LATENESS IS AN AGENT OF CORRUPTION - MR. AMARQUAYE ALERTS GHANAIAN

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

The Crusader of Punctuality Ghana (PG), Mr. Emmanuel Amarquaye has called on Ghanaian to desist from lateness as it is an agent of corruption.

This he said would eliminate poverty and mismanagement that has crippled the development of the country. 

Mr. Amarquaye was speaking on the importance of punctuality in nation building at the second endorsement of punctuality Ghana Education yesterday, in Accra.

The campaign was championed by Wisewater foundation, a non-governmental organisation that promotes social good of Ghanaian by facilitating public education on national issues.

The campaign dubbed on “Ghana on Time”; would ensure that the deliberate delay of the day’s work in order to take advantage over other people at one’s service would not be encouraged.

He explained that punctuality combat frustration and pressures that individual face in their daily lives in dealing with productive activities.

“Why should we go through so much hustle in order to get driver’s license while it could have been averted when they are punctual in attending to customers on time”, he said.

He noted that time is embodiment of life and an important resource which people shouldn’t compromise it for anything.

He furthered that arriving at work on time without the commensurate delivery on the job cannot be said to be punctual but by being diligent to work is what termed as punctuality.

Mr. Amarquaye however indicated that the progress and development of the country could only be achieved when individuals become conscious in effective time management.

The Unique Trust (UT) Bank President, Dr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, endorsing the movement said that a percentage of murder is committed each day in the lives of individual base on people’s attitude towards time.

He said, time is very vital and must be observed in ensuring effective flow of business.

Mr. Amoabeng explained that the success of UT bank was made possible due to his punctuality and effective attitude towards time.

“We promised customers loan within 48hrs and we were able to accomplish it due to the respect that we have for the people”, he said.

He explained that for effective growth of organizations time must be the focal point of interest to eradicate poor customer service.

He urged government to exercise no restraint in dealing with ministers who attend functions late.

“The government should shut the doors on ministers and representative who don’t pay strict adherence to time”, he said.

He however called on heads of church and various institutions to work diligently in dealing with time to ensure the progress of the economy.

Punctuality Ghana is a Non- Governmental organisation which was formed in February this year and it is committed to putting pressure when necessary to ensure that punctuality is not frustrated.

CONSTRUCT OUR ROAD! ATWIMA NWABIAGYA DRIVERS PLEAD

From Joyceline Natally Cudjoe, Atwima

Commercial drivers and traders in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region have decried the poor nature of road networks in the area.

They said the road of Shiawu Besease, Amoaben and Afrancho become difficult to ply with at the slightest rain coupled with potholes which have created numerous puddles.

In an interview with The Ghanaian Times the aggrieved drivers lamented that the poor road network in the area made it difficult for motorists to operate.

Wofa Yaw, one of the drivers said the deplorable road has contributed to so many life lost adding that “the road hampers business activities and makes life unbearable for the drivers and the road users.”

Describing the road as dangerous, Kwame Danso said at the slightest rain the untarred road over flood leading to many accidents and constant breakdown of cars.

“Accidents which have been occurring in this area are mostly caused by the bad road network, because the road becomes unbearable anytime it rains and we risk our cars skidding off the roads if extreme caution is not applied,” he said.

He explained that the road of Shiawu Besease has been deplorable for over 50 years now without being tarred and has posed great danger to lives of the residents living in the area.

He stretched that pregnant women, physically challenged, pupils and teachers were the ones who suffered the most in using the road when it rained.

“Teachers do not go to school or class goes to an abrupt halt when it rains before they get stuck on the road,” he said.

The drivers furthered that the road also exposed commuters to dust anytime a vehicle passed by adding that they ran lost as they were forced to make frequent trips to mechanics whenever the car broke down.

Traders who spoke with The Ghanaian Times bemoaned that the deterioration of the road that led to the three communities had virtually made business come to a standstill.

“We cannot transport our goods to the neighbouring town when it rains, drivers who manage to send us charge huge sum of money and we end up running loss,” they said.

Aunty Yaa, one of the traders of the community complained that the dusty nature of the road made trading very difficult thus made them lose customers as their products, stores and shops were always coloured in dust.

They furthered that roads bring important social benefits and make a crucial contribution to economic development and growth.

