Are my leaders listening ?
It's now official The Queen of England is vBlogging. The Christmas Message for the year 2007 would be live on the vblog tommorrow 25 December 2007. Can't wait...
Official Google Blog: A very special Christmas broadcast
Monday, December 24, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
House Leadership to invite GCB Governor on redenomination
Accra, July 6, GNA – Alhaji Malik A. Yakubu, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament has asked the leadership of the House to meet and find an agreeable procedure of inviting the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to answer questions relating to the re-denomination exercise, including how much it cost the tax payer to introduce the new Ghana Cedi.This followed a turbulent period which saw the Minority saying that even though it had brought the question before the House several times, Mr. Felix Owusu Adjepong, Majority Leader has not listed the question on the order paper, which according to a number of Minority MP's was originally listed as an urgent question.
The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament last week held a press conference to register its disapproval of the refusal of either the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning or the Governor of the BoG to appear before the House on the matter and urged them to quickly address the questions they put.Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, NDC- Ashaiman, who raised the matter noted that it seemed as if Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Central Bank was not keen on appearing before the House to answer questions on how much it cost Ghanaians to print the new currency and other related costs.
He said, he had heard the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning arguing on a radio station that it was the Governor who was charged with talking on the re-denomination exercise.Mr Agbesi said it was relevant point for the governor to explain to the entire Ghanaian population how much it cost the nation to introduce the Ghana Cedi, noting that in other countries, such information was readily available.To this, Mr. Ossei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip said it was wrong for anyone to think that Parliament could order everybody before the House to answer questions.
"We have procedures and ways of going about such a situation and it is very important we follow these procedures without recourse to any situation which paints a wrong erroneous picture of the state of affairs. If we do not watch how some of these things are done, we would find a situation where the Chief Justice could be summoned to explain on a certain ruling."
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also argued that the House could invite the Governor to appear before the Committee of the Whole, noting that the first situation in which Dr Acquah appeared before Parliament to give the House a situational report about the re-denomination and its outcomes was wrong and should not have happened.
But this position did not go down well with Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, NDC- Ningo Prampram, who rose to his feet to restate the point that, "all public holders are accountable to the tax payer and must in all circumstances be ready and available to disclose information on their activities, especially when so desired by the representatives of the people.
"We are the representatives of the people and we have the right to hear the Governor of the Bank of Ghana tell us how much it cost the nation to undertake the re-denomination exercise; how much of the old currency is in circulation and how it would be destroyed, among others. We need to know," he repeated.Mr. Owusu-Adjepong agreed with Mr Speaker to meet the other side to find an amicable way of getting the Governor before the House.Later the much delayed private members' motion in which Parliament is expressing disappointment in the inability of government to end the energy crisis, almost a year after it started, took centre stage.The debate had similar colouration of the initial two debates, but less confrontational as the Deputy Speaker warned he was not going to take any unwarranted interventions that could take away the real focus and purpose of the debate.
Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of the Interior, in winding up said the NDC government failed to develop a comprehensive energy plan that was to make thermal power production profitable.
He argued that even though the NDC put up the Aboadze Thrmal Plant, it could not utilize it fully because it learnt too late that running the Plant was expensive, a trend which Mr. Kan-Dapaah said, lends credence to NPP's position that thermal complementation was not the way forward.Mr Lee Ocran, NDC-Jomoro said it was not true that the NDC did not have a long term plan for energy production, arguing that as far back as 1998 efforts were made to engineer an energy mix that relied on solar, nuclear, hydro and thermal.
"We started with the thermal plant which brought on 550 megawatts of power and this was to have been progressively enhanced with a 110 megawatts annually. But was not done when the NPP government came to power."
Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, NPP-Sunyani said it was important to depart from the blame game on who did what and who did not. "What is important for us now is to look at, not just how to build up on the water levels, but also put in place a practical implementation plan to make current searches on the viability of nuclear energy in this country; because we know that it is the cheapest means of energy production."
The Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament last week held a press conference to register its disapproval of the refusal of either the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning or the Governor of the BoG to appear before the House on the matter and urged them to quickly address the questions they put.Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, NDC- Ashaiman, who raised the matter noted that it seemed as if Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Central Bank was not keen on appearing before the House to answer questions on how much it cost Ghanaians to print the new currency and other related costs.
He said, he had heard the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning arguing on a radio station that it was the Governor who was charged with talking on the re-denomination exercise.Mr Agbesi said it was relevant point for the governor to explain to the entire Ghanaian population how much it cost the nation to introduce the Ghana Cedi, noting that in other countries, such information was readily available.To this, Mr. Ossei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip said it was wrong for anyone to think that Parliament could order everybody before the House to answer questions.
"We have procedures and ways of going about such a situation and it is very important we follow these procedures without recourse to any situation which paints a wrong erroneous picture of the state of affairs. If we do not watch how some of these things are done, we would find a situation where the Chief Justice could be summoned to explain on a certain ruling."
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also argued that the House could invite the Governor to appear before the Committee of the Whole, noting that the first situation in which Dr Acquah appeared before Parliament to give the House a situational report about the re-denomination and its outcomes was wrong and should not have happened.
But this position did not go down well with Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, NDC- Ningo Prampram, who rose to his feet to restate the point that, "all public holders are accountable to the tax payer and must in all circumstances be ready and available to disclose information on their activities, especially when so desired by the representatives of the people.
"We are the representatives of the people and we have the right to hear the Governor of the Bank of Ghana tell us how much it cost the nation to undertake the re-denomination exercise; how much of the old currency is in circulation and how it would be destroyed, among others. We need to know," he repeated.Mr. Owusu-Adjepong agreed with Mr Speaker to meet the other side to find an amicable way of getting the Governor before the House.Later the much delayed private members' motion in which Parliament is expressing disappointment in the inability of government to end the energy crisis, almost a year after it started, took centre stage.The debate had similar colouration of the initial two debates, but less confrontational as the Deputy Speaker warned he was not going to take any unwarranted interventions that could take away the real focus and purpose of the debate.
Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of the Interior, in winding up said the NDC government failed to develop a comprehensive energy plan that was to make thermal power production profitable.
He argued that even though the NDC put up the Aboadze Thrmal Plant, it could not utilize it fully because it learnt too late that running the Plant was expensive, a trend which Mr. Kan-Dapaah said, lends credence to NPP's position that thermal complementation was not the way forward.Mr Lee Ocran, NDC-Jomoro said it was not true that the NDC did not have a long term plan for energy production, arguing that as far back as 1998 efforts were made to engineer an energy mix that relied on solar, nuclear, hydro and thermal.
"We started with the thermal plant which brought on 550 megawatts of power and this was to have been progressively enhanced with a 110 megawatts annually. But was not done when the NPP government came to power."
Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, NPP-Sunyani said it was important to depart from the blame game on who did what and who did not. "What is important for us now is to look at, not just how to build up on the water levels, but also put in place a practical implementation plan to make current searches on the viability of nuclear energy in this country; because we know that it is the cheapest means of energy production."
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Ninth Ordinary Session of the African Union opens in Accra, Ghana
Accra, July 1, GNA – The 9th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) opened in Accra, Ghana, on Sunday.
President John Agyekum Kufuor, President of AU; President Alpha Oumar Konare, President of the African Commission, and Dr Ahmed Esmat abd al-Meguid, Secretary General of the Arab League, addressed the opening session.Dr Rose Asha-Mirigo, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, read Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-Moon's speech while China formally presented a miniscule of the new AU complex it has promised to build for the Union at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President John Agyekum Kufuor, President of AU; President Alpha Oumar Konare, President of the African Commission, and Dr Ahmed Esmat abd al-Meguid, Secretary General of the Arab League, addressed the opening session.Dr Rose Asha-Mirigo, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, read Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-Moon's speech while China formally presented a miniscule of the new AU complex it has promised to build for the Union at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Three-day orientation workshop for assembly members held at Nyinahin
Nyinahin (Ash), July 1, GNA – Mr. Wilberforce Owusu-Ansah, Atwima-Mponua District Chief Executive, has called on assembly members to maintain close contact with their electorate and interact with them on regular basis on policies and programmes of the Assembly.
They should also be actively involved in how the assembly's funds are utilized.The DCE said this at a three-day orientation workshop organized for assembly members in the district at Nyinahin.It was aimed at enlightening them on their roles and functions.He appealed to them to collect and collate views, opinions and proposals on matters affecting the electorate and present them to the assembly meetings for discussions and solutions.Mr Ernest Yaw Kwarteng, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, advised the assembly members not to regard themselves as superior to the electorate and traditional authorities but work closely with them to move the area forward in terms of development.
They should also be actively involved in how the assembly's funds are utilized.The DCE said this at a three-day orientation workshop organized for assembly members in the district at Nyinahin.It was aimed at enlightening them on their roles and functions.He appealed to them to collect and collate views, opinions and proposals on matters affecting the electorate and present them to the assembly meetings for discussions and solutions.Mr Ernest Yaw Kwarteng, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, advised the assembly members not to regard themselves as superior to the electorate and traditional authorities but work closely with them to move the area forward in terms of development.
Aspirant praises C/R NPP executives for settling conflict
Agona Swedru, July 1, GNA - Mr Enock Kojo Kwakye, aspiring for the New patriotic Party (NPP) for Agona West Constituency chairmanship, has commended the Central Regional executives of the party and the District Chief Executive for Agona, Mr Ben Mensah, for the amicable resolution of the conflict that rocked the constituency.
He said the conflict nearly derailed the progress of the party in the constituency and now that the members had smoked the peace pipe it would pave way for victory in 2008 elections.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Agona Swedru on Saturday, Mr Kwakye praised Mr Danquah Smith, Regional Chairman, and his executives for their sense of direction and responsibility in resolving the crisis.He stressed the need for the polling station executives to foster unity and co-operation and to promote peace in the party.Mr Kwakye called on supporters to bury their differences to ensure peace and stability in the party.
He said the conflict nearly derailed the progress of the party in the constituency and now that the members had smoked the peace pipe it would pave way for victory in 2008 elections.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Agona Swedru on Saturday, Mr Kwakye praised Mr Danquah Smith, Regional Chairman, and his executives for their sense of direction and responsibility in resolving the crisis.He stressed the need for the polling station executives to foster unity and co-operation and to promote peace in the party.Mr Kwakye called on supporters to bury their differences to ensure peace and stability in the party.
Agona West IMC chairman calls for peace and stability
Agona Swedru, July 1, GNA - Mr Adofo Dwamena, the Interim Management Committee Chairman of Agona West Constituency branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has appealed to faction leaders and their supporters to bury their political differences to ensure peace, stability and development.
He said the time had come for them to understand each other and work as a team to enable them defeat the common political opponent in the 2008 elections. Mr Dwamena made the appeal when he addressed polling station executives at Agona Abodom, Lower and Upper Bobikuma as part of the executives' tour of the constituency.
They are on a weeklong tour to interact with the polling station executives. He told the polling station executives to forget about the past, saying the conflict has derailed progress and development of the party, but it was not too late to make amends.
"It would be a disaster and chaos if you allow misunderstanding to divide you and pave the way for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recapture the parliamentary seat in the 2008 election".He said unity and understanding among the party supporters was the only way to stop the Agona West from falling into the hands of opposition NDC in the next elections.The Central Regional executives of the party has fixed August 8 as the new date to elect new constituency executives, Mr Danquah Smith said.
He said the time had come for them to understand each other and work as a team to enable them defeat the common political opponent in the 2008 elections. Mr Dwamena made the appeal when he addressed polling station executives at Agona Abodom, Lower and Upper Bobikuma as part of the executives' tour of the constituency.
They are on a weeklong tour to interact with the polling station executives. He told the polling station executives to forget about the past, saying the conflict has derailed progress and development of the party, but it was not too late to make amends.
"It would be a disaster and chaos if you allow misunderstanding to divide you and pave the way for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recapture the parliamentary seat in the 2008 election".He said unity and understanding among the party supporters was the only way to stop the Agona West from falling into the hands of opposition NDC in the next elections.The Central Regional executives of the party has fixed August 8 as the new date to elect new constituency executives, Mr Danquah Smith said.
Apprentice mechanic remanded for defilement
Kumasi, July 1, GNA – Kwame Atta, 24, an apprentice mechanic has been remanded into prison custody by a Kumasi Circuit Court for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old pupil.
He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear before the court on July 16.Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Comfort Kyei-Baffour told the court, presided over by Madam Wilhemina Hammond that the complainant is a sister to the victim and lives in the vicinity with the accused at Adiembra in Kumasi.She said sometime in May this year, the accused who noticed the absence of victim's sister who had travelled took advantage of that and went to the victim's room and forcibly had sex with her after which he warned her not to tell anybody else she would die.
Chief Inspector Kyei-Baffour said the victim informed the sister on her return and a report was made to the police and a medical form was issued to her and the medical report confirmed defilement.Atta was arrested and after investigation put before court.
He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear before the court on July 16.Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Comfort Kyei-Baffour told the court, presided over by Madam Wilhemina Hammond that the complainant is a sister to the victim and lives in the vicinity with the accused at Adiembra in Kumasi.She said sometime in May this year, the accused who noticed the absence of victim's sister who had travelled took advantage of that and went to the victim's room and forcibly had sex with her after which he warned her not to tell anybody else she would die.
Chief Inspector Kyei-Baffour said the victim informed the sister on her return and a report was made to the police and a medical form was issued to her and the medical report confirmed defilement.Atta was arrested and after investigation put before court.
Taxi Driver murdered and car taken away
Ajumako (C/R) July 1, GNA-Kwame Ato, a 25-year old Taxi driver from Baafikrom near Mankessim in the Central Region was on Saturday found murdered in the bush near Ajumako Kromaim and his car taken away.A source at Ajumako Police told the Ghana News Agency that at about 1700 hours on Friday three unidentified person hired Kwame's Tico taxi cab with registration Number GW 4537 X from Mankessim to Ajumako.
He said on Saturday morning Kwame's body was found with some knife wounds in a bush on the Ajumako Kromain road and his taxi cab taken away by his assailants.The body has been deposited at the Central Regional hospital at Cape Coast for autopsy while police investigation continues.
He said on Saturday morning Kwame's body was found with some knife wounds in a bush on the Ajumako Kromain road and his taxi cab taken away by his assailants.The body has been deposited at the Central Regional hospital at Cape Coast for autopsy while police investigation continues.
Awutus renewed their call for separate district assembly
Awutu Beraku, C/R, July 1, GNA - The chiefs and people of Awutu Traditional Area on Sunday renewed their appeal to President John Agyekum Kufuor to create a new district for Awutu.
They said the creation of the new district assembly would help to improve the living standards of the people.Nana Ekow Odetey, Mbrantehene of Awutu Beraku and Mr Stanley Quaye, President of Awutu Emasa Youth Association, said this when Mr Solomon Quarshie Abbam-Quaye, the District Chief Executive for Awutu-Effutu-Senya, joined them to undertake a clean up exercise on Sunday at Awutu Beraku.
They said the population of Awutu Beraku, Bawjiase and Kasoa qualify them for a separate district."The district is too large to be administered by one district assembly and the resources from the central government cannot reach every corner of the district however fairly distributed by the authorities."
Mr Quaye appealed to the district assembly to help extend electricity and water to new developed areas of Awutu Beraku. He said the association, with own its meagre resources, built five pit latrines in the town and appealed to the DCE to help supply them iron sheets to roof them.Mr Abbam-Quaye said the administrators of the district agreed to the creation of the new district but it was the prerogative of the President todecide on the matter.He said the government was doing everything possible to improve infrastructure in the district and that the time had for the people to learn to initiate development projects instead of relying on the government all the time.
