GHANAIAN NEWS - NOVEMBER 2022

Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce (CANCHAM) attends Construction Expo in Toronto

By Emmanuel Ayiku,

Toronto, ON

picture of Chambers member with Ghanaian-Canadian community members

EOCO seizes 37 luxury cars allegedly stolen from USA and Canada, arrests 10 garage owners

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested ten (10) garage owners in Accra after an intelligence-led investigation found thirty-seven (37) luxury cars believed to have been stolen from the United States of America and Canada.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, EOCO said that the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Royal Canadian Mounted Mice (RCMP).

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“On Friday, December 9 2022, thirty-seven (37) of such vehicles were retrieved from some garages in Accra

during which ten (10) persons were arrested. The suspects have since been questioned and granted enquiry bail,” the statement signed by Head of Public Affairs, Faustina Lartey said in part.

EOCO is, therefore, cautioning prospective vehicle buyers to conduct due diligence before purchasing them. The agency has promised to provide updates on further developments regarding the ongoing investigation in due course.

Meanwhile, members of the Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) have accused EOCO, the police and the Ghana Revenue

Authority (GRA) of invading their garages and arbitrarily seizing their vehicles, while assaulting some of their members.

Reports say about 300 vehicles were seized and towed in a joint operation by the Police, GRA and EOCO, aimed at clamping down on owners of car garages who have been evading tax.

“We can confirm that these vehicles were imported mainly from Canada and the United States of America.

If anything at all, they should exercise a bit of caution in the implementation of this policy or directive. This will restore confidence and hope of the general public in law enforcement.

“We would like to place on record that VADUG members are law-abiding citizens who are going about their legitimate businesses. The vehicles

that were seized have valid documents. All taxes and duties had already been paid to the Ghana Revenue Authority.

“We don’t want a situation where some people will take advantage to do all kinds of things. Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. The timing of this exercise is therefore absolutely wrong,” VADUG said in a statement.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office is a specialized agency established by the EOCO Act 2010 (Act 804) to monitor and investigate economic and organised crime and on the authority of the Attorney General to prosecute these offences to recover the proceeds of crime. As part of the functions of the Office, it co-operates with relevant foreign or international agencies in furtherance of its objectives.

ANDREAS

KAMASAH , Pulse.com.gh

Ghana: Toxics exposure violating human rights, urgent action needed, says United Nations

The expert said the Government’s National Action Plan on mercury is an important step but is not ambitious enough, and does not include a phase-out date for mercury use

In the face of threats posed by toxic substances, there is an urgent need for Ghana to respect and guarantee the free and full exercise of human rights.

“Ghana should be commended for its leadership at the international level in strengthening multilateral agreements in the chemicals and waste cluster, and it is also leading the African Group in negotiations toward a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution,” the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana, said in a statement at the conclusion of a 14-day visit to the country.

“At the same time, there is weak implementation of laws concerning chemicals and wastes at the national level. This puts individuals at risk of serious human rights violations,” the Special Rapporteur said.

The toxic impacts of mercury use in smallscale gold mining, hazardous pesticides, plastics and e-waste exposures are particularly concerning, Orellana said.

“Ghana is on the receiving end of a global economy that seeks to externalise the costs of waste generation on poor developing countries. The result is exposure of workers lacking protective equipment to the hazardous substances released in the dismantling and recycling of e-wastes.”

At Agbogbloshie, one the world’s largest e-waste dumpsites, thousands of people living and working there are exposed to high levels of hazardous substances. “For a meagre income, children are leaving their schools to burn electronic cables for the extraction of copper,” Orellana said.

“Mercury use in small-scale mining is contaminating soils and water sources at a national scale, compromising the rights of present and future generations.”

The expert said the Government’s National Action Plan on mercury is an important step but is not ambitious enough, and does not include a phase-out date for mercury use.

(UN) expert

“The Government should ban the trade and use in mercury, champion amendments to strengthen the Minamata Convention on mercury, and address mercury use as a form of environmental crime,” Orellana said.

Plastic waste also is not properly managed. Plastics are covering beaches and burning in informal dumpsites all over the country.

The National Plastic Waste Management Policy is important but effective implementation is lacking, he said. “For instance, Ghana should consider banning single-use plastics, reducing volumes of production and establishing extended producer responsibility schemes.”.

Several of the pesticides used in Ghana, such as paraquat and chlorpyrifos, are banned for use in Europe because they are hazardous to human health and the environment. “It is also alarming that one of the most widely used pesticides in the country is glyphosate, which is ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer,” he said.

“I want to highlight the abhorrent double standards of countries that ban dangerous pesticides while allowing them to be produced and exported to developing countries. But Ghana also has a responsibility to protect the human rights of its population.”

Orellana said the adoption of the 2021 to 2030 Strategic Plan for the sound management of chemicals and waste was cause for optimism and can help strengthen institutions and norms. Similarly, Ghana can build on its successful experience in addressing PCBs, per requirements of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants.

“Ghana must take further steps to strengthen its legal framework and improve implementation and enforcement to guarantee the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” he said.

The Special Rapporteur will present a report with his findings and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in September 2023.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

We are grateful

EDITORIAL

Community Reporter Jonathan Annobil

Local Community Reporter Mickson Addo

The Ghanaian News Publishes news and comments from the Community, serves Ghanaians across Canada with good source of information is committed to give good community Journalism

The Ghanaian News is published in Canada by The Ghanaian News Corporation

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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.

The year 2022 is gradually coming to an end, giving way to the year 2023 in a few days’ time. As we take stock of the passing year our minds are clouded with the many deaths of both young and old people in our Ghanaian community across Canada this year. Such deaths could not be attributed to gun violence as we saw some few years back among our Ghanaian youth population in Canada.

Death is a natural Phenomenon and as our adult population in our community is growing there is the need for all especially our seniors to take good care of their health as individuals.

Back home in Ghana the year saw growing number of Economic problems with a very gloomy situation, but we hope to count on the government, the political, parties, civil servants and as well as every Ghanaian to join hands in turning the dire situation into joy and prosperous for motherland in the years to come.

Ghana the heartening “Galamsey” problems which has destroyed most of our rivers was tackled by the the government to save our rivers but the battle is not ended yet .We therefore urge the Government to take priority over the problem in the coming year.

At the Ghanaian News, we are counting the blessings God has poured on our community during the year in spite of the hardships we have had to go through. We are therefore grateful to God for His provisions throughout the year and also, wish to extend our sincere gratitude to all our community members who have continued to support The Ghanaian News in various undertakings to bring improvement to our community here in Canada. We applaud the GhanaianCanadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) in the launching of Programs in the community that has sustained most of our community members. We thank all our community members, our well wishers and supporters in mainstream Canadian society for supporting our efforts throughout the year. We are also proud of the 28 award recipients honored at our 19th Annual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards previous year. This year due to post COVID-19 spike we postponed it to next year.

As we say goodbye to the year 2022 and welcome a new one, 2023, we encourage all our community members to unite their efforts and actively participate in every event in our community that are aimed at making us a better community. Let us shun apathy and embrace engagement to move our community forward.

We are grateful to God, our customers, sponsors and well wishers.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Dear Editor,

I congratulate you and your Ghanaian News Team for sustaining this paper over the years, from your Initial volume some two decades back. You have grown to maintain a good balance of coverage and More grease to your elbows.

The May and June issues covered the re-emergence of the Ghana Union of Canada (GUC) and issues with the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario(GCAO). You did very well to bring the issues out through the interviews with Mr. Duodu, President of the GCAO, and Mrs. Sarah Awuah, Co-founder of GUC. It is rather unfortunate, judging by Mrs. Sarah Awuah’s account that her efforts to re-establish the defunct GUC from the bottom-up through the various local associations was not fully reciprocated. I was part of the birth of the defunct one in the 80s, as a member of the Ghana Association of Ottawa then.

If her account is true, and she claimed she has documentary evidence to back it, then it is very unfortunate. Much worse efforts were made to boycott GUC as though it was an illegal endeavor or a one-person show. But of course GUC, registered as a non-profit organization with board of directors, will not last long if it is run as a one-man business. And this shows that the perennial disease of pull

him/her down is still alive and well, and it’s an unfortunate baggage most of us Africans have been

Unable to shed off. We are unwilling to lend a hand to others because we didn’t start it. The credit will

Not come to me so why bother? We allow ourselves to fall into the divideand-rule trap set by those

Who would want to see us second or third class citizens. We are quick to say, and ! quote: united we stand and divided we fall. Un quote, but lack the will power to put it into practice due to outright selfishness, while our fellow nationals from Africa and our suffer. We see the power in unity from some other Canadian ethnic organizations and wonder why we could not replicate same. Much of this in my view, stems from the effects of low self-esteem, and immaturity in our attitudes. Attitude is a big hindrance to personal and professional progress. But change is inevitable if we want to see our African Canadian communities blosom. If for no other reason but for the sake of our children, our future generations in Canada. For since our generations are here to stay, we the parents must sacrifice to lay the strong foundation necessary for the successful integration and tapping into the Canadian mainstream opportunities. Nobody will do it for us. While I cherish the efforts of the various Ghanaian-Canadian local associations, an umbrella one such as the GUC is critical. I therefore appeal to all key stakeholders to burry their differences and try to meet with the current GUC executives to chart the way forward, knowing that they will be doing so in the interest of posterity, not their own. It may cost you your time and resources,

but as the saying goes, NO PAIN NO GAIN.

Bestway Zottor, Former member of Ghana Association of Ottawa.

Publisher / Editor

Emmanuel Ayiku

Contributing Editor

Joe Kingsley Eyiah

Director of Operations Comfort Ayiku

INTERVIEWS: President of the GCAO, Mr. Emmanuel Doudu, and Mrs. Sarah Awuah, Co-founder of GUC

Canada: Quebec makes oath to King optional for politicians

The Canadian province of Quebec has passed a law making an oath of allegiance to the monarch optional for members of the legislature.

The bill was introduced after the ascension of King Charles III, when three politicians refused to swear allegiance.

In October, Canada’s federal parliamentarians overwhelmingly voted no to severing ties with the Crown.

In Canada, Quebec is most in favour of abolishing the constitutional monarchy.

The bill was introduced on Tuesday by Premier Francois Legault. In October, after the province had an election,14 politicians refused to swear the oath. After being told they could not sit in the legislature without doing so, 11 of them backed down.

But three hold-outs did not, and have been barred from the National Assembly since late November, waiting for Mr Legault to bring forward the bill. It was fast-tracked once all parties in the legislature agreed to waive consultation.

In Quebec, members of the legislature had to swear two oaths, to both the people of Quebec and the Crown, and the latter has long been controversial.

The new provincial law amends the Canadian Constitution Act of 1867, to add a section exempting Quebec from the Oath of Allegiance to the King. That allegiance has been a requirement for all members of provincial legislatures across Canada.

“It is, I think, a relic from the past,” Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, a cospokesperson for the Quebec solidaire party, said in early December about the oath to King Charles.

“I think there is strong support in Quebec to modernise our institutions, to make sure that the representatives of the people are not forced in 2022 to swear an oath to a foreign king.”

Constitutional scholar Philippe Lagasse told the BBC in an email that Quebec did not have the authority to amend the constitution by an act of legislation alone. He said a change like this would either need the support of seven provinces that had, on aggregate, more than 50% of the population of Canada, or the federal parliament would have to agree with Quebec to allow the change in Quebec alone.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could challenge this new law in court, or a private citizen could be given standing by the court to bring forth a challenge.

In Canada, the monarch - now King Charles - is the head of state. The monarchy serves a mainly symbolic role, with the power to govern entrusted to the Canadian government.

Opinion polls suggest Canada as a whole remains divided on the monarchy.

In an Ipsos survey conducted following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, half of Canadian respondents - around 54%said their country should sever its ties with the Crown

That sentiment is strongest in Quebec, where 79% agreed. BBC News

Canada: Premiers demand to meet Trudeau over health crisis

The leaders of Canada’s provinces have urged PM Justin Trudeau to meet them over the nation’s healthcare crisis.

Canada’s hospitals have faced significant strain, with reports of patients dying while waiting for care.

Mr. Trudeau has previously said he is willing to provide more funding, but with strings attached.

Healthcare in Canada is publicly funded, using a mix of federal and provincial money, but administered at the local level.

In a joint press conference on Friday, all 13 of Canada’s premiers publicly asked Mr Trudeau to meet them early in the new year.

They renewed their request to raise the federal share of healthcare spending in Canada from 22% to 35%, accusing the Trudeau government of not paying its fair share.

“The number one issue in this entire country from coast to coast to coast is healthcare, and we can’t do it alone,” said Ontario’s premier Doug Ford.

Hospitals across Canada have faced significant pressure this year due to staffing shortages and a rise in the number of sick people requiring care. In smaller communities, the shortages have forced some emergency

departments to temporarily close their doors to patients.

A surge in viral infections among children has put a strain on paediatric hospitals in recent months.

In the province of New Brunswick, protests sprang up after a man in his 70s died in an emergency department’s waiting room on Wednesday.

In a September poll, 51% of Canadians said they don’t feel confident they would receive timely care in a medical emergency.

Provincial health ministers met their federal counterpart as recently as November in Vancouver to pin down a deal on healthcare funding, but those talks collapsed.

Premiers have since accused Mr Trudeau of ignoring the issue and communicating with them via the media.

Mr. Trudeau has previously said he expects the provinces to deliver better healthcare.

“It’s not just about money,” the prime minister said last month. “It’s about creating a stronger, more robust healthcare system across the country.”

