Check Noise Pollution

The issue of noise making and noise pollution has gain notoriety in our society over these few years. The phenomenon is more pronounced in our cities without much regard to the effect it has on our health. Experts say, noise pollution, which is often overlooked, poses a bigger threat to our health.

Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) pegs the safe noise levels for a city at 45 Decibels, while Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency, (2008) Ambiance Noise Level Guidelines on Residential Areas, limits noise levels to 55 decibels during the day or less, and 48 decibels or less at night, many of Churches, Preachers, Beer-Bar operators, event organisers, as well as those institutions permitted to use sirens are flouting these guidelines with impunity.

 

Similarly, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister for Environment Science and Technology was taken to the cleaners for suggesting the regulation of the noise level in our mosques and churches. But I believe as a society it is time we tackled the substantive issue of noise pollution in our country.

That human ear can tolerate noise up to 85 decibels, means anything louder and a consistent exposure to such noise level, poses risk of permanent hearing impairment.

Studies show that regular exposure to noise pollution increases blood pressure, stress, hypertension, sleep disturbance, psychological dysfunctions and noise annoyance among people. These diseases no doubt affect the wellbeing of a people, and their productivity in an economy.

I therefore appeal to all stakeholders to tackle noise pollution in our society and ensure sensitisation of the need to lower noise level, as well as ensure stringent compliance to the rules and laws.

Church wages war on Corruption

The Catholic Church in Ghana has taken the fight against corruption to the next level with the signing of a STAR-Ghana grant to shape the hearts, attitudes, and minds of Ghanaians in the fight against corruption.

On the backdrop of Ghana scoring 40 out of 100, in the 2017 Corruption Perception Index, dropping 11 places from the 2016 and ranking 81 out of 181 countries, and within the context of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP), as well as that of the Church’s strive, the project hopes to inculcate the values of honesty and integrity among Ghanaians to eschew corruption.

The project, an Interfaith Shaping Hearts, Attitudes and Minds to End Corruption in Ghana, dubbed I-SHAME Corruption, is a 23-month project starting from April 2018 to February 2020, which aims at shaping the hearts, attitudes and minds of students of Ghanaians shun corruption in the society.

Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Director for Department of Human Development at the NCS, explains that the symbolism of the project is to expand the Church’s work in fighting corruption, which he said would help in shaping the attitudes and contribute to the formation of “a new Ghanaian who would be able to frown on corruption and other social ills”.

Among the faith group in the coalition on the project aside the Catholic Church, includes the Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI), Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission (AMM), and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Ghana (FOMWAG).

Mr. Akologo explained that the interfaith coalition will leverage on the cooperation, collaboration and mutual learning and action experience from the 2016 Forum for Action on Inclusion, Transparency and Harmony (FAITH) 2016, with other faith groups.   

He said “Children are more likely to change if they have proper formative at the formative stage” adding that the project will impart knowledge on corruption to the target audience in 20 Schools (two per each region) throughout the country.

As part of the project, the Executive Secretary noted that they would develop a detail manual to guide the project and train coordinators, as well as encourage the formation of integrity clubs with the schools and organise a quarterly intra and interschool quizzes and debate on project.  

Fr. Anondee (Middle) signing the grant document.

Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS) in an interview after signing the contract on behalf of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, noted that the fight against corruption was an urgent one which should be everyone’s concern.

He noted that corruption was inimical to the growth of the country, saying the project which aims at imbibing honesty, truthful value in children, will help boost the fight against corruption which the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has had occasion to preach on and even constituted an anti-corruption prayer said daily at Mass.

The Secretary General states that just as the Church seeks to undertake the project in collaboration with other Faith Based Organisations (FBOs), he observes that “it is important we put our acts together in the fight against corruption, as a country, that it yields the needed outcomes and impacts for the survival of our society”.

“There is so much potential in the country, yet corruption is stunting the growth of Ghana” said the Fr. Anondee, who expressed optimism about a fruitful working relation with other FBOs and stakeholders in riding the country of corruption.

Through the project the Church hopes to contribute to the formation of a new Ghanaian whose behaviour and attitude will frown upon corruption.

There was an orientation by the grant partners prior to signing the of the GH ¢ 713,130. They urged implementers of the project to ensure rigorous financial systems, stressing on evidenced based results.

In attendance was Mr. Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Barksanem takes giant leap in mining

The Barksanem(BKS™) is using innovation to champion sustainable, solidarity in its Artisanal Mining. The company founded in 2011, is preparing to comeback to the mining scene to undertake structural and strategic reorganisation, with more ambitious objectives, initiatives, innovation, and benefits for the local population.