They said the creation of the new district assembly would help to improve the living standards of the people.Nana Ekow Odetey, Mbrantehene of Awutu Beraku and Mr Stanley Quaye, President of Awutu Emasa Youth Association, said this when Mr Solomon Quarshie Abbam-Quaye, the District Chief Executive for Awutu-Effutu-Senya, joined them to undertake a clean up exercise on Sunday at Awutu Beraku.
They said the population of Awutu Beraku, Bawjiase and Kasoa qualify them for a separate district."The district is too large to be administered by one district assembly and the resources from the central government cannot reach every corner of the district however fairly distributed by the authorities."
Mr Quaye appealed to the district assembly to help extend electricity and water to new developed areas of Awutu Beraku. He said the association, with own its meagre resources, built five pit latrines in the town and appealed to the DCE to help supply them iron sheets to roof them.Mr Abbam-Quaye said the administrators of the district agreed to the creation of the new district but it was the prerogative of the President todecide on the matter.He said the government was doing everything possible to improve infrastructure in the district and that the time had for the people to learn to initiate development projects instead of relying on the government all the time.
All set for the opening of the African Union Summit
Accra, July 1, GNA – All is set for the opening of the 9th Ordinary Session of the African Union in Accra, Ghana.
A number of African Heads of State and Government are in Accra for the Summit
They include President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria; Prime Minister P. Mosisili of Lesotho and Dr Isatou Njie, Vice President of The Gambia; President Francois Bozize of Central African Republic; President Abdolaye Wade of Senegal; President Pedro Pireriz of Cape Verde; President Levi Mwanawasa of Zambia and Deputy Prime Minister Pee Pee Jaun Ahmed of Mauritius.
The late Saturday afternoon arrivals in Accra included President Ravaloma Nana of Madagascar and President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso.
Those who had arrived earlier in the day were President Umar Yar-Adua of Nigeria; President Faure Nyasingbe of Togo and President Sidi Mohammed Ould Cheikh Abdullahi of Mauritania.
The others were President Sassou Ngueso of Congo Brazzaville; President Yayi Boni of Benin; President Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea; Prime Minister Absalom Dlamini of Swaziland; President Iddris Debbie of Chad and President Mohammed Abdelaziz of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The rest were President Ahmed Mohammed Sambi of Comoros Island; President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi; President Moi Kabaki of Kenya; President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and President Omar Bongo of Gabon.
The Leaders took the national salute and inspected a guard of honour mounted by four officers and 96 men drawn from the First Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army under the Command of Captain Jacob Sedzro, with the Central Army Band on parade.
Fifty-two African Heads of State and Government are expected in Ghana to participate in the Session from July 1 to July 3 2007.
The Summit would be discussing the creation of a union government for Africa.
A number of African Heads of State and Government are in Accra for the Summit
They include President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria; Prime Minister P. Mosisili of Lesotho and Dr Isatou Njie, Vice President of The Gambia; President Francois Bozize of Central African Republic; President Abdolaye Wade of Senegal; President Pedro Pireriz of Cape Verde; President Levi Mwanawasa of Zambia and Deputy Prime Minister Pee Pee Jaun Ahmed of Mauritius.
The late Saturday afternoon arrivals in Accra included President Ravaloma Nana of Madagascar and President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso.
Those who had arrived earlier in the day were President Umar Yar-Adua of Nigeria; President Faure Nyasingbe of Togo and President Sidi Mohammed Ould Cheikh Abdullahi of Mauritania.
The others were President Sassou Ngueso of Congo Brazzaville; President Yayi Boni of Benin; President Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea; Prime Minister Absalom Dlamini of Swaziland; President Iddris Debbie of Chad and President Mohammed Abdelaziz of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The rest were President Ahmed Mohammed Sambi of Comoros Island; President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi; President Moi Kabaki of Kenya; President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and President Omar Bongo of Gabon.
The Leaders took the national salute and inspected a guard of honour mounted by four officers and 96 men drawn from the First Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army under the Command of Captain Jacob Sedzro, with the Central Army Band on parade.
Fifty-two African Heads of State and Government are expected in Ghana to participate in the Session from July 1 to July 3 2007.
The Summit would be discussing the creation of a union government for Africa.
Heads of State arrive for AU Summit
Accra, July 1, GNA – Heads of State attending the Ninth Ordinary Session of the African Union continue to arrive in Accra.Those that have arrived this morning (Sunday) are Joao Bernardo Vieira, President of Guinea Bissau; Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa; Tome Soares Dvera Cruz, Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe.
The rest are President Kifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia; Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi President of Tunisia; Mohammad Hosni Said Mubarak of Egypt; Paul Biya, President of Cameroon; and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.
The rest are President Kifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia; Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi President of Tunisia; Mohammad Hosni Said Mubarak of Egypt; Paul Biya, President of Cameroon; and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.
Man assaults his 68-year-old grandmother
Kumasi, July 1, GNA – A Kumasi Circuit Court has remanded a 35-year-old man into prison custody for assault and threat of death on his 68-year-old grandmother.Kwadwo Brobbey pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on July 25.Police Inspector Appiah Kubi, prosecuting told the court, presided over by Mr. Ernest Yao Obimpeh that Brobbey lived with the grandmother, Madam Akua Adomah at Akwatialine in Kumasi where a wooden structure in the house is occupied by a cousin of the accused.
He said the accused who wanted to occupy the structure asked the grandmother to eject the cousin on several occasions but the complainant did not oblige.Inspector Appiah Kubi said on June 24 this year around 1900 hours, a quarrel ensued between Brobbey and the grandmother over the issue, leading to the grandmother receiving two slaps on the face from the accused. He is also said to have kicked her on the floor.He said people in the house took the grandmother into her room and locked the door but Brobbey, still in rage picked a bottle and threatened to kill Madam Adomah.
The prosecution said he was overpowered and a report made to the police leading to his arrest whilst the grandmother was issued with medical form to attend hospital.The police, after investigations charged Brobbey with the offence.
US accused of using Darfur crises to control Sudan's oil resources
Accra, July 1, GNA - The Sudanese President, Omar El-Bashir on Saturday slammed media reports of the crises in Darfur, as a vile propaganda, to prepare the grounds for the US and other external forces to take over its oil resources.
Speaking on a tele-conference witnessed by nine countries worldwide, including Ghana, Egypt and the US, President Bashir backed his posture by referring to the Iraqi war where he said President George Bush sent US troops under the pretext of looking for weapons of mass destruction.
The tele-conference coincided with the Ninth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Accra, where the President was expected to be part of the grand debate for the unification of Africa
He said the war, which had so far claimed millions of lives including a number of US soldiers turned out to be an oil war, under the guise of "Oil for food programme."
President Bashir stuck to his opposition to peacekeepers from the West except personnel from the African Union under the auspices of the UN.
He explained that soldiers from perceived enemy states would only be interested in how to destabilise Sudan and exploit its oil resources.
The Head of State, whose address in Arabic was interpreted into English said: "Sudan has the right to resist Western Security forces."
He said aid workers and other Western agents were painting a gloomy picture about the Darfur situation, since it was more profitable for them to do so.
President Bashir noted that people who at one breath visited Sudan and gave a good account of Darfur, left the country to tell stories of rape and genocide and pointed accusing figures at former US Secretary of State, General Colin Powell.
He said armed robbery, ethnic conflicts and foreign interference had for a long time undermined peace and security in Darfur before he assumed political authority, noting that his administration had embraced a number of peace initiatives including the Addis Ababa Accord in 2005, which brokered the current road map.
The President noted that apart from pockets of security problems, Darfur could be described as a safe haven, saying the peace in the area made it possible for students to write this year's Sudanese Certificate Examination.
The former Military General said sanctions imposed on Sudan by the US was harming the peace process and compounding the problems in Darfur.
He said the sanctions were hurting the transport industry, especially rail and air travels, which had been hit by shortage of spare parts.
President Bashir said apart from his commitment towards the building of democracy in Sudan, he was also striving to keep the huge multi-cultural country, bordering about nine countries with 520 ethnic groups and languages united.
"Keeping Sudan united is very important", he emphasised.
Friday, June 29, 2007
An NGO assists seven disaster-hit schools in Tamale Metropolis
Tamale, June 29, GNA - The Inter-NGO Consortium operating in Tamale on Friday, presented 65 packets of roofing sheets worth 65 million cedis to the Tamale Disaster Relief Fund to assist re-roof seven disaster-hit schools in Tamale Metropolis.The beneficiary schools are, Tamale Girls' International School Complex (TAGIS) and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Primary and Nursery Schools all at Kaladan.The rest are Bethel Methodist Primary and Junior Secondary at Ward 'K', T.I. Ahmadiyya nursery and primary schools at Zorgbeli and Anglican Junior Secondary at Kalpohin.Mr Martin Alfa, a representative of Inter-NGO Consortium, presenting the items said those schools were not included in the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly's "Disaster Help" list for assistance.
He was optimistic that the items would help the affected schools to be restored to their previous status for effective teaching and learning.Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister who received the items called on the media in the region to play the advocacy role on the Tamale disaster to enable people know the extent of destruction for assistance to the affected people and institutions.He said the number of displaced people, affected houses, schools and institutions continued to increase therefore, it was necessary for NGOs and other benevolent individuals to assist in re-settling those affected.Alhaji Idris called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to make it as part of admission requirements for primary, junior and secondary schools to come along with two seedlings for planting to prevent disasters particularly in the three northern regions.
He was optimistic that the items would help the affected schools to be restored to their previous status for effective teaching and learning.Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister who received the items called on the media in the region to play the advocacy role on the Tamale disaster to enable people know the extent of destruction for assistance to the affected people and institutions.He said the number of displaced people, affected houses, schools and institutions continued to increase therefore, it was necessary for NGOs and other benevolent individuals to assist in re-settling those affected.Alhaji Idris called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to make it as part of admission requirements for primary, junior and secondary schools to come along with two seedlings for planting to prevent disasters particularly in the three northern regions.
GBS introduces mobile testing Certification of sandcrete blocks.
Accra 29 June, GNA - "The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) has acquired a mobile testing laboratory (Van) for to check the quality of building materials before use.A pilot project has therefore started in the Grater Accra Region in fulfilment of its mandate of protecting the consumer and improving the quality of materials used in the building and construction industry.The National Building Regulation, LI 1630 of 1996 mandates the GSB to assess the quality of all building material before use.A statement signed by Adu G. Darkwa, Executive Director of GSB said the mobile testing aimed at providing conformity assessment service to small-scale companies and manufacturers.It would also provide basis for quality blocks manufacturing to ensure safety in the building industry as well as provide a data base on the quality of sandcrete blocks in Ghana.It said the pilot project had registered two hundred and thirteen factories in the project area and would be extended to other regions of the country after the pilot scheme.
It said each factory registered had been given a unique identification code and factories conforming to the standard would be issued with certificates indicating their strength, class of the block tested.The statement said the benefit of the program would include third party assurance of quality, providing data for designers, contractors and real estate developers and promoting standards and quality in the industry.The board in addition has also installed testing equipment for concrete pipe and concrete compression and invited all manufactures and consumers alike to make use of the facilities.
It said each factory registered had been given a unique identification code and factories conforming to the standard would be issued with certificates indicating their strength, class of the block tested.The statement said the benefit of the program would include third party assurance of quality, providing data for designers, contractors and real estate developers and promoting standards and quality in the industry.The board in addition has also installed testing equipment for concrete pipe and concrete compression and invited all manufactures and consumers alike to make use of the facilities.
African Development Fund to be launched on Saturday
Accra, June 29, GNA - A Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF) would be launched on Saturday at the ongoing African Union Summit, Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, Chairperson of the Fund, announced on Friday. The fund, he said, had seed money of 625 million dollars and was aiming at attaining at least one billion dollars by the end of the year.
Professor Nkuhlu said South Africa, the African Development Bank and Ghana through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), had already contributed to the Fund, which would be used mainly for infrastructure development, energy needs and promotion of science and technology across the continent.
He said other countries in Africa had expressed interest in contributing to the fund, but were unable to because their legislations did not give way for the release of funds without parliamentary approval.
Professor Nkuhlu, who is one of the brains behind the institution of NEPAD, called for the amendment of pension laws across the continent so that countries would be able to contribute to the fund.
He said Africa had the potential to become a big investment destination by 2050, because by that time its population would be more that China's adding that it was for this reason that Africa needed to be strategic in its developmental agenda.
"We need to focus on how to use the vast resources at out disposal to turn the continent round to become the desired place of choice for investors and people looking for potential markets for the goods," he said.
Professor Nkuhlu said the focus of governments now should be the pace of development taking place in their respective countries.
Mr Brain Kagoro, Pan Africa Director, Action AID International, said Africans needed to rejoice at their successes which had become the envy of some developed nations.
Citing the election of an African Woman President, he said this kind of event had eluded the United States of America, a leader in democratic governance issues.
"There is hope for Africa, because for some time now there has been significant economic progress across the continent, with conflicts reducing considerably," Mr Kagoro said.
He said unless the continent's leaders invested in the people there could not be progress.
Professor Nkuhlu said South Africa, the African Development Bank and Ghana through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), had already contributed to the Fund, which would be used mainly for infrastructure development, energy needs and promotion of science and technology across the continent.
He said other countries in Africa had expressed interest in contributing to the fund, but were unable to because their legislations did not give way for the release of funds without parliamentary approval.
Professor Nkuhlu, who is one of the brains behind the institution of NEPAD, called for the amendment of pension laws across the continent so that countries would be able to contribute to the fund.
He said Africa had the potential to become a big investment destination by 2050, because by that time its population would be more that China's adding that it was for this reason that Africa needed to be strategic in its developmental agenda.
"We need to focus on how to use the vast resources at out disposal to turn the continent round to become the desired place of choice for investors and people looking for potential markets for the goods," he said.
Professor Nkuhlu said the focus of governments now should be the pace of development taking place in their respective countries.
Mr Brain Kagoro, Pan Africa Director, Action AID International, said Africans needed to rejoice at their successes which had become the envy of some developed nations.
Citing the election of an African Woman President, he said this kind of event had eluded the United States of America, a leader in democratic governance issues.
"There is hope for Africa, because for some time now there has been significant economic progress across the continent, with conflicts reducing considerably," Mr Kagoro said.
He said unless the continent's leaders invested in the people there could not be progress.
Rights NGO to hold vigil for Gambia murder victims
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on Friday said it would organize a vigil on Tuesday in honour of the 44 Ghanaians and six other Africans who were murdered in The Gambia two years ago.
"It is our hope that the people of Ghana can signal to the Africa Union (AU) the importance of pursuing agendas that promote human rights throughout the region," it said in a statement released in Accra.
The statement said the vigil was to send a message to President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and to the rest of the AU leaders that Ghanaians and the international community could not look on quietly while human rights violations were happening.The statement called on President Jammeh to take responsibility for this injustice and communicate his commitment to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
"We also hope that all AU delegates will adopt this issue and set a precedent that will serve to prevent future atrocities." It said the memory of the 44 Ghanaians serves as a lasting reminder of the persisting human rights issues still facing Africans.It said although many countries had pledged to enforce human rights, extra judicial killings in The Gambia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries continued to deprive individuals of their most basic human rights, the right to life.The statement also said the recent incidents in Darfur had received particular international attention and were regarded as the hallmark of these forms of infractions.
"It is our hope that the people of Ghana can signal to the Africa Union (AU) the importance of pursuing agendas that promote human rights throughout the region," it said in a statement released in Accra.
The statement said the vigil was to send a message to President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and to the rest of the AU leaders that Ghanaians and the international community could not look on quietly while human rights violations were happening.The statement called on President Jammeh to take responsibility for this injustice and communicate his commitment to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
"We also hope that all AU delegates will adopt this issue and set a precedent that will serve to prevent future atrocities." It said the memory of the 44 Ghanaians serves as a lasting reminder of the persisting human rights issues still facing Africans.It said although many countries had pledged to enforce human rights, extra judicial killings in The Gambia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries continued to deprive individuals of their most basic human rights, the right to life.The statement also said the recent incidents in Darfur had received particular international attention and were regarded as the hallmark of these forms of infractions.
