Appreciate Them

Not all people will like you.

Not all people will believe you.

Not all people will accept you.

Not all people will support you.

Not all people will care for you.

But if you find the few who care,

Appreciate and cherish them.

May your day be blessed.

©KYB ✍🏿17/04/2024

WRC STRATEGISE TO ENHANCE ITS WORK

Staff of the Water Resources Commission (WRC), have reinforced their resolve to improve water resources management in the country with new strategies.

The Acting Executive Secretary of WRC, Dr. Bob Alfa speaking at a Retreat programme for staff of the Commission in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, noted the essence of the retreat to reflect on ways to enhance the work of the Commission. 

The participants reflected on the performance of the Commission and recommended ways to improve upon the visibility, funding, and water resources management. 

As part of the Retreat under the theme: Improving Operations of the Commission, the staff toured the White Volta Secretariat in Bolgatanga, Paga Crocodile Pond, and Tono Dam. 

#WaterResourcesCommission

#waterresourcesmanagement

Bail Our Waterbodies

Several seasons ago, the story of Konsu, KatƐ, Wawa and Menu were told, about how they supported hundreds of communities and people living in the armpit of a rural setting in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region. Although the four were not the only rivers, streams and water sources of the people within their localities, the people’s folklore venerates, revere and treasure these rivers. For the many uses they made of the water- irrigating their farms in the dry season, serves as a source of drinking water for domestic use, source of food as fishing, transportation among other uses. Over the years, we have seen the effects of the blistering attacks on our water bodies whose beauty have bastardised and crucified in some people’s quest to mine gold, mine sand, farm closer to the water bodies and harvesting the vegetation around our waterbodies. The least said about the Rivers Pra, Ankobra, Tano, Birim among others the better. But can we continue like this into the future. Is this practice of harassing, molesting and struggling our rivers to death sustainable? Time to Bail Our Waterbodies We cannot belabour the fact that some of our major river ecosystems have been severely damaged by a multitude of human pressures, such as pollution, damming or overexploitation, and this has become more intense over the past five decades. For instance, the fragmentation of river connecting towns and villages obstructed by illegal miners, has not only interrupted survival routes of many freshwater species, but have resulted in heavy pollution of our water. The point-source pollution and diffuse pollution, such as pesticides, fertilizers, industrial and household wastes, have also greatly impacted rivers as a result of increasing urbanization and agricultural production. More recently, the threats caused by developers near water sources and in floodplains poses a higher risk, reducing the biodiversity area around rivers sources. These pressures have caused severe effects on the ecosystem, the economy, health of our environment as well and are likely to be exacerbation in the near future by additional pressures such as climate change. The time to bail our waterbodies from this eminent death may sound strange, but yet it's an urgent call for all to act today to save our dying rivers. Bailing our rivers is not another buzz word but a crucial mission to save all rivers in critical condition. As valuable as they are to us, bailing our rivers, which has been a concern for the Water Resources Commission and other institutions as well as individual is a burning mission that cannot be put on hold any longer. The urgency of this mission requires all hand on deck approach to salvage our dying rivers. Critical Action To put this action into force, we need to critically plan and think through practical ways to invest and take proper care of our rivers and water bodies. We must cultivate and prevent further destruction of our water bodies to secure, restore and rejuvenate the treasure of our waterbodies. That said, it is being proposed for everyone to take up the fight to be the active voices and advocates for our waterbodies and to save our rivers from further suffocation. And we realise that mining in the riverbeds, farming closer to waterbodies as well as emptying our solid, liquid, and toxic waste into our waterbodies is not profitable to anyone, but a harmful and hypocritical venture that would cost us hugely and wipe our ancestry. We need to tell would be homeowners or estate developers that they cannot continue building on waterways and expect to be spared the troubles of floods and other attendant challenges. As a people, we understand that we cannot bleed our waterbodies, pollute them in our search for Gold and other minerals and expect God to listen to our prayers. We cannot make cosmetic campaigns about our transgressions and abuse of our environment and escape the damning consequences of our uncaring ways. You and I should gravely be concerned and act in our small ways to bail our waterbodies from dying from the gaols of our greed, uncaring and incorrect ways and expect everything to be okay. The opportune time for us to act was yesterday. Today is another chance for us to demonstrate to ourselves and our forebears as well as children unborn that, we are blessed with the good compassion to preserve our common good, our common but valuable water resources.

