GHANAIAN NEWS - MARCH 2023

Vice President Harris pledges aid to Ghana amid security and economic concerns

By The Associated Press, Accra

ACCRA, Ghana — With fears of terrorism and Russian mercenaries rippling through West Africa, Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday opened her weeklong trip to the continent by vowing support for Ghana, a democratic pillar in the region that’s being squeezed by an economic crisis and security concerns.

The visit was a high-profile show of support for Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who faces rising discontent over inflation after previously overseeing one of the world’s fast-growing economies.

“Under your leadership, Ghana has been a beacon of democracy and a contributor to global peace and security,” Harris said during a joint press conference at the Jubilee House, the presidential palace in Accra.

Harris announced $100 million in assistance for the region and pledged that the United States would be “strengthening our partnerships across the continent of Africa.” The administration also is requesting another $139 million from Congress to help Ghana reduce child labor, improve weather forecasting, support local musicians and defend against disease outbreaks.

The vice president is the most notable member of President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Africa this year, and she’ll be continuing on to Tanzania and Zambia later this week. The trip is part of a concerted effort to broaden U.S. outreach at a time when China and Russia have entrenched interests of their own in Africa.

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Ghana Methodist Church, Toronto

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is welcomed by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo in Accra, Ghana, Misper Apawu/AP

Group picture of Susana Wesley Auxiliary Mission, Ghana Methodist Church at Easter Convention 2023

Photo by Ghanaian News

The

Helen Sterling Clarke, B.A.J.D, LL.B

Lead

Community Leaders, Clergy, Mosque, Parents, Nananom!

Difficult topic but must be addressed….Mental Health, Mental Health!

Do we have Mental Health issues in our community? Yes, Yes, Yes

Do we even know the symptoms of mental health? Only the experts in our community but not a lot.

Is there a stigma regarding Mental Health? Yes

Do we know how to communicate with friends, family members, and community members going through mental health? No

Do we know if we are experiencing mental health but at times in denial? Yes.

Is there any help? Yes

The good news is our community has been granted resources by the federal government to help our community members trained to provide ‘first aid for mental health’.

Very soon you will hear of this program to help our community start addressing this very important issue ‘More Culturally Responsive’

My plea to our leaders and community members is to be open to the leaders who will lead this program/project It is in our collective interest to work together on this project/program.

I am not an expert at all but came across these as symptoms of Mental Health and could be more:

• Feeling sad or down.

• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate.

• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt.

• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows.

• Withdrawal from friends and activities.

• Significant tiredness, low energy, or problems sleeping.

Please let us seize the opportunity to help our community members

E. Duodu

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

EDITORIAL

Publisher / Editor Emmanuel Ayiku

Contributing Editor

Joe Kingsley Eyiah

Director of Operations

Comfort Ayiku

Community Reporter

Jonathan Annobil

Local Community Reporter

Mickson Addo

The Ghanaian News

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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.

Earth Day an annual Event

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection since 1970. The day is marked every year to highlight environmental issues including loss of biodiversity, increasing pollution among others.

According to EARTHDAY.ORG, Earth Day is celebrated by planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting various programmes to motivate people to adopt ways for sustainable living.

The significance highlights the need for the protection of the environment and the need for its conservation.

The first Earth Day focused on the United States, with a wide range of events, which were coordinated globally with about one billion people in more than 193 countries partaking.

In 1990, Denis Hayes, the original national coordinator of EARTHDAY.ORG in 1970, took it international and organized events in 141 nations.

On Earth Day 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed by the United States, China, and some 120 other countries. This signing satisfied a key requirement for the entry into force of the historic draft climate protection treaty adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

Numerous communities engaged in Earth Day Week actions with an entire week of activities focusing on the environmental issues that the world faces.

On Earth Day 2020, over 100 million people around the world observed the 50th anniversary in what is referred to as the largest online mass mobilization in history.

The theme for this year’s Earth Day is, “Invest in Our Planet”. In Ghana, some institutions, orgazations including; some of the Embassies, embarked on tree planting exercises.

There are also clean-up exercises in the cities and along the beaches of the capital, spearheaded by the Greater Accra Regional Minister with support from security services and Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

In 2019 our Community member Mary Akuamoah organized group from Canada to Ghana on a trip to transform their environment by initiating the Theme: “Clean up Ghana”.

On December 13, 2019 was their first Ghana clean up was in Winneba, Central Region and in Nungua, Greater Accra Region. With over 100 local volunteers participating in the cleanup. The clean up included education about how to properly dispose garbage and utilization of waste management organizations in the town. Ghana still faces an increasing threat of an environmental crisis due to the nature of human activities in the country. The country continues to be riddled with challenges such as deforestation, desertification, land degradation, plastic pollution, water pollution, air pollution, improper waste disposal and climate change. Over 3,000 metric tons of plastic waste is produced every day and much of it dumped as litter or placed into improvised landfills. These plastics end up in open drainage systems, choking them and causing flooding.

Illegal mining activities pose a major risk to our land and water resources. This results in land and other forms of environmental degradation. Many agricultural lands are being lost as a result of illegal mining activities.

President Akufo-Addo Cuts Sod for Vaccine Manufacturing Plant

According to President AkufoAddo, the construction of the vaccine manufacturing plant will help the nation realise the dream of becoming self-sufficient in the production and manufacture of vaccines

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has cut the sod for the commencement of work on the construction of DEKs Vaccines Ltd, a private sector-led consortium of Ghanaian pharmaceutical companies.

According to President AkufoAddo, the construction of the vaccine manufacturing plant “will help our nation realise the dream of becoming self-sufficient in the production and manufacture of vaccines”.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, 18th April 2023, at Media, in the Ga West Municipality, the President indicated that the vision manufacture vaccines in Ghana begun on 28th February 2021, in update twenty-four (24) of what has come to be known as the “Fellow Ghanaian” series of addresses to the nation.

“The vaccine nationalism that was played out by the developed world, with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, meant that we had to take urgent, critical steps towards making sure that never again would

cont’d of Editorial

we be victims or pawns of the international vaccine order. It was imperative that we took our destiny into our own hands,” he said.

To this end, President Akufo-Addo indicated that he established a committee, under the chairmanship of the former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, to formulate a concrete plan of action towards domestic vaccine development and manufacturing.

This plan of action, he explained, culminated in the announcement of the establishment, in July 2021, of the National Vaccine Institute, with seed funding of twenty-five million US dollars ($25 million) from the European Investment Bank.

“Indeed, some two (2) months ago, on 14th February 2023, the National Vaccine Institute Bill 2022 was enacted by Parliament, for which I have given assent, and whose Board of Directors will soon be outdoored,” the President said.

He continued, “Its establishment has enabled the National Vaccine Institute work in unison with Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Ghana, to boost our country’s capacity to be self-reliant in the production of vaccines, and bring all of us to this gathering

cont’d on pg. 14

Earth Day an annual Event

This has become a threat to food production and food security in the country as the population continuously increases. Additionally, water pollution from increasing illegal mining activities.

Ghana has implemented many policies over the years as well as adapted strategies to help the country transition into a green economy such as the Ghana National Climate Change Policy in 2013, Environment and Climate Change laws, waging a fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

However, Ghana still has a long way to go if we want to boast about our achievement of the sustainable development goals. It is therefore imperative that all stakeholders use Earth Day to create awareness and work together on vital issues such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, protection of land and water resources, addressing waste management issues among many others in the country.

Ghanaian News doff our hat to Mary Akuamoah our Ghanaian Canadian Community member for her initiative

President Akufo--Addo cuts sod for the construction of DEK Vaccines Ltd.

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

Ghana becomes first country to approve Oxford malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M

Ghana has become the first country in the world to approve a new malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University.

R21/Matrix-M was shown to be up to 80% effective in a trial involving 400 children in Burkina Faso, published in September.

Malaria kills more than 600,000 people each year, most of them children in Africa, and the search for a vaccine has been going on for decades.

One child under the age of five dies from the mosquito-borne disease every 75 seconds, despite the use of bed nets, preventative drugs and insecticide sprays.

The drugs authority in Ghana has now signed off the vaccine after seeing results of a larger phase-three trial involving 4,800 children in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mali and Tanzania.

Those results are expected to be made public in a medical journal in the coming months as the World Health Organization finishes its own assessment.

If the WHO approves it, organisations such as Unicef and the vaccine alliance Gavi could fund millions of doses.

Oxford scientist Professor Adrian Hill, head of the R21 programme at the Jenner Institute, said Ghana had approved R21 for children aged five months to 36 months - the highest risk category.

A deal for up to 200 million annual doses has also been agreed with the Serum Institute of India.

Dr. Charles Stanley, Legendary Atlanta Pastor, Broadcaster and Author dies at 90

Dr. Charles Frazier

The vaccine has been administered in trials as three doses four weeks apart and a booster a year later.

Professor Hill said the larger phasethree trial also showed “high levels of efficacy and a reassuring safety profile” - and it’s this result that appears to have given Ghana the confidence to approve R21.

It is the first time a major vaccine has been approved in an African country ahead of rich nations, said Prof Hill.

“Particularly since COVID, African regulators have been taking a much more proactive stance, they’ve been saying... we don’t want to be last in the queue,” he said.

It is not yet known when the West African country will begin rolling out the vaccine.

The first malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, by UK drugs giant GSK, was approved by the WHO last year but its roll out has been limited by commercial potential and a lack of funding.

GSK has promised to make up to 15 million doses per year until 2028, but it’s far short of the 100 million or so doses the WHO says are needed to cover 25 million children.

So far, around 1.2 million children in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi have had at least one doses of Mosquirix as part of a pilot that began in 2019. In the areas where it has been administered, the WHO says all-cause child mortality has fallen by 10%.

Sky News

Vice President Harris pledges aid to Ghana amid security and economic concerns

cont’d from pg. 1

Ghana and some other African countries are suffering ripple effects from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, such as higher costs for food and fuel.

The war has also become a dividing line at the United Nations, where some African leaders have condemned the invasion and others

have refused. The situation has sparked alarm about the potential for a new Cold War dynamic, where global competition leaves Africa caught in the middle.

Harris was careful to emphasize that the U.S. outreach was independent of geopolitical rivalries. The Associated Press

Stanley passed away at age 90 on Tuesday morning, April 18th, 2023. Buck Lanford with Fox 5 News confirmed that he died peacefully in his Atlanta home.

Dr. Stanley, a Virginia native, was raised in a singleparent home and felt called to ministry at age 14. He then pursued and completed his theological studies, earning a Master’s and Doctor of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.

For over five decades, Dr. Stanley faithfully served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Atlanta, and under his leadership, this metro church witnessed miraculous growth. Just prior to the turn of the millennium, First Baptist Atlanta relocated within the city to house its over 15,000 members—noted for their diversity (unprecedented for many churches with old Georgia roots).

Nevertheless, Dr. Stanley remained faithful to the conservative Word of God, hosting famous broadcasts, writing countless books, and preaching devout sermons that never strayed from the truth or embodied today’s cultural understanding of socially influenced “mega-church” trends.

Dr. Stanley was stalwart and steady in his faith, most noted for his relentless obedience to the gospel’s call. The formal obituary shares that Dr. Stanley often said to “obey God and leave all the consequences to him.”

Dr. Stanley’s sermons, broadcasts, podcasts, devotionals, etc., have been heard in over 115 million homes per week, reaching over 120 countries for the gospel. However, his resume of dedication and faith doesn’t stop there. In the1980s, Dr. Stanley served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and by 1988, he was named to the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

His most noted broadcast show, In Touch Ministries, tweets: “In Touch Family, this morning, God called our beloved pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, home to heaven. Dr. Stanley lived a life of obedience and is now receiving the joy of his soul—seeing his Savior face-to-face. Please join us in praying for the Stanley family.”

Dr. Stanley leaves behind a legacy of faith. His son, Andy Stanley, is the lead pastor of a multisite church in Atlanta, North Point Community Church. Their congregation shares, “Dr. Stanley gave his life to preaching the gospel and leaves a legacy worth celebrating. Thank you for joining us in prayer for the Stanley family.”

On September 25th, 2020, Dr. Stanley’s 88th birthday, Andy tweeted this: “Since I was a kid people have asked me, ‘What’s it like to have Dr. Stanley as a father?’ My answer? Amazing! Thanks [Dad] for the opportunities. Thanks for believing in me. Thanks for prioritizing family over ministry. I never felt like I was competing with the church for your affection or attention. I love you.”

Dr. Charles Frazier Stanley will remain a legend, a true pioneer of the Christian faith, not only for his statistically untouchable resume regarding podcast downloads and New York Times Bestsellers but as a man who understood that the reckless pursuit of the gospel meant never leaving a stranger or his family at home unseen or unloved.

Dr. Stanley is survived by his son, Andy Stanley, daughter Becky Stanley Broderson, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, those seeking to pay their respects make a donation to In Touch Ministries. Christian Headlines

The sign-off is said to be the first time a major vaccine has been approved in an African country ahead of rich nations - and it could end up saving countless lives.

Dr. Charles Stanley

Adding charter schools to Ontario would exacerbate student inequities

Parents and other advocates who are dissatisfied with the current state of public schooling often call for the expansion of school choice.

In Ontario, this erupted following school closures as a result of labour disputes and COVID-19. Some commentators and think tanks have suggested charter schooling is a viable option for students in Ontario. Alberta is the only province in Canada to have charter schools and has had them for nearly 30 years.

Charter schools are a specific type of alternative education that is publicly funded in a manner specified in the school’s charter. Their governance is handled by charter board members, as opposed to the local school board — a significant distinction from other alternative schools.

Typically, the charter board consists of parents, instructors and community members, whereas other public schools are governed by officials elected by public vote. Charter schools are in charge of all their own hires and admissions, and report directly to the government.

School choice already abounds in Ontario. No compelling evidence exists that adding choice in the form of charter schools will bolster student achievement. Adding charter schools would likely contribute both to segregating students by race and socioeconomic status, and creating elite schools that cherry pick their students

Existing choice in Ontario

School choice can take many forms, and in Canada it has typically been developed within the public system In Ontario, school choice within the public system includes the publicly funded Catholic system, French immersion, the gifted program and an array of alternative schools. There are also over 1,300 private school options available to parents in the province.