Canada spends over 10% of its GDP on healthcare, about the same as the UK, compared with more than 16% for the US, according to World Bank data BBC News, Toronto

Ghana Will Soon Have One of the Most Digitalized Healthcare Systems in Africa– Dr Bawumia

Ghana is on the verge of running one of the most digitalized healthcare systems in Africa, with many digital interventions scheduled to be fully nationally on stream by the end of 2024, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has indicated.

According to Dr Bawumia, this has become possible due to the several digital interventions introduced since 2017, as well as the massive infusion of digital technology into existing operations, which has led to greater access to healthcare services as well as revolutionized healthcare delivery.

The Vice President made the disclosure while speaking on “The Role of Digitalization in Modern Healthcare Delivery: Recounting Ghana’s ICT Journey in the Fourth Republic” in Tamale at the launch of the National Health Insurance Authority’s ‘Active Month’ celebrations on Monday, December 5, 2022

“The Government of President AkufoAddo since January 2017 has been at the forefront of providing improved public service delivery using digital solutions. One key area we have been pursuing aggressively is social

and health services delivery to the population.

“The role of digital health solutions in our healthcare sector cannot be overemphasized. Over the last few years, we have embarked on digitalization drive in the health sector as a response to the World Health Organization (WHO) call for member countries to implement digital health interventions in their health systems to improve access to care and well-being for their populations,” he explained.

Digitalization

Outlining some of the digital interventions introduced so far, Dr Bawumia stated:

“Early this year… we launched a digital health solution in the pharmaceutical space, called the National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP), where clients can use their mobile phones to order their prescriptions to be delivered to them at the comfort of their homes.

Authority on the technical and operational feasibility of the platform in the NHIS. We are also enrolling the top 100 pharmacies. Government is very keen on getting the platform fused into the NHIS operations by January next year. This will make Ghana the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to have a nationwide E-pharmacy.

“Government has also introduced flexibility through the Lightwave Health Management Information System (LHIMS) and other technological platforms to manage electronic medical records without the use of printed booklets of patient’s folder and avoid the possibility of patients’ medical records getting lost.

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“This digital innovation is also meant to check counterfeit or substandard medicines and help eliminate them in our Pharmacies and chemical shops. It will also help the menace of drug abuse. The technology developer is currently engaging the National Health Insurance

“So far, 147 hospitals have been networked, including the Teaching Hospitals, such as Tamale, Cape Coast, Komfo Anokye, Ho and Korle-Bu, as well as many secondary and primary health facilities, making patient records available to all these facilities without the use of folders. By end of next year, we will have networked about 80% of all hospitals, and by the end of the following year, we will complete the networking of 100% of all our hospitals. This will make us the first country in Africa and one of a few in the world to have such a nationwide system.”

cont’d on pg. 11

Ghana: Debt Exchange Provides Us The Opportunity To Reset The Economy – Ofori-Atta

The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta has maintained that the Government planned debt exchange would provide the country the opportunity to reset the economy and get debt within sustainable levels.

He mentioned that debt servicing is now absorbing more than half of the total Government revenues and almost 70% of tax revenues, while the total public debt stock, including that of State-Owned Enterprises exceeds 100% of our GDP.

“This is why we are today announcing the debt exchange which will help in restoring our capacity to service debt. This is the path towards resetting the economy

to a more stable one capable of addressing the development challenges of the country,” he said.

He said this during the launch of Ghana’s debt exchange on Monday, December 5, 2022.

The Finance Minister announced that the Government is poised to begin talks with domestic bond holders to exchange its domestic notes and bonds for a package of new bonds.

The exchange, part of a debtsustainability plan required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is designed to offer relief to the country’s fiscal accounts through an exchange in coupon package on most domestically issued bonds providing a solid foundation for

Ghana in the long-term to downsize its debt and reboot the economy he noted.

Mr. Ofori-Atta indicated that, Ghana like the rest of the world is under severe pressure as a result of the spill over from the global economic crises. The Russia-Ukraine war coupled with the Coronavirus pandemic has had devastating effects on the country’s fiscals leading to severe downgrades by international rating agencies. However, given the challenges facing the economy, the Government has explained that the debt exchange was motivated ideally by its inability in the shortterm to retire maturing debts rather than on its willingness to pay bond holders.

Announcing the terms of the exchange, Mr. Ofori-Atta noted that all locally issued bonds and notes of Government would be eligible to be tendered in the domestic debt exchange programme, excluding Treasury bills and depositors’ funds. The move he explained was to preserve liquidity in the banking sector, safeguard and stabilize its integrity as most public debts are held by domestic financial institutions hence giving the sector enough cushioning.

Additionally, the Minister disclosed that Pension Funds are excluded from the exchange giving the assurance of the Government’s commitment to mitigate the impact of the debt exchange on pensions through regulatory measures.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Ghana.

The exchange, part of a debt-sustainability plan required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is designed to offer relief to the country’s fiscal accounts

FOCUS

Let’s learn from the Lessons of the Season.

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

I personally do not believe that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born in December which is snow time in Bethlehem (note that the shepherds could not be out there in the field at that time) yet the birth of Christ if is celebrated almost the world-over whenever with love, joy, giving and peace unto humankind then it is the best time to reflect on the life and work of Christ for the world. However, Christmas is increasingly being defined by Shallow Materialism, and proliferate spending which, is gradually overshadowing the lessons associated with why Christ was born to the world.

The Good Book says, “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die;… a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. Whether you believe it or not, there is one MAN whose birth and death are widely celebrated throughout the world.

Around the world during this time, we remember and celebrate of the birth of the Son Of Man called Jesus Christ, hence the naming of this seasonCHRISTmas! It is said, “Christians must keep Christ in CHRISTmas.” What does Christmas mean to you, especially if you are Christian?

Back to my classroom! I had given a Visual Art assignment to all my Grade 8 students to design seasonal greetings cards as the calendar year was drawing to a close. The success criteria for the work included clear but brief message for one of the following seasons: Eid, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and Diwali. To my surprise, all the student designed greeting cards for Christmas. That’s the season! However, the common message was, Happy Holiday.

The bible talks about a child who was to be born and that he would deliver mankind from the bondage of sin. That he would be called Prince of peace, king of kings- IMMANUEL, meaning ‘God with Us’! (Luke 2:1 -20). ‘For god so love the world that he gave his only begotten son (Christ)…. ‘The greatest lesson associated with CHRISTmas is love accompanied by GIVING. Truly, the Christmas season sees a lot of GIVING but is it motivated by LOVE? Unfortunately, many give to show that they have not because they love. The true story of a blind man and his pet (guide dog for many years) which gripped people of Toronto to give this month could not fall short of love. The blind man had unfortunately slipped unto the train tracks while waiting for the train at a Subway Station. His pet and best friend, the dog named ‘Orlando’ spontaneously jumped on top of him when he saw the train approaching. They laid still in the middle of the tracks for the train to pass over them. The blind man sustained few bruises but his friend Orlando, was not hurt! While at the hospital, the blind man kept asking about the condition of his pet-friend which, he was to give up for adoption soon because he no longer had enough

Ghana set to get $3bn IMF bailout

The IMF has reached an initial agreement with Ghana for a bailout programme worth about $3bn (£2.4bn).

The Extended Credit Facility, as it’s termed, is set to run for a period of three years. It was announced after a team from the IMF concluded its visit to the country.

It is designed to help restore Ghana’s economic stability and ensure debt sustainability.

Ghana is a major producer of gold and cocoa, but its once-booming economy

has run into trouble with worryingly high levels of debt.

The money from the IMF, along with the government’s plans to restructure its debt, should help reassure creditors.

Last week Ghana’s currency, the cedi, rallied against the US dollar after losing half of its value earlier this year.

In recent months, inflation has soared to over 40% and the country is in desperate need of money to turn the economy around. BBC News, Accra

money to keep it. Such a wonderful friendship was to be broken no sooner than later! However, their ‘unfortunate’ story moved the hearts of many to give over $80,000 to the blind man to retain his friend, Orlando! What a joy!

The season of Christmas is a time of giving and giving brings joy. Where I’d the joy in some parts of the world as we celebrate Christmas? There is no peace in places like Syria, the new nation of South Sudan and Central African Republic where thousands of human beings including even

children who should be signing at this time, ‘joy to the world’ are being massacred! Unfortunately, the world is constantly sacrificing the lessons of Love, Peace, Joy and Giving associated with the birth of Christ on the altar of commercialization of CHRISTmas. The burning question is: when will this change? Let’s learn a lesson of love, peace, joy and giving that the birth of Christ teaches us!!

To all my readers, I wish you a Happy Eid! Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza! Happy Diwali! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Pap test results delayed in Ontario; pandemic backlog, staffing shortages blamed

As an endometrial cancer survivor, Linda Luyt gets quite anxious waiting for the results of her annual Pap test to show she is still free of the disease.

It usually takes between three and six weeks to receive a letter with the all clear, she said, noting that her doctor would call sooner with any abnormal results.

“I wait for the phone not to ring,” she said from her home in Sudbury, Ont.

But this year, her ninth since cancer surgery, Luyt has been waiting for two months since her Pap test in October and getting results could very well take much longer. When she called her doctor’s office to inquire, she was told they had only received results in November for tests conducted in June.

“You think you’ve closed the door on cancer, but every year when I have to go for that check up the door opens again – not all the way, but it’s there,” Luyt said. “You’re thinking, ‘oh my goodness, I have to have this check. What if it’s back?’”

Luyt is one of many across Ontario caught in a Pap result backlog. Both LifeLabs and Dynacare, large private labs that process millions of tests a year, acknowledged delays though neither quantified the scope.

Pap tests can detect pre-cancerous cell changes in the cervix. Luyt worries not just for herself, but for people who may find out they had cancer growing inside them while awaiting delayed test results.

LifeLabs and Dynacare both said the backlog can be traced to staffing shortages and an increase in demand at this point in the pandemic.

“As restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic lessened, and people returned to in-person consultations, there has been a continued surge in tests ordered for patients,” Dynacare spokesman Mark Bernardt said in a written statement.

As well, LifeLabs – which processes nearly 700,000 Pap tests a year –said there has been a global decline in the number of cytotechnologists, the specialists who search for precancerous cellular changes. Only 12 to 14 new cytotechnologists graduate each year in Canada, the company said.

Michelle Hoad, the CEO of the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario, said there is a general shortage of lab professionals in the province, but it is particularly acutely felt in specialties such as cytology.

“The number of Pap smears actually went down during the pandemic because as you know, we weren’t going in for in-person visits and the number of surgeries being done went down, so therefore, we didn’t really notice the shortage with this group,” she said.

“But what’s starting to happen now is everybody’s going back in to see their family doctor, and they’re getting their physicals and they’re getting Pap smears and surgeries are ramping up. So all of those tests are going into this bottleneck of this very specialized group.”

Hoad said many of the solutions to the problem are years away from having an effect, such as increasing the number of medical lab technologist programs and boosting the numbers of people current programs can accept.

“Of the six (medical lab technologists)

Lessons of Love, Peace, Joy & Giving

AYEW READY To Break The Attitude Of Faltering Players

By Edmund Agbeko, Toronto, ON

I recall in year 2010, when I sat beside Abedi Pele; one of Ghana’s most decorated footballers, chatting with him about his hey deys in world soccer; and I heard him confess he probably wouldn’t have survived the current robust play in the game if he was still playing.

“The soccer terrain is very rough these days; tackling is too robust; and I doubt if I would have survived, considering my small size,” soft spoken Abedi told me, his small cheek mark sparkling. Fortunately, Abedi somehow survived aggressive play in global soccer, through his kids, Dede and Jordan. Their soaked jerseys and battered body frames after every single match, spoke volumes about their first love: we risk our lives for the sake of Ghana, but being human, we are not perfect. That’s their body language.

Despite the public bashing of the Black Stars after every game lost, none has dared blame Dede Ayew for lacking commitment to Ghana. While other players drag their feet, and are obsessed with other loyalties, Dede Ayew is ever present, ever punctual, ever disciplined, and responds ever so swiftly to every single call to abandon club, and come lift high the flag of Ghana. He screams from rough tackle, groans in pain, limps, hops, crushes to the ground from sky tussles; but he also queries erring officials, calms nerves, soothes, and wipes tears of grieving pals. All this because of a yellow arm band, that marks him out as captain. The Akan say, ‘Title bequeathed is a burden transferred.’

After the World Cup game against Uruguay, the mob that had hailed Ayew after his splendid goal against Portugal suddenly changed their song from praise to crucifixion. The man had missed a penalty in a grudge match with Uruguay, when a goal was critically needed to further advance in the tournament.

cont’d from pg. 8

Crucify him was the new refrain. Others conveyed curses in veiled speech: Ayew remain in Qatar, and never return to Ghana. That was a threat. For once, a weeping player had none to console him: it was the comforter himself in pain. In the final analysis, Ayew had to pluck courage, and even carry a collapsed daughter to the hospital, an innocent victim of his flawed penalty kick.

His predecessor must have transferred to him, the curse of penalty kicks.

For all Asamoah Gyan had done for mother Ghana: netting the fastest goal in 2006 world cup in Germany, and putting smiles on the faces of Ghana and Africa umpteen times, his critics only remembered goals squandered. 2008, he was the whipping boy denying Ghana a goal harvest against Namibia in Afcon. Even the lives of family members were put at risk. Then came 2010, the famous penalty kick against Uruguay, that missed the target. That was the last straw; he was crucified again and again, and now carries a permanent cross.

