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VATICAN CITY – In a moment of profound significance for the global Catholic community, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, the new pontiff addressed the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering a simple yet powerful greeting: “Peace be with you.”

The election, which concluded on the second day of the secretive conclave, was marked by the iconic signal of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney – a centuries-old tradition that signifies the election of a new pope. As the curtains parted and the announcement was made to a cheering crowd, the world witnessed a historic first – the rise of a U.S.-born pope, breaking with long-standing expectations that an American would be unlikely to hold the highest office in the Catholic Church.

Prevost’s selection comes at a critical juncture for the 1.4 billion-member Church, following the recent death of Pope Francis, a transformative figure who championed compassion, inclusivity, and reform. Pope Leo XIV will now face the daunting task of navigating the Church’s path forward, balancing the deeply rooted traditions of the faith with the evolving challenges of a rapidly changing world.

As the new spiritual leader of the world’s Catholics, Pope Leo XIV’s choices in the coming months will likely shape the direction of the Church for decades to come, determining whether it continues on the progressive path set by his predecessor or forges a new course in response to contemporary concerns.

From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast

The Journalists for Responsible Fisheries and Environment (JRFE) has called on the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) to immediately reverse its decision to exempt artisanal fishers from this year’s closed fishing season.

In a statement released on today, 8th April, 2025, the group said the decision was a major step backward in the fight to rebuild Ghana’s depleting fish stocks.

JRFE noted that the exemption not only goes against the country’s fisheries management plan but also threatens the progress made over the years in restoring marine life.

“It took time, effort and resources to get artisanal fishers to understand and accept the need for the closed season,” said the Executivr Director of JRFE,
Kingsley Nana Buadu.

“We cannot take one step forward and then three steps backwards. Millions of Ghanaians depend on artisanal fisheries for their livelihoods. We cannot fail posterity.” he added

JRFE reminded MoFAD that the 2022–2026 Marine Fisheries Management Plan, which guides fishing activities in the country, requires the enforcement of a closed season for all fishing fleets, including artisanal fishers.

The group feared that the exemption could also affect Ghana’s leadership in the sub-region, as other countries had started implementing similar measures based on Ghana’s example.

The annual closed season was introduced in 2016 to help fish populations recover.

After some resistance, artisanal fishers were added to the policy in 2019, and in recent years, their compliance has significantly improved.

According to JRFE, they bbelievd now is not the time to relax the rules. Instead, it was urging the Ministry and the Fisheries Commission to enforce existing regulations such as the proper registration and licensing of canoes, upholding the ban on new canoes, prosecuting illegal fishing, and encouraging the use of approved nets.

The group also wanted a new fishing holiday introduced to help reduce pressure on the sea.

Citing Section 42 of the Fisheries Act (Act 625), JRFE reminded the Ministry that decisions must be based on science, not convenience.

The JRFE observed that lifting the closed season for artisanal fishers will worsen the overfishing crisis.

The group also appealed directly to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that the right thing was done.

With over a decade of work across Ghana’s four coastal regions, JRFE assured the public that it would continued to support state agencies, fisher associations, and civil society in promoting responsible fishing and protecting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast

The Central Regional Manager of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Ing. John Eric Kwofie, has disclosed that outstanding arrears owed to the company in the region have reached a staggering GH₵69,517,644.05.

He expressed grave concern that the accumulation of these debts was significantly hampering the company’s ability to operate efficiently, affecting service delivery and the overall sustainability of water supply in the region.

Speaking at a media engagement to commemorate World Water Day under the theme “Water Conservation: Let’s Make It Our Way of Life,” Ing. Kwofie emphasized the urgent need for customers to honor their financial obligations to the company.

He revealed that the failure to clear these arrears had placed enormous pressure on GWL, making it increasingly difficult to pay workers, purchase essential water treatment chemicals, maintain infrastructure, and undertake new projects aimed at improving service delivery.

He noted that the defaulters included private institutions, companies, and entire communities, urging all those in debt to settle their bills promptly.

Introduction of Paperless Billing and E-Payment System

To enhance efficiency and ease the burden of bill payments, Ing. Kwofie announced that Ghana Water Limited has fully transitioned to a paperless billing system.

As part of this initiative, the company has introduced an electronic billing platform, allowing customers to conveniently pay their bills by dialing *1010# on all networks.

“This new e-payment system eliminates the need for customers to spend time and money traveling to GWL offices just to settle their bills. Now, payments can be made from anywhere, at any time,” he stated,
adding that the digital transition would greatly improve revenue collection and service efficiency.

Challenges of Illegal connections, meter tampering, and water Theft

Adding to the issue, Water Quality Assurance Manager, central region, Mr. Nicholas Okyere highlighted the growing problem of illegal water connections, which, he revealed, resulted in the company losing approximately 20% of its revenue.

Mr. Okyere also raised concerns over meter tampering, where individuals manipulate meters to avoid accurate billing.