However, unlike British Columbia and Québec, there exists no subsidy system for private schooling in Ontario. In British Columbia, the provincial government subsidizes the cost of private schooling, covering between 35 per cent and 50 per cent of tuition.

Similarly in Québec, the provincial

government generously funds privates schools. In Ontario and other provinces, parents who choose private schools foot the entire bill.

For the wealthy?

Introducing private competition with the public system reveals only very small improvements in school achievement when data across the United States are analyzed. No comparable data are available to analyze in Canada.

Critics argue school choice does not only have to be for the wealthy and voucher systems or charter schools could provide an avenue for low- to middleincome families to choose the type of education their children receive.

However, instead of being the great equalizer, there is considerable evidence that school choice actually exacerbates existing inequities, especially race and socio-economic inequities.

Boards like the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) have alternative schools or specialty programs that offer a great deal of choice. Many of these speciality programs have also been found to exacerbate existing inequities

Demographic homogeneity

For example, a study on specialty arts programs in the TDSB found that students were disproportionately white, wealthier and more likely to have parents who had gone to university.

The study found that the demographic homogeneity of the school environments contributes to continued structural inequities.

Data from Ontario show that significant inequality exists when there are coveted spots within the existing public system for schools of choice. The TDSB created a lottery system to address this — but recent reports said the board discovered there was an oversight when administering the lottery and prioritized students were excluded from it

How would adding charter schools level the playing field?

Data from the U.S.

In comparably diverse American cities with public, private and charter

schools, more evidence to the contrary exists. Examining data from New York City on private and public school enrolment shows high levels of school racial segregation.

In NYC, approximately 14 per cent of students attend private schools, while 77 per cent attend public district schools and nine per cent attend charter schools.

Although charter schools make up nine per cent of the student population in NYC, 54 per cent of charter school students are Black, 39 per cent are Hispanic and five per cent are white. In contrast, white students make up 69 per cent of private school population, while Black students make up 11 per cent.

The research on whether charter schools improve student achievement is extremely mixed. An overview of the American data suggests that students in public and charter schools perform at similar levels.

The same report also showed that there is considerable evidence that charter schools exacerbate existing racial, ethnic and socio-economic segregation in the U.S. There is not much evidence that the expansion of the charter system in the U.S. spurred innovation and competition in the public sector and improved education across the board.

High test scores needed?

Since charter schools are at a risk of closure when they do not perform adequately, there is a lot of pressure to achieve and maintain high test scores.

Charter schools have been found to prevent students with disabilities from enrolling as a strategy to keep test scores high.

The lack of accountability and transparency from charter schools in the U.S. has led some organizations focussed around racial justice to support a moratorium on charter schools.

Achievement in Alberta

Alberta, like Ontario, also enjoys considerable choice within the public system, including through charter schools. CBC reported in March that around 20,000 students are on wait lists for charter schools in the province, following the province’s removal of a cap on them in 2019

There are, however, no public reports that provide any evidence that students in Alberta’s charter schools are doing better than their peers elsewhere in the public system.

Adding additional mechanisms to exacerbate inequality in the name of “choice” in Ontario will do nothing for overall student achievement.

The Conversation

Bill C-18 Crucial For Ethnic Media and Canadian Society

By Senator Peter Harder (Ontario)

Ethnic media outlets have traditionally played a crucial role in helping newcomers navigate life in their newly adopted home. Rarely, though, have they been as invaluable as they were during the Covid pandemic.

During its earliest and perhaps most alarming phase, federal officials grappled with how best to convey information to newcomers on protecting themselves from the virus. Many immigrants and refugees speak neither English nor French, while others hold a general distrust of government based on their experiences in their country of origin. Moreover, a large proportion of the individuals whose job it is to help vulnerable Canadians – personal service workers – are newcomers themselves.

The challenge was particularly acute given the financial difficulties facing so many outlets being counted on to disseminate information about hygiene and vaccine hesitancy. Advertising revenue during the pandemic plummeted, printing costs went way up, job losses accelerated, and a number of outlets faced potential closure. At least one publisher took out

a personal loan to stay afloat.

At the end of the day, the vast majority of ethnic media kept operating, communicating information that no-doubt saved countless lives. The federal government also played a role in providing financial aid.

The story of ethnic media’s role during the pandemic is instrumental in demonstrating why Canada so badly needs minority language outlets to thrive. If we’re to reach our goals as a welcoming, innovative and productive nation, newcomers need to have access to information about Canadian mores, values and democratic systems.

Unfortunately, the challenges currently facing Canada’s minority language media are the same as those facing other Canadian outlets. Ad revenues are plummeting and eyeballs are being drawn away by big tech platforms who post content produced by those outlets, often without paying for it

This erosion is a big reason why I am sponsoring Bill C-18, the Online News Act, in Canada’s Senate.

This legislation would compel big tech companies, like Google and Meta, to start paying their fair share for content produced by outlets like the one you’re reading today.

Without this bill, a number of ethnic media outlets will face potential bankruptcy and newcomers relying on them for information about their new country will have a harder time adjusting. According to a recent U.S. Department of Justice civil antitrust suit, “as a result of its illegal monopoly, and by its own estimates, Google pockets on average more than 30 per cent of the advertising dollars that flow through its digital advertising technology products.”

Opponents of the bill will argue that the big companies are already doing deals with some of the major players in Canadian media, which makes the bill superfluous.

Unfortunately, much of Canada’s ethnic media has been left out of these agreements, according to Maria Saras-Voutsinas, executive director of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council. Big Tech platforms should not be allowed to pick and choose the

outlets they want to deal with. If they’re going to pay for content produced by big media companies, they should also do so for others.

Other opponents also argue that the market should decide the fate of these outlets and let the chips fall where they may.

But, as proven during the pandemic, many of these outlets provide a very specific public service along with their private sector role. And, while I do believe that the market must ultimately reflect the desires of consumers, outlets need time to adjust to the new environment.

One of the more overarching reasons for the bill, of course, is that ethnic news outlets are indispensable to educating newcomers about democracy – a system that is being undermined in so many parts of the world, including in many of the nations which were once home to new Canadians.

Ms. Saras-Voutsinas notes that the availability of Canadian news has made a world of difference to her own community. Reading about Canadian current events in their first language has allowed many Greek-Canadians to feel invested in their new country and, because of that, they have taken courses to learn French and/or English, often leading to citizenship.

“This is what the news can do: It can take people out of isolation and betterexplain their neighbours, their province and their country, and that is good for democracy,” she told a House of Commons Committee examining the bill.

Over the next several weeks, Canada’s senators will spend a good chunk of time examining C-18. Not all senators approve of the bill in its current form and will offer criticisms. Some may try to make amendments. Comprehensive debates and sober second thought are what the Senate was made for.

That said, this bill must pass before we rise for the summer, allowing for negotiations with Big Tech companies to begin sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it’s possible that financially strapped outlets will fail to survive.

Strong, free and fiercely independent ethnic media outlets are the backbone of Canada’s rich cultural mosaic, and they play a key role in building social cohesion and strengthening our democracy. C-18 will help ensure that they are commercially viable and can continue to give underrepresented communities a strong voice for years to come.

Senator Peter Harder is the Senate sponsor of C-18 and the former Government Representative in the Senate.

Global Autism Awareness Day-Autism as Spectrum

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

In honour of World Autism Awareness Day that happened on April 2 2023 (celebrated in schools Monday April 3rd), the Broookview Middle School in Toronto shared a slide show presentation highlighting important information about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Also, students in the school came together to create an artistic poster based on the PUZZLE PIECES to show how we all fit together! It important to note that students are all identified as being on the Autism Spectrum, with varying needs, strengths and abilities.

WHAT IS AUTISM?

Autism Spectrum Disorder is lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people and the world around them. It can affect body language and posture, social interactions and relationships, how you engage with your interests, and sensory processing capacities. Autism exists in all cultures, ethnicities, races, and gender identities.

WHAT AUTISM ISN’T:

Autism is not an illness or a disease.

Autism is not temporary.

Autism is not contagious.

Autism is not caused by vaccinations.

Autism is not caused by parenting styles.

Autism does not go away in adulthood.

Autism is not the same for each person on the spectrum, it is a very individual diagnosis.

GCAO holds a successful Council Meeting in Toronto

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, Toronto, ON.

Over 50 members of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) Council attended a crucial council meeting on Saturday, April 16, 2023 at the GCAO Hub, 65 Mayall Avenue in Toronto. The meeting which was called by the Executives of the GCAO reviewed the constitutional role of the GCAO Council and its way forward to ensure grassroots participation of Ghanaians in Ontario for the effective community development.

During the discussion Mr. Emmanuel Duodu, the Executive President of GCAO referred to the Council as the main parliament for GCAO and stressed that the Council ought to be constituted properly with its own leadership.

An interim committee of 5 distinguished members was appointed at the meeting to plan for an effective Council and to meet with the Executive to reveal the way forward for the Council

How many people in Canada are on the autism spectrum?

In March 2018, the National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (NASS) released the most upto-date Canadian prevalence rate: 1 in 66 Canadian children and youth (ages 5-17) are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, approximately 1 - 2% of the Canadian population is on the autism spectrum which means there are approximately 135,000 autistic people in Ontario.

As rates are increasing in the diagnosis in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder,this is placing a larger demand on education, healthcare, and social service systems, highlighting glaring gaps in the supports available especially for autistic adults, people with lower incomes, people in rural areas, and Black, Indigenous and people of colour.

How to Talk about Autism

WORDS HAVE POWER!

It is accepted and respectful to speak about a person with Autism by using the terms an “Autistic Person”, OR you can say “a person with Autism”, OR “a person living with Autism” OR “a person on the Autism Spectrum”. In the past, many people with Autism, have been called many rude and derogatory words. Let’s stop that cycle by educating one another. What does the Puzzle Ribbon Mean? The puzzle ribbon was adopted in 1999 as the universal sign of autism awareness.

The Autism Awareness Ribbon — The puzzle pattern reflects the complexity of the autism spectrum. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope — hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and access to appropriate services/supports, people with autism will lead full lives able to interact with the world on the own terms.

Members of GCAO Council in a meeting with the executives

The Kennedy Agyapong WOW Factor

By Edmund Agbeko, Toronto, ON

The presidential campaign of Kennedy Agyapong has sprung from the fringes into the mainstream, making him a serious contender and catching many people off guard. What suddenly changed? And what comes next?

Varied opinions, perspectives, and personalities have sought to either demystify his rising popularity or attack his qualifications to become President of the republic. They have made assertions that his low frustration tolerance, impulsive temperament, vulgar utterances, arrogance, and contemptuous disregard for those who disagree with him make him distinctly unsuitable for the highest office of the land.

Notwithstanding these varying opinions, one thing is clear: in moments of crises, opportunistic and populist leaders bully the silent majority into submission and use fear, intimidation, and manipulation to occupy the political space. Examples abound in the wake of the disastrous legacies of Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil.

Certainly, the global economic crisis unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic has presented populist politicians such as Kennedy Agyapong with the opportunity to project themselves as Messiahs. However, as was the case in Jacob Zuma’s South Africa, while populist politicians are often crafty at using their narcissistic impulses to connect with the discontented masses for their own self-aggrandizement, their inherent flaws become readily apparent once they assume office and leave behind a legacy of shattered economies and weakened democratic institutions. Today, thanks to the populism of Jacob Zuman and his henchmen, South African, which has the most sophisticated and advanced economy on the entire African continent, is in a state of unprecedented decline.

The legacy of Jacob Zuma’s reckless rhetoric includes the formation of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) whose proclivity to violence, disruption and sabotage is unparalleled in the history of democratic South Africa. The South African experience could be replicated in Ghana if Kennedy Agyapong’s rhetoric prevails because history does not only give us the tools to analyze and explain problems in the past, it provides us a crucial perspective for understanding current and future problems.

The purpose of this article is to call out Kennedy Agyapong’s populist impulses as potential fodder for both anarchism and fascism in Ghana. Words are potent forces for all causes, good or bad. And as Dorothy Neville eloquently said, the “real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” If Kennedy Agyapong’s bombastic rhetoric prevails, like Jacob Zuma, he can incite a crusade that can quickly morph into an intolerant and anti-state movement, which will ultimately undermine our pluralistic state and stability.

Kennedy Agyapong is an unusual politician: he is both a successful businessman and a vociferous lawmaker. In business, he has leveraged his shrewdness and access to power to build a successful empire. For example, he was an influential member of former president Kufour’s government. He is the current Board Chair of Ghana Gas, a position he occupies from President Akufo-Addo’s appointment.

Notwithstanding his access to power, influence, and resources, he projects himself as nonconformist, a maverick and not part of the elite. He also portrays himself as a pragmatic politician who has the requisite courage to uproot corruption, fix our broken systems and turn the economy around. In so doing, Kennedy Agyapong has set out to occupy the crowded space of would-be Messiahs who believe they can rescue Ghana from the global economic crisis and finally deliver the democratic promise of providing prosperity for all.

Unsurprisingly, Kennedy Agyapong’s prescriptions for turning the economy around and eradicating corruption are so vague that everyone seems to agree with him, yet nobody knows how he will get them done or even get parliament to ratify them.

Nonetheless, when challenged, he uses the populist playbook of deflecting accountability by attacking his critics and casting them as enemies of the people. Drawing from the playbook of Jacob Zuma, Robert Mugabe, and Hugo Chavez, he sees politics as a war between good and evil. Hence his penchant to demonize his rivals.

Interestingly, it is his unorthodox politics that is appealing to people who are deeply dissatisfied with the status quo and with rising poverty. These people are yearning for a radical change because state institutions have either lost their legitimacy or public confidence in their ability to deliver good governance.

He has therefore tapped into the rising discontent to demand allegiance to his-all-powerful, enigmatic personality. He stokes the enthusiasm of his followers by identifying with their cause and inciting suspicion of those who question his rhetoric.

The inherent danger in his populism

is that even if he can change the status quo and weed out corruption as he has promised, which of course is unlikely, his “us” versus “them” approach will always carry the seeds of intolerance, hate, division, and authoritarianism, which will ultimately set the grounds for anarchism and fascism.

Throughout history, anarchist, demagogues, fascist, and their henchmen who claimed privileged knowledge and skills to solve society’s problems have ended up crushing the very people they claim to represent. When populists portray their opponents as inferior, idiotic and incompetent, it is only a matter of time before they trample on their rights and anyone who disagrees with their agenda — thereby undermining pluralism and rule of law.

