In the wake of the Atomic Junction gas explosion, the construction of petrol/diesel and LPG filling points, is to cease immediately until further notice, the government has stated.

This directive formed part of nine safety measures outlined by the Presidency after a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

A statement from the government noted that, President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the “immediate cessation, until further notice, of all construction of facilities intended for use as gas or petroleum retail stations.”

The directive follows the massive explosion at an LPG filling station at Atomic Junction that has so far claimed at least seven lives and injured over 100 persons.

Hours before the cabinet meeting in question, the Association of Oil Marketing Companies had appealed to the government to undertake a thorough examination of the Atomic Junction Gas explosion before coming out with any national policy on fire outbreaks at the pumps.

The aftermath of the explosion has seen protests against the siting of fuel stations deemed inappropriate because of their proximity to densely populated areas and commercial centres.

But the OMCs urged the government not to succumb to panic reactions from a section of the public, but come out with a holistic policy.

The government has not made any definite declaration of the siting of fuel stations, but has ordered the deployment of a task-force to assess the risk that “LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety” withing 30 days.

Find below the full statement from the Presidency, which outlines nine safety measures ordered by the President after the Cabinet meeting.

NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATORY MEASURES, FOLLOWING GAS EXPLOSION AT ATOMIC JUNCTION

On the evening of 7th October 2017, the nation was shaken by a horrible gas explosion at Atomic Junction in Accra, which led to the loss of seven lives, 132 injuries and the destruction of valuable property. In the past three years, we have been subjected to eight such incidents of explosions. This latest incident was one too many, which we must take all necessary steps to bring to an end.

The importance of gas, and its use in our national economy, requires that we must develop and enforce regulations and practices, and deploy technology to ensure the safe use of gas and safety of our citizens.

At the Cabinet meeting of 12th October 2017, the President of the Republic, on the advice of Cabinet, directed that henceforth the Cylinder Recirculation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution be implemented. This model means that LPG Bottling Plants will be sited away from congested commercial and population centers and will procure, brand, maintain and fill empty cylinders to be distributed to consumers and households through retail outlets. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas to vehicles. This whole exercise must be completed within one year.

In the interim, the President has directed that the following steps be taken to give comfort to and ensure the safety of our citizens:

1. immediate inspection of all gas stations and the vigorous enforcement of existing regulations by the National Petroleum Authority;
2. review of the current licensing regime to ensure that only those with demonstrable capacity and competence engage in the LPG distribution business;
3. institution of mandatory training and certification of the staff of Regulators, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies to ensure the safe handling of LPG;
4. review the safety protocols along the entire value chain through the combined efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), National Fire Service (NFS), Town and Country Planning Department of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations;
5. deployment of a task force, within 30 days, to assess the risk that our current LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety. High risk stations will be immediately closed down, in accordance with relevant law and without regard to any political or special interests. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas for vehicles with improved safety standards;
6. the immediate incorporation of standards and guidelines developed by Ghana Standards Authority on the handling, storage and distribution of LPG and other petroleum products as technical regulations to strengthen the enforcement regime;
7. the recruitment by NPA of 200 safety auditors to join the staff of the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to check regularly on all stations to ensure full compliance with safety standards and practices;
8. expedition of action by the Fire Service and the Police Service of on-going investigations. Any operator or regulatory official, against whom any act of criminal negligence is established, will face the full rigors of the law;
9. immediate cessation, until further notice, of all construction of facilities intended for use as gas or petroleum retail stations.

The safety of citizens is the paramount objective of Government, and the President will take all necessary steps to ensure that citizens are safe.

……signed……

Hon. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid

Minister for Information

Source: Citifmonline

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reinforced his and the commitment of Government towards the full enforcement of the new regulatory measures for the operations of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas industry, issued after the Cabinet meeting of Thursday, 12th October, 2017.

At a meeting of the Ministerial Co-ordinating Committee, set up by the President on Friday, 13th October, 2017, President Akufo-Addo noted that the Committee is to ensure the strict adherence and implementation of the regulatory measures, and depart from the era non-compliance, which has been the status quo in recent years.

The Ministerial Co-ordinating Committee, chaired by the Minister for Energy, Boakye Agyarko, comprises the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development; the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations; and two deputy Ministers for Energy.

The Ministerial Committee is to be supported a Technical Implementation Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Hassan Tampuli. The other members of the Committee are the Chief Fire Officer of the National Fire Service; the CEO of Standards Authority; the CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Director of the Land Use and Spatial Development Authority; and the Director of the Department of the Factories Inspectorate.

Reiterating his commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the measures, President Akufo-Addo assured that his government does not intend to follow the practice in recent years, where the political will to enforce measures protective of the citizenry has not been present.

“I do not intend to have that as a feature of my government. The people of Ghana are looking up to us to protect them. I want to emphasise that, beyond the statement that was issued yesterday, there is a strong political will that something will be done about it. I have a clear mandate to change things in this country,” President Akufo-Addo said

To the members of the Committee, President Akufo-Addo noted that the measures rolled out by his government “cannot work and will not work if those of you implementing it are not on board, dragging your feet or not adhering to its implementation.”

He, thus, urged them to co-operate and co-ordinate fully, and “get out of the practice I found, since coming into office, that the right hand and left hand don’t know what is going on in the same issue.”

The Committee members assured the President of their determination to enforce fully the measures rolled out by government, to forestall the occurrence of any more gas explosions, and to co-ordinate effectively their actions.

The CEO of the NPA, Hassan Tampuli, indicated, to this end, that from Friday, 13th October, 2017, his outfit has commenced the immediate inspection of all gas stations and the vigorous enforcement of existing regulations by the NPA.

Additionally, his outfit has begun reviewing safety protocols and, from Monday, 16th October, will begin the deployment of a task force to assess the risk that the current LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety.

Thus far, he noted that 21 high risk stations have been closed down, in accordance with relevant law and without regard to any political or special interests.

The National Fire Service assured the President that a full report of the Atomic Junction Gas explosion will be ready in two weeks.

News Desk

Ghanaians wailing over the high risk supposedly posed by fuel stations around them have been given some reprieve, as President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the implementation of the Cylinder Re-circulation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution.

The module, proposed by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), will ensure that LPG filling points are sited out of densely populated area and commercial centres.