Gyan somehow carried the curse to his successor Dede Ayew, who has missed a penalty kick, that could have sunk Uruguay and sent Ghana to the next round in Qatar. Dede has a golden past; he led Ghana to score Africa’s first goal in Qatar; that was against Portugal. He

had altogether netted for Ghana a total of 24 goals from 47 matches. In 2021, he became Ghana’s all-time top scorer at Afcon. The missed penalty in Qatar is now Ayew’s final certificate in his soccer career.

Somehow, I have faint memories of one penalty experience that broke the nation’s heart, long before Asamoah Gyan. That was 1992 when the Ghana Black Stars in an Afcon encounter lost to Ivory Coast in a penalty shoot out at Senegal. Abedi Pele was at his peak, but missed the shoot out due to a red card. After a ding-dong-ding-dong shoot out, Ghana lost narrowly to Ivory Coast by 10-11, and guess who was the whipping boy: Tony Baffoe then in dreadlocks.

He missed the net on his second turn to kick, and took all the bashing for Ghana’s narrow miss which could have been our 5th Afcon championship trophy since 1957. Hell broke loose in Ghana, and the culprit’s head was on the chopping blocks.

The entire nation was in tears, and Tony was still agonizing when I met him in Brazil during g the FIFA World Cup; reminiscing the absorbing curses and abuses all over. But did Ghana perish? No. Did the Black Stars black out? No. We learned our lessons and bounced back.

Unfortunately, contemporary soccer has played itself into archaic traditions of remembering only the down part of life, and descending heavily on ‘the diligent child that trips and breaks the pot while returning from the stream.’

In the not-so-good old days, abuse after defeat was the norm; and it was unthinkable for a village head teacher, to watch his school team lose to another in a home game, without reacting. He would simply enforce his own time out, pull the faltering player out of the

pitch, and give him six lashes, before restoring him.

That was a type of corporal advice by the head, who doubled as coach. In all cases it was meant for the culprit to go and sin here no more. Unfortunately, the crude coaching technique occasionally worked. Three minutes after the lashes, the ‘counseled’ playet will cross an in-swinger that curled and hit the left corner of the net for the winning goal. It’s a go-o-o-oa-a-a-al! Hundreds of spectators would throw themselves onto the pitch in celebration. The headmaster’s cane had worked.

In all this, supporters of Phobia knew better, if a player missed a crucial penalty kick or a goal in a tournament. It was advisable for the suspect to remain in the changing room after the game until further notice. In most cases, a critical goal had been missed in a situation where ‘even a child would have scored.’ For your sake, a jury will be waiting outside to deliver their sentence.

By this time, you may have seen a viral video in the social media, where tiny primary school kids playing soccer in a village, decide on a winner through penalty kicks. The captain positions himself and takes a swift penalty, which an able goalie saves in style. But the faltering culprit would not go scot free; he is given a hot chase by players from both sides including the skillful goalie himself. Knowing his guilt, the hapless player does not take chances; he sprints towards the touchline, but is outpaced and arrested by his colleagues who crowd him out, and give him a few body blows and discharge him, or rather put him under probation.

Africa’s attitude to faltering players is what our grandchildren have imbibed at a very early age, and we better change the script and produce more Abedi Peles; or else dying for one’s country will soon be an ancient past time.

Ghana Will Soon Have One of the Most Digitalized Healthcare Systems in Africa– Dr Bawumia

He continued: “Government’s introduction of the Zipline services in 2019 to improve medical supplies has expanded from one distribution hub to six hubs in the remote areas, making Ghana, home to the world’s largest fleet of medical-delivery drones.

“Zipline drones have undertaken 278,936 flights since their inception, making over 12 million deliveries, comprising of 8.63 million lifesaving medical products or medicines, about 1.9 million child immunization vaccine consumables and over 1.9 million COVID-19 vaccines and PPEs. It has also made very significant savings for the nation, both in lives and resources,” he revealed. The Vice President noted that Ghana’s medical drone delivery service is the largest in the world and saving many lives daily.

NHIS

Lauding the management of the National Health Insurance Authority for infusing digitalization into the operations of the NHIS, Vice President Bawumia said the Scheme, since its introduction, has no doubt, contributed to increased utilization of healthcare services, leading to improved health outcomes of the population.

“The NHIS has gone through several reforms over the years to improve

its services to the members. On 9th November, 2019, I personally launched the NHIS- Ghana card linkage at the Accra International Conference Centre and today, over 5 million members of the NHIS have been linked to their Ghana Cards to enable them to use the Ghana card to access healthcare since 1st of May, 2020.

“Hopefully, when all members of the scheme are linked to their Ghana Cards, the NHIS card will be phased out and the Ghana Card will be the sole card for accessing healthcare services in the credentialled healthcare facilities.

“Aside this, Government has also embarked on a project, together with the National Identification Authority (NIA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ghana Health Service, and Births and Deaths Registry, to link births and deaths data to the NIA database to give unique identification numbers to all newborn babies starting first quarter of next year.

“The NHIA has implemented electronic medical claims (Claim-IT) to reduce turnaround time for claims preparation and submission and reduce spurious claims and cost to the scheme for increased sustainability.

“Currently, close to 3000 healthcare

providers, representing 70% are submitting medical claims electronically. The scale-up of this digital innovation is ongoing. All providers submitting manual claims have been trained and hopefully, the over 5000 credentialed healthcare providers of the scheme will start submitting electronic claims by end of the second quarter of 2023.”

As well, healthcare providers wishing to join the scheme can now apply using an online application system, reducing the turnaround time for processing the applications as well as saving cost of paper applications with copies of accompanying documents such as certificates and travelling cost.

The NHIA is also updating its database with the locations of all facilities by picking the GPS coordinates in line with the Government’s Agenda on address system to ease communication and assessment, according to officials of the Scheme.

The launch in 2018 of the NHIA Electronic receipting platform to enhance social auditing and accountability of revenue collection at NHIA district offices across the country has helped to establish daily premium collection and improve accountability and transparency in revenue mobilization, NHIA officials

say. It has also substantially promoted electronic reconciliation of financial account and promoted transparency and efficiency in the financial operations of the scheme.

Highlighting other digital interventions, such as the introduction of a mobile renewal system to enable old members whose cards have expired to conveniently renew their cards using mobile phones, and the launch today of an improved portal dubbed “MyNHIS app” which allows new members to register using the Ghana Card, Dr Bawumia challenged the NHIA to continue to introduce digital innovations in other operational areas of the scheme to improve services for the members.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and its allied agencies are also seriously brainstorming on telemedicine, making it possible for Ghanaians to receive medical advice via their phones and other devices.

This, coupled with the many interventions in the provision of healthcare and the impending roll-out of the National E-Pharmacy platform has truly set Ghana on the path of having one of Africa’s most digitalized healthcare systems, Dr Bawumia declared.

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

Ghana’s Newest University is Putting West Africa at Forefront of the Digital Revolution

As part of a national drive to put Ghana at the forefront of the digital revolution in Africa, the former Ghana Technology University College has been granted university status and reformed to become the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) (https://site. GCTU.edu.gh); The newly reformed institution is envisioned to become the premier technology institution in West Africa for equipping students and educators in the technology space; GCTU is creating an entrepreneurial environment to support innovation and product development, and to foster industry linkages.

Internationalisation is key to the future path of the university, students from across West Africa will attend the institution while partnerships will be formed with international partners; The overall goal is to ensure African students are not left behind the curve in the digital revolution.

AfricaLive.net (https://AfricaLive.net) spoke to GCTU vice-chancellor Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa on what this newly reformed institution means for Ghana and their plans going forward.

AfricaLive: 2021 was a landmark year for your institution. Please can you provide a summary of your recent developments and the importance of them for your institution and higher education in Ghana?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: 2021 saw us achieve a milestone indeed. We used to be known as the Ghana Technology University College and were being run as a quasi-private university. Back in August 2020, we saw the Parliament of Ghana passing the Ghana Communication Technology Bill 2020. It was soon after ratified by President Nana Akufo-Addo into an Act of Parliament. The act mandates us to be a fully-fledged public university.

When the bill was constructed, we were identified and mandated with becoming a viable center of higher education in information and communication technology.

We were required to perform research with the following objectives in mind; promote education training and capacity building in academic disciplines related to ICT, provide global consultancy services to both the private sector and the public sector, promote basic and applied research in the area of ICT, create an entrepreneurial environment to support innovation, product development, as well as, foster industry linkages. It’s upon us now to structure ourselves in a way that makes it possible for us to carry out the mandate we have been given.

In 2021, we saw the constitution and inauguration of the new governing council for the new Ghana technology institution. The government council was opened in September to help govern the university to ensure we execute our mandate exhaustively. They needed a substantive vice-chancellor for the newly formed Ghana Communication Technology University.

I was interviewed for the role and have now been installed as the VC in the institution’s new format. We are now fully focused on aggregating our strengths and experiences in training

and research for students in the area of ICT. We must ensure we train the human resource base for the digitised transformation agenda in Ghana. We aim to become the go-to first-class ICT university in the West-African subregion.

We are moving swiftly to upgrade the infrastructure in the institution to help us achieve our mandate. We wanted to create a viable ICT center but were not in a financial position to match our ambition. We consulted with the Ghana National Petroleum Cooperation (GNPC) (https://www.GNPCGhana. com) and they asked us to submit a proposal for the construction of the ICT center.

We have an agreement now that will see them construct a four-story block that will house our ICT center of excellence. The building will house departments that will specialise in several disciplines such as cyber security, Artificial intelligence, robotics, and other labs. This will strengthen our ability to deliver competencies that will position our students to compete while also matching our ambition of being the best ICT institution in West Africa.

It’s not just about bringing in new materials and technologies but also upgrading the quality of our staff. We are working on bringing in qualified people in the emerging technologies of interest so that they can prepare students adequately. We want staff who specialise in areas like information technology, computer science, computer engineering, and AI.

AfricaLive: What do you believe Ghana can offer to the world and how confident are you in the future of Ghana Communication Technology University?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: I am very confident that as an institution, we are going to achieve all that we have set for ourselves, especially the objective of becoming a premier technology university in West Africa. The most important one is becoming a fully-fledged public university within the next few weeks.

We have signed an agreement with Advanced AT in London to come and train our faculty on the world’s best practises of teaching and research. In March, the first training called Master Class will be enrolled, for our lecturers. We see ourselves becoming one of the world’s best institutions when it comes to technological training.

AfricaLive: What current trends within the sector are going to influence the future of African education and how can African education institutions remain globally relevant in this time of fast changes?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: We are not restricting ourselves to the four corners of the lecture room; we are embedding technology in everything that we do. The fact that you can take classes from work or home is evidence of that. Government intervention is also essential in making life much easier for education providers. An enabling environment will enable educators to provide quality education for the human resource base that they want to train.

Short courses for employees in tech industries are provided much to

the delight of employers. It is up to those employees to make themselves available for classes or risk being redundant. We must ensure that we can educate our workforce by introducing them to continuous training and allowing them to attend short courses.

AfricaLive: What steps should be taken to engage with industry on the future of work and action plans are you working on?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: We’ve signed several agreements with industries that will bring us closer together. The pacts signed will see to it that we no longer work in silos and that they share their technology, human resource needs, and research gaps with us. Our students could then research to solve the issues of the industries. This knowledge will help our students hone their research skills and build a more extensive knowledge base for our country and continent.

We also have a prestigious lecture series regularly where we bring some of our industry partners to our institution to speak on issues that are topical in the industry.

AfricaLive: How can the agricultural sector benefit from your research, and what flagship projects have you launched that will help?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: Under the Computer Science Programme, we have some projects that are helping farmers to identify some of the diseases that harm crops in different parts of Ghana. We are putting together a new proposal for funding to come up with new technology that will help the government identify the kind of diseases that set farmers back and hurt our food security. Research results will advise on the type of pesticides to buy for different crop diseases to avoid a one fits all approach.

AfricaLive: What does it take for research like this to become a reality?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: Before conducting productive research, you need funds. If the University cannot provide you with the kind of funds that you need, then the team must put together an excellent proposal to seek funding.

AfricaLive: What institutions beyond your borders are you looking to work within Africa?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: We want to work with some institutions in Nigeria, and are also establishing contact with some universities in South Africa and Kenya. We would also like to have a partnership with many more countries to ensure that we promote our area of specialisation.

AfricaLive: In response to environmental and sustainability challenges the identity of many African universities is evolving. How do you see your identity changing in this regard?

Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa: We have taken into consideration sustainability issues in our delivery especially with the pandemic still around. We are not limited to lecture halls anymore because we have adopted the blended learning approach. We will execute 60 percent digital learning and 40 percent in-person. A lot of the documentation and processes will also be paperless and that will serve to reduce our carbon footprint. This will be big for us because it will help us shape our identity. Our focus is to be a student-centered university with academic freedom, innovation, and integrity. We want to evolve as an ICT institution, taking into consideration our new mandate.

We are trying to restructure our university by following these steps. Recreate the institution as a collegiate university which will replace the faculty system. We will have the College of Computing Systems and Technology, College of Communication Engineering, and the College of Business. Each of these colleges will have faculties that will help them execute in various areas. 80 percent of the programs will be in ICT.

Under the College of Computing Systems and Technology, we will have the Faculty of Cyber Defence and Security, Faculty of Computing, Faculty of Information Systems and Technology, Faculty of Multimedia and Communication Systems. We want to redefine our identity as an ICT university in Ghana, while also serving the entire West African subregion. With this identity, we will be known as a world-class ICT university because our programs will be unique to us in West Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ghana Communication Technology University.

The newly reformed institution is envisioned to become the premier technology institution in West Africa for equipping students and educators in the technology space

Ball J climaxed 2022 GMA-UK and SOD Night UK with unforgettable thrilling performances

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

Ghana’s celebrated rapper and music producer, Ball J has climaxed this year’s Ghana Music Awards UK (GMA-UK) with a debut electric performance that wow patrons of the event all night.