The current discontent in the country is not unique to Ghana but stems from the apparent failure of democracies to close the disparity between the rich and the poor. The situation has been compounded by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, democracy, which as a social contract derives its legitimacy from the promise of improving the lives of all the people, is failing to deliver. Thus, even in advanced democracies such as the United States, Italy, Sweden, etc., populist mobilization has undermined democracy and pluralism.

Kennedy Agyapong’s populism is gaining ground because he promises

renewal and a shift in focus from meeting the needs of the powerful elite to representing the people. However, given his personality traits, and inability to respond to constructive criticism, he may choose to ignore key customary practices of good governance such as proper consultation and respect for independence of institutions once in power, which will ultimately undermine democracy and rule of law.

Win or lose, Kennedy Agyapong has taken populism to new heights in Ghana. And if democratic governments appear unresponsive to public opinion and demands, then, just like in the United States, populism in Ghana is likely to become entrenched. The country may enter a dark era of serial populism, fostering the environment for anarchy and fascism.

A new poll by Global InfoAnalytics has revealed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has a shot of being flagbearer of the party in the next general elections.

Speaking in an interview on Citi TV, Mussa Dankwa, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics said the vociferous lawmaker’s polling has improved over the months.

“He [Kennedy Agyapong] is the only candidate showing ascendency in the

SIKAMAN-JOHNSON ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICE

IMMIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES

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

Immigration Detention and Detention Review Hearings

Generally, a person who is detained by any Government Agency for criminal, immigration and/or any other offence, has the right to a detention review hearing at certain time intervals. The seriousness of the offence in question may determine the nature of bail conditions and other issues related to the review of the person’s detention. For simplification purposes, this article will focus narrowly on Immigration detention review hearings.

A person detained by the Immigration has the right to a detention review hearing. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) itself may release the person before a hearing takes place. If that is not done, the Immigration Division of the Immigration Refugee Board (IRB) will hold a detention review hearing within 48 hours of the person’s detention or any time soon thereafter.

Immigration detention may be necessitated in situations where the person is considered a danger to the public and also in situations where there is a reasonable suspicion that the person will probably not appear for an immigration hearing or for removal from Canada. Also, in some situations, detention may be necessary where the identity of the person has not been established and where the person might

be inadmissible to Canada for security reasons or because of a violation of human or international rights, serious criminality, criminality, or organized criminality.

A detained person can represent themselves at their hearing. They can also choose to hire counsel. At such hearings, a member of the Immigration Division of the IRB will hear the case and determine whether the person being detained should be released or should continue to stay in detention.

Several factors are considered at such hearings. Among the factors are how long the person has been in detention; how long detention might continue if they are not released; availability of alternatives to detention and the best interests of any directly affected child.

At the hearing, the member may

impose conditions such as obeying a curfew, living with a specific person, or avoiding drinking alcohol or taking drugs. The alternative to detention may include a bond. The person who provides the bond for the detained person is known as a bondsperson and he can be a friend, a family member, employer or a community worker.

The bondsperson must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. He must be at least 18 years old, know the person in detention and must come forward of his own free will. He must also be willing to pledge his own money and offer supervision to the person in detention. The bondsperson should, among other things, also, provide information related to their employment, annual income, total amount of savings, the property or properties they own, location and value of property they own and the equity in the property or properties.

At the detention review hearing, the CBSA (Immigration) and the member may ask the proposed guarantor or bondsperson some questions to determine their suitability to play that role.

Basically, there are two types of bonds one of which is Deposit or Cash bond. In this case, money is deposited with the Government before the detained

person is released. If the detained person does not obey the conditions, the Government will keep the money and CBSA may arrest and detain the person again. If the detained person obeys the conditions, CBSA will eventually return the money to the bondsperson.

The other type of bond is Guarantee or Performance bond. In this case, the bondsperson promises to pay an amount of money if the detained person does not obey release conditions. If the detained person does not meet the conditions, the Government of Canada will collect the money from the guarantor and the CBSA may arrest and detain the person again.

If the detained person is ordered to stay in detention at the 48-hour review, they will have another detention review within 7 days. If the person is ordered to remain in prison again at the 7-day review, there will be another review in 30 days, and every 30 days after that until the person is released or removed from Canada.

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.

The Kennedy Agyapong WOW Factor

polling numbers. He jumped from 14% in January 2023 to 21% in April 2023. That is an astronomical rise we have seen in the poll. This chart may be a reflection of the votes of the delegates than the general voters. Kennedy has been campaigning vigorously,” he said.

In Kennedy Agyapong’s home region, Central, Mr. Dankwa emphasised that he had 30% and also had 32% in the Eastern Region per the survey. “38% for Kennedy Agyapong in Greater Accra, 32% in Eastern Region and 30% in Central Region,” he disclosed.

The Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics mentioned that former Trades Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen dropped from 40% to 37% between January 2023 to April 2023.

“Alan is backed by 37% of NPP supporters in 2023, I wasn’t expecting him to drop from 40% in January 2023 to 37% in April 2023, but he did,” Mr. Dankwa stated.

The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who has not made an official announcement about his bid seems to lead the poll but dropped from 40% to 39% from January 2023 to April 2023.

“Bawumia is backed by 39% of NPP supporters. You can see that Bawumia has been on a constant decline, whereas Alan stabilised in April 2022 at 41% all the way to January 2023 at 40% within that months. This poll covers NPP supporters only. In January 2022, Alan and Bawumia were tied at 40% each, now Dr. Bawumia has taken a slight lead,” he stated.

Dankwa explained that Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen had 47% and the vice president had 21% in the Central Region. He advised the contenders to re-assess themselves and not to be taken by surprise during the party’s primaries.

According to Kennedy Agyapong, he will not be scared by his contenders in the NPP flagbearership race adding that he is rich to face off any aspirant. Speaking to delegates of the NPP in Awutu Senya East in the Central Region, the maverick politician said “Whoever thinks he is a man and would want to scare me with money when the time comes, I will show him that I am also a man and that I have riches. I will put on a show here in Awutu Senya East, I will display cash”.

The NPP flagbearer hopeful said that he is committed to a peaceful internal

election in the party, adding that he will surmount any attempt to scare him or delegates into supporting another candidate. “So let everyone have patience. We want peace in NPP so we can win the elections but the fact that we want peace does not mean anyone should try and scare us. Nobody can scare you. When it comes to the election vote for whomever you wish to vote for.

You have your own mind,” he added. The NPP has settled on November 4, 2023, to hold a presidential primary to elect a flagbearer for the 2024 general elections. The presidential primary would open on Friday, May 26, 2023, and close on Saturday, June 24, 2023. For the parliamentary primaries, nominations would open on December 20, 2023, and close on January 4, 2024.

Ralph Yarl: What we know about the Missouri shooting

It’s been nearly a week since Ralph Yarl, a black teenager from the US state of Missouri, went to pick up his younger twin brothers, mistakenly arriving at the wrong address before being shot twice. Ralph, 16, is now recovering at home.

The shooting sparked outrage, protests and, days later, the arrest of Andrew Lester, 84, a white homeowner. Mr Lester, who turned himself in on Tuesday, now faces charges of firstdegree assault and armed criminal action.

Here’s a look at what happened the night of 13 April.

On Thursday evening, Ralph was asked to pick up his younger twin brothers at a friend’s house. His mother, Cleo Nagbe, told CBS News that the younger boys were supposed to attend a sleepover but she was hesitant to allow them to spend the night so she sent Ralph to pick them up close to 22:00 instead.

Driving through the northern edge of Kansas City to collect them, Ralph confused the address - going to Northeast 115 Street instead of Northeast 115th Terrace, one block away.

Ralph later told investigators that he parked in the driveway and walked up to the front door.

According to Ralph, after he approached the house, he pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to come out.

Mr Lester’s door consisted of both an interior main door and an exterior glass door, both of which were locked, according to a police probable cause statement. After a little while Mr Lester opened the interior door holding a firearm.

IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

No words were exchanged between the two before Mr Lester fired his .32 calibre handgun through the glass door at Ralph as the teenager stood on his front porch, say prosecutors. He was shot in the head immediately, Ralph said, and fell to the ground.

While on the ground, he was shot a second time in the arm.

Mr Lester’s account to authorities varies only slightly.

The homeowner said he had just lain down in bed when he heard his doorbell ring, the probable cause statement says. He picked up his firearm before walking to his door.

Mr Lester said he opened the interior door and saw a 6ft black man pulling on the external door handle. This last point is not consistent with Ralph’s description - the teen told investigators he had not touched on the door at all.

A lawyer for the Yarl family tells the BBC the teen is 5ft 8in.

Announcing the charges against Mr Lester on Monday, prosecutors said Ralph did not “cross the threshold” into the home.

Mr Lester has not denied shooting Ralph, telling investigators he shot twice within a few seconds of opening the interior door.

The homeowner said he believed someone was trying to break in and that he was protecting himself.

After two shots were fired, Ralph told investigators he ran away to avoid being shot again.

As he ran, Ralph said he heard Mr Lester say: “Don’t come around here.” His relatives said the teenager went to three nearby homes before someone offered assistance.

Ralph was treated in hospital until Sunday before he was discharged to go home.

On Tuesday, Ralph’s mother, Cleo Nagbe, told CBS News that her son had returned home surrounded by a team of medical professionals. He is expected to recover, surprising his own doctors.

Late on that Thursday evening, Mr Lester arrived at the Kansas City Missouri Police Department Headquarters for an interview.

He was photographed and fingerprinted for charges of aggravated assault and then released - sparking protests throughout Kansas City on Sunday.

On Monday, prosecutor Zachary

Thompson announced Mr Lester had been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, both felonies.

IMAGE SOURCE,CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

If convicted, Mr Lester could face life in prison

Mr Thomson said there was a “racial

component” to the shooting, though charging documents do not describe any alleged racial bias.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Lester turned himself in to authorities in Missouri. He was released after posting 10% of the total $200,000 (£160,000) bail amount.

If convicted, he faces life in prison.

BBC News

Every Dollar Counts!, Filing Your Taxes and CRA Audit

Why and How? Part II

By: Eddie Twumasi-Smith, (P.Eng, PMP, CPA, MBA )

Last month’s topic was on triggers of CRA tax audits and this month, the focus will be on how to deal and manage the process of CRA tax audit.

Dealing with the CRA Audit Process:

A CRA audit, or a tax audit as it is commonly known, is a review of an individual tax return. The purpose is to ensure all of the information provided is accurate and in compliance with current tax laws. This process involves reviewing all of the documents submitted with the tax return. As well as supplementary information such as bank statements and receipts.

Depending on the size and complexity of the tax return being audited, this can be a highly involved and time-consuming process. Ultimately, an audit serves to ensure that individuals are paying their fair share of taxes. While doing everything they can to follow government regulations.

If you have been selected for a CRA audit, it is important to cooperate fully with your tax agent. This will ensure the smoothest possible process for everyone involved. Generally speaking, communication is key when it comes to CRA audits. A big no-no is dodging calls and letters, this will only make matters worse for you!

The Income Tax Act grants to CRA a number of arbitrary powers. The Minister does not have to accept your return as filed. In fact, under Section 152(7) of the income tax act, CRA has the right to change your tax return if they don’t agree with the way you’ve filed it.

They can change your income figures, your deductions or your credits prior to the expirations of a normal re-assessment period, which is three years.

Your tax-filing fate, therefore can rest with an auditor who perceives your tax and personal affairs quite differently than you do.

1. Do respond promptly to CRA phone calls and/or correspondence. Ignoring them will not make them go away. It will only make them more intolerant later when you try to negotiate with them.

2. Do cooperate by providing them with the information they request. Ask them why they are requesting the information?. The tax department does have the right to review your records on your tax return. However, they do not have the right to engage in a “fishing expedition”.

3. Do offer to have the tax auditor

review your records at your accountant’s office. This will reduce your disruption and may make the audit go smoother.

4. Do attempt to negotiate on grey or interpretative matters. Where the rules are not “black” or “white”, the auditor may be willing to give a little, depending on the circumstances.

5. Do seek professional tax help. Not all audits go smoothly and mistakes can be made. Misinterpretation of the facts is quite common. A tax professional can help you make sure the auditor understands your business and your transactions in the best possible light.

6. Don’t provide more information than requested unless it helps your case. As mentioned earlier, ask what the auditor needs and cooperate. There is no sense in making a career out of the audit of your business.

7. Don’t accept the word of the auditor as gospel. The auditor’s interpretation of certain legislation may be right, but then again, it may be wrong. Check with your tax accountant or ask to speak with the auditor’s supervisor if you feel that there may be an error.

8. Don’t delay in filing a notice of objection. You don’t necessarily want to file a notice of objection if you have an open dialogue with the tax auditor on some contentious points. However, keep in mind your deadlines and make sure you file your objection before you run out of time.

Audit experience is rarely a pleasant one. However, it doesn’t have to be painful. If you follow the rules and are not too aggressive, you can win this round with a little bit of luck.

Your Tax Audit Strategy:

Have a winning strategy and not a fighting strategy:

Section 152(8) of the income tax act makes the assumptions that CRA is correct in its assessments unless those assessments are challenged by the taxpayer.

Whiles the burden of proof is on you to disprove CRA’s assessment or reassessment of your tax return,

it is also your duty to defend your right to pay only the correct amount of tax and no more.

It is important you know this and also that it is your right to arrange your affairs within the framework of the law so as to pay the least taxes allowed by the law.

• A winning strategy will be to provide or produce all tax documentation required in the audit letter, on time and in meticulous order or if it is impossible to complete within the timeline, a request for an extension.

• A review of precedents set in tax law regarding similar issues required in the audit letter.

• A review of your rights to appeal processes: Use the Form RC199 Voluntary Disclosures Program. CRA allows one time opportunity to make a full and complete voluntary disclosure and may grant interest and penalty relief.

• Right to Adjust prior filed returns. File Form T1-ADJ.

• Right to Taxpayer Relief

Provisions- any unusual hardships, & beyond control, illness natural disaster etc.

• Right to object to the assessment or reassessment, adjust returns for errors or omissions, use the tax relief provisions or in cases where information was previously not disclosed, incomplete and inaccurate or use the voluntary disclosure program etc.

