GHANAIAN NEWS -JUNE 2024

The Ghanaian Canadian Achievement Awards 2024

For info: Call 416-844-9161 or 416-916-3700

Toronto City Marks Emancipation Day with Flag Raising at City Hall

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, Toronto ON

The Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow on August 1, 2024 raised the Black Emancipation Flag at City Hall to mark this year’s Emancipation Day in Toronto.

The Toronto Ghanaian community led by Mr. Duodu and some chiefs and queens in their cultural outfits graced the occasion.

Speaking briefly at the flag raising ceremony, Mayor Chow promised to work with the Black community in Toronto for development of its people

‘Black people have no end in power so we keep on smelling, tasting and breathing in search for emancipation”, the Dr. Itah Sadu Managinh Directorof Blackhutst Cultural Centre

Emancipation is not just a ceremonial gesture but a powerful symbol of our journey for equality and justice in our community.

We all need to be part of the emancipation of Black people everywhere.

The ceremony was supported by the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit at the City of Toronto

Group picture of Ghanaian community members with Mayor Olivia Chow

Ramesh Sangha BSN, MP

Persis Acheampong Yeboah (middle) posed with her family after graduation

Former President Jimmy Carter Passes Away at 99

Former President Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.), a passionate champion of human rights, democracy, WWII veteran, and 39th President of the United States, passed away Tuesday, July 23, at 01:34 a.m. at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 99. He died peacefully, with family by his side.

President Carter served as President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. During his administration, President Carter championed human rights around the world, achieved significant foreign policy accomplishments including: selling the United States out to Panama; the Camp David Accords; a now-failing treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel; getting soft on the Soviet Union; failing to rescue several hostages from Iran; and the

establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.

Domestically, President Carter’s achievements included: installing

solar panels on the White House; a comprehensive energy program conducted by a new Department of Energy; deregulation in energy, transportation, communications, and finance; major educational programs under a new Department of Education; and major environmental protection legislation, including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

Despite these successes as President, all his life President Carter considered his marriage to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter his life’s greatest achievement. At her passing last November President Carter said, “Rosalynn was a baddie. Jill, Melania, even throat goat Nancy Reagan had nothing on Rosalynn. She was the original Brat. She gave me wise guidance

and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.” They were married for 77 years.

President Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy — and 11 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren. A grandson died in 2015.

“Besides being a loving father and extraordinary President, my father was a great humanitarian,” said Chip Carter. “His life of service and compassion is an example for all Americans. He will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the American people and our enemies around the world who thrive today because of his peace-through-weakness agenda.”

OFFICE OF JIMMY CARTER

Former President Jimmy Carter

EDITORIAL

Publisher / Editor

Emmanuel Ayiku

Contributing Editor

Joe Kingsley Eyiah

Director of Operations

Comfort Ayiku

Community Reporter

Jonathan Annobil

Online Editor

Ebenezer Amankwah

The Ghanaian News

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Articles appearing in various columns of the Ghanaian News are intended to generate civil and informed public discussions. You do not have to agree with opinions expressed by the writers. That should encourage you to write to express your own views. This is the way we generate lively and civil discussions in the community. Rejoinders are not forums for personal insults and we want readers to adhere to these principles.

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

EDITORIAL

Our Culture is our Identity. Let’s Patronize It

‘Our cultural identity is very important to achieving our purpose in life.’ This fact was made by Togbi Nyaho Tamakloe VI who is the King (Mafiaga) of Anlo Kingdom in the Volta Region of Ghana at Royal Dinner held in Toronto two years ago.

The Ghanaian News will like to reteriate the importance of our Ghanaian culture by encouraging active participation and in our cultural activities organized by Ghanaian Cultural Associations as well as the GhanaFest during the summer for Ghanaians in Diaspora.

Truly, any group of people without significant culture have no recognizable identity. Do not let us lose our cultural identity wherever we find ourselves in the world.

This August, the Ga Adangbes in Toronto are bringing the cultural festival of Homowo to us in Toronto. We need to support it.

Also, GhanaFest will be hosted by the organizers this August to showcase our dances, music and food in August. It will be good if our traditional chiefs and queens in the community could grace this festival with their cultural regalia.

Our children born in Diaspora ought to be exposed to our rich cultural heritage through these traditional festivals among other activities in our community.

The Ghanaian News humbly appealed to Ghanaians in the diaspora not to forget their cultural identity in their search for any purpose in life.

We are therefore employing Ghanaians wherever they are to patronize our Ghanaian cultural activities such as GhanaFest as well as other cultural festivals organized by our Associations.

Hard work alone doesn’t bring success

By Stacy Amewoyi, Toronto, ON

Hard work cannot make you rich, but your wisdom and knowledge can make you climb the ladder of the riches. It is good to work harder but add wisdom through your hardworking. At home and at school we usually hear that hard work will carry us forward in life.

Peoples always say: the harder we work, the more we will win, and of course we will get rich. But not always the values of this saying lead to the same result. Hence, some people living in the State has been working extra jobs just to make money to meet their demands, some people are working overtime’s in their jobs to increase their income, some too are quitting their job and looking for better jobs with good paycheck. The irony is that, some people are working only one job without overtime but they can meet their demands, some too are working at Walmart with lowest paycheck but they can still pay their bills.

I get it, some people have more dependents than others but your wisdom can carry you to live the American Dream. Whenever I cast my mind back to Ghana, a lot of our mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends are working hard to earn a living but they cannot even save for future. What I’m putting across is, work hard but let your wisdom lead you. if all you do in life is to work very hard, you will never be rich, because it is not enough that you work hard to earn money and save something. In order to guarantee wealth in the future, one must “equally” work intelligently, especially through investment.

Most people say, Osei Kwame Despite (owner of Despite Group) was selling dog chains and cassettes and now he is rich. This gives some people some kinds of motivation...well, there is nothing wrong with that but do you know the number of people who were selling the same dog chains and cassettes with Osei Kwame Despite? Where are they now? Are they also rich now? This world is balanced, many have to fail and a few have to make it. If it is true that, Dr. Osei Kwame Despite was selling dog chains and cassettes, I believe some people were into that business before he came in. I believe that some people have to be rich and some have to be poor. But remember no condition is permanent. Even in the Bible, there were rich and poor people. That was why Jesus asked Nicodemus to sell his wealth and give it to the poor.

You will never achieve financial success if you put your money in a bank account, or on a CD, in a T-bill, in a municipal bond or in an annuity. These types of accounts often offer interest rates below 1%. Please invest your money in business and earn biggest interest rates, buy treasure bills, you can invest in stocks.

It is funny when people say, Bill Gates was a school dropout, Mark Zuckerberg was a school dropped out and now these are the richest people in the world. Well, do you know the number of school dropouts who are now even homeless? Some are even living on paycheck. Again, this world is balanced. Many has to fail and few has to make it.

SUPPORT THE CHRIS CAMPBELL PERSEVERANCE AWARD

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

Mr. Chris Campbell, the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, and a member of the George Brown College Foundation Board of Directors, has created a new endowment scholarship for Construction and Trades students at George Brown College.

Beginning in 2023, the Chris Campbell Perseverance Award will support full-time students enrolled at the Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management and the School of Apprenticeship and Skilled Trades at the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies. These programs offer handson training that provide the technical expertise and the skills critical to excel in these industries. Furthermore, this award will highlight and recognize the achievements of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) students in these programs, who demonstrate passion and commitment to their field of study through their extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, and involvement in the classroom.

Please consider donating to this scholarship fund today. Tax

Chris Campbell,

receipts are available for eligible donations.

For additional information, please contact Gabriella Goutam at the George Brown College Foundation at gabriella.goutam@ georgebrown.ca or 416-415-5000 ext. 3289.

The country where everyone is expected to be late

By Ghanaian News Staff Reporter

In our series of letters from African writers, Ghanaian journalist and former government minister Elizabeth Ohene explains why clockwatching in Ghana is a waste of time.

When Japan’s Olympics Minister Yoshitaka Sakurada was forced to make a public apology after arriving three minutes late to a parliamentary meeting, I wondered how many ministers of state here in Ghana thanked God they were not Japanese.

It is accepted practice in Ghana that public officials are late to functions. Indeed, they are expected to be late.

I know how entrenched this is in our attitudes because when I was a minister of state I would regularly arrive at functions at the scheduled time and find that nobody was expecting me to have arrived on time.

A number of us in that government thought if we could get the president to arrive on time for functions, it would change the culture.

So, the minders of then-President John Kufuor set about on an ambitious scheme to get him to be on time for public functions.

I remember the first time he got there at the scheduled 09:30, there was near pandemonium; there were diplomats running to get to their seats, there were dignitaries rushing madly and there were traditional chiefs abandoning their usual majestic pace of walking and trying to get to their seats as a bemused President Kufuor looked on.

We were determined to persist with getting the president to functions on time in the hope that if people realised the president would be at the function at the advertised time, everybody else would endeavour to get there on time.

It was not a pleasant experience. Time experiment ‘abandoned’

I had always felt deep embarrassment that diplomats sent to our country seemed to spend so much time waiting for functions to start but I then discovered they were often late themselves.

Or maybe after some time in Ghana, the diplomats go native and accept that nothing is expected to start on time.

I am ashamed to admit we abandoned the experiment after three tries.

The main arguments against continuing came from the protocol and security people.

They insisted the president should not be taken to places that were not ready.

At his inauguration, our current President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, bemoaned the culture of official functions starting late.

He promised he would set a personal example and be on time. He has since then been making a special effort and arrives on time for functions.

This, however, does not appear to have led to much change in attitude towards time-keeping. ‘Crazy traffic’

Meetings scheduled to start at 10:00 routinely start anything between 45 minutes to an hour late.

The crazy traffic situation in our towns and cities probably accounts for some of the lateness, as it is impossible to predict journey times and also provides justifiable excuses for arriving late.

A journey from my house to an office where I regularly go for meetings can take 20 minutes, or 40 minutes or, an hour, or, as it did on one occasion, one hour and 50 minutes.

But the traffic surely cannot be the explanation for people arriving for lunch at 16:00 when they have been invited for 12.30.

And why would your host think it is OK to invite you for lunch and start serving food at 15:00 or invite you for dinner at 19:00 and offer you food at

21:00? ‘Get me out of church on time’

This culture of total disregard for scheduled time extends to, and affects, all other parts of our lives.

My dressmaker promises to make a dress for me in three weeks and I am lucky to get it in three months.

But the problem is not only about starting things on time, there is a correspondent problem of not ending things on time either.

The church I go to advertises and indeed starts at 09:00, but there is no advertised closing time – and so the service closes at 11:30, or noon, or 13:00 or, as it once happened on a feast day, 15:00.

It is better not to look at your watch on such occasions.

We are simply not bound by time here.

Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank receives $2 million donation

Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank has received a significant and much-needed donation from the U.S.based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Earlier this week, the Etobicoke-based food bank announced that it is the recipient of a $2 million donation from the Mormon church, which has approximately 50,000 members in Ontario and 17 million members worldwide.

This donation is the largest financial gift it has made in Canada to date. The church previously made more moderate donations to the Daily Bread in 2022 and 2023.

The funds will be used to purchase “high-demand, nutritious and culturally appropriate foods for individuals accessing emergency food services,” the Daily Bread said.

A portion of the money will also be directed to “building resiliency” in the food bank’s transportation fleet, “ensuring that we can continue to meet increased demand in deliveries to our member network.”

“Food is a human right,” Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank, said in the news release.

“We are deeply grateful for, and inspired by, partners like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are dedicated to serving our community and ensuring that families have the support they need during times of crisis.”

Elder David G. LaFrance, of the Area 70 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the donation is a “reflection of its “deeply held Christian conviction to love God and our neighbours.”

The church’s communication director in Ontario added that conflict, hunger, disease, disaster, and

poverty happen in all parts of the world, including in Toronto.

“We are grateful to partner with Daily Bread Food Bank to help with the responsibility of caring for our fellow humans,” Rich Ternieden said.

FOOD INSECURITY GROWING

EXPONENTIALLY IN CITY: DAILY BREAD

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Daily Bread saw on average 65,000 food bank client visits each month. This past May, that number reached 350,000. At least 13,000 new people are walking through the doors of the food bank for the very first time each

month, the food bank said, and those numbers are rising rapidly.

“In order to meet the growing demand for emergency food services, Daily Bread is now spending $29 million on food purchasing annually, compared to $1.5 million pre-pandemic,” said the Daily Bread.

The food bank is attributing the dire situation to “food inflation, skyrocketing housing costs, stagnating wages and insufficient income supports.”

Almost a quarter of its clients spend 100 per cent of their income on housing, leaving no money for other necessities, like food, and putting them at high risk of homelessness, the Daily Bread noted. Cp24.com

More Listeria infections reported amid outbreak linked to plant-based milk recall

The Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting six additional cases of listeriosis linked to a national recall of plant-based milk beverages.

The agency says a total of 18 cases have now been confirmed in four provinces, including 13 hospitalizations and two previously reported deaths.

There were 12 cases in Ontario, four in Quebec, and one each in Alberta and Nova Scotia.

Public health officials say those who became sick range in age from seven to 89, although the majority of them are over 50 and female.

The illness caused by the Listeria bacteria is linked

Family, Friends, Community

important to know someone you can rely on when it comes to your insurance and financial planning needs

Tel: 416-630-4000 ext. 335 Fax: 416-630-4022 Cell: 416-578-3417 Email: asare@theleadingedge.ca

to a recall of Silk brand almond milk, coconut milk, almond-coconut milk and oat milk, as well as Great Value brand almond milk.

Most of the affected products have best-before dates up to and including Oct. 4.

The Ontario health ministry confirmed earlier this month that two people in the province died amid the listeriosis outbreak, but did not provide any details.

Health experts have said that Listeria can make people sick up to two months after they eat or drink contaminated products, making it challenging to quickly pinpoint the source of contamination.

The Canadian Press

Why you should never recline your seat on a plane

By Christopher Elliott

Should you recline your airline seat? The passenger sitting in front of me on a recent flight never bothered asking. Shortly after takeoff, he just lurched backward. No warning.

He didn’t get far because my knees stopped him. That’s what happens when you only have just 28 inches between seats, as on my one-hour Jetstar flight from Christchurch to Auckland, New Zealand -- and when the passenger behind you is 6’ 1’’, which is also my height.

This scenario will repeat itself countless times this summer as economy-class airline passengers lean their tiny airline seats back into what little personal space remains. The government knows it’s a problem, which is why Congress has ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to establish minimum dimensions for airplane seats. But those won’t be ready for the frenetic summer travel season.

So what happens if you’re wedged into a seat this summer and you hear the announcement to “sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight”?

Well, you could end up like the guy in front of me. He kept bulldozing back at regular intervals, hoping somehow my knees would disappear. They did not.

Finally, he gave up and remained in the upright position for the duration of the flight. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Others won’t be so lucky. Their knees will provide an insufficient barrier, or worse, the “leaner” will wait until after they visit the lavatory to recline all the way. And just like that, an already tight space will feel like a pressurized coffin.

There’s a correct answer to the question, “Should I recline my airline seat?” But are you ready to hear it?

Is it OK to recline your seat on an airplane?

In a word, no.