Proposed products and benefits to the population

Barksanem™ as part of its License, proposes the identification, GPS tracking and organization of its mining operations through a unique mapping system. This includes the Registration, identification, and accompaniment of miners and their families. The tracking and control of minerals from the extraction until they are sold forms part of the process.

Among other things, Barksanem intends to create a digital currency based on gold; revitalize the barter system within the community; as well as the intensification of training and certification, which comes with the creation of an individualized virtual wallet.

The digital currency thus offers the previously unbanked the opportunity to use the banking institutions of the country, while benefiting from an individual or collective means of payment, and in the long term, ensure health monitoring through an individualized booklet. In order words the digital currency will be exchangeable for paper money of different currencies within the operational jurisdiction of the company.

One of the principles of Barksanem™ according to its CEO Etienne Atger, is in its slogan: "Innovation with respect to tradition". "Ultimately, while becoming a successful mining company, the Barksanem™ License contributes to the virtuous circle of micro-communities through mining in economic, social and environmental terms," he stated.

Among other advantages that will directly benefit the people, Mr. Atger cited agricultural projects (economic alternatives for women), education, health, access to water and sanitation, energy solutions. Mr Atger stressed that "the registration of gold miners on Barksanem™ sites, and also elsewhere and if possible throughout the country, will provide access to information until now very incomplete, on a population difficult to accompany due to its mobility, its fragility and the difficulties of integration encountered in many places in the country, as in most countries where mining is at the heart of their economy".

The history of Barksanem™ goes back to the time of Upper Volta when the current CEO, Etienne Atger, then a child, lived and grew up. He traveled regularly across the country. Later, he made many trips to West Africa, as part of development initiatives with an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) where Séraphin Guigma, Director of Operations Barksanem™ also worked. "Our knowledge of the field, the economic landscape, its place in the world of gold mining and the incentive policies of the government are among the main reasons West Africa was particularly attractive for the development of our business" reflects Etienne Atger. He indicated that he chose to limit himself to the establishment of ASMs or artisanal and semi-mechanized mining and not develop a “small mining company” or an “Industrial mine”.

"The reasons are found in our territorial approach which allows the mining activity to intrinsically integrate with the village and mining community thus making mining fully ingrained into the development of the territory." This would be extremely difficult to manage in the framework of industrial mining practices, for example" he explained.

Who is Barksanem™?

Barksanem™ is an international mining company created in 2011, which has been working to find solutions to problems encountered in the mining space. The creation of BKS™ was brought about after field observations and a clear vision of territorial sustainable development, in line with the challenges of transformation described in various international charters.

"Our experience in the mining sector in Africa demonstrates the following: the harvesting of subsoil wealth is too often a source of poverty, conflict, environmental degradation symptomatic of a vicious economic circle," suggested Etienne Atger. Based on our research and our previous mining experience in early 2000, BKS™ created a sister company in the USA that markets and sells a portfolio of technologies, the Barksanem™ License, (precious metals extraction, digital money, tracking …) targeting the economic and environmental autonomy of micro-communities (50 to 500 population equivalents).

“Specifically relating to mining communities, our core target, our approach integrates the extraction and monetization of minerals, essential support of economic autonomy, crucial prerequisites to energy and ecological autonomy through the decontamination of water, air, and soil. he explained.” BKS™ optimizes the physical logistics chain linked to artisanal mining.

The company also deploy innovative technologies for the tracking of precious minerals, while participating in the economic and environmental development of micro-communities. “Our approach to monetization turns the production of ore into a digital currency compatible with a portfolio of new services." says Atger. The BKS™ territorial approach makes it possible to integrate artisanal gold mining into its operations. These miners are often working on mining sites before ever being selected by mining companies. The identification and registration of these miners and their families facilitate the support of artisanal gold mining, while contemporaneously fighting against recurring fraud specific to the mining sector. Furthermore, making it possible to obtain the “Fair Mining” certification for artisanal gold mining. "Our approach also makes it possible for children to go back to school, proposes economic alternatives for women, without loss of income (projects to provide access to water and sanitation for the populations of the territories, soil remediation) and aims to improve the artisanal practices of mining, etc." stated the CEO of BKS™.

Allow Missions to select qualified heads

Government has been urged to allow Bishops and other Heads of Missions to choose qualified practicing members of the faith to head their schools in the country to ensure efficient and effective management of these institutions.

The Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI), made the appeal at the end of its 38^th Annual National Conference at the Pope John’s Minor Seminary and Senior High School at Koforidua last month.

In a seven-point communique, the Association encouraged heads of Schools to intensify the teaching and learning of Religious and Moral Education in their schools, which as a prerequisite in ensuring the holistic formation of the students.

The Communique also called on Catholic heads of schools to acquaint themselves more on Government’s educational policies, as well as the objective of Catholic education in the country. This is envisaged to equip them with adequate knowledge needed to lead the young people entrusted to their care.

Similarly, the heads advocated for the clear definition of the General and Regional Managers of Unit Schools roles and their offices, calling for the offices to be well-resourced to enable the officers function effectively.

The Communique signed by Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kwame Apetorgbor, President of ACHHI and Rector of St. Cyprian Minor Seminary SHS, Sawla, reechoed the need for all stakeholders to actively play their roles towards a more effective management and administration of the schools.

Members at the Conference, themed: Effective Management and Administration of Catholic Schools: The Role of Stakeholders, were optimistic that the partnership between the State and the Missions which the Government has always supported, would be strengthened for the benefit of students, parents and the country as a whole.

“Since Catholic spirituality makes preferential option for the poor, we welcome the Free Senior High School Policy.” While encouraging dialogue and constructive criticism to get the best out of the policy, they expressed hope that the programme would be of “utmost benefit to the poor and needy in society”.

Youth Link celebrates Komla Blege

Youth Link Ghana a non for profit Christian Organisation with interest in helping the holistic education of Children to maximise their full potentials, recently honoured Mr. Walter Komla Blege, a seasoned Art Composer, Author, Educationist, Historian and Politician.

Presenting a citation to the octogenarian, Mr. Kakra Opoku Agyakwa, Executive Secretary of Youth Link, extolled the Musician’s contribution to the growth of music in the country and stressed the need to celebrate these men while they lived.

The citation lauded Mr Blege “for using music to convince the world that your identity lies in the expression of indigenous African music”.

Beside the citation, Youth Link selected one of his compositions -Enno Ninyo, to wit Let it be good, as the theme song for this year’s edition of the Voice Battle held at the Ghana Police Church at 37, Accra.

While thanking organisers of the programme for the honour, Mr. Blege, in his all white attired, urged composers to project Ghanaian values and unique identity of the country in their compositions.

At 86, he still shares the conviction that music is his desire – a desire that convinces him that the answer to the question of his identity lies in the expression of indigenous African music.

Mr. Blege who is deeply influenced by the traditional genre of music, including gabada, gavu, gbolo and borborbor, is the first Ghanaian to have written a two-hour opera on the advent of Christianity in Africa by Europeans, using the example of the Bremen Missionary in Peki.

With hundreds of composition to his credit, the Art Composer is also recognised for his significant role in the indigenisation of the Ewe Music for Christian liturgy in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

He is the author of the book entitled: Teaching for Development, which won the 1988 edition of the Ghana Book Award.  Until recently, Mr. Blege was the President of the Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC), Ho.

His Excellency Charles B. Josob, Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana, commended Youth Link for celebrating Mr. Blege, who he urged the young to emulate.

Madam Josephine Nkrumah, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education, eulogised Mr. Blege, urged stakeholders to harness the power of music in nation building.

G.A.E.C School Wins Voice Battle

The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Basic School in Accra put up a spirited show to unseat defending champions Mount Zion Methodist School to win the 5^th edition of the Voice Battle concert.

The Choir in their colourful traditional kente with white top and a head gear to match, showed that they meant business during the contest at the Ghana Police Interdenominational Church at 37, Accra.

They stole the show by their composure, stage craft and warmed their way into the hearts of patrons by the way they moved with the rhythms of the song.

The winners displayed creativity, confidence and dynamism in the way the performed the songs on stage, which even got the composer of the compulsory song Mr. Komla Blege nodding.

The programme organised by the Youth Link Ghana, in partnership with the Mount Zion Methodist School, winners of the 4^th edition of the show, brought together Pupils from Valley View University Basic School, Oyibi, who emerged third.

Other participating schools included the Our Lady of Holy Cross, Kasoa, Unique Child School, Teshie, Alpha Beta School, Dansoman and May Flower International School.

Also in attendance were the Englebert School, British International School, and the Living Star School.