“Since roads are of vital importance to make a nation grow by providing access to employment, social, health and education services therefore there is the need for government to construct the road in the district,” they said.

They indicated that if the government was committed to fighting poverty in order to stimulate productivity, economic and social development then it was about time it took cursory look at the roads of the nation.

CHURCH TURNED INTO A FASHION HOME?

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

The word “church” comes from a Greek word “ekklesia” which means a called out company or assembly.  Some dictionaries define church as a building for public especially Christian worship.

However most Christians deem church as a house of God where they gather to learn and worship the Almighty, today many Christians have turned that house as a home of fashion.

No wonder some Christians of nowadays are more into what they will wear to church rather than the word of God that they will learn to lead their life with.

Decency, modesty, holiness is what the word of God teaches as Christ is the head of the Church, now indecency is what we view the attire of many Christians in many churches to be. 

One would ask is Christ still the head of the church?

It seems more disgusting to see someone who call him/herself Christian to be going to the house of God with skinny outfits, skimpy and skin fitting clothes, leaving the cleavages cladding as if God is going to emerge the winner of the sexiest look in his house.

Some of these so called Christians become more conscious of their dressing to the extent that when someone repeat his/ her dress to church (when someone wear same cloth) they would call the person names like “repeat”, “old dress”, “same outfit” this has rather made some poor Christians finding it difficult to mingle with those rich fashion icons in the temple.

No wonder some pastors have turned this same tranquility house into a marketing house, exploiting money from the poor congregation.

Some views are  that church ought to be a house of joy, peace and free from heavy laden as David said in Psalm 122 “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord”, because there is joy in the house of God.

Now in amazement some people will say church is no more a joyful place but a competition house that is good to be a joyful place for the wealthy folks. 

In some churches they have grouped the seats in to two (where the rich would sit and where the poor would sit making the poor look unworthy in the sight of God. Is that how a church ought to be?

In a search of decorum, fidelity and precision, one place would first be picked “Church” today will that place be picked as first? is church still guided by strict rules?

Some defend themselves that as a child of God you must be exquisitely dressed to praise God. 

Will that body exposed dresses which arouse feelings praise the Almighty God? Is the Christians body still the temple of God?

This kind of unwholesome behavior that has ignited in many churches could possibly be the reason why the judgment in the bible is said to start from church.

Slowly some Christians have lost touch of reticence of the holy temple of God and have cultivated life styles of secular fashion icons turning churches into a fleshy grounds that all sorts of misbehavior and mischief are sowed.

Others also say civilization has brought the congregation that far because everyone wants to look beautiful, sassy and trendy to suit the modern trend. 

One would ask again is immodest dressing part of civilization?

Barbaric! It is high time Christians have to know God as a spiritual being and instead of them looking sexier fleshly they should rather grow sexy spiritually in order for the Lord to cover their nakedness with his glory as he did with Adam and Eve before they sinned.

Wearing clothing designed to flaunt the body is self-centered, fleshy behavior and opposite of godliness and holiness.

In the Bible (John 4:24, Galatians 5:16-17) it is said God should be worshiped in spirit not in flesh therefore Christians must take notice and lead life that would edify others spiritually instead of seducing and driving some people away from church.

CELEBRITIES GRACE THE DAY OF FATHERS

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

Father's Day is a day set aside to celebrate and honor men especially fathers, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic Europe, it has been celebrated on March 19 since the middle ages.

 It is celebrated third Sunday of June in countries which have adopted the United States (U.S) dates, such as Argentina, Aruba, Canada and China. However, many parts of the world celebrate it in the month of March (Croatia) and May (Korea) and others celebrate it in the second Sunday of June, such as Belgium and Australia.

This celebration was brought by the Spanish and the Portuguese to Latin America.  It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as mother’s day and sibling’s day.

On Sunday June 18^th most Ghanaian celebs posted pictures with their children and some with their fathers on various social media pages.

Sarkodie and his daughter

 Yvonne Okoro and her family

 sulley Muntari and his son

D-Black and kids

IMPLANT, A SULTRY BODY ALTERNATIVE FOR WOMEN?

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

In recent times, most young women prefer appearing more sexually appealing to attract men hence compelling them to change their natural outlook to a rather artificial one by implanting some part of their bodies.