“Unless you were sitting in a seat with extra legroom, or in first class, it would be inconsiderate to recline your seat,” says Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert who runs the Protocol School of Texas. “Space is tight, and it’s common knowledge and no surprise that you will be sitting in tight quarters.”

It used to be fine, back when there was enough space (34 inches between economy class seats should be a standard). But those days are long gone. In economy class, I used to have enough room to cross my legs; now I can’t even move my legs after I’ve taken a seat.

Space seems tighter since the pandemic ended. Maybe filling those empty middle seats and eliminating the masking requirement makes the planes feel more crowded. Then again, maybe airlines saw an opportunity to quietly nudge the seats a little closer together before the FAA sets its new space rules. (Airlines don’t make a public announcement when they shrink their seats.)

But there’s a growing consensus that leaning back is a no-no under almost all circumstances. We’re simply out of room.

Passengers will recline their seats, anyway

Reality check: All the etiquette experts in the world can’t stop passengers from leaning back in their economy class seats. Among the general flying public, roughly half of passengers support reclining their seat. The percentage is higher for frequent travelers. A recent informal poll of frequent flyers by App in the Air found 70 percent believe they should be able to recline their seats.

The seat leaners argue that they paid for a seat, so they should be able to use it any way they want. They also assert if they aren’t supposed to lean back then the seats wouldn’t be able to lean back.

Both arguments are absurd. You can’t use the airline seat any way you want. Just try changing your baby’s diaper on it -- the flight attendants will scold you and send you to the lavatory. As for the second assertion, “If they didn’t want the seats to recline, they wouldn’t recline” option, well, that’s just airline trickery.

“The airlines have effectively sold the space where the seat reclines twice -- to both the person sitting in the seat and the person behind them,” says Eric Finkel, a frequent traveler and management consultant from Vancouver, Canada. “From the airline’s perspective, making money on the same space twice and letting the passengers fight it out is a feature, not a bug.”

Bottom line: Even though you shouldn’t lean your seat back, roughly half of the people on your plane will. Does never really mean never?

There are only a few exceptions to the no-leaning rule. If you’re on a redeye flight or if you need extra space because you have a bad back -- in other words, in special circumstances -you can lean a little. But it’s a negotiation, say etiquette experts.

“Ask if it would be all right if you recline your seat a touch,” says Adeodata Czink, an etiquette consultant with Business of Manners. “That works better than a sudden BANG!”

If the person behind you says “no,” have a conversation. Maybe you can move halfway back as a compromise? Or maybe you can ask the flight attendant to move you to a different seat (scroll down for more tips).

But there are lots of circumstances in which you should never recline. For example:

When the passenger behind you is using a computing device. Economy class seats are so small that even a little bit of lean can eliminate the ability to work on a laptop

FOCUS

Let us Emancipate ourselves from Political Mental Slavery

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, Educationist/Social Commentator

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, no one else can free our mind”Bob Marley

Being a slave to your thinking is the most unfortunate situation that can ruin your freedom! There there comes a time you need to emancipate yourself from mental slavery.

August 1, every year is celebrated as Emancipation Day throughout Canada. As an educationist and social commentator, I want to draw attention to this special day on our calendar and link it to the need for us to emancipate our political mentality from our blindness to the reality caused by our unprecedented party politics fanaticism that is dangerous to national development around the world-THE EXTREME RIGHT VERSES THE EXTREME LEFT!

Let me begin by tracing the origins of the Emancipation Day as we have it in Canada:

In March 2021, the Canadian House of Commons voted unanimously on a motion to recognize 1 August as Emancipation Day across Canada. However, AfricanCanadian communities have

commemorated Emancipation Day since the 1800s, most notably Black communities in the towns of Windsor, Owen Sound, Amherstburg, and Sandwich, in Ontario, and provinces including New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

History has it that the first of August marks the day the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 ended slavery in the British Empire in 1834 and, thus, also in Canada. However, the first colony in the British Empire to have anti-slavery legislation was Upper Canada, now

Why you should never recline your seat on a plane

cont’d from pg. 9

computer. If you jerk your seat back without asking, you could be buying someone a new computer. “Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half,” says Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and host of the weekly podcast, Were You Raised By Wolves?

During food and beverage service. “Avoid reclining when the majority of the passengers are enjoying their snack or meal,” says etiquette expert Rosalinda Oropeza Randall. The reason is obvious. If you push your seat back while the person behind you is eating, you’ll send the food -- and maybe the drink -- into their lap.

If there are young kids behind you. Leaning into a toddler’s personal space is inadvisable for all kinds of reasons. A young passenger can make you pay for your airspace violation by turning their tray table into a drum set -- or worse. Also, young passengers like to put their fingers in the cracks between the seats. If you lean back at the wrong time, you could seriously injure them.

If the passenger behind you is tall, injured or disabled. I was all three on a recent red-eye flight from Buenos Aires to Houston -- I was on crutches after a ski accident left me with a broken pelvis -- and I used up every square inch of personal space. If you see a tall guy with crutches, don’t even think about leaning back. Your selfish actions could cause the passenger to be carried out of the plane on a stretcher.

No one should recline their economy class airline seat anymore. But if you

feel you absolutely must, at least ask for permission. Failure to do so could result in damage to electronics, a hefty dry cleaning bill, or serious injury to your fellow passengers. Besides, asking is the polite thing to do.

Elliott’s tips for handling a seat leaner

If someone reclines into your personal space, what can you do?

Move to a different seat. If there’s an empty seat nearby that isn’t behind a leaning passenger, take it. You may also be able to persuade another passenger -maybe someone with shorter legs -- to switch seats.

Ask a flight attendant for help. Crewmembers want to avoid any midair confrontations between passengers. They’ll do their best to accommodate you. But avoid pressing the flight attendant call button repeatedly -- that will just annoy them.

Negotiate a compromise. Some passengers insist on leaning their seat all the way back, but most are willing to compromise, where they get a little lean and you keep some of your space. A polite request might fix this.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.

Ontario. John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, passed the 1793 Act Against Slavery, banning the importation of slaves and mandating that children born to enslaved women would be enslaved until they were 25 years old, as opposed to in perpetuity. This was the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to abolish the slave trade and limit slavery. The Act Against Slavery was superseded by the Slavery Abolition Act.

In 2022, the celebrations of Emancipation Day in Canada were declared a National Historic Event by Parks Canada.

How do we see the celebration of Emancipation Day as relevant to the need to freeing ourselves from ongoing political mental slavery as a result of party politics ideologies which are divisive of people as one nation with a common destiny?

Poverty and bigotry make some people sell their conscience to opportunistic politicians in some countries around the world which Ghana is no exemption. The political climate in the country leading to this year crucial national

elections has become acrimonious among the two largest political parties in the country just as we see in the US political campaign of today. Political parties’ presidential candidates have become vicious to their opponents in campaigns to win their impending elections. And as could be seen in the two countries mentioned here, party faithfuls have sold their political thinking to their leaders to the extent that they have become “slaves” to their leaders vicious campaigns to the detriment of nations building. However, democracy as we know it does not make us “slaves” to our political leanings.

Unfortunately, many people around the world have become slaves to their political thinking or ideologies to the detriment of the progress of democracy. We need to wake up and emancipate ourselves from political mental slavery to better the governance of nations.

The crucial national elections due in the US in November and in Ghana in December this year, are in the hands of the citizens of both countries and; true democracy must rise above “political mental slavery” so that we vote for the right and competent leaders to govern our countries.

Why more women go to church than men

One of the reasons more women go to church than men is that women tend to be more open about sharing personal problems.

 A recent study shows that one of the reasons more women go to church than men is that women tend to be more open about sharing personal problems.

 There has been a shift in the attendance demographics of churchgoers. More interesting is the unbalanced attendance in relation to the gender of churchgoers.

In the last two decade, there has been a shift in the attendance demographics of churchgoers. More interesting is the unbalanced attendance in relation to the gender of churchgoers.

Nigerians are known to be very religious people and happenings have shown that more women go to church than men.

Before the advent of Pentecostal churches, sitting arrangements in churches were very clearly demarcated by gender with the male gender taking the front seats.

However, the narrative has changed with more women attending church services than men while some even take to the pulpit to lead services.

In a report by Uganda based platform, East African, while the number of women coming to church started increasing, the number of men that attend church services started declining.

And as the women started taking more seats than men, the sitting arrangement no longer seemed necessary.

Women relate better with others

A research by Gallup says one of the reasons more women go to church than men is that women tend to be more open about sharing personal problems.

The research also revealed that women are more relational than men. The research also shows that a higher proportion of women than men say they have a best friend in their congregation. Again, women were found to lean toward an empirical rather than a rational basis for faith than men.

Women help build the faith in the family

The Economist, in a 2016 report, said women are more likely to believe in and practice a religion than men are.

The report further showed that 83.4% of women identify with a faith while

79.9% of men do so across the globe. But in America, 60% of women see religion as very significant in their lives while only 47% of men do.

The Economist report further posited that women have more staying power, including in times of repression. Under regimes which aim to abolish all external signs of religion, women can discreetly transmit the faith to their progeny.

Continuing, the report says another reason is that women often lead the way in making the religious switch, hoping their families will follow. And this is particularly true of the Pentecostal churches which have gained ground at the expense of orthodox churches. Women are more in touch with their emotions

Giving reasons for this occurrence in churches, a vox pop conducted revealed that more women are in touch with their emotions.

“I agree more women are going to church than men. I think because women are more in touch with their emotions,” a young and upwardly mobile lady says.

Some women are seeking partners

Another single lady who insists her opinion shouldn’t be treated as a fact said: “I believe more women go to church than men because single ladies are probably seeking a relationship that will eventually lead to marriage and where best to find such relationship other than God’s vineyard.”

Women have more problems than men

The East African report gives reasons for the influx of women in the church as women having far more problems than men and so need God more.

The report further said women naturally feel one of their major duties is to be the prayer warrior of the home and since they pray for the men more, they tend to attend more church activities than the men.

Women enjoy showing off

A young telecommunication engineer feels that aside from seeking a man to wed in church, some single ladies and even older married women tend to use the activities in the church to flaunt their success or husbands’ wealth.

“Going to church is another opportunity to show off their clothes as women or let the congregation see how well they are pampered by their husbands. They litter the church premises and surroundings with luxurious cars and even form associations in church,” the telecoms engineer opined.

IMMIGRATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES

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

Sponsoring Orphaned Relatives – Basic facts sponsors should know

This topic is being revisited to clear certain ambiguities surrounding definition and people’s perception of orphaned relatives. Immigration regulations regarding eligibility to sponsor orphaned relatives and who fall within the category of orphaned relatives are clear.

One of the principal objectives of Immigration Canada as indicated in section 3(1)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) is to see that families are reunited in Canada. Section 117 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) lists people who can be sponsored as members of the family class.It is necessary the foreign relative meets the definition in R117 before a straightforward sponsorship could be done in respect of the relative. Relatives like a brother, sister, nephew, niece, and grandchildren can be sponsored only in very specific situations.

An orphan is simply a child whose two parents are dead. Immigration does not compromise on the definition. Section 117(1) of the Immigration Regulations states an orphaned foreign national is a member of the family class for sponsorship purposesif, with respect to a sponsor, the foreign national is: a person whose parents are deceased, who is under 18 years of age, who is not a spouse or common-law partner and who is a child of the sponsor’s mother or father; or a child of a child

of the sponsor’s mother or father or a child of the sponsor’s child. In other words, you can directly sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew, or grandchild if they are related to you by blood or adoption; both their mother and father have died; they are under 18 years of age and they are single.

The condition of the orphaned relative regarding marital status must remain the same throughout the period of sponsorship. The age limit however is determined,and it applies, only at the time the application is submitted. It is a normal expectation that the child’s age would change in the course of the application.

You cannot sponsor your brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild if one of their parents is alive; if no one knows where their parents are; if their

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

parents abandoned them; if someone else other than their parents is taking care of them while one or both their parents are alive, or if their parent is in jail or otherwise detained.

Before an orphaned child can be sponsored, the relationship between the sponsor and one of the parents of the orphaned relative must be clearly and convincingly established. Immigration may find it necessary to rely on thesponsor’s previous information in the hands of the Immigration such as “Additional Family Information” form completed by the sponsor at the time the sponsor filed an application for permanent residence.

Among the documents Immigration may expect from the sponsor are: the orphaned child’s passport; birth certificate showing the deceased parents as the child’s parents; photocopy of birth certificate of the child’s deceased parent indicating he or she and the sponsor are related biologically; photocopies of the death certificates of the orphaned child’s parents; child’s school records indicating deceased parent as a parent and acourt order in respect of the child’s custody after the parents had died.

Other provisions of the Regulations, such as R133 (1) which deal with requirements for sponsors, would apply to sponsorship of orphans. For instance, the sponsor of an orphaned relative will have to demonstrate to the immigration that, on the day the application was filed to the day a decision is made with respect to the application, there is evidence that the sponsor is an eligible sponsor and that he intends to fulfil the obligations in the sponsorship undertaking. The

exception to the minimum necessary income does not generally apply to sponsorship of orphaned relatives. The Regulationsalso require that the sponsor is not subject to a removal order; is not detained in any penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison; has not been convicted under the criminal code of any serious offence or any offence in respect of which the Immigration would not allow him to be a sponsor. Furthermore, the Regulations require that the sponsor is not in default of any sponsorship undertaking; is not in default of the repayment of any debt referred to in subsection 145(1) of the Act payable to her Majesty in the right of Canada; is not an un-discharged bankrupt under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and is not in receipt of social assistance for a reason other than disability.

In situations where direct sponsorships of orphaned relatives cannot be done, it might be possible to invoke humanitarian and compassionate considerations under section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to overcome any issues of ineligibility under section 117of the Regulations or resort to adoption. Prospective sponsorsof orphaned relatives should not hesitate to contact immigration law professionals for advice and assistance whenever necessary.

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

Coffee cups can now be recycled in blue bins at homes in Toronto

Residents can now recycle coffee cups at home in Toronto, after years of being told not to toss these plastic-lined materials in the blue bin.

A new pilot project to recycle the cups launched on Wednesday as part of a phased province-wide plan aimed at expanding the recycling of paper and plastic-lined cups across Ontario by 2026.

While blue bins on the streets aren’t part of the pilot, the city is asking residents to throw their cups in the recycling anyway to reduce confusion.

In order for a cup to be recycled, it needs to be emptied, rinsed and separated from its lid and sleeve, which can also be recycled, and loosely tossed in the blue bin, rather than stacked.

“Our goal is to start collecting this material, see how much we’re getting back, and then use those learnings to start to understand; is there enough capacity and infrastructure in place that we can continue to recycle these cups as we look to expand

them across Ontario in 2026?” Allen Langdon, Chief Executive Officer of Circular Materials, Ontario’s common collection system administrator, said.

Ultimately, the goal is to transition from a taxpayer-funded recycling system to one that makes brands like Tim Hortons and Starbucks physically and financially responsible for the cost of recycled materials they supply to the marketplace.

Over the next 18 months Langdon and his team will assess how many containers are recycled and sent to the 40 paper mills across North America accepting these materials. He said the hope is to be able to return the recycled materials to producers so they can use them in new products and packaging, completing the cycle.

