Thursday, March 14, 2013

New laws needed to curb Cape Coast drownings.



For Atlantic FM - Cape Coast Ghana, broadcast on 14.3.2013

The high number of drownings along Cape Coast needs to be addressed at a government level a
local police officer has said.

Since March last year, there has been 16 drownings along the Cape Coast – the most recent was last
Sunday when a teenager drowned near Oasis Beach Resort.

Bakana police station officer ASP Edward Otumi told ATLM FM News that the government
needed to enforce laws to make resorts take responsibility for swimmers at popular spots, like
Oasis.

While some resorts along the coast have lifeguards and are designated safe swimming areas, he said
there should be a law to make all resorts and popular beach-side restaurants provide them.

“Spots like Castle Restaurant where we know people are there to drink and have fun, they will also
want to swim so you need to have lifesavers there, so we want the government to make sure (of
that).”

Mr Otumi had personally spoken with the Oasis management about hiring lifeguards after the recent
drowning, but said they did not feel it was their duty to do so.

Oasis manager Mirko Schumm told ATL FM News that the resort was currently trying to employ a
lifeguard for the area, but could not find anyone qualified enough.

He said they had hired a lifeguard in the past but the guard could not swim well enough for the
job. Mr Schumm said he has personally had to save a few people struggling in the ocean by
Oasis.

He said the water in the area could be dangerous with the currents, winds and high waves.

Mr Otumi urged swimmers to be aware of the risks in the Cape Coast oceans, especially over the
upcoming Easter celebrations where he feared there would be more drownings with people going to
the beach over the break. He said anyone wanting to swim should ask local fishermen which areas
were safer.

Monday, March 4, 2013

GOVERNMENT PLEDGES MUSIC SUPPORT


For Atlantic FM - Cape Coast Ghana, broadcast on 4.3.2013

The government has pledged its support to the Ghana music industry as it says it will help boost
employment in Ghana.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, was speaking at the
launch of the maiden Ghana Music Week in Accra yesterday, and told the audience of music
industry professionals that the government saw the creative arts as a wealth creator, as well as a way
to grow tourism.

She said the government would “continue to provide the needed support to bring the creative
industry on par with other sectors.”

She said President John Mahama's vision for this term – which was recently outlined in his
State of the Nation address, would see him “develop and strengthen the creative industry to enable
the county to actively engage in world trade for creative goods and services.”

As part of the vision, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare also said the government would facilitate acquiring funding
from the private sector to build a new much-needed arts venue in Ghana, which president of the
MUSIGA Bice Osei Kuffuor said was a “key necessity” to accommodate the growing Ghana music
industry.

Mr Osei Kuffuor said a new venue would be great “for the development of the music industry to
seat our numerous clients and fans who have outgrown all the entertainment venues in our country
now.”

The event organised by the Musicians Union of Ghana is taking place at the National Theatre
and will feature workshops, performances and competitions. It opened yesterday with traditional
performances from all areas in Ghana, including the Masquerade Dancers from the Central Region.

As part of the programme, on March 6 – Independence Day – 56 Ghanian artists will be performing
at the Accra Sports Stadium to celebrate 56 years of independence, and then on Saturday March 9
the week concludes with an industry awards ceremony.

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