House 647-867-2020 Brother Agyenim 647-656-9905 Brother Ato 416-728-8574 Brother Asamoah 647-867-0945

All Are Invited

“It’s best practice to alert people, let them know what they should look out for (including phishing attacks and social engineering) and inform them of what steps are being taken on their behalf,” he said.

Otherwise, you are compounding the threat, and a missed opportunity for a teaching moment becomes an example of “intransigence and obfuscation, which is unfortunate,” said Micek, who works with U.N. human rights workers to shore up their cyber-defences.

The internal document from the U.N. Office of Information and Technology said 42 servers were “compromised” and another 25 were deemed “suspicious,” nearly all at the sprawling Geneva and Vienna offices. Three of the “compromised” servers belonged to Human Rights agency, which is located across town from the main U.N. office in Geneva, and two were used by the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe.

The report says a flaw in Microsoft’s SharePoint software was exploited by the hackers to infiltrate the networks but that the type of malware used was not known, nor had technicians identified the command and control servers on the internet used to exfiltrate information. Nor was it known what mechanism was used by the hackers to maintain their presence on the infiltrated networks.

Security researcher Matt Suiche, the Dubai-based founder of the cybersecurity firm Comae Technologies, reviewed the report and said it appeared entry was gained through an anticorruption tracker at the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime.

The report mentions a range of IP addresses in Romania that may have been used to stage the infiltration, and Williams said one is reported to have some neighbours with a history of hosting malware.

Technicians at the United Nations office in Geneva, the world body’s European hub, on at least two occasions worked through weekends in recent months to isolate the local U.N. data centre from the i nternet, re-write passwords and ensure the systems were clean.

Twenty machines had to be rebuilt, the report says.

The hack comes amid rising concerns about cyber espionage.

Last week, U.N. human rights experts asked the U.S. government to investigate a suspected Saudi hack that may have siphoned data from the personal smartphone of Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and owner of The Washington Post, in 2018. On Tuesday, the online civil rights sleuths at Citizen Lab published a report on the attempted hack of the T he New York Times’s bureau chief in Beirut, Ben Hubbard, about the same time by a Saudi-linked group.

The United Nations, and its human rights office, is particularly sensitive, and could be a tempting target. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, and her predecessors have called out, denounced and criticized alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and less severe rights violations and abuses in places as diverse as Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Dozens of independent human rights experts who work with the U.N. human rights office have greater leeway - and fewer political and financial ties to the governments that fund the United Nations and make up its membership - to denounce alleged rights abuses.

Richards expressed concern about the safety of U.N. networks .

“There’s a lot of our data that could have been hacked, and we don’t know what that data could be,” said Richards of the U.N. Staff Council. Potentially affected, for example, are staff in the office of the special envoy for Syria carrying out sensitive investigations and human rights staffers interviewing witnesses.

“How much should U.N. staff trust the information infrastructure the U.N. is providing them?” Richards asked. “Or should they start putting their information elsewhere?”

Bajak, an AP technology writer, reported from Boston.

70 years of GJA presence, the contribution of journalism and the way forward

By Wisdom Eli Kojo Hammond

70 years of GJA Presence, the contribution of journalism and the way forward cannot be overlooked.

70 years of the GJA presence in Ghana is worth celebrating and should be time to strategically plan for Ghana’s Media Landscape.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 said “The pen is mightier than the sword” his simple but deep meaning-centered metonymic adage as an English author is real, forward-looking and the bare facts today and into the future as far as the role and power of the 21st journalist is concerned.

This is what the GJA and the Ghana Institute of Journalism have become important linchpin in the history of Ghana, in communicating, informing, and making bare facts and realities home and abroad known using the pen.

The function news plays in the lives of people is immense. News is an important source of information on happenings, events, sports, business home and abroad and it empowers the receivers with the needed piece of information that empowers them.