• Notice of Objection: This is a formal objection to the chief of appeals at the local tax services office. It must be filed within 1 year after the taxpayer filing due date or 90 days after the day of the mailing of the notice of assessment or reassessment. You may also appeal directly to the Tax Court of Canada if CRA has not responded to the Notice of Objection within 90 days. I hope you don’t have to go through this, but if and when it “rains”, just make sure you have the coverage and understanding of your rights and responsibilities. All the best! For any views or comments, I can be reached via email: eddiesmith77@ gmail.com

President Akufo-Addo Cuts Sod for Vaccine Manufacturing Plant

cont’d from pg. 6

where work on the construction of DEKs Vaccines Ltd will soon begin.”

Whilst appreciating the COVAX, AU and AVATT in COVID-19 vaccine supply initiatives, President AkufoAddo indicated that Ghana is also venturing into vaccine development and manufacturing with her sister African countries of Rwanda and Senegal, so as to become vaccine manufacturing hubs in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The National Vaccine Institute will co-ordinate and facilitate the capacity of DEKS Vaccines Ltd and other domestic pharmaceutical companies, such as Atlantic LifeSciences, a company operating under Government’s 1-District-1-Factory Programme, which I commissioned in April 2022, to fill, finish and package mRNA COVID-19 and other vaccines such as those against malaria and tuberculosis,” the President said.

He stated that, in the short term of two (2) years, DEKs Vaccines Ltd will fill, finish, and package COVID-19 and the

other vaccines for those against malaria and tuberculosis.

“In the medium-term, that is in five (5) years, the target is to continue the establishment of more domestic vaccine manufacturing plants in the country to manufacture vaccines to meet WHO GMP standards, with the long-term target being to produce a candidate vaccine in ten (10) years, using innovative technologies,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo thanked the German Government, its agency GIZ, the Consortium of International Partners, the European Investment Bank, which provided the five-millioneuro (€5 million) grant to kickstart the project, and the European Union, which have been assisting Ghana in this endeavour.

He also thanked the Chairperson and Members of the Presidential Committee on Vaccine Manufacturing “for the excellent work they have done so far in bringing us to this point.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

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Vice President Harris Visits Ghana

The U.S. Embassy in Ghana welcomed Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to Ghana March 26-29, 2023.

Ghana was the Vice President’s first stop on a weeklong journey, which also included stops in Tanzania and Zambia. Her trip focused on increasing investments in Africa, facilitating economic growth and opportunity – especially for women and girls, empowering entrepreneurs, advancing digital inclusion, and supporting work on food security, including adapting to the effects of the climate crisis.

In Accra, Vice President Harris and the Second Gentleman were warmly welcomed by Ghanaian officials, as well as children from BASICS International, an NGO based in Accra focused on providing educational opportunities and support for underprivileged children. Vice President Harris’s remarks on arrival highlighted the importance of the continent of Africa, its people, and its future.

During her first full day in Ghana, Vice President Harris met with President Nana Akufo-Addo and Government of Ghana officials. After their meeting, she announced new U.S. initiatives to strengthen U.S. partnership with Ghana and regional security

the rich connections between the people of Ghana and the United States supported by the diaspora.

The next day, Vice President Harris joined thousands of young Ghanaians, including many alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs, university students, civil society leaders, and entrepreneurs at Accra’s iconic Black Star Gate.

Following an introduction by Shamima Muslim, a 2015 alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Vice President Harris addressed the enormous crowd Highlighting the importance of the continent of Africa to the future of the world, the Vice President noted: “It is your spark, your creativity, and your determination that will drive the future. And with that then, African ideas and innovations will shape the future of the world.”

Vice President Harris addresses the crowd at Black Star Gate, Accra, Ghana, March 28, 2023

Following her speech, the Vice President traveled to Cape Coast, where she paid her respects to Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of Cape Coast.

She then toured Cape Coast Castle with the Second Gentleman. Her tour guide, Kwesi Essel-Blankson, Regional Director of the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board is an alumnus of the U.S.-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program.

Following the guided tour of Cape Coast Castle, the Vice President gave emotional remarks reflecting on the profound impact of slavery on both the United States and Ghana. She noted the importance of teaching the history that the Cape Coast Castle represents: “And so, all these stories must be told. All these stories must be told in a way that we take from this place — the pain we all feel, the anguish that reeks from this place. And we then carry the knowledge that we have may gained here toward the work that we do in lifting up all people, in recognizing the struggles of all people, of fighting for, as the walls of this place talk about, justice and freedom for all people, human rights for all people.”

On her last day in Ghana, the Vice President met with six Ghanaian women entrepreneurs in a roundtable table discussion at The Mix, a woman-owned coworking space in Accra. During her remarks, the Vice President announced over $1 Billion in public and private initiatives focused on economic empowerment of women.

The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana accompanied Vice President Harris and the Second Gentleman for their farewell at Accra’s Kotoka Airport, where the two waived farewell to their Ghanaian hosts, before departing for Tanzania.

Later in the day, the Vice President joined members of the diaspora at Vibrate Studio, a creative workspace in East Legon, to engage with Ghanaian musicians and creative professionals that are making Ghana a home to arts, music, and entertainment. “The creative work that is happening on this continent, as represented by the work that is happening here in Ghana, is extraordinary in terms of the international global impact,” said the Vice President during the event The Vice President and the Second Gentleman then returned to Jubilee House for a special state dinner, hosted by President Nana Akufo-Addo and his wife, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo. American and Ghanaian guests at the dinner included actors, musicians, creative professionals, activists, and academic leaders. In her toast to the President of Ghana, the Vice President highlighted

U.S. Vice President Harris and President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo. Photo: The White House.

Vice President Harris arrives in Ghana

Vice President Harris and the Second Gentleman departing Ghana, March 29, 2023 Source: U.S. Embassy in Ghana

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Canada federal workers launch largest strike in decades

More than 155,000 federal workers in Canada have gone on strike, marking the biggest action of its kind in the country in more than three decades. The strike comes after the union for federal workers failed to reach an agreement with the government on issues related to wages and work-from-home.

It is expected to affect multiple government services, from tax filings to passport renewals.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called for a swift resolution.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing Canadian federal workers, began its strike at midnight local time early on Wednesday, sending a third of public sector workers to the picket line.

The union said it had “exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract” with government negotiators. It added an “overwhelming majority” of its membership voted in favour of a strike mandate.

Contract talks at the bargaining table are ongoing, but the union’s president Chris Aylward saidO that PSAC and the government are “still a ways apart” from reaching an agreement.

Federal workers have asked for a series of pay bumps to keep up with the high rate of inflation.

Talks covers two main groups of federal workers120,000 workers under Canada’s Treasury Board and some 35,000 working for the tax agency.

The government offered a 9% wage increase over three years, but the union asked for a higher increase over the same period.

Tax workers initially sought a pay bump of more than 30% over three years, while the other group is seeking a 13.5% pay rise over the same period.

The union has also pushed to cement an agreement on remote work, despite a recent mandate from the Treasury Board that asked public servants to return to the office at least two days a week.

The government said in a statement on Tuesday night that it had done “everything it can to reach a deal and avoid disrupting the services that Canadians rely on”. This includes offering proposals on work-fromhome, improved family leave with pay and measures to support diversity and inclusion in the public sector.

“Even though there is a competitive deal on the table, the PSAC continues to insist on demands that are unaffordable and would severely impact the Government’s ability to deliver services to Canadians,” the government said.

Mona Fortier, president of Treasury Board, struck a more optimistic tone on Wednesday, telling reporters that she is convinced “some progress will be made” as negotiations continue.

On Wednesday, Mr Trudeau urged both sides to reach an agreement. He said he supported the right to strike but warned that “Canadians will lose patients if it drags on”.

“Canadians have a right and deserve to get the services that they need from the federal government,” Mr Trudeau said.

If the strike continues, its impact could be felt by Canadians across the country, as well as those looking to immigrate to Canada.

Immigration and passport applications are expected to face backlogs and delays as a result of the legal work action.

The Canadian Revenue Agency, which oversees taxes, will also face delays just ahead of a 30 April national deadline on annual income tax filings. While some of the striking workers also include staff from the Canada Border Agency, the government has maintained that there will be no disruptions to travel or the flow of goods into Canada.

The last federal strike of this scale took place in 1991. At the time, the legal action delayed grain shipments, flights and cross-border travel.

Federal staff then returned to work after the Canadian government introduced mandatory back-to-work legislation. BBC News, Toronto

You might not know exactly what you will be doing a year from now, on April 8, 2024. It’s pretty hard to predict a year in advance. However, on that date, a total solar eclipse will occur in parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada — including parts of southern Ontario and Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland — a rare phenomenon.

The total solar eclipse will be visible in locations including: Niagara Falls and Hamilton, Ont.; Montréal; Fredericton, N.B.; western P.E.I.; the northern tip of Cape Breton, N.S.; and Gander, Nfld.

Cities like Toronto and Ottawa will be just beyond the path of the total solar eclipse.

While partial solar eclipses happen quite frequently, the total disappearance of the sun behind the moon only occurs when the moon is closer to our planet or the sun is at its furthest point from it. It is a question of the size of the moon compared to the sun. When the two are perfectly aligned, it creates a shadow cone that allows people on Earth who are within this narrow band to enjoy the unique spectacle of a total eclipse.

On average, this alignment only occurs once every 375 years, but it can vary. For example, the last total eclipse visible in Montréal occurred on Aug. 31, 1932. Other regions in Canada have not been as lucky. In St. John’s, Nfld., the last total eclipse was on Feb. 3, 1440, and locals will have to wait a total of 765 years for the next one, which will happen on July 17, 2205! The record belongs to Regina, Sask., which had a total eclipse in 54 BC, but will not see another one until Oct. 17, 2153 — or a total of 2207 years!

So try not to miss the total eclipse in places like Montréal in 2024. If you do, you’ll have to go to a location like Calgary for the next one, in 20 years

Yet the phenomenon does pose significant risks to eye health. As an optometrist, I am very concerned about eye health issues. I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to go blind after watching a solar eclipse without properly protecting their eyes.

Watch it, but protect yourself

Watching a total solar eclipse is always fascinating. During the phase when the moon completely obstructs the sun, daylight is transformed into a deep twilight sky. The sun’s outer atmosphere (known as the sun’s corona) gradually appears, shining like a halo around the moon. The bright stars and planets become more visible in the sky.

In daylight, the sun usually emits visible light that is so intense we cannot look directly at it for very long. If our eye ever looks directly at the sun, we have the reflex of turning away from it immediately, after an average of only 0.25 seconds. This reflex provides natural protection for eyes against the harmful rays of the sun, some of which — notably ultraviolet and infrared radiation — are not visible.

Ultraviolet radiation (UV)

UVs accounts for seven per cent of solar radiation. They are partly absorbed by the cornea (the clear part at the front of the eye) and the crystalline lens (the natural lens inside the eye), without causing any damage, unless the exposure is too great.

In such cases, depending on the amount of UV radiation it absorbs, the cornea may develop inflammation, known as keratitis. The lens, in turn, loses its transparency — this is called a cataract. Other impacts can be expected, such as the development of small cysts (pinguecula) on the conjunctiva (white of the eye) or a membrane invading the cornea (pterygium)

Eyelids can also develop skin cancers. The upper eyelid, which is usually not exposed on the outside when our eyes are open, is particularly at risk when we lie on the beach with our eyes closed without protection. Finally, UV light predisposes us to macular degeneration, which is a damage to our best retinal cells and can result in varying degrees of vision loss.

These diseases all develop as a result of direct radiation, but can also come about when the sun’s rays are strongly reflected by surfaces such as snow (snow ophthalmia), sand

or water. It is therefore recommended to wear protective eyewear that cuts out all UV rays (UV400 protection) when you plan to spend more than a few minutes in the sun. For both children and adults, the frame should wrap around the eyes, so that no rays pass through the side or top.

Infrared radiation (IR)

IRs make up the majority of the radiation emitted by the sun — 54 per cent. We feel the effects because it is thermal radiation, which is accompanied by heat.

While the cornea (burning) and lens (cataract) can also be affected by IR, it is more the retina that can suffer from inappropriate exposure to IR. Again, it is a question of intensity and duration. As with UV radiation, the more intense the radiation, the more permanent damage will occur in a short period of time.

IR damage to the retina destroys the cells that allow us to see and ultimately creates a scotoma, a permanent black spot in our field of vision. This is a cause of blindness.

Eclipse and radiation

When the Sun is only partially hidden (partial eclipse), the UV and IR radiation is as important as in full sunlight. However, because of the reduced luminosity, we no longer have the natural reflex of turning our eyes away. So it may seem more comfortable to observe the sun for several seconds or even minutes. Without protection, this type of exposure can lead to the pathologies described above and contribute to blindness if the central retina is affected. U.S. President Donald Trump was reminded of this in 2017, when he watched a partial eclipse without protection, putting his vision at risk.

During a total eclipse, however, it is possible, during the short duration of the total obstruction of the sun (one minute 37 seconds), to look at the solar corona without protection. But you must be very vigilant and remember to put protection back in place as soon as the Moon starts to move and the radiation becomes present again, even though the ambient luminosity is still reduced.

The same precautions should be taken when viewing the eclipse directly through binoculars, a telescope, a camera or other optical means. For example, do not look at your phone screen with the naked eye when trying to take pictures of the eclipse. The rays are not blocked by these instruments and can cause significant eye damage.

) A question of protection

So, what kind of eye protection are we talking about exactly? Sunscreens that can be mounted in glasses or in temporary glasses, made of cardboard, but that cover the entire surface of the eye perfectly. Once again, it is important to avoid leaving a gap between the eye and the protective screen through which harmful radiation can enter. Permitted filters must meet ISO-12312-2

Before wearing such filters, be sure to follow the instructions provided with the equipment. It is very important for parents to ensure that children wear the filters properly and do not play with them. When the observation is over, do not remove the filters while you are still looking at the sun: look away, turn your back to the sun and remove the filters. Then don’t look at the sky anymore.

