Navrongo (U/E), Feb 28, GNA - The Waste and Sanitation Management of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and Zoomlion Cleaning Company have organised a clean up exercise at Navrongo.
The exercise formed part of preparations towards the 50th independence anniversary celebrations.Mr. Emmanuel Chegeweh, the District Chief Executive for the Kassena-Nankana, commended the two bodies for organising the exercise.He urged the participants to undertake the exercise regularly and said the district assembly would always support them.
28 Feb 07
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Pupils in Komenda benefit from screening and dental treatment
Komenda (C/R), Feb. 28, GNA - More than 200 pupils from schools in Komenda in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District were on Tuesday screened and given dental treatment and management by a seven-member team from the Centre for Community Oral Health of the University of Manitoba, Canada.
The team would be in the area for three days to screen and treat school children and people in Komenda and its environs.
The district assembly, the District Health Directorate and Young Professional Network Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in Komenda, organised the exercise.
Mr George Frank Asmah, the District Chief Executive, commended the team and suggested that the programme be sustained and extended to other areas such as eye screening.
"It will also strengthen the sister-city relation that exists between the district and Ottawa."
He thanked Dr Ishmael Bruce, a citizen of Komenda and the leader of the team, for organizing the programme and called on other citizens of the area living abroad to emulate his example.
Mrs Theresa Kwakye, the Executive Director of Young Professional Network Foundation, said the programme was organized because the community does not have a dental clinic and had to either go to Takoradi or Cape Coast for dental care.
Dr Bruce said the programme would be organized annually.Nana Kodwo Kru, the Paramount Chief of Komenda, expressed concern about the way people did not pay attention to oral health and urged children to take good care of their teeth.He called on parents and teachers in the area to ensure that all children in the area benefited from the programme.
28 Feb. 07
The district assembly, the District Health Directorate and Young Professional Network Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in Komenda, organised the exercise.
Mr George Frank Asmah, the District Chief Executive, commended the team and suggested that the programme be sustained and extended to other areas such as eye screening.
"It will also strengthen the sister-city relation that exists between the district and Ottawa."
He thanked Dr Ishmael Bruce, a citizen of Komenda and the leader of the team, for organizing the programme and called on other citizens of the area living abroad to emulate his example.
Mrs Theresa Kwakye, the Executive Director of Young Professional Network Foundation, said the programme was organized because the community does not have a dental clinic and had to either go to Takoradi or Cape Coast for dental care.
Dr Bruce said the programme would be organized annually.Nana Kodwo Kru, the Paramount Chief of Komenda, expressed concern about the way people did not pay attention to oral health and urged children to take good care of their teeth.He called on parents and teachers in the area to ensure that all children in the area benefited from the programme.
28 Feb. 07
Plan Ghana spends 1.9 billion cedis in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese
Abura Dunkwa (C/R), Feb. 28, GNA - Plan Ghana, a child centred international non-governmental organisation (NGO) has spent 1,940,673,441 cedis to promote the welfare of children in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District in 2006.
Mankessim Programme Area of the NGO is sponsoring seventeen communities in the district.
In a speech read on his behalf at the second annual performance review meeting at Abura Dunkwa, Mr Jacob Turkson, Mankessim Programme Area Manager gave the break down of the expenditure as education 866,673,136 cedis, health, water and sanitation 895,138,090 cedis and the rights of the child 178,862,215 cedis.
Mr Turkson explained that under the rights of the child, children's clubs were formed to assist them to fight for their rights, which were often trampled upon by adults.
The Programme Area Manager expressed disappointment about the low turn over of the heavy investment Plan Ghana had had put into the projects particularly in education and appealed to the partners of the organisation to be up and doing.
He said in 2004 the District scored 33 per cent in Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) 32.8 per cent in 2005 and 40 per cent in 2006 and asked whether he could be justified to request more funds for school projects in the District when they were not achieving good results.Mr Turkson urged communities to monitor and evaluate the impacts of Plan interventions to know how many students had gained admission into the senior secondary schools and the universities and whether the health programmes including the sale of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) had reduced malaria in the communities.
Mr Benedict Gyapong, Community Facilitator, Plan Ghana appealed to the partners to take good care of the projects and manage them as their own.