Its role is not measurable and so efforts to keep the relevant and meaningful news always on the table means the journalist is at the center as the agent.

Importance of Journalists over the past 70 years of GJA presence Journalists use the news and information at their disposal to serve as independent monitors of power.

The public will be a drop in the ocean without journalist hence through the news shared by media houses and journalist, the society becomes a public forum for criticism and comments on happenings shared with them. Vivid examples have to do with the CSE saga and the 1D1F initiative and the coverage of the 2016 General elections in Ghana.

Today, the pen is a symbol of power in the hands of the journalist. It has also metamorphosed as well into any tool or instrument or medium in the 21st century that a journalist can use to reach his audience. It helps keep the government and policymakers on their toes to do the right thing the first time and keep repeating it ever after.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton by his adage meant that communication be it written, audio, visuals, and movies just a few to mention by journalists and pressmen is a more effective tool than the use of violence.

Through the pen, the voice of the voiceless is heard, opinions of society are made known to government and policymakers and the journalist bridges the gap between these two as an informant, carrier of messages for informing, educating and entertaining the general public.

Today, simple to complex stories in the dailies, online news portals and in the form of videos, tape, and pictures continue to vindicate, shame and share bare facts with

Ghanaians.

Press Freedom and GJA’s 70 years Celebration This has been achieved due to the level of press freedom in Ghana.

As the GJA marks 70 years of its existence, the honour lies with all journalist and conveyers of news in the diversity of today’s media thus print, online news portals, TV and radio stations and newspapers to continue to receive the needed government support and enjoy the all-important press freedom to its fullest needed to give journalist the space to professionally deliver without fear of attacks, intimidation, death threats and the like by the powers that be.

Ghana’s democracy, the need to keep the public informed, the important role of the journalist and media houses to be respected and honoured as they continue to deliver this all-important service as the eye of the citizenry.

This also calls for mutual respect between the stakeholders such as the public, and government without frustrating the work of journalist which will help enhance the work they do.

It also calls for a professional approach to quality professional journalism and efforts by the government to ensure, it does not act in ways that suggest, it is preventing some media houses from doing their work.

This calls for the government and the National Media Commission of Ghana to quickly resolve issues regarding the closing down of some radio stations including Radio Gold and Radio XYZ which are seen as pro-NDC. It is also a call on journalists to be objective, and do fact-based reports devoid of personal sentiments as often as possible.

While there is the need to encourage and make sure the right thing is done by media houses in obeying laws that govern their operations, we as a nation must also weight the implications of such actions and the benefits of these stations to the political landscape of reportage.

70 years of the GJA presence in Ghana and the Challenge for Journalists 70 years of the GJA presence in Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Journalism should further challenge today’s budding young journalist and writers to push themselves and venture into the areas of specialization in Business related publications, reporting on Climate Change, Human Rights, Artificial Intelligences, Information technology, Applied Science and Agriculture and the like if they want to become authorities in such fields. Some of these are currently receiving little to no reportage in Ghana such as Climate Change, Human Rights, and Artificial Intelligences.

This will give Ghanaians journalists a competitive edge and position them at the top to rock shoulders with the best across the globe making them global icons such as Ghana’s Late Komla Dumor.

This way, we can push journalism and media reporting a step further that will not only improve the services of media houses and journalists across the country but also shape the focus of journalism and add to the everyday stories of politics and education in Ghana.

The interest of journalists in the fields of Business-related publications, reporting on Climate Change, Human Rights, Artificial Intelligences, will also create new and interesting categories of news that will be of interest to the Ghanaian public Conclusion 70 years of the GJA presence is just the beginning of the journey, students of journalism, professional journalist, government and Ghana Institute of Journalism, National Media Commission and all other stakeholders must evolve a 20 year strategic plan for the journalism profession and get a road map in place to make Ghanaians journalist locally relevant internationally thus Locally Relevant Globally. 70 years of the GJA presence in Ghana, let us celebrate and take strategic decisions to make journalism relevant 70 years from today.