Work begins on Kwabenya landfill site project
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Kwabenya landfill site project would begin this year and completed by June 2009, Mr Stanley Adjiri Blankson, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive said on Friday.
He said valuations for compensation had been done adding, applications were being processed for compensation and pictures of about 80 houses to be demolished.
Signing a 30-million dollar contract to start construction of Schools, Sanitation facilities and other projects including the landfill in Accra, Mr Blankson said a consultant was about to review designs of various building to be demolished in order to pave way for the construction.
The project is jointly funded by the World Bank, Agence Franciase de Development (AFD), the Nordic Development Fund and the Government of Ghana.
The Kwabenya landfill site project had been on hold for the past five years after protests by residents.
Mr Blanskon said the assembly would be holding various meetings with legitimate landlords before the commencement of the project.
He said the assembly would also take precautionary measures to ensure that people did not build in the night to escalate the compensation.
The Mayor said the city was saddled with garbage collection problems, adding that it could not be held ransom by some people.
"AMA was going to commence and complete the project at Kwabenya once and for all," he added.
He said valuations for compensation had been done adding, applications were being processed for compensation and pictures of about 80 houses to be demolished.
Signing a 30-million dollar contract to start construction of Schools, Sanitation facilities and other projects including the landfill in Accra, Mr Blankson said a consultant was about to review designs of various building to be demolished in order to pave way for the construction.
The project is jointly funded by the World Bank, Agence Franciase de Development (AFD), the Nordic Development Fund and the Government of Ghana.
The Kwabenya landfill site project had been on hold for the past five years after protests by residents.
Mr Blanskon said the assembly would be holding various meetings with legitimate landlords before the commencement of the project.
He said the assembly would also take precautionary measures to ensure that people did not build in the night to escalate the compensation.
The Mayor said the city was saddled with garbage collection problems, adding that it could not be held ransom by some people.
"AMA was going to commence and complete the project at Kwabenya once and for all," he added.
Armed men kill GCB Deputy Managing Director
Tema, June 29, GNA - A gang of four armed men last night stormed the house of the Deputy Managing Director in-charge of Operations of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), Mr Rocco Frimpong at Sakumono Estates and shot him dead at close range.A relative, Madam Rebecca Fumador, who is the deceased's brother's wife on Friday told the Ghana News Agency at the scene of the incident that the armed men disguised themselves in black dresses and dark sun glasses.She said at about 2030 hours on Thursday, she heard a knock at the main gate and went to open it and saw a young man who said he was looking for Mr Frimpong who was then ironing his dress in the room.
Madam Fumador said before she could ask further questions, the man pushed her aside, followed by three others and went straight to where Mr Frimpong was ironing, pulled him to the main gate and shot him.Just at that time, two of the armed robbers collected her husband, Mr James Dabo's two mobile phones and hit his forehead, resulting in blood gushing out.Madam Fumador said the armed men did not enter any of the rooms to pick anything but after shooting him at the gate, they rushed into a dark-blue saloon car parked far away from the house and sped away.
There were blood stains at the main entrance to the house when the GNA visited there.Madam Fumador said the body has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.Meanwhile the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) John Kudalor confirmed the story and told the GNA that the Regional Police Command has offered 20 million cedis to anyone whose information would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.
Madam Fumador said before she could ask further questions, the man pushed her aside, followed by three others and went straight to where Mr Frimpong was ironing, pulled him to the main gate and shot him.Just at that time, two of the armed robbers collected her husband, Mr James Dabo's two mobile phones and hit his forehead, resulting in blood gushing out.Madam Fumador said the armed men did not enter any of the rooms to pick anything but after shooting him at the gate, they rushed into a dark-blue saloon car parked far away from the house and sped away.
There were blood stains at the main entrance to the house when the GNA visited there.Madam Fumador said the body has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.Meanwhile the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) John Kudalor confirmed the story and told the GNA that the Regional Police Command has offered 20 million cedis to anyone whose information would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.
Court remands labourer for allegedly killing his brother
Bawku (UER), June 29, GNA – A Bawku Circuit court has remanded Akudugu Asawin 46, a labourer into prison custody for allegedly killing his junior brother suspected of flirting with his wife at Zawse.
He pleaded not guilty and the docket on the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General's Department for advice.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Andrews Yirenkyi told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, that Akudugu and his wife Rebecca lived near his junior
brother Dashmani Asawin's house at Zawse, near Bawku.
He said in the evening of Sunday, June 24, Akudugu who suspected his wife flirting with Dashmani trailed them to a drinking spot, but when they saw Akudugu behind them they separated and went different ways.
Police Inspector Yirenkyi said the two brothers later engaged in a hot brawl at the drinking spot when Akudugu confronted Dashmani for flirting with his wife but they were separated.
He said when Akudugu went home, he told his wife to leave her matrimonial home but Dashmani pleaded on her behalf but Akudugu refused.
The prosecution said after Rebecca had left, Dashmani went to Akudugu's house at dawn on Monday June 25, and rebuked Akudugu for sending his wife away and this resulted into another brawl.
He said in the course of the brawl, which lasted for nearly an hour, Akudugu hit the back of Dashmani's head with a stick, rendering him unconscious and later died while being sent to the hospital.
The prosecution said Akudugu was arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.
He pleaded not guilty and the docket on the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General's Department for advice.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Andrews Yirenkyi told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, that Akudugu and his wife Rebecca lived near his junior
brother Dashmani Asawin's house at Zawse, near Bawku.
He said in the evening of Sunday, June 24, Akudugu who suspected his wife flirting with Dashmani trailed them to a drinking spot, but when they saw Akudugu behind them they separated and went different ways.
Police Inspector Yirenkyi said the two brothers later engaged in a hot brawl at the drinking spot when Akudugu confronted Dashmani for flirting with his wife but they were separated.
He said when Akudugu went home, he told his wife to leave her matrimonial home but Dashmani pleaded on her behalf but Akudugu refused.
The prosecution said after Rebecca had left, Dashmani went to Akudugu's house at dawn on Monday June 25, and rebuked Akudugu for sending his wife away and this resulted into another brawl.
He said in the course of the brawl, which lasted for nearly an hour, Akudugu hit the back of Dashmani's head with a stick, rendering him unconscious and later died while being sent to the hospital.
The prosecution said Akudugu was arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.
Emulate good examples of nation’s heroes-Professor Anamuah-Mensah
Cape Coast, June 29, GNA - Professor Jophus Ato Anamuah-Mensah, Vice Chancellor of University of Education, Winneba (UEW), on Friday stressed the need for Ghanaians to learn about the history of past heroes and emulate their good examples to enhance the country's development.
He said some of the nation's heroes left behind "meaningful and important legacies" when properly harnessed would enhance development.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah made the call when launching this year's "Oguaa Fetu-Afahye" festival, under the theme "Celebrating Cape Coast and her Heroes," at Cape Coast.
He said with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence, Ghanaians should express appreciation not only to the "Big Six" but acknowledge the sacrifices of veritable heroes and heroines of the last two centuries, in the development of education and politics.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said as Oguaaman honoured her heroes and celebrated them she should be reminded of the present "unacceptable state" of the area a former capital of Ghana.
"Cape Coast formerly the Mecca of educational development has lost its glitter, many children expected to be in school are found at the beach and market places, parents did not care about their children's education resulting in poor performance in the BECE and other examinations," he added.Prof. Anamuah-Mensah attributed the challenges of Oguaaman to University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Polytechnic being the major avenue for employment in the area and lack of industries and collapsing fishing industry.
He therefore, stressed the need for the establishment of a fishing harbour and creation of a fishery department at UCC to help revamp the fishing industry in Oguaaman.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah, also called for the re-establishment of Mfantsi National Education fund to supplement the GETFUND to support development of education in the area adding" Oguaaman cannot continue to live on its past glories."
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area called on all and sundry, particularly citizens of Cape Coast to make this year's festival a success.
He urged them to contribute towards the development of the area since the 43 chiefs in the area alone could not bring any meaningful development to the more than 250,000 people.
Nana Kodwo Addae II, Chief of Abura and Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, said 13 people including two institutions that had contributed to the development of Oguaaman would be honoured during the festival.
He said some of them would have their busts erected at the Victoria Park, while some streets would be named after others.
Nana Addae announced a ban on drumming and noise making, fishing in the Fosu Lagoon and funerals in the Oguaa traditional area from Tuesday July 31 to Thursday August 16.
He said some of the nation's heroes left behind "meaningful and important legacies" when properly harnessed would enhance development.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah made the call when launching this year's "Oguaa Fetu-Afahye" festival, under the theme "Celebrating Cape Coast and her Heroes," at Cape Coast.
He said with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence, Ghanaians should express appreciation not only to the "Big Six" but acknowledge the sacrifices of veritable heroes and heroines of the last two centuries, in the development of education and politics.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said as Oguaaman honoured her heroes and celebrated them she should be reminded of the present "unacceptable state" of the area a former capital of Ghana.
"Cape Coast formerly the Mecca of educational development has lost its glitter, many children expected to be in school are found at the beach and market places, parents did not care about their children's education resulting in poor performance in the BECE and other examinations," he added.Prof. Anamuah-Mensah attributed the challenges of Oguaaman to University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Polytechnic being the major avenue for employment in the area and lack of industries and collapsing fishing industry.
He therefore, stressed the need for the establishment of a fishing harbour and creation of a fishery department at UCC to help revamp the fishing industry in Oguaaman.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah, also called for the re-establishment of Mfantsi National Education fund to supplement the GETFUND to support development of education in the area adding" Oguaaman cannot continue to live on its past glories."
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area called on all and sundry, particularly citizens of Cape Coast to make this year's festival a success.
He urged them to contribute towards the development of the area since the 43 chiefs in the area alone could not bring any meaningful development to the more than 250,000 people.
Nana Kodwo Addae II, Chief of Abura and Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, said 13 people including two institutions that had contributed to the development of Oguaaman would be honoured during the festival.
He said some of them would have their busts erected at the Victoria Park, while some streets would be named after others.
Nana Addae announced a ban on drumming and noise making, fishing in the Fosu Lagoon and funerals in the Oguaa traditional area from Tuesday July 31 to Thursday August 16.
Huni Valley secondary school partly submerged
Huni Valley (W/R), June 29, GNA- Recent rainstorms had submerged parts of the Huni Valley Secondary School in the Wassa West District.The teachers and headmaster's bungalows and the main roads leading to the school have been flooded thus making movement within the school difficult.
Mr. Thomas Kodjoe Tandoh, headmaster of the school, disclosed these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Huni Valley on Thursday.
He said the school, established in 1975 with 25 students and now with a population of 839, had no drainage facilities.
Mr. Tandoh said the school was built on land that was susceptible to flooding and the entire campus became flooded after the slightest rain.
Mr. Tandoh said the lack of a teachers quarters and a boy's dormitory and a school library was a disincentive for teaching and learning.
He explained that 24 teachers were currently occupying an eight-unit accommodation block meant for eight teachers while a six-classroom block had been converted into a boy's dormitory.
Mr. Tandoh stressed that though the school needed about 40 teachers the lack of accommodation facilities was preventing other teachers from joining the school.
He said the school's mini bus was draining the resources of the school and called for assistance from individuals, organisations and the GETFUND.
Mr. Thomas Kodjoe Tandoh, headmaster of the school, disclosed these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Huni Valley on Thursday.
He said the school, established in 1975 with 25 students and now with a population of 839, had no drainage facilities.
Mr. Tandoh said the school was built on land that was susceptible to flooding and the entire campus became flooded after the slightest rain.
Mr. Tandoh said the lack of a teachers quarters and a boy's dormitory and a school library was a disincentive for teaching and learning.
He explained that 24 teachers were currently occupying an eight-unit accommodation block meant for eight teachers while a six-classroom block had been converted into a boy's dormitory.
Mr. Tandoh stressed that though the school needed about 40 teachers the lack of accommodation facilities was preventing other teachers from joining the school.
He said the school's mini bus was draining the resources of the school and called for assistance from individuals, organisations and the GETFUND.
President Kufuor commissions buses for MMT
Kumasi, June 29, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has advised stakeholders of Metro Mass Transport (MMT) to put adequate measures in place to ensure sustainable management and efficient operation of the company.Their ultimate responsibility was to ensure the strengthening of the financial, human and logistic resources of the company to enable it to make reasonable returns on the investment.President Kufuor gave the advice when he commissioned 20 buses provided by the VDL in Netherlands and assembled at Neoplan Ghana Limited in Kumasi on Friday to augment the fleet of buses for MMT.
He advised the staff to eschew negative tendencies and conduct themselves well, so as to enhance profitability, a necessary requirement for their job security.
The buses were the first consignment of 150 to be provided under the Dutch Government concessionary financing under which, 250 buses are being provided to the company out of which 100 buses had already been supplied.
President Kufuor said the government, in realizing the critical role the efficient mass transport system plays in the national development agenda, has already provided the MMT, which was piloted in Accra in 2002, a total of 625 buses and that, plans were far advanced to extend services to all district capitals by the end of 2007.
An additional 1,000 buses are also to be provided to facilitate smooth transportation not only in the cities but nationwide.
President Kufuor said enormous benefits have accrued to the nation and in particular patrons of the services of these buses since the inception of the project in 2002, and that over 120 million passengers had used the MMT services.
Besides, over 2,500 jobs had been created. It is expected that job creation through MMT would be increased to 3,000 by the end of the year.
He announced that a collaborative pilot scheme for urban-public transportation in Greater-Accra and Kumasi aside, MMT services was underway to ease traffic congestion and problems regarding mass public transport in the cities.
He therefore, urged the collaborative partners, which are the Ministries of Transportation, Local Government, Rural Development and Environment as well as the World Bank to work hard for the early realization of this important project.
Mr. Felix Owusu-Agyapong, acting Minister of Transportation, said the company in a bid to enhance service delivery to the public was continuously putting in place terminal and passenger waiting facilities at vantage places to serve passengers.
He said the MMT carries an estimated 5.5 million passengers a month on its routes all over the country and by December 2006 the company had carried 55 million passengers nationwide and covered a total distance of 24.3 million kilometres.
Through the spreading of its activities to other districts, the number of passengers carried increased to 128 million passengers by the end of February 2007.
He, however, said the MMT was faced with challenges such as harassment of company's staff and destruction of properties, especially buses, slow pace of work on other passenger waiting facilities as well as inadequate and outdated terminal facilities.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, conveyed Otumfuo's appeal to Mrs Alida Remmelzwal, Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana to establish a bus manufacturing company in Kumasi for which land had already been provided.
Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, cautioned drivers and conductors to take good care of the buses and properly manage the proceeds of their operations so that investors could derive maximum benefits.
Mrs. Remmelzwal, on her part said the buses had been specially designed to suit tropical weather conditions and African roads and guarantee their durability.
He advised the staff to eschew negative tendencies and conduct themselves well, so as to enhance profitability, a necessary requirement for their job security.
The buses were the first consignment of 150 to be provided under the Dutch Government concessionary financing under which, 250 buses are being provided to the company out of which 100 buses had already been supplied.
President Kufuor said the government, in realizing the critical role the efficient mass transport system plays in the national development agenda, has already provided the MMT, which was piloted in Accra in 2002, a total of 625 buses and that, plans were far advanced to extend services to all district capitals by the end of 2007.
An additional 1,000 buses are also to be provided to facilitate smooth transportation not only in the cities but nationwide.