Mr Joe Appiah, Plan Ghana Southern Sector Co-ordinator of Community Managed Projects took the participants through community contribution in programmes and projects and also on model community concept.
Mr Kojo Eyiah, District Disease Control Officer, appealed to the NGO to provide the District with a nutrition centre to address stunted growth in the area, which was the result of malnutrition.
He commended the NGO for its support in child survival programmes especially in the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the training of volunteers for the Community Health and Planning Services (CHPS) zones.
Mr Ephraim Donkor, an Assistant Director of Education appealed to the organisation to provide enough resources for building the capacity of teachers and logistics to circuit supervisor to intensify inspection of schools and commended it for support given for HIV/AIDS education.
28 Feb. 07
In a speech read on his behalf at the second annual performance review meeting at Abura Dunkwa, Mr Jacob Turkson, Mankessim Programme Area Manager gave the break down of the expenditure as education 866,673,136 cedis, health, water and sanitation 895,138,090 cedis and the rights of the child 178,862,215 cedis.
Mr Turkson explained that under the rights of the child, children's clubs were formed to assist them to fight for their rights, which were often trampled upon by adults.
The Programme Area Manager expressed disappointment about the low turn over of the heavy investment Plan Ghana had had put into the projects particularly in education and appealed to the partners of the organisation to be up and doing.
He said in 2004 the District scored 33 per cent in Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) 32.8 per cent in 2005 and 40 per cent in 2006 and asked whether he could be justified to request more funds for school projects in the District when they were not achieving good results.Mr Turkson urged communities to monitor and evaluate the impacts of Plan interventions to know how many students had gained admission into the senior secondary schools and the universities and whether the health programmes including the sale of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) had reduced malaria in the communities.
Mr Benedict Gyapong, Community Facilitator, Plan Ghana appealed to the partners to take good care of the projects and manage them as their own.
Mr Joe Appiah, Plan Ghana Southern Sector Co-ordinator of Community Managed Projects took the participants through community contribution in programmes and projects and also on model community concept.
Mr Kojo Eyiah, District Disease Control Officer, appealed to the NGO to provide the District with a nutrition centre to address stunted growth in the area, which was the result of malnutrition.
He commended the NGO for its support in child survival programmes especially in the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the training of volunteers for the Community Health and Planning Services (CHPS) zones.
Mr Ephraim Donkor, an Assistant Director of Education appealed to the organisation to provide enough resources for building the capacity of teachers and logistics to circuit supervisor to intensify inspection of schools and commended it for support given for HIV/AIDS education.
28 Feb. 07
Ahmadiyya Students Union holds conference at Ekumfi-Essarkyir
Ekumfi Essarkyir (C/R), Feb. 28, GNA - The Sixth Annual Central Regional Conference of Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association has been held at the TI Ahmadiyya Secondary School at Essarkyir.
The theme for the conference, which was attended by over 500 students from the seven branches of the Association, was: "Freedom of Religion and belief - Basis of Peace".
Speaking on the topic: "Is Adam the first man on earth?" Mr Zakaria Hudu Froko, a student of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Cape Coast debunked the assertion by Christians that Adam was the first man on earth.
Mr Froko was of the view that the period that Adam lived on earth was not more than 6,000 years ago, noting that life had passed through different cycles of creation and civilization and Adam acclaimed as the progenitor of the present human race was only the first link in the present cycle and not the very first man in God's creation.
He noted that when Adam was created he met primitive people who were living in caves, forests and in mountains some of who surrendered to Adam as they had seen another creature of their own kind who was perfect in terms of knowledge and culture of belief than them.
"The surrendered primitive people came out of their caves, forest and mountains and established their habitats where they lived together," he stated.Mr Froko stated that James Usher an Irish Archbishop established that Adam was created in 4004 BC, which was confirmed by other scholars who further established that he was created at exactly 9 am on October 26, 4004 before the birth of Christ.
He quoted the discovery of some fossils or dead remains by scientists, which established that some people lived 19 million years ago, to prove that Adam was not the first man on earth.
Speaking on Education and National Development - the Islamic Perspective, Mr Mohammed K Ackonu, Headmaster of Potsin TI Ahmadiyya Secondary School said "qualitative education brings development while the absence of it breads ignorance misery and under-development" and added that education must be seen by mankind to constitute an indispensable asset around which all factors of development revolve".