Implant is an act of inserting or fixing tissue or an artificial object in a person’s body, especially by surgery.

However, the use of implant is now a regular body fashion adopted by some young ladies who want to fill out their outfit like bikini, a pair of jeans, stretch and a bra to boost their level of confidence and sultriness when walking on the street.

Some are of the view that men prefer generous chest and attractive physical shapes than flat butts and ‘A-shaped boobs.

The notion is that ‘men do crazy things when they see a woman with bosom like men’ therefore their shape must be well presented as a well built woman with all various parts showing and expressing their attractiveness as women.

It is hearsay that often big breasts have lasting admirers and are mostly used to advertise all sorts of products.

Breast augmentation has therefore been the solution of some cubic-cups who want to enhance their breasts to round-cups which will fit a bra and poop out some for exhibition.

Some women want breast implant so badly that they go to the extent of paying exorbitant prices for their boobs to be fully round and firm and more importantly impress men.

Their notion is that men find busty women real turn-on than women with smaller breasts.

According to some psychologists, poor men and hungry men like breast while financial secured men and satiated men prefer smaller breasts.

Others also believe that bigger butts and hips would fetch them jobs as music video models and hosts of entertainment shows, therefore hips and butt augmentation is what has become their alternative in acquiring a much shaper body to look presentable.

In our market centers and streets today, some women go about selling breast, hip and butts enlargement creams which woo many women who are dissatisfied by their natural shapes to buy.

Such creams have now become the perfect way of securing rounder and fully shaper bodies for women who have harder, persistent flat buttocks and stiff hips. 

They believe that pregnancy and aging reduce the elasticity so they take the popular alternative to look young and fresh.

Some ladies who wish to have the appearance of their favorite’s celebrities also take a bold decision to enhance part of their bodies to meet their demand.

Celebrities who are supposedly to have adapted to this practice hence making their fans also result to implanting some part of their bodies are Nicki Minaj, Beyonce Knowles, Kim Kardeshian, Jennifer Lopez, Joselyn Dumas etc.

Big butts and boobs is now popular in most music videos, movies and entertainment shows thus have bought many young minds globally to acquire these sexy shapes.

Generally, some women also see such an act as a lack of self confidence and insecurity about their natural bodies and even consider that as a competition about who has the best body and a perfect shape.

Others believe that beauty always lies in the eyes of the beholder as such artificial outlook will never make their man love them more or less since the saying goes “a decorated monkey is still a monkey”.

There are lots of complications with implanting the body sometimes with deadly or disfiguring result. 

Some ladies do not take precaution when implanting part of their bodies as they turn into cheaper black market which sentence some to their early graves and those who could boast of their lives turn out to be disabled. What a life?

Not long ago a U.K based Ghanaian who received implant surgery from untrained medical personnel was left with a half body as her buttocks and legs were cut off in order for her to survive.

Breast enlargement has resulted in breast cancer among women who took the alternative for beautiful and shapy chest.

Women must appreciate their natural body shapes to maintain good health and long life as that is the most important requirement hence not dying young with the quest of acquiring larger, shaper bottom, breast and chest.

PROF' VINCENT C.R.A CRABBE URGED STUDENTS TO REMAIN FOCUS

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

Professor Justice V.C.R. A. Crabbe has urged students to be focused and fight for their dreams to become great future leaders.

He said this at the personality cooking show of the third Students Representative Council, (SRC) Week celebration of the MOUNTCREST University College (MCU) yesterday in Accra where he cooked rice and stew.

At the event, he took students through his life experiences and motivated them to pursue their dreams.

Prof. Crabbe charged students to be themselves and uphold their values and morals as individuals who have set to achieve something great in life.

"Do not try to be someone you are not, every individual is unique in his or her own way, know where you are coming from and make a difference," he said.

He stressed the need for individuals to have an aim in life and work hard to achieve it, no matter the obstacle that might come their way.

Prof. Crabbe told the students to have role model to look up to, “everyone needs someone who would inspire and lead them to their target,”

The Dean of the Faculty of Social Work and the Director of International Programs and Partnerships of MOUNTCREST University, Professor Michael Baffoe advised students to develop good attitude and avoid deviant friends since they would lead them nowhere.

He said positive attitude yields good result and that students should love what they do in order to achieve greater height in the academic ladder.