This is unlikely to go down well with the LPG Marketers Association and the Association of Gas Tanker Drivers, who have in the past kicked against this proposal, citing job losses and other negative impact on their businesses.

The President expects this and many other directives issued after Thursday’s cabinet meeting, to be implemented within a year.

A statement from the government after the much-anticipated cabinet meeting on Thursday said: “At the Cabinet meeting of 12th October 2017, the President of the Republic, on the advice of Cabinet, directed that henceforth the Cylinder Recirculation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution be implemented.”

“This model means that LPG Bottling Plants will be sited away from congested commercial and population centers and will procure, brand, maintain and fill empty cylinders to be distributed to consumers and households through retail outlets. Low-risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas to vehicles. This whole exercise must be completed within one year.”

These directives followed the public outcry in the wake of the massive explosion at an LPG filling station at Atomic Junction.

That explosion has so far claimed at least seven lives and injured over 100 persons. The loss of lives even touched closer to the Presidency, as a presidential correspondent for Net 2 TV lost his life in the commotion sparked by the explosion.

The outrage of the explosion was the culmination of widespread concern over the lax safety standards of some LPG and petrol fill stations, which has seen about eight major explosions since 2014, not counting the June 3 fire and flood disaster at a petrol station near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

Find below the full statement from the Presidency, which also outlines nine safety measures ordered by the President after the Cabinet meeting.

NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATORY MEASURES, FOLLOWING GAS EXPLOSION AT ATOMIC JUNCTION

On the evening of 7th October 2017, the nation was shaken by a horrible gas explosion at Atomic Junction in Accra, which led to the loss of seven lives, 132 injuries and the destruction of valuable property. In the past three years, we have been subjected to eight such incidents of explosions. This latest incident was one too many, which we must take all necessary steps to bring to an end.

The importance of gas, and its use in our national economy, requires that we must develop and enforce regulations and practices, and deploy technology to ensure the safe use of gas and safety of our citizens.

At the Cabinet meeting of 12th October 2017, the President of the Republic, on the advice of Cabinet, directed that henceforth the Cylinder Recirculation Model of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution be implemented. This model means that LPG Bottling Plants will be sited away from congested commercial and population centers and will procure, brand, maintain and fill empty cylinders to be distributed to consumers and households through retail outlets. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas to vehicles. This whole exercise must be completed within one year.

In the interim, the President has directed that the following steps be taken to give comfort to and ensure the safety of our citizens:

1. immediate inspection of all gas stations and the vigorous enforcement of existing regulations by the National Petroleum Authority;
2. review of the current licensing regime to ensure that only those with demonstrable capacity and competence engage in the LPG distribution business;
3. institution of mandatory training and certification of the staff of Regulators, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies to ensure the safe handling of LPG;
4. review the safety protocols along the entire value chain through the combined efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), National Fire Service (NFS), Town and Country Planning Department of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations;
5. deployment of a task force, within 30 days, to assess the risk that our current LPG infrastructure poses in terms of public health and safety. High risk stations will be immediately closed down, in accordance with relevant law and without regard to any political or special interests. Low risk stations will be designated for the supply of gas for vehicles with improved safety standards;
6. the immediate incorporation of standards and guidelines developed by Ghana Standards Authority on the handling, storage and distribution of LPG and other petroleum products as technical regulations to strengthen the enforcement regime;
7. the recruitment by NPA of 200 safety auditors to join the staff of the Factories Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to check regularly on all stations to ensure full compliance with safety standards and practices;
8. expedition of action by the Fire Service and the Police Service of on-going investigations. Any operator or regulatory official, against whom any act of criminal negligence is established, will face the full rigors of the law;
9. immediate cessation, until further notice, of all construction of facilities intended for use as gas or petroleum retail stations.

The safety of citizens is the paramount objective of Government, and the President will take all necessary steps to ensure that citizens are safe.

……signed……

Hon. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid

Minister for Information

Source: Citifmonline

Such is the level of indiscipline that Kofi Kinata goes behind the wheels soaked in alcohol, and cries to the Lord to come and take over the steer; and it becomes an instant hit. Awurade, begye stia no oo, na Awurade maabo oo…Drunk-driving as depicted by the songster is not a rarity in Ghana, but, commonplace; a norm actually. And, it is not new too. I remember unsuccessful presidential candidate, Victor Owusu, describing Ghana in 1980 or ’81 as a lawless country.

That earned him the irk of the then President, Sir Hilla Limann, and his People’s National Party, but, discerning minds at the time knew Kwabena Pie was telling the truth. The usual NDC/NPP polarisation took over the issue. At the time, it was Victor Owusu’s Popular Front Party (precursor of the NPP) and Limann’s PNP (which is now PNC, CPP etc.) Indiscipline is not from today: President Agyekum Kufuor was right in saying corruption is from early man Adam. What is inexcusable on our part as Ghanaians is that we do too little to minimise corruption; we tend to adore indiscipline. And, in life, you get more of the things you admire and reward; less of the things you abhor and punish.

More disasters

So it is that we keep on recording market fire after market fire; deadly floods after deadly floods; horrendous auto accident after accident; petrol tanker disaster on the highways after petrol tanker disaster; gas explosion at the selling point after gas explosion. I have bad news for you today, my cherished reader: the disasters aren’t going to stop. The disasters are going to continue, increase – worsen, in fact! Unless,.. No matter the tears shed by President Akufo-Addo and the assurances he has been given. No matter the fact that President Dramani Mahama rode a motorbike to inspect fuel stations after weeping behind dark goggles when the flood-and-fire disaster struck on June 03, 2015. Earlier editions of Ghana Today had catalogued a few of the disasters that predated the Kintampo Waterfalls calamity that happened March 19, this year. The usual grief expressed by officialdom; the usual denunciation of the crass irresponsibility that leads to the disasters; the usual admonition that people who happen to be at accident scenes should be commonsensesical to reduce deaths, injuries and loss of property. But, the tradition of colossal losses, gnashing of teeth, measly donation from NADMO and parties trying to make political capital out of the disasters continue; will continue…indefinitely.