Alhaj Hafiz Jibril Saeed, Naib Ameer III of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, who chaired the function, noted that mutual recognition and tolerance of each other's religion and beliefs would ensure peace and stability in the country.
Mr Salih Shamsideen Region President, said the association was to create a platforms for learning the basis of the region, sharing and solving members problems and for fostering unity among Ahmadiyya Muslim students.
28 Feb. 08
The theme for the conference, which was attended by over 500 students from the seven branches of the Association, was: "Freedom of Religion and belief - Basis of Peace".
Speaking on the topic: "Is Adam the first man on earth?" Mr Zakaria Hudu Froko, a student of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Cape Coast debunked the assertion by Christians that Adam was the first man on earth.
Mr Froko was of the view that the period that Adam lived on earth was not more than 6,000 years ago, noting that life had passed through different cycles of creation and civilization and Adam acclaimed as the progenitor of the present human race was only the first link in the present cycle and not the very first man in God's creation.
He noted that when Adam was created he met primitive people who were living in caves, forests and in mountains some of who surrendered to Adam as they had seen another creature of their own kind who was perfect in terms of knowledge and culture of belief than them.
"The surrendered primitive people came out of their caves, forest and mountains and established their habitats where they lived together," he stated.Mr Froko stated that James Usher an Irish Archbishop established that Adam was created in 4004 BC, which was confirmed by other scholars who further established that he was created at exactly 9 am on October 26, 4004 before the birth of Christ.
He quoted the discovery of some fossils or dead remains by scientists, which established that some people lived 19 million years ago, to prove that Adam was not the first man on earth.
Speaking on Education and National Development - the Islamic Perspective, Mr Mohammed K Ackonu, Headmaster of Potsin TI Ahmadiyya Secondary School said "qualitative education brings development while the absence of it breads ignorance misery and under-development" and added that education must be seen by mankind to constitute an indispensable asset around which all factors of development revolve".
Alhaj Hafiz Jibril Saeed, Naib Ameer III of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, who chaired the function, noted that mutual recognition and tolerance of each other's religion and beliefs would ensure peace and stability in the country.
Mr Salih Shamsideen Region President, said the association was to create a platforms for learning the basis of the region, sharing and solving members problems and for fostering unity among Ahmadiyya Muslim students.
28 Feb. 08
Traders advised to register with Internal Revenue Service
Mankessim (C/R), Feb. 28, GNA - The Principal Inspector of Taxes at the Mankessim Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Mr Isaac K M Quaye has admonished Ghanaians to register with IRS before commencement of business, profession, vocation or trade.Those already in business must register at the beginning of every year to keep the IRS informed that they are still in business.
Mr Quaye said that was important as it afforded the taxpayer the opportunity to discuss his or her tax profile for the past year and what to look forward to in the ensuing year to help in assessing taxes for the year.Addressing a tax education forum at Mankessim, the Principal Inspector of Taxes said it was obligatory for a taxpayer who ceased to do business to inform the IRS within one month after stoppage.
The forum was organized by the Mfantseman Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in fulfilment of its 1992 constitutional obligation to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities.Mr Quaye said one was enjoined to pay taxes willing and promptly."For companies and persons in trade, business, profession or vocation by the end of every quarter, that is - March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31", he advised and stated that failure to do that would attract a 10 per cent penalty each day.Mr Quaye said "Pay as You Earn" (PAYE) being contributions from salaries of employees in order to satisfy their income tax responsibilities must be paid to the IRS by 15th of each ensuing month.The tax officer spoke on the need for a taxpayer to file annual returns by the end of the fourth month and also incentives for taxpayers who had fulfilled their obligations.
Mr Quaye educated the people on tax relief available for them and urged them to take advantage of it.It includes 300,000 cedis from ones income towards marriage, 25 per cent tax relief for the disabled, 300,000 cedis for old age, 240,000 cedis for child support for up to three children, 200,000 cedis for the support of aged dependants, 500,000 cedis towards cost of training, and 10 per cent tax rebate for life assurance.
He also spoke on penalties awaiting taxpayers who flouted the law.Miss Margaret Mary Sackey, District Director, NCCE said the forum was to bring stakeholders in payment of tax together to know what was expected of them.She appealed to taxpayers to be sincere in the declaration of their turnovers and pay their taxes willingly for the development of the nation.Nana Ataapim Kweenu VIII, Presiding Member of the Mfantseman District Assembly, who chaired the function, called for regular interaction between tax collectors and payers to deepen understanding on the need to pay taxes.