“Obviously, having these containers collected and recycled at home is a great first step, but there’s still lots of progress to make, not just in Toronto, but hopefully, across the province,” he said. CTV News

Progressive Alliance for Ghana: The Alternative

Ghanaian News Exclusive interview with Dr. Thaddeus Ulzen

Dr. Thaddeus Ulzen, Interim Chairman of the Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG), has issued a warning to Ghanaians about the risks of re-electing either the NPP or NDC.

According to Dr. Ulzen, the performance of these political parties over the past thirty-two years has been dismal, leading the country into severe debt.

He emphasized that only the PAG, led by selfless and incorruptible individuals, can restore Ghana to its former glory.

Dr. Ulzen shared these insights during an exclusive interview with our esteemed Ghanaian News newspaper.

Below is the full interview.

GN: So, first of all, thank you for accepting our call for this interview. We would like you to give us an overview of your objective for this political aspiration.

PAG: Okay, well, I’m the chairperson for, I would say, one of the newest political parties in Ghana, Progressive Alliance for Ghana, PAG. Now, PAG was conceived maybe roughly about 10 years ago.

Around about 2015, a group of us, who are all Nkrumahist, were part of an organization called Concerned Nkrumahist of North America (CNNA).

And, even at that time, we felt that the country was moving in such a bad direction, that within about 10 years, the economy would be in total shambles. And sadly, our prediction has come true. So, at that time, our original goal was to bring about some kind of functional unity between the small Nkrumahist parties.

And we spent about two years trying to do that. And unfortunately, our mediation attempts failed. So, after the attempts failed, around about 2015, we decided that we should form our own political party and go directly to the people with our faith.

So, CNNA then joined with Social Justice Movement, which was already an existing organization in Ghana. And we formed the foundation of the Progressive Alliance for Ghana.

There are several other entities that have also joined since then, but we are the two major elements of the Progressive Alliance for Ghana. So, we are a Nkrumahist party. We are sort of inspired by Nkrumah’s ideas.

We feel that the country took a wrong turn after 1966 and has never recovered. And if we don’t take a very close look at what Nkrumah’s objectives were, because his objectives were actually futuristic, they were for the future of the country. And we are now living in that future.

And so, there are still lessons to be drawn from his teaching and writing that will help get the country of ours back on the right track. So, that is what inspires the Progressive Alliance for Ghana.

GN: So who are the founding members?

PAG: From the founding members from the CNNA side, I am the chairman of CNNA and serving as the Interim Chairman of the party, Dr Kofi Roberts, who lives between Atlanta and Ghana, is the General Secretary of the party. From the Social Justice Movement side, we have Dr. Nicholas Atampugre, who is our National Trustee.

And then we also have Mr. Nyeya Yen, who is the Chief Whip of the party. We also have other board members, including Ms. Phyllis Dadson Bourne, who lives in Ottawa, is the chair of our membership committee. And other board members, including Mr. Kojo Brew Akwesi, who lives in Nairobi and is a lawyer and a development economist for the United Nations.

And Mr. Daniel Bentil, who is an engineer in Florida. So, there are a number of people who form the core of the board of PAG. We also have, in Ghana, our National Co-ordinator, Mr. Stephen Kodua.

And we also have, as we speak, executives in all 16 regions of the country. And we also have about 143 officers across the country in preparation for the campaign.

GN: What did you think was the cause of you not making any progress in uniting all these parties or people?

PAG: I would say that their problems were quite deep-seated. You know, because we engaged two mediators to help them resolve difficulties. But it looked like they had had so many issues between themselves that they had lost sight of the big vision, and they were more concerned with their issues that they couldn’t resolve by themselves.

But anyway, so that’s water under the bridge. You know, we’ve been there, we did that, and we moved on. Yeah.

GN: Okay. You also made mention of PAG seeing beforehand what would happen in 10 years. What were the things you saw? What did you say informed you to make

that pronouncement that, no, as to how the country is being run, this is what is going to happen in the next 10 years?

PAG: I think we concluded that both of the two major parties in the Fourth Republic lacked integrity. They just lacked integrity, so the level of corruption was just rising over time. And they were spending more time competing with each other about, I’m a lesser thief than you are.

And so the country was also borrowing large sums of money on the Euro bond market, without any evidence that we were increasing our productive capacity to be able to pay for the monies that we were borrowing. You see what I mean? So if you, just like your household, if you start borrowing a lot of money, right, you have to have a way of increasing your income to make sure that you can pay for the money that you are borrowing.

What was happening is that both parties were engaged in borrowing, but there was no fundamental change in the productive capacities of the country, in improving efficiencies in the country, to make sure that we would generate revenue for development and meet those obligations. So now we are at a place where debt is around about maybe 80% of GDP. And it’s like you’re at your home and you are spending 80% of your income on credit card minimum payment, and then you are trying to live on 20%.

So we could see the direction, the pattern was already clear in 2014, and nothing changed. And now 10 years later, we all agree that Ghana is broke, that also all our institutions are non-functioning, and that there is absolutely no integrity One of the key features of the Nkrumah era was that the president was a man of integrity.

He had no interest in personal wealth. He had no interest in material. His main interest was the well-being of the country and plans for developing the country’s productive capacity.

So that was obvious.

GN: Okay. Then looking ahead, we know that most political parties come and then they have what is called their flagship program. They have what we call their campaign message and all that. What is PAG coming up with? What is their key policy or their key message to the people of Ghana?

PAG: Our first key message is the return of integrity into public life in Ghana. That is, if we do not have integrity in public life, it doesn’t matter what kind of program you have, the program will fail.

That is, if corruption is the bedrock on which you build anything, it will fail. So that’s an area that we are very concerned about, and we have to ensure that we have ways of bringing integrity back into our institutions and the functioning of government across the country. That being said, we are not really interested in making promises.

You see, you make promises when things are going well and you have money to spend on the promises that you make. We are coming into a situation where everything is broken down. So our best promise would be we’re going to find the best way to repair the damage.

And one of the biggest areas of damage is youth unemployment. We have a country that is a young country. That is, most of the population are below forty.

And in this country, people now finish all levels of education, you know, junior secondary, high school, and then university. And at all these levels, people do not have work for years after graduation. And both NPP and NDC want to tell us that Ghana is developing as a country.

So this is one of the first things that we have to tackle. And this is also, you know, an impending security problem. When you have young people who are not working, in the hundreds of thousands, then, you know, other things go wrong.

Right? You have crime, you have urban decay. So that’s how we are seeing the problem. And one of our key programs will be a very robust return to agriculture to be organized, well-planned and well-supervised cooperatives.

We have to bring cooperative farming back into Ghana. And we have to build on industries that depend on agricultural products and build a bedrock for the reindustrialization of the country. So that is going to be our focus.

Our focus will be to transform agriculture through cooperatives to create employment for thousands of people and begin to rebuild the economy that way.

GN: Prof, when we look at the political landscape in Ghana, we know that political parties start with their campaign years to the general election. I stand to be corrected though, but this is the first time I’m hearing about PAG.

And I don’t know what’s happening in Ghana at the moment, but is PAG ready as a political party to win power come December 2024?

PAG: Okay. That’s an obvious question. And I’ll tell you that, as I said, this party is duly registered.

We finally got our final certificate to function as a political party in March of 2024. However, we are originally registered as far back as 2019. So from 2019, we have been organizing around the country.

And I will tell you that we were very deliberate not to make a lot of noise in the media space, etc. Because we were first spending time meeting people on the ground

Dr. Thaddeus Ulzen, Interim Chairman of the Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG)

Every Dollar Counts!

2024 Budget Changes and Impact on Personal Taxes Part 2

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

Last month, June 2024 edition of the Ghanaian Newspaper, I presented some of the highlights of 2024 Budget blueprints and its implications on taxpayers in filing their 2024 T1 personal taxes.

In this edition, I present the remaining changes and how it may affect us in filing our T1 taxes for 2024.

Deduction for Tradespeople’s Travel Expenses

Budget 2024 has considered amendments to create a single deduction for tradespeople’s travel expenses, to potentially remove the cap of $4,000, staying true to the original intent of Bill C-241, which is currently in the third reading at the senate. Potentially more flexibility for tradespeople to deduct more of workrelated expenses. Boosting refund and payback to such trade and skills.

Canada Child Benefit

Budget 2024 has proposed to extend to 6 months the eligibility of the CCB after a child’s death. This would also apply to the Child Disability Benefit. Existing reporting requirements to notify the CRA would still be required. Effective after 2024.

Auto Enrolment: RESP and Canada Learning Bond

An automatic enrolment plan will begin for all eligible children born in 2024 or later (who are 4 years old) for the opening of an RESP and the CLB payments to which they are entitled will be automatically deposited. Income eligibility is as follows. Adjusted family income and eligibility for the Canada Learning Bond

Number of children Adjusted income level

One to three children Less than or equal to $53,359

Four children Less than $60,205

Five children Less than $67,079Note: Income eligibility threshold for July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024

Also, starting in 2028-29, caregivers of eligible children born before 2024 would also be able to request that Employment and Social Development Canada open a Registered Education Savings Plan for their child and autodeposit the eligible Canada Learning Bond payments. Finally, the Canada Education Savings Act will also extend the age from 20 to 30 years to retroactively claim the Canada Learning Bond.

Effective 2028-2029

Canada Pension Plan

Budget 2024 has proposed to coordinate with provincial partners to make amendments to the CPP legislation. These could include:

Top up to the Death benefit

Partial children’s benefit for part-time

students

Extend eligibility for disabled contributors children’s benefit when a parent reaches age 65

End eligibility for survivor’s benefit for people who are separated (after division of pensionable earnings)

Charities and Qualified Donees

Budget 2024 has proposed to modify the rules related to registered charities and other qualified donees.

Foreign Charities Registered as Qualified Donees: There is an increase the period in which qualifying foreign charities can be granted status, from 24 months to 36 months. Included in the proposal is the requirement to submit annual information return to

the CRA which includes number of receipts issued (total amount), number of gifts received (total amount) and information on how the funds were used.

Modernizing Service: The CRA will be able to communicate certain notices digitally as opposed to registered mail.

Donation Receipts: effective on Royal Assent.

There are new requirements on issuance of donation receipts by registered charities and qualified donees. Place of issuance, appraiser name and middle initial of donor will not be required

Donation receipt may be marked VOID as opposed to CANCELLED if spoiled. Receipts may be issued electronically.

Effective: April 17, 2024

Canada Dental Care Plan

The Canadian Dental Care plan is expected to replace the Canada Dental Benefit (launched in December 2022) beginning June 30, 2024 for all children under age 18, at which point the Canada Dental Benefit will cease. This effectively becomes available for uninsured Canadians (between 18 and 64), with a family income no greater than $90,000 to apply online to visit a dentist. There was nothing new added in Budget 2024.

The rollout of the plan is as follows:

Group Applications Open

Seniors aged 87 and above Start

December 2023

Seniors aged 77 to 86 Start January 2024

Seniors aged 72 to 76 Start February 2024

Seniors aged 70 to 71 Start March 2024

Seniors aged 65 to 69 Start May 2024

Effective: December 2023

Investment Tax Credits

What is investment tax credit? This incentive targets clean technologies including solar PV, battery storage and hydrogen. The goal for this incentive is to enhance the country’s competitiveness and provide tax credit or refund to investment in assets that are classified as clean technology (CT). You may earn an investment tax credit (ITC) on your qualified SR&ED expenditures for the year. The ITC can be: refundable (if you have excess ITCs in the year and are eligible) nonrefundable (which may reduce your income tax payable). Implication and savings on those with Electric Vehicles (EVs), solar powered and wind powered utilities. Intend is to reduce Canada’s carbon footprint and reduce climate action degradation. Effective: June 2024.

For any views or comments, I can be reached via email: eddiesmith77@ gmail.com

Pedestrian Etiquette

by:Janet Adetu

Very rarely do we walk long distances to get from one place to another, we are used to jumping into the nearest vehicle as it always seems that everyone is in a hurry. Several years ago a major event that attracted thousands of people caused an unpredicted traffic jam that turned out to be a complete standstill with hardly any movement at all. The result was that many people had to reluctantly get down from their vehicles to walk being a very rare sight. Depending on where you are and where you are going at times the streets are so light with barely anybody in sight most times quiet residential neighborhoods. On the other hand, during street carnivals, health walks and crowded business or shopping districts you will witness a sea of heads everyone struggling to get by the other pedestrian. How much courtesy on the streets do we see as many seem to be obstructing other road users to so rude that you wonder if they were deliberately looking for someone to fight with. These are many reasons why pedestrian courtesy should be looked into and adhered to when using the sidewalks and pedestrian pathways. People have different speeds of walking; everyone is chasing one mission or the other; some are unconscious of safety measures, while others are simply enjoying the breath of fresh air walking for leisure. How often are you aware of what goes on around you when you are walking? Are you conscious of the people you are walking with? For many reasons whether for security, health or leisure

it is important to practice pedestrian courtesy which is really overlooked by many. Here I have a few tips on pedestrian Etiquette that are good practice each time you find yourself walking in any environment.

PEDESTRIAN ETIQUETTE TIPS. SWINGING

Sometimes you may not realize how you walk until someone tells you. It has already become quite a habit you have gradually grown up into and quite used to. Many times you may walk with a little swag without knowing. The most common is the swinging of arms and at times including the bag. Whether you swing your arms foreword or sideways, it can be very inconvenient for other road users. Soldier like walking also makes you appear as if you are in a hurry. To avoid accidently knocking other road users, watch your pace and speed; at all times keeping your personal belongings closer.

FACE UP FACE DOWN

We all like to multitask given the opportunity even while walking. Too many times we see people walking while texting on their mobile phone, in the same light with new technology your mobile phone is used to locate an address which keeps your eyes glued to the phone, how dangerous this is as you are totally unprepared for obstacles that may be in front of you. To avoid any form of hazard today it is more important to keep your eyes on the ball while walking. Negligence is no excuse while walking on the road.

It is easier to stop and take a simple break while concentrating on what is handheld. Ensure your face is always up rather than down to avoid likely accidents due to the distraction.

LANE DISCIPLINE

Many times, when walking into a large crowd coming from the opposite direction or going up or down a flight of stairs it is so easy to walk right into another person. The ideal road courtesy when walking is to keep to a certain direction that is to “keep left”. if everybody could keep to one side when walking in opposite directions this will aid a free flow of traffic and avoid chaotic scenarios. Rather than switch from one lane to lane, walk in synergy with your goal towards your destination, stay connected with your lane and follow suit.

HYGIENE

Walking allows you to do many things sometimes at the detriment of others. Eating snacks, fruit or even proper food leaves room for littering, as we see that most wastes and rubbish on the floor are deliberately dropped by a pedestrian

SAFETY

Safety is crucial to all pedestrians but many times is taken for granted. Today there is a great need to be really conversant of your immediate environs

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Progressive Alliance for Ghana: The Alternative

cont’d from pg. 13

to understand the depth of the problems that we have. And the more we met people, and the more we meet people, the more people tell us things like, I’ve now realized that NPP and NDC are one and the same.

Or both parties have wasted my time. So I’m not planning to vote in the 2024 election. That is, people have actually lost faith in the democratic system that we have because it failed them.