Our Rivers

Flowing through the land Carrying life and hope River, you are a gift You nourish the soil You quench the thirst River, you are a source You reflect the sun You sparkle in the moon River, you are a beauty You shape the rocks You carve the valleys River, you are a force You join the sea You cycle again River, you are a wonder This river, this concrete river, Becomes a steaming, bubbling Snake of water, pouring over Nightmares of wakefulness; Pouring out a rush of birds; A flow of clear liquid On a cloudless day.

GHANA, HUNGARY, ZAMBIA KICK-STARTS TWINNING INITIATIVE

The Water Convention’s new Twinning Initiative between Ghana, Hungary and Zambia held its initial meeting in Accra today to enhance transboundary cooperation.  

The Twinning Initiative from 2023-2024, aims at supporting Zambia's accession process to the Water Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and the implementation of the Convention’s principles in Ghana and Zambia. 

Partners at the meeting, include the Hungarian Ambassador to Ghana,  H.E. Tamás Feshés, who led the delegates from the Ministry of Interior Hungary (MoI), General Directorate of Water Management of Hungary (GDWM). Others were representative from the Ministry ofWater Development and Sanitation of Zambia (MWDS), as well as the representatives of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources of Ghana (MSWR), Water Resources Commission of Ghana,  and Water Convention Secretariat.  

#TwiningInitiative

#WaterConvention

#TransboundaryWatercourses

MEDIA PLEDGES TO PROMOTE WATER RESOURCES ISSUES

Some media practitioners in the Upper East and North East Regions have pledged to promote issues concerning water resources in communities within the White Volta River Basin.

They made this commitment at a Media Engagement Workshop held at the Water Resources Commission White Volta Basin Secretariat in Bolgatanga, with sponsorship from the Blue Deal project. 

Mr. Jesse Kazapoe, Head of the White Volta Basin elucidated the WRC and implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Management the structure and operations of the Basin, and the activities affecting the water resources.

Likewise, Mr. Aaron Aduna, Project Manager of the Blue Deal project highlighted the essence of collaboration with stakeholders especially the media to protect and raise awareness on water governance and integrated water resources management within the basin. 

#IntegratedWaterResourcesManagement

#BlueDealProgram

#WaterResourcesCommission

#MediaEngagements

Audacious August

  

On such divine evenings, 

When August's morning dew touched our roofs,.,6

We took audacious steps to animate our appreciation. 

As we audit our steps to trek into August's arms,

May we attract the abundance of August. 

May this awareness awaken the ability in our agility.

And may you birth abundant attributes of our august guest.

Sending you my best wishes for this Audacious August.

Greetings from me to you. 

©KYB ✍🏿01/08/23

Don't Neglect the Elderly

Ghanaians have been entreated to prioritise care for the aged and their grandparents and not neglect them or leave them to their fate. Rev. Msgr. Theodore Quaye thus challenged the people to make time ample time to visit and interact with the elderly because they are precious asset with a lot to teach. Monsignor Quaye said this in a homily, during a thanksgiving at the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Legon, to climax the celebration of the World Day for Elderly and Grandparents, which Pope Francis instituted three years ago to acknowledge, revel and appreciate the elderly. He highlighted the important roles some notable characters like Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph played as grandparents and stressed the need for the elderly to establish and cultivate good relationship with God because God's mercy was from age to age. As treasurers endowed with wisdom and experience, Msgr. Quaye charged the youth to be closer to the elderly and their grandparents who he described as teachers of life and learn from them. Msgr. Quaye, who reflected on the theme for the occasion: "His Mercy is from Age to Age" (Luke 1:50), reminded the elderly not to despair in life, but to be encouraged that the mercies and grace of the Lord was with them all the time. Like Saints Anne and Joachim, Patron saints for the Elderly, the Members of the Saint Vincent de Paul at the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish made merry with elderly by acknowledging their relentless support towards making our society a better place. The Society in collaboration with MENSCOOK, EURACARE and GOCKALS organised a jamboree and health screening exercise for the elderly as well as provided a good meal to them. In attendance was the all-male Voice ensemble choir who treated the elderly to some wonderful chorale music and got some of them dancing.

A Hymn of Hope

The morning mime its tune,
The energies emit its effect,
The sun amplifies its song.

A dutiful hymn of hope, it is,
A beautiful mysterious hymn of trips, 
It is a unique hymn with vibe for our walk.