Only solution

Unless the President cracks the whip. Unless his ministers crack the whip. Unless his MMDCEs crack the whip. Unless the Town and Country Planning officials being paid handsome Single Spine salaries stop taking bribes into the bargain, and, start cracking the whip. Unless party colour and membership stop being a special advantage and an insurance against the full rigours of the law. Pull down every erected structure in a waterway; that is the way to minimise the marauding floods. Pull down every structure raised under high-tension power cables. Destroy all the fuel stations at unsafe places. Mind you, you need to surcharge the owners for the destruction of their property; because, the demolition comes at a cost to the state. Those employees who issue permits for structures to be erected at unsafe places should no longer be protected as so-called anonymous civil or public servants. If you are not going to throw some of the crooks whose acts of omission and commission continue to plunge this dear nation of ours into the throes of death, the tradition will continue to continue.

No compromises

There should be no concessions; there should be no complicated legal arguments by utter rogues whose sole task is to oppose justice by disguising the truth. Ignore so-called alternative solutions, unless they are patently viable. I remember that when floods killed and destroyed at the Gbawe area of Accra in about 2007; when the then administration moved bulldozers to pull down structures in waterways there; not more than four buildings were mowed before the government called for a break. Soon, the joke of a suggestion came that very deep channels could be built under the structures to convey the floodwaters without the buildings being pulled down. Touch wood, but bigger disasters may be awaiting us in that area someday. For, he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. Fast-forward post-June 3rd, 2015. Minister of the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahama Ayariga, took a platoon of eager news crews round Accra, threatening fire and brimstone on ALL fuel stations sited in waterways and other unsafe areas. End of story.

In today’s democracy and society, a lot of farce comes in the form of knowledge and from people in positions of responsibility. In the aftermath of the Madina gas explosion, I heard a senior official of the Environmental Protection Agency say on TV that there are no clear laws preventing the siting of fuel dumps at industrial, residential or crowded areas. That is bunkum! Doesn’t every prospective developer have to go to the same EPA for environmental impact assessment to determine whether it will be safe to allow their gas station or whatever to be where the developer wants it? There is this nonsense that, if you somehow manage to raise your building to lintel level, it cannot be pulled down. Some Town and Country Planning employees thus wink at developers to construct their buildings at the weekend when – in this country – civil servants don’t work. “Once you reach lintel level, nobody can pull it down; if they insist, you’ll be entitled to big compensation.”

I am not given to radicalism; but, this nation must be saved for generations unborn. After all, land belongs to a vast multitude of people, of who most are dead, a few are living and countless more remain unborn. This land has existed for uncountable millennia, if not for millions of years; over the last half-century, we have too much abused the land and its resources to be allowed to continue unfettered.

Resource destruction

Whenever we have loosened the rules, we’ve lost the game. From the 1970s, when someone introduced chainsaw machines into this country, illegal logging shot up through the roofs. Instead of dealing with the menace decisively, we tinkered with it, giving leeway to Forestry Department staff to take bribes from chainsaw operators: today, Ghana is fast becoming an arid country. Digging for gold at every imaginable place came into vogue just about 20 years ago and we’ve allowed food crops to be turned upside-down; rivers turned into Hausa koko or worse. This column is asking for neither a draconian regime nor a utopian state where everything is ideal. But, certainly, the way to lead a peaceful life as a nation; the way to assure continuity and sustainability of the next and subsequent generations is not to trudge on as if Ghana is – indeed – a lawless country.

The turning point

Can this President and this Government halt the half century of decay? Well, the fact that most before them failed does not strictly mean they too will fail. But it is incontrovertibly true that they have a tough, tough task ahead – if they really are bent on winning against indiscipline, corruption and other crimes that invariably result in hunger, disease, deprivation and disasters.

Do they need help? Tonnes of it! The general public should wake up to their responsibility. Do the right thing; hold me to do the right thing. Be a witness in court to get me answer for my misdeeds. I say I am not given to radicalism, but, we must retreat from the one-way traffic to doom we have set ourselves on. In that connection, Ghana Today endorses such acts as embarked on by students of the University of Professional Studies, Legon. If the local authorities allow a plant or fuel station to be located too dangerously close to you; if you use all available means to prevent it but you fail; aren’t you entitled to use ‘minimum force’ to kick away the damned sword of Damocles hanging around your neck?

Destroy ‘em all

In Ghana today, if you look at the destruction of rivers and the environment generally, the abuse of public office for self-gain, the unsafe estate development, the sprawling of fuel stations without recourse to safety measures, and the audacity that offenders marshal from the democratic environment; total destruction of all that have been wrongly established is the only viable solution. For safety; for deterrence. Short of total destruction, nothing can stop the onslaught of those aggressively foraging for money and power at the expense of society and future generations. Total destruction is the only solution. Apology: the late Robert Nester Marley.

Ghana Today

…with A. C. Ohene

Chinese national who was reported to have shot and killed Godwin Quaicoe, a 30-year-old resident of Wassa Akropong was on Wednesday, October 10, 2017 remanded into police custody by a Takoradi District Court.

Police Inspector, Bernard Paa Ahinsan, who represented the state, prayed the court, presided over by His Worship, Thomas K. Ofidie, to remand the accused into police custody, to allow for more time to further investigate the case.

The Chinese, Jiang Gen Hai, allegedly shot and killed Godwin Quaicoe, also known as Nana Boah, who had accompanied his friend, a plumber, to a Chinese casino at Wassa Akropong, to demand his monies after working for him.

The deceased is believed to have been shot and killed instantly by Jiang Gen Hai after an argument ensued over his refusal to pay for the exact amount he had earlier agreed to pay.

Police say the Chinese will be charged for murder, and he is to reappear in court on 26th October, 2017.

Story: From Simon Ahensah, ATV, Takoradi, Western Region

The sacked official of the Ghana International Bank in the UK, Mark Arthur, has said the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is innocent in the cash transaction that subsequently got him to lose his job.

Mr. Arthur was dismissed after the traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Ashanti, summoned him to his multimillion-pound residence in Henley-on-Thames and handed him a bag containing almost £200,000 in sterling as well as $200,000 in US currency for saving at the bank.

The aggrieved banker, from New Barnet, Hertfordshire, a dual citizen of the UK and Ghana, drove to his own home with the cash and then took it in an Uber taxi to the bank’s City offices for deposit in the king’s account, he told an employment tribunal.