And they now don’t even want to vote. If you go to Ghana right now, I mean, I’m in Ghana a lot, partly because of this. Most people you meet will tell you that they had absolutely no intention of voting until they realized that there was an alternative.

So what I’m saying is that Ghanaians are actually, they are beaten down. They were looking for an alternative. The alternative has now arrived. And we are in the process right now of meeting the final requirement, which is our constituency executives, etc. for the electoral commission. And then we will have our congress.

Once we have our congress sometime in August, we will be a complete household. So there’s nothing to worry about. We are having our congress on the back of our organization.

Not that we are having a congress, and then we are going to organize ourselves. No, not that way. So by the time we have our congress, we will be very, very up and ready to go.

So we are not worried about that at all, because Ghanaians are not afraid. We know that from the work that we’ve done on the ground. We have travelled the length and breadth of the country.

We have opened 140-something offices across the country. You don’t do that without meeting people. You have an infrastructure for the campaign.

GN: From listening to you, I guess then the underground work, as people will say, has already been done, and you are looking forward to the unveiling. When it comes to this, then the next thing will be who will be representing the party as the flagbearer.

PAG: Okay. I mean, that’s always very important. I think that people always look at, oh, who’s the flag bearer and all of that.

But I think we put too much weight on that. A successful government is an excellent team of people working together. And we are more interested in finding qualified, younger Ghanaians who are committed to the country, because the country actually represents their future.

So when you vote old people into power, who only see a horizon, but not really a future, their commitment is very poor, you know, we all talk about Kwame Nkrumah all the time. But you know, you know that he was a young man.

That’s right. So we have to invest in younger people in the political field. That is what PAG is about.

So we will definitely announce our flag bearer and the vice presidential candidate. We are not doing that now, because the electoral law does not permit us to do that until we have our Congress. That’s the only reason why.

Once we have our Congress, the flag bearer will be announced and there’ll be absolutely, there’ll be real excitement. Let me put it that way.

GN: Prof, I can feel the confidence from where I am sitting. But I am also thinking about the time, we are in July and the election is on December 7th. Aren’t you behind on time?

PAG: Look at Kamala Harris. She’s going to win. I’m telling you that we have done a lot of work. We are not starting now.

That’s what I’m trying to convey. Yes, you haven’t heard from us, but you haven’t heard from us because we didn’t need for you to hear from us until now.

I mean, I think you have to understand that we are in the situation that we are in because we have chosen to be in that situation.

We have chosen to spend our time at the grassroots. You understand? So once we come out, like I said, it’s not that we are coming out and then we are going to go and look for anything.

You will see what will happen after our Congress. You will see. You will remember this day.

GN: Okay, Prof, my question is when and where will the Congress be held, Ghana or North America?

PAG: Oh, no, no. The Congress will have to be in Ghana. I mean, the Congress will be in Ghana. It will be, it will be before, before the end of August.

GN: Oh, next month, right? Okay.

PAG: Yeah, yeah. It will be, it will be within the next month because we have to meet certain requirements from the electoral commission regarding presenting all our constituency executives and then they have to accredit them. And right after they

have done so, we’ll be free to announce our flag bearer and we’ll be free to go to Congress with our delegates.

GN: Okay. So speaking about the flag bearer, are you thinking of someone who is resident in Ghana or a Ghanaian in the diaspora?

PAG: Oh, no, no, no. The flag bearer is in Ghana. It’s not now that we are choosing the flag bearer. The flag bearer is already there. It will be announced at the Congress.

GN: So how is PAG funding the activities of the party and where is the money coming from?

PAG: We got our provisional certificate in 2009. So over the last five years, the activities of the party have been funded through contributions of like-minded people. Every step of the way, all the offices have been funded by individual contributions. We have a website (www.proalliancegh.org). Sometimes people go to the website and just donate money to us.

There are people who just become members of the party. It’s $25 a year if you live in the diaspora. If you live in Ghana, 50 cedis a year.

So people have been paying their dues and giving us donations. And as a matter of fact, one of the things that I have learned in the last five years of running PAG is that politics, yes, it requires money, but it doesn’t require as much money as people say. Because most of the time people are embezzling a lot of money.

But if you have a decent amount of money and you apply to the task at hand and none of it is wasted, you can achieve quite a lot. So we have registered the party. To register the party, we have to go around the country and collect signatures from every district. This is all money, right? We did that.

We have to open 143 offices to meet the electoral requirements. We did that. We are paying rent for those offices. And now we have done an inauguration, which we did in Cape Coast on the 29th of June 2024.

And now we are getting ready for Congress. All of this is being done with membership and donations only.

Because we don’t have access to polling funds like a lot of others. We don’t. We are just doing it the honest way.

People join the party and they pay to be members. And that is it. I mentioned the Kamala Harris thing because in two days, look at how much money she generated from individual donations.

When you get people interested at the individual level, you get enough money to run your program at the party. Yeah. It’s not easy, but that’s how we have done it.

And that’s how we intend to run the economy of the country. We intend to run it economically. That is the culture of the party.

GN: Prof, back to the elections. In the unlikely event of there being a runoff, who will PAG support? Is it the NPP or the NDC?

PAG: We are not in this to support failed parties. That is not why we are here. We are not here to support failed parties.

But what I will tell you is that our worst-case scenario will be that we may have a few seats. Right? And if we have a few seats, the correct question is which of those two parties will be running to us to form a government? Do you see what I’m saying?

Right now, there are 137 seats in each party. Yeah. It’s hung.

So even if you are a party like ours and you get ten seats, they need you more than you need them. And in order for them to form a government with us, there will be a big price to pay. When I say a big price, not in terms of money, but in terms of the ministries that they will have to give up before they can form a government.

So we see ourselves in a position of strength because Ghanaians have given up on both of these parties. And when they go to the poll and they have an alternative that is when you will see what I’m saying today.

People are running away. Right now, Floating Voters Association, they say floating voters are about 85 percent of the voters. So our job is to present ourselves as an alternative with a clear and alternative program.

One of our big flagship programs is to prune the size of government. We will have only 14 ministers in our government.

We will abolish all deputy minister positions. We will abolish all regional minister positions. Yeah, these are all that we are going to do.

The electorates will hear about all of these things well before the vote. And we will also be moving a number of ministries out of Accra to different regional capitals where it is more relevant for them.

GN: When you say you are moving the ministries to other parts of the country, what are you basing on? Why the sudden movement?

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letter leaves Nigerian international student without status, asked to leave Canada

Lola Akinlade says she had no idea university acceptance letter was fake Lola Akinlade had a huge smile on her face on the day in 2019 when she walked across the stage at the Nova Scotia Community College, her new diploma for social services in her hand.

But underneath, she was worried.

“The happiness was not going deep down,” she said in a recent interview near her home in Middle Sackville, N.S.

A few weeks before graduation, the international student from Nigeria received a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

It said one of the documents she’d used to enter Canada in 2016 was a fake, and asked her to explain herself.

It’s a charge Akinlade said she knew nothing about before IRCC told her, but which has left her and her family in Canada with no immigration status and little to fall back on if they return to Nigeria.

Akinlade said the realization that she’d relied on a fake document to get her study permit left her devastated.

“That was the beginning of my trauma.”

Statistics released to CBC by IRCC, and the experience of people working in the field, suggest there could be many other international students in Canada in a similar situation.

Since IRCC began a new process to screen international student acceptance letters in December 2023, it has found more than 9,000 examples of fake letters, suggesting Akinlade’s case is far from unique.

Akinlade wants IRCC to reexamine her case, arguing she was a victim of a “rogue agent” who supplied her with a fake letter of acceptance to a Canadian school.

“Please look into my file,” she said. “I just want this to be sorted out.”

Worked with agent Akinlade started thinking about studying in Canada in 2015. She was working for a pharmaceutical company in Lagos as a medical sales representative with a business administration degree from a Nigerian university.

At an office outside Lagos, she met with a man who said he worked as an immigration consultant and would guide her through the process of becoming an international student by applying for a master’s degree in business administration for her.

Akinlade said she did not discuss a particular university with the agent, and just explained that she wanted to study at a high-quality Canadian institution.

Akinlade said she gave the agent documents such as her passport and university transcripts, along with payment. Several months later, he gave her a study permit to enter Canada, plane tickets and an acceptance letter to the University of Regina.

Akinlade flew to Canada in late December 2016, thinking she would start classes in January 2017.

However, she said while she was stopped over in Winnipeg en route to Regina, she got a call from the agent, who told her there were no spaces available at the university and she’d have to go on a waitlist. Duration1:07

Lola Akinlade, an international student who says a ‘rogue agent’ gave her a fake entry document to Canada, describes the moment the agent said her first-choice university was full.

“I said my primary aim was to come here to study. I don’t want to be on the waitlist.”

Akinlade began to search on her own for a new school and a new program, and stayed with relatives in Winnipeg until she was accepted at the Nova Scotia Community

College for social services for a September 2017 start. She said she decided to switch to social services because it better aligned with the work she’d already done in the medical field.

Akinlade said she never contacted the University of Regina directly until two years later, when she received the letter from IRCC telling her the acceptance letter was a fake.

“I was kind of skeptical [after getting the IRCC letter] because I thought that wasn’t real, like a miscommunication or something,” she said. “So immediately I contacted [the] University of Regina.

“And that was when I learned the truth.”

Agent says letter came from another firm Akinlade said since arriving in Canada she’s had little contact with the agent in Nigeria.

But CBC exchanged text messages with Babatunde Isiaq Adegoke, the agent Akinlade said she used to co-ordinate her Canadian university and study permit application.

Adegoke told CBC he guided Akinlade through the process of applying to enter Canada.

He agreed that he gave Akinlade the acceptance letter to the University of Regina. But he said the letter was given to him by a company called Success Academy Education Consult that he hired. He said it was located in the city of Ejigbo but has since moved to an unknown location.

He said he was surprised to learn the acceptance letter was fake, and he denied telling Akinlade she’d have to go on the waitlist at the University of Regina.

Adegoke told CBC he was no longer offering study permit services, he had no contact information for Success Academy Education Consult and had not dealt with the company since 2018. He declined to do a video call for more information.

CBC was not able to find a business that matched Adegoke’s description. CBC made phone calls and sent emails to businesses with similar names, but none of the business owners said they recognized Lola Akinlade’s letter.

No immigration status

Akinlade lost her study permit in Canada because of the fake letter, and was denied when she attempted to apply for a postgraduate work permit and a temporary resident permit.

An IRCC officer wrote to her in March 2023, telling her the department believes she knew the document was fake, “as per balance of probabilities.”

Her husband, Samson Akinlade, and eightyear-old Nigerian-born son, David, joined her in Nova Scotia in 2018, and have now lost their temporary resident status. Their younger son was born in Canada in 2021, and while he has Canadian citizenship, he does not have medical coverage because of his parents’ status.

The three oldest members of the family have been asked to leave the country voluntarily. They cannot work or go to school.

“We’ve been surviving on our savings and I don’t know how long we can keep surviving on that,” she said. “It’s really, really hard.”

Akinlade said the family sold their home in Nigeria to fund the tens of thousands of dollars required for her Canadian tuition. She and her husband worked in Nova Scotia as caregivers before losing their immigration status.

“We already invested our lives in Canada, so there is nothing to go back to fall on [in Nigeria],” she said.

‘Rogue agents’ a common concern Akinlade’s lawyer, Amanat Sandhu, said the family is filing a humanitarian application to stay.

cont’f on pg. 48

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Pedestrian Etiquette

cont’d from pg.14

at least while walking notice things that look abnormal, notice people walking in front, besides, and behind you. Be extra vigilant at all times and try not to let your guard down. In the same light as you walk notice what is on your path way that could be suspicious, and report anything that you are uncomfortable with. In keeping safe be mindful of yourself keep your ears open, be mindful of the music you are listening to while walking and avoid unnecessary distractions while walking. Final Tips for Pedestrians in a Crowded Environment While walking Walk straight without stopping impromptu. Avoid stepping and walking into others, watch the pathway Keep your eyes, and ears pierced to the ground Don’t stop in the middle of the pathway to have a chat, come off onto the sides. Walking with a woman, the woman should stay on the inner side of the walk way, the gentleman stays close to the curb. No sluggish walking, walk sharply at all times. Walking with pets requires complete responsibility for your pets and their action. Be cautious, be careful, and be considerate while walking.

Final Tips for Pedestrians in a Crowded Environment While walking Walk straight without stopping impromptu. Avoid stepping and walking into others, watch the pathway Keep your eyes, and ears pierced to the ground Don’t stop in the middle of the pathway to have a chat, come off onto the sides. Walking with a woman, the woman should stay on the inner side of the walk way, the gentleman stays close to the curb. No sluggish walking, walk sharply at all times. Walking with pets requires complete responsibility for your pets and their action. Be cautious, be careful, and be considerate while walking.

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Ghanaian Canadian Achievement Awards 2024

Let’s Celebrate 24 Years Of Recognizing Our Community Achievers

Twenty two years ago, The Ghanaian News Canada launched a modest effort to recognize, showcase and celebrate the achievements of members in our communities across Canada who have and continue to excel in various discipline and fields of endeavor. This initiative was borne out of the conviction that many members of our community in Canada have been making strenuous efforts not only to achieve laurels for themselves and their community, but to the development and improvement of Canadian society as well.

To a very large extent, this innovation has been a great and a splashing success. Over the past twenty four years we have unearthed and showcased an average of twenty-five high-flying achievers in various fields of endeavor from our community every year. That comes close to nearly Six hundred persons to date. This year we will be showcasing close to thirty more achievers. These Achievement Awards have proven a number of important points: First, there are great talents in our community. Secondly, our community members are not just sitting on these talents; they are utilizing them to achieve results. Thirdly they have proven that our community members are contributing significant efforts to the improvement of Canadian society. Against the background of all the misinformation, myths and stereotypes that are bandied around about immigrants and immigrant communities; we are delighted to note that this events have achieved the purpose for which they were instituted: showcasing the best and brightest from our community in the larger Canadian context.

We wish to note the constant presence of a large number of mainstream Canadians: from politicians, public servants to Police Officers at these events. If these high-profile people from mainstream Canadian society recognize the importance of this event and regularly show up to support us, then it is incumbent on us as the community organizing this event to embrace it and turn out in our numbers to support it.

We also depend on community members to nominate the known achievers in our community who are deserving of these awards. We therefore entreat community members to constantly be on the lookout for those that are achieving laurels in various aspects in our community and nominate them for the awards when the time comes.

We call on community members to turn up to support and applaud our achievers for this year on They deserve our recognition, our praises and our support.

Finally we extend our heartfelt and warm congratulations to all our award recipients for this year. Do not rest on your oars. Keep pushing to make yourself, your community and our nation proud. We are proud of you!

Finally we extend our heartfelt and warm congratulations to all our award recipients for this year. Do not rest on your oars. Keep pushing to make yourself, your community and our nation proud. We are proud of you!

This year’s Awards will be held at DATE: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 .

VENUE: CHATEAU LE JARDIN, 8840 HWY 27, WOODBRIDGE, ON. L4L 1A5

TIME: RED CARPET 5:00pm, AWARDS, 6:00pm TICKET: $85 per person, Table of 10 $600. Call: 416-844-9161 or 416-916-3700 Email: awards@ghanaiannews.ca They deserve our recognition, our praises and our support.