Additionally, he revealed that some customers have resorted to stealing their water meters, making it difficult for the company to track consumption and enforce payments.

He warned that such activities are putting immense pressure on the company’s ability to maintain a stable and reliable water supply.

To curb this menace, he disclosed that GWL had introduced a reward system to encourage public participation in exposing water and meter theft.

Under this scheme, individuals who reported cases of meter tampering or illegal connections leading to the arrest of culprits would be rewarded.

“Water theft is a major challenge that affects not just the company but also law-abiding customers who rely on us for uninterrupted supply. We urge the public to assist us in fighting this issue by reporting any illegal activities they come across,” he appealed.

Water supply Improvements and climate change impact

Providing an update on water supply, Mr. Okyere acknowledged that while there had been slight improvements compared to last year, the company continued to face significant challenges due to climate change.

He revealed that the previous year and the early months of this year had been particularly difficult, as prolonged dry seasons and erratic rainfall patterns had affected water sources, making it harder to meet demand.

He further explained that farming activities near water bodies were exacerbating the problem.

He pointed out that farmers’ increased use of agrochemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides was contaminating water sources, while deforestation and soil erosion were causing increased sedimentation in rivers and reservoirs.

“We are seeing more cases of algal blooms in water sources due to nutrient pollution. Farming is now taking place dangerously close to water bodies, and this is accelerating the degradation of our water quality,” he warned.

Declining water resources

Outgone central regional director, community water and sanitation agency, Dr. Ato Quansah provided a sobering analysis of water availability in the Central Region, pointing out that the area predominantly relied on surface water, while some parts depended on groundwater.

He noted that over the past 50 years, the availability of fresh water had declined by half, whereas the human population had doubled.

“If you are 60 years old today, when you were 10, the amount of fresh water available was twice what it is now. Meanwhile, while water resources have declined, the demand has surged due to rapid population growth, making it increasingly difficult to serve everyone,” he explained.

He further warned that water quality has deteriorated across all major benchmarks—chemically and physically—placing the country in what he described as “a very dire situation.”

Call for urgent water conservation measures

Given the alarming trends, Dr. Quansah stressed that water conservation was no longer an option but a necessity.

He urged individuals, businesses, and institutions to adopt sustainable water usage habits, emphasizing that failure to act now would lead to severe water shortages in the near future.

“We are in a very critical situation, and the only solution left is to conserve water. If we fail to do so now, we risk facing an even more severe water crisis in the years ahead,” he cautioned.

He called on the public to play an active role in protecting water resources by avoiding wasteful usage, reporting illegal connections, and advocating for policies that promote water sustainability.

His remarks underscored the urgency of collective action to safeguard water resources for future generations.

Ghana Water Limited, he assured, was committed to improving service delivery, but the success of these efforts depended on public cooperation and responsible water usage.

From Joana Kumi, Cape Coast

The Director of Feeder Roads in the Central Region, Mr. Abudulai Braimah, has revealed that 52 feeder roads in the region have been left abandoned due to financial constraints.

He made this known during a working visit by the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere to various government agencies within the region.

During the visit, which was attended by officials from the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC), Mr. Braimah expressed concern over the persistent delays in funding that have stalled several road construction projects.

“We often complete all the required processes and are assured that funds will be released within a specified period. Unfortunately, these promises are frequently unfulfilled, making it impossible to continue our work,” he lamented.

He further noted that, apart from funding issues, the department also faces severe logistical challenges that hinder its operations.

He suggested that the government should consider partnering with private organizations to help bridge the financial gap and facilitate the completion of road projects.

Other departments voice their concerns

As part of his tour, the Minister also visited key institutions, including the Department of Urban Roads, the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), where he interacted with officials about their challenges and the way forward.

At the Department of Urban Roads, the Director, Mr. Jacob Nelson, reaffirmed that the lack of logistics has significantly affected their operations.

He also disclosed that their office operates from a rented facility and that efforts were underway to
construct a permanent office as they have already secure land.

He appealed to the Minister to facilitate support to fast-track the process.

At the Ghana Highway, the Regional Director, Mrs. Mercy Payne, raised concerns over increasing encroachment on road reserves.

She explained that such encroachments pose a major challenge to future road expansion projects and also put road users at risk.

“Encroachment on road reserves not only hampers road expansion efforts but also creates safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians. We need stringent enforcement of regulations to address this issue,” she stressed.

During the Minister’s visit to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFOII) and a Regional Commander of the Department, Merinda Mary Attigah-Mensah highlighted several pressing challenges, including inadequate firefighting equipment, limited training resources, and a shortage of essential office furniture and tools.

She also expressed concerns about poor urban planning, which often makes firefighting efforts difficult.

“Many buildings are constructed without proper access routes for emergency responders. In some cases, when a fire breaks out, we struggle to reach the scene because there is no entry point for our fire trucks. This greatly hampers our ability to save lives and property,” she noted.

CCTU commends minister’s engagement

At Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye, lauded the Minister for his visit, describing it as a proactive step in understanding institutional challenges firsthand.

