APA – Accra (Ghana)
The report that the path is now clear for the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, as all 16 proposed amendments that compelled Parliament to retake the bill through another second stage consideration have been withdrawn is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Friday.
The Graphic reports that the path is now clear for the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, as all 16 proposed amendments that compelled Parliament to retake the bill through another second stage consideration have been withdrawn.
The withdrawal came after the House had unanimously voted on and defeated outright the first two proposed amendments that will substitute incarceration of those engaged in and promoted homosexuality with non-custodial sentence.
The House also rejected six other proposed amendments to introduce a mandatory counselling programme in the bill for those who will be convicted of engaging and promoting homosexuality.
The programme would have involved engaging professional counsellors, a move that would have cost implications for the state.
But being mindful of the constitutional provision that bars the introduction of any private members’ bill that attracts cost to the state, especially the engagement of professional counsellors, the members also rejected those amendments.
The Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, subsequently instructed the sponsor of the proposed clauses, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to withdraw them, to which he heeded.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said that in principle, he was with the sponsors on the objectives of the bill.
He, however, said he intended to engage or winnow with the sponsors for them to build some consensus on the amendments he proposed, especially the minor parts of the bill.
“Mr Speaker, I need to emphasise that no attempt, whatsoever, is being made by me to stall this all-important bill.
The newspaper says that Accra, Ghana’s capital, is set to host the first edition of the Black Star Marathon, a prestigious international running event, on July 27, 2024.
Taking inspiration from the ideals of the renowned Pan-Africanist Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who advocated for unity and greatness among Black people, the Black Star Marathon aims to bring together professional athletes and recreational runners from around the globe.
Organized by the Runathon Ghana Foundation, this marathon marks a significant milestone, replacing the former Accra City Marathon. With an expected turnout of over 10,000 participants, the Black Star Marathon promises an exhilarating experience for both runners and spectators.
Featuring a range of long-distance running events, including the standard 42.2 km marathon for men and women, a wheelchair marathon, and a 10 km mass run/walk/jog for all, the Black Star Marathon offers diverse opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and compete on an international stage.
Dr. Eric Kwame Adae, a former elite Ghanaian long-distance runner and the Founder of Runathon Ghana, in an interview stated the importance of international competition for athletes, highlighting the chance to challenge physical and mental limits and gain global recognition.
“As we stand on the global stage, the importance of international competition for athletes cannot be overstated. Participating in the Black Star Marathon not only challenges athletes to push their physical and mental limits but also gets international recognition and an opportunity to leave an enduring legacy on the grand canvas of global sportsmanship,” he said.
Moreover, through the Black Star Marathon, the Runathon Foundation aims to provide resources for athletes’ training, including coaching, mentoring, nutrition, and equipment, fostering the development of healthy and physically active individuals.
Additionally, participants in the Black Star Marathon have the opportunity to support charitable causes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to societal welfare and making a positive impact on the world.
The newspaper says that the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has successfully recruited 282 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across the country in a move aimed at promoting inclusivity and providing equal opportunities to all.
These individuals, who possess at least a Senior High School (SHS) qualification, have been appointed as staff members of the agency.
Among the recruited PWDs, those holding diplomas or higher qualifications have assumed roles as Regional Disability Desk Officers. Additionally, individuals with SHS qualifications have been appointed as District Disability Desk Officers, serving across all 16 regions and 266 operational districts respectively.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of YEA, Kofi Baah Agyapong, added that among the recruits were 99 PWDs toll booth workers who lost their jobs as a result of government’s abolishment of tolls on all public roads in the country.
“Specifically, over 200 PWDs experienced a loss of livelihood as a direct result of this policy shift. These individuals, previously employed as breadwinners for their families, were now faced with unemployment and its accompanying hardships,” he added.
A five-year strategic plan on National Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) was yesterday launched in Accra.
The strategy, which is expected to be implemented from 2024 – 2028, aims at preventing, reducing, and controlling Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), ultimately improving patient safety and health outcomes.
It is also to establish an active integrated IPC programme at the national level, develop national IPC guidelines, strengthen IPC education and training and establishing a system for HAI and AMR surveillance at the national level while monitoring/auditing IPC practices and feedback.
Launching the strategy, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, said preventing harm to patients, health workers and other users due to infection in health care facilities were fundamental to achieving quality care, patient safety, health security, reduction of HAIs and AMR.
He said available data from a multi-centre point-prevalence survey of HAIs in 10 acute care government hospitals in Ghana revealed that out of 2,107 in-patients surveyed, HAIs were identified among 172 patients, corresponding to an overall prevalence of 8.2 per cent (range 3.5% to 14.4%), with higher proportions of infections in secondary and tertiary care facilities.
“The most common HAIs were surgical site infections (32.6%), bloodstream infections (19.5%), urinary tract infections (18.5%) and respiratory tract infections (16.3%). Device-associated infections accounted for 7.1% of HAIs (MOH 2019),” he added.
Mr Agyeman Manu said the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent large disease outbreaks highlighted the importance of the IPC Strategy.
He said the ministry was working to improve IPC infrastructure in Ghana which include building new hospitals and clinics that were equipped with the latest IPC facilities, adding that “by implementing effective IPC measures, health care workers can help to protect themselves and their patients from infections”.
GIK/APA
Ghana: Press zooms in on plans by Parliament to pass LGBTQ+ Bill, others