Similarly, Pupils of the Ghana Pearl School, founded by Mr. Blege also staged a performance at the function.

At the programme some patrons and teachers who prepared the pupils for the competition were presented with certificates for their efforts.  

Accra to turn waste into wealth

The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has expressed it readiness to partner Caritas Ghana and other stakeholders to turn tones of electronic wastes into wealth and help preserve the earth.

Shot of old discarded TV sets culled from the net.

Most Rev. Charles G. Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, who decried the threat electronic and plastic waste posed to the country, voiced the enthusiasm of the Archdiocese to see to the fruition of the soon-to-commence Caritas E-Waste Project in the Archdiocese.

The Archbishop made these remarks after a recent Senate meeting at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, where Officials of Caritas Ghana, the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS) and City Waste, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) briefed the meeting about the need for the project to save and preserve the earth.

The Caritas E-Waste ‘Care for our Common Home’ project, launched in October 2017, was a response to calls by Pope Francis in his second encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ and the GCBC for immediate action to address electronic waste and ultimately help preserve earth.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle observed that “as human beings we have been destroying our environment through improper disposal of our waste to our own detriment,” adding that by purchasing the latest technological devices, people inadvertently create so much waste (e-waste)”.

E-waste dump culled from Alamy stock photo

Through the project, the Archbishop noted that e-waste would be properly disposed of in ways that were environmentally friendly and safe, which would help preserve the earth and avert the destruction and further pollution of the environment.

Aside preserving the environment, he noted that the project would also create gainful employment for the youth who would be engaged when the project rolls out.

To this end, the Archbishop mentioned that the Accra Archdiocesan Youth Council and the parishes would be involved to help conscientise and mobilise the youth to take advantage of the opportunities the project would avail them.

According to Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary, Department of Human Development/Caritas Ghana at the National Catholic Secretariat, Caritas Ghana and City Waste were ready to partner the Archdiocese of Accra in piloting the E-Waste Project.

With huge tones of e-waste generated in Accra, the Executive Secretary, explained that after the successful piloting in the national capital, the project would be scaled up and extended to other Arch/Dioceses in the country.

Mrs. Vivian Atiayibor, Managing Directress of City Waste, stated that her company has a state of the arts facility to enable the implementation of the project, as well as follow safety standard rules to ensure that the project was succussful.

Touching on the legal frameworks in the control and management of electronic waste, Mr. Lambert Faabeluon, Director of the Standards, Compliance and Enforcement Division at the EPA, commended Caritas Ghana for the value it was bringing in formalising the e-waste collection in the country.

Critical Thoughts

Take a critical look at the happenings around you.

There’s a top down disease nibbling our core values away.

It's like a big man or Centre periphery thing that is embedded in our structure.

This subtly stifle innovation at the nascent state and suffocate creativity at the grassroots.

That's our system. That's the frustrating system we run.

It's just sickening and unproductive.

This system has also successfully turned our active people into a too tolerant passive people.

We need an eminent change.

We need a mental revolution.

We need an attitudinal change.

We need a mental reawakening to topple our too quiet docile nature.

We need to say enough to the excessive official statements of vertical truths.

We need to extinguish the greed in our creed and celebrate creativity and innovative ways of doing things.

We need to whip action into our talks and stop celebrating these official nonsense and incorrectness in our political damnation.

Tell you what, this style of democracy we are practicing is not the answer to our progress.

Perhaps what we need is A RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM.

A Governance system which will empower us to be true to ourselves and live as we ought to.

It is still a journey we must relive in this age our existentiality.

KYB

Caritas Ghana kick starts E-waste project

The Caritas Ghana, the Charity wing of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), has held a roundtable meeting with partners to prepare the grounds for the implementation of the E-Waste project.

The Caritas E-Waste ‘Care for our Common Home’ project, launched in October 2017, was in response to calls by Pope Francis in his second encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ and GCBC for immediate action to address electronic waste and ultimately help preserve earth.

Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary, Department of Human Development/ Caritas Ghana, explained the purpose of the meeting, to get to know the companies expressing interest to partner in the E-Waste project and agree on the next step towards a possible cooperation.

He also presented the concept note of the project to the partners, and invited them to submit proposals of interest, which will possibly lead to bilateral dialogue on building synergies on areas of value addition, as well as the contracting phase of the project.

The companies present at the meeting included, City Waste, Closing the Loop and Atlantic Phones, took turns to explain their work in relation to electronic waste management and expressed interest in partnering with Caritas on the project.   