28 Feb. 07
The forum was organized by the Mfantseman Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in fulfilment of its 1992 constitutional obligation to educate the public on their rights and responsibilities.Mr Quaye said one was enjoined to pay taxes willing and promptly."For companies and persons in trade, business, profession or vocation by the end of every quarter, that is - March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31", he advised and stated that failure to do that would attract a 10 per cent penalty each day.Mr Quaye said "Pay as You Earn" (PAYE) being contributions from salaries of employees in order to satisfy their income tax responsibilities must be paid to the IRS by 15th of each ensuing month.The tax officer spoke on the need for a taxpayer to file annual returns by the end of the fourth month and also incentives for taxpayers who had fulfilled their obligations.
Mr Quaye educated the people on tax relief available for them and urged them to take advantage of it.It includes 300,000 cedis from ones income towards marriage, 25 per cent tax relief for the disabled, 300,000 cedis for old age, 240,000 cedis for child support for up to three children, 200,000 cedis for the support of aged dependants, 500,000 cedis towards cost of training, and 10 per cent tax rebate for life assurance.
He also spoke on penalties awaiting taxpayers who flouted the law.Miss Margaret Mary Sackey, District Director, NCCE said the forum was to bring stakeholders in payment of tax together to know what was expected of them.She appealed to taxpayers to be sincere in the declaration of their turnovers and pay their taxes willingly for the development of the nation.Nana Ataapim Kweenu VIII, Presiding Member of the Mfantseman District Assembly, who chaired the function, called for regular interaction between tax collectors and payers to deepen understanding on the need to pay taxes.
28 Feb. 07
NCCE launches tax education campaign in Central Region
Apam (C/R), Feb. 28, GNA - The Central Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, (NCCE), Mr Frank Adoba has observed that for democracy to stand the test of time in the country, Ghanaians need to build a strong economic base to prevent reliance on the outside world for support for the national budget.
He noted that meeting the country's tax obligations was a pre-requisite for economic growth and called on civil society organizations, religious groups, unit committees, urban/town and area councils to assist revenue collection agencies in educating the citizenry on the need to honour their tax obligations.
Mr Adoba was speaking at the launch of tax education campaign by the NCCE in the Central Region at Apam.
He reminded the people that government relied mostly on tax to undertake development projects and pointed out that persons who evaded tax did not want their communities and the nation to develop.
The NCCE Regional Director called for judicious use of taxes collected to encourage people to honour their obligations willingly.
"Refusal of people to pay taxes is due to the lack of effective use of the revenue to benefit the payers", he noted.
In a speech read for her, Madam Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive cautioned Ghanaians against regarding the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) as a substitute for Internally Generated Fund (IGF) and therefore refuse to pay their taxes.
The DCE reminded them that even the allocation of the DACF was based on how much fund a district was able to generate internally stating that the Assembly would build the capacity of the unit committees, town and area councils to enable them to help in revenue collection.
Mr Emmanuel T Mensah, Gomoa District Director of the NCCE in a welcoming address appealed for financial and logistics support for the Commission to enable it to embark on education of the public on important national issues and government programmes.
Mr Albert M Quartey, a Senior Local Government Inspector, took the participants through some rules and regulations in tax payment.
28 Feb. 07
He noted that meeting the country's tax obligations was a pre-requisite for economic growth and called on civil society organizations, religious groups, unit committees, urban/town and area councils to assist revenue collection agencies in educating the citizenry on the need to honour their tax obligations.
Mr Adoba was speaking at the launch of tax education campaign by the NCCE in the Central Region at Apam.
He reminded the people that government relied mostly on tax to undertake development projects and pointed out that persons who evaded tax did not want their communities and the nation to develop.
The NCCE Regional Director called for judicious use of taxes collected to encourage people to honour their obligations willingly.
"Refusal of people to pay taxes is due to the lack of effective use of the revenue to benefit the payers", he noted.
In a speech read for her, Madam Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive cautioned Ghanaians against regarding the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) as a substitute for Internally Generated Fund (IGF) and therefore refuse to pay their taxes.