President Kufuor said enormous benefits have accrued to the nation and in particular patrons of the services of these buses since the inception of the project in 2002, and that over 120 million passengers had used the MMT services.
Besides, over 2,500 jobs had been created. It is expected that job creation through MMT would be increased to 3,000 by the end of the year.
He announced that a collaborative pilot scheme for urban-public transportation in Greater-Accra and Kumasi aside, MMT services was underway to ease traffic congestion and problems regarding mass public transport in the cities.
He therefore, urged the collaborative partners, which are the Ministries of Transportation, Local Government, Rural Development and Environment as well as the World Bank to work hard for the early realization of this important project.
Mr. Felix Owusu-Agyapong, acting Minister of Transportation, said the company in a bid to enhance service delivery to the public was continuously putting in place terminal and passenger waiting facilities at vantage places to serve passengers.
He said the MMT carries an estimated 5.5 million passengers a month on its routes all over the country and by December 2006 the company had carried 55 million passengers nationwide and covered a total distance of 24.3 million kilometres.
Through the spreading of its activities to other districts, the number of passengers carried increased to 128 million passengers by the end of February 2007.
He, however, said the MMT was faced with challenges such as harassment of company's staff and destruction of properties, especially buses, slow pace of work on other passenger waiting facilities as well as inadequate and outdated terminal facilities.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, conveyed Otumfuo's appeal to Mrs Alida Remmelzwal, Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana to establish a bus manufacturing company in Kumasi for which land had already been provided.
Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, cautioned drivers and conductors to take good care of the buses and properly manage the proceeds of their operations so that investors could derive maximum benefits.
Mrs. Remmelzwal, on her part said the buses had been specially designed to suit tropical weather conditions and African roads and guarantee their durability.
Dentists urged to expand scope of operations
Kumasi, June 29, GNA- Major (rtd) Courage Quarshigah, Minister of Health has challenged Ghanaian dentists to operate beyond their area of specialisation to enhance health care delivery in the country.
He also noted that majority of Ghanaians lacked education on oral health and urged dentists to intensify public education on that aspect of health.
Major Quarshigah, who was speaking at the 16th Annual Congress of the Ghana Dental Association (GMA), in Kumasi on Friday, appealed to dentists to help research into the traditional way of tooth brushing, used in the olden days, to maintain proper oral health.
The Minister said there was the need to ensure good health care delivery for the people to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Professor Tsiri Agbenyega, Dean of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences, expressed concern about the low number of dentists in the country and called on the Government to train more professionals.
He also stressed the need for a multi-sectoral approach to rural development to entice people to accept postings to the rural areas.
Prof. Agbenyenga explained that most professionals were unwilling to accept posting to rural areas partly due to the lack of quality education in those areas, and called government to improve educational standards in the rural communities.
Dr. Eric Asamoah, President of GDA, suggested to the Ministry of Health to train dental nurses to augment the work of dentists.
He also noted that majority of Ghanaians lacked education on oral health and urged dentists to intensify public education on that aspect of health.
Major Quarshigah, who was speaking at the 16th Annual Congress of the Ghana Dental Association (GMA), in Kumasi on Friday, appealed to dentists to help research into the traditional way of tooth brushing, used in the olden days, to maintain proper oral health.
The Minister said there was the need to ensure good health care delivery for the people to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Professor Tsiri Agbenyega, Dean of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Medical Sciences, expressed concern about the low number of dentists in the country and called on the Government to train more professionals.
He also stressed the need for a multi-sectoral approach to rural development to entice people to accept postings to the rural areas.
Prof. Agbenyenga explained that most professionals were unwilling to accept posting to rural areas partly due to the lack of quality education in those areas, and called government to improve educational standards in the rural communities.
Dr. Eric Asamoah, President of GDA, suggested to the Ministry of Health to train dental nurses to augment the work of dentists.
Pensioners call for increase in monthly pension
Cape Coast, June 29, GNA - Mr Godfried Ewusi, Central Regional Chairman of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Pensioners Association has appealed to Government to increase the SSNIT Monthly Pension pay from 154,000 cedis to 500,000 cedis, to enable them make decent living.
Mr Ewusi made the appeal at a delegates' conference to elect officers at Cape Coast on Thursday.Other elected officers were Mr Samuel Korankye, Vice-Chairman, Mr John Asamaning, Secretary, Mr Nathaniel Ghanney, Assistant Secretary and Mr John Tawiah, Treasurer.Mr Ewusi expressed appreciation to the members for the confidence reposed in them and called for their co-operation to ensure a smooth and successful administration.He urged them to make their rich experience available to the nation to enhance its socio-economic development.
Mr Ewusi made the appeal at a delegates' conference to elect officers at Cape Coast on Thursday.Other elected officers were Mr Samuel Korankye, Vice-Chairman, Mr John Asamaning, Secretary, Mr Nathaniel Ghanney, Assistant Secretary and Mr John Tawiah, Treasurer.Mr Ewusi expressed appreciation to the members for the confidence reposed in them and called for their co-operation to ensure a smooth and successful administration.He urged them to make their rich experience available to the nation to enhance its socio-economic development.
Six hundred and fifty-six prisoners granted amnesty
Accra, June 30, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor in consultation with the Prisons Service Council on Friday granted amnesty to 656 prisoners on humanitarian grounds to commemorate Ghana's 47th republican status on July 1.
The amnesty covers 634 first offenders who had served half or more of their sentences, ten who were seriously ill and incapacitated and who would not pose any threat to society, two nursing mothers and two others serving at the president's pleasure.In a statement signed by Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister for the Interior, said seven prisoners on death row had had their sentences commuted to life sentences.
One prisoner on life sentence, who had served over ten years, had had his sentence commuted to a definite term of 20 years.The amnesty according to the statement was in accordance with article 72 of the 1992 Constitution.
The amnesty covers 634 first offenders who had served half or more of their sentences, ten who were seriously ill and incapacitated and who would not pose any threat to society, two nursing mothers and two others serving at the president's pleasure.In a statement signed by Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister for the Interior, said seven prisoners on death row had had their sentences commuted to life sentences.
One prisoner on life sentence, who had served over ten years, had had his sentence commuted to a definite term of 20 years.The amnesty according to the statement was in accordance with article 72 of the 1992 Constitution.
Takoradi Polytechnic SRC apologises for disturbances
Takoradi, June 29, GNA - The Students Representative Council (SRC) of Takoradi Polytechnic has apologised to the innocent students, school management, residents of Effiakuma new site, the Polytechnic Council and the police for the disturbances that led to its closure on June 1, this year.
Mr Ralph R. Robertson, SRC President rendered the apology at a press conference held at the polytechnic on Thursday.
He said series of meetings had been held to solve some of the problems confronting the polytechnic adding, "it was unfortunate that, we could not reach an amicable solution".
Mr Robertson appealed to all students to report on Tuesday, July 3 to begin preparations for their examinations on July 9.
He said it would be unfortunate when the students refused to write their end of semester examinations adding, "our future lies in our own hands and we must not allow anyone to misinform us and ruin our future."
Mr Robertson said the Polytechnic Council had agreed to refund and credit all outstanding monies to the SRC and the JCR.
He announced that no submissions had been made on fees for the 2007/2008 academic year and pledged that the SRC would scrutinise it and students would receive itemised bills.
Mr Robertson noted that though the students accused him of supporting management, his duty was to study and represent the entire student body and would not abandon them.
He said no student would be victimised by the management or the security personnel on campus.
It would be re-called that students of Takoradi Polytechnic led by executives of Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) declared an indefinite boycott of academic work with effect from Thursday May 31.
They also called for the immediate dismissal of the Principal, Dr. Samuel Obeng-Apori and accused him of "being incompetent, arrogant and autocratic".
GNUPS in a statement said the boycott was in solidarity with the students and would assist them to boycott an impending examinations scheduled for June 1.The polytechnic has since been closed down and a joint police and military personnel are on guard.
Mr Ralph R. Robertson, SRC President rendered the apology at a press conference held at the polytechnic on Thursday.
He said series of meetings had been held to solve some of the problems confronting the polytechnic adding, "it was unfortunate that, we could not reach an amicable solution".
Mr Robertson appealed to all students to report on Tuesday, July 3 to begin preparations for their examinations on July 9.
He said it would be unfortunate when the students refused to write their end of semester examinations adding, "our future lies in our own hands and we must not allow anyone to misinform us and ruin our future."
Mr Robertson said the Polytechnic Council had agreed to refund and credit all outstanding monies to the SRC and the JCR.
He announced that no submissions had been made on fees for the 2007/2008 academic year and pledged that the SRC would scrutinise it and students would receive itemised bills.
Mr Robertson noted that though the students accused him of supporting management, his duty was to study and represent the entire student body and would not abandon them.
He said no student would be victimised by the management or the security personnel on campus.
It would be re-called that students of Takoradi Polytechnic led by executives of Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) declared an indefinite boycott of academic work with effect from Thursday May 31.
They also called for the immediate dismissal of the Principal, Dr. Samuel Obeng-Apori and accused him of "being incompetent, arrogant and autocratic".
GNUPS in a statement said the boycott was in solidarity with the students and would assist them to boycott an impending examinations scheduled for June 1.The polytechnic has since been closed down and a joint police and military personnel are on guard.
Oil marketing companies get set for re-denomination exercise
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Association of Oil Marketing Companies in Ghana on Thursday announced that most OMCs have acquired new working tools and have carried out vigorous in-house training for all of its staff in preparation for the commencement of the re-denomination exercise, which comes off from July 3.
Mr Yaw Agyeman Duah, OMC Board Chairman, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the OMCs had adjusted their price tags and displayed at strategic location at all filling stations fuel prices in both new and old currencies.
He said the OMC had organised educational training on the re-denomination at various locations in the country aimed at complementing the efforts of the Bank of Ghana, to remove all bottlenecks in the introduction of the new Ghana cedi, to ensure a smooth transition from the use of the old to the new Ghana cedi.
Mr Agyeman Duah explained that the staff training and interaction exercises formed part of the OMCs social responsibility towards educating the filling station attendants on the exercise.
He said since the Central Bank announced its intention to introduce new sets of notes and coins into the system to replace the old ones, individuals and institutions throughout the country had expressed varying degrees of worry over it ramifications on members of the public.Mr Agyeman Duah appealed to the motoring public to cooperate with OMC staff at the filling stations during the period to ensure the success of the exercise.
Speaking at the last of a series of training seminars for staff of OMCs in Accra, Mr Fiifi Blankson, Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana, explained that the re-denomination was necessary to address the risk of carrying huge sacks of money to the banks and also increase the efficiency in payments systems, with particular reference to Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
He noted that the exercise would help simplify accounting records and ease expressions in monetary values, which would be of benefit to the banks and customers.
"The cost of producing bank notes will reduce and also increase the efficiency of its production," he added.
Mr Blankson reminded the OMCs that from July 3 the new Ghana cedi would be in circulation with the old ones for a period of 6 months and would involve a gradual withdrawal of the current notes from circulation.
He explained that the old currency would not be legal tender and no longer be in the use for the purpose of buying goods and services after the 6 months period.
He indicated that cheques received through clearing after July 1, would be converted and debited into the customers account in the new Ghana cedi.
"Similarly cheques written prior to July 1 in old currency will be converted to the new currency before payments," he added
He noted that all approved loans and overdrafts which might not have been fully approved before July 1 would be converted and disbursed in the new Ghana cedi.
Mr Blankson said account balance, interest and other levies as at June 30 would be converted into the new Ghana cedi.
Oil marketing officials from Total Ghana Limited, Ghana Oil Company, Top Oil, Agapet, Thread Cross, Star Oil, Galax Oil, Dukes, Excel Oil, Manbah Gas Oil, Masona Oil Company, Kabby and Sons, Allied Oil, OJK Oil, Chase Oil and Oando attended the seminar.
Mr Yaw Agyeman Duah, OMC Board Chairman, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the OMCs had adjusted their price tags and displayed at strategic location at all filling stations fuel prices in both new and old currencies.
He said the OMC had organised educational training on the re-denomination at various locations in the country aimed at complementing the efforts of the Bank of Ghana, to remove all bottlenecks in the introduction of the new Ghana cedi, to ensure a smooth transition from the use of the old to the new Ghana cedi.
Mr Agyeman Duah explained that the staff training and interaction exercises formed part of the OMCs social responsibility towards educating the filling station attendants on the exercise.
He said since the Central Bank announced its intention to introduce new sets of notes and coins into the system to replace the old ones, individuals and institutions throughout the country had expressed varying degrees of worry over it ramifications on members of the public.Mr Agyeman Duah appealed to the motoring public to cooperate with OMC staff at the filling stations during the period to ensure the success of the exercise.
Speaking at the last of a series of training seminars for staff of OMCs in Accra, Mr Fiifi Blankson, Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana, explained that the re-denomination was necessary to address the risk of carrying huge sacks of money to the banks and also increase the efficiency in payments systems, with particular reference to Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
He noted that the exercise would help simplify accounting records and ease expressions in monetary values, which would be of benefit to the banks and customers.
"The cost of producing bank notes will reduce and also increase the efficiency of its production," he added.
Mr Blankson reminded the OMCs that from July 3 the new Ghana cedi would be in circulation with the old ones for a period of 6 months and would involve a gradual withdrawal of the current notes from circulation.
He explained that the old currency would not be legal tender and no longer be in the use for the purpose of buying goods and services after the 6 months period.
He indicated that cheques received through clearing after July 1, would be converted and debited into the customers account in the new Ghana cedi.
"Similarly cheques written prior to July 1 in old currency will be converted to the new currency before payments," he added
He noted that all approved loans and overdrafts which might not have been fully approved before July 1 would be converted and disbursed in the new Ghana cedi.
Mr Blankson said account balance, interest and other levies as at June 30 would be converted into the new Ghana cedi.
Oil marketing officials from Total Ghana Limited, Ghana Oil Company, Top Oil, Agapet, Thread Cross, Star Oil, Galax Oil, Dukes, Excel Oil, Manbah Gas Oil, Masona Oil Company, Kabby and Sons, Allied Oil, OJK Oil, Chase Oil and Oando attended the seminar.
Hariom International students educate neighbours on re-denomination
Saltpond (C/R), June 29, GNA - Students of the Hariom International School, a private institution at Saltpond, have embarked on an education campaign on the re-denomination of the cedi, as a social responsibility to its surrounding communities.
The exercise, which begins on July 3, took the Junior Secondary School final year students to Anokye, Kuntu, Afrangua, Kanka Bonmu and Eguatsia Bonmu.Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Anokye near the Mfantseman Girls Secondary School, Mr J H Ewudzie Annan, proprietor of the school said he endorsed the decision of the students to take time off their studies to educate their close neighbours on the exercise, because they had realised that the messages on the re-denomination had not got down well with the people.
"It is our social responsibility and moral obligation to help our close neighbours to overcome their difficulties", he said.Miss Beatrice Kusi-Kyere, Miss Benedicta Bansah and Master Razak Nunoo, all final year JSS students, took turns to educate the people on the re-denomination with support from Mr John Edumadze Graham, Headmaster, who also answered some questions posed by members of the public.Nana Asemani IV, chief of Anokye, commended the students for the gesture and expressed satisfaction about their decision to share their knowledge on the re-denomination of the cedi with their neighbours.
The exercise, which begins on July 3, took the Junior Secondary School final year students to Anokye, Kuntu, Afrangua, Kanka Bonmu and Eguatsia Bonmu.Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Anokye near the Mfantseman Girls Secondary School, Mr J H Ewudzie Annan, proprietor of the school said he endorsed the decision of the students to take time off their studies to educate their close neighbours on the exercise, because they had realised that the messages on the re-denomination had not got down well with the people.