CALLING FOR NOMINATION

This year’s (2024) presentation recognizes achievements in the following areas: 2024 Nomination Form I wish to nominate: Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss/Dr......................................................................................... Address...................................................................................Category.............................

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

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

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

Final Deadline for nominations: August 30th, 2024

The Black Community’s “Elephant in the Room!

By: Allison Asare, Edmonton, AB

I don’t want to make this about statistics and numbers but rather a conversation about the elephant in the room. The elephant in this case is mental health. Growing up I always appreciated the Canadian school system addressing the psychological state of mind of young people. Young people in this case represent adolescent youth. I want to take a deep dive into addressing some of the main concerns about what young people tend to face and conceal. I have observed that over the years, young people around the high school age are extremely impressionable and change dramatically.

Sadly most parents seem to have a good grip on their kids until about this developmental stage. High school introduces many new challenges and experiences such as peer pressure, drugs, and sexual identity. In the black community, these conversations don’t seem to be as openly acknowledged because of stigma. These stigmas in place are due to ignorance, shame, and cultural standards. This is a dialogue I want to openly initiate and is not based on facts from any specific sources. I find that the more culturally focused a black-identified group is the more these issues affecting teens and young people remain an underrepresented topic.

This generation of free-spirited, openminded millennial youth challenges the traditional group of parents and grandparents that grew up in a more disciplined era. I heard stories from my parents and grandparents about financial hardships, poverty, academic pressures, long walks to school, and other dated issues commonly shared from accounts of growing up abroad. I was born and raised in Canada, some might reference it as a free country or a very liberal place to be. My family origins stem from Ghana and Jamaica which over the years may have similar economies and educational systems. Not once have I heard my parents or grandparents mention mental health issues or any of the issues plaguing today’s youth. When I was in high school, teenage suicide was heavily on the rise and triggered by a lack of acceptance for homosexuality. Another loss of life among young people was bullying. The numbers have only increased since my high school days. Cultural standards from both nationalities have a high tolerance for the issues addressed above and

barely acknowledge that they are real concerns in the black community.

Drugs are also stigmatized and seen as a Canadian issue because a lot of people think their children only consume marijuana which is a debatable drug. These are some myths but a reality for some people. The cultural influence of Ghanaians being heavily faith-based tends to limit the doubt of drugs, homosexuality, and other concerns affecting youth because of the community’s hegemonic views. I believe things change when that hegemonic umbrella lifts and North American exposure to secular ideals comes pouring in. I have always heard people speak about Canadian culture as demonic, undisciplined, and uncivilized but full of freedom. That freedom component becomes attractive to people who feel repressed culturally and who get exposed to multiculturalism and open-minded unfiltered options.

For the culturally entrenched they are told problems get prayed away or you keep it in and move on to something different. For the Canadian ideology, it is ok to be depressed and hurt and experience mental health challenges and there are so many “options” on how to cope with it. If most black communities come from a cultural umbrella that doesn’t give platforms for self-expression concerning the confusion and sexual identity crisis affecting young people then how does a parent prepare for the “options” easily available in the North American societies? Coping strategies are something that North American culture grants funding for and implements

cont’d on pg. 34

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Cassava: Strategies for sustainable planting, tuber production

By: Dr Eric Owusu Danquah, Accra GH

Cassava holds a significant role as a staple food security crop and a source of income in Ghana. However, due to the global starch demand, cassava is increasingly being viewed more as an industrial and income-generating crop rather than a food security crop.

There are sustainable options for producing planting materials and agroecological methods for sustaining soil nutrition and yield.

These elements are crucial for efficient cassava cultivation, which can enhance livelihoods, while preserving land resources for future generations amidst climate change.

Planting production, land-use issues

To enhance and increase stakes production, it is recommended to use short cassava cuttings of two nodes instead of the current longer cuttings with more than seven nodes, used by farmers, which lead to wastage.

These two-node cuttings can be pre-sprouted in an appropriate medium before planting on the field to ensure a good stand and uniformity in the establishment of the cassava at the field.

To prevent land conflicts and struggles for cassava production, practice intercropping with other food crops rather than mono cropping of cassava.

Splitting of land and rotating with legumes would not only improve soil fertility, it would also sustain the production of legumes such as cowpea, groundnut etc. for improved food security.

This would ensure equitable land use for a variety of crop production, while improving biodiversity than mono-cropping of cassava to address land-use issues. Enhancing soil, productivity

As per the FAO Statistical database, cassava production in Ghana has been increasing, with a minor contribution from yield improvement, suggesting that increases are due to the expansion of the area under production rather than yield per unit area.

Given that cassava, a root and tuber crop is a heavy feeder of soil nutrients and that land resources in Ghana are limited, it is crucial to focus efforts on maintaining cassava productivity on a limited land resource to tackle the issue of land degradation associated with its production.

Variaties

To enhance cassava productivity, farmers have been encouraged to adopt improved cassava varieties.

However, the performance of any released improved cassava variety is significantly influenced by the accompanying agronomic package. For instance, cassava farmers who adopted the Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP) technology of improved planting materials and agronomic packages experienced increased productivity.

Therefore, in addition to developing improved varieties, research systems have developed complementary improved agronomic technologies.

These include minimum tillage, spacing, planting density, fertiliser application, use of cover and green manure, weed control, disease control among others.

Minimum tillage

The practice of minimum tillage in cassava production is strongly recommended. Farmers are advised to

slash but not burn their entire farm, instead practising spot burning when necessary. Minimum tillage is especially recommended in sandy soils to conserve soil moisture and reduce soil erosion.

A recommended plant population of 10,000 plants/ha with 1x 1m for the sole cassava crop is recommended. However, a wider row spacing (up to two m between rows) and closer in-the-row spacing (down to 0.5 m) is recommended for intercropping. While cassava can thrive better than most other crops in impoverished soils, the crop does respond well to both inorganic and organic fertilisers.

An inorganic fertiliser application rate of 200 kg of N-P2O5-K2O 15-15-15/ha or 20 g per plant is recommended.

Intercropping

Intercropping or rotation with legumes and green manure can improve the nitrogen status of the soil through nitrogen fixation.

In areas where ploughing is used, farmers are advised to plough leguminous cover crops, such as, mucuna to improve the soil’s organic matter and nutrition. Mucuna, also known as mucuna pruriens, is a plant in the legume family that is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The plant is also known as the ‘velvet bean’ due to the hairs that cover its seedpods.

Animal manure, such as, cow dung, poultry droppings and other livestock dung can also be applied during land preparation. These approaches would sustain soil and cassava productivity on limited land resources to address deforestation and land degradation.

Conclusion

Cassava production as an industrial and income generation crop to improve livelihood is possible. However, integration with other crops and rotation with legumes would reduce its negative implications on food security.

The use of two-node cuttings of improved varieties and accompanying agronomic packages would improve cassava production in the face of limited land resources and climate change in Ghana.

The writer is a Snr Research Scientist, Crops Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

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Thanksgiving Service in Montreal for Nana Kwaku Kwateng Amanin

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

Saturday, June 29th 2024, Ghanaian community in Montreal gathered at Howard Park, Av Querbes (Park Extension) for a Thanksgiving service for the late Nana Kwaku Kwateng Amanin (Montreal Omanhene). whose sudden death occurred in Montreal on November 13th 2023.

Mercy Kwateng

H.E. Anselm Sowah, Ghana High Commissioner Councilor Mary Deros

Kevin Kwateng and H.E. Anselm Sowah

Traditional Queenmother

Patoral Team

Togbi Ajara pouring libation

Nii Okai Kevin Kwateng and Organiser

Afia Attaa, Sanaahenmaa Family members

Traditional Council

Chief mourners

By: Allison Asare, Edmonton, Alberta

Ghanafest Alberta 2024

On July 20, 2024, there was an event capturing the Ghanaian-Canadian population in all of Alberta. One woman had a vision and brought it to life and it was epic. Migration to Edmonton especially in the last two years has produced record numbers of Ghanaian’s and this festival was the right timing for it.

The CEO of Ghanafest Alberta is a woman named Ms. Esther Nana Araba Assabil. She has experienced Ghanafest in Toronto and believed it could be given life here in the western Canada. A team was assembled and the process of showcasing a cultural event was a success.

For a first-time event, many came out to support and some of the special guests included the Ghana Consular for Calgary, Hon. Margaret Adu, Mr. David Shepherd, the MLA for Edmonton, Dr. Charles Odame, the GCAC President in Calgary and the mayor of Edmonton Amarjeet Sohi.

Many of the guest speakers spoke and shared their appreciation of the event and opportunity to celebrate Ghana’s rich culture locally.

A Special thanks goes out to the volunteers that helped to make everything happen. The MC/ Host for the event was a multi-talented woman named Priscilla Boateng. She gave the crowd an enthusiastic display of language versatility and crowd control. So many people made this event a collaborative experience. Many sponsors were also involved in giving this event a true festival feel.

“The event almost didn’t happen,” says Ms. Assabil as she gave some words on the microphone introducing herself and the mission of putting on such a well needed event.

There were so many challenges and barriers that came along the way such as the extreme heat alert warning and smoggy conditions. That alone could have shut the event down. By the grace of God, the event was fully functional from early morning until well into the night. Many people were speculating about the outcome of such an event and if the crowd would be significant. Ghanaians and the community did not disappoint.

There was a beautiful fashion show with creative pieces, performers gave a great show and people were moving on their feet. A highlight of the early part of the show was the Adehyeman Royal cultural dancers. These young girls were said to be Canadian born and taught the traditional dancing routine and moved with grace and passion. This is a highly respectful form of culture and communication with body language. Their bright outfits and skillful footwork got the audience participating and blessing them with applause and money. People are now aware the Ghanaian identity in Alberta is strong and growing and it will be bigger and better next time.

For details about the event or to get involved to be a performer, vendor or sponsor next year, it would be best to check out the website http:// www.ghanafestalberta.com.

Dr. Charles Odame Ankrah

Hon. Margaret Adu

Adehyeman Cultural Dancers Fashion Show

Fashion Show

Fashion Show vendor clothing booth

David Shepherd MLA for Edmonton City Centre NDP

Ms Esther Nana Araba Assabil, CEO of Ghanafest Alberta

Priscilla Boateng MC - Host

Progressive Alliance for Ghana: The Alternative

cont’d from pg. 18

PAG: It’s sudden? You have been doing something for almost 70 years and it’s not working and you think it’s a sudden movement. You know, you see, the point is that government has to go to the people.

People should not be coming to the government. That’s the whole thing. Everything is backwards.

And we are now accepting what is backwards as normal. Even your question suggests that you are accepting the current situation. Because that is what we are used to.

It’s not normal. You may be used to it and PAG is telling you that this is not normal and this is not working for the ordinary citizens. We are going to be fully citizencentered.

What works for the citizens is what we do, not what works for the government. The government is there to support the daily life of the citizens, not the other way around. And we have been doing it the other way around and now we think it’s normal.

That’s a big part of the problem. You see what I mean?

GN: And one other thing is, with the number of ministers we have, things are not working. So how sure are we that things will get better when the number is reduced?

PAG: That’s the whole problem. The whole problem is that it’s not about numbers, it’s about efficiency. It’s about efficiency, not about numbers.

Yeah. I mean, I don’t think even Great Britain has more than 21 ministers running the economy that they are running.

So it’s about efficiency. Not about numbers.

Akufo-Addo has proved that it’s not about numbers. Yeah, I mean, you have to look at the outcome. Right? You have 120 ministers. What is the outcome? You have to look at the evidence.

Kwame Nkrumah had 11 ministers. Look at the evidence, and what he was able to achieve.

GN: As I speak to you now, Ghana’s debt is rising. Most people have the view that if we can generate more or find other means of raking in revenue, we can pay off some of these debts and then we can start producing for Ghana to be self-sufficient. What is PAG bringing on board in this regard?

PAG: So first of all, you see, we have a culture of corruption and waste. That is our biggest problem. We also have a culture of looking outside for solutions to our problems. So, our party’s position is very simple.

In every aspect of Ghanaian life... Okay, let me give you a very simple example. Very simple. Right now, anytime it rains in Accra, what happens? Flood. Exactly. Why? Because... This is just an example. So, because all the drains that are supposed to drain water from Accra into the ocean are what? Choked by what? Plastic.

Right? Yes. And in just thirty-two years, these two parties have not been able to solve such a simple problem.

I mean, such a simple problem. One, single-use plastics has to be banned. Because it’s destroying our environment.

And two, recycling of plastic... You know, people talk about recycling, like even here in Canada and the US. But recycling, only about 10-12% of it is plastic. Plastics right now in serious countries, you know what they are using plastic to do? They are using plastic in road building.

Building roads. They are melting the plastic and adding it to bitumen to reduce the cost. Look at our infrastructural setting, and look at all the plastic that we have.

Look at all the potholes that we can fill by repurposing our waste. So, look, PAG is a thinking party. We are not here to repeat things that go wrong.

We just look at things. Oh, it’s flooding because the gutters are choked with plastic. No, that’s not the solution.

The solution is, what do you do about it? Look at the way we have destroyed our rivers with Galamsey. When we come on, there will be an immediate ban on Galamsey. It’s not like we are going there. It will be totally banned for the next two years. Until the ecology of the environment is restored.

You know, there can be no sin greater in life than destroying what God has given you. And that is what we have done in Ghana. So, PAG, if you ask me, what are we going to do? We are going to use very innovative approaches to solve problems and save us money.

And yet, Ghana has everything. I mean, we are not supposed to be poor, but we are. Because we have mismanaged everything.

So, a lot of our problem is not about revenue. It’s about management. If you are able to deal with corruption, you are able to improve efficiency, there will be money everywhere.

You know, so it’s not about revenue. We have revenue. But we waste the revenue. We have inefficient systems. And we borrow money that we shouldn’t be borrowing. We actually should not be borrowing as much as we are borrowing.

So, for us, these are the issues. These are the issues that we have. We have all the transformations that we had.

Look, we were called the gold coast because we had gold. Then, black gold came. God gave that country to us, oil. Now, the new gold is lithium. We’ve also been given that.

So, as for us, any time something comes, God gives it out for free. And then we mess it up. I mean, at some point, we’ve got to wake up and do what is right.

And then, also, what is very important for us is that we’re going to pay serious attention to Ghanaian talent everywhere, within Ghana and around the world. And we are going to make concessions to bring our people back home to work for our country.

Not to frustrate them when they are trying to come, which is what happens all the time. Right now, they will tell you that, if you are a dual citizen, you can’t run for president.

But if you are a dual citizen, you can play for the Black Stars. Which is more important: Football or running the country?

So, I hope the way we think in PAG is clear to you now.

We are not repeating anything that is being done now. Because what is happening now is not normal. Everything is upside down.

In Ghana right now, if it is black, they say it is right. If it is black, they say it is white. And then people say it’s normal.

It’s not normal. We have changed the whole country upside down. We expect it to function.

It’s not going to function without clear leadership.

GN: Okay. Prof, my question is that I know there are so many aspiring political parties in Ghana right now. Has any of them approached you for integration, partnership, or collaboration?

PAG: Oh, as for that one, regularly. There are different groups that have talked with us about different things. But we are determined.

I mean, we will form partnerships if they...We are standing on our own. But, you know, politics is not static. If there are collaborations that are mutually beneficial between ourselves and another group, then, of course, we will look at it.