The Ghanaian News January 2020 67

10th Anniversary Grand Durbar of Nene Kwesi Detse 1 cont’d from pg. 40

the durbar, he took the opportunity to thank all for coming to help him celebrate the 10th milestone. “I am touched and really honored and grateful for the positive and powerful affirmations you have shown to me and for your congratulations. I am inspired by the fact that we are doing a great work”, he added. He continued that he was just part of a great team as it was impossible to do the work alone as there are so many obstacles to be overcome. “Our motherland is beautiful as such I invite each and everyone in the room to visit Africa at least once in your lifetime”, he appealed to Ghanaians abroad.

Nene then called on all those in the room who have contributed towards the various projects to stand up and they were all applauded.

He remarked that the borehole in Bolgatanga has impacted the lives of people in the area beyond description. The waterborne diseases have been wiped out due to the clean water now available. He point out that the urgency of the crisis is deep and therefore invited all at the durbar to support the initiatives in whatever capacity they could-be it volunteering their time or expertise. “It is the active engagement and tenacity of our people that makes change. It is our commitment and obligation to each other that sustains it”, he emphasized.

Nene moved on to give an overview of the projects he is undertaking through his foundation and the award recipients (Love Africa Project, Zero Gun Violence Movement (ZGVM), A Different Booklist Cultural Centre: The People’s Residence, Bureau of African Diaspora Affairs (BADA).

After Nene’s speech, St. John the Beloved Spiritual Baptist Church gave a special tribute to Nene and presented to him a special gift through his linguist. It was followed with the introduction of Nene’s immediate family.

The millet ritual was then performed as millet in calabash was passed round to be sprinkled on the attendees at the durbar.

Appeal for donation to support Aya Afrika Foundation was launched after which Nene Kwesi Detse 1 flanked by his elders cut his anniversary cake. Food and drinks were served as the people took turns to greet and congratulate Nene Kwesi Detse1 on his milestone. A Community Statement of Solidarity with the people of Halifax was signed by almost all the people at the durbar. The MCs for the function were Ms. Thandiwe Chimurenga and Sherwin Modest.

Steven Guilbeault: Feds Have ‘No Intention’ Of Licensing News Outlets He says “some people were confused” by his recent remarks on the issue.

OTTAWA — The minister responsible for overhauling Canada’s broadcasting and telecommunications sectors tried to reassure Canadians Monday that the federal government is not preparing to license news outlets.

“Let me be clear. Our government has no intention to impose licensing requirements on news organizations nor will we try to regulate news content,” Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault told reporters at a news conference he called Monday morning. In an interview aired over the weekend, Guilbeault had said the government would ask media outlets to be licensed.

“We are committed to a free and independent press, which is essential to our democracy,” the minister said Monday.

“Our focus will be and always has been to ensure that Canadians have access to a diversity of high-quality and credible news sources.”

His weekend remarks sparked a social-media firestorm, fanned by the Opposition Conservatives, over the prospect of the government using licensing requirements to censor news.

Guilbeault said he was not referring to news organizations when he spoke about media outlets, but rather about organizations that produce and distribute cultural content.

And he suggested that those questioning his comments might have misunderstood.

“Clearly some people were confused,” said the minister.

“I could see that some people were confused about this particular recommendation in the report so I felt it was important to clarify it.”

The CTV interview, aired on Sunday, was on a wide-ranging report released last week, which included 97 recommendations aimed at modernizing Canada’s antiquated broadcast and telecom laws.

The report, called “Canada’s Communications Future: Time To Act,” was compiled by a panel of independent broadcast experts and included a recommendation that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) or another regulatory body control licensing of all companies creating “audio, audiovisual, and alphanumeric news content.”

During part of the interview, Guilbeault was attempting to differentiate among media outlets and how they would be licensed based on their size when he said, “We would ask that they have a

licence, yes.”