"It is our social responsibility and moral obligation to help our close neighbours to overcome their difficulties", he said.Miss Beatrice Kusi-Kyere, Miss Benedicta Bansah and Master Razak Nunoo, all final year JSS students, took turns to educate the people on the re-denomination with support from Mr John Edumadze Graham, Headmaster, who also answered some questions posed by members of the public.Nana Asemani IV, chief of Anokye, commended the students for the gesture and expressed satisfaction about their decision to share their knowledge on the re-denomination of the cedi with their neighbours.
UN Deputy Secretary General arrives for AU Summit
Accra, June 28, GNA - Ms Asha-Rose Migiro, United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary General, arrived in Accra on Thursday evening for the annual Summit of the African Union (AU) during which, she will call for stronger partnership between the UN and the AU on African issues. While in Ghana, Ms Migiro will speak on pertinent issues including the need to speed up efforts for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the war against the spread of HIV/AIDS and the empowering of women and girls.
She will also touch on issues of peace and security on the continent and the latest joint efforts by the UN and the AU to resolve the crises in the Darfur region of Sudan. The Deputy Secretary General is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with some African leaders.
She will also touch on issues of peace and security on the continent and the latest joint efforts by the UN and the AU to resolve the crises in the Darfur region of Sudan. The Deputy Secretary General is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with some African leaders.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Mobile thieves slashes fingers of student
Accra, June 25, GNA- The two fingers of Miss Rosemary Klutse, a 17-year-old former student of Accra Girls Secondary Schools, were slashed with a sharp knife by two mobile phone snatchers at the Adenta SDA Junction last Tuesday.
Miss Klutse had gone to the junction in the evening to buy units for her mobile phone. When she was returning home, the two young men dressed in black and wearing sunglasses stopped by her on a motorbike and asked her to surrender the phone.
She told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that she refused to hand over the phone and instead threw it into a nearby bush.
Miss Klutse said her action infuriated the thieves who used the sharp knife to slash two fingers on her left hand and escaped.
She bled profusely and was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital by onlookers where her fingers were stitched and bandaged.
The Adenta District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police Yao Tettegah confirmed the story to the GNA and said efforts were being made to apprehend the culprits and asked the public to co-operate by giving out the needed information.
He said last month, his outfit arrested a taxi, with multiple registration number plates, which was used in snatching mobile phones at Adenta.The culprits were sent to the Accra Regional Police Headquarters where they were sent to court prosecution.
Miss Klutse had gone to the junction in the evening to buy units for her mobile phone. When she was returning home, the two young men dressed in black and wearing sunglasses stopped by her on a motorbike and asked her to surrender the phone.
She told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that she refused to hand over the phone and instead threw it into a nearby bush.
Miss Klutse said her action infuriated the thieves who used the sharp knife to slash two fingers on her left hand and escaped.
She bled profusely and was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital by onlookers where her fingers were stitched and bandaged.
The Adenta District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police Yao Tettegah confirmed the story to the GNA and said efforts were being made to apprehend the culprits and asked the public to co-operate by giving out the needed information.
He said last month, his outfit arrested a taxi, with multiple registration number plates, which was used in snatching mobile phones at Adenta.The culprits were sent to the Accra Regional Police Headquarters where they were sent to court prosecution.
Student World Assembly launches competition on child trafficking
Yeji, June 25, GNA- Student World Assembly (SWA), a global body that represents the views of students, has launched a National Art and Essay Writing contest on "Child Trafficking and Child Labour", at Yeji in the Pru District.
The launch, which was in line with the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, which fell on 6th June, this year, is aimed at assessing the level of awareness about child trafficking and child labour among the youth and galvanize their support to combat the situation.
Mr Faustinus Obretey, a social worker who launched the contest on behalf of the District Chief Executive, noted that government could not single-handedly fight the battle against child trafficking and child labour.
He said children had a role to play in the fight by serving as peer educators and advocates.
Mr Obretey said government was committed in the fight against child labour and child trafficking, hence the passing of the Human Trafficking Act 694, Children's Act 560 and the Juvenile Justice Act 564.
The Project Co-ordinator of the Art and Essay Contest, Mr Aaron Lawson said, SWA- Ghana was going to embark on a capacity building training programme for teachers and some selected students living at areas where child trafficking and child labour were prevalent to serve as peer educators and community facilitators.
The aim is to educate predominant communities through awareness creation, on the negative impact of the menace to their communities and the nation as a whole.
The Chairman for the occasion, the Jasihene for Yeji (Sub-Chief), Nana Yaw Kagblese V said the essay contest was a step in the right direction.
"Children are important assets and must be heard," he noted.
UNICEF sponsored the event, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, APPLE Rural Project, a non-governmental organisation and the District Assembly.
The launch, which was in line with the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, which fell on 6th June, this year, is aimed at assessing the level of awareness about child trafficking and child labour among the youth and galvanize their support to combat the situation.
Mr Faustinus Obretey, a social worker who launched the contest on behalf of the District Chief Executive, noted that government could not single-handedly fight the battle against child trafficking and child labour.
He said children had a role to play in the fight by serving as peer educators and advocates.
Mr Obretey said government was committed in the fight against child labour and child trafficking, hence the passing of the Human Trafficking Act 694, Children's Act 560 and the Juvenile Justice Act 564.
The Project Co-ordinator of the Art and Essay Contest, Mr Aaron Lawson said, SWA- Ghana was going to embark on a capacity building training programme for teachers and some selected students living at areas where child trafficking and child labour were prevalent to serve as peer educators and community facilitators.
The aim is to educate predominant communities through awareness creation, on the negative impact of the menace to their communities and the nation as a whole.
The Chairman for the occasion, the Jasihene for Yeji (Sub-Chief), Nana Yaw Kagblese V said the essay contest was a step in the right direction.
"Children are important assets and must be heard," he noted.
UNICEF sponsored the event, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, APPLE Rural Project, a non-governmental organisation and the District Assembly.
Man of God predicts more investments in Ghana
Accra, June 25, GNA- Apostle Schambach Amaniampong, Head of the Christian Redemption International Ministry, at the weekend predicted an economic boom for Ghana during the jubilee year.
"From the realms of the spirit I can see the line up of major investors to Ghana during Ghana's celebration of the Golden Jubilee and I am not surprise that a number of countries have expressed their desire to do business with the nation," he told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.
Apostle Amaniampong said it was not by chance that Ghana had struck oil, explaining that many more blessings is coming as part of the jubilee year.
He said the power crises was a major set back to the country and assured the nation that prayer warriors were praying for the end of the problem.
" Solution will come soon," he assured.
Apostle Amaniampong however asked for prayers to prevent political violence in Cote d' Ivoire, where he said the Devil had designed diabolical schemes to cause the shed blood.
Mechanic arrested for defiling a 16-year-old girl
Ajumako (C/R), June 25, GNA - The police at Ajumako have arrested a refrigerator mechanic who gave a soft drink lanced with drugs to a girl and defiled her.
A spokesman for the Ajumako police told newsmen that the parents of the 16-year-old girl gave their fridge to the mechanic, Cobbina Owane, for repairs.
On June 8, the parents asked the girl to collect the refrigerator from Owane and when she got the workshop Owane told her that the repair works on the fridge had been completed and that it had been kept in his house so the girl should accompany him to house for it.
Owane gave her a seat in his room and went out for a bottle of soft drink. He laced the drink with drugs and as soon as the girl took it he slept and Owane defiled her.
The police said when she regained conscious she found that she was bleeding from her private part and reported the incident to her parents when she got home.
The girl is receiving treatment is receiving treatment at the Saltpond Government Hospital.
A spokesman for the Ajumako police told newsmen that the parents of the 16-year-old girl gave their fridge to the mechanic, Cobbina Owane, for repairs.
On June 8, the parents asked the girl to collect the refrigerator from Owane and when she got the workshop Owane told her that the repair works on the fridge had been completed and that it had been kept in his house so the girl should accompany him to house for it.
Owane gave her a seat in his room and went out for a bottle of soft drink. He laced the drink with drugs and as soon as the girl took it he slept and Owane defiled her.
The police said when she regained conscious she found that she was bleeding from her private part and reported the incident to her parents when she got home.
The girl is receiving treatment is receiving treatment at the Saltpond Government Hospital.
Assemblyman appeals to community to keep the beach clean
Winneba (C/R) June 25, GNA- The Assembly member for Penchey Electoral Area of Winneba in the Effutu constituency Mr. Asmah Bondzie has appealed to the people in the area not to defecate along the beach to avoid outbreak of diseases.
He said it was not hygienic for the people to defecate at the beach that serves as a fish landing spot where the fishermen stock their catch for sale to the public.Mr. Bondzie made the appeal at a general meeting with his people on how best the place could be made neat to prevent a possible outbreak of epidemic in the area.
Mr. Bondzie, who is also the chairman of the Effutu constituency branch of National Democratic Congress said, if the practice was not stopped, punitive measures would be put in place to deal with offenders.
"As a leader of the area, I will ensure that the people live in good condition of health and also improve their living standard," he said.The Assembly member expressed regret about the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at the area instead of sending them to designated refuse points where containers have been provided by the district Assembly.
He said the beaches if kept clean could serve as recreational spot and tourist attraction to generate funds for the assembly and income for the people. Mr. Bondzie advised them to avoid polluting the environment and must ensure environmental cleanliness to prevent diseases, adding that monies that would be used to attend hospital could be saved to improve their lot.Meanwhile, the people have formed a Committee to arrest children below 18 years seen at funeral grounds after 1900 hours and those found on the streets and beaches during school hours.
He said it was not hygienic for the people to defecate at the beach that serves as a fish landing spot where the fishermen stock their catch for sale to the public.Mr. Bondzie made the appeal at a general meeting with his people on how best the place could be made neat to prevent a possible outbreak of epidemic in the area.
Mr. Bondzie, who is also the chairman of the Effutu constituency branch of National Democratic Congress said, if the practice was not stopped, punitive measures would be put in place to deal with offenders.
"As a leader of the area, I will ensure that the people live in good condition of health and also improve their living standard," he said.The Assembly member expressed regret about the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at the area instead of sending them to designated refuse points where containers have been provided by the district Assembly.
He said the beaches if kept clean could serve as recreational spot and tourist attraction to generate funds for the assembly and income for the people. Mr. Bondzie advised them to avoid polluting the environment and must ensure environmental cleanliness to prevent diseases, adding that monies that would be used to attend hospital could be saved to improve their lot.Meanwhile, the people have formed a Committee to arrest children below 18 years seen at funeral grounds after 1900 hours and those found on the streets and beaches during school hours.
Winneba to benefit from library complex
Winneba, June 25, GNA - The Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, and Rev. Dr. Christopher Hamlin of the Tabernacle Baptist Church Birmingham, USA, on Sunday jointly cut a tape for the construction of a 200,000-dollar library for Winneba.
The project, being financed by the Tabernacle Baptist Church Birmingham, USA, would enable people in Winneba, especially school children, to access the Internet.
Speaking at the ceremony Rev. Dr. Hamlin said 15,000 dollars had been advanced to the project implementation committee to enable work to start immediately.
He expressed the hope that by next year June work on the project would have reached an advanced stage.Neenyi Ghartey expressed appreciation to Rev. Dr. Hamlin and members of the church in the USA and assured them of a purposeful utilization of the money allocated for the project.
Neenyi Ghartey also extended gratitude to leaders of the Winneba branch of the World Miracle Church, especially Mrs. Atta Bison, a senior lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba for their role in making the project a reality.
He appealed to wealthy Effutu citizens, companies and other donor agencies to contribute financially and materially toward the speedy completion of the project.
Neenyi Ghartey expressed regret that although Winneba is an ancient town blessed with a number of institutions including the University of Education, Winneba, the Police Training Depot and the Community Health Training School the community lacks a modern library to help these learners.
Mr. Samuel Owusu-Agyei, the Deputy Minister of Health and MP for Effutu, expressed gratitude to all those, through whose efforts, the project is being implemented
The project, being financed by the Tabernacle Baptist Church Birmingham, USA, would enable people in Winneba, especially school children, to access the Internet.
Speaking at the ceremony Rev. Dr. Hamlin said 15,000 dollars had been advanced to the project implementation committee to enable work to start immediately.
He expressed the hope that by next year June work on the project would have reached an advanced stage.Neenyi Ghartey expressed appreciation to Rev. Dr. Hamlin and members of the church in the USA and assured them of a purposeful utilization of the money allocated for the project.
Neenyi Ghartey also extended gratitude to leaders of the Winneba branch of the World Miracle Church, especially Mrs. Atta Bison, a senior lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba for their role in making the project a reality.
He appealed to wealthy Effutu citizens, companies and other donor agencies to contribute financially and materially toward the speedy completion of the project.
Neenyi Ghartey expressed regret that although Winneba is an ancient town blessed with a number of institutions including the University of Education, Winneba, the Police Training Depot and the Community Health Training School the community lacks a modern library to help these learners.
Mr. Samuel Owusu-Agyei, the Deputy Minister of Health and MP for Effutu, expressed gratitude to all those, through whose efforts, the project is being implemented
New students begin sandwich course at UEW
Winneba, June 25, GNA - The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) on Saturday admitted 562 fresh students to begin sandwich course in Master of Education in French, Mathematics, Science, Human Rights, Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Certificate in Music Education.
The programme is designed to upgrade the knowledge of practicing teachers to enable them to cope with modern teaching practice.
Welcoming the new student, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah stressed the importance of quality education as a vehicle for accelerated national development and appealed to the students to let hard work be their hallmark.He said the UEW had forged a strong partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education Science and Sports (MESS) with the view to producing more qualified teachers to meet the growing demand for quality education.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah expressed dissatisfaction at some trained teachers who indulged in alcoholism and other negative practices detrimental to the aims and objectives of the teaching profession and advised them to turn a new leaf.He said very soon the university, with the support of Carnegie Corporation of USA, would mount a post-graduate programme to deal with mentoring to develop supervisory powers of teachers and mentors.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah appealed to the MESS and the GES to support the university to enable the programme attract people to become mentors. The university, he said, has also introduced a portfolio assessment system that allows heads and teachers to document their strengths such as teaching skills, management skills, knowledge of cognitive growth and child assessment skills.
The programme is designed to upgrade the knowledge of practicing teachers to enable them to cope with modern teaching practice.
Welcoming the new student, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah stressed the importance of quality education as a vehicle for accelerated national development and appealed to the students to let hard work be their hallmark.He said the UEW had forged a strong partnership with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education Science and Sports (MESS) with the view to producing more qualified teachers to meet the growing demand for quality education.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah expressed dissatisfaction at some trained teachers who indulged in alcoholism and other negative practices detrimental to the aims and objectives of the teaching profession and advised them to turn a new leaf.He said very soon the university, with the support of Carnegie Corporation of USA, would mount a post-graduate programme to deal with mentoring to develop supervisory powers of teachers and mentors.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah appealed to the MESS and the GES to support the university to enable the programme attract people to become mentors. The university, he said, has also introduced a portfolio assessment system that allows heads and teachers to document their strengths such as teaching skills, management skills, knowledge of cognitive growth and child assessment skills.
Bank supports Breman Asikuma Police
Breman Asikuma (C/R) June 25, GNA- The Brakwa Breman Rural Bank on Friday presented a cheque for five million cedis to the Breman Asikuma District Police Command to enhance the running of their administration and ensure effective patrol duties in the District.Mr Fifie Essel, Breman Asikuma branch manager of the bank made the presentation on behalf of the bank.
He said, the move followed a request made by the command to them and other institutions, including NGOs
in the district to come to their aid to enable them to maintain and fuel their patrol vehicle for effective patrol duties in the district.Mr. Essel said, there was the need for the bank, as part of its social obligations to assist the police to protect the people who owned the bank to go about their business without fear.