If ever…

Damage to the cornea and retina can occur within hours of exposure, but not always immediately. If you have ever been inadvertently or recklessly exposed, monitor your vision in the hours after the eclipse. If you notice any blurring or changes in your vision, you should consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Many activities will be organized for the arrival of the total eclipse. To make the most of this unique event, watch for announcements from organizations such as Space for Life, institutions such as the Université de Montréal, or your local astronomy clubs. These organizations will provide information, may provide protective glasses/filters and, most importantly, will help you to better understand the phenomenon.

See you in a year’s time! But in the meantime, whether young and old, let’s all protect our eyes properly. The Conversation

On April 8, 2024, parts of Ontario, Québec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland will see a total eclipse of the sun. Here’s how to get ready for it

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We Serve All Kinds Of African Continental Dishes

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MONDAY - CLOSED TUESDAY - 11:00 AM TO 9:00 PM WEDNESDAY - 11:00 AM TO 9:00 PM THURSDAY - 11:00 AM TO 9:00 PM FRIDAY - 11:00 PM TO 10:00 PM SATURDAY - 11:00 AM TO 10:00 PM SUNDAY - 12:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

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* Fried Yam with Tilapia or Red Snapper

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* Dieho (TZ) * Konkonte

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Location: 2223 Jane Street

FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Announces Initiatives to Strengthen

U.S. Partnership with Ghana and Promote Regional Security

The United States and Ghana enjoy a strong bilateral relationship based on deep historical, cultural, and economic ties, as well as shared democratic values. The United States and Ghana partner closely to solve common challenges, in West Africa and globally, and the United States is committed to strengthening that partnership.

The Vice President’s travel to Ghana reaffirms our relationship and collaboration on a range of issues, including: supporting conflict prevention and stabilization in Coastal West Africa; promoting inclusive economic growth, innovation, and regional integration; investing in women and youth; elevating engagement with the African Diaspora; addressing shared health challenges; and partnering to build climate resilience and steward our shared Atlantic Ocean. In support of the breadth and depth of our bilateral engagement, the Administration intends to provide $139 million in bilateral assistance for Ghana in Fiscal Year 2024.

As part of her visit to Accra, the Vice President is announcing the following U.S. plans, working with Congress as appropriate. She will also highlight additional resources requested in the FY 2024 President’s Budget.

Regional Efforts to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability

On March 24, 2023, President Biden transmitted to Congress the 10-year plan for implementing the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability with the Coastal West African countries of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo. Today, the Vice President announced that the BidenHarris Administration intends to invest more than $100 million to support conflict prevention and stabilization efforts in Coastal West Africa, including at least $86 million in funding over three years specifically dedicated to implementation of the new 10-year plan. The plan is intended to address regional threats of violent extremism and instability in Coastal West Africa and enable the U.S. Government to work with Congress to marshal additional assistance to support efforts in the region over the coming years.

The United States supports the holistic approach being taken by Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo to address threats of violent extremism and instability, combining security, development, and peacebuilding. In support of these efforts, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State have begun implementing new programs to help strengthen economic development and increase governance and resilience in at-risk communities, including in northern Ghana. For example, USAID’s Africa Trade and Investment program, which the Vice President launched during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Diaspora Forum, is working to increase regional trade and provide access to finance to entrepreneurs. The United States is also collaborating with international partners to bolster joint investments in border governance to build unity of effort between local populations and security actors. The Department of Defense complements these programs with civil-military engagements and robust capacity building and training for partner forces.

Support for Ghana’s Economic Recovery and Debt Restructuring

• Department of Treasury Technical Advisor: The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) will deploy a fulltime resident advisor in 2023, to Accra to assist the Ministry of Finance in developing and executing medium- to long term reforms needed to improve debt sustainability and support a competitive, dynamic government debt market. The project will complement and build on the Government of Ghana’s debt restructuring efforts. This project is part of OTA’s ongoing engagement to strengthen public financial management and financial sector oversight across sub-Saharan Africa. For 2023, OTA will execute 25 projects in 15 African countries. This includes eight new projects in Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Tanzania, The Gambia, and Zambia in revenue policy and administration; budget and financial

accountability; government debt issuance and infrastructure financing; banking and financial services; and economic crimes.

• USAID Finance Fellows: To further support Ghana’s debt management, USAID is funding fellowships for a team of ten specialists to work within the Ministry of Finance, providing surge support for a two-year period. The Fellows are all young, qualified Ghanaians and recent university graduates.

Strengthening Economic Development, Regional Integration, and Women’s Economic Empowerment

• AfCFTA Small Business Development Center: The Department of State is working with Congress to provide support for women and youth entrepreneurs from multiple African countries by creating a Small Business Development Center at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, which is headquartered in Accra. The AfCFTA forms the world’s largest free trade area by connecting almost 1.3 billion people across 54 African countries into a single market for goods and services. The center aims to build the capacity of woman- and youth-owned small and medium enterprises by providing the training and skills necessary to grow their businesses, export, and become stronger players in the African and global economy.

• Support for Women and Youth Within the AfCFTA: In December 2022, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for trade and investment with the AfCFTA Secretariat. The Office of the Trade Representative will work with the AfCFTA Secretariat and a range of African and U.S. stakeholders to support the negotiations and implementation of this trade arrangement. As part of this support, the USAID-funded Commercial Law Development is providing a series of workshops and trainings on the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth under a $950,000 program.

• Action to Empower Workers and Combat Abusive Labor Practices: The U.S. Department of Labor has increased funding for its programming to combat child labor, forced labor, and trafficking in Ghana with new investments of over $2 million and continued support and engagement with the Government of Ghana through the Child Labor in Cocoa Coordinating Group.

Addressing Shared Health Challenges

• Global Health Security: As part of the overall U.S. Government global health security efforts and in support of the National Biodefense Strategy target to directly support 50 countries to improve their health security capacities, the U.S. Government, through USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), plans to provide approximately $20 million over the next three years (Fiscal Years 2022-2024 funds), pending the availability of appropriations

and final funding allocations, to strengthen Ghana’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. The President’s FY 2024 Budget includes an additional $9 million in USAID funding for this purpose, requested to be provided during this timeframe. Funding will support communities to identify and mitigate risks for the spread of infectious diseases between animals and humans; improve community surveillance systems to quickly identify and respond to emerging health threats; and strengthen laboratory capacity to safely and accurately detect prioritized infectious diseases.

• Malaria Investments through PMI: The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) plans to invest $27 million over the next year in partnership with the Government of Ghana to deploy lifesaving interventions proven to fight malaria, including bed nets, fast acting malaria medicines, rapid diagnostic tests, and preventative treatments in pregnancy. These funds will also support stronger, more resilient health systems by training health workers, strengthening supply chains, and improving data monitoring.

Advancing Creative Economies

• OneBeat Ghana Exchange Program. OneBeat, the Department of State’s international musical exchange program that uses the power of music as a gateway to engage youth and rejuvenate local economies, will launch in Ghana in November. OneBeat Ghana will bring together 10 leading musicians between the ages of 19 and 35 from the United States and Ghana for an intensive residency. The program will help artists pursue business strategies that support the creative economy and enhance their networks. The launch in Ghana will be the first OneBeat Abroad dedicated to scaling social entrepreneurship projects through creative collaboration.

Pursuing Innovative Solutions for Climate Resilience, Adaptation, and Clean Energy

• YALI Climate Tech Innovators and Leaders Program: USAID plans to launch the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Climate Tech Innovators and Leaders Program, which will bring together young leaders and entrepreneurs committed to solving emerging challenges related to climate change, global warming, resilience, and sustainability. This pilot program intends to convene a cohort of 50 young leaders and entrepreneurs from across the continent at the YALI Regional Leadership Center in Accra.

• The Blue Carbon Inventory Project: Over the coming year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will provide technical assistance and capacity building support for Ghana to incorporate

cont’d on pg. 44

The Greater Toronto Area Assemblies

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto,

Photos by Isaac Ampong

ON

Joint A/G Choir

Pastors with wives, Deacons and Deaconesses

Cross section of congregation

Rev. Cheryl, Children Pastor with some of the children dancing

Some of the church leaders

Some of the Pastors and wives

Rev. Dr. Wayne Haywood (l) in handshake with Rev. Ofei

Rev. Wayne Haywood, Main Speaker

Rev. Isaac Takyi DeGraft, Host Pastor

Some of the

Pastors and cross section of the Congregation

Dance ministration

Joint Youth Choir

of God 2023 Joint Easter Convention

“But God raised Him from the dead” (Acts 13:30) was the theme for this year’s Joint Easter Service of the Greater Toronto Area Assemblies of God Churches.

The program was held at the Living Word Assembly of God Church Auditorium, 139 Millwick Drive, Toronto, Ontario. It all started on Thursday 6th April to Sunday 9th April, with Rev. Dr. Wayne Haywood of Doxa Ministries from Trinidad who delivered the sermon throughout the entire convention.

There were pre service prayer, praise and worship, Song Ministration by the various church groups and joint A/G Choir Ministration.

Rev. Milton Ofei, Chairman of the Ghanaian Assemblies of God Churches Fellowship in Canada gave introductory speech.

All the 7 joint church Pastors with their wives, Deacons and Deaconess were at hand in support of the convention. The following are the Pastors from the various Assemblies: Rev. Isaac Takyi De-Graft, and Rev. Cheryl, Living Word Assembly, Rev. Milton Ofei, Evangel Assembly, Rev. Nana Boateng, Lighthouse Assembly, Rev. Isaac Bonful, Transformation Assembly, Rev. Jonathan Manu, Everlasting Gospel Assembly, Rev. Douglas Owusu Ansah, Emmanuel Assembly and Rev. Thompson, Grace and Mercy Assembly. In addition there were other visiting Pastors.

Organists

Pastors and their wives

Kofi Asabre, Praise and Worship Leader

Some of the Youth at the service

Cross section congregation Praise and Worship ministration

Rev. Dr. Haywood and Pastor Michael Ansu

Guitarist

Drummer

Guitarist

Samuel Oppong (r) receiving sponsorship Award

Joseph Akrofi (r) receiving sponsorship Award

Pastor Michael Ansu (r) receiving sponsorship Award

Eric Amofa and family(r) receiving sponsorship Award

The Apostolic Church Int’l Canada Easter Convention 2023

By Emmanuelk Ayiku, Toronto, ON

At the Miracle Assembly, 31 Airview Road was the new church auditorium that was the venue for this year’s Easter Convention from Thursday 6th April to Sunday April 9th 2023. The convention theme was” True Disciples and the message of the cross.

The event was hosted by Apostle Jeremiah Mensah (President Apostle)

Apostle Jeremiah Mensah (r) and Eld. Kwasi Peprah

Eld. Joe Appiah and a church Elder

Some of the church Elders and members

Congregation

Cross section of congregation

Church Elders Soloist

Some of the Youth

Cross section of congregation

Women Leaders

Cross of congregation Congregation

The Cheap, Seductive Lure Of Sanctions

By Paddy Hirsch

against Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, China and Venezuela have all made the news in recent weeks. That may seem like a lot of countries that the US is sanctioning. But they’re just five of the roughly 23 countries that the US is currently sanctioning around the world.

The Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) at the US Treasury says sanctions use trade restrictions and the blocking of assets to accomplish foreign policy and national security goals. Some of these sanctions date back to 1996. So how successful have they been?

Not very, says Agathe Demarais, in her new book Backfire: How Sanctions Reshape the World Against US Interests.

Demarais works at the Economist Intelligence Unit, as its global forecasting director. Previously, she worked on sanctions for the French government, as a senior policy advisor to the Treasury. She says a review of all US sanctions since 1970 shows that targeted countries altered their behavior in a way that the US hoped they would just 13 percent of the time.

“The reality is that sanctions are sometimes effective, but most often not, and it is hard to accurately predict when they will work,” she says.

Sanctions have been around in some form or another since the days of Ancient Greece. The French used them (unsuccessfully) against the British during the Napoleonic wars, and they have been used by other countries many times since. But they have become particularly prevalent since the 1960s, when the US first imposed sanctions on Cuba.

Demarais identifies the development of sanctions into three phases, from the crude tool of the embargo, to the much more incisive weapon of the financial sanction, to the pinpoint focus of the individual sanction.

The first phase, the trade embargo, has rarely, if ever, been met with success, she says. President Eisenhower imposed a trade embargo on Cuba in 1960, in response to Fidel Castro’s decision to nationalize three American oil refineries. But, Demarais says, retaliation for the seizure of the plants was not the objective: regime change in Havana was. More than sixty years later, the same regime remains in place.

The US sanctions on North Korea, which initially began as an embargo, morphed into something more sophisticated after North Korea withdrew from an international treaty on nuclear proliferation in 2003. OFAC began looking for better ways to put pressure on the country, and identified a bank that was helping North Korea get around its trade restrictions. By targeting the bank, OFAC destroyed the sole conduit for all North Korea’s international banking transactions, a severe blow. And with that, the financial sanction was born.

“The idea behind financial sanctions is beautifully simple,” Demarais says. They make it “difficult to raise funds, conduct international business, or launder the proceeds from illicit activities” by making it harder to use banks. Cash, she says, is still king when it comes to global transactions. But when nations or people have to transfer large amounts of money, they need to use wire transfers and therefore banks.

The third phase of sanctions, the individual sanction, is a natural next step. Financial sanctions aim to shut down bank, country and company cash supply lines; individual sanctions are designed to isolate and alienate specific people in key sectors of a target country’s economy or political system. Demarais tells the story of the sanction, in 2018, of seven Russian businessmen. One of the principal sources of intelligence used by OFAC to choose these targets: the Forbes top 100 list of richest Russians, cross referenced with the Kremlin public telephone directory.

Financial sanctions, then, whether aimed at corporations, countries or individuals, are a good deal more targeted than embargoes and blockades. But even they have had mixed results, Demarais says. Moreover, they often backfire or cause collateral damage, affecting innocent people in the targeted country and even the interests of the United States itself.

Backfire

That is kind of the point. Financial sanctions are designed to inflict pain on the people of a targeted country, with the hope that they will get fed up and advocate for political change. But it’s a delicate balance.

The pressure can work: Demarais points to the example of Iran in 2012, when the Obama administration convinced the Swift financial transaction system to cease doing business with Tehran. Unable to do any international business, the Iranian economy crashed. A year later, Iranians elected a new, moderate president, Hassan Rouhani. Two years after that, Iran signed a deal to accept limitations on its nuclear program.