In a statement submitted to the court yesterday and cited by Starr News, Mr Arthur  insisted that he also did nothing wrong in the huge financial transaction.

“Mr Arthur’s position throughout his suspension, investigation, disciplinary process and the Employment Tribunal hearing is that he had done nothing wrong.

“Mr Arthur has consistently confirmed in evidence that at no time did he suspect that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, did anything wrong,” portions of the statement said.

Story: News Desk

It is the rush hour wedding and engagement time of the year and couples are shopping and making bridal gown decisions to purchase the latest classic, elegant and sexy wedding dresses for their special day.

Whether or not you want to purchase your gown from overseas, remember there are beautifully made ones by our own designers here in Ghana.

These elegant designs were showcased at the just ended Glitz Africa fashion week 2017, from the Mai Atafo collection.

Designer: Mai Atafo

Pictures: Glitz Africa

Fashion with Mizpah Mensavie-Ayivor

Principal kingmakers and elders of Gbese Mantse have expressed displeasure over an Accra High Court’s persistent adjournments of the long-standing chieftaincy dispute between Nii Okaidja III and Nii Ayi Bonte.

The kingmakers could not comprehend why the court once again had to adjourn the case to Thursday, December 14, 2017 even though it had initially announced Tuesday, October 10, 2017 as the judgement day.

In a writ filed against Nii Ayi Bonte by Nii Okaidja III, the Plaintiff, Nii Okaidja III was asking the court to set aside the order of mandamus dated September 25, 2012 which ordered the insertion of Nii Ayi Bonte’s name into the register of the National House of Chiefs “as having been obtained by fraud.”

The plaintiff also prayed the court to order the National House of Chiefs to remove Nii Ayi Bonte’s name from the National Register of Chiefs.

The case which went before the court on July 12, 2017 though the court gave verbal ruling on the matter, the parties were asked to collect the written ruling at registrar’s office on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

However, when the parties went to court last Tuesday for the written ruling they were informed it was still not ready. This compelled the kingmakers of Nii Okaidja III to head to court.

After a long wait, it became obvious that the ruling was not ready following which the judge asked for a new date after which representatives of Nii Ayi Bonte then suggested December 14, 2017.

In an interview with Weekend Today at the premises of the Accra High Court, the kingmakers and elders of Nii Okaidja III asked: “Is it not strange that three years down the lane since the apex court gave its decision, Thomas Okai’s name is still in the National Register as Nii Ayi Bonte II.”

“In plain terms therefore, it is going to take five months before a ruling is made available, that is, if it is not adjourned yet again,” they noted.

According to them, Nii Ayi Bonte II does not hail from any of the three Royal Ruling Houses in Ga Mashie, adding that “no court has declared him as the Chief of Gbese Mantse.

They explained that the restraining order not to hold himself as a chief was still active

The Supreme Court declared the Dodowa judgment dated February 17, 2003 upon which Thomas Okai became a Chief, null and void.

Story: Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu

Police in Ashanti Region have arrested 245 suspected criminals and sex workers at various criminal dens in the Kumasi, Ashanti Region.

According to reports, the suspects are being screened for processing before a court.

The regional Police Command explained that the exercise formed part of its strategies to rid the metropolis of criminals.

Regional Police Chief, COP Ken Yeboah, told the media yesterday that the operation was the biggest swoop ever done in the metropolis.

He said 35 female suspects believed to be commercial sex workers have been handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit for further investigations.

At least five of the male suspects who were found in possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp have been handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Unit, he added.

1. Ashanti Central Division – One hundred and two (102) suspects were arrested at Pampaso, PZ area, Ahodwo, Adam, Railways, Columbia and Kenyase-Abirem.
2. Asokwa Division – Eighty-six (86) were rounded up at Ashfo BB, Neoplan station and Sokoban Wood Village.
3. Manhyia Division – Twenty-six (26) suspects were picked up at Alaba, Tinker Island, Affordable Housing and Akwatia-Line.
4. Ejisu Division – Sixteen (16) suspects were rounded up at Besease, Ejisu Zongo, Abenase and Onwie.
5. Tafo-Pankrono Division- Nine (9) suspects were also rounded up at Pankrono, Ahwiaa and Moshie Zongo.
6. Suame Division – Six (6) suspects were rounded up at Kotoko.

Some of the suspects were reported to be Nigerians, a development COP Yeboah revealed, will inform the Nigerian High Commission about it for remedy.

He indicated that he will be meeting the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana today for discussions about the conduct of their nationals.

 Story: News Desk

Any landlord or property owner in the Ahanta West District (AWD) who does not have a toilet facility attached to his property by December this year would be prosecuted.

The assembly has therefore given property owners the next three months to ensure that they comply.

Head of the Environmental Health Department of AWD, Owusu Sekyere, further cautioned landlords to convert one of their rooms into a toilet facility if they do not have any.

In an interview with ATV Correspondent, Simon Ahensah, Mr. Owusu warned that the assembly will not grant building permits to developers who fail to include toilet facilities in their building plan.

These are measures the assembly was instituting in its bid to end open defecation.

According to Mr. Owusu residents in houses without toilet facilities were practicing what he termed “volleying” where they package their excreta in a black polythene bag and throw it behind their buildings.

He said some also mix it with their refuse and dump them at the final disposal site.

“There are some places you can’t even pass of the smell,” he lamented.

He indicated that open defecation was worse along the coastal communities in the district.

“When you go to the beaches, the practice is worse. You will see people along the coast of Dixcove, Cape 3 Point, New Amanful doing their own thing there. Their excuse is always that they don’t have a place to do it apart from the beach.”

Mr. Owusu stated that the assembly had sent letters to all assembly members to inform their electorate that it will be a crime not to have a toilet facility in their homes after December 2017.

“For Agona we’ve sent circulars around through the assembly members that by December 2017 any house or any landlords who has no toilet in his house will be taken to court.”

“This week we are sending letters to Dixcove. We want to pick some of the big towns and proceed gradually,” he warned.

“The message is clear that by March 2018 every household in Ahanta West should have a toilet facility,” he noted.

“For those who need help the assembly is willing to help.”

According to him, “we were supposed to have started a long time ago but we decided to give ourselves the next three months for the property owners to make the necessary adjustments.”
Story: From Simon Ahensah, Ahanta West District, ATV, Western Region

Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery, has tasked the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to step up the education on how the public should react in the event of any outbreak, most especially fire.