The award which is in its 15th edition, saw the rapper treating both foreigners and Ghanaians to his soothing rhythmic lyrics to get mouth agape and patrons on their feet to dance to his fine-lyricaltunes.

He treated fans and patrons to his viral rap track “22 in twos”, “Youbeguy” and other sensational tracks which earned him the cheers as they geared him on at the grand event on Saturday, October 29, 2022.

Speaking in an interview with Ghanaian News after his sterling performance, Ball J who is privately known as Albert Serebo Ayeh-Hanson said his first

performance on GMA-UK stage was a giant step in his music career.

“I have played shows in Africa. Seeing myself with my music this far is a big progress for me. I see all as great motivation for me to keep going all out,” he said.

Ball J indicated that the performance has deepened his links internationally and given him the opportunity to meet a United Kingdom based record team, Sons of Destiny Records, stressing that the team was collaborating with his local based managements for a project.

Touching on how rap music has excelled in today’s industry, Ball J stated that rap music revives the heart and boosts the joy in people while turning them on to shake a body and to gain their full attention in listening

Michael Blackson to host Extravaganza to see at Independence

Square

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

on New Year's Eve

Dubbed: “Extravaganza to see”, the Programme which will bring about 20,000 guests including international and local musicians is slated for 31st December at the Independence Square at exactly 8:00pm to usher patrons into 2023.

This initiative organised by AKvance in partnership with KLM Airlines was to complement the government’s initiative “Beyond the Return” in boosting travel to Ghana and to make the festive season a joyous one.

This is contained in a statement released in Accra yesterday by the Creator of Countdown Africa who doubles as the Founder of AKvance, Akua Kufuor.

The celebration also was to support one of the country’s key agendas to

build up tourism, arts, and culture sector while assisting in business growth and investment opportunities in the country.

“This is about taking Africa to the world stage of celebrations. What better time to showcase our presence to the world, than from the centre of the world?” it added.

According to the statement, there would be surprise performances from various musicians from America and Ghana on the night.

The Country Manager of KLM Airlines, Mees Van Ojik expressed her outfit happiness “to be the first Official Travel Partners to Countdown Africa and look forward to bringing everyone from everywhere to this historic event.”

The statement also urged the citizenry to obtain ticket of the event from the official site www.countdownafrica.

com adding that “all ticket holders shall recieve discount code from all destinations into the country, courtesy of the Official Travel Partner - KLM Airlines”

to the sense in the lyrics which is being laced together.

“I think rap is in a good path today in terms of performance on stage. The culture is about call and responds or a good hook or chorus which the fans can relate and I think we’ve still got it,” he added.

A week after GMA-UK event, Ball J also thrilled foreigners at another well patronised event dubbed: “Sons of Destiny records (SOD) night UK”.

This event brought together over ten thousand patrons to experience the phenomenal rap performance of the “22 in twos” hit maker who shared stage with other local afro beats and foreign artistes to connect and build contacts.

He charged his fans to expect more international appealing performances from him during this festive as well as more music from him in next year, adding that “I’m working with SOD records to make this happen.”

A Ghanaian-American comedian, Michael Blackson to host a starstudded New Year’s Eve Countdown Fireworks Programme in Ghana to promote tourism and position the country as a preferred destination for African Diaspora during the festive season.

Michael Blackson

Ball J

IMMIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES

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

Counselling and Legal Representation in Immigration Matters Revisited

Generally, a person has a legal right to represent himself in all immigration matters just as he has the right to self-representation in most criminal and civil matters. However, where certain categories of people such as children and mentally incapacitated are involved in cases, it may be mandatory for such people to be represented by a counsel. A person may also be advised to avail himself of the services of a legal counsel if the seriousness and complexity of the case at issue so necessitate.

Immigration forms, as well as many other legal forms, are simplified to facilitate selfrepresentation. In fact, the instructions and advice contained in some of the forms might even discourage applicants from availing themselves of services of legal counsels. While the immigration department denies any obligation to give legal advice to applicants, it nonetheless appears to dissuade applicants from seeking such advice by stating in application kits that if applicants choose to hire a representative, they cannot expect “a more favourable outcome”.

Immigration and other court officials would give their clients basic procedural guidelines just to facilitate smooth provision of services by the immigration and court personnel. The guidelines are not provided with the view of enhancing the success of the clients’ applications or cases. Immigration and court officials are generally unwilling, and are not supposed, to discuss the substance of the law as it applies to an applicant’s case with the applicant. The Federal Court has even declared in an immigration case that visa officers are not under any obligation to provide legal advice to applicants or even to reply to requests for such advice.

Generally, the onus is on the applicant to provide all relevant information and documentation in support of their cases or applications. Applicants are free to submit to immigration authorities or decision-makers in courts and tribunals whatever document and information they deem worthconsidering. The decision maker’s role is to simply review what is in front of him and come up with a decision based on the totality of the information and documents presented.

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

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

In immigration hearings and appeals related to criminality and other forms of inadmissibility, for instance, the person involved must clearly know and understand

the facts of the case and legal issues involved and should also be able to assess chances of success and reasonableness or necessity of proceeding with the case. At a refugee hearing, for instance, greater focus would likely be on identity, credibility, subjective fear, generalized risk versus particularized risk, availability of state protection, internal flight alternative and legal residence in another country. This will certainly require some professional assistance and guidance. Do not proceed with a case or file an appeal just because that is permissible under the law.

From the perspective of cost, one may gain nothing from proceeding with immigration matters without a legal counsel. Should an initial application fail, one should bear in mind that the subsequent appeals and judicial reviews could be very costly – in terms of time and money. Also, in many situations, the grounds for appeal in applications processed without legal guidance are almost always weak. Thus, a counsel would be faced with an uphill or near-impossible task of convincing decision makers at the appeal stage to overturn negative decisions in

respect of such applications.

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

Immigration laws and regulations are becoming more complex and incomprehensible. Contact a professional in immigration law whenever necessary. Don’t take chances. What you consider to be a trivial immigration issue could be a complex immigration matter that could cost you dearly.

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

Canada Cell: 416-825-5885

USA Cell 1-917-306-0073Tel: 1-914-652-7191

Ghana Cell: +233244-672052 Tel: +233332195630 Web: www.saharaherbals.com Email: atosahara@yahoo.com

Toronto

shares travel tips in effort to

ahead of busy holiday travel season

Toronto Pearson International Airport said Tuesday that the lead up to Christmas is expected to be the busiest time to travel, starting as soon as next week, as well as the days around Jan. 9,

when many children return to school.

In preparation for the spike, the airport has introduced a number of digital tools including an online security

reservation system, YYZ Express, that lets customers on select flights reserve their security screening spot in advance.

The security reservation program is a pilot project for domestic and international flights, excluding the U.S., during peak times, said Tori Gass, a spokeswoman for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

In September, the airport launched an online dashboard so that passengers can receive live wait times on security screening, customs, airline counters and baggage carousels.

The airport peak times dashboard is another function Pearson recommends customers use that shows the busiest time of day for each terminal so that passengers can plan accordingly based on historical data.

New from the Canada Border Services Agency is Advance CBSA Declaration, where passengers can fill out a declaration form up to 72 hours in advance of returning to Canada through the ArriveCan app to gain access to an express customs lane, said Gass.

In addition to Pearson’s new tools, the airport continues to recommend that passengers arrive three hours ahead

cont’d on pg. 47

Society must decide where the ‘line is going to be’ on assault-style firearms: Trudeau

Prime minister says he intends to follow through on promise to outlaw certain firearms

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is trying to find the dividing line between guns suitable for hunting and ones that have no place in society because they pose significant dangers in the wrong hands.

While the effort is sparking debate, it’s up to society to figure out “where that line is going to be,” Trudeau said in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press.

“There isn’t a single Canadian anywhere out there that doesn’t want to see less gun crime, that doesn’t want to see safer communities. We’re all united on that,” he said. “There are disagreements on how to go about it the best possible way.”

The government wants to reinforce a May 2020 regulatory ban on an array of guns it considers assault-style firearms by enshrining a comprehensive definition in a bill being studied by the House of Commons public safety committee.

Among other technical specifications concerning bore diameter and muzzle energy, the proposed definition includes a centrefire semi-automatic rifle or shotgun designed with a detachable magazine that can hold more than five cartridges.

MPs are going over the latest list of firearms that would fall under the proposed definition, which runs to hundreds of pages.

There is confusion over exactly what is included and what is not, because the definition applies only to some variations of certain models that meet the criteria — guns the government considers inappropriate for civilian use.

The planned amendment has prompted applause from gun-control advocates as a step forward, but howls of protest from Conservative MPs and gun rights groups who say it targets commonly used hunting rifles and shotguns.

Trudeau said he intends to follow through on his promise to outlaw firearms designed to kill as many

people as quickly as possible while respecting the legitimate needs of hunters and others who rely on rifles and shotguns.

“Obviously there are people who will have, right now, guns that are on the line, that are probably more powerful or more convenient than you’d really need for hunting,” he said.

“And as a society, we have to figure out where that line is going to be. And no matter where you draw that line, there’s going to be people on one side or the other who feel it should have been one way or the other.”

The government’s approach was the right one to take, he said. “But I’m always open to tweaks.”

Trudeau acknowledged there is more work to do on refining the definition, as his minority government requires the support of at least one other party to ensure passage of the measures.

The public safety committee planned to meet Tuesday to discuss a proposal to hear witnesses on the matter, an idea suggested by Kristina Michaud of the Bloc Quebecois. The Canadian Press

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Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce (CANCHAM) attends Construction Expo in Toronto

Commerce Mrs. Edwina Atta-Sonno, said that part of the purpose of their mission in Canada was to network with the Ghanaian Business Community especially the local Ghanaian- Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

On Saturday Dec. 3rd. at the Hothouse Restaurant Toronto, The Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Networking Dinner, which was attended by many business members of the community.

interests of Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce (CANCHAM) members by providing advocacy, business information, networking opportunities and services that encourage bilateral trade between Canada and Ghana

Speaking with the Executive Director of the Canada Chamber of

At the dinner At the dinner At the exhibition Some guests at the dinner

Networking

Nii Odoi (r) and a guest

Guests & GCAO rep

CANCHAM members

Edwina (middle) & some members

Juliet Opoku and husband

At the dinner

Breakthrough in nuclear fusion energy announced

The interior of the target chamber at LLNL, where nuclear fusion takes place

A major breakthrough has been announced by US scientists in the race to recreate nuclear fusion.

Physicists have pursued the technology for decades as it promises a potential source of near-limitless clean energy.

On Tuesday researchers confirmed they have overcome a major barrierproducing more energy from a fusion experiment than was put in. But experts say there is still some way to go before fusion powers homes.

•

How does nuclear fusion work?

The experiment took place at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California.

LLNL director Dr Kim Budil said: “This is a historic achievement… over the past 60 years thousands of people have contributed to this endeavour and it took real vision to get us here.”

Nuclear fusion is described as the “holy grail” of energy production. It is the process that powers the Sun and other stars.

It works by taking pairs of light atoms and forcing them together - this “fusion” releases a lot of energy.

It is the opposite of nuclear fission, where heavy atoms are split apart. Fission is the technology currently used in nuclear power stations, but the process also produces a lot of waste that continues to give out radiation for a long time. It can be dangerous and must be stored safely.

Nuclear fusion produces far more energy, and only small amounts of short-lived radioactive waste. And importantly, the process produces no greenhouse gas emissions and therefore does not contribute to climate change.

But one of the challenges is that forcing and keeping the elements together in fusion requires very high temperatures and pressures. Until now, no experiment has managed to produce more energy than the amount put in to make it work.

How close is a fusion-powered future?

The amount of energy they’ve generated in this experiment is tinyjust enough to boil a few kettles. But what it represents is huge.

The promise of a fusion-powered future is one step closer. But there’s still a long way to go before this becomes a reality.

This experiment shows that the science works. Before scientists can even think about scaling it up, it needs to be repeated, perfected, and the amount of energy it generates will have to be significantly boosted.

This experiment has cost billions of dollars - fusion does not come cheap. But the promise of a source of clean energy will certainly be a big incentive for overcoming these challenges.

The National Ignition Facility in California is a $3.5bn (£2.85bn) experiment.

It puts a tiny amount of hydrogen into a capsule the size of a peppercorn.

Then a powerful 192-beam laser is used to heat and compress the hydrogen fuel. The laser is so strong it can heat the capsule to 100 million degrees Celsius - hotter than the centre of the Sun, and compress it to more than 100 billion times that of Earth’s atmosphere.

Under these forces the capsule begins to implode on itself, forcing the hydrogen atoms to fuse and release energy.

On announcing the breakthrough Dr. Marvin Adams deputy administrator for defense programs at the US National Nuclear Security Administration said that the laboratory’s lasers had input 2.05 megajoules (MJ) of energy to the target, which had then produced 3.15 MJ of fusion energy output.

Dr Melanie Windridge, CEO of Fusion Energy Insights, told the BBC: “Fusion has been exciting scientists since they first figured out what was causing the Sun to shine. These results today really put us on the path to the commercialization of the technology.”

Prof Jeremy P. Chittenden, professor of plasma physics and co-director of the Centre for Inertial Fusion Studies at Imperial College London called it “a true breakthrough moment”.

“It proves that the long sought-after goal, the ‘holy grail’ of fusion, can indeed be achieved,” he said.

This has been the sentiment echoed by physicists globally, who praised the work of the international science community.