Superintendent Mike Avadetsi in-charge of the Breman Asikuma district Police Command received the cheque on behalf of the Service and thanked the bank for responding to their appeal.He expressed the hope that such assistance would be forthcoming periodically to enhance their duties.He appealed to other organizations in the area to emulate the bank.
He said, the move followed a request made by the command to them and other institutions, including NGOs
in the district to come to their aid to enable them to maintain and fuel their patrol vehicle for effective patrol duties in the district.Mr. Essel said, there was the need for the bank, as part of its social obligations to assist the police to protect the people who owned the bank to go about their business without fear.
Superintendent Mike Avadetsi in-charge of the Breman Asikuma district Police Command received the cheque on behalf of the Service and thanked the bank for responding to their appeal.He expressed the hope that such assistance would be forthcoming periodically to enhance their duties.He appealed to other organizations in the area to emulate the bank.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Lecturer advocates for national forum on decentralization
Accra, June 21, GNA - Professor Joseph R. Atsu Ayee, Dean of Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana on Wednesday called for a national forum on decentralization.
He said participants at the forum should include major stakeholders, development partners, politicians, chiefs and assembly members to discuss challenges affecting the decentralization process and review it for the future.
Professor Ayee made the call when speaking on the topic: "Constitutionalism, Decentralization and the Ordinary Citizen" at the end of the three-day Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) lectures in Accra.
The lectures were under the theme "Fostering constitutional governance in independent Ghana".
Prof. Ayee noted that although some progress had been achieved in the decentralization programme the process had been slow and led to frustration at the local level.
He said there were structural problems with the process where legal and institutional framework placed too much emphasis on the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to the detriment of the sub-structures, area, town, zonal councils and unit committees that were closer to the ordinary citizens.
Prof.Ayee said even though the standing orders of the assemblies allowed them to use local dialect in addition to the English language in their deliberations it was rarely used because technical documents were written in English.
He said even though the Standing Orders enjoined the assemblies to provide information on their notice boards, few of them had really met the requirement and most rural dwellers were poorly informed of their rights and opportunities available to them.
Prof. Ayee said instead of constitutional provisions such as National Decentralization Action Plan (NDAP) placing more emphasis on economic, service provisions and poverty reduction issues as the key area in the decentralization process it should rather focus on the political objective of the process.
He recommended that more premiums should be placed on the socio-economic objective of the decentralization process as service provision and poverty reduction since they were more tangible than the political objectives seen as utopian.
"As a country, we should move away from the idea that decentralization would solve all our problems overnight and focus an approach that would highlight the short, medium and long term objectives of the process," he added.
Professor Samuel O. Gyandoh, Junior, Emeritus Professor of Law, Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia, USA who spoke on the topic: "Role of organs of constitution: Matching the practice with the ideal" said the 1992 Constitution by far had the strongest and broadest articulation of intent in the organs of state.
They are Council of State, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), National Media Commission (NMC) and Commission for Human rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Prof. Gyandoh said the document was in addition, the most ambitious in efforts to foster constitutionalism in the country's governance system.
He said even though it ensured that the country's young democracy was nurtured into maturity, the state must support other civil society groups to push forward the frontiers of democracy and good governance.
The groups are Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Coalition of Civil Society Groups (CCSG) and Institute for Democratic Development.
He said participants at the forum should include major stakeholders, development partners, politicians, chiefs and assembly members to discuss challenges affecting the decentralization process and review it for the future.
Professor Ayee made the call when speaking on the topic: "Constitutionalism, Decentralization and the Ordinary Citizen" at the end of the three-day Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) lectures in Accra.
The lectures were under the theme "Fostering constitutional governance in independent Ghana".
Prof. Ayee noted that although some progress had been achieved in the decentralization programme the process had been slow and led to frustration at the local level.
He said there were structural problems with the process where legal and institutional framework placed too much emphasis on the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to the detriment of the sub-structures, area, town, zonal councils and unit committees that were closer to the ordinary citizens.
Prof.Ayee said even though the standing orders of the assemblies allowed them to use local dialect in addition to the English language in their deliberations it was rarely used because technical documents were written in English.
He said even though the Standing Orders enjoined the assemblies to provide information on their notice boards, few of them had really met the requirement and most rural dwellers were poorly informed of their rights and opportunities available to them.
Prof. Ayee said instead of constitutional provisions such as National Decentralization Action Plan (NDAP) placing more emphasis on economic, service provisions and poverty reduction issues as the key area in the decentralization process it should rather focus on the political objective of the process.
He recommended that more premiums should be placed on the socio-economic objective of the decentralization process as service provision and poverty reduction since they were more tangible than the political objectives seen as utopian.
"As a country, we should move away from the idea that decentralization would solve all our problems overnight and focus an approach that would highlight the short, medium and long term objectives of the process," he added.
Professor Samuel O. Gyandoh, Junior, Emeritus Professor of Law, Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia, USA who spoke on the topic: "Role of organs of constitution: Matching the practice with the ideal" said the 1992 Constitution by far had the strongest and broadest articulation of intent in the organs of state.
They are Council of State, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), National Media Commission (NMC) and Commission for Human rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Prof. Gyandoh said the document was in addition, the most ambitious in efforts to foster constitutionalism in the country's governance system.
He said even though it ensured that the country's young democracy was nurtured into maturity, the state must support other civil society groups to push forward the frontiers of democracy and good governance.
The groups are Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Coalition of Civil Society Groups (CCSG) and Institute for Democratic Development.
Police arrest 118 suspected criminals in Ashanti
Kumasi, June 20, GNA- A total of 118 suspected criminals have been arrested since Monday in the Ashanti region following an intensive operation mounted by the police to curb the high incidence of robbery in the region.
The suspects, who were arrested particularly in Kumasi and other parts of the region, are believed to have been involved in a series of crimes including car snatching, street, residential, workplace and highway robberies.
Briefing newsmen in Kumasi on Wednesday on the arrest, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Jonathan Yakubu, Director-General in-charge of Operations, decried the ascendancy of robbery in Ashanti, saying the region has now outstripped Greater Accra, which traditionally was noted for recording higher robberies nationwide.
He said for instance that out of the total of 234 robbery cases recorded throughout the country since April to date, Kumasi alone registered 130 representing 55.5 per cent of the national total whilst Accra recorded 67 cases representing 28.6 per cent.
DCOP Yakubu indicated that following this development a team of crack policemen had been detailed from the Rapid Response Unit, Panthers Unit, Mobile Force and National Police Headquarters in Accra to support their colleagues in Ashanti to help curb the numerous crimes in the region.
"We will pursue criminals and suspected criminals in the region day and night through vehicular and mobile patrols till we flush all of them out to enhance the peace being enjoyed by residents", he noted.
He added that the arrested suspects would be screened in due course and those found to be culpable of the crimes mentioned would be prosecuted.
The suspects, who were arrested particularly in Kumasi and other parts of the region, are believed to have been involved in a series of crimes including car snatching, street, residential, workplace and highway robberies.
Briefing newsmen in Kumasi on Wednesday on the arrest, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Jonathan Yakubu, Director-General in-charge of Operations, decried the ascendancy of robbery in Ashanti, saying the region has now outstripped Greater Accra, which traditionally was noted for recording higher robberies nationwide.
He said for instance that out of the total of 234 robbery cases recorded throughout the country since April to date, Kumasi alone registered 130 representing 55.5 per cent of the national total whilst Accra recorded 67 cases representing 28.6 per cent.
DCOP Yakubu indicated that following this development a team of crack policemen had been detailed from the Rapid Response Unit, Panthers Unit, Mobile Force and National Police Headquarters in Accra to support their colleagues in Ashanti to help curb the numerous crimes in the region.
"We will pursue criminals and suspected criminals in the region day and night through vehicular and mobile patrols till we flush all of them out to enhance the peace being enjoyed by residents", he noted.
He added that the arrested suspects would be screened in due course and those found to be culpable of the crimes mentioned would be prosecuted.
Missing boy found after six weeks
Akyem Oda (E/R), June 20, GNA- When Yaw Gyapong, a 14-year-old JSS boy decided to attend to nature's call at Akyem Oda Old Town Zongo about six weeks ago, little did he think that he would be kidnapped.
Last Tuesday June 19, Gyapong was reunited with his mother, Esi Oforiwaa at Akyem Oda after disappearing for six weeks.
Throwing more light on the circumstances leading to him being kidnapped, Gyapong told the GNA that on that fateful day at about 0830 hours while going to the toilet, a man who was standing by a private car invited him.
He said he responded to the invitation and the strange man sent him to buy a stick of cigarette to which he obliged.
According to Gyapong, after giving the cigarette to the man, suddenly everything went blank and did not know what happened but all that he saw later was that he was in a big room with four other boys.
"We were being fed with rice water for breakfast, rice and stew for lunch and kenkey for supper through an opening under the door for all the days that I was in captivity", he said.
He said a few days later, another boy was brought in to join them in the room.
Gyapong said about a month and four days later, a man suddenly appeared in the room and after looking at him for sometime called him and remarked that he was an obedient boy.
He said afterwards he discovered that he was out of the room with the unidentified man who later abandoned him.
Gyapong said he later went to join some other boys and told them that he was from Akyem Oda but could not trace his way back home.
He said he was staying with the group until two days later when his mother came to locate him at Kaneshie in Accra and brought him back to Akyem Oda.
Miss Esi Oforiwaa beaming with smiles told the GNA that she was grateful to God for making it possible for her to reunite with his son.
Last Tuesday June 19, Gyapong was reunited with his mother, Esi Oforiwaa at Akyem Oda after disappearing for six weeks.
Throwing more light on the circumstances leading to him being kidnapped, Gyapong told the GNA that on that fateful day at about 0830 hours while going to the toilet, a man who was standing by a private car invited him.
He said he responded to the invitation and the strange man sent him to buy a stick of cigarette to which he obliged.
According to Gyapong, after giving the cigarette to the man, suddenly everything went blank and did not know what happened but all that he saw later was that he was in a big room with four other boys.
"We were being fed with rice water for breakfast, rice and stew for lunch and kenkey for supper through an opening under the door for all the days that I was in captivity", he said.
He said a few days later, another boy was brought in to join them in the room.
Gyapong said about a month and four days later, a man suddenly appeared in the room and after looking at him for sometime called him and remarked that he was an obedient boy.
He said afterwards he discovered that he was out of the room with the unidentified man who later abandoned him.
Gyapong said he later went to join some other boys and told them that he was from Akyem Oda but could not trace his way back home.
He said he was staying with the group until two days later when his mother came to locate him at Kaneshie in Accra and brought him back to Akyem Oda.
Miss Esi Oforiwaa beaming with smiles told the GNA that she was grateful to God for making it possible for her to reunite with his son.
Ghana re-affirms total support for the International Criminal Court
Accra, June 20, GNA – President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday re-affirmed Ghana's total support for the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC).
He said the country would do whatever it could to enable the Court to dispense justice and help bring down impunity in the human society.
President Kufuor was speaking when a delegation of the ICC, comprising the entire core staff, called to confer with him at the Castle, Osu.
Among them were the President of the Court, Mr Philippe Kissch, his Vice, Professor Akua Kuenyehia, Mr Luis Morcno Ocampo, the Prosecutor, Mr Fatou Bensouda, Deputy Prosecutor, and Mr Bruno Cathela, Registrar.
President Kufuor described the work of the ICC as very important, saying in the era of globalisation, the talk was now about human rights and values based on common humanity.
He said Africa, which was now into a renaissance was doing everything to promote good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fight against impunity.
President Kufuor said it was through this that there would be peace on the continent for development to take place.
Mr Kissch said the Court was grateful to Ghana for what he termed, "the persistent unqualified support."
Ghana, he said has been outstanding in its understanding of the need for the independence of the Court and lauded the respect for human rights in the country.
He said it was quite exceptional for the whole Court to move to a country the way, it has done, and that they were in to discuss some very important matters relating to Africa with President Kufuor, who Chairs the African Union (AU).
He said the country would do whatever it could to enable the Court to dispense justice and help bring down impunity in the human society.
President Kufuor was speaking when a delegation of the ICC, comprising the entire core staff, called to confer with him at the Castle, Osu.
Among them were the President of the Court, Mr Philippe Kissch, his Vice, Professor Akua Kuenyehia, Mr Luis Morcno Ocampo, the Prosecutor, Mr Fatou Bensouda, Deputy Prosecutor, and Mr Bruno Cathela, Registrar.
President Kufuor described the work of the ICC as very important, saying in the era of globalisation, the talk was now about human rights and values based on common humanity.
He said Africa, which was now into a renaissance was doing everything to promote good governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fight against impunity.
President Kufuor said it was through this that there would be peace on the continent for development to take place.
Mr Kissch said the Court was grateful to Ghana for what he termed, "the persistent unqualified support."
Ghana, he said has been outstanding in its understanding of the need for the independence of the Court and lauded the respect for human rights in the country.
He said it was quite exceptional for the whole Court to move to a country the way, it has done, and that they were in to discuss some very important matters relating to Africa with President Kufuor, who Chairs the African Union (AU).
Farmers protest against Timber Company for destroying their farms
Tepa (Ash), June 20, GNA- Cocoa and food crop farmers at Boagyaa Number One and Onyinase in the Ahafo-Ano North district last Tuesday staged a demonstration to protest against the alleged destruction of their farms by Naja David Veneer and Plywood Limited, a Kumasi-based timber firm.
But for the timely intervention by Nana Agyemang Prempeh, District Chief Executive and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Opare Ofosuhene, the District Police Commander, the farmers, wearing red bands, could have clashed with the workers of the company who went to the area to cart some timber logs.
Briefing newsmen, Mr Sampson Sarfo Sowah, assemblyman for the area, said for sometime now the company claiming to have a timber concession in the area has been destroying their farms with impunity without paying any compensation to them.
He said the farmers who felt their patience had been overstretched, decided not to allow any of the company's vehicles to pass through their farms, but the workers led by Mr Anis Janhary, the Area Manager and Joseph Adjei, the Bush Manager resisted and had a confrontations with them.
The assemblyman then reported the matter to the District Chief Executive who quickly went to the scene with the police and brought the situation under control.
In a related development, the police arrested Mr Janhary and Mr Adjei for the part they played for preventing the DCE to leave the village when they blocked the road leading to the villages with their vehicles.
When contacted, Mr Janhary declined to comment.
But for the timely intervention by Nana Agyemang Prempeh, District Chief Executive and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Opare Ofosuhene, the District Police Commander, the farmers, wearing red bands, could have clashed with the workers of the company who went to the area to cart some timber logs.
Briefing newsmen, Mr Sampson Sarfo Sowah, assemblyman for the area, said for sometime now the company claiming to have a timber concession in the area has been destroying their farms with impunity without paying any compensation to them.
He said the farmers who felt their patience had been overstretched, decided not to allow any of the company's vehicles to pass through their farms, but the workers led by Mr Anis Janhary, the Area Manager and Joseph Adjei, the Bush Manager resisted and had a confrontations with them.
The assemblyman then reported the matter to the District Chief Executive who quickly went to the scene with the police and brought the situation under control.
In a related development, the police arrested Mr Janhary and Mr Adjei for the part they played for preventing the DCE to leave the village when they blocked the road leading to the villages with their vehicles.
When contacted, Mr Janhary declined to comment.
Teacher trainees should also enjoy student loan scheme – Educationist
Accra, June 18, GNA – An educationist has proposed to government to extend the student loan scheme being enjoyed by students in universities and polytechnics to teacher trainees.
Mr. Jimmy Korsi Kpeglo, Principal of Akatsi Training College, said this should replace the current allowance scheme of teacher trainees which was estimated at some 38 billion cedis a month for all the 38 teacher
training colleges.