According to him, many lives and properties could have been saved during the Atomic junction gas explosion if the victims involved had knowledge on how to manage their fears during such terrifying moments.

He said this while addressing men and women of the GNFS in the Western Region during his three-day familiarisation tour of the region.

He observed that most of the victims involved in the gas explosion were not directly affected by the fire except that they stampeded.

“After Saturday’s gas explosion, the vice president, the security agencies and l went to inspect the site and it emerged that most of the victims were not direct victims of the explosion, but became victims because of fear and panic… so it is important you educate the public on how they should react to fire situations such as these,” he said.

He used the chance to commend the GNFS for their prompt response to the Atomic junction gas explosion, but quickly mentioned that “you should conduct investigations after every fire explosion and make the report quickly available.”

“…your report should be able to establish the trend of the cause of fire outbreaks in the country and l can assure you the president will act on it with dispatch,” he assured.

For his part, the Western Regional Commander for the GNFS, ACFO Obeng Dwamena Dankwa, disclosed that the region recorded 262 fires in 2014, 210 in 2015, 200 in 2016, 150 in 2017 respectively.

He assured that his outfit will not rest on its oars with its education on fire safety to help reduce the incidence of fire outbreaks in the region.

“Already we have visited some public places of interest, especially markets. We have trained traders on how to fight fire in the event of any fire outbreak…”

Story: From Simon Ahensah, ATV Western Region

Over nine hundred students graduated from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) with diplomas and degrees at the weekend after the ceremony was postponed twice.

Rector of GIJ, Dr. Wilberforce Dzisah, while delivering his speech at the ceremony, asked the graduates to create their own businesses, instead of waiting on the government for a job.

“As you venture into the world, see yourself as important players in knowledge-based economy. It is up to you to take advantage of what you have learnt and apply it in a productive way rather than fold your arms and wait for government to find you a job,” he advised.

Dr. Dzisah also urged the graduates to continue to challenge themselves and never allow anything or anyone to deter them from achieving their highest ambition in life.

He announced that as part of the institute’s strategic agenda, it has initiated the process of adding new programmes.

These, he disclosed, are Integrated Development Studies and Communication and Marketing and Advertising Communication.

The rector of the GIJ also said the institute was faced with staffing problems, and that the total number of staff stood at 80.

On the issue of the institute’s new site at North Dzorwulu, Accra, Dr. Dzisah said the four-storey lecture and office complex was under construction and that it had been roofed.

Acting Chief Executive of Ghana Gas Company, Dr. Ben Asante, who was the Chairman for the ceremony, speaking o the theme: “Communication as a tool for sustaining the Oil and Gas industry,” asked journalists to build their capacities in oil and gas to be able to provide accurate reportage on the sector.

He urged the graduates to be bold and learn from their mistakes, respect the views of others and not only base their reportage on perception but do thorough analysis of issues before disseminating their reports to the public.

Out of 1,060 students, 954 successfully graduated from the institute with diplomas and degrees in Communication Studies.

Specifically, 319 students graduated with diplomas while 635 students were awarded with degrees in Communication Studies.

Miss Ruth Bazing was adjudged the best Broadcast Journalist and the Overall Best Student for the 2017 graduating class.

Miss Tryphena Lizzert Yeboah also picked the award for Most Promising Journalism student; Antwi Gifty was named the best student in Public Relations and Jonah Eledi was honoured as the most Promising Public Relations student.

Agozie Brigitte was named the best student in Print Journalism while Kingsley Adom and Ann Adjsah were rewarded for their exploits in Journalism and PR respectively as part of the Top-Up programme.

Also, Logo Veronica won the award for best student in Public Relations while Cynthia Gyan won awards for best Journalism and overall best student for Diploma.

Campus Corner

…with Elizabeth Amarfio

Some of the most unique and important health benefits of cypress include its ability to improve the health of the respiratory tracts, boost the strength of the immune system, prevent fungal infections, boost the health of your hair, increase protection against certain skin conditions, reduce inflammation, and speed wound healing.

What Is Cypress?

Although cypress is not commonly thought of as an herb or a spice, the plant material from this beneficial tree serve more of a purpose than the source of cypress essential oil, which is what most health publications discuss. In fact, you can check out the health benefits of cypress essential oil on Organic Facts. However, the cypress tree’s medicinal benefits can be derived from two sources – the cones and the needles. Scientifically known as Cupressaceae, this family contains a wide range of trees native to different parts of the world that have similar organic compositions and health benefits. As mentioned, the essential oil extracted from the needles is very commonly found, but decoctions and salves can also be created with needles and cones that can more directly treat certain health concerns.

The cypress family includes a vast range of trees, including the largest trees in the world (giant sequoias and coastal redwoods) and some of the most long-lives trees on the planet. Their fame has not made their medicinal use widely known, surprisingly, as many people rely solely on the essential oil of cypress, rather than the more traditional uses of the plant parts themselves. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of cypress.

Health Benefits Of Cypress

Treats Fungal Infections

One of the most popular applications of cypress is as a foot bath, interestingly enough. By placing the cones in a hot water bath, many of the beneficial organic compounds of the plant are released into the water, and can significantly boost your immune system health in your feet. Extremities are prime locations for fungal and bacterial infections, and cypress can stop your feet from sweating, which is a major cause of fungal infections like Athlete’s foot. Prevent that condition with cypress foot baths, particularly if you are prone to being on your feet or wearing shoes for extended periods of time.

Respiratory Issues

Cypress essential oil is commonly used for aromatherapy uses in relation to respiratory issues, but a simple teadecoction of the needles can also deliver an effective respiratory remedy if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, nasal drip, chronic congestion, or any other inflammation of the respiratory tracts. This should only be consumed on a limited basis, as the powerful chemical components of the tea should not be overused.

Hair Health

When the decoction is applied to the hair and scalp, it can stimulate healthier follicle beds and glands, resulting in stronger, richer hair that is less prone to falling out and maintains its rich luster. It can also help to reduce dandruff by preventing the skin from drying out.