Prof Gianluca Gregori, Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford

said: “Today’s success rests upon the work done by many scientists in the US, UK and around the world. With ignition now achieved, not only fusion energy is unlocked, but also a door is opening to new science.”

On the question of how long before we could see fusion being used in power stations, Dr Budil, the LLNL director, said there were still significant hurdles but that: “with concerted efforts and investment, a few decades of research on the underlying technologies could put us in a position to build a power plant”.

This is progress from when scientists used to say 50 - 60 years in answer to that question.

One of the main hurdles is getting cost down and scaling up the energy output. The experiment was only able to produce enough energy to boil about 15-20 kettles and required billions of dollars of investment. And although the experiment got more energy out than the laser put in, this did not include the energy needed to make the lasers work - which was far greater that the amount of energy the hydrogen produced.

Esme Stallard BBC News

Ghana: Vice President Bawumia Launches New

“MyNHIS app” to Improve Access to Healthcare

A new, comprehensive online selfenrolment portal designed to make registration onto and renewal of existing membership of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) possible has been launched by the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Known as the “MyNHIS app”, the new application includes a number of user-friendly features, such as enabling persons desirous of enrolling with the NHIS to do so in the comfort of their homes using their mobile phones, instead of having to do so at an NHIS District Office.

It will also enable members of the scheme to renew their membership and that of third parties, access frequently asked questions (FAQs), aid in location of all NHIS Offices and link NHIS cards to their Ghana cards, according to officials of the National Health Insurance Authority.

Speaking at the launch in Tamale on Monday, December 5, 2022, Vice President Bawumia recalled that government, on December 19, 2018, supported Management of the NHIS to launch a mobile renewal system to enable members whose cards have

expired to conveniently renew their cards using mobile phones.

“This digital innovation has led to remarkable increase in the proportion of members who renew their membership annually, thereby improving population coverage of the scheme.

“At present, over 16 million people are active members of the scheme, representing 54% of the population, an increase from 40% in 2019. Out of this number, over 80% are old members who used the mobile application to renew their membership.

“This has reduced the queue as well as the crowd at the offices of the NHIS, especially at the Tamale NHIS Metro Office where we used to see old men and women, pregnant women, the physically challenged queuing from as early as 3:00am just to have the cards renewed in order to access healthcare.

Digitalization has made it possible by just dialing *929# and follow through the process to instantly renew your card without travelling to the office to queue.”

The new NHIS mobile app will operate on both Android and iOS smartphones and will allow NHIS members to securely pay registration and membership renewal fees

Ahead of the birth in May 2021, the mother Halima Cissé, now 27, was flown to Morocco for specialist care.

Before returning they had been living with medical support in Casablanca.

After arriving back in the Malian capital, Bamako, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the father Abdelkader Arby thanked the Malian government which he said had been helping the family financially.

“It’s a lot of work but Allah, who gave us this blessing, will help us in their upbringing and taking care of them,” he added.

Health Minister Diéminatou Sangara said the government will continue to support the family.

The babies - five girls and four boys - were born by Caesarean section at 30 weeks, according to the Malian authorities last year.

The girls - named Kadidia, Fatouma,

Hawa, Adama and Oumou - and the boys - named Mohammed VI, Oumar, Elhadji and Bah - weighed between 500g and 1kg (1.1lb and 2.2lb) at birth, Prof Youssef Alaoui, medical director of the clinic where they were born, told the AFP news agency.

There were risks that they could have developed health problems due to their premature birth and they spent the first months of their lives in hospital.

They were then moved to an apartment where they received round-the-clock care from the Ain Borja clinic.

Earlier this year, on their first birthday, their father said that each one has a unique personality.

“They all have different characters. Some are quiet, while other make more noise and cry a lot. Some want to be picked up all the time. They are all very different, which is entirely normal.”

Mr Arby also said that they had become famous in Mali and people were “very keen to see the babies with their own eyes”. BBC News

The world’s only nonuplets - nine babies born at the same time - have safely returned home to Mali after spending the first 19 months of their lives in Morocco

The family showed the certificate from Guinness World Records when they arrived in Mali Image source, Saloum Arby

G7-Economic Community of West African States (G7-ECOWAS) Initiative on Cyber Security: Member States Cyber Policy Practitioners and Diplomats Meet to Discuss the Implementation of the Framework of Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace

The seminar outlined the key elements of the framework and its implementation at the regional and national levels

United Nations‘ Member States have affirmed an international framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, consisting of the applicability of international law, a set of non-binding voluntary norms, and support for Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).

The discussions on international security in cyberspace continue to advance in West Africa, as such, the ECOWAS Commission under the auspices of the G7-ECOWAS initiative on Cyber Security convened a seminar on International Security in Cyberspace in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the George C. Marshall Centre’s Program on Cyber Security Studies from 5 – 9 December 2022 in Munich, Germany as part of the implementation of the Action Plan endorsed in October 2022 by both the German government and the President of the Commission

The seminar outlined the key elements of the framework and its implementation at the regional and

national levels. Focus was placed on the value of developing and implementing regional CBMs as these require engagement, effective dialogue, and cooperation among Member States as cyber security maturity levels differ. CBMs can be also a means to lower the danger of potential misunderstandings that could result from cyberspace incidents.

The seminar was attended by representatives from ECOWAS Ministries responsible for Digital Economy and ICT, Ministries of Defence, Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and ECOWAS Member States permanent missions in Geneva, New York, United Nations, and Vienna focused on international security issues.

The G7-ECOWAS initiative for Cyber Security is a joint platform for advancing Cyber Security in/within ECOWAS launched under Germany’s G7 presidency and the endorsed Action Plan (2022 – 2025) will focus on building regional cyber diplomacy, combatting cybercrime, ensuring data sovereignty, and protecting critical infrastructure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

IN PICTURES

PEOPLE AND PLACES

GCAO presents GOLDEN AGE Christmas Party

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto, ON

The Seniors Wing of the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) organized a Christmas event specifically for seniors at the Manhyia Palace, 95 Eddystone, North York. The event was held on Tuesday, December 6th, 2022.

Over 70 seniors were feted at the bash. Gifts and raffle sponsors were Dollar Heaven, Endless Possibilities, Central Market and Lotus Funeral & Cremation Centre. Sumptuous meal was served as the seniors put on their dancing shoes and really had fun. The MC for the function was Anna Aidoo of Endless Possibilities based in Toronto.

Jonathan Gyapong Donkor Celebrates 3rd Birthday

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto, ON

Jonathan Gyapong Donkor, son of Lawrence Donkor and Yvonne Annobil, celebrated his 3rd birthday on Saturday November 26, 2022 at his parent’s residence in Brampton with cousins and relatives. Jonathan is the grandson of Jonathan Annobil of Ghanaian News. Happy birthday J2.

Jonathan blowing his cake flanked by siblings and cousins

Seniors Men

Seniors Women

I’m Here Foundation with gift recipients

Retirement and Appreciation Service In honor of Pastor Cyril Williams and Family

By Jonathan Baah Annobil,

The Apostolic Church International Canada Field on Sunday, November 20, 2022 held a Retirement and Appreciation Service in honor of Pastor Cyril Williams and family. The venue was Sabbath Church, 312 Rexdale Blvd. Toronto.

The first phase was the worship segment after which the retirement and appreciation segment took place. The purpose of the gathering was given by

Pastor Cyril & Lady Williams

Pastor Cyril & Lady Williams & Church Board

Pastor Akwasi Peprah Apostle Jeremiah Mensah

Pastor Cyril Williams & Family being prayed over

Pastor Cyril Williams & Family

Pastor Cyril & Lady Williams

Lady Deaconess Gladys Williams & Pastors’ wives

Pastor Cyril & Lady Williams with Men Fellowship rep

Pastor Cyril & Lady Williams receiving citation

Pastor Cyril & Lady Williams & Young Adults

Lady Williams & Women’s Fellowship

Pastor Cyril Williams & Family

Pastor Rasper Atutornu, Aps. Jeremiah Mensah Pastor Akwasi Peprah

Pastor Cyril & lady Williams and Youth

Clergy from Evangel Assemblies of God

Dynamite Blessed Vessels

Cross section of congregation

Sister Tracy Tawiah

cont’d on pg. 47

Toronto, ON

Aburi Old Girls Association (AOGA) Canada celebrates 10th Anniversary

dinner& fundraising was organized. The president of the Association, Ms Janet Brakohiapa outlined the history of the AOGA in Canada.

She narrated how the AOGA Canada started. She said before the year 2012, the old girls of the school met informally when they get visitors from outside Canada. During such meetings they engaged themselves with stories of school days and eat and greet. Therefore, in 2012 they formed AOGA Canada with 3 core goals.

1. To support our “alma mater” i.e. help the school that we attended

On November 19th 2022 at Maple Banquet Hall in Mississauga, a special 10th anniversary celebration with

2. To be supportive of each other 3. To integrate and contribute to our communities in Canada the land that most of us now call home.

She then introduced the Association’s executives and commended

them

for

good work and

presented

them

with gifts.

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Mississauga, ON

Janet Brakohiapa, president

Nana Dr. La-Kumi

Emmanuel Duodu and Juliet Opoku

Having fun

Cutting the anniversary cake

Executive members

Cutting the anniversary cake with the help of Okuapemman

Cutting the anniversary cake with the help of Opoku Ware Old Boys

Cutting the anniversary cake with the help of GCAO

Cutting the anniversary cake with the help of Prempeh Old Boys

Guests at the party

Some IVPs at the party

Toronto city council approves plan to allow for greater density in residential areas

Toronto city council has approved a sweeping housing plan that will significantly transform zoning bylaws in an effort to address the affordability crisis.

A majority of councillors -- 23 out of 26 -- voted in favour of Toronto Mayor John Tory’s proposal to allow multiplexes to be built in neighbourhoods that are currently restricted to single-family homes.

Council also voted in favour of legalizing rooming houses across the city, instead of only in some parts, by a vote of 18-8.

The city manager now has until March to submit a report to the executive committee outlining how the homes will be built.

The plan aims to exceed or meet the target the city was recently given by the province to build 285,000 homes over the next 10 years.

Tory did not need to use “strong mayor” powers recently granted by the province, which allows the mayor to pass housing-related bylaws with the support of one-third of councillors and to veto council decisions deemed to hamper the creation of new homes.

Before Wednesday’s council debate, Tory said that many of the immigrants Canada is welcoming in the next few years will settle in Toronto and it is the city’s responsibility to make sure it has housing available for them.

The Canadian Press

Pap test results delayed in Ontario; pandemic backlog, staffing shortages blamed

cont’d from pg. 10

programs in the province, they all have waitlists to get in,” Hoad said. “So there’s tons of people interested in the profession, there’s just not enough seats.”

NDP health critic France Gelinas asked about Luyt’s situation in question period last week, and Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the government is investing in the health system.

“We are hiring and training additional health human resources, whether those are lab technicians, personal support workers, nurses ... doctors,” Jones said.

A spokesperson for Jones told The Canadian Press that the ministry is in “constant contact” with labs and Ontario Health – which oversees the health system – to discuss Pap test turnaround times, and is “monitoring” labs’ plans to return to normal service levels.

Dynacare said it is working to alleviate the backlog in part by using labs in other provinces and developing best practices for doctors ordering the tests.

LifeLabs noted that doctors can flag patients at a higher risk so their samples get processed more quickly.

The Canadian Press

Cyril Ramaphosa: South Africa president survives MP vote over cash-in-sofa scandal

MPs at a special sitting of South Africa’s parliament voted to reject a move to begin impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The president was accused of covering up the theft of a large sum of foreign currency from his farm in 2020, some of which had been hidden in a sofa.

The debate before the vote focussed on an independent report which concluded he may have violated the constitution.

Mr Ramaphosa, who is up for reelection as ANC leader, denies any wrongdoing.

The African National Congress had told its MPs to block a possible impeachment - although a handful broke ranks and sided with opposition parties and voted to accept the report and let impeachment proceedings start.

Now that Mr Ramaphosa has survived the vote, he is thought likely to win re-election at his party’s conference, which starts on Friday. He will then be in pole position to become the ANC’s presidential candidate at the next election in 2024.

This scandal erupted in June, when a former South African spy boss, Zumaally Arthur Fraser, filed a complaint with police accusing the president of hiding a theft of $4m (£3.25m) in cash from his Phala Phala game farm in 2020.

Mr Ramaphosa admitted that some money, which had been hidden in a sofa, had been stolen, but said it was $580,000 not $4m.

The president said the $580,000 had come from the sale of buffalo, but the panel, headed by a former chief justice, said it had “substantial doubt” about whether a sale took place.

South Africa has strict rules on holding foreign currency, which say that it must be deposited with an authorised dealer such as a bank with 30 days. It appears as though the president may have broken those rules, according to the panel’s report.

Furthermore, if the money was from selling buffalo as he said, this money should have been declared, rather than kept in cash.

In his remarks Dr. Nana Martin La-Kumi, Okuapemhene of the Okuapemman Association of North America congratulated the association on their 10 years of existence and commended them on their objectives. Finally Nana La-Kumi encouraged them to continue being the light on the hill for the Ghanaian community in the GTA.

The event started with a beautiful parade of AOGA as they entered the hall with dancing and singing.

There were goodwill messages from

other schools and guests, Okuapeman Cultural Association, Opoku Ware, Prempeh College, Wesley Girls and others.

Mr. Emmanuel Duodu, president of the GCAO, congratulated them for the achievement of making themselves important in Canada as GhanaianCanadians to give back to their school.

Sumptuous dinner was served and there were music and dancing as part of the program. There was also a segment for auction and raffle sales to raise funds. A special anniversary cake was cut to commemorate the occasion.