"That colossal amount, no doubt, when channeled
into improving conditions of service of teachers and facilities at the colleges, will help to attract more people into the colleges and eventually into the profession," he said in a press release issued in Accra on Monday.
Mr. Kpeglo noted that currently, because of financial constraints on the government due to the payment of allowances as well as infrastructure development at the training colleges, only 9,000 teachers passed out annually, instead of the national requirement of 14,000 – 15,000.
He commended government for initiating a six-unit classroom and library for each of the training colleges, while 15 colleges offering Mathematics and Science were, in addition, benefiting from the provision of science laboratories.
"While acknowledging that these facilities will improve teacher training, one will like to appeal to the government to consider building more dormitories for the colleges to ensure an increase in the intake of teacher trainees."
Mr. Kpeglo also appealed to the government to consider staff accommodation to attract and retain more qualified staff in the training colleges.
He said five years after implementing the "in-in-out" residential programme, there was the need for its revision by the Teacher Education Division of Ghana Education Service and Institute Education, University of Cape Coast.
This, Mr Kpeglo said, would enable the two bodies to assess the programme and its impact on teacher training and whether or not it should be sustained.
Mr. Jimmy Korsi Kpeglo, Principal of Akatsi Training College, said this should replace the current allowance scheme of teacher trainees which was estimated at some 38 billion cedis a month for all the 38 teacher
training colleges.
"That colossal amount, no doubt, when channeled
into improving conditions of service of teachers and facilities at the colleges, will help to attract more people into the colleges and eventually into the profession," he said in a press release issued in Accra on Monday.
Mr. Kpeglo noted that currently, because of financial constraints on the government due to the payment of allowances as well as infrastructure development at the training colleges, only 9,000 teachers passed out annually, instead of the national requirement of 14,000 – 15,000.
He commended government for initiating a six-unit classroom and library for each of the training colleges, while 15 colleges offering Mathematics and Science were, in addition, benefiting from the provision of science laboratories.
"While acknowledging that these facilities will improve teacher training, one will like to appeal to the government to consider building more dormitories for the colleges to ensure an increase in the intake of teacher trainees."
Mr. Kpeglo also appealed to the government to consider staff accommodation to attract and retain more qualified staff in the training colleges.
He said five years after implementing the "in-in-out" residential programme, there was the need for its revision by the Teacher Education Division of Ghana Education Service and Institute Education, University of Cape Coast.
This, Mr Kpeglo said, would enable the two bodies to assess the programme and its impact on teacher training and whether or not it should be sustained.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Breman residents call for rehabilitation of roads
Kumasi, June 19, GNA - Residents of Breman in the Kumasi metropolis have expressed concern about the neglect of the road network in the area and called for their rehabilitation.They have appealed to the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, to step up his efforts at getting the Department of Urban Roads to rehabilitate the roads.
The residents expressed concern t a meeting with the MP at Breman on Sunday."We have cried for the rehabilitation of the roads for far too long and it is time for concrete action to address them once and for all."The residents also called for the completion of the only clinic in the area.Mr Mensah-Bonsu said efforts were being made to rehabilitate the road network in the area.
He told the residents that the government was pursuing measures to address the energy problem facing the nation and called on the people to have patience with the government.Mr Benjamin Kusi Adoma, an official from the Department of Urban Roads in Kumasi, said some of the roads in the area were already under rehabilitation with culverts and drains being constructed.He advised the people against constructing houses on waterways and urged them to always adhere to building regulations to avoid getting the area flooded.
The residents expressed concern t a meeting with the MP at Breman on Sunday."We have cried for the rehabilitation of the roads for far too long and it is time for concrete action to address them once and for all."The residents also called for the completion of the only clinic in the area.Mr Mensah-Bonsu said efforts were being made to rehabilitate the road network in the area.
He told the residents that the government was pursuing measures to address the energy problem facing the nation and called on the people to have patience with the government.Mr Benjamin Kusi Adoma, an official from the Department of Urban Roads in Kumasi, said some of the roads in the area were already under rehabilitation with culverts and drains being constructed.He advised the people against constructing houses on waterways and urged them to always adhere to building regulations to avoid getting the area flooded.
Police hunt for father who want 15 year old daughter to marry
Nkwanta, June 19, GNA - A father who has been harassing her 15-year-old daughter, Koyapua Manlil, for refusing to get married is being sought by the Nkwanta Police. Nnaa Manlil and Manlil, his son, allegedly shaved Koyapua with a broken bottle and used a cutlass to lacerate her left leg with a threat to cut off the leg if she did not give in to their decision to get married.Mr Sekyere Bruku, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, told the GNA at Nkwanta that in December last year, Mnaa Manlil and his son who lived at Sibi near Damanko demanded that Koyapua married one Yaw Tebu.
Tebu is also on the run and being sought by the police.He said Koyapua refused and fled to Nkwanta where she lodged a complaint with the Department of Social Welfare.The department put Koyapua in the care of the Kokomba Headman at Nkwanta and information was sent to her father and brother to come to their offices for an amicable settlement but the two did not show up.
He said on December 12 last year Mnaa Manlil and his son, while visiting Nkwanta, spotted Koyapua. They chased into the Police Station where she had sought sanctuary and were arrested.Mr Bruku said the police and the Department of Social Welfare collaborated to mediate and advised the parents of Koyapua against forcing her into early marriage but should assist her to learn a trade.
He said on January 27 Koyapua went to the police at Nkwanta and reported that she was bundled to live at Djoo, a village near Lepusy in the Northern Region with her supposed husband and in her attempt to escape was caught, shaved and given a cut in the leg.Mr Bruku said Koyapua later fled through the bush and emerged at Damanko from where she picked a vehicle to Nkwanta.He said Koyapua, who is being catered for by the police, is now in the custody of the Assemblyman of Sibi.Mr Bruku said Manlil and his son have absconded from the village.
Tebu is also on the run and being sought by the police.He said Koyapua refused and fled to Nkwanta where she lodged a complaint with the Department of Social Welfare.The department put Koyapua in the care of the Kokomba Headman at Nkwanta and information was sent to her father and brother to come to their offices for an amicable settlement but the two did not show up.
He said on December 12 last year Mnaa Manlil and his son, while visiting Nkwanta, spotted Koyapua. They chased into the Police Station where she had sought sanctuary and were arrested.Mr Bruku said the police and the Department of Social Welfare collaborated to mediate and advised the parents of Koyapua against forcing her into early marriage but should assist her to learn a trade.
He said on January 27 Koyapua went to the police at Nkwanta and reported that she was bundled to live at Djoo, a village near Lepusy in the Northern Region with her supposed husband and in her attempt to escape was caught, shaved and given a cut in the leg.Mr Bruku said Koyapua later fled through the bush and emerged at Damanko from where she picked a vehicle to Nkwanta.He said Koyapua, who is being catered for by the police, is now in the custody of the Assemblyman of Sibi.Mr Bruku said Manlil and his son have absconded from the village.
Fathers told to spend time with family
Tema, June 19, GNA - Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, the Parish Priest of Good Shepherd Catholic Church at Tema Community Two, has said it was important for fathers to spend more time with their family.
He said allotting more time to their official work and social activities to the neglect of their wives and children impacted negatively on the household.
This encourages the children to fall into bad company, indulge in social vices with some being caught up with the law.
"Today I am going to the United Kingdom for a conference, tomorrow it is the United States, the next time it is Dubai for business transaction and at the at week-end I am going to play lawn tennis, squash or golf", he said when preaching to mark Fathers Day on Sunday.Rev. Fr. Campbell appealed to fathers to stay at home during their leisure hours to be able to supervise and monitor the movements of their children, especially the friends they move with.
He appealed to children also to reciprocate their parents' efforts at bringing them up by being serious with their books and refrain from indulging in activities that would tarnish the image of the family.The priest later called all fathers to the alter, blessed them and distributed certificates to them with the inscription "in honour of being the best DAD in the world."
He said the certificates should be displayed openly to serve as reminder to observe faithfulness, appreciate kind things, be hones, ever loving and be responsible to the family.
He said allotting more time to their official work and social activities to the neglect of their wives and children impacted negatively on the household.
This encourages the children to fall into bad company, indulge in social vices with some being caught up with the law.
"Today I am going to the United Kingdom for a conference, tomorrow it is the United States, the next time it is Dubai for business transaction and at the at week-end I am going to play lawn tennis, squash or golf", he said when preaching to mark Fathers Day on Sunday.Rev. Fr. Campbell appealed to fathers to stay at home during their leisure hours to be able to supervise and monitor the movements of their children, especially the friends they move with.
He appealed to children also to reciprocate their parents' efforts at bringing them up by being serious with their books and refrain from indulging in activities that would tarnish the image of the family.The priest later called all fathers to the alter, blessed them and distributed certificates to them with the inscription "in honour of being the best DAD in the world."
He said the certificates should be displayed openly to serve as reminder to observe faithfulness, appreciate kind things, be hones, ever loving and be responsible to the family.
Nine suspects in Atronie murder case discharged
Sunyani, June 19, GNA - Nine suspects in the Atronie murder case were on Monday discharged by the Sunyani Magistrate court presided by Mr. Albert Zoogah.
Thomas Fodjour, Appiah Dominic, Yaw Ankrah Isaiah, Eric Sefa, Sarpong Jeremiah, Isaac Bio, Samuel Adjei, Yaw Bempah and Kwasi Oppong were among 41 suspects the police arrested in connection with the murder of Mr. Anthony Yeboah Boateng, the Administrator of the Goaso Government Hospital, on Easter Sunday at Atronie, near Sunyani.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Martin Dafeamekpor told the court that the nine suspects were found to be innocent after screening.
He said the police could invite them any time they were needed to assist in investigations.The remaining 32 suspects including the queen mother of Atronie and her husband were remanded to reappear on July 03.Some youth of Atronie pounced on the deceased on Easter Sunday as he, his wife and a Roman Catholic Sister were conveying the corpse of his aunt in his private car from Sunyani to Goaso Government Hospital. The youth had barricaded the road for a street jam to celebrate the Easter festivities and took Mr. Boateng to be ritual murderer and assaulted him to death.A policeman whisked the two women to safety but had his share of the assault.
Thomas Fodjour, Appiah Dominic, Yaw Ankrah Isaiah, Eric Sefa, Sarpong Jeremiah, Isaac Bio, Samuel Adjei, Yaw Bempah and Kwasi Oppong were among 41 suspects the police arrested in connection with the murder of Mr. Anthony Yeboah Boateng, the Administrator of the Goaso Government Hospital, on Easter Sunday at Atronie, near Sunyani.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Martin Dafeamekpor told the court that the nine suspects were found to be innocent after screening.
He said the police could invite them any time they were needed to assist in investigations.The remaining 32 suspects including the queen mother of Atronie and her husband were remanded to reappear on July 03.Some youth of Atronie pounced on the deceased on Easter Sunday as he, his wife and a Roman Catholic Sister were conveying the corpse of his aunt in his private car from Sunyani to Goaso Government Hospital. The youth had barricaded the road for a street jam to celebrate the Easter festivities and took Mr. Boateng to be ritual murderer and assaulted him to death.A policeman whisked the two women to safety but had his share of the assault.
Father threatens suicide as daughter refuses forced marriage
Nkwanta (V/R), June 19, GNA - Mr Kokomba Nnadal, a 60-year-old farmer, has threatened to commit suicide over his daughter's refusal to enter into forced marriage to another man.
Mr Kwame Blasum, Mr Nnadal's preferred choice of husband for his daughter, said his prospective father-in-law would have to pay back the two million cedis dowry he paid for Miss Nnadal's hand in marriage and also compensate him for the three years he spent labouring on his farm in expectation of marrying his daughter. Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr Sekyere Bruku in charge of the Nkwanta District told the Ghana News Agency that Miss Abigail Nnadal 20, said to be six months pregnant with another man, reportedly told her father to return the two million cedis dowry to Mr Blasum.
Mr Bruku said Miss Nnadal refused to soften her position despite severe beatings from her siblings who traced her to her hideout at Addo-Nkwanta, a village near Dambai.
Mr Kwame Blasum, Mr Nnadal's preferred choice of husband for his daughter, said his prospective father-in-law would have to pay back the two million cedis dowry he paid for Miss Nnadal's hand in marriage and also compensate him for the three years he spent labouring on his farm in expectation of marrying his daughter. Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr Sekyere Bruku in charge of the Nkwanta District told the Ghana News Agency that Miss Abigail Nnadal 20, said to be six months pregnant with another man, reportedly told her father to return the two million cedis dowry to Mr Blasum.
Mr Bruku said Miss Nnadal refused to soften her position despite severe beatings from her siblings who traced her to her hideout at Addo-Nkwanta, a village near Dambai.
Star of the Sea Church hold Music Festival
Accra, June 19, GNA- The Reverend Peter Obeng-Tweneboah, President of the Friday Group of the Star of the Sea Catholic at Dansoman has called on Christians to use music as an effective way of communicating with God.He said music played an important role in the socio-economy of the nation and that Christians who rely on God for their character-moulding should not shy away from it.
Rev. Obeng-Tweneboah made the call at a music festival by the Friday Group of the church in Accra on Sunday. It was aimed at raising funds for the purchase of musical instruments and public address system.He advised choristers to take their training seriously so that they will become professional singers and win laurels for themselves and the nation as a whole.Miss Mawuena Dumor, Communications Director of Scamcom Ghana Limited, who chaired the function, expressed the hope that the items, when purchased, will be put to good use.
Pastor Joe Beecham, Kofi of Mentor Two fame and Anointed Plush, were some of the artistes who treated the audience to some good music.An amount of 40 million cedis was realised from the show.
Rev. Obeng-Tweneboah made the call at a music festival by the Friday Group of the church in Accra on Sunday. It was aimed at raising funds for the purchase of musical instruments and public address system.He advised choristers to take their training seriously so that they will become professional singers and win laurels for themselves and the nation as a whole.Miss Mawuena Dumor, Communications Director of Scamcom Ghana Limited, who chaired the function, expressed the hope that the items, when purchased, will be put to good use.
Pastor Joe Beecham, Kofi of Mentor Two fame and Anointed Plush, were some of the artistes who treated the audience to some good music.An amount of 40 million cedis was realised from the show.
Retired educationist calls for quick passage of Land Reform Bill
Bolgatanga, June 19, GNA - A retired educationist has suggested that the proposed Land Reform Bill that is aimed at bringing all units dealing with land issues under one umbrella should be hastened to curtail litigation and other related problems associated with land acquisition.
A retired Principal of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Mr Robert Ajene, said this on Monday at a one-day Regional Land Policy Dissemination workshop organised by ISSER.The workshop's objective was to sensitize traditional authorities and workers on the land tenure system.He said the system retarded development and called on the government to quicken the passage of the bill to pave way for development.
" Many investors are discouraged to invest in Ghana because of the bureaucratic and the difficult nature one would have to go through before acquiring land", he said. Mr Ajene said double sales of land were another problem confronting land acquisition and this often resulted in conflicts.Participants at the workshop also expressed the same sentiment and called for a quick passage of the bill.
A retired Principal of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Mr Robert Ajene, said this on Monday at a one-day Regional Land Policy Dissemination workshop organised by ISSER.The workshop's objective was to sensitize traditional authorities and workers on the land tenure system.He said the system retarded development and called on the government to quicken the passage of the bill to pave way for development.
" Many investors are discouraged to invest in Ghana because of the bureaucratic and the difficult nature one would have to go through before acquiring land", he said. Mr Ajene said double sales of land were another problem confronting land acquisition and this often resulted in conflicts.Participants at the workshop also expressed the same sentiment and called for a quick passage of the bill.