Skin Conditions

Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of people around the world, but over the centuries, traditional remedies have become some of the most relied on solutions for this universal problem. Creative a salve out of a decoction of needles and a carrier oil can be applied to the skin to prevent bacterial infections (which acne is caused by) and reduce the inflammation and swelling of the sebum glands that can exacerbate acne. Additionally, these cypress salves are commonly used to speed wound healing and reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes on the skin.

Reduces Inflammation

When consumed as a tea decoction or applied directly as a topical solution, cypress can reduce inflammation internally and externally. If you suffer from arthritis, gout, or other inflammatory muscle conditions, cypress can help to relieve the discomfort and pain. Furthermore, cypress can help to soothe the organ systems that may be inflamed by infection or nutrient deficiency, allowing the body to recover more quickly. This salve can also be applied to hemorrhoids to reduce inflammation and eliminate pain.

Varicose Veins

Although the exact pathway of this remedy is not fully understood, cypress needles and decoctions have been used to eliminate varicose veins for many years. Traditional medicine strongly supports its use, although the modern medical community has not verified this particular application.

A Final Word of Warning

The plant parts of cypress are not known as allergenic substances, although if you do use the essential oil, never consume the potent mix of chemicals without direct supervision and oversight from your medical professional. Serious complications can result from consumption without strict direction.

Source: Naturalnews

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Eccl. 3:11).

Dear loved ones, Blessings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is ever faithful, Amen!

I am super excited to be interacting with you once again about our Christian journey on this earth.  The year is fast running out and I believe we have been blessed with the issues we have dealt with so far with the help of the Holy Spirit.

This weekend, let’s with the help of the Holy Spirit again delve into matters of Heaven, Hell and Eternity. Next month if the Lord tarries, we will also attempt to get an understanding of the important doctrine of “Eternal Security.”

Life after Death

All religions, I believe, allude to some kind of ‘rest’ after death.  Questions such as: is there life after death, what happens after death, where do you go when you die, what is eternal life, how do I know for sure that when I die I will go to heaven? Mine oh mine, countless of questions that plaque the thoughts of man day in day out.

So the big issue is ‘why does the question of eternity bother us so much?’ Shouldn’t it be that when we die, that’s the end? After all who cares? Why should we be bothering ourselves with what happens or does not happen in the land of the dead? The good old Book, the Bible gives us the perfect answer in Ecclesiastes 3:11 “…He has planted eternity in the human heart…” (NLT).  Beloved, what this implies is that in the soul of every human being is that God-given awareness that there is “something more” than this transient world.

Now permit me to pose a question and be honest with your answer. Are there not those moments when we deeply desire or feel that we do not have to die but rather live forever and forever?  For some people it happens when they are having the best times in their lives and for others it may just be a normal feeling. You just wish this world and this life never comes to an end. You want to live and see your father, mother, brothers and sisters, children, cousins, friends and other loved ones for as long as possibly imaginable. I have felt this way several times. Sometimes, just by looking at my sisters, I sigh deeply and say to myself, how I wish we will remain like this forever with no issue of death to deal with in the future.

Dear one that is the eternity that the Lord has planted or set in your heart. Now, let’s take a closer look at the scripture. “In the heart” is an expression that represents the mind, soul or spirit of each person. “Eternity” is a state of infinity or time without end. The verse in Ecclesiastes confirms the idea that human beings operate in different ways than other forms of life. We have a sense of wanting to live forever in our lives. We possess an innate knowledge that there is something more to life than what we can see and experience in the here and now.

The seasons of the times are well documented by the Teacher in Chapter 3: 1-8 of Ecclesiastes and he aptly contrasts the seasons.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

But more importantly in verse 9, the question is posed: What do workers gain from their toil? The answer pops up in verse 10: I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race (NIV).

 Dearly beloved it’s all a burden. It is all vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, through all the ups and downs and the vicissitudes of life, there is a glimpse of stability— “God has planted eternity in the human heart.” James 4:14 says “Life is but a vapour”, but for us as believers, we know there is something more, something past this life. We have a divinely planted awareness that our souls will live forever in eternity.

Jim Reeves says it much better in the lyrics to his song “This World Is Not My Home”.  According to him,

“we are just a-passing through,

our treasures are laid down for us somewhere beyond the blues.

The angels beckon us, from heaven’s open door

and therefore we can’t feel at home in this world anymore”.

When I analyse the lyrics of this song against what the Bible teaches in the Book of Revelation, it makes so much sense. The minute or moment you come to the knowledge of what God has in store for us in the New Jerusalem, I tell you that your deepest and foremost desire will be to escape the decay of this world and be with Jesus in Heaven. The sense of urgency will be that YOU WANT TO DIE THIS VERY MINUTE. Believe me on this one, you would not want to exist for another minute on this earth. I stand together with the Teacher in proclaiming that this world is all vanity upon vanity.

Flight Instructions

I believe that at this stage you have become more alert and ready to find out what I have to share with you. So let’s do it this way, imagine us seated in the comfort of a plane getting ready for a flight to wherever is your dream destination or better still mine. (Let me share a secret with you. I would love to spend my honeymoon – essentially the ‘beginning’ of my life in Mauritius, then the great Grand Canyon in Arizona when life is gradually drawing to a close for me.)

As we begin this all important journey of understanding the Christian Life and Eternal matters, I urge you to pray and ask The Holy Spirit to give you a deeper understanding. Ultimately, every person will live in eternity somewhere. You need to make a choice where you want to spend yours and ultimately, wisdom to ensure that you remain with the choice you have made to be with Christ.

We will begin by looking at eternal live as against eternal death; the first resurrection and the second death and end with finding out what can qualify us to enter heaven or hell.

And now a teaser:  “Is there life after death?”

The existence of life after death is a universal question. Countless of people from all walks of life and religions have attempted to give an opinion on this one. Biblically, there is life after death. Indeed, death is only a transition.

Job in the Bible, states “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure… if a man dies, will he live again? (Job: 4:1-14).

Make a date with me next week and pray that the Lord himself will guide you into all truths.

Until then,

Stay Blessed

The Saving Grace

…with Akpene Sabah

Every woman wants to have perfectly shaped breasts throughout her life. Sadly, this is not possible in most cases.

Breast sagging is a natural process that happens with age wherein the breasts lose their suppleness and elasticity.