The sitting to debate the report, which was commissioned from a panel of legal experts by the speaker, opened with a discussion over whether MPs should be allowed to vote in secret - something which the speaker had rejected.

At the end of the debate, names of individual MPs were read out and each one announced their vote.

Some 214 lawmakers voted against setting up an impeachment committee, while 148 voted in favour, two abstentions were registered.

The 70-year-old leader has denied any wrongdoing calling the report, which he has challenged in the Constitutional Court, “flawed”.

Mr Ramaphosa became president in 2018 pledging to tackle corruption. He replaced Jacob Zuma, whose time in office had been weighed down by many such allegations.

In his submission to the Constitutional Court, Mr Ramaphosa wants the country’s top judges to rule that the findings of the panel are unlawful and set aside.

The president argues that the panel went beyond its scope when looking at whether he had a case to answer related to the robbery at the farm.

He is also asking the court to declare that any steps taken by parliament on the back of the release of the report to be declared unlawful and invalid.

The dominance of the ANC in parliament has saved Mr Ramaphosa’s future in politics.

His chances of being re-elected as ANC president at the party’s national conference have now been boosted.

However, events in parliament showed once again deep divisions in the governing party.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was out meeting potential voters in Cape Town on Saturday

“No jail term for stealing ¢100M of depositors’ funds but 10 years jail term for stealing ¢100 from a depositor’s purse,” the revered legal luminary lamented.

His colleague, another respected constitutional lawyer, professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, who happens to be the Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD), agreed with him, saying the country’s legal system is not worth its salt.

“A joke of a legal system we have. Kai,” prof Prempeh wrote on Facebook in reaction to prof Asare’s post.

Many Ghanaians have been reacting to the court’s decision, lamenting how a petty thief would have been sentenced to many years of imprisonment, but a wealthy person who has admitted to stealing millions of taxpayers’ money has managed to escape jail.

On Tuesday, December 13, the court reviewed the arguments of the parties and accepted the restitution deal.

Last week, Justice Eric Kyei Baffour disagreed with the settlement deal between state prosecutors and Mr Ato Essien. The judge was of the view that the amount agreed on was not enough. He adjourned that case to today and asked the parties to appear before the court with the legal basis of the terms

of the agreement.

In court on Tuesday, December 13, Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah Yeboah argued that the funds were state funds as the defunct capital bank has been taken over by the state and state funds expended to pay the monies of depositors.

On his part, Counsel of Ato Essien also justified the deal arguing that the state managed to get an extra GHS 30 million in addition to the GHS 56 million ‘outstanding money’ Ato Essien agreed to have stolen.

After hearing the arguments of the parties, Justice Eric Kyei Baffour accepted the settlement deal.

The accused has since pleaded guilty to the charges of stealing and money laundering.

Ato Essien and two others have been on trial for the past three years for their involvement in the collapse of Capital Bank. The prosecution had also accused Mr Essien of misappropriating GH¢620 million liquidity support extended by the Bank of Ghana to help keep the bank afloat.

The prosecution and the accused in arriving at the agreement told the court they came under section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993, Act 459 (as amended).

Mr Essien is standing trial together with the former Managing Director of the Bank, Rev. Fitzgerald Odonkor, and a former Managing Director of MC Management Service, Tetteh Nettey, also owned by Mr Ato Essien. Together, they were tried on 23 counts

of criminality, including conspiracy to steal and stealing in connection with the collapse of Capital Bank in 2017.

Rev. Fitzgerald Odonkor and Tetteh Nettey have however been acquitted and discharge Pulse.com.gh

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The decision by the High Court in Accra to accept the GH¢90 million repayment terms by the embattled founder of now-defunct Capital Bank, Ato Essien has angered Ghanaians, with legal brains saying the development makes crime attractive.

Ghana’s legal system is a joke! - Legal brains react as Ato Essien escapes prison

Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh and Professor, Kwaku Asare US-based Ghanaian professor, Kwaku Asare, in reaction to the court’s decision on his Facebook page, said the legal system favours the rich and discriminates against the poor.

COMMUNITY IN PICTURES CALGARY, ALBERTA

Final Funeral Rites of Legend AB Crentsil

Gone Too Soon

The final funeral rite of Legend A. B Crentsil was held in Calgary Alberta on Saturday November 26, 2022. It was held at the Rundle Community Hall, 2409-50 St. N E Calgary. The thanksgiving service was held on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Bethel Methodist Church, 3811 Edmonton Trail, NE Calgary.

He is survived by daughter Beatrice Eduful Crentsil aka Sweetie, Albert Opoku, son-in-law and son AB Crentsil jnr. (Italy). Kwesi Selassie, The Lion of Africa was a special guest performer at the celebration of life of Legend AB Crentsil.

The life of Gloria Badu was celebrated at the Apostles’ Continuation Church Hall, 10 Belfield Road Etobicoke on Saturday 26, November 2022 after interment at the Glenview Memorial Gardens, Woodbridge. She is survived by husband Maxwell Badu, father Opoku Agyeman and brother Eugene Opoku Agyeman.

Chief Mourners

Beatrice Crentsil & A B Crentsil jnr. mourning

Kwesi Selassie – Lion of Africa

A B Crentsil jnr. & Beatrice Eduful Crentsil

Kwesi Selassie & MC Shatta (in cloth)

Family at the thanksgiving service At the thanksgiving service

Chief Mourners

Maxwell Badu mourning his late wife

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Calgary, AB

By Jonathan Baah Annobil, Toronto, ON

Funeral Service for Julius Amega Dogbe

By

cont’d on pg. 43

Mrs. Flora Dogbe (2nd L) Akuyo at the cemetery

Dogbe’s coffin at the church

Pall bearers carrying the coffin

Fr. Peter Lackmanec performing rites

Knights of Columbus- Annunciation Church

At the viewing

Family at the viewing Mrs. Flora Dogbe and sympathizers

Julius Amega Dogbe a Ghanaian- Canadian Icon passed away November 29th 2022 at Richmond Hill Hospital after a short illness. He was the first Ghanaian- Canadian to be appointed Presiding Justice of the Peace from 2008 to 2011 when he retired.

He served his community over the years as follows: 1969 -88 Founding member and first president of the Association of Ghanaians in Toronto

Jonathan Baah Annobil, Richmond Hill, ON

Family members at the viewing

Celebration of Life: Emmanuel Kwesi (Siisi) Ghartey

By

Emmanuel Kwesi (Siisi)

Ghartey’s life was celebrated at the Apostles’ Continuation Banquet Hall, 10 Belfield Road Etobicoke on Saturday 19th November, 2022 after burial at the Beechwood Cemetery. He is survived by wife Rosemond Johnson Ghartey and 2 sons Derek Ekow Ayensu Ghartey and Larry Ekow Gyate Ghartey.

Celebration of Life for Julius Amega Dogbe

Inc., Chairman of Immigration, Planning and Policy Committee and organizer of Cultural events. Receiver of Ontario Citizenship Volunteer Award for volunteer services, promoter of cross-cultural understanding, respect for diversity and human rights.

JULIUS AMEGA WILIAM KODZO DOGBE migrated to Canada on April 23, 1969 and shortly after he met his wife Flora. A loving husband to his beloved wife Flora Dogbe, who celebrated 50 years of marriage this year.

Julius was born in WOE, KETA, in the Volta Region of GHANA on March 9, 1936 to William Amega Dogbe and Marcelina Afiyo Anthonio (both from Anlo Royal Families). He was the eldest of 6 children.

Julius grew up to attend mechanical training at the Accra Polytechnic Institute this led him to work as a Mechanical Superintendent in Mauritania and a Mechanical Foreman in the Ghana National Construction Corporation (a division of the Public Works Department}.

In 1965 Julius migrated to Germany where he studied and obtained the German “Meister Prefung” Mechanical Certificate (equivalent to the British Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering).

The viewing of Julius Amega William Kodzo Dogbe was at the Marshall Funeral Home, 10366 Yonge Street Richmond Hill on Friday 10th December 2022 followed by funeral mass at the Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 97 King Road, Richmond Hill Saturday 11th December, 2022. Interment was at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 8361 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill also on Saturday 11th December, 2022. Reception was in Aurora.

He is survived by wife Flora Dogbe, children Jacquelyn, Akuyo and Ayawo and 3 grandchildren Annalisa, Nayawna and Modzani.

Chief mourners

Rosemond Johnson Ghartey (centre) Derek & Larry Ghartey

Family in mourning mood

PLACES OF WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Ghana Methodist Churches in Canada

( SOCIETIES UNDER THE GHANA METHODIST CONFERENCE)

The Superintendents Minister-In-Charge invites you to worship with us Toronto Society

Place of Worship: 69 Milvan Drive, North York, Ont. (Finch Av./Milvan) 416-743-4555 (Office) 905-216-2323 (Residence)

Day and Time of Worship:

Sunday: Bible Class Meeting: 10:00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

Edmonton Methodist 587-336-1223

Ottawa Methodist 613-823-2291

Vancouver Methodist 416-833-1615

Sunday Brampton Prayer Meeting 8:00 p.m.

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

In Montreal at:

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

Day and Time of Worship

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

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

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

Hamilton Society

Stoney Creek United Church (Chapel) 1 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Hamilton

Contact: 289-244-5914, 289-700-6815, 289-698-1388

BETHANY METHODIST CHURCH-BRAMPTON

PLACE OF WORSHIP1A KNIGHTSBRIGE ROAD (Senior’s Lounge)

Sunday Divine Service 2PM-5PM

Online Prayer Meeting Fridays at 8PM -9PM 416-800-4317 Code # 9632581

Contact: Robert Frans (289-541-5579) Felix Gyimah (289-931-8443)

Very Rev. Joseph Owusu Atuahene Minister-in-charge

Very Reverend Albert K. Appiah,

FOOD FOR LIFE

Bringing the Gospel to our Community By Rev. Isaac De-Graft Takyi

THE CHRISTIAN IN 2022: LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Mathew 1:18-25NIV

“Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” – Carl Bard

Thank you all very much for following me and reading the food for life articles all through the year. Thank you all for the feedback and words of encouragement. As we end our year, I know most of us will take sometime off to reflect, review, refresh and refocus for the new year. As we do that as believers in the form of setting our goals, we will love to do it in the light of the Scriptures.

For God to be at the center of our next life goals? Let us use these Bible verses on goal setting to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in our next action steps. Goal setting is how we can turn our dreams into action steps! And into a reality.

BUT our number one priority in any goal that we set is making sure that God is at the center.So we must ask ourselves the following questions: Is it Christ-honoring? Is it growing me in the Fruit of the Spirit? Is it drawing me nearer to Jesus? Is it showing people the love of the Lord in my life? Is it making me a better person? Is it enabling me to make a difference in my world? We must never want to be so goal oriented that we lose our focus on Christ.

As we retreat to reflect, review the past year and set goals for the new year in the areas of our Faith, family and friends, finances, fitness, and firm, let us consider the following Bible verses:

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

Even when are initially setting our goals, we must love to be remaindered that this new endeavor is going to be work. It’s going to take strength and we are going to feel like giving up,

but that endurance and strength will be rewarded when we stick to it.

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

Psalm 20:4

Make this verse your prayer over yourgoals and that of your friends and family who are also working on something in their own lives.

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11

May this verse remind us of God’s eternal perspective. Whatever goal we are setting, it’s not just about us. It’s not just about today. It’s not even just about our lifetime! The Lord’s plans have purposes through all generations and our goals can be a part of His eternal impact.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. “Psalm 37:4

Always desire to double-check that your desire is, first and foremost, for the Lord. It’s not that money and success and joy can’t be a part of our goals, but we never want them to be our primary focus. We never want them to become an idol we are seeking.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

Psalm 127:1

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

We must memorize these verses to remind ourselves often of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty.

We try so hard to make sense of life. We want A+B to equal C every single time. But in setting goals (and just in life in general), our perspective isn’t big enough to give us the whole picture.

But, when things don’t make sense to us, we can ALWAYS depend on the truth that it makes sense to the Lord and if we are being obedient to Him and placing our steps on His path, He will make our paths straight. Let us remember this and keep our trust in His faithfulness always.

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Proverbs 15:22

It’s always a good reminder to have a group of trusted people in your life to give you feedback as you plan. Ensure that we have people in our lives that will hold us accountable.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverb 16:3

This is an important step; we must try to be intentional about doing with every new endeavor in our lives – committing our plans to the Lord and offering it up to Him in trust and surrender.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

As much as we like the feeling of being in control, we always need the reminder that we arenot. We can dream and be intentional about planning, but our steps and our successes always depend on the Lord.

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

Proverbs 21:5

But even though our success ultimately depends on the Lord, our intentionality and planning still makes a difference! Taking time and energy to lay out wellthought-out plans is so beneficial!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

There is so much relief in this verse for us. It’s easy for us to feel like everything depends on us. If we don’t plan it right, dream it right, or do it right, we will be

at fault for everything falling apart.But that’s not what God’s Word says. It’s not on my shoulders. The Lord knows His plans for me – plans to prosper me, giving me hope and a future.

Luke 14:28

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Luke 14:28

Do you love the practical reminder of taking time to make intentional plans and considering the long and short-term consequences (Financially, emotionally, physically and otherwise!)?

“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.” Acts 26:16

How strongly do you appreciate this reminder that it’s important to share our experiences of the Lord in our lives – in our stories, our homes, our businesses, our successes, failures, challenges and our accomplishments?

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Is this at the core of every goal we set? Whatever we do, we must do it to bring glory to the Lord in one way or another.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will

EVANGEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH 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.