The Swift sanction was a success. But the long-term fallout for the people of Iran — who were still living under other sanctions — was devastating. Consumer prices rose by 30 percent. Living standards plummeted. When Covid hit, a few years later, sanctions affected Iran’s ability to get medicine and other supplies. The virus tore through the country, and hundreds of thousands of people died.

Demarais notes that the human cost of sanctions is often so high that it turns the people of the sanctioned country against the sanctioner. This happened in Iran in 2012, and in Venezuela, after US sanctions in 2018 triggered a one million percent inflation hike. It has also happened in Russia more recently. Russian citizens angry in part at US sanctions have been reportedly queueing up to join the army, even after a year of war and economic isolation.

The loss of hearts and minds in a target country is one thing, but sanctions can backfire in very specific ways that damage the US, Demarais says. She points to the embargo on grain

exports to the USSR that the Carter administration put in place in 1980. The administration wanted to pressure the USSR to get out of Afghanistan, and figured that because the US supplied a third of Russia’s grain supply, this was a good pressure point.

But the USSR simply switched to new suppliers, and US farmers were left with a glut of grain. The market crashed. Land values plummeted. Farms went out of business. The embargo was lifted a year later, but the damage was done. Russia didn’t trust the US, and neither did anyone else. American farmers’ share of the global markets in corn, soybeans and wheat all dropped.

The Artful Dodgers

Another reason sanctions have limited effects, Demarais says, is that they are often easily avoided. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russia has combated sanctions by sourcing new markets for its most important exports. India and China have bought its oil, and it has used other allies as conduits to smuggle other goods.

“We’re seeing a lot of trade between Turkey and Russia these days, for instance,” Demarais says. “So it appears that some smuggling could be taking place via Turkey, which doesn’t impose sanctions, even though it is a NATO member.”

But circumvention is the old way of doing things, Demarais says. It’s logistically challenging, time consuming and expensive, as you generally have to sell your goods cheaper. The new school of sanctions dodgers uses inoculation.

“It’s about a preemptive approach to vaccinate their economies, insulate their economies from the impact of sanctions, and these innovations take place in the financial sphere,” Demarais says.

She says this inoculation takes a three pronged approach. The first prong is currency protection. She notes that Russia vaccinated itself ahead of its invasion of Ukraine by keeping half of its reserves in non-western currencies, in rubles and rupees and renminbi, so that it could continue to trade.

“The second part is [finding] alternatives to Swift, the global Rolodex connecting all banks around the world,” she says.

China has taken the initiative in this area, having seen what happened to Iran when it was disconnected from Swift in 2012. It has begun developing an alternative, called the CrossBorder Interbank Payment System (CIPS).

“It is much smaller than Swift,” Demarais says, “But it just exists. So it gives China a plan B in case it were to be cut off from Swift. And it actually gives China an offensive capability too, because one day China could say, to do business with Chinese firms, you need to use CIPS. And so that would give China the possibility to cut off entire countries or companies from its market.”

Finally, Demarais says, countries aiming to inoculate themselves from the effects of sanctions are developing digital central bank currencies. Again, China has taken the lead here, creating a financial realm that is completely disconnected from the US dollar and international currency markets, and thereby totally insulated from American influence.

“These are not crypto,” she says. “These are digital currencies that are stored on the mobile phones of more than 300 million Chinese people. Sanctions from western countries have zero bite on such digital currencies, which are completely managed by the central bank in China.”

The Cheap Lure of Sanctions

So if sanctions don’t work most of the time, backfire often, and are increasingly easy to evade, why does the US keep using them?

Demarais says it’s because they’re easy to implement, they cost very little, and they are comparatively risk free.

Law Other Practice Areas * Family Class Sponsorships

* Sponsorship appeals

* Refugee Claims

Small Claims Court Matters

Landlord and Tenant Matters

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

* You don't need to go to the Port

* You don't need to see any Agent

* Just see a CARGO-LINK Representative in Accra & Kumasi for your Safe & Affordable Shipment

* We also do door to door in Accra & Kumasi at very low transportation cost (EXTRA)

* We give Bill of Lading too to those who want to clear their own goods

Contact: Regina or B'B Manu

Tel: 416-736-1905

416-822-9462

Fax: 416-736-9973

Go Seko Shipping Inc.

The Annual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards a celebration of Excellence Honoring our Community Achievers

Hosted by The Ghanaian News Corporation

Call for 2023 Award Nominations Awards Criteria 2023

This year’s (2023) presentation recognizes achievements in the following areas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Volunteerism

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

11. Media: Any individual or group of community media persons who have excelled in their field and thus brought honour to our community and to Canadian society.

12. Community Leadership: This award will go to an individual who have provided responsible and effective leadership in various aspects of our community life.

13. Entrerpreneur: Any individual or business enterprise within our community who have worked innovatively to establish a thriving business that contributes to the financial well-being of our community and Canadian society.

14. Heroism: Any individual who have engaged in any acts of bravery to save lives or present the destruction of property.

15. Young Talent: This award is given to young person (especially under the age of 18) in our community who exhibit exceptional talent towards community or national development.

16. Group of the Year: This category recognizes the efforts of very dedicated group of Ghanaians/Associations in our community who work tiredlessly behind the scenes to make our community better. These are those who toil day and night selflessly, often avoiding recognition and the spotlight and at great costs to themselves in many aspects of our community's life. They get involved in community and national events with just one cardinal principle: the betterment of our community

17. Technical Innovation: Individuals or group of persons/organizations who have new inventions or patents in the area of technical advancement

18. National Honour: A community member whose work/contributions have been recognized nationally in Canada and thus brought recognition and pride to our community

2023 Nomination Form

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

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

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

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

Please mail, fax or e-mail this nomination form to: The Awards Selection Committee, c/o The Ghanaian News Corporation, 1111 Albion Rd.#103, Etobicoke, ON. Fax: 416-916-6701, Email: awards@ghanaiannews.ca

Deadline for nominations: May 30, 2023

The Apostles’ Continuation Church Int’l Toronto Easter Convention 2023

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

Christ redeemed us by becoming a curse: this was the theme for this year’s Easter Convention 2023 by the Apostles’ Continuation Church Int’l.

The Easter event started on Friday, April 7 to Sunday April 9 which was the climax of the convention.

Apostle Charles Anokye Manu, the host Pastor led the 2023 convention.

Apostle Charles Anokye Manu

Church Leaders

Pastors wives

Some of the church leaders

Church Leaders

Some of the Church Leaders

Music Team

Media crew Congregation

Praises Times

Congregation

Congregation

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)

BETHANY METHODIST CHURCH-BRAMPTON

PLACE OF WORSHIP-1A KNIGHTSBRIGE ROAD (Senior’s Lounge)

Sunday Divine Service - 2PM-5PM

Online Prayer Meeting Fridays at 8PM -9PM 416-800-4317

Code # 9632581

Contact: Robert Frans (289-541-5579)

Felix Gyimah (289-931-8443)

Redemption Methodist Church

Location: 955 Wilson Ave., Unit 12, North York, ON Weekly Service Schedule: Monday 7 pm - 8 pm

Online Bible Study: Thursday 7 pm - 8:30 pm, Prayer Meeting Friday 7:30 pm - 9 pm

Divine Service, Sundays 10 am - 12:30 pm

Contacts: Agnes Donkor - 647-881-4808, Felicia Owusu - 647-533-1093, Grace Kubi - 647-608-5373

Holy Trinity Methodist Church, Montreal

Place of Worship: 455 Church Street - Beaconsfield Qc H9W 3S6

Day and Time of Worship

Sunday Divine Service: 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

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

Contact: Bro. Joselin Twumasi 438-881-6640

Ebenezer Methodist Church

Stoney Creek United Church (Chapel)

1 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Hamilton

Contact: Bro. Kofi Bonsu 289-684-6074

Worship Time: 11 am to 1 pm

SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED FOLLOWING THE TRADITIONAL GHANA METHODIST LITURGY. PLEASE COME AND JOIN

Peniel Methodist Church Vancouver #2322 1248 82 Ave. Surrey, BC, V3W 3E9

Sister Comfort T. Owusu 647-895-7131

Worship Time: 9 am to 10:30

FOOD FOR LIFE

Bringing the Gospel to our Community

By Rev. Isaac De-Graft Takyi

THE CHRISTIAN IN 2023: HOW TO REACH OUT IN UNUSUAL KINDNESS

KINDNESS QUOTES TO THINK THROUGH

“Unexpected Kindness Is The Most Powerful, Least Costly, And Most Underrated Agent Of Human Change.” Bob Kerrey

“Unless Someone Like You Cares A Whole Awful Lot, Nothing Is Going To Get Better. It’s Not.” Dr. Seuss

DEFINITION

Unusual kindness refers to an unexpected or extraordinary act of kindness that goes beyond what is typically expected or required. It is a selfless and generous expression of compassion and love that can have a significant impact on both the giver and the receiver.

UNUSUAL KINDNESS CAN TAKE MANY FORMS, SUCH AS:

• Offering to help someone in need, without being asked or expecting anything in return.

• Giving a thoughtful and meaningful gift to someone, even if it is not a special occasion.

• Listening to someone who needs to talk and offering empathy and support.

• Forgiving someone who has wronged you and showing them love and compassion.

• Going out of your way to make someone feel valued and appreciated.

• Doing something unexpected and surprising to brighten someone’s day.

Unusual kindness is a powerful force that can break down barriers, build relationships, and bring joy and hope to those who experience it. In-fact it can produce revival, refreshment, and restoration.

It can also inspire others to be kinder, and compassionate, creating a ripple effect that can have a positive impact on the world.

It is important to note that, acts of unusual kindness are not always easy or convenient, but they can be some of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in life. They require us to put aside our own interests and desires, and to focus on the needs and feelings of others. When we practice unusual kindness, we become more compassionate, empathetic, and loving, and we make the world a better place for everyone.

As we read in the book of Acts 28:1; 7-11:

“Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 7 There was an estate nearby

that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.” NIV. Paul and his companions were shipwrecked on the island of Malta. They were strangers in a foreign land, having just experienced a traumatic event, but the Maltese people showed them “unusual kindness.” What does it mean to show unusual kindness, and what can we learn from this example?

First, GO: Unusual kindness means going above and beyond what is expected. The Maltese people didn’t just offer Paul and his companions a place to stay or some food to eat; they built a fire for them in the rain and cold and welcomed them all. They didn’t have to do that, but they chose to be generous and hospitable. This is a reminder for us that as followers of Christ, we are called to be generous and hospitable to others, even if it means going out of our way or sacrificing our own comfort.

Second, TREAT: Unusual kindness means treating others with respect and compassion, regardless of their background or circumstances. Paul and his companions were strangers in Malta, but the Maltese people didn’t judge them or treat them with suspicion. Instead, they showed them kindness and hospitality. This is a powerful reminder that we should treat everyone we meet with kindness and respect, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or social status.

Finally, HELP: Unusual kindness means being willing to help others in need, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. When Paul was gathering brushwood for the fire, a viper bit him, but the Maltese people didn’t hesitate to help him. They didn’t say, “well, he should have been more careful,” or “we don’t want to get involved.” Instead, they did everything they could to help him, even when it meant putting themselves at risk. This is a reminder that we should be willing to help others in need, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable for us.

“When You Are Kind To Others, It

Not Only Changes You, It Changes The World”

Harold Kushner

HOW DO YOU APPLY THIS SCRIPTURE TO YOUR LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN?

I will suggest four ways as a followup from the Apostle Paul’s example.

1. Look for opportunities to be generous and hospitable. Think about how you can bless others with your time, talents, or resources. Consider volunteering at a local charity or helping a neighbor in need.

2. Practice treating everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances. Avoid making assumptions or judgments about others and seek to understand their perspective.

3. Be willing to help others in need, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. This could mean offering a listening ear, providing practical assistance, or simply being present with someone who is going through a difficult time.

4. Pray for a heart of kindness and compassion. Ask God to help you

see others as He sees them and to give you the strength and courage to love them well.

I believe that, by putting these principles into practice, as believers, we can become a people who show unusual kindness to others, just as the Maltese people did for Paul and his companions. Remember, every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a difference in someone’s life and can be a powerful witness to the love of Christ

CONCLUSION

The example of the Maltese people’s unusual kindness towards Paul and his companions is a powerful reminder of what it means to be a follower of Christ. We are called to be generous, hospitable, respectful, and compassionate to all those we meet, even when it means going out of our way or sacrificing our own comfort. Let us go forth from this place with hearts full of kindness and love, ready to share God’s grace with all those we meet. Amen.

“I’ve Learned That People Will Forget What You Said, People Will Forget What You Did, But People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel.” Maya Angelou

EVANGEL

ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH

314 Rexdale Blvd. Etobicoke, Ont. M9W 1R6

Tel: 416-242-7950

Fax: 416-242-8573

Church Activities

Sunday School: 10a.m. -11:00a.m.

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

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

Wednesday Bible Studies: 7p.m. - 8:30p.m.

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

I AM ALPHA & OMEGA MINISTRY INT'L

We invite you to worship with us

Church Service:

Sunday Worship: 10.00a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

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

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

JESUS Loves You

NEW LOCATION

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

Tel: 416-419-6671

Pastor in Charge Rev. Milton Offei

Bishop John Mensah

Church Of Christ Ghanaian Congregation - Toronto

Address: 101 Westmore Drive, Unit 206, Etobicoke (Highway 27/Finch)

Time of Worship: 10am - 12:15pm

Contact: Bro. Fordjour Acheampong: 416-671-4268

Bro. Agyenim Boateng: 647-656-9905

Bro. Christian Kpodjie: 647-405-2068

Lighthouse Assembly of God Church

SUNDAY SERVICES: 9:30 am-1:00 pm - Ghanaian Service

WEEKDAY SERVICES:

Wednesday - Bible Studies 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Friday - Holy Ghost Service 7:00 pm -9:00 pm

LOCATION: 42 Steinway Blvd. Unit 1&2 (Hwy 27/Steeles) Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6Y6 Tel: 416-740-1200 Fax: 416-740-6435

Email: lighthouseagtoronto.org lighthouseag@outlook.com

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

CHRIST REDEEMER CHURCH

Pastor-in-charge: Pastor Eric Amoah

Tel: (416) 748-1242 Cell: (416) 300-9970

Church Services

Sunday Service:

Bible Study: 10 a.m.-11a.m.