To the risers who wake with dawn,
To the creators who sleep-wake in work,w

To the many who yawn into the yard  of Thursday;

Glide with hope and courage,
And may your day blessed.
Greetings 🌞
©KYB ✍🏿13/07/23

Sekondi-Takoradi eulogises Obaapanin Ama Sarfo-Ababio

* Fr. Lamaire condoling with the bereaved family

The Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi 

has paid glowing tribute to the late Obaapanin Agatha Ama Sarfo-Ababio for her dedicated service, exemplary leadership, and support to the growth of the Church and the entire Diocese. 

Very Rev. Fr. Francis Kofi Lamaire, Vicar General of the Diocese who presided over the memorial and thanksgiving Mass for the late Obaapanin Ama Sarfo-Ababio and her son Kwame Sarpong Sarfo-Ababio at the St. Matthew Catholic Church, Tarkwa extolled her devotion to the Catholic faith and commitment to the growth of the Church.

“She was a mother to the Priests in the Diocese and beyond” he stated, adding that “most of the Priests, Religious and faithful could attest to her care, support and generosity”. 

Preaching the homily, Fr Lamaire noted that as the Church awaits the coming of the holy spirit, the faithful should continue praying for the Church and for more people to convert. 

To be effective witnesses to Christ, the Vicar General reiterated the need for Christians to personally encounter and know Christ, to proclaim goodness to the world. 

“We cannot witness to Christ without knowing him” he stressed. 

Stating that Christians have the responsibility of making Christ the centre and focus of their worship, Fr. Lamaire charged the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith, stay united, and focus on Christ at all times. 

While condoling with the bereaved family, the Vicar General recounted the faith and enthusiasm of the late Mrs. Ama Sarfo-Ababio, her commitment, and dedication to the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society. 

He said it was not surprising that after joining the society in 1992 at the St. Matthew Parish, Tarkwa Branch, Obaapayin rose through the ranks to become the National President of the Society in November 2011. 

Similarly, at a thanksgiving Mass after her burial at the St. Martha Catholic Church, Antoa in the Konongo- Mampong Diocese, Rev. Fr. Michael Owusu, Parish Priest of the St. Matthew Parish, Tarkwa urged the bereaved family not to fear but to stand firm in faith and believe in Christ Jesus. 

He urged the family to stay united and keep praying just as the Apostles did when they were awaiting the coming of the holy spirit.

A tribute by the St. Theresa of Child Jesus Society celebrated the unique leadership style and keenness of the late Obaapanin Sarfo-Ababio, who they stated was committed to the ideals of the group, as well as her passion, foresight,t, and contributions that made the society an exceptional and attractive one in the Dioceses and to those in the diaspora. 

Besides her immense contributions to the growth and development of the St. Matthew Parish, Mrs. Ama Sarfo-Ababio served on the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), Harvest Committees, and Laity Council among others. As a staunch member of the Knights and Ladies of Marshal, she was elevated to the rank of the Past Grand Lady of the Order. 

Prayers were said for the family and the repose of the soul of the late Obaapanin Ama Sarfo-Ababio and her son Kwame Sarpong Sarfo-Ababio.

In attendance were scores of Priests and religious as well as a high-powered delegation of the National Council as well as hundreds of members of the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Society who attended the funeral and thanksgiving Masses. 

Others included the Knights and Ladies of Marshal, the faithful of the St. Matthew Catholic Parish who attended the Mass, relatives, friends, and well-wishers. 

The family expressed gratitude to the Priests,  Religious, and well wishes who journeyed and supported the family during their moment of grief. 

 

On Second Thoughts

Often time it is said that what is done is done and cannot be undone. It also said what is gone is gone and what remains remains.
But on this emotional depth seared into every page of our lives, the line between right and wrong looks vague.
And though discretion is the better part of our valour,
We see how democratization subtly contributed to the demonization of our long-cherished values of human dignity.
But on Second Thought, it occurred to me we possess in abundance the spirit of sensibility, sensitivity, and integrity.
On second thoughts I realise we still have the attitude and ability to make sound choices.
On second thoughts, it is evident our struggles and prosperity drive is stealing our attention from the essential part of life.
On second thoughts, maybe we should pray for humble hearts to decern the essence of our mission here and to diligently live, learn and love.
TGIF. Greetings
©KYB ✍🏿12/05/2023