Though saggy breasts usually start happening after a woman reaches 40, it can occur earlier. Apart from age, other factors that cause sagging breasts include breastfeeding, pregnancy, menopause, rapid weight loss or gain, strenuous exercise, nutritional deficiencies and wearing a poorly fitting bra.

Some diseases like breast cancer or respiratory conditions like tuberculosis can also cause breasts to sag. Also, excessive consumption of nicotine, alcohol and carbonated beverages can contribute to the problem.

Breasts do not have muscle. They are made of fat, connective tissues and milk-producing glands and they need proper care to keep them in good shape.

A wide variety of creams and lotions are available on the market to tighten and tone up sagging breasts. However, if you prefer natural methods, they are many simple and easy home remedies that you can try.

1. Exercise

Those with saggy breasts must incorporate exercise in their daily routine. Exercises that target breast tissues and pectoral muscles around the chest can help a lot to add firmness.

Some exercises that can effectively lift up and firm sagging breasts are- chest presses and pulls, arm raises, round-about push-ups and dumbbell flyes.

Along with these, there are other types of exercises that you can perform to firm your breasts

Always wear a supportive or sports bra while exercising.

2. Ice Massage

Ice massage is also considered very effective to regain firmness in sagging breasts and uplift them. The cold temperature will cause the tissue to contract, in turn making the breasts appear firmer and more lifted.

• Take 2 ice cubes and massage them in circular motions around each of your breasts for 1 minute only.
• Dry the breasts with a soft towel and immediately put on a proper fitting bra.
• Stay in a reclining position for 30 minutes.
• Do this at regular intervals throughout the day.

Note: Do not expose your breasts to ice for more than 1 minute at a time as it can cause numbness.

3. Olive Oil

Massaging your breasts with olive oil is an excellent technique to firm sagging breasts. Olive oil is a rich source of antioxidants and fatty acids that can reverse the damage caused by free radicals and prevent sagging breasts. Plus, it will help improve the skin tone and texture.

• Put some olive oil onto your palms and rub them together to generate heat.
• Rub your palms over your breasts in an upward motion.
• Massage gently for about 15 minutes to increase flow and stimulate cell repair.
• Follow this remedy at least 4 or 5 times per week

You can also use almond, argan. Avocado or jojoba oil to massage your breasts.

4. Cucumber and Egg Yolk

Another excellent remedy for lifting the breasts is a mask prepared from cucumber and egg yolk. Cucumber has natural skin-toning properties and egg yolk has high levels of protein and vitamins that can help treat sagging breasts.

• Puree 1 small cucumber in a blender.
• Mix in 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of butter or cream to get a paste.
• Apply it onto your breasts and leave it on for about 30minutes.
• Wash it thoroughly with cold water.
• Use this mask once a week to firm and strengthen the breast tissues.

5. Egg White

Egg White is also good for sagging breasts due to its astringent and skin-nourishing properties. The hydro lipid present in egg white helps lift loose skin around your breasts.

• Beat 1 egg white until you get a foamy texture. Apply this onto your breasts and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Wash if off with cucumber or onion juice and then with cold water.
• You can also prepare a breast mask by mixing 1 egg white with 1 tablespoon each of plain yogurt and honey. Apply it onto your breasts and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water.
• Follow either of these recipes to enjoy firm breasts.

7. Pomegranate

Pomegranate is considered a wonderful anti-aging ingredient and can help prevent sagging breasts. Pomegranate seed oil is rich in phyto-nutrients that can lead to firm breasts.

• Make a paste of pomegranate peel and some warm mustard oil. Use it to massage your breasts in a circular motion for 5 to 10 minutes daily before going to bed.
• You can also use pomegranate seed oil to massage your breasts 2 or 3 times daily.
• Another option is to mix 4 teaspoons of neem oil with 1 teaspoon of dried and powdered pomegranate rind. Heat this mixture for a few minutes. Allow it to cool and then use it to massage your breasts twice daily for several weeks.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has natural skin-tightening properties that can help get rid of sagging breasts. The antioxidants in aloe vera prevent damage caused by free radicals and help firm sagging breasts.

• Apply aloe vera gel onto your breasts and massage gently in a circular motion for 10 minutes. Allow it to sit for another 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Repeat this remedy 4 or 5 times a week to get effective results.
• You can also prepare a mixture of 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 1 teaspoon each of mayonnaise and honey. Apply this onto your breasts and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse it off first with warm water and then use cold water. Do this once a week.

9. Shea Butter

Another natural ingredient to firm and tighten breasts is shea butter. It is a great source of vitamin E that tightens the skin to give your breasts a firmer appearance. Also, it helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.

1. Rub some shea butter onto your breasts.
2. Massage in an upward and circular direction for 10–15 minutes.
3. Leave it on for another 10 minutes and then wash it off with water.
4. Follow this remedy 3 or 4 times a week to see noticeable results.

A former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has threatened to start a campaign against state officials including Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to force them to reduce the number of cars in their convoys.

According to Professor Adei, although he is impressed with the initial performance of the government, the large numbers of cars in the convoys of state officials were unnecessary and created lots of inconveniences for other road users.

There have been several complaints from drivers in the country about the huge convoys which accompany senior, and sometimes lower-level state officials.

Many people have expressed displeasure with the cost of procuring and maintaining all the vehicles, while others are unhappy about the traffic that is created as a result.

Professor Adei, a courageous critic of public office holders, who spoke at the 20^th-anniversary celebration of Morison and Associates, an international audit firm based in Ghana, said he planned to wage a “one-man crusade” if the situation persists.

“So far, the government is doing well, except that if you go to the right quarters, tell them that the next time I see Bawumia or any of them travelling with 16 four-wheel drives, occupying the two lanes, I’m going to do a one-man crusade. That must be stopped at once,” he said.

File photo

He added that he had recently tried to catch up with the Vice President’s convoy to confront them about the size, but was stopped by the policemen who were accompanying the second gentleman.

“I followed them to Cape Coast last week, and I was trying to overtake them to tell him to stop. The police stopped me, but as soon as they saw [who I was], they asked me to give some distance,” he said.

Source: Citifmonline

World Renowned Evangelist, Dr Lawrence Tetteh, and his outreach ministry team has arrived in Denkyira Obuasi to begin a three-day crusade dubbed: “Total Restoration of Denkyira Obuasi”

The chiefs and people of the community welcomed the team with anticipation that the town which has suffered so much isolation and neglect from Ghanaians will have its image restored.