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

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

Friday Night Prayer: 8p.m.-10p.m.

Pastor Eric Amoah

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

Bethel Prayer Ministry Int'l

Do you desire to experience the power and the presence of God demonstrated in your life?

Do you want to experience the marvelous work of God's grace in your life?

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

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.

COME AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED

Pastor Dennis Awuku 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

Lead Pastor: Rev. Nana Boateng

Rev. Nana Boateng

FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Announces Initiatives to Strengthen U.S. Partnership with Ghana and Promote Regional Security

cont’d from pg. 24

coastal wetlands in their national greenhouse gas inventory and enhance the management of these ecosystems for multiple benefits, including mitigation, adaptation, and ecosystem services.

• Weather and Climate Forecasting: As part of the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), and in response to the UN Secretary General’s call for Early Warning for All by 2027, NOAA is working to expand access to multi-hazard early-warning systems across Africa, including for heat wave forecasting and climate-informed health early warning. To carry out this work, NOAA will build on longstanding relationships with national and regional weather services in Africa. NOAA scientists and emergency preparedness experts will work with African partners to communicate heat and health early warnings and support communities, leaders, businesses, and people in applying weather and climate information to reduce impacts and save lives. A 2023 workshop hosted in Ghana will

The Apostolic Church Int'l.

Canada Miracle Assembly

MOVED TO NEW LOCATION

31 Airview Road

Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 1P6

Meeting Schedule

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

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

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

230 Eddystone Ave., #207, North York, Ont. M3N 1H7

We are more tan our conquerors Romans 8:37 "Come and see the manifestation and the power of the Holy Spirit at work"

assess needs and requirements for further climate training of meteorologists in Africa, identify gaps for improving climate predictions, and discuss strategies for future climate training.

• Pan-African Nuclear Energy Training Program: The Department of Energy is partnering with Ghana to establish a Clean Energy Training Center and will sponsor the Pan-African Nuclear Energy Training Program. The Ghana Clean Energy Training Center will offer a series of live online nuclear education and training courses made available to all African countries free of cost. The educational series is being offered in support of African countries considering nuclear energy as they work to advance economic development, energy security, and decarbonization.

• Equality Ambassadors Program: The Department of Energy-led Equality Ambassadors Program is seeking distinguished individuals from Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia in the clean energy field who can act as advocates for gender equality and take actions to attract, retain, and inspire the next

cont’d on pg. 47

Scarborough Assembly 63 Howden Rd., Unit 'F' Scarborough, ON, M1R 3C7 Tel 647-850- 0142 Fax 416-945- 9445

Pastor-In-Charge:

Welcome Home

Evangelistic Ministries

Affiliated with the Evangelical Church In Canada

New address: Heart Lake United Church

85 Sandalwood Pkwy E. Brampton, ON

Sunday Morning Worship Celebration

Start from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

& Founder: Evang. & Prophetess

Winnie Manu BRE, M. Div.

Wednesday Discipleship class is 7pm Friday Prayer meeting is 7pm

Contact Info: Tel: 647 210 7057 Fax: 905 495 4789

Website: www.wheministries.org Email: whemtoday@gmail.com

Apostle Charles Anokye-Manu

Apostle Jeremiah Mensah (Resident Apostle)

For future success you must deal with your past

There are many people who either do not know, tend to ignore, or simply refuse to consider important facts surrounding their past life that need to be properly dealt with, as they seek to make progress into new areas of life. In that case they do not take positive steps to make any necessary changes, reaffirmations, and adjustments in order to move ahead more decisively and progressively for the rest of their lives. Some people feed so much on their past that they literally live in the past all the time, and make no real progress in life because of lack of proper focus on the productive future ahead of them. Typical in this category are: divorced individuals; single parents who are not married; people who are deeply disappointed by past lovers; disappointed politicians; those who have lost an important opportunity; those who have experienced unexpected death of loved ones; people whose reputation was tarnished by false accusation, a scandal, or some other problem; individuals with tragic occurrences and heavy losses; a mistake that has brought about a disability or incurable illness; serious financial loss; devastation of a business or investment; loss of precious property etc.

If you wish to see success and victory in your life, then it is important and necessary to deal with your past, because of at least 12 reasons that I have thought about:

Past mistakes and deficiencies can blur your clear view of life in general, and especially cloud the future that God intends for you to look forward to. You may see life as haze consisting only of mistakes along the way, without focusing on the good aspects of a meaningful life.

Past failures and weaknesses could inject discouragement and regrets so deep into you that you lose every desire to try taking on assignments or taking initiatives anymore.

Unbelief and lack of faith will always characterize any life that is constantly looking back instead of looking forward towards the expected goal. Interferences of our past pain and regrets in the plans of our present life, are great contributing factors towards our partial or complete loss of focus and purpose in life, or absence of progress for a particular project.

Any demonic spirits behind sins and bad habits of the past would still be operating and might even be given wider doors through discouragement and unbelief, to do more damage to your future plans.

Past problems and mistakes could be wide-opened windows for satanic attacks, and could even open the door for witchcraft activities in your life that could make you an ultimate agent of the devil against the plans of the Lord. There are many marriages, love relationships, businesses, educational efforts, career planning, and ministries that are not progressing because the leaders and close people involved have open doors for several forms of satanic and human attacks to assail them relentlessly.

Not settling in our hearts to give God all the glory for our past successes, can create an air of superiority and arrogance around us, deceive us to become complacent and self-sufficient, cause us to become proud, and set the stage for our own demise. People who do not like you or who do not agree with you could be incited by the flesh and the devil to use your past as a weapon against you if you allow them to recognize that your past bothers you, or is a hindrance to your progress.

If we force to push ahead with any good agenda for future development and productivity along with a baggage of unresolved past hurts, wounds, disobedience, and other sins or problems, the ultimate harvest could

be seriously hindered, and the fruits of our life could be terribly infected and adulterated.

It is more difficult to trust and work cooperatively with people when we interact closely with them while we carry a load of unresolved issues of our past, and old diseased or dark components of our past life that need to be dealt with. For example, we might be so hurt by someone in a previous abusive or unsuccessful relationship that it becomes a monumental task to step out in faith to open our minds and hearts to trust anyone.

If you do not deal with your past properly, you cannot help others to deal with their damaging past as well, and that would hinder your being a noble vessel in the Hands of God for Him to use to restore the broken or wounded lives of others.

Unresolved issues and deep matters of your past will always dampen joy and contentment in your soul, and your bitter spirit will therefore never allow you to live a grateful life that is full of praise and thanksgiving to God, and thankfulness to people who came (or would come) into your life. God expects us to give all of our past problems, failures, and successes to Him, in order for Him to straighten all that is crooked, renew and refresh us, and lead us into His glorious future plans. Allowing the negatives or the prosperity of your past to interfere with your future walk with God or progress in life is therefore an act of disobedience to God.

In summary, if you do not fully deal with your past, you can never enter into your future. Our God is a great and loving God of restoration and healing. God desires primarily to restore you into fellowship with Him, and ultimately build a strong relationship with Him.

No matter how sinful and rotten you feel

or know that you are, or how foolishly and profoundly you have strayed in the camp of the flesh and Satan, the Lord Jesus Christ has the power, mercy, and willingness to cleanse, mend your broken life, and restore you to the position God originally intended for you to occupy. The Lord is ever ready to fix all of your brokenness, but you must be willing to give Him all of the broken pieces yourself, before He can completely heal and restore you. Nobody can do that for you. This is the only way to enjoy the best education, career, business, leadership, ministry, relationships, marriage, and family life that you have always dreamt about. No matter your past failures or disappointments, “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147: 3).

Tune in to JOY 99.7 FM in Accra, Ghana on Saturdays at 5:30 am –6:00 am (Ghana Time) or US Eastern ST 12:30 am – 1:00 am November to March, and listen to Dr. Kisseadoo’s broadcast “Hope For Your Family”. Access on the Internet using MYJOYONLINE.COM, and click on “Live Radio”. Obtain Dr. Kisseadoo’s books online from: RedLeadBooks. com or Amazon.com using his name. Contact him in the USA (1-7577289330) for copies of his 14 books, free counseling and prayer. Visit his website: www.fruitfulministriesint. com for essentials that will enrich your life, relationships, and ministry. Use DrSamuel Kisseadoo to access his Wall on Facebook. Copyright March. 2012 Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Kisseadoo (Professor of Biology, USA. International Evangelist. Ordained & Licensed Minister. Teacher, Conference Speaker). Founder and President, Fruitful Ministries International Inc. (Evangelistic & Teaching Ministry). 6 Red Robin Turn, Hampton, Virginia 23669, USA. Tel.1- 757-7289330

E-mail: kisseadoo@msn.com

Can dating cause depression amongst teens/youth? The dark side of early dating

Doris Osei Bonsu, Crisis Counselor, Toronto

Dating at a young age causes more stress than happiness. Along with dating comes worrying about how you look, worrying about your ‘relationship’, and worrying about competition and threats to your relationship. Teens/youth also have to cope with unexpected breakups that can really throw a teenager for a loop and leave them depressed for years.

Desiring a romantic partner is a natural, expected part of adolescence. However, involvement in a serious or exclusive romantic relationship in the early teen/teen years of one’s life can create problems. True romantic relationships are about intimacy, about communicating detailed, personal information verbally, and physical contact and closeness. I believe that a teen/youth first needs to form an identity and know who she or he is before developing a healthy intimate relationship. Other experts feel that romantic relationships are a way for teens or youth to learn more about themselves.

The teenage period is when many youth/ teens are still defining themselves and romantic relationships may be based on a false sense of intimacy. Iin other words, teens don’t know themselves well enough to share who they are with someone else. Having a crush in the late elementary school and early middle school years is perfectly natural and part of the biological changes of puberty. Before we can see puberty’s physical changes, teens experience an increase in hormones. Greater levels of sex hormones may influence teen’s first romantic feelings. Having a crush is not a problem, but acting on early romantic feelings and biology when a teen is not emotionally or socially ready can lead to problems for early daters.

The dark side of dating in the teen years is that it can put youth at risk. Frequent dating or spending time with a romantic partner several times a week in early adolescence is connected with adolescent risk behaviors such as school failure, poor school performance and limited educational goals, drug use, and delinquency. Other problems for teens or early adolescents who date frequently and/or exclusively include; having poor social skills that last through the later years, depression, or sexual activity.

In a healthy relationship, both partners respect and trust one another and embrace each other’s differences. Both partners are able to communicate effectively their needs and listen to their partner, and work to resolve conflict in a rational and non-violent way. But

maintaining a healthy relationship requires skills many young people are never taught. A lack of these skills and growing up in a society that sometimes celebrates violence or in a community that experiences high rates of violence, can lead to unhealthy and even violent relationships among youth.

Dating violence includes psychological or emotional violence, such as controlling behaviors or jealousy; physical violence, such as hitting or punching; and sexual violence such as non-consensual sexual activity and rape. Young people of every ethnicity, orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic class can be victims and perpetrators of dating violence. It is estimated that more than 20 percent of all adolescents report having experienced either psychological or physical violence from an intimate partner. The figures may be more than this and underreporting remains a concern. Dating violence and abuse can lead to a wide array of negative health outcomes.

Adolescents, especially older adolescents, often have romantic relationships which are long-term, serious, and intimate. Society has a responsibility to provide young people with the resources, skills, and space necessary to safeguard their physical and emotional well being in these relationships. Youth-serving professionals, educators, and parents can help young people in need access services to address dating abuse victimization.

Peers may influence a teen’s dating life, but parents and families should have the final say. Families can provide support for their teens or add stress to their lives. Research shows that families can be a great support to their teens as they form and maintain relationships. For example, teenage girls with warm, strong relationships with their mothers and who were not involved in dating had higher grades than their romantically involved peers.

Dating during adolescence poses a number of problems. There is therefore the need for understanding the impacts of dating on early, middle, and late teen years. This can help parents in their communication with their teenage children. Strengthening family communication benefits families in many ways, including promoting healthy, happy teens/youth. There is other research evidence that points to the fact that sexually active teenagers are more likely to be depressed and attempt suicide, because they are too young to handle the stress of dating. That is why it is necessary for parents to be actively involved with their teenage children as they embark on the difficult road and journey of dating.

Mistakes men make before Sex that turn women off

According to Healthline, Sèxual intimacy is an essential aspect of any romantic relationship. However, many men tend to make mistakes before sèx that turn women off, ultimately leading to a strained relationship.

Some of these mistakes may seem insignificant, but they can make a significant impact on how women view their male partners. In this article, we will discuss the most common mistakes that men make before sèx that can turn women off.

Lack of Communication:

Communication is the key to a healthy sèxual relationship. However, many men fail to communicate their needs and desires to their partners.

They assume that their partner will know what they want, which is not always the case. Lack of communication can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction for both parties, which can ultimately ruin the relationship.

Rushing:

Men tend to rush things before sèx, which can be a huge turn-off for women. They need to understand that women require more time and effort to get âroused. Therefore, it is essential to take things slow, focus on foreplay and build momentum gradually. Rushing into sèx can leave women feeling unfulfilled and unappreciated.

Lack of Foréplay:

Foréplay is an essential part of sèxual intimacy for women. However, many men tend to overlook this aspect, which can lead to dissatisfaction with their partners. It is essential to understand that women need time to get âroused and that foréplay helps them to achieve this.

By neglecting foréplay, men risk leaving their partners feeling unfulfilled and frustrated.

Poor Personal Hygiene:

Personal hygiene is a crucial aspect of any sexual relationship. However, many men tend to overlook this aspect, which can be a significant turn-off for women. Poor hygiene can lead to bad breath, body odour, and other unpleasant smells, which can ultimately ruin the mood before sèx. It is essential to take care of personal hygiene and make sure to be clean and fresh before sèxual intimacy.

Selfishness:

Sèxual intimacy is a two-way street, and it is essential to make sure that both parties are satisfied. However, many men tend to focus only on their pleasure, which can be a significant turn-off for women.

Women need to feel appreciated and desired, and by neglecting their needs, men risk leaving them feeling unfulfilled and frustrated.

In conclusion, sèxual intimacy is an essential aspect of any romantic relationship, and it is crucial to make sure that both parties are satisfied.

Men need to understand that they can make mistakes before sèx that can turn women off, ultimately leading to a strained relationship.

