In a bid to ensure a peaceful, fair, and transparent electoral process in Ghana’s upcoming general election, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Students’ Parliament House has called for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders.

Addressing the media during a press conference at the University, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Abass Usarma, noted the importance of upholding democratic values and fostering a culture of peace in the country.

Ghana, known for its peaceful reputation, stands at a critical juncture as it prepares for the 2024 elections.

The KNUST Students’ Parliament House highlighted the need for non-violence, public education, strengthened security measures, and transparent electoral processes to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.

The youth, considered the future of Ghana, were also a focal point in the address.

The Speaker stressed the need to engage young people in the political process and ensuring inclusivity and representation of marginalized groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and minority communities.

The role of the media in shaping public opinion was underscored, with a call for responsible reporting to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain the credibility of the electoral process.

The KNUST Students’ Parliament House also announced an anti-chaos peace campaign aimed at promoting peace and unity across the country.

The initiative includes public engagements, media campaigns, and outreach efforts targeting the youth in various communities.

The Speaker urged all Ghanaians to rise above partisanship and work together towards a peaceful election.

Read full statement below;

In a bid to address the challenges facing the Asafo Sewage Treatment System in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area (GKMA), the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and the World Bank, has compensated 303 individuals affected by the malfunctioning system.

The sewage treatment system, which stretches from parts of Kumasi Technical University to Labour Roundabout, Asafo Market to Pentecost Church, and Asafo Township to Abinkyi, has been facing issues with chocked chambers, hindering the proper disposal of fecal matter to its final destination in Abinkyi.

The system, originally constructed in 1994, has been in need of reconstruction to address these challenges.

Under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), the affected individuals were compensated in accordance with the World Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP 4.12) and relevant Ghanaian laws and regulations.

The compensation amounts varied, ranging from 900.00 cedis to 450,000.00 cedis based on valuation.

Hon. Samuel Pyne, urging the affected individuals to vacate the area within three weeks to make way for the reconstruction efforts, emphasized the importance of addressing the issues plaguing the sewage treatment system to ensure the proper management of liquid waste in the area.

The compensation of the affected individuals marks a significant step towards improving the sanitation and water management infrastructure in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area, ultimately benefiting the community at large.

In anticipation of the upcoming 2024 elections, the National Media Commission (NMC) has taken proactive steps to safeguard journalists and uphold professional standards within the media industry.

Encouraging media practitioners to adhere to ethical guidelines, the NMC stresses the importance of accuracy and responsible reporting to prevent misinformation and maintain public trust.

Emphasizing the critical role of journalists in shaping public opinion, the NMC warns against the dissemination of unverified information that could incite unrest.

By promoting media responsibility and condemning hate speech, the Commission aims to create a conducive environment for transparent and unbiased reporting during the electoral period.

Executive Secretary George Sarpong highlights the necessity of verifying information and collaborating with experts to ensure the accuracy of news coverage.

Through the establishment of a Media Advisory Committee, the NMC seeks to provide support and protection for journalists facing potential risks while carrying out their duties.

Chairman Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo underscores the importance of discernment in sourcing information, cautioning against uncritical reliance on social media content.

By urging journalists to exercise diligence and avoid perpetuating misinformation, the NMC aims to uphold the integrity of the media profession and safeguard the public interest.

The Federation of Muslim Women Association of Ghana (FOMWAG) has introduced a community literacy initiative in the Ashanti Region aimed at enhancing the academic prospects of children.

The project is set to support five districts and municipalities in the region, including Asokore Mampong, Ejura, Adugyama, Bosomtwe, and Oforikrom, with the goal of strengthening the literacy and numeracy skills of approximately 300 children.

The Community Empowerment through Child Literacy Project seeks to bolster community-led initiatives by volunteers in partnership with the Ghana Education Service to help improve the literacy skills of girls and boys from class 2 to 6 in five underprivileged schools in the Ashanti Region.

Children, particularly girls in Primary 3 to 6 in basic schools within the target communities, are facing challenges in communicating in English and grasping age-appropriate mathematics and numeracy concepts.

Class tests, exercises, and End of Term Examination results from the schools in the target communities have highlighted a literacy crisis, with children struggling to communicate in English and understand age-appropriate mathematics and numeracy concepts.

Data from the schools reveal that around 70% of these children are grappling with fundamental reading and writing skills.

Moreover, a significant number of girls are not actively participating during lessons, either by not answering questions or asking for clarification, indicating a lack of self-confidence.

Following the launch, Regional President Kabirat Ahmed Salihs stated that in collaboration with the Star Ghana Foundation, the project aims to enhance the literacy and numeracy skills of children across the beneficiary communities.

She stressed the importance of addressing the challenges faced by learners in reading, writing, expressing themselves in English, and understanding numeracy concepts.

“The essence of the project is that, we’ve realised that a lot of learners in our communities have difficulty in reading and writing and also expressing themselves in the English Language. Some of them also have challenges with numeracy, so we’re trying to see how we can solve this challenge,” she noted.

Kabirat further expressed the crucial role parents play in ensuring their children’s academic success by monitoring their academic progress and performance, either independently or by engaging with teachers.

Samson Anawine, the Asokore Mampong Municipal Director of Education, underscored the significance of literacy and numeracy in children’s academic development, stressing the need of cultivating a reading habit of children to pursue their educational interests effectively.

“Literacy is critical for our survival, there’s no option than to encourage our children to be able to read so that this country can grow,” he said.

He commended FOMWAG for their dedication to supporting education in the Municipality.

Nana Yaw Akuoko, the Otumfour Asenehene of Sepase, urged parents to monitor their children’s activities, especially on social media, and guide them on the television programs they watch to safeguard their academic aspirations.

He expressed concern over the negative influence of parental behavior on children, stating the need for responsible conduct to shape positive behavior in children as they grow up.