The SRC Vice President, Sharon Spendilove Asmah commended Prof Crabbe for gracing the occasion, “He is a legend in the law profession and we look up to him”.

SAT FOUNDATION HOLDS SCREENING FOR RESIDENTS OF KOTOBABI AND ITS ENVIRONS

 By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe                                       

The Samuel Amo Tobbin (SAT) Foundation, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing  of the  Tobinco Group of Companies yesterday held a free health screening exercise for residents of Kotobabi and its environs in Accra.

The exercise screened about one thousand residents for Diabetes, Hepatitis B, and Blood pressure, Syphilis, Malaria and HIV.

It also offered them free medication and dewormed the children.

Mrs. Millicent Akoto, Executive Director of SAT foundation said the medical screening was aimed at revealing any unknown disease hidden in the bodies of residents and promotes healthy living.

“This screening would reveal any hidden disease and infection as most people hardly find time to check their health status due to busy schedules and later pass on,” she said.

Mrs. Akoto said the Tobinco Group of Companies was poised to supporting the vulnerable in society as part of its Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Medical officer Of Royal Good Shepherd Hospital, Dr. Samuel Yaw Antwi said the exercise would provide counseling and medication to help in early detection and prevention of any disease among Ghanaians.

“Through this activity we have been able to educate the public on the need to live healthy and to cut down alcohol and stress”, he said.

He advised the public to take issues concerning their health seriously and eat balanced diet.

A community Health Nurse at the Mamobi General Hospital, Ms Florence Thaye encouraged parents to immunize their children when they are young.

She said it was vital for children between the ages of one to five years to be weighed and immunized against meningitis in order for them to gain retentive memory and also boost their eye sight.

KENTE WEAVERS OF KWABRE EAST DISTRICT CRY OVER TAX ON IMPORTED COTTON AND THREAD

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

Kente Weavers at Kasaam in the Kwabre East District of The Ashanti Region have called on government to reduce taxes on the imported materials used in Kente weaving.

They argued that the reduction of the tax would make the product cheap in the market in order to boost the craft industry.

In an interview with The Ghanaian Times the weavers of Kwabre East District lamented on the decline in business attributing it to the high taxes of imported thread and cotton.

Mr. Sarkodie one of the weavers who was interviewed espoused a concern that the high tax on imported thread and cotton is slowly collapsing the business.

 “We can buy more of the cotton if the government reduces imposed tax on the imported cottons” he said.

He stretched that if the government was committed to creating jobs through the one-district one-factory project, it should act fast to save the existing craft work from collapsing.

To encourage and promote the craft industry, the weavers proposed that the government should pay keen interest to the craft work as their activities play a vital role in the development of the economy.

Daakye-hene lamented that the poor working infrastructure makes it tedious for them as they get beaten whenever it rains.

Based on this he called on the authorize ministry to build good weaving infrastructure to get them working at all times.

“Because of the condition of the infrastructure we hardly work during raining season which makes us run lost in the Kente weaving business” he said.

The weavers however appealed to the government to assist them with the requisite resources to improve their weaving activities.

They said kente is the most famous and the most celebrated of all the textiles used in Ghana; it is a tradition which must be preserved to serve as a tourist attraction in the country. 

The weavers stressed that Kente weaving translates direct employment thus collective effort is needed to build a common vision for the future generation in order for them to indulge in the artisanal work.

Kente, known as ‘nwentom’ in Akan, is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips and it is now being used all over the world for special ceremonies.

This fabric is mostly made by Akans in the Ashanti Kingdom such as Bonwire, Adanwomase and Ntonso in the Kwabre area.

MR. ELIJAH ADDO RECEIVED PRESTIGIOUS QUEENS YOUNG LEADERS AWARD

By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley                                                           

The Founder of West Africa’s first food recovery bank, Mr Elijah Addo has received an Award for his outstanding performance and contribution to humanity.

The prestigious Queens Young Leaders Award was conferred on him by Queen Elizabeth II at a colourful event at Buckingham Palace, England.

The award cited Mr.Addo as a selfless contributor to humanity through his entrepreneurial skills, charity and dedication to the general development of society.

Mr. Addo is among three Ghanaians who received the award among 60 young leaders in the Commonwealth.