The comments were quickly scrutinized, with some commentators warning that licensing media outlets would amount to a dangerous attack on the freedom of the press.

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner was among the critics who latched onto the minister’s comments, questioning Guilbeault’s motives.

In response to his effort at clarification, Rempel Garner said Guilbeault did not walk back his comments far enough, suggesting there is still uncertainty over the Liberal government’s plans to revise Canada’s broadcasting and telecommunications laws.

“I think the government has to be very clear about one thing: the role of the state is not to interfere in people’s right to free speech or the freedom of the press,” she said.

“What I am concerned about in what I heard was that there was ambiguity in terms of that particular concept.”

The CRTC currently issues licenses to TV and radio broadcasting outlets but does not regulate content on digital outlets such as Google and Facebook, on websites or in print.

The Canadian Press

68

The Ghanaian News January 2020

Around the World Sports Scene

with Jonathan Baah Annobil

2020 GUSA Games: Benjamin Azamati, Kate Agyeman win ‘Fight in America’: Teenage Ghanaian boxing gold in 100 m race sensation documentary to premeire Benjamin Azamati of the had done on the tracks.

University of Ghana and Kate Agyeman are the 100 metre champions in the ongoing 2020 GUSA Games.

Azamati retained his title as he won Wednesday’s final.

The 21-year-old recorded a time of 10.61 seconds to beat his teammate in the Ghana Athletics team, Edwin Gadayi of the University Of Cape Coast (UCC) who had a time of 10.64 seconds.

Completing the podium was Fuseini Ibrahim of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) who finished with 10.67 seconds.

He made it to the finals after beating Edwin Gadayi in the heat 2 to qualify for the finals. He recorded a time of 10.55 seconds.

Benjamin Azamati could not better his time from last year’s GUSA Games where he beat his opponents with a time of 10.60 seconds in Cape Coast.

Speaking after the race, the champion said he was very happy with what he

“I feel so good. Looking at fact that I had to deal with the crowd and my competitors, I feel good for winning the race. I feel very happy.”

USA based Ghanaian born boxing sensation Joseph Awinongya’s second career documentary shoot - Fight in America, The Movement 2020 in the United States of America in March would be outdoored He added that he was focused in Accra on the 23rd of on breaking the GUSA January 2020 at 3pm in Accra. record and was disappointed he could not do that. Joseph “jojo” Awinongya is a teenage boxing star at age “Well, my coach and I have 12 and has travelled around been looking at breaking the the United States competing GUSA record so that was what in many tournaments. Jojo was running through my mind. picked up boxing at the age of 5 and has been watching I am not excited about his dad Joseph Awinongya Sr. box since he was 2 years. the time. I thought it was around 10.2 seconds but I Jojo is a two time USA boxing am content with the win.” junior Olympics National champion, a two time Silver The African Games gold gloves National champion and medalist says he is fired for a USA National Champion Thursday’s 200 metre race. at this point in his carrier.

In the female division of the 100 metres, Kate Agyeman of the University of Development Studies (UDS) beating top runners from UCC, Ali Latifa and Janet Mensah.

Kate the race with a time of 11.86 seconds to clinch gold for herself and her school in the ongoing GUSA Games. citinewsroom.com

Abrefa wins Westchester Table Tennis Open Ghana’s top table tennis seed, Derek Abrefa, has won the 2020 Westchester Table Tennis Open held in New York, United States of America (USA).

The tournament which is in the 2500 rating category is one of the biggest table tennis events in the USA and attracts top table tennis players across the globe.

In an interview with GNA Sports from his New York base, Abrefa was delighted with victory despite the challenges he went through and believes the tournament would keep him in good shape for future tournaments.

“I thank God for my victory at the Westchester Table Tennis Open last weekend. It was very tough for me especially during the start of the tournament because the style of play and level of play was so different and I am happy I finally made my way through to win the ultimate prize’.