He assured the Minister that CCTU remained committed to equipping students with technical and vocational skills that would contribute meaningfully to national development.

Minister calls for professionalism and community participation

Addressing stakeholders at various institutions, the Regional Minister urged professionals to remain committed to their duties and assured them that the government was making efforts to provide the necessary resources to support their work.

“The government is doing everything possible to ensure that institutions receive the necessary support, but professionalism and dedication to duty are equally essential,” he stated.

He also called on all institutions to play an active role in addressing illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey,’ which continues to pose a threat to the country’s environment and water bodies.

Additionally, he encouraged all government agencies to participate in the monthly regional clean-up exercise, held on the last Saturday of every month, to promote environmental cleanliness and public health.

source: Facebook..

A high-level delegation, led by Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. Abena Osei Asare, and key officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), visited the Akanu-Noepe Joint Border Post (JBP) and the Aflao Border Post to assess operations and enhance regional trade facilitation.

The delegation, which included the Commissioner-General of GRA, Rev. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, and the Commissioner-General of Customs, Col. Kojo Damoah (Rtd.), engaged in discussions with the Togolese Commissioner-General to explore strategies for the full operationalization of the JBP. These talks aimed at maximizing revenue collection and improving cross-border trade efficiency.

The visit also served as an opportunity for officials to familiarize themselves with border operations and identify measures to support Ghana’s Beyond Aid agenda. The effective implementation of the JBP is expected to strengthen trade facilitation and bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Togo.

Also in attendance were officials from the Ghana Immigration Service, their Togolese counterparts, and representatives from Ghana Link and the Ministry of Roads and Highways.

credit.. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122100363686791204&set=pcb.122100364070791204

From Joana Kumi, Komenda

The Vice Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Professor Akwasi Kwarteng Amoako-Gyampah, has called on teachers to prioritize making a meaningful impact on their students and society rather than focusing solely on personal gains.

Speaking at the 4th Brew Sam-Creedy-Komeh Ababio Annual Memorial Lecture at Komenda College of Education, Professor Amoako-Gyampah emphasized that teaching is a noble profession that thrives on selflessness.

According to him, educators must dedicate themselves to the growth and development of their students without expecting material rewards.

The event, which was held under the theme “Lawrence Alfred Creedy and the Development of Teacher Education in Ghana, 1948-1962,” highlighted the invaluable contributions of the first principal of Komenda College of Education, Lawrence Alfred Creedy.

Professor Amoako-Gyampah noted that Creedy’s unwavering commitment to education was rooted in a deep sense of duty rather than personal benefit, urging contemporary and aspiring teachers to emulate his dedication.

“The great opportunities you are enjoying now were made possible by those who came before you. Someone fought for them, and so you too must work hard and contribute to today’s education system without expecting immediate rewards,” he advised.

He further stated, “Creedy did not come to Komenda College of Education to merely make a living but to inspire generations of students who passed through this institution.”

The celebration, which coincided with World Mathematics Day, featured various activities to commemorate both occasions.

A poem was recited to mark the global event, while a drama performance vividly portrayed the historical significance of Lawrence Alfred Creedy’s leadership at Komenda College of Education.

Adding his voice to the discussion, the former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Rev. Titus Awotwi-Pratt, lamented the growing trend of insults in the country, especially in political discourse.

He observed that it has become common to see young people disrespecting their elders simply because of political differences.

“Because of politics, you will see a young man or woman insulting someone who could even be their grandfather. This is unacceptable. No matter the situation, we must respect and appreciate old age,” he stressed.

Most Rev. Awotwi-Pratt also touched on issues of personal hygiene and appropriate dressing within the teaching profession.

He emphasized that Alfred Creedy valued cleanliness and detested filth, a principle that should be upheld by teachers and students alike.

He expressed concern over the dressing habits of some teachers, stating that the way educators present themselves has a significant impact on the impressionable minds of students.

“Teachers must set a good example. The kind of dressing we see some teachers wearing these days does not reflect the dignity of the teaching profession,” he noted.

He urged teachers to be role models in all aspects of their lives, from their appearance to their conduct, as students often look up to them for guidance.

He further encouraged teachers to embrace the challenges that come with the teaching profession, reminding them that while teaching is not an easy career path, it is one that brings immense fulfillment when approached with passion and dedication.

“Teaching is not an easy job, but if you do it with a genuine heart and uphold good values, the rewards will come in due time,” he reassured them.

Also speaking at the event, the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, underscored the importance of cleanliness in the region, citing the prevalence of cholera as a major concern.

He revealed that the government was spending significant resources on treating cholera cases—funds that could otherwise be channeled into developmental projects.

“We must all take cleanliness seriously. The government is spending huge sums of money treating cholera, money that could be used for other developmental initiatives. Let’s prioritize sanitation in our communities,” he urged.

The event served as a reminder of the core values that should guide the teaching profession, reinforcing the need for selflessness, discipline, and commitment to national development.