The rural mining community has since last June has been chastised, isolated and rejected following the lynching of the late Major Maxwell Adam Mahama, on an alleged suspicion by some miscreants in the community that he was an armed robber.

Speaking at the crusade, Dr Lawrence Tetteh urged the people to turn to God for forgiveness and restoration, saying “never again should this unfortunate situation happened”.

The International Evangelist had earlier appealed to the Christian community in the country to help in bringing healing and restoration to Denkyira Obuase, now called New Obuasi, in the Central Region.

He explained that the people of that community need not to be seen in the negative light any more as they work at repentance, and now seeking the face of God for healing, forgiveness and restoration.

The Renowned International Evangelist prayed for their restoration.

Source: GNA

The Minister for Information, Mustapha Hamid, has downplayed suggestions that President Akufo-Addo erred in law by ordering a halt to the ongoing constructions of fuel stations across the country.

According to him, the order is in the best interest of Ghanaians.

In the wake of the Atomic Junction gas explosion, the construction of petrol/diesel and LPG filling points, is to cease immediately until further notice, the government has stated.

This directive formed part of nine safety measures outlined by the Presidency after a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

A statement from the government noted that, President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the “immediate cessation, until further notice, of all construction of facilities intended for use as gas or petroleum retail stations.”

The directive follows the massive explosion at an LPG filling station at Atomic Junction that has so far claimed at least seven lives and injured over 100 persons.

But a former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Mahama Ayariga, said the government may be infringing on the rights of some fuel distributors over the directive

Mahama Ayariga

In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, he said he embarked on a similar move while a sector minister in the previous government, but found out that he could not be successful because the action did not have a legal basis.

“I did similar things and in all fairness, very often I was challenged by people based on law and they were able to show that clearly, in many of the instances, I was wrong,” he noted.

He there advised the government to “analyze every one of them [fuel stations] to see the legal basis for such decisions, and such directives” before any concrete action is taken in this regard.

But Mustapha Hamid on Eyewitness News said there was no complexity in the directive, and that government had the power to issue such a directive.

He noted that, the state had empowered agencies to carry-out such actions, adding that, the directive was only for a short period to allow for a proper audit of the sector.

“This is a country where institutions have been endowed with the power to ensure that people are building structures in accordance with law. So if the president says let us put a stop to the buildings and let us go and see whether the people who are putting it up are doing it according to specifications as enshrined in existing laws, I don’t see how that can be unconstitutional…When the audit is done, those that are cleared to continue can continue,” he said.

Source: Citifmonline

Motherhood confers upon a woman the responsibility of raising a child. This process also changes the way in which she is perceived in society and at her workplace. It can necessitate her to take more than available leave options, and job security can be at risk. Significant social and personal adjustments are necessary to cope with such a situation.

A working mother, especially one who has the good fortune to be able to balance her home and work, enjoys the stimulation that a job or career provides. She develops the ability of raising a useful member of society and at the same time gains financial independence. Along with motherhood, work adds to the completeness of being a woman.

One could define a working mother as a woman with the ability to combine a career with the added responsibility of raising a child. Within this broad term may be encompassed two different categories of working women: the stay at home mother who works from home and the woman who works away from home while managing to fulfill her maternal duties.

Material aspirations and the necessities of daily life often compel both parents to work. A qualified woman may insist on working to maintain an effective career and be financially independent. The single working mother is a combination of these entities, working not only to run the family, but also maintaining her position as a financially independent head of the family.

Therefore, the need to support a working mother is well recognized. It has also been explicitly mentioned that the dominant role in childcare is recognized and assumed to be that of the mother and that this responsibility affects the working life of women more than that of men.

Certain common problems plague most working women. Foremost amongst these are income difficulties. If the mother works, childcare support is essential and can be quite expensive. It may actually offset the financial benefits of both the parents working.

In Asian countries, and in many joint family systems, grandparents and other nonworking family members fulfill the need for childcare–they take over the job of childcare when the mother is at work. This very important benefit (of readily available child support from the family members themselves) in joint families not only recognizes that the working mother is an important member of the family, but also provides her the necessary support to be able to perform her dual role efficiently.

Stress loads can be quite high amongst working mothers and these may often reflect in their relationships at home. She is stressed to reach work on time, to send her child to school and to reach all the children’s deadlines on time including food and dress, and she is also pressed for time to look after her home simultaneously.

Housework is still considered the woman’s domain. Working women shoulder additional responsibility of the work place as well as at their domestic front.

Unexpected sickness of children is a calamity that can be difficult to handle. There often is need to use and avail of unpaid leave and unexpected absences from work. Few employers would consider the needs of sudden leave requirements in women with young children. Even in double-income families, it is still the woman who is expected to take care of a sick child.

Sexual relationships can also be quite strained in working mothers. Much of it can be attributed to lack of time and to fatigue, especially where both partners have long working hours.

Nutritional requirements may be neglected in the quest to complete and meet all targets at home as well as at work .The rush of married women into the workforce runs against traditional thinking that women must choose between family and career. Many observers condemned working mothers as selfish, unnatural and even dangerous to their children and. It was complained that the rise in juvenile delinquency could also be attributed to women who are working mothers, but needs and requirements of the family unit will always supersede ill-defined logic.

Women, motherhood or not, continue to work. The reasons are, more often than not, inspirational. Many of these mothers are young and have spent years developing their careers. When both spouses work it may be necessary for the mother to retain her job if she has insurance benefits, and if she wants to retire with better retirement benefits. Many of these women find the need to maintain a parallel source of income a social security and a sign of independence.

Today Gender

…with Thelma Asantewaa

An aircraft has crashed into the sea off Ivory Coast, shortly after taking off from the international airport of the main city Abidjan, with reports of several dead or injured people.

It was a cargo plane carrying freight for the French army, security sources told local news site Koaci.

Reports suggest it was a Ukrainian or Russian turboprop Antonov plane.

It crashed in heavy rain and the wreckage was swept back towards the shore near Port-Bouët.

At least four people were killed, a witness told Reuters news agency.

Rescue workers have removed two bodies from the plane while a further two could be seen in the wreckage, the agency says.

Other reports suggest that several members of the crew survived.

Source: BBC