The other two includes Winnifred Selby who provides bamboo bicycles and sanitary pads for deprived school pupils in the country and Efua Asibon.

Receiving the award, Mr. Addo expressed appreciation to the Royal Commonwealth society, Queens Jubilee Trust, University of Cambridge and Comic relief for recognizing Food for All Africa Programme’s effort in creating efficiency and sustainable means of nutrition for vulnerable communities across Ghana and the continent.

He however, dedicated the award to individuals and organizations such as  Kwatsons West Africa Ltd, MaxMart Family Shopping centre, Food and Beverage  Association, Belaqua, Blowgroup, Finatrade, Sucatrade and Meriems kitchen for their continuous support towards  Food for All.

He reiterated his outfit effort in the drafting and passage of the National Food Donor’s Encouragement Bill in Ghana which will institutionalize food donations in order to support vulnerable in society.

He stated that “The most fascinating of it all is having to meet the Queen and for the Queen to ask me if I’ll love to cook for her which obviously I said yes. I’m going to cook one of our favourite dishes in Ghana, Waakye”.

Winners of this prestigious Award received a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they  collected their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.

QUIT SPEWING EVIL WORDS AGAINST CHILDREN

By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

Fathers have been urged to quit spewing evil words against their wards; this according to the head pastor of Heaven’s throne Family Chapel, Pastor Evans Yeboah Jackson would help them become great individuals.

He said although fathers must reprimand their children but with the use of positive words that would pose and instill some kind of confidence in the kids.

Pastor Evans Jackson explained that men hold the family and their words have a long lasting effect on the family therefore they must bring a child up in the admonishing of the Lord.

In an interview with The Ghanaian Times the pastor said, fathers should give their kids certain revelation of life, saying that they being the head of the family have passed through lots in life and there is the need for them to guide their children in appropriate way to mould them become great future leaders.

He furthered that, the authority called fatherhood is established by God and that fathers must assume responsibilities of mentoring and cushioning kids to become adults whom the world would be proud of.

He said the world as a whole lies on fathers and this is the time they must raise their wards with fatherly spirit by not uttering words that would have certain repercussion on the lives of the kids.

According to him the tongue is very powerful and needs to be controlled when offended since they have the power to bless and curse.

“Fathers have the capacity to bless or curse their wards but they should look at the positive side by channeling every word to blessings,” he said.

Pastor Yeboah said this year’s father’s day should be seen as a sign of light to all fathers to become a bench of hope to their family especially their kids.

He however advised fathers to respect and accept decisions that their children’s make when choosing profession.

He urged all men to get closer to their children to have knowledge on the superior potentials they (children) carry to help bring out the best in them.

ATTACHMENT GHANA LIMITED (AGL) LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP AND ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME

By Raissa Sambou

Attachment Ghana Limited (AGL), a company that provides internship opportunities to students, both locally and internationally is set to change the phase of internship in the country.

It has therefore initiated programmes that will adequately equip interns while they prepare for the job market.

The company is also poised on ensuring that students gain the best experience in organisations where they are posted to.

In an interview with The Ghanaian Times ahead of the launch of the Attachment Ghana Academic Internship Programme, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Obed Nikoi Djanie stated that the initiative which comes at no cost would amongst others, afford students opportunities to gain firsthand experience with cultural institutions.

Excelling during the attachement period, he said, increases a person’s chance of excelling on the job market to change the phase of internship.

According to Mr Djanie, all students, who are posted to AGL for placement at various organisations for their internship programmes will be given a certificate by AGL and other souvenirs.

He advised students to make determination and hard work, their hallmark since the right attitude to work attracts success.

Describing the current rate of unemployment in the country as heartbreaking, Mr Djanie challenged students to be entrepreneurially minded to disabuse their minds of going to school with the sole aim of working for someone.

“Students, nowadays, are only interested in white colour jobs which are bad signs for success.

“Wealth and a high majority of jobs are created by small businesses, started by entrepreneurially minded individuals, many of whom go on to create big businesses,” he said

Mr Djanie explained that some of the advantages of owning an establishment include freedom, higher self esteem, and an overall greater sense of control of one’s life.

He urged higher education institutions to introduce and prioritise the teaching of courses that will make students innovative in their thinking to prepare them adequately for the job market.