Church Service:

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

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

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

Retirement and Appreciation Service In honor of Pastor Cyril Williams and Family

cont’d from pg. 31

after which the MC Pastor Akwasi Pepprah introduced the dignitaries at the service.

Messages from movements, Presbytery, Pastorate, Ghana and National management team were given after thanksgiving offering. A special citation for pastor Cyril Williams was also read. In between the service, the Dynamite blessed Vessels of the church did a couple of powerful song ministrations.

Apostle Jeremiah Mensah gave the exhortation on the topic “Prophecy Provoking Duty took care about things of God with regards to the clergy. God makes things beautiful in his time” taken from Philippians 4: 10-19. He stressed the fact: ‘My God shall supply all your need according to glorious riches in Jesus Christ was prompted by giving. There is anointing on anyone the Lord calls.”

Apostle Mensah continued that if you want things to go well, break into the anointing of man of God and will provoke prophecy duty. It is a blessing to give than to take. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” he pointed out; and ended by saying that “the blessing of God is activated by your giving so give in faith.”

Presentation of gifts by movements, pastorate and presbytery followed after which the clergy in the sanctuary prayed over Pastor Williams and family. In his response, Pastor Williams thanked all who supported his ministry and said he was sorry for anyone he had offended and asked for forgiveness. Vote of thanks was given by Deaconess Perpetual Adjei; and the closing prayer by Pastor Rasper Atutornu with Apostle Jeremiah Mensah giving the benediction. A reception followed the service.

Toronto Pearson shares travel tips in effort to get ahead of busy holiday travel season

cont’d from pg. 15

of international flights and two hours ahead of domestic travel.

As winter travel ramps up so has the harsh winter climate. Gass recommends passengers check the weather forecast and flight schedule in advance.

“Give yourself plenty of time before coming to the airport.”

To further reduce wait times, the Canada Air Transport Security Agency (CATSA) has begun rolling out tips for holiday travel across its social media platforms that include keeping gifts unwrapped in case inspection is required.

Passengers are also advised to check that all carried-on liquids are under 100 ml â - this includes snow globes.

The airport said this holiday season will be particularly busy as passenger traffic has steadily increased since the summer, but the number of travellers is still expected to sit below prepandemic levels.

Pearson expects to see 80 per cent of passengers compared to 2019, based on the number of airline seats sold, said Gass.

The airport has “much improved” since

the summer and the new modernization tools will help passengers prepare for holiday travel, said Deborah Flint, chief executive officer of the GTAA, in a news release.

This past summer, many passengers faced lengthy delays and flight cancellations at the airport, which according to tracking service FlightAware had the world’s worst record on delayed flights.

“We’re not seeing the same thing that happened in the summer where we had long lineups and other delays that were due to staffing,” said Gass.

Staffing levels of CATSA employees and baggage handlers were significantly affected over the pandemic, and while there were challenges earlier in the year around training and staff retention, Gass said that all of the airport partners have “really stepped up” to help with improving the shortage.

In the case that a flight is delayed, Pearson will have live entertainment including Christmas carollers and a family movie lounge.

“We’ve brought in a lot of tools since this past summer,” said Gass. “We’re hoping it’s going to be helpful for 1/8 passengers 3/8 for the holiday.” The Canadian Press

CHRIST REDEEMER CHURCH

Pastor-in-charge: Pastor Eric Amoah

Join us on Sundays for Worship at: Venue: 161 Lakeshore Road W, Mississauga, ON Time: 10:30am—1:30pm

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

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

Good Shepherd Prayer Ministry

Invites you all to come worship with us

Venue: 95 Eddystone Ave unit 4 North York, ON

Time of worship: Sunday:10am - 1pm Wednesday bible studies 7pm - 9pm Friday Prayer / Deliverance 7pm - 9pm

Pastor Joseph Nash Sarfo

Assembly of God Church, Mississauga Transformation Centre 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

Founder & Pastor-in-charge

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.

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

Bethel Prayer Ministry Int'l

Do you desire to experience the power and the presence of God demonstrated in your life? Do you want to experience the marvelous work of God's grace in your life? Then, Bethel Prayer Ministry International would like to invite you to visit their church where the word of God is preached powerfully to release the power of God in your life.

COME AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED

Contact: Cell. 416-400-8211 Church 416-642-0390

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

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

Pastor Dennis Awuku Senior Pastor

Pastor Eric Amoah

Sunday (Worship)

10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday

10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

The Christian in 2022: Live in the Spirit of Christmas

be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

It’s easy to get distracted in our quest to accomplish new things by things the world touts as amazing and admirable (money, fame, success). May this be an important reminder to keep our minds set, not on things of this word, but on God’s will.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

This is my “test” for everything in my life. Is this goal going to help me grow in a fruit of the Spirit? If not, back to the drawing board! What is your test?

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to

do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 A beautiful reminder that we are equipped and specifically created to do good works in our lives in all kinds of various forms! What good works are you going to do next year?

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

Don’t be afraid to dream big. Dreams are free so dream big. Our dreams and purposes are not limited to our own capabilities.We serve a God who can do immeasurably more. Don’t forget that when things feel uninviting!

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

Ghana: Vice President Bawumia Launches New “MyNHIS app” to Improve Access to Healthcare

cont’d from pg. 19

The MyNHIS app, Dr Bawumia explained, thus serves as an NHIS office in one’s home or pocket.

“The new NHIS mobile app will operate on both Android and iOS smartphones and will allow NHIS members to securely pay registration and membership renewal fees from their mobile money wallets, Bank and Visa cards.

“Embedded in the MyNHIS app is a member authentication feature to enable healthcare providers validate the membership status of members of the scheme before providing healthcare to them. This feature of the application will also help to reduce spurious claims, ranging from impersonation and claims manufacturing resulting from collusion between NHIS clients and healthcare providers.

“We believe that this milestone will accelerate progress towards our quest to achieve universal health coverage by 2030,” he indicated.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye hailed the impact of digitalization on the Scheme, saying it had impacted on every aspect of its operation, from human resource to turn-around times.

“The future, indeed remains digitalization,” he declared.

He also announced the inclusion of prostate cancer care on the list of ailments covered under the NHIS, which currently includes 95% of all ailments.

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

Just another filter Ilike to run my goals through. Is this goal purely selfserving? Am I doing this out of selfish ambition? Or out of greed? It’s always good to double-check our motives! Why do you do what you do?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” Colossians 3:23

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

Do you work at your goals with all your heart? Do you always go to God for wisdom?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true,

whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV

I trust that we have added some value to you. As we celebrate Christ let us partner with Him to make our years to come more meaningful to us and glorious to Him.

Sources

https://soveryblessed.com/21bible-verses-on-goal-setting/ By AuthorBecky/December 16, 2019

The NIV Bible is mainly used

Lead Pastor: Rev. Nana Boateng

Rev. Nana Boateng

Lifestyle

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

MEASLES: What every parent should know

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

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

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

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

Causes

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

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

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

Risk factors for measles include:

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

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

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

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

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

• Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common complication of measles. People with compromised immune systems can develop an especially dangerous variety of

pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.

• Encephalitis. About 1 in 1,000 people with measles develops encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that may cause vomiting, convulsions, and, rarely, coma or even death. Encephalitis can closely follow measles, or it can occur months later.

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

• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Measles may lead to a decrease in platelets — the type of blood cells that are essential for blood clotting.

•

Tests and diagnosis

• Your doctor can usually diagnose measles based on the disease’s characteristic rash as well as a small, bluish-white spot on a bright red background — Koplik’s spot — on the inside lining of the cheek. If necessary, a blood test can confirm whether the rash is truly measles.

Treatment

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

If you or your child has measles, keep in touch with your doctor as you monitor the progress of the disease and watch for complications. Also try these comfort measures:

• Take it easy. Get rest and avoid busy activities.

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

• Seek respiratory relief. Use a humidifier to relieve cough and sore throat.

• Rest your eyes. If you or your child finds bright light

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

If someone in your household has measles, take these precautions to protect vulnerable family and friends:

• Isolation. Because measles is highly contagious from about four days before to four days after the rash breaks out, people with measles shouldn’t return to activities in which they interact with other people during this period.

It may also be necessary to keep nonimmunized people — siblings, for example — away from the infected person.

• Vaccinate. Be sure that anyone who’s at risk of getting the measles who hasn’t been fully vaccinated receives the measles vaccine as soon as possible. This includes anyone born after 1957 who hasn’t been vaccinated, as well as infants

older than 6 months.

• All parents planning a visit to Ghana or other developing countries should ensure that all children are vaccinated against measles before they leave.

Preventing new infections

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

1. Modified from Mayo Clinic Housecall, 2014

2. Dr David Yaw TwumBarima is a specialist in Diabetes and Endocrinology. Appointments ( by referral only through your family doctor), may be made by faxing referral letter to : LMC Endocrinology and Diabetes, 412-1235 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON. L6H 3P1. Fax:905 337-0044

Canada’s train that takes hitchhikers

Compared with Canada’s more celebrated routes, the Skeena is far lesser known. But it’s one of the world’s most beautiful rail journeys – and remains vital for local communities.

A line of SUVs ground to a halt, horns sounding out before the reason for the hold-up became clear: a mule deer and her fawn trotted between the traffic, then hopped onto the pavement and carried on in the direction of the train station. I was in downtown Jasper in Alberta, Canada, a mountain town that’s reminiscent of a ski village, with wandering elk and gift shops selling bear spray at the counter.

Located in the middle of Jasper National Park, the alpine town of just 4,200 residents is a major junction on some of Canada’s greatest railway routes. Both The Canadian (a transcontinental passenger train from Vancouver to Toronto) and the luxury Rocky Mountaineer (whose routes include scenic trains in Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies) are a regular feature of the landscape, their carriages dwarfed by peaks gathered like a group of elders.

But there’s a third, lesser-known train that departs Jasper three times a week, pulling passengers into the farthest depths of British Columbia. Completed by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in 1914, the line spans 1,160km, linking Jasper to Prince Rupert, a port city on Canada’s north-west coast. Known locally as the “Skeena” or the “Rupert Rocket”, VIA Rail’s Train 5 takes two days to make the journey, with an overnight stop in the city of Prince George. Compared with Canada’s more celebrated routes, it’s virtually unknown by international tourists, but is one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys – one that provides a major lifeline to local communities.

It was a glorious autumn afternoon when I boarded the Skeena: the sky was electric blue, the Rockies sparkling in

the sun as we rolled out of Jasper and rapidly picked up pace. In the carriage vestibule, the top half of the door latched like a stable door, so I swung it open as a tornado of cotton wool spun past – dandelion heads carried off by the wind. Curling around the Fraser River – home to coho, chinook, pink and sockeye salmon – we caught the attention of a lone angler in waders who waved up from the beach-like bank. Over the first hour, turquoise rapids roared trackside, golden eagles soared and the sharp scent of balsam fir and pine whipped through the open doorways.

Tracy MacLean, the service manager on board, announced the approach to Moose Lake, which was as clear as a sheet of glass, the forest reflecting onto its perfect surface. Running tight to rock faces slicked with walls of ice, we rounded a curve to find Mount Robson rising through the blue, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. With bundles of cloud at the summit, it resembled a volcano venting steam, glaciers grazing its sides.

In between oxbow lakes, banks of yellow snapdragons and feathery fingers of conifer stroking the sides of the train, there were regular signs of the area’s industrial past – and present – where gold panners, sternwheelers, farmers and fishermen made up many of the communities dotted along the line. However, it is First Nations reserves that dominate here between abandoned sawmills, quarries and towns called Penny and Dunster, where double-digit populations reside around little more than a post office and a petrol station. Late in the afternoon, while passengers were dozing or scanning for moose and caribou, the train began to slow, coming to an abrupt halt by a forest. There was murmuring down the carriage and a few passengers craned their necks to see if there had been a wildlife sighting when the train eased off again. As a flag-stop service, the Skeena had stopped to collect a mushroom picker who wandered out from the trees and

flagged down the train. On one of my last trips, I picked up two hunters who were lost and couldn’t find their way back to their truck

“We’re the only source of transportation to get in and out of remote areas,” said MacLean, explaining that the engineers and the staff always have a heads-up and look for regulars who get on and off the train: hermits, remote dwellers and fishermen. “Just before we drop them off, they’ll say: ‘I think I’ll be coming out of the bush a week next Friday, have an eye for me.’ I then communicate that with the engineers, they take note and watch for the individual at that point.”

She added: “On one of my last trips, I picked up two hunters who were lost and couldn’t find their way back to their truck. They could hear the train, so they went down to the tracks: when they got on, they were filthy, very cold, hungry, and just so happy to see mankind that I didn’t even charge them.”

As the sun began to drop, turning the lakes to molten lava, the train slowed into Prince George for its obligatory stopover. After most passengers disembarked, tourists filtering off into nearby hotels, I spoke to train engineer Ed Neis and discovered that the Skeena was once an overnight service. “We had a cook car on here, we had roomettes at the back, it was beautiful. I think they phased it out in 1993,” said Neis. “The downturn in the economy was bad, and so the railways got together with the local mayors and made an agreement with these communities to bring business to them. They agreed that this train would stop over in Prince George. If we put it straight through again, the ridership would shoot up.”