“I want to thank Stanbic Bank Moneywallet for sponsoring my trip and also

Ghana’s top table tennis seed, Derek Abrefa

the Ghana Immigration Service, Westchester Table Tennis Center and Ghana Table tennis Association for supporting me,’’ he said.

Abrefa who received cash prizes and a trophy after his triumph in the 2500 rating category also participated in the Open Event where he placed 8th, having lost to Jian Li from China in the quarter-finals.

Abrefa remains hopeful that, training tour would improve his skills and also prepare him for the 2023 African Games to be hosted in Ghana.

Abrefa would represent Ghana at this year’s World Table Tennis Championship to be staged in South Korea come March. ghananewsagency.org

The young budding ring prospect boasts of a 7- time

National championship titles, Eastern qualifier National championship feats and has won many National championship belts.

Jojo received his National Championship belt at the most recent junior Olympics and has since began serious training.

Jojo has been ably supported by his father and mother since his ring journey with Hawk Chevrolet of Joliet –an active company supporting him as well.

Jojo’s plans have been well tailored for this year with his major checklist on the USA Nationals which will be taking place later this year.

The dream of the teenage pugilist is to win the Olympics and subsequently become a professional that everybody knows about.

Joseph Awinongya, USA based Ghanaian born boxing sensation

The documentary, which will be premiered in the States later in March this year, will see some selected journalists covering the event.

Dennis Kweku Moore

Salaries for national team coaches revealed: Akonnor to receive $35,000 Assistant

The government of Ghana has approved the salaries for the following men national team coaches, Footballghana. com can confirm.

CK Akonnor has been named as the new head coach of the Black Stars for the next two years and will be deputized by David Duncan.

-

$10,000

Black Stars B (Local Black Stars) Head Coach - $15,000 Assistant

-

$5,000

Meteors Head oach - $5,000 Black Stars head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor

Following the dissolution of the technical teams for the national teams, Mercy TagoeQuarcoo, Sam Boadu and Yusif Basigi have been handed the Black Queens, Male U-15 and Black Princesses coaches.

The others are Yaw Preko who will take charge of the Black Satellites whiles Evans Adotey has been named as the head coach of the Black Maidens.

Former Black Meteors coach, Ibrahim Tanko now heads the Black Stars ‘B’ side.

Black Coach

Below

is Stars -

the

list: Head $35,000

Assistant

-

$3,000

U-20 Head Coach - $2,000 Assistant

-

$1,500

U-17 Head Coach- $1,500 Assistant

-

$1,000

U15 Head Coach- $1,000 Assistant - $500 footballghana.com

GFA to introduce electronic ticketing GFA President Kurt Okraku reveals his outfit is studying five proposals on electronic ticketing system that will allow fans to purchase tickets online very soon in the season.

Mr. Okraku made this pronouncement during the first edition of the GFA meet the press series earlier today at the Conference Room

of Exim Bank in Accra.

“Yesterday we saw a great atmosphere at the Accra Sports Stadium and I must say we have five proposals for electronic ticketing for our games. We shall consider these.” he said.

If any of the proposals is approved, fans can purchase match tickets online without

going to the stadium using visa cards, master cards and also through mobile money.

The GFA is doing this to make it very convenient for fans to get match tickets even days before match day to avoid long queueing and stressing at the stadium.

GHANAsoccernet.com

Call Us First The Ghanaian News 416-916-3700

The Ghanaian News January 2020 69

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The Ghanaian News January 2020

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The Ghanaian News January 2020 71

Ghana Methodist Church of Toronto Cross over Service led by Very Rev. Joseph Owusu Atuahene Minister in charge December 31st 2019

Photo by Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto

Very Rev. Joseph Owusu Atuahene

Some of the Church Elders Cross section of congregation

Church Choir

Congregation Ushers

Congregation Congregation

Congregation

Congregation