By avoiding the mistakes mentioned above and focusing on communication, foréplay, personal hygiene, and mutual satisfaction, men can improve their sèxual relationships and strengthen their bonds with their partners.

Smart News Media

Lifestyle

Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep

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

You’re not doomed to toss and turn every night. Consider simple tips for better sleep, from setting a sleep schedule to including physical activity in your daily routine.

Feeling crabby lately? Or simply worn out? Perhaps the solution is better sleep.

Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night’s sleep — from pressure at work and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as layoffs, relationship issues or illnesses. It’s no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.

Although you might not be able to control all of the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. Start with these simple sleep tips.

No. 1: Stick to a sleep schedule

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night. There’s a caveat, though. If you don’t fall asleep within about 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing. Go back to bed when you’re tired. If you agonize over falling asleep, you might find it even tougher to nod off.

No. 2: Pay attention to what you eat and drink

Don’t go to bed either hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort might keep you up. Also limit how much you drink before bed, to prevent disruptive

middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.

Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol deserve caution, too. The stimulating effects of nicotine and caffeine — which take hours to wear off — can wreak havoc with quality sleep. And even though alcohol might make you feel sleepy at first, it can disrupt sleep later in the night.

No. 3: Create a bedtime ritual

Do the same things each night to tell your body it’s time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed. Relaxing activities can promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness.

Be wary of using the TV or other electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. Some research suggests that screen time or other media use before bedtime interferes with sleep.

FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Announces Initiatives to Strengthen U.S. Partnership with Ghana and Promote Regional Security

cont’d from pg. 44

generation of women leaders in the clean energy sector. The Ambassadors Program, which is part of the multilateral Clean Energy Ministerial’s Equality in Energy Transitions Initiative, recognizes distinguished individuals in the clean energy field who can advocate for gender equality and inspire future women leaders in the clean energy sector. The Department of Energy is reviewing a number of nominees from Ghana and Tanzania for 2023. These nominees would be the first Equality Ambassadors representing Africa.

• Clean Energy Technology Integration and Investment in Ghana: The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will provide technical power systems assistance and capacity building to Ghana’s publicly owned power generation company, the Volta River Authority, to support large scale adoption of hybrid photovoltaic-wind systems. This support will include technical and advisory services to improve bankability of Ghana’s forthcoming competitive Independent Power Producer process. NREL will also provide technical assistance to Ghana’s transmission company and system operator, Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), to perform advanced modeling for variable solar and wind resources.

• Clean Cooking for Air Quality: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partner organizations are working with the Government of Ghana to expand energy access and reduce emissions from cooking that impact indoor and ambient air quality, climate, forests, health, and livelihoods. Research and testing of cookstoves and fuels are foundational to this work, and EPA’s support of the Ghana Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab is essential to the clean energy transition toward the sustained use of clean stoves and fuels. White House Statement Release

No. 4: Get comfortable

Create a room that’s ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs.

Your mattress and pillow can contribute to better sleep, too. Since the features of good bedding are subjective, choose what feels most comfortable to you. If you share your bed, make sure there’s enough room for two. If you have children or pets, set limits on how often they sleep with you — or insist on separate sleeping quarters.

No. 5: Limit daytime naps

Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep — especially if you’re struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality at night. If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes and make it during the mid afternoon.

If you work nights, you’ll need to make an exception to the rules about daytime sleeping. In this case, keep your window coverings closed so that

sunlight — which adjusts your internal clock — doesn’t interrupt your daytime sleep.

No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine

Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to enjoy deeper sleep. Timing is important, though. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you might be too energized to fall asleep. If this seems to be an issue for you, exercise earlier in the day.

No. 7: Manage stress

When you have too much to do — and too much to think about — your sleep is likely to suffer. To help restore peace to your life, consider healthy ways to manage stress. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Give yourself permission to take a break when you need one. Share a good laugh with an old friend. Before bed, jot down what’s on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Reference: Modified from Mayo Clinic Housecall: May 2011

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

Why some young Canadians are choosing the DINK lifestyle

Sovereign Norris and her partner don’t want to have kids.

“Economy wise, nature wise, with everything going on such as pandemics and world issues, I decided that I didn’t want to bring a child into this world,” said Norris.

“I have kind of always known that I wanted to (be childfree) ... When I met my partner, he felt the same way.”

Instead, the Vancouver-based couple adopted a guinea pig and are saving up for a dog.

The two are choosing to spend their money on basic expenses and things like travel and dining out, while putting the rest of it aside for investments and savings.

The Generation Z couple is among many Canadians embracing the dual income, no kids (DINK) lifestyle, a term that was coined in the 1980s and is making a resurgence as a result of economic and societal conditions.

DINKs have more disposable income compared with couples who live together and spend their money on raising children.

In Canada, most estimates peg the average cost of raising a child each year until the age of 18 in the range of $10,000 to $15,000 - a price tag that many young adults can’t or simply don’t want to bear.

For Norris and her partner, the main draws of the DINK lifestyle are the financial and personal freedom that come along with it.

“In Vancouver, we live downtown, but we can go to a nearby island, we can go to an Airbnb and we can invest and not feel like we’re behind in life,” said Norris.

“We in general don’t ever want kids because we have just fallen in love with this lifestyle.”

Don Kerr, a demographer who teaches at Kings University College at Western University, said part of the reason people were putting off having kids or forgoing parenthood altogether in the `80s was that more women were entering the workforce in Canada.

And women’s participation in the workforce has only increased since then, with more women taking up full-time jobs that require “major time commitment,” he noted, which is likely one of the main factors in people choosing to be childfree or delaying parenthood today.

COVID-19, which “threw us all for a loop,” is also a contributing factor, said Kerr. Canada’s fertility rate reached a record low of 1.40 children per woman in 2020, the same year the global pandemic was declared, according to Statistics Canada.

There are other factors likely at play today, Kerr pointed out, such as the cost of housing being out of reach for many, high inflation rates and more people turning to fertility clinics in their late 30s and early 40s.

But underlying all these factors, said

Kerr, are the difficulties that many young adults are facing when trying to establish themselves economically in Canada - an issue that’s exacerbated by the growing precariousness of work.

“People who are struggling the most economically in my mind are those that are trying to establish themselves in the labour market,” he said.

“And so who are we speaking of? We’re talking about young adults leaving high school or college or university, as well as new Canadians.”

Angela Iermieri, a financial planner at Desjardins, said people should view having children like any other project or goal they have in life.

“Get informed and educated on the help you can get, whether it be

government help or guidance on how to help you save up to (get) there,” she recommended. For example, she suggested receiving guidance from a financial planner, researching different government supports available to parents like the Canada Child Benefit, figuring out the cost of childcare depending on where you live, as well as determining the income that you’ll have if you or your partner go on parental leave.

“There are ways of helping you put that money aside and help guide you through this process, so it shouldn’t be a showstopper,” said Iermieri.

As for people who choose to be DINKs, Iermieri recommended having an open conversation about how you and your partner plan to manage your finances.

“Is it according to your income ratio? Are you going to split everything 50/50? Is the partner that has a larger income going to take on a bigger part of the expenses or the savings?” she said.

“It’s got to be for today’s budget, but also for your long-term goals and plans.”

Norris offered similar advice for those considering the DINK lifestyle.

“It’s really important to have transparent talks about what your financial goals are,” she said.

“It’s tempting to be like, `Oh, I have all this extra money, I’m just going to go on trips.’ Do that, but also budget accordingly.” The Canadian Press

The Cheap, Seductive Lure Of Sanctions

cont’d from pg. 29

“Sanctions are a very popular tool because they fill in the gap between empty diplomatic declarations,” she says. If a country does something the US doesn’t like, the administration doesn’t have many options. On one end of the response spectrum, it could make a strongly worded statement, which might feel like too little. On the other end…

“On the other end of the diplomatic spectrum, you have military interventions, deadly, costly, and unpopular. Sanctions fill the void in between these two extreme options.”

Sanctions waste neither blood nor treasure — or, at least, usually not American blood or treasure, which is what’s important to American politicians. And they are simple to implement.

“You can spend one night drafting sanctions and then implement them very quickly afterwards,” says Demarais, noting she has personal experience with this, from her time working with the Treasury of France. “And they appear to be cheap because they are implemented in practice by the private sector. There’s no sanctions police. So it is a form of externalization of US foreign policy.”

The American government does nothing more than dream up and impose these sanctions by fiat. The actual work of sanctioning is done by civilian institutions like banks and organizations like Swift, which check financial transactions for compliance with sanctions.

Given the ease with which sanctions can be imposed, and the lack of cost associated with them, it’s not surprising that they’re used so enthusiastically and so often by US administrations. Demarais says she doesn’t expect that to change. But, she says, because countries have gotten wise to sanctions, and figured out how to pre-empt them, the West would be wise to look back at what has and hasn’t worked when it comes to sanctions, and devise a playbook accordingly.

When Sanctions Work

Sanctions don’t fail all the time, Demarais says, and on studying the universe of sanctions, she has observed a few rules of thumb.

First, speed is everything.

“Sanctions tend to work fast or never,” she says. “They provoke a shock within the targeted economy. So if you’re a small economy, essentially you settle your dispute with the US very quickly, or you decide that sanctions are the new normal and you will adjust.”

Sometimes countries do succumb to sanctions: Turkey did in 2018, when it was persuaded by sanctions to release an American pastor named Andrew Brunson. But after several years, sanctions become baked into the economy. States increase domestic production, find ways to circumvent restrictions, and reduce their reliance on imports.

Second rule of thumb: sanctions with a limited objective are more likely to be successful.

“Targeted states need to have a very clear picture of what they need to do to get sanctions lifted,” Demarais says, noting that this is exactly what happened with Iran in the run up to the nuclear deal

in 2015. “Iran knew exactly what it needed to accept: curbs on its nuclear ambitions. And in return for that, it would get the lifting of sanctions.”

Third, multilateral support is crucial for sanctions to be effective. Napoleon’s blockade of the English was a failure, even though he controlled most of Europe. He did not, however, control the rest of the world, and Britain used its navy to develop new markets. America’s sanctions against North Korea have also failed to achieve their objective of regime change, because they do not involve China, with which North Korea does 90 percent of its trade, and Russia, which takes care of the rest.

Demarais says the US appears to have learned this lesson with regard to its sanctions of Russia over the war in Ukraine.

“There’s been a very high level of collaboration between the US and the EU and other Western countries,” she says. “This has been very positive because it means that sanctions are much stronger. And that there are no disputes regarding the scope and the impact of US sanctions.”

Finally, Demarais says, successful sanctions tend to target countries with which the US has close economic ties.

“Sanctions must target economic partners because otherwise there will be no economic ties to cut, she says. She points again to Turkey, which is a trading partner of the US and also a member of NATO. The sanctions worked in that case because there was a great deal at stake: their trading relationship.

“If you target an economy that you have zero ties to, sanctions will have very little bite because if you have zero trade, zero economic relations, zero diplomatic, or military relations with the country, you can cut them off very easily. They won’t feel anything, and won’t have any incentive to restore these ties.” Partners have much to lose, she says. Adversaries do not.

On Our Podcasts

Your banking questions, answered — It’s been a month since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank touched off the worst episode of banking turmoil since 2008. While the financial system appears to have stabilized, we’re still reckoning with what happened. Regulators are getting dragged before Congress. The Federal Reserve and the FDIC have promised reports on what went wrong with bank oversight. And judging by our inbox, you, our listeners, have a lot of lingering questions. Listen here

The battle for Puerto Rico’s beaches — Puerto Rico’s beaches are an integral part of life on the island, and by law, they’re one of the few places that are truly public. In practice, the sandy stretch of land where the water meets the shore is one of the island’s most contested spaces. Listen here

How much is your reputation worth? — Dominion Voting Systems is seeking $1.6 billion in damages from Fox News, which if it wins, would be the biggest defamation verdict in U.S. history. So we wondered, how do you price a reputation? The Indicator has the story.

By

Hamilton Ghanaian Community Celebrates Ghana’s 66 th Independence in style

The Ghanaian community in Hamilton marked this special day on Saturday March 4 th , 2023, in a grand style despite the inclement weather. The event was opened with a welcoming address by the President of the Ghana Association of Hamilton, Mrs. Comfort Afari in which she

extended the famous GhanaianAkan Akwaaba to the invited guests, community leaders and organizations that were present. She shared that “this was the day Ghanaians in Hamilton

justifiably celebrated the collective energies and sacrifices of our forefathers & mothers that led to that joyous night on March 6 th , 1957, when our historic first leader Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah uttered the memorable words, “Ghana our beloved country is free for ever”.

Under the Theme: “Forward Ever, backward never”, the Guest of Honor for the occasion Mr.

Jojo Chintoh, a retired Canadian Television Journalist of Ghanaian descent encouraged and motivated the audience with his powerful speech about the need for people of Ghanaian descent in the diaspora to learn their history and use critical thinking to improve and better themselves. He mentioned the quintessential Ghanaian hospitality, and said it is second to none in the world. Mr. Chintoh encouraged the Ghanaian diaspora to respect and be proud of the wisdom and hard work that have been instilled in them by the Ghanaian culture, and to use them to improve their community here in the diaspora and the motherland. In his greetings to the audience, the Acting Deputy Chief of the Hamilton Police Services (HPS)

David Hennick also spoke on positive action as a powerful tool in attaining one’s goals, freedom, and self governance. He shared his hope that the HPS will continue to utilize the privilege to work with the Ghanaian community, to earn our trust, and to build a relationship that is based on mutual trust.

The Hospitality Team of the Ghana Association of Hamilton led by Mrs. Comfort Boateng, Matilda Ansa-Sam and Bedia Grant treated the audience to a wide spread of delicious, authentic Ghanaian dishes including bofroot, Jollof rice, fried plantain and more. The program for the celebration was equally packed with an amazing array of activities including traditional Ghanaian music, drumming and dancing, fun Ghanaian traditional games etc. There were also information tables set up by partner communities and organizations to educate the public about their activities. The celebration came to a successful end with more dancing eating and

Some of the community members with some invited guests

Mrs Comfort Afari, Hamilton, ON

Community members and some guests

Mrs Comfort Afari, President presenting Kente Scarf to David Hennick, Acting Deputy Chief of Police Hamilton, Operations

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