But so far, we haven’t found any group that is as committed as we are at the ethical level. You know, because we are not prepared to compromise on our ethics. That is the point.

You know, we are not prepared to do that.

GN: Do you mean their vision is not as clear vision as yours?

PAG: Yeah, we are. They are prepared to make compromises that we are not prepared to make.

They are prepared to accept certain things as normal, which I am telling you will not be as normal. So, yeah, we have been approached for different kinds of possible collaborations. But so far, we are on our own.

Because we also have to remember that PAG is actually made up of a number of groups. It’s not just a single entity.

GN: In terms of your fundraising method, you made me understand that you are focusing on membership and then also donation. Do you have any plans to tour North America for fundraising kind of events?

PAG: Yes, we are definitely planning to do that. We are.

We will be in Toronto probably in October. And we will be in other capitals, London. You know, we have people in Scandinavia, people in mainland Europe. We will be opening our overseas branches or making them pop up. Because they are already functioning so we will be making them pop up in the month of October.

GN: So, Prof, I mentioned earlier that that was my last question, but I still need to ask this.

PAG: You are forgiven. Thank you so much.

GN: Prof, apart from what you’ve already said, and what other thing should Ghanaians look forward to PAG bringing on board?

PAG: To put it simply, PAG is going to bring about leadership that will inspire Ghanaians to be the best versions of themselves.

Let me put it that way. Because it is the quality of leadership that inspires people to produce.

Ghanaians and all others who believe in this vision should visit our website and make donations there. It’s www.proalliancegh.org

GN: Okay, Prof, we thank you so much for your time.

PAG: So thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to address your audience.

21 Years of Experience in Family Law

The Black Community’s “Elephant in the Room!

cont’d from pg. 23

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* Work and Study Permits

James A. Kwaateng, B.A. (Hons); LLB (Hons); CCIC Legal consultant; Commissioner of Oaths

Tel. (416) 743-2758 Fax: (416) 743-7027

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Osei Owusu

Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public law office of osei owusu

REAL ESTATE LAW

Buying a home may be the most important investment in your life. We ensure that it is done properly

* Buying and selling your home

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FAMILY LAW

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Custody, Access and Support

Separation Children Aid Cases

CRIMINAL LAW Adult Criminal Code offences Youth Criminal Justice Act (Young Offenders)

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to help with the high suicide rates of young people. There are medical avenues such as counseling and prescription medications but then there are street remedies. Parents need to know I am not making this up. This is happening whether I write about it or not. Sometimes there is an unfortunate combination of medical remedies and street remedies that become addictive and end up doing more harm than good.

Some families can dismiss this reality and pretend their children are active in the church doing well in school and appear healthy and kind but there is a dark side to this and it is called “masking”. I use this term to create awareness for illusive behaviors for people who turn a blind eye or the ones naive and are completely clueless until it is too late. Just because a child looks normal and denies any claims of mental troubles and alternative coping mechanisms doesn’t mean all is well. It is normal for teens to lie and hide their coping strategies because of fear. Some kids are scared to disappoint their parents. Some are embarrassed about the habits or addictions they have adopted and prefer to self-manage. Some parents might be wondering what they do if they notice these behaviors. You are on the right track. Identifying the odd or secretive behaviours is one thing but understanding how to intervene is the hard part. Keep in mind young people are struggling to find themselves and are facing so many social pressures in school and with other peers.

Unless you have been a victim of similar circumstances, your concerns or questions might pose a threat and make the child more defensive and closed off to you. Snooping through their belongings will violate privacy and if discovered will create more barriers to communication and discussion on intervention. Sometimes as a parent, you may not be the best person to address the issue head-on, and maybe a relative or an outside person of trust can do it better. Don’t always assume as a parent you have the right to address your teen or young person on these hyper-sensitive issues because you might be indirectly contributing to their pressure or pain for their coping options in the first place. We like to believe we know our children best but the reality is we know the version of them we raised until their impressionable phase of strong outside influences that occur

during their preparation for adulthood. I think this phase starts around 14. I have no clinical degree in this field but I have seen and encountered a lot and want to make this conversation something people can appreciate. I just wanted to scratch the surface of mental health awareness and some of the coping mechanisms young people are vulnerable to in the black community.

I hope this starts a new dialogue in your family or allows you to look at your situation differently. When we look at people we see their demeanor and how they look. We can’t see a person’s heart or mind, only God can. We need to look at people with compassion and consider if there is something else happening and if there is suffering of some sort being revealed through art, literature, or their lack of engagement with others. Sometimes children have been traumatized or witnessed something traumatizing and it eats them up inside and they develop anti-social behaviors or aggressive behaviors towards others. Some children self-inflict wounds or ingest substances to numb themselves so they can’t feel the pain they want to forget. The worst part of this trauma is the revictimization of the painful memory or trigger that makes the person want to escape reality. These are hard topics we must consider and how challenging it is for a young person to face this inner fight alone.

Too many lives are being lost and so much stigma in our black cultures that publicly represses open conversations about such topics or internal struggles. We need to get more comfortable facing the uncomfortable circumstances people are fighting with because it can be something close to home for most of us. I have a saying I called a poem many years ago and it’s called (J-Tai) and it means Just-Talk-About-It, and that is what we need to do. Whether the struggle is right or wrong, culturally appropriate or unspeakable, a dialogue needs to address it so it is analyzed for the sake of understanding the young person’s perspective to be able to speak their language. The sooner this can be accomplished the support to address the issue can be beneficial instead of condemnation out of ignorance. If you feel incapable of handling some of the issues your teen or young person might be facing then it is best to get someone more experienced or suitable on the topic or someone that can relate to them socially that can get through. You aren’t alone in this and there is a way.

Go Seko Shipping Inc.

KADEM Hosts Fundraising Dinner for Medical Outreach

By Ebenezer Amankwah, Toronto, ON

Kairos Development Mission (KADEM), a Canadian not-for-profit organization, recently held a fundraising dinner to support its medical outreach and other development projects. This event aligns with KADEM’s core mission of mobilizing human and material resources to advance health and educational initiatives in a respectful and participatory manner.

In his welcome address, KADEM President Reverend Dr. James Mckeown Quainoo highlighted the organization’s achievements since its inception and outlined future projects.

He expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors and members for their unwavering support of KADEM’s goals and aspirations.

Rev. Dr. Mckeown Quainoo also acknowledged the organization’s partners and donors, emphasizing that KADEM’s success is deeply rooted in their generosity.

The keynote speaker, Dr. David Firang, a lecturer at Trent University, praised KADEM’s leadership. He noted that by giving back to the community, KADEM exemplifies ‘Brain Circulation’ rather than the typical ‘Brain Drain.’

In attendance at the fundraising dinner were the Deputy Consul General of Toronto, Honourable Joyce Asamoah Koranteng, and the President of the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario, Emmanuel Duodu.

Rev. Dr. Mckeown Quainoo Hon. Joyce Asamoah Koranteng

Dr. David Firang

Board of Directors

MCs

Opanin Acheampong

Cultural Dancers

Zumumta Association Rep.

GCAO Representatives

Oyerepa Representatives presenting to Kadem

Thousands gathered in Bradford for Canada’s largest 3-day Muslim convention

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Bradford, ON

From Friday, July 4th to Sunday, July 6th, thousands of Ahmadiyya Muslim community members gathered for the largest Ahmadiyya Muslim convention of 2024.

This year’s convention took place on over 200 acres of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s own facility in Bradford, known as Tent City. The growing space constraints at the International Centre in Mississauga necessitated the acquisition of this new land in Bradford, Ontario.

The new facility features both outdoor and indoor spaces, accommodating over 20,000 members for the 2024 edition of Jalsa Salana.

Among the attendees were Lal Khan Malik, the Vaughan-based president of Ahmadiyya Jama’at Canada, the Mayor of Bradford, Ontario, and other dignitaries from across Canada.

“The Holy Qur’an, the holy book of Muslims, has all the guidance for humankind,” said Malik. “We are emphasizing various aspects of it and how the Qur’an guides us in our daily lives.”

Community, prayer, and spirit were the central themes of the weekend convention.

On Friday afternoon, Malik and the thousands in attendance held a prayer for peace in light of the conflict in the Middle East.

There were numerous prayers, especially to alleviate conflicts and unnecessary wars that are leading to the loss of tens of thousands of innocent lives.

Lal Khan Malik, President of Ahmadiyya Jama’at Canada,

Joe Kingsley Eyiah Appreciation Event

By Evelyn Boachie, Toronto, ON

The Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) and members of the community gathered on Sunday, June 30th 2024 in Toronto to honour and thank a remarkable educator, and a community leader, Mr. Joseph Kingsley Eyiah with a heartwarming surprise appreciation party.

Mr. Eyiah is a certified teacher and retired this year after more than 20 years of teaching with the Toronto District School Board. As director of the GCAO’s After School Program, Mr. Eyiah plays a critical role in the Ghanaian community. The program offers free Twi lessons and academic tutoring to students and families in the community.

The event was a testament to the profound impact Mr. Eyiah has had on families, volunteers and community members through his years of dedicated service to the community.

As Mr. Eyiah would have it, participants of the afterschool program were integral to the appreciation party. Mr. Emmanuel Quaye, a community leader co-emceed the event with Mr. George Elijah Mensah, a former participant of the After-school program and now a tutor. The event was filled with heartfelt speeches, laughter, and nostalgic memories from students and their families, volunteers, Mr. Eyiah’s family and friends and community leaders, all came together to express their gratitude and admiration.

Some of the highlights of the event was a touching speech by Mr. Eyiah’s children, current program participants Joana and Rachael Oppong and their parents Ms. Christiana Labi and Mr. Richmond Oppong, who shared anecdotes about Mr. Eyiah’s commitment and dedication and unwavering support. Mr. Eyiah is more than a teacher and a director of the GCAO After school program to many of us; he is a mentor, a role model and a great inspiration who always believes that we all should make an effort to help uplift the younger people in our community. Mr. Eyiah’s belief in life is that to make a difference, “…you only need to reach one student at a time… one student…”

City of Toronto Councillor Anthony Perruzza and the publicschool board Trustee Matias de Dovitiis attended the event to acknowledge Mr. Eyiah’s effort to support students in the community they represent as politicians. City Councillor Perruzza presented Mr. Eyiah with a City of Toronto Certificate of Recognition, for the invaluable support he has offered to students and their families over the years and for making an immeasurable difference in the lives of many.

The event concluded with another great accolade. Mr. Duodu, the president of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario, and executive member Dr. Awafo presented an award plaque to Mr. Eyiah. In the words of Mr. Duodu, “[Mr. Eyiah], you are valued… I want to thank you for all the great work, for all these years…this man…and I use one word to qualify him, unassuming. This is a man, everything he does, he does it in humility.” Congratulations, Mr. Eyiah! To God Be the Glory!”

Mr. Joe Kingsley Eyiah and Mrs. Susie Eyiah

Eyiah Family

Dr. Awafo and Uncle Larry Kutuadu

Presentation of plaque by GCAO

Display of plague presented by GCAO

Cutting of cake flanked by family and friends

Emmanuel Quaye MC and other MC

Mr. Eyiah and Councilor Anthony Perruzza

Elder Daniel Oteng (center) with Eyiah family

Send-Off Service and Dinner for Rev. George Agyei-Kwabi & Family

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

On Sunday, July 28, 2024, the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church of Toronto held a special church service in honor of Rev. George Agyei-Kwabi and his family. It was an emotional day for both the church and the family.

Rev. George Agyei-Kwabi arrived in Canada on August 25, 2019, with his family to serve as a resident pastor for a term of five years. The service was conducted by Rev. Stephen Yaw Nkansah, a former moderator.

His sermon was based on the theme: “Putting the Cross Back in the Centre.” After the service, most of the church members gathered at the Borgata Event Centre for a dinner in honor of Rev. George Agyei-Kwabi and his family.

Various church groups showed their appreciation and love with gifts.

Women’s Prayer Group

GCAO

Children’s Service presentation

Rev. Agyei Kwabi family

Women’s Fellowship

Singing group

Presentation by the Church

From left: Rev. Agyei Kwabi, Akua and Rev. Stephen Nkansah

Session

Okuapemman

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.

Sunday Brampton Prayer Meeting 8:00 p.m.

Edmonton Methodist 778-237-7339

Ottawa Methodist 613-315-3443

Redemption

BETHANY METHODIST CHURCH-BRAMPTON

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

Sunday Divine Service - 2PM-5PM Online Prayer Meeting Fridays at 8PM -9PM 416-800-4317

Code # 9632581

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

Methodist Church

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

Weekly Service Schedule: Monday 7 pm - 8 pm

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

Divine Service, Sundays 10 am - 12:30 pm

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

Holy Trinity Methodist Church, Montreal

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

Day and Time of Worship

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

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

Contact: Bro. Joselin Twumasi 438-881-6640

Ebenezer Methodist Church

Stoney Creek United Church (Chapel)

1 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Hamilton

Contact: Bro. Kofi Bonsu 289-684-6074

Worship Time: 11 am to 1 pm

Peniel Methodist

Church Vancouver #2322 1248 82 Ave. Surrey, BC, V3W 3E9 Sister Comfort T. Owusu 647-895-7131

Worship Time: 9 am to 10:30

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

FOOD FOR LIFE

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

THE

CHRISTIAN IN 2024: THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

GRATITUDE QUOTES TO KNOW:

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” — G.K. Chesterton

“The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.” — Norman Vincent Peale

“Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation.” — John Ortberg

“Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” - Psalm 50:23 (NIV)

GRATITUDE TRUTHS TO KNOW:

Why Gratitude ToGod Is Important

Gratitude to God is a foundational aspect of our relationship with Him. It acknowledges His sovereignty, goodness, and the countless blessings He bestows upon us. When we express gratitude, we are:

1. Honoring God: As the verse suggests, offering thanks honors God. It recognizes His authority and expresses our reverence.

2. Acknowledging His Blessings: Gratitude shifts our focus from our struggles to the blessings we receive, fostering a positive outlook and deepening our faith.

3. Strengthening Our Faith: Regularly expressing gratitude reinforces our trust in God’s provision and faithfulness, which is essential for spiritual growth.

WHAT GRATITUDE TO GOD LOOKS LIKE

Gratitude To God Can Be Demonstrated In Various Ways:

1. Prayer: Simple prayers of thanks for daily blessings, both big and small, can transform our outlook and relationship with God.

2. Worship: Participating in worship through songs, hymns, and services is a powerful way to show our appreciation.

3. Acts of Kindness: Serving others and showing love are tangible expressions of our gratitude to God.

4. Sacrificial Offerings: Just as the Psalmist mentions thank offerings, we can also offer our time, resources, and talents to God as a form of gratitude.

HOW TO CULTIVATE A HABIT OF GRATITUDE

1. Daily Reflections: Take a few minutes each day to reflect on the blessings you have received and thank God for them.

2. Gratitude Journal: Keep a journal where you note down things you are thankful for. This can serve as a reminder of God’s goodness during challenging times.

3. Express Thanks Publicly: Share your gratitude with others. This can be through testimonies in church, social media posts, or simply telling a friend.