The following morning, the train set off while passengers were having breakfast, following the curves of the Nechako River, a major tributary to the Fraser River that swung back into view beneath mounds of white froth and fizz. At the town of Smithers, a number of First Nations women boarded the

train and, after a lull in the journey, MacLean mentioned the Highway of Tears – a 725km stretch of road that runs parallel to the tracks. Since the 1950s, a number of young women have gone missing while hitchhiking between Smithers (where the locals are known as Smithereens) and Prince Rupert, owing to poverty and a severe lack of public transport along Highway 16 other than a twice-weekly bus. Indigenous people hop on and off this train to go to gatherings and events or there’s no other way but that bus

Official figures suggest that the number is around 20, but families and community activists estimate that it’s more than 50 women who have disappeared or been found dead. According to MacLean: “If you’re a young woman in northern British Columbia and you choose to hitchhike on Highway 16 east or west out of Prince George, you can kiss your loved ones goodbye. Indigenous people hop on and off this train to go to gatherings and events or there’s no other way but that bus.”

As we rumbled across fragile bridges, I glanced down at teal bodies of water flowing beneath the tracks while other passengers scanned the forests for grizzlies and black bears. Just as we passed Kwinitsa station, I spied a small black bear bounding away from the tracks and realised that what was becoming one of the greatest journeys of my life is just a regular commute for another.

Towards mid-afternoon, the eponymous Skeena River emerged from the north and stayed tight to the train, cheering it on to the finish line. Taking its name from the indigenous Gitxsan band, meaning “river of mists”, the Skeena River thrashed through canyons and passed through mountains before it finally peeled away from the train and poured into the Pacific Ocean, leaving us to journey into Prince Rupert alone.

BBC News Monisha Rajesh is the author of Around the World in 80 Trains

OTTAWA - Canada’s chief science adviser gave the government a road map on Wednesday to wade through some of the murky and mysterious elements of long-COVID in an effort to offer people better treatment, starting with an admission that the disease even exists.

The recommendations presented by Mona Nemer came from a task force that was established in July to respond to post-COVID-19 condition, or longCOVID.

As of August, 14.8 per cent of adults who have had COVID-19 experienced symptoms three months or more after their initial infection, Nemer said.

The symptoms range in severity and include muscle pain, brain fog, trouble breathing, extreme fatigue, gastrointestinal problems and heart palpitations.

“To start we need to acknowledge that

(post-COVID19 condition) is real, that COVID-19 manifests itself as an acute but also as a chronic illness,” Nemer said Wednesday in Ottawa.

For now, there is no consensus on the definition of the condition or how to diagnose and treat it.

“This is where we need a lot of research to understand what was going on, and we also need perhaps to try and see if any of the existing treatments for other diseases can be repurposed,” she said.

The 18 recommendations include strategies to identify and treat patients, track them, research the condition and prevent infections.

Nemer said it is clear that COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of developing long-COVID symptoms.

It’s still not well understood why COVID-19 manifests itself long-term, but Canadian Institutes for Health

Research president Dr. Michael Strong said there are three factors at play.

The first is the damage done by the initial infection to the heart, lungs or other organs that can have long-term or even lifelong effects. The next is the immune response triggered by the initial infection which can continue after the virus is defeated. Thirdly, the virus itself can have long-term impacts, particularly in the case of neurological disorders.

Several of the task force’s recommendations call for a research strategy to learn more about the impacts of long-COVID and how it works.

“We don’t know why women are twice as likely as men to contract it. We don’t know why it can accelerate the onset of other chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” Nemer said. “But it is evident that (post-COVID-19 condition) is a serious condition that can have at times irreversible health

consequences.”

The Liberal government’s last budget included $20 million over five years to research the long-term effects of COVID-19 infections on Canadians, as well as the wider impact of the pandemic on health-care systems.

That money will be used to develop a research network devoted to longCOVID, which will award research grants in the new year.

The task force also recommended the government develop a web-based platform to connect potential patients with government services and scale up prevention efforts like improved ventilation in schools, workplaces and public spaces.

The full report is expected to be released early next year, but Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will review the recommendations in the meantime. The Canadian Press

Canada’s chief science adviser releases recommendations to combat long-COVID

Around the World Sports Scene

Black Galaxies to camp in Europe ahead of 2023 CHAN tournament

Ex-Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda gets national team appointment

Former Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda has been appointed as the goalkeeper’s coach for the national U-20 men’s team, the Black Satellites.

The former Okwahu United shotstopper gets his first national team appointment since announcing his retirement a few months ago.

Dauda will work together with former Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu, who takes over from Coach Karim Zito as the Black Satellites head coach.

The Black Galaxies of Ghana will camp in Europe ahead of the 2023 African Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament. The team on Sunday engaged Hearts of Oak in a friendly game at the Ghanaman Soccer of Excellence at Prampram on Sunday as part of preparations for the tournament.

Annor Walker and his charges fought back to secure a 2-1 win over the Ghana Premier League side.

The side has yet to engage in any international games ahead of the tournament.

However, the assistant coach for the side, Bismark Kobby Mensah, has hinted that they will camp in Europe ahead of the tournament.

According to him, they will take

advantage of that to play highprofile games to strengthen their side ahead of the tournament in Algeria.

“In our program that we submitted to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), we requested that we need to camp in Europe and also play some high-profile games,” the Karela United coach said.

“We have a good squad, but we need to strengthen the team, and playing high-profile games will help the team, and we are confident that we will be ready for the tournament after the camping in Europe,” he added.

Ghana has been housed in Group C alongside Morocco (holders), Sudan, and Madagascar.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on January 13. footballghana.com

2022 Top Canadian Football Prospect Declared to play at University of Alabama

A highly recruited defensive line prospect in the latest cycle ... comes to Tuscaloosa from Canada. ULM: Saw his first career minutes in the crimson and white ... recorded one tackle on the day.

High School and Personal Data

A Canadian product that signed with the Crimson Tide after playing last season for head coach Jesse Chinchar at Clearwater Academy International in Florida ... earned the No. 52 spot on the On300 rankings by On3 ... the On3 consensus rankings tabbed him as the No. 142 recruit overall ... a four-star prospect who ranked 138th nationally in the Top247 while also ranking as the No. 18 defensive lineman and No. 19 player in Florida by 247Sports ... the No. 237 recruit on the 247Composite, the No. 30 defensive lineman and the No. 27 player in Florida ... Rivals. com listed him as the No. 15 defensive

tackle and the No. 34 player in Florida ... a four-star by ESPN who also tabbed him the No. 35 defensive tackle, No. 188 player in the Southeast Region and the No. 61 recruit in the state ... chose Alabama over Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Oregon.

Dauda had stints with AshantiGold SC, Orlando Pirates, Chippa United, Enyimba FC, and Legon Cities.

He featured for Ghana at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2013, 2015, and 2017 respectively.

Their immediate assignment is to lead Ghana to the 2023 African Games slated for Accra in August next year. ghanasoccernet.com

Black Starlets: Zito, Laryea Kingson to coach team

Abdul Karim Zito, Laryea Kingson, and Jacob Nettey will steer the affairs of the national male U-17 team –otherwise known as Black Starlets for the next year.

Karim Zito – a gold medalist at the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations will now be assisted by Laryea Kingson and Jacob Nettey.

Abdul Karim Zito formerly played for GIHOC Stars, Juantex FC, Asante Kotoko and Kumapim Stars in a career that spanned two and half decades.

He is also a former coach of Asante Kotoko, Accra Hearts of Oak, Feyenoord Academy (WAFA), King Faisal and Kwaebibirem FC.

Laryea Kingson is a former Ghanaian International who won 42 caps for the Black Stars and played in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2006 and 2008.

Jacob Nettey – Is a former captain of Accra Hearts of Oak who led them to the famous CAF Champions League glory in 2000.

Jacob featured for the Black Stars during the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 – co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria and is a member of the Ghanaian squad at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta – USA.

He won six Premier League titles and three FA Cup trophies whiles playing for Accra Hearts of Oak.

The new technical team has been tasked to assemble a formidable squad for the next edition of the WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations and the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations GFA

Sack club owners, agents from GFAKennedy Agyapong to government

Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 election believes it is time to sweep out club owners and agents from the Ghana Football Association.

Kennedy Agyapong holds that because of club owners and agents who occupy sensitive positions in Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Black Stars will continue to break the hearts of Ghanaians.

Kennedy Agyapong was speaking to Ghanaians in United States of America when he made this known.

“For the Black Stars to excel, we need to kick out club owners and agents from the GFA. When they were playing during the World Cup, there

was a defender who was performing poorly but was fielded. That was bad because we had Tariq, and Gideon Mensah who are good materials and could have helped,” he said.

“These people want only their people to be playing but you can’t promote sports like that. We need a separate and independent body to run football so that we can honestly choose players who are competent to play for the Black Stars.”

Ghana’s Black Stars could not make it out of their group at the ongoing World Cup just like they failed in AFCON 2022.

The team with young players are expected to put their acts together and go for glory in the coming years. www. mynewsgh.com

with Jonathan Baah Annobil

Black Galaxies

Isaiah Hastings

Former Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda

Laryea Kingston

Compiled by Nana Ama

Coated Groundnuts

Ingredients

200g groundnuts

100g flour

50g sugar

FOOD AND RECIPES

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Apapransa

Ingredients

2 margarine tins roasted corn flour

6 medium sized smoked herrings

750ml palm nut liquid

1/2 teaspoonful baking powder

1 pinch of salt

1medium egg

125ml diluted milk Oil for deep frying

Method

1. Par-boil the groundnuts, peel and dry

2. Prepare batter, leave to set

3. Put the groundnuts into the batter

4. Pass them through the flour

5. Deep fry in hot oil

6. Serve as snack

Ofam

Ingredients

4 over ripe plantain

100 palm oil

1 medium size onion

200g ground corn or corn dough/rice flour

Pepper and salt to taste

Ground ginger

Method

1. Peel and pound or mash the plantain until free from lumps

2. Mix it with ground corn, or rice flour, p epper, ginger, onion and salt

3. Add the palm oil

4. Put into tins greased with palm oil

5. Bake in a hot oven for about 39 minutes

Savory Rice

Ingredients

200g rice

1 teaspoonful puree

1/2 teaspoonful cayenne pepper

500ml white stock

50g onion

250ml cooking oil

Method

1. Cook the onion in the oil

2. Add the puree and cayenne and cook for some few minutes

3. Add the rice, braise, then add the stock and leave to simmer

4. Cover the rice and leave to cook

5. Garnish with green pepper and serve

1 small piece of salted fish (optional)

1/2 teaspoonful ground pepper

6 Onions (medium size)

2 Large tomatoes

1/2 margarine tin beans

Salt to taste

500ml water

Method

1. Boil beans till soft

2. Wash and break fish into pieces and add cut onions and little water to simmer

3. Add palm nut liquid, tomatoes, pepper, beans and salt

4. Skim off oil

5. Add roasted corn flour to soup and stir well with a stirrer to prevent lumps

6. Mould and pile up smoothly in a bowl and garnish with the palm oil skimmed and crab.

Serve hot

Fried Rice

Ingredients

400g rice

100g green beans

2 teaspoon soy sauce

2 medium size carrots

Salt to taste

2 tablespoon cooking oil

2 eggs

2 green pepper

1/2 teaspoonful Adobo

2 spring onions

1 shrimp cube

Method

1. Cook rice and dry it

2. Wash and peel vegetables, cut carrots, green pepper and beans into cubes

3. Separate the white and green parts of the onions and cut into small rounds

4. Heat oil and add white spring onions, stir for 30 to 40 seconds

5. Beat the egg and salt and pur into the pan and cook for some few minutes

unti it sets, stirring all the time. Add other vegetables

6. Add rice and stir

7. Mix in the soy sauce and season to taste

8. Add the green spring onion and serve

Black Jamaican Senior to Take Icy Plunge

By Staff Reporter, Toronto, ON

On New Year’s Day, at noon, I will be dipping into freezing Sunnyside Beach, Lake Ontario, Toronto.

I’m a Jamaican born, Black woman whose ideal water experience is a white, sandy beach, with warm, azure waters and no! I’m not crazy, (lol) despite the popular belief of some friends and family. I can see why however,they would think so because usually, on January 1 the water temperature hovers around 2 degrees.

So why#daretodip? Simple! I just want to challenge myself and add,‘things to do once,’ on my bucket list.When I googled Toronto Polar Dip,I was pleased to see the club fundraises for abused children throughBOOST CHILD & YOUTH ADVOCACY CENTRE(Boost CYAC).

I had recently attended a conference in Toronto where five, courageous, Black women shared their experiences with abuse. My takeaway was, “what can we do about the multitude of children who are still facing such abuse?” Bonus! #polarbeardip for a great cause.

Boost CYAC sees approximately 800 children and teens for abuse investigations and another 1000 children in trauma treatment and court preparation programs.They bring police, child protection workers, nurses, advocates, trauma specialists together so kids can tell their stories just once and then begin the road to healing.

I’m asking for your support. Please sign my pledge sheetand feel free to contact me with your moral support.In the meantime, I am preparing for the challenge.I take freezing cold showers, (heard cold-water therapy is great for longevity), and I’m at the gym swimming and exercising four times per week.

My husband has requested I update my will and our producer at the Liquid Green Health Show, a past paramedic, insists he wouldn’t do it.

My other challenge is to find at least 3 other Black women to #daretodip with me

Yeah! Right!

Full disclosure! I really don’t like the cold, but I will fight the urge to change my mind up to the very last minute.// Janet Cox https://www.gifttool.com/athon/ MyFundraisingPage?ID=2240&AID=4274&PID=757017 liquidgreenhealthshow@gmail.com

Beni Boo

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

So let's put aside our cold-weather staples: cozy turtlenecks, oversized outerwear, and denims and dress up in these considerably casual dressing formulas yet classy sexy outfits from Beni Boo Styles that are set to make a positive statement the rest of holiday season as our social calendars come alive with a seemingly endless slew of holiday parties and cuffing season dates.