US and allies ready to impose additional sanctions on Sudan - Khalilzad
Accra, June 19, GNA -- United States (US) and its allies on the UN Security Council will impose additional sanctions against the government of Sudan if it shows any "feet-dragging" regarding its promise to allow the deployment of a hybrid force to end human sufferings in the Darfur region, Dr Zalmay Khalilzad, US Permanent Representative to the UN, has warned.
Dr Khalilzad told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday that in addition to sanctions, the US and the UK, were considering banning Sudanese military flights into Darfur as a way of increasing pressure on the military government to be committed to the peace process being sponsored by the Africa Union (AU) and the UN.
He arrived in Accra as part of a 15-member delegation of the UN Security Council currently on a fact-finding mission in Africa. The delegation flew to Accra from the Sudan where it held discussions with the government on the Darfur peace process.
The delegation also held meetings with officials of the AU in Ethiopia on how to strengthen cooperation in resolving conflicts on the continent.
The US representative alluded to failed promises made in the past by the Sudanese government but said this time round, Khartoum was unambiguous about its willingness to accept a proposed hybrid force to help bring the level of violence down under the command of the UN.
"We will be watching this pledge closely and we will be ready to push them to keep their word in case of any feet-dragging regarding the implementation," warned Dr. Khalilzad, who was the immediate past US Ambassador to Iraq (between 2005 and April this year).
He described the Darfur situation as a great tragedy in which many people died and about two million people displaced. "We think it's at the level of genocide although some people don't want to use that word. This is something we deem very important to bring to an end."
He said the rebels also contributed to the human sufferings in the Darfur region and urged neighbouring countries, which have influence on them, to encourage them to join the political process.
"They need to observe the ceasefire. They need to stop attacking humanitarian organizations and allow unhindered access of relief to the people."
He said US and the UK were ready to sponsor incentives for participation in the Darfur political dialogue and peace process when necessary, adding, "our goal is not a vendetta against President Bashir or Sudan. Our commitment is to stop the killing of the people and ending the humanitarian crisis."
Dr Khalilzad admitted that the US and its allies on the Council at one point or the other had to do a lot to carry some others with them in their call for sanctions against the Sudanese government because of individual interests. But, he quickly added, that was not unusual considering the multilateral nature of the Council.
"It depends on the individual interests. We have some countries while expressing concern about the violence, they are reluctant to push forward on the issue, maybe because of business interests or other individual benefit."
On the way forward, Dr. Khalilzad said an envoy on Darfur had been given a timeline to draw a timetable for the extension of the deployment of the AU-UN hybrid force, as well as the implementation of proposal for sharpening the political engagement and increasing the humanitarian relief.
However, it would take some more time for the hybrid force to be in place, he said, adding that as soon as the time-table is drawn, the Council will push its implementation.
US is the single biggest contributor to relief and humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region to the tune of two billion dollars, a commitment Dr Khalilzad said America would not relent on, but rather build on.
Dr. Khalilzad expressed concern about the inability of willing African countries to raise the needed support to send peacekeepers to Somalia and announced that the US would provide Ghana with military equipment and other logistics for Ghanaian troops to deploy in that country.President Kufuor had told members of the delegation that Ghanaian troops had been on standby, seeking logistic support in order to deploy in Somalia.
Dr. Khalilzad was also the US Ambassador to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2005. He also served at the National Security Council as special assistant to President George Bush.Dr. Khalilzad has since left Accra on his way back to the US while other members of the delegation, jointly led by UK's Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry and South Africa's Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo continued to the Cote d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr Khalilzad told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday that in addition to sanctions, the US and the UK, were considering banning Sudanese military flights into Darfur as a way of increasing pressure on the military government to be committed to the peace process being sponsored by the Africa Union (AU) and the UN.
He arrived in Accra as part of a 15-member delegation of the UN Security Council currently on a fact-finding mission in Africa. The delegation flew to Accra from the Sudan where it held discussions with the government on the Darfur peace process.
The delegation also held meetings with officials of the AU in Ethiopia on how to strengthen cooperation in resolving conflicts on the continent.
The US representative alluded to failed promises made in the past by the Sudanese government but said this time round, Khartoum was unambiguous about its willingness to accept a proposed hybrid force to help bring the level of violence down under the command of the UN.
"We will be watching this pledge closely and we will be ready to push them to keep their word in case of any feet-dragging regarding the implementation," warned Dr. Khalilzad, who was the immediate past US Ambassador to Iraq (between 2005 and April this year).
He described the Darfur situation as a great tragedy in which many people died and about two million people displaced. "We think it's at the level of genocide although some people don't want to use that word. This is something we deem very important to bring to an end."
He said the rebels also contributed to the human sufferings in the Darfur region and urged neighbouring countries, which have influence on them, to encourage them to join the political process.
"They need to observe the ceasefire. They need to stop attacking humanitarian organizations and allow unhindered access of relief to the people."
He said US and the UK were ready to sponsor incentives for participation in the Darfur political dialogue and peace process when necessary, adding, "our goal is not a vendetta against President Bashir or Sudan. Our commitment is to stop the killing of the people and ending the humanitarian crisis."
Dr Khalilzad admitted that the US and its allies on the Council at one point or the other had to do a lot to carry some others with them in their call for sanctions against the Sudanese government because of individual interests. But, he quickly added, that was not unusual considering the multilateral nature of the Council.
"It depends on the individual interests. We have some countries while expressing concern about the violence, they are reluctant to push forward on the issue, maybe because of business interests or other individual benefit."
On the way forward, Dr. Khalilzad said an envoy on Darfur had been given a timeline to draw a timetable for the extension of the deployment of the AU-UN hybrid force, as well as the implementation of proposal for sharpening the political engagement and increasing the humanitarian relief.
However, it would take some more time for the hybrid force to be in place, he said, adding that as soon as the time-table is drawn, the Council will push its implementation.
US is the single biggest contributor to relief and humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region to the tune of two billion dollars, a commitment Dr Khalilzad said America would not relent on, but rather build on.
Dr. Khalilzad expressed concern about the inability of willing African countries to raise the needed support to send peacekeepers to Somalia and announced that the US would provide Ghana with military equipment and other logistics for Ghanaian troops to deploy in that country.President Kufuor had told members of the delegation that Ghanaian troops had been on standby, seeking logistic support in order to deploy in Somalia.
Dr. Khalilzad was also the US Ambassador to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2005. He also served at the National Security Council as special assistant to President George Bush.Dr. Khalilzad has since left Accra on his way back to the US while other members of the delegation, jointly led by UK's Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry and South Africa's Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo continued to the Cote d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Let us support combat of desertification – Asamoah-Boateng
Bawku(UER),June 19, GNA – Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment has called on Metropolitan, Municipal, District Assemblies and traditional authorities to institute measures to support civil groups, schools and individuals committed to afforestation to combat desertification.
He said they should in addition, review their bylaws on environmental practices and implement proactive measures to reverse the decline in environmental degradation.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng, made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Boniface Gambilla, Upper East Regional Minister at this year's national celebration of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought at Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The theme for the celebration was "Desertification and Climate change: One Global Challenge".
It was to draw attention on the potential implications of global desertification and climatic change on poverty and sustainable development.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said in Africa, desertification and climate change had contributed to increasing poverty and drought was a real threat to human existence.
He said the day should remind Ghanaians, effects of desertification on food security, conflicts on land use and ownership.
"The Government realizing the effects of desertification in Northern Ghana passed the Soil Conservation and Land Planning Ordinance of 1953 as an attempt to address issues of deserts and dry lands through innovative environment planning policies, "he added.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng observed that the various irrigation schemes in the three northern regions were being threatened and if no attention was made to conserve rain water, food security could be compromised.
He said dry conditions coupled with low rainfall patterns had affected the water level of many water bodies culminating in the energy crisis confronting the country.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said Ghana, as a signatory to United Nations Convention to combat desertification, prepared a national action plan to mitigate the effects of drought and was approved in 2003.
He said objective of the plan was to place emphasis on environmentally sound and sustainable integrated local development programmes for drought – prone semi-arid and arid areas based on participatory mechanism.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said Ghana had also ratified the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Charge and had acceded to the Kyoto Protocol to signify to the world her commitment to a clean environment.
He appealed to Ghanaians to change their attitude towards the environment and support government policies for a safer environment.
Mr Abdul-Rahman Gumah, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, called for concerted efforts to combat desertification and charged Ghanaians to undertake tree-planting exercises.
He said the impact of bad environmental practices on the socio-economic development of the country was devastating and needed urged attention to remedy the situation.
Mr Gumah said as the nation prepared to fight poverty, hunger and disease to obtain a middle income status, there was the need to adopt sound environmental practices to combat drought.
Mr Jonathan Allotey, Executive Director of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said management of natural resources was vital to the livelihoods of communities and called on community leaders to incorporate aspects of environmental issues into their development planning agenda.
He expressed concern about the non-incorporation of dry lands and environmental issues in the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and National Development Planning Framework (NDPF).
Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, Paramount Chief of Bawku, expressed concern about the decline in forest reserves that was having effects on farming in the area.
He said they should in addition, review their bylaws on environmental practices and implement proactive measures to reverse the decline in environmental degradation.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng, made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Boniface Gambilla, Upper East Regional Minister at this year's national celebration of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought at Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The theme for the celebration was "Desertification and Climate change: One Global Challenge".
It was to draw attention on the potential implications of global desertification and climatic change on poverty and sustainable development.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said in Africa, desertification and climate change had contributed to increasing poverty and drought was a real threat to human existence.
He said the day should remind Ghanaians, effects of desertification on food security, conflicts on land use and ownership.
"The Government realizing the effects of desertification in Northern Ghana passed the Soil Conservation and Land Planning Ordinance of 1953 as an attempt to address issues of deserts and dry lands through innovative environment planning policies, "he added.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng observed that the various irrigation schemes in the three northern regions were being threatened and if no attention was made to conserve rain water, food security could be compromised.
He said dry conditions coupled with low rainfall patterns had affected the water level of many water bodies culminating in the energy crisis confronting the country.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said Ghana, as a signatory to United Nations Convention to combat desertification, prepared a national action plan to mitigate the effects of drought and was approved in 2003.
He said objective of the plan was to place emphasis on environmentally sound and sustainable integrated local development programmes for drought – prone semi-arid and arid areas based on participatory mechanism.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng said Ghana had also ratified the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Charge and had acceded to the Kyoto Protocol to signify to the world her commitment to a clean environment.
He appealed to Ghanaians to change their attitude towards the environment and support government policies for a safer environment.
Mr Abdul-Rahman Gumah, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, called for concerted efforts to combat desertification and charged Ghanaians to undertake tree-planting exercises.
He said the impact of bad environmental practices on the socio-economic development of the country was devastating and needed urged attention to remedy the situation.
Mr Gumah said as the nation prepared to fight poverty, hunger and disease to obtain a middle income status, there was the need to adopt sound environmental practices to combat drought.
Mr Jonathan Allotey, Executive Director of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said management of natural resources was vital to the livelihoods of communities and called on community leaders to incorporate aspects of environmental issues into their development planning agenda.
He expressed concern about the non-incorporation of dry lands and environmental issues in the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and National Development Planning Framework (NDPF).
Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, Paramount Chief of Bawku, expressed concern about the decline in forest reserves that was having effects on farming in the area.
Need to develop the right attitudes for governance – Prof. Quashigah
Accra, June 19, GNA – Professor Emmanuel Kofi Quashigah, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana on Monday said constitutionalism would not work substantially as the people expected whether under Parliamentary or Presidential systems unless the people developed the right attitudes to make it the foundation of governance system.
He therefore, called for the development of a viable political system that would ensure that the political leadership and citizenry truly had and appreciated democratic values.
Prof. Quashigah was speaking at this year's Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) lectures in Accra.
The three-day lectures under the theme: "Evolution of Constitutionalism in Independent Ghana" would review the various Ghanaian constitutions from 1957 – 1992, the culture of constitutionalism as well as their historical perspective.
Prof. Quashigah who spoke on the topic: "Constitutionalism and the Westminster System in Ghana (1957 and 1969)" said "we have failed as a people and continue to delude ourselves by scurrying around to invest our safety in institutions with the hope that we would be made to conform to acceptable principles and processes."
He advocated for a governance system that emphasized on development of the citizenry with the right attitudes that nurtured and sustained constitutionalism.
"Constitutionalism is an attitude that is merely completed by constitutional structures and institutions. It is trite that any constitution however well written pre-supposes its management and operations by human beings".
Nana Asante Bediatuo, a Private Legal Practitioner who spoke on the topic: "The Presidential Model and Constitutionalism in Ghana (1960 and 1979)" said there was no inherent danger posed by the presidential model or structure of government to constitutionalism.
He said the presidential system of governance was largely irrelevant in examining and determining the extent to which the 1960 and 1979 constitutions advanced the doctrinal values of constitutionalism.
Nana Bediatuo noted that the 1979 constitution, was copied 'word for word' from the 1969 constitution based on the Westminster model.
He said even though the 1960 constitution made textual provision viewed against the imperatives of the spiritual and core values of a constitution assumed a less significant dimension.
Nana Bediatuo said the 1960 constitution was probably the most extraordinary constrictions made in this country since independence.
He said it was startling in its authoritarian character and later, as amended by Act 224, its totalitarian objectives.
Nana Bediatuo said the 1960 constitution concentrated all powers of the state into the hands of one person, made the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, entitled to act in his discretion and was not obliged to follow advice from any other person.
He said the implications for separation of powers doctrine and the distribution of power were very grave during that period.
Nana Bediatuo stated that provisions relating to the term of office and election of the President were such as to make it near impossible to have contested elections under the 1960 constitution with the declaration of a one party state and the concomitant life-presidency.
He therefore, called for the development of a viable political system that would ensure that the political leadership and citizenry truly had and appreciated democratic values.
Prof. Quashigah was speaking at this year's Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) lectures in Accra.
The three-day lectures under the theme: "Evolution of Constitutionalism in Independent Ghana" would review the various Ghanaian constitutions from 1957 – 1992, the culture of constitutionalism as well as their historical perspective.
Prof. Quashigah who spoke on the topic: "Constitutionalism and the Westminster System in Ghana (1957 and 1969)" said "we have failed as a people and continue to delude ourselves by scurrying around to invest our safety in institutions with the hope that we would be made to conform to acceptable principles and processes."
He advocated for a governance system that emphasized on development of the citizenry with the right attitudes that nurtured and sustained constitutionalism.
"Constitutionalism is an attitude that is merely completed by constitutional structures and institutions. It is trite that any constitution however well written pre-supposes its management and operations by human beings".
Nana Asante Bediatuo, a Private Legal Practitioner who spoke on the topic: "The Presidential Model and Constitutionalism in Ghana (1960 and 1979)" said there was no inherent danger posed by the presidential model or structure of government to constitutionalism.
He said the presidential system of governance was largely irrelevant in examining and determining the extent to which the 1960 and 1979 constitutions advanced the doctrinal values of constitutionalism.
Nana Bediatuo noted that the 1979 constitution, was copied 'word for word' from the 1969 constitution based on the Westminster model.
He said even though the 1960 constitution made textual provision viewed against the imperatives of the spiritual and core values of a constitution assumed a less significant dimension.
Nana Bediatuo said the 1960 constitution was probably the most extraordinary constrictions made in this country since independence.
He said it was startling in its authoritarian character and later, as amended by Act 224, its totalitarian objectives.
Nana Bediatuo said the 1960 constitution concentrated all powers of the state into the hands of one person, made the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, entitled to act in his discretion and was not obliged to follow advice from any other person.
He said the implications for separation of powers doctrine and the distribution of power were very grave during that period.
Nana Bediatuo stated that provisions relating to the term of office and election of the President were such as to make it near impossible to have contested elections under the 1960 constitution with the declaration of a one party state and the concomitant life-presidency.
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