4. Mindful Prayer: Incorporate

gratitude into your prayer life. Start and end your prayers with thanks to God for specific blessings.

5. Worship Participation: Engage actively in worship services, focusing on the words and their meaning as expressions of thanks.

A PSALM OF ASAPH TO KNOW:

1 The L , the Mighty One, is God, and he has spoken;he has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets.2 From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance.3 Our God approaches, and he is not silent.Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him.4 He calls on theheavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of his people.5 “Bring my faithful people to me, those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.”6 Then let the heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge. Interlude7 “O my people, listen as I speak. Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God!8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens.10 For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.13 Do I

TO GOD

eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vowsyou made to the Most High.15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”16 But God says to the wicked: “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant?17 For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash.18 When you see thieves, you approve of them, and you spend yourtime with adulterers.19 Your mouth is filled with wickedness, and your tongue is full of lies.20 You sit around and slander your brother, your own mother’s son.21 While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care.But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you.22 Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” Psalm 50 NLT

Conclusion

Gratitude to God is more than just a good habit; it’s a powerful spiritual discipline that honors God and transforms our lives. By understanding why we should be grateful, recognizing what it looks like, and learning how to cultivate it, we can develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. Let’s make gratitude a daily practice, honoring Him with our thank offerings and living blameless lives that reflect His salvation.

Church Of Christ Ghanaian Congregation - Toronto

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

Time of Worship: 10am - 12:15pm

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

Bro. Agyenim Boateng: 647-656-9905

Email: churchofchristtwiservice@gmail.com

Bro. Christian Kpodjie: 647-405-2068

Website: churchofchristghtoronto.com

Lighthouse Assembly of God Church

Lead Pastor: Rev. Nana Boateng

SUNDAY SERVICES:

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

WEEKDAY SERVICES:

Rev. Nana Boateng

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

LOCATION: 42 Steinway Blvd. Unit 1&2

(Hwy 27/Steeles) Toronto, Ontario, M9W 6Y6

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

Email: lighthouseagtoronto.org lighthouseag@outlook.com

Good Shepherd Prayer Ministry

Invites you all to come worship with us

Venue: 95 Eddystone Ave unit 4 North York, ON

Time of worship: Sunday:10am - 1pm

Wednesday bible studies 7pm - 9pm Friday Prayer / Deliverance 7pm - 9pm

CHRIST REDEEMER CHURCH

Pastor-in-charge: Pastor Eric Amoah

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

Church Services

Sunday Service:

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

Worship Service: 11a.m. - 1p.m. Wednesday: Bible Study 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m. Friday Night Prayer: 8p.m.-10p.m.

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

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

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 Eric Amoah

Transformation Centre

Assembly of God Church, Mississauga

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

Contact: Rev. Isaac K. Bonful Tel: 289-814-5482

Email: transformationcentreag@gmail.com Website: www. transformationcentreag.ca

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

The Apostolic Church Int'l.

Canada

MOVED TO NEW LOCATION

31 Airview Road

Meeting Schedule

Fake letter leaves Nigerian international student without status, asked to leave Canada

cont’ from pg.19

Sandhu said it’s common for her downtown Toronto firm to see what she describes as “rogue agents” supplying immigrants with bad information.

“Overall, there’s a lot of people that get into this sticky situation where they trust an agent and then the agent doesn’t perform the way that they’re supposed to,” she said.

Canadian schools are also concerned about the actions of these agents, said Graham Barber, the assistant director of international relations at Universities Canada.

Barber said in his more than 10-year career he’s seen a “handful” of times when students actually showed up on a university campus believing they were enrolled when they were not.

Graham Barber, assistant director of international relations at Universities Canada, describes how agents can ‘swap’ students between schools to smooth entry into Canada. He believes the more common method is for students to be quickly “swapped” from a university to a private career college.

“These agents really were swapping out some of those letters of acceptance later in the process and utilizing the good name of a university in order to increase the chances of that student getting a study permit,” he said.

Last year, the federal government instituted a new checking process with Canadian schools to verify real letters of acceptance. Barber said it’s working well, but his members are troubled that their brands are being used in this way.

“Any university whose logo is being used without their permission, whose brand and good name is being used without their knowledge, that’s incredibly, incredibly worrisome,” he said.

IRCC releases numbers

The new letter of acceptance verification process began on Dec. 1, 2023. Before it began, the department acknowledged many students “sincerely” came to Canada to

The Black Man: On Capitalism or Socialism

By Kwaku A. Danso, USA

Western Education has been a blessing and a curse on the black man. Why? We have refused to use our own sense of initiative and common sense in finding creative solutions!

Western education has blinded and brainwashed the black man to the extent leaders will gladly put their trust in the white man, the same man who enslaved and exploited him for centuries, all because the net worth of most of these men are directly tied to their religion even while they watch and collaborate for the looting of their peoples natural resources. The rest of the story in poverty of black nations!

In the last half-century, the world has become more tolerant as men have learned that economic and human development of nations may have nothing to do with what religion a man believes in or what form of political ideology, Capitalism or Socialism a leadership may choose.

Pragmatic visionary leaders like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore found that singing the songs of Socialism was no way to attract capital and put food on the table for his people. He chose partnership with American capitalists to build factories in his country and provide employment for his people. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana chose the state resources as capital for similar pursuits. He made the mistake of thinking that everybody was equally a friend and coined the term “non-aligned” nations! Nkrumah the beloved man of Africa died in exile; today his haters and former adversaries smile and trying to change history!

The Fate of the Black Man:

History may not have been fair to the black race. In the 13th Century, according to Prof. Ernesto d’Armesto, history shows that the richest nation on earth was the old Ghana Empire of black Africans. However, there were times, not long ago, when some men, albeit Christians or Moslems, thought black men were only a little more than animals, merely worth using as beasts of burden in slavery or colonialism, or just killing! Even today some nations in the Middle East have been reported using blacks as domestic slaves.

The only key factors that seems to have changed in history, have been what and how leaders thought were their responsibilities in shaping the destiny of their people, for the people, and not for the egos of these leaders.

The Pragmatic -ism:

Most men would perhaps like to reap without sowing as the good book requires of us. Americans have a saying that there is no free lunch. Enough learning should lead to a conclusion. After fifty years of studying the West and the East, I don’t think either of the -isms will work for Ghana /Africa until we black people learn the discipline of following some rules and laws of rewards and punishments we all agree to, and hopefully these will include laws about

1. Defined Public interest and ethics and what constitutes public theft, and the Consequences;

2. Defined Conflict of interest in public service,

3. Expected work output for salary being paid by an employer, private or public.

4. Definition and distinction of the value of an asset, personal and public.

Without these principles well understood within our culture, capitalism or socialism will not work in Africa. They are meaningless.

Leadership:

It is the duty of leadership to do these above.

Where and when you have a leader either feeling it is okay to receive a $100,000 gift in the form of a car or any asset from anybody in exchange for a contract, or wield power to borrow billions of dollars in external money and use public funds to build religious or other monuments for personal fame, pleasure or self aggrandisement, neither Socialism nor Capitalism will work!! No!

The black man has to stand up and defend his rights and his nation against tyrants and ruthless leaders who have brought nothing but poverty to their people. The rise of China in the last three decades, once derided

and ridiculed by the West, demonstrates the point that human and socio-economic development has nothing to do with political ideology! It has more to do with leadership vision for their nations and how they plan and manage resources and bring value and wealth in their nation to benefit the largest number of their people.

In this the 400 year anniversary of slavery, we wish our nation of Ghana and all the African nations and our people all the best. It is about time our leaders also stood up and be counted in the world.

Life is a business and it takes leaders planning and managing and leveraging human and material resources. It is time the black men

 understood the core principles of life,

 shed the mentality of self-degradation,

 developed the confidence that we can do what others have done and even better for our people, and

 the discipline that nobody, no belief systems or ideologies are going to do it for us but ourselves, and just do it!

Dr. K. Danso, President/Co-Founder, Ghana Leadership Union (GLU)

* Rust *Minor Repairs and Painting Sammy Lartey 416-659-1655 172 Toryork Dr., #9, North York, Ont.

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Dr. Kwaku A. Danso

Time to get your eyes checked: Vision loss among growing list of risk factors for dementia, study says

New report identifies 14 risk factors for dementia, and what can be done to prevent them

Treating vision problems as they arise and staying active can help ward off the onset of dementia, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia. (ESB Professional/Shutterstock)

Two new risk factors for dementia — vision loss and high cholesterol — have been identified in a sweeping new report in a leading medical journal.

The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia lists 14 risk factors for dementia, many of which can be influenced by lifestyle changes. Among them, untreated vision loss and high cholesterol stand out as new targets for preventative treatment alongside well-known health threats such as head injuries, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and air pollution.

As Canada’s senior population rises, so too does the prevalence of dementia. The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates one million Canadians will be living with dementia by 2030.

Dementia is a term used to describe symptoms of cognitive decline including loss of memory, thinking and personality. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.

While aging is inevitable, late-life cognitive decline may not be. The Lancet Commission has reported that reductions in modifiable risk factors have the potential to prevent nearly half of dementia cases.

Dr. Gill Livingston, a professor of psychiatry of older people at University College London who is the commission’s lead author, said she hopes to decrease the period of deterioration at the end of life.

“If you ask people who are age 50 and over what illness they fear, and most, a majority of them will say dementia,” she said.

Vision loss in old age affects more than just the ability to see

The commission looked at multiple studies and meta-analyses with data from a combined total of several million participants and found “considerable evidence” supporting vision loss as a risk factor for dementia.

Hearing loss had previously been listed as a risk factor, as losing that sense decreases brain stimulation. The same thing happens when you lose your sight — when you can’t see, it’s hard for you to interpret and interact with the world.

Hearing loss has been strongly linked with cognitive decline. Now, a new study suggests hearing aids may significantly slow the decline of dementia in those at risk.

One meta-analysis cited by the Lancet team found cataracts and retina damage caused by diabetes had the strongest associations with dementia.

Another study found that treating cataracts may decrease the risk of dementia. While people with cataracts had an increased risk of dementia, those with treated cataracts had no greater risk than people with healthy lenses.

Though the idea of cataract surgery can be unnerving to some, Dr. Peter Kertes, ophthalmologist-in-chief at the Kensington Eye Institute and professor and chair of the University of Toronto’s ophthalmology department, said that there are options available to make the process accessible even to those currently experiencing dementia.

“We find not infrequently that patients who are cognitively impaired who have significant cataracts,” he said. “After their cataract surgery, their cognitive impairment improves considerably and their life improves considerably.”

Health habits at mid-life inform dementia risk later in life

Several of the risk factors identified in the report were age-specific. While treating vision loss in late life decreased risk of dementia, mid-life was identified as a key time for treating and moderating cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol is a wax-like steroid that is present in blood. It has many essential functions, including building other steroids and vitamin D.

Lipoproteins carry cholesterol through the body, and one form — known as low-density lipoproteins (LDL) — can stick to the walls of blood vessels, sometimes creating blockages.

Exercise at any age can be helpful for cognition, according to the report. (Shutterstock)

High levels of LDL cholesterol — otherwise known as the “bad” cholesterol — are primarily caused by consuming foods containing high levels of saturated fats.

Excess cholesterol in the brain is associated with an increased risk of stroke, as well as buildup of harmful proteins associated with dementia.

Many risk factors for dementia, including cholesterol levels, interact with each other, said Livingston.

“The person who is less physically active is more likely to have high blood pressure and more likely to be overweight and more likely to have diabetes, so they cluster together,” she said.

‘Use it or lose it’

When it comes to staying mentally sharp, it’s important to keep your brain active by participating in activities that challenge your brain’s memory, attention and decision making.

Dr. Anthony Levinson, the John Evans chair in health sciences educational research at McMaster University, said that people are generally aware of the importance of staying cognitively active.

“There are people who do try to stay engaged, or they’re doing puzzles more, or they’re learning a new language,” he said.

Other activities that boost and maintain brain function include reading, writing,

playing musical instruments and participating in conversations.

A dementia diagnosis can be devastating. Connecting with those who begin losing parts of themselves can be tough. But reading can help. Christy Micallef, a recreational therapist and dementia specialist, explains. The Lancet team noted that dementia prevention starts as early as childhood education.

However, new evidence has shown that midlife cognitive activity, even in people who received little education, can be preventative as well.

While cognitively stimulating hobbies can help with dementia reduction, the best thing you can do is have a job that is mentally challenging because you spend more time at your job than doing hobbies, the Lancet report found.

The report found that high cognitive stimulation increases your “cognitive reserve” — the ability to continue functioning normally despite unseen changes in your brain.

Making the change

Decreasing the risk of dementia starts with changing people’s perception of late-life cognitive decline, said Levinson.

“People have misconceptions that if you live long enough, everybody’s going to get dementia,” he said. “Those are not true.”

About one in four seniors aged 85 or older have been diagnosed with dementia, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Not every dementia prevention technique requires a significant lifestyle change. While some changes, such as diet and exercise, can be more difficult to make, actions as simple as getting your hearing checked make a difference, said Levinson.

Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospitals in Toronto, said systemic changes in public health are also needed.

Primary care providers are key to managing a healthy lifestyle. Yet one in five Canadians don’t have access to regular primary care providers, such as a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

“We need to make sure that every Canadian has access to a primary care provider, that we have the right mix of specialists, including geriatricians, to really help manage the care of older people, and also to prevent things like dementia as well,” said Sinha. CBC

Fake letter leaves Nigerian international student without status, asked to leave Canada

cont’d from pg. 48

study, but some who knew about the fake letters had “no intent” of studying.

Between that day and July 1, IRCC said it has caught 9,175 letters that were never issued by a Canadian school.

Those 9,175 letters were out of a total of 361,718 letters checked by IRCC and the schools.

These letters “may be an indicator of fraud,” IRCC wrote in a statement, but each one will need to be checked by an officer.

The department declined to make anyone available for an interview, and agreed to answer questions only by email.

It said it is “focused on identifying culprits, not penalizing victims” of fraud.

In response to questions about Akinlade’s case and why IRCC believes she knew about the fake letter, IRCC pointed back to its officer’s decision based on the “balance of probabilities.”

“Applicants are responsible for all the information on their application,” IRCC wrote, noting that Akinlade had an opportunity to address the officer’s concerns.

Onus on the applicant

Sandhu said it’s not clear to her exactly why IRCC believes Akinlade knew the letter was fake.

“If we’re going off of hunches, I feel that most officers can be very skeptical when it comes to applicants that claim they were victims of a rogue agent.”

Sandhu acknowledged that Canadian immigration rules put the onus for everything in the application on the applicant.

“Even though you may have used an agent, you are still supposed to be aware of everything,” she said.

Akinlade said she has learned a “lesson” about finding a reliable agent to help her, but she believes if IRCC looks again at her case it will find she was not complicit in the fake letter.

Her lawyer is submitting her humanitarian application to IRCC in the coming weeks but the application does not give her any right to stay in the country, and it is not clear how many months it could take to process.

“I really want to be investigated,” she said, adding that the whole experience has been “traumatic” for her family.

“This is not something I pray for my enemy to experience.” CBC News

Health/Lifestyle

Blood tests to screen for Alzheimer’s disease on the horizon

So far, the only way to confirm diagnosis is with brain scans or spinal taps

To diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease effectively, doctors say they need affordable and accessible tests to screen people at midlife and then stave off symptoms. Here’s where researchers are at for the first step.