Each of the company representative clarified the nuances and risk involved in the collection of e-waste products, especially phones, laptops, the processes and procedures involved in removing the various parts and export of other components.

The Participants at the meeting

Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS), who welcomed the partners to the meeting, noted that the Project was inspired by the Pope Francis’ encyclical: Laudato Si with particular reference to the content of paragraph 21 (LS21).

The Church, he explained would continue dialoguing, with various stakeholders including the Government, Corporate organisation, among others to explore the best way of working together to address the e-waste menace in the country.

He also donated copies of the Laudato Si to the representatives of the companies and encouraged them to read in order to support efforts to save our common home

Expedite action on Education Partnership

Dignitaries with delegates 

Government has been advised to commit more resources to the running of schools in the country and expedite action on the partnership Agreement in education between the Church and the State.

Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of Koforidua, who expressed disquiet about delays in implementing the partnership agreement, asked the Government to stop paying lips service to the partnership and implement the agreement to ensure the delivery of quality education.

The Bishop, made these remarks at the just ended 38^th Annual Conference of the Association of Catholic Heads of Higher Institutions (ACHHI) held at the Pope John’s Senior High School and Minor Seminary, Koforidua.

The Local Ordinary who chaired the opening, commended members of ACHHI for their tireless efforts in training students, and called on stakeholders to work together to rid politics of education.

Mr. Eric Kwakye Darfour, Eastern Regional Minister, who drew a direct link with education and progress in every human endeavours, commended the Catholic Church for her role in the provision and sustaining the high standards in education.

He appealed to the Church to working together with the state to ensure mutual cooperation in meeting the needs and aspirations of the state and Church in their investment in education.

Very Rev. Fr. John Kobina Louis, of the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT), Accra, in an address on the theme: Effective Management and Administration of Catholic Schools: The Roles of the Stakeholders, urged all parties to work together to ensure attainment of Church’s goals in education. 

He noted that although several governments have praised the Catholic Church for her contribution towards education in Ghana, most of their policies does not promote the achievement of the Church’s educational goals.

Fr. Louis expressed hope that the Government will make good their promise to handover the management of mission schools to their respective owners, with financial support for the running of the schools.

In his address, Very Rev. Nicholas Kwame Apetorgbor, National President of ACHHI, said the Church’s venture in education was for the integral development of the human person, which the Church was committed to.

He entreated administrators of Catholic Schools to be proactive in injecting Catholic values of discipline, respect for all and hard work in the students they were training.

He called on stakeholders to be proactive in taking over the administration of mission school in the interest of the nation and the young people, who he said were yearning for quality holistic education that prepares them for the world.

Fr. Apetorgbor who also heads the St. Cyprian Senior High School at Sawla in the Damongo Diocese, urged the administrator of Catholic Schools to encourage their students to critically think about innovative ways of tackling social issues in the country.

“The educational environment and processes in our schools should be fine-tuned to appreciate and reflect more on self-discipline, personal conduct and social responsibility, as well as promote spiritual, social and moral values,” he added.

As part of the week-long Conference, the Heads had a retreat at Nkurakan, and deliberated on pertinent issues concerning the entrenchment of Catholic values in their respective schools, as well as the development and progress of ACHHI.

PIAC honours Zan Akologo

Mr. Zan Akologo receiving the award from Ms. Aniwa

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), has honoured Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary of the Department of Human Development/Caritas Ghana at the National Catholic Secretariat, for his distinguished service to the people of Ghana.

Presenting a citation on behalf of Mr. Joseph Winful, Chairman of PIAC, Marilyn Aniwa, Coordinator of PIAC, commended Mr. Akologo for his worthy contributions and dedication to the course of PIAC over the past three-years.

The citation extolled Mr. Akologo’s efforts as Chairman of the Sub-Committee for developing PIAC’s Communication Strategy, which improved visibility and PIAC’s good relations with the public.

The Executive Secretary, who represented the Christian Group on the Committee, expressed appreciation to the members for a fruitful working relation, fostered over the past three years to enhance PIAC’s work in the country.

PIAC is an independent statutory body, established under the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) and mandated to promote a transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum revenues in Ghana.

It is constituted by professional groups including Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Bar Association, Ghana Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana Academy of Arts and Science, Think Tanks and Pressure Groups including Trade Union Congress and Traditional/ Religious Groups.

As part of its work, PIAC publishes an Annual Report on the management of petroleum revenues in the country.