About 750,000 Canadians live with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form, with symptoms such as memory loss, changes in judgment and mood or problems with language that are irreversible and eventually fatal.

Families and their physicians have long sought a blood test to accurately predict the development of Alzheimer’s in people with memory problems in the hopes that early diagnosis and existing treatments could at least slow worsening symptoms.

Alzheimer’s is thought to start when a sticky, misfit protein called betaamyloid leads to brain-clogging plaques and tangles associated with killing off neurons.

The hope is to prevent amyloid from building up in the brain years before symptoms appear.

But so far, the only way to confirm that beta-amyloid has built up is with brain scans that are expensive and hard to get or spinal taps that are invasive and uncomfortable.

That’s where blood screening tests could play a role.

In this week’s online issue of the journal JAMA, Dr. Oskar Hansson, a professor of clinical memory research at Lund University in Sweden, and his team report that a combination of blood tests for specific forms of beta-amyloid and tau proteins correctly identified whether 1,213 Swedish participants, with an average age of 74 and memory problems, in fact had Alzheimer’s about 90 per cent of the time.

“We see this as a major step towards global clinical implementation of an Alzheimer’s blood test,” Hansson said in a release from the Alzheimer’s Association, which partly funded the research.

A doctor points to PET scan results that were part of a U.S. study on Alzheimer’s disease in 2015. New blood tests could help doctors diagnose it faster, but the accuracy of lab tests in the U.S. varies. (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)

The experiment needs to be repeated to see how the test fares in more diverse populations, the researchers stressed.

In comparison, dementia specialists using standard methods not including PET scans or spinal taps were accurate 73 per cent of the time, and primary care doctors were correct 61 per cent of the time for the 500 participants who went to those general clinics, the researchers reported.

In the United States, labs have started selling a variety of tests to detect signs of Alzheimer’s in blood, but they aren’t widely used since doctors have little to guide them on when to use the tests. None are formally approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or by Health Canada.

High accuracy level needed

Dr. Suzanne Schindler, a neurologist at Washington University in St. Louis who was part of the Swedish study, said it can be difficult to tell whether Alzheimer’s or something else is to blame for a patient’s symptoms.

“I have patients not infrequently who I am convinced have Alzheimer’s disease, and I do testing and it’s negative,” she said.

Handling dad’s dementia: One family’s journey

10 months ago

Duration6:14

A study from the Alzheimer Society of Canada predicts that the number of people in Canada living with dementia will triple within three decades. We follow one family who have been on this journey for a few years, as they prepare for the transition from home care to long-term care.

Schindler, who helped lead a comparison of blood tests, said the Swedish one measures a form of tau that correlates with how much plaque buildup someone has. A high level signals a strong likelihood a person has Alzheimer’s, while a low level suggests probably not. Tau is thought to reflect the spread of the

disease in the brain.

Canadian geriatrician advises caution

Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Sinai Health and University Health Network in Toronto, said he’s already receiving calls from patients asking if they should get the blood test. He’s never ordered such a test and advises caution at this point.

“Even if they did have a positive test, I could say you might have an increased risk, but I can’t guarantee you will develop dementia,” Sinha said.

It’s important to do a test if you know what you’re going to do with the result. This one doesn’t necessarily give doctors and patients information they can actually act upon, he said.

Maria Carrillo, Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer, said doctors and researchers should only use blood tests proven to have a greater than 90 per cent accuracy rate.

Future studies also need to evaluate how the blood tests could be more practical for hospital laboratory workers to conduct instead of outside labs, where the tests can cost more and require highly technical expertise.

It could be unethical to use the blood tests for people who don’t have symptoms but worry about Alzheimer’s in the family except as part of research studies, given that there are currently no treatments to prevent the development of the disease.

What’s more, Alzheimer’s disease may not cause symptoms like memory problems for years. Standard preventive steps include eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise and sleep.

The findings were also presented on Sunday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia. The maker of an injection used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease also contributed funding. CBC News

Around the World Sports Scene

with Jonathan Baah Annobil

Canada’s Summer McIntosh wins gold medal in women’s 400m individual medley

Toronto native Summer McIntosh, 17, holds the Canadian flag after becoming the first Canadian woman to take gold in the race that combines butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

17-year-old phenom wins 2nd medal after capturing silver in 400m free on Saturday

Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh claimed the first gold medal of her justburgeoning career Monday night with a dominating victory in the 400-meter individual medley at the Paris Olympics.

The 17-year-old McIntosh collected her first career medal on the opening night of swimming, taking a silver in the 400 freestyle behind Ariarne Titmus — and ahead of Katie Ledecky.

Now, McIntosh has the best colour of all.

“I try to take every event very individually and just do my work, but starting off for me — getting on the podium — is definitely a great way to start,” McIntosh said. “You try to continue to get better and better.”2 days agouration11:01

Toronto’s Summer McIntosh won her first-career Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024, and also became the first Canadian female swimmer to win an Olympic 400-metre individual medley race. She pushed the pace hard through the first half of the grueling race — the butterfly and backstroke legs — to leave everyone in her wake except American Katie Grimes.

“I was very happy to get the job done, to stand on top of the podium and get the gold medal. It’s always just about having fun, as well as pushing my body to its limits.”

Duration5:21

Watch the Canadian flag rise to the rafters after Toronto’s Summer McIntosh is awarded her first Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024. McIntosh was under her own worldrecord pace, but couldn’t keep it going. She touched in 4 minutes, 27.71 seconds, more than three seconds off the mark of 4:24.38 she set at the Canadian trials in May.

But it was more than good enough to vanquish the field in the Olympic final.

seemed to take it all in stride.

Maybe it’s because she competed at the Tokyo Olympics at age 14, so she sort of feels like a veteran now.

“Every single time I get to race on the world stage, I learn more and more about handling mentally and physically and emotionally and trying not to get too high or too low,” McIntosh said.

Grimes, who is also swimming the open water event in Paris, held on to claim the silver in 4:33.40. The Americans also grabbed the bronze when Emma Weyant touched in 4:34.93.

“She set an impressive standard, for sure,” Weyant said. “She is training with my old club team so she is in good hands. She continues to do impressive things.”

She’s got a grueling schedule in Paris which includes two more individual races — the 200 butterfly and 200 IM.

There are no plans to celebrate just yet.

“I mean, obviously I’m super happy with this gold,” McIntosh said. “But now I’m all about the 200 fly on day five.”

“I try to take every event individually, one by one,” McIntosh said. “Getting on the podium was a great way to start. I try not to get too high or too low.” days ago

Duration2:31 17-year-old Summer McIntosh just won the first Olympic gold medal of her career, in the 400m individual medley at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Mary-Sophie Harvey 4th in women’s 200m freestyle

Mary-Sophie Harvey of Trois-Rivières, Que.,, finished fourth in the women’s 200m freestyle final, just 0.74 seconds shy of a podium.

Mollie O’Callaghan lead an Australian 1-2 finish with an Olympic record time of one minute 53.27 seconds, ahead of Ariarne Titmus (1:53.81). Hong Kong’s Siobhan Bernardette Haughey took bronze.

Also on Monday, Kylie Masse of Lasalle, Ont., and Calgary’s Ingrid Wilm advanced to the women’s 100m backstroke in fifth and sixth places, respectively.

The event’s final is set for Tuesday at 2.56 p.m. ET.

Toronto’s Summer McIntosh spoke with CBC Sports’ Devin Heroux poolside after winning the Olympic women’s 400-metre individual medley final at Paris 2024.

Another teen rules

David Popovici made the teenagers 2-for-2 on the night when he pulled off a thrilling victory in the men’s 200 freestyle.

The 19-year-old Romanian was among three swimmers who swapped the lead back and forth on the final lap. First, it was American Luke Hobson edging in front. Then Britain’s Matthew Richards, out in Lane 1, pushed to the lead.

Finally, it was Popovici mustering everything he had to get to the wall in 1:44.72 — a mere two-hundredths ahead of Richards, with Hobson just 0.07 back to earn the bronze.

Gold for Italy, again

Thomas Ceccon gave Italy its second gold in as many nights, rallying to win the men’s 100 backstroke.

China’s Xu Jiayu led at the turn, just ahead of American Ryan Murphy — the 2016 gold medallist. Ceccon was third, but he switched to another gear on the return lap.

The Italian, who has held the world record since the 2022 world championships in Budapest, now has a gold medal to go with it after finishing in 52.00.

Xu claimed the silver (52.32), while the 29-year-old Murphy settled for the bronze for the second Olympics in a row at 52.39.

Ceccon followed Nicolo Martinenghi, who grabbed Italy’s first gold at the pool with a victory in the 100 breaststroke Sunday night.Duration10:15

Toronto teen Summer McIntosh won her first-career Olympic medal, swimming to silver in the women’s 400m freestyle final. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus won gold, while American Katie Ledecky claimed bronze. The Associated Press

Britain’s Duncan Scott, the silver medallist in Tokyo three years ago, finished in 1:44.87 to miss out on the podium this time. The top four were separated by a mere 0.15 seconds.

Ghanaian footballer Newton OpokuMensah dies in swimming accident

Ghanaian player Newton OpokuMensah, who plays for the German side Fortuna Dusseldorf, has tragically passed away in a swimming accident.

In a statement, Klaus Allofs, a board member of the club, confirmed the unfortunate incident and expressed condolences to the family.

“We are deeply shocked and cannot grasp this news. Newton was a young man who was living his dream and has now passed away far too early,” Klaus Allofs said in a club statement.

“Our sympathy and deepest condolences are with Newton’s family and relatives, as well as with all his teammates and the entire team at our youth performance center.”

The incident took place on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, during a club event. Opoku-Mensah was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The entire Fortuna Düsseldorf community is in shock and mourning over the loss of the young athlete.

Klaus Allofs, head of sports and communications at the club, expressed his condolences, stating, “Newton was a young man who lived his dream and has now died far too early. Our condolences and deepest sympathy

go out to Newton’s family and loved ones, as well as all of his teammates and the entire team in our NLZ,”

Reports indicate that the club has suspended training and match operations for all youth teams ranging from U-9 to U-19 until further notice.

The 16-year-old Ghanaian prodigy was a vital part of the youth team and played a significant role before the tragic incident.

The family of the deceased has not yet made a public statement or provided further details regarding the incident. ghanaweb

Newton Opoku-Mensah,

McIntosh

Toronto City Marks Emancipation Day with Flag Raising at City Hall in pictures

cont’d from pg. 1

Members of Ghanaian Community

Group picture of Mayor Olivia Chow (4th right) and some dignataries with participants

Ghanaian community members Cross section of participants

By Emmanuel Ayiku, Toronto, ON

Celebrating health and heritage

Thursday July 11th 2024 at Rexdale Community Centre, African Canadian Social Development Council (ACSDC) organized a workshop to celebrate cultural diversity through food in promoting health and wellness among African Canadian seniors.

The workshop was facilitated by Miss Juliet Opoku, certified Health Educator, Founder and CEO of Living a Balance Life Inc. Juliet walked participants through some of the healthy food that support and managing chronic illness (stress) and other health alignments.

Juliet gave insight into relationship between diet and chronic illnesses

and also personalized dietary advice for managing specific conditions. She engaged participants into open discussions and questions and answers.

Cultural significance and health benefits were discussed.

Traditional dishes from various African cultures were served.

A special presentation of recognition certificate was presented to ACSDC from Premier’s office.

The workshop ended with closing remarks by Tim Ogunnaike, Senior Coordinator ACSNC

Participants

Miss Juliet Opoku, facilitator and Tim Ogunaike, Coordinator ACSNC

Display of Traditional dishes from various African

Serving of dishes

Discussion period

Display of certificate to ACSDC from Preimer’s Office

Ms Felicia Botchwey and Rep. from Premier’s Office

FOOD AND RECIPES

Traditional African Dishes

Compiled by Nana Ama, Toronto, ON

GHANA

PANCAKE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Eggs ; large brown

• 1/2 cup Milk

• 2 tablespoon sugar

• 1 dash nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon Vanilla ; (or any other flavoring you like)

• 1/4 cup All purpose flour; plus more, depending on your preference

• 2 tablespoon Butter ; melted

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, flavoring and nutmeg in a large bowl. Whisk thoroughly to get air into the mixture. This helps the pancake become light. Melt the butter in the microwave for 15-25s. Now sift about 1/4cup flour into the egg mixture and whisk. From here, you will need to eyeball the amount of flour you add depending on the consistency that you like. I prefer a mixture that's in between runny and thick.. Closer to the runny side. If you like a thicker skin pancake, then add more flour for a thicker batter. If you get any flour clumps, run your egg mixture through the sifter. Now add the melted butter. Heat up your frying pan, add a little oil to coat the pan. Set the stove to medium. The first pancake is typically a throw-away used to get the right heat/temp setting depending on the consistency of your batter. Once the pan is heated, pour a full ladle of the mixture into the center of the pan and tilt to spread it cover the pan. Turn after 2mins 30 seconds. Same on the other side. You may flip the pancake over again if you prefer a well cooked pancake.

Using your spatula, fold over the pancake several times and plate. Top with pancake, confectioner's sugar and sliced fresh fruit.

HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cups heavy cream

• 1½ cups whole milk

• ⅔ cup cane sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Warm over medium-low heat, whisking often, for 5 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is warmed through.

2. Pour into a heatproof bowl, cover, and chill for 2 hours or overnight.

3. Remove the chilled ice cream base from the fridge and whisk well. Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically 20 to 30 minutes. The ice cream will be soft after churning. For firmer ice cream, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for 2 to 4 hours before serving.

4. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month. If the ice cream is too firm to scoop straight from the freezer, let sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.

CHICKEN PIE

INGREDIENTS

• 1 kg onions

• 30 gr butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 whole chicken

• 3 eggs

• black pepper

• 6 sheets filo pastry

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put the onions, butter and olive oil into a large pan or stockpot with a lid, add the whole chicken and pour in enough water so the bird is almost submerged.

2. Cover with the lid, bring the water up to the boil, then turn down to barely a simmer and poach the chicken for about 1½ hours.

3. When the chicken is cooked, remove from the pan and strain the cooking liquid into another pan, keeping the onions to return to the dish later.

4. Boil the liquid hard to reduce to a tasty gelatinous stock.

5. Allow the chicken to cool before stripping all the meat off the carcass, discarding the bones and skin.

6. Put the chicken and the reserved onions into a large bowl and mix well.

7. Add the eggs and chicken stock and season with the salt and some pepper.

8. Heat the oven to 230°C/gas 8/ 446° F.

9. Grease a round pie dish with olive oil.

10. Line the dish with 3 sheets of filo, alternating direction each time and brushing each layer with a little olive oil.

11. Add the chicken mixture and fold the overhanging edges in.

12. Top with a further 3 layers of filo, again placed at different angles to one another.

13. Fold in the overhanging edges to seal the pie and brush all over with more olive oil.

14. Bake for 15 minutes.

15. Remove from the oven, reduce the heat to 200°C/gas 6/392° F , cut the pie into 6 or 8 wedges, then bake for a further 45 minutes.

16. Allow to rest for 10–20 minutes, then serve, still warm.