The DCE reminded them that even the allocation of the DACF was based on how much fund a district was able to generate internally stating that the Assembly would build the capacity of the unit committees, town and area councils to enable them to help in revenue collection.
Mr Emmanuel T Mensah, Gomoa District Director of the NCCE in a welcoming address appealed for financial and logistics support for the Commission to enable it to embark on education of the public on important national issues and government programmes.
Mr Albert M Quartey, a Senior Local Government Inspector, took the participants through some rules and regulations in tax payment.
28 Feb. 07
Revenue officials cautioned against demanding favours
Mankessim (C/R), Feb. 28, GNA - The District Chief Executive for Mfantseman, Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur has cautioned revenue collectors and sanitary labourers who demand favours from traders and market women before performing their official duties to desist from the practice.
"Reports reaching me indicate that some labourers demand items such as cassava, yams plantain and even cash from market women before doing the work for which they are paid, whilst revenue collectors demand food items in exchange for the tolls they were expected to collect", the DCE alleged.
Speaking at a tax education forum for market women and traders at Mankessim on Tuesday, Mr Quainoo-Arthur noted that activities of such unpatriotic employees of the Assembly had caused a great loss of revenue and warned that anyone caught in any dubious act would be summarily dismissed and the trader who connived with the employee would lose his or her store or stall.
He appealed to the market women and traders to report any employee of the Assembly who demanded favours from the to his office.
The DCE announced plans to upgrade the market to an ultra modern one estimated at 15 million US Dollars and said the drawing for the project was ready and sourcing of funds was in progress.
He said for the meantime, the Assembly had decided to gravel parts of the market, which get muddy when it rained to enable the market women to have some comfort during the rainy season.
The DCE stated that the Assembly had instituted a penalty of five million cedis for anyone who built without permit.
Mr Kojo Amadu, Revenue Superintendent, called for intensification of education on payment of taxes and appealed to traders and market women to find out from revenue collectors what they were expected to pay at the beginning of every year when the Assembly passed the fee-fixing resolution.
The district directorate of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) organized the forum.
Miss Margaret May Sackey, District Director of the NCCE urged the participants to help to develop their community and the nation by paying their taxes promptly and educating their fellows to do same.
28 Feb. 07
Speaking at a tax education forum for market women and traders at Mankessim on Tuesday, Mr Quainoo-Arthur noted that activities of such unpatriotic employees of the Assembly had caused a great loss of revenue and warned that anyone caught in any dubious act would be summarily dismissed and the trader who connived with the employee would lose his or her store or stall.
He appealed to the market women and traders to report any employee of the Assembly who demanded favours from the to his office.
The DCE announced plans to upgrade the market to an ultra modern one estimated at 15 million US Dollars and said the drawing for the project was ready and sourcing of funds was in progress.
He said for the meantime, the Assembly had decided to gravel parts of the market, which get muddy when it rained to enable the market women to have some comfort during the rainy season.
The DCE stated that the Assembly had instituted a penalty of five million cedis for anyone who built without permit.
Mr Kojo Amadu, Revenue Superintendent, called for intensification of education on payment of taxes and appealed to traders and market women to find out from revenue collectors what they were expected to pay at the beginning of every year when the Assembly passed the fee-fixing resolution.
The district directorate of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) organized the forum.
Miss Margaret May Sackey, District Director of the NCCE urged the participants to help to develop their community and the nation by paying their taxes promptly and educating their fellows to do same.
28 Feb. 07
Ghana Registered Nurses Association condemns attacks on nurses
Accra, Feb. 28, GNA – The National Executive Committee of Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) on Wednesday condemned attacks on its members describing them as totally repugnant and disgusting.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Samuel MacCarthy, Public Relation Officer of GRNA said the association considered the attacks as violence against nurses, majority of whom were women and appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to lead a crusade to curb the trend.
"Without any reservations, the health and safety needs of all members stand paramount in its activities. Perpetuated acts of abuse on its members by bandits armed or unarmed would in future, compel health workers, especially nurses to refuse taking up night duties in particular and afternoon shits," it added.
The statement said the association had received news of an attack on a member, Miss Cecilia Eshun, a nurse at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi by unidentified armed robbers on her return home from work after an afternoon shift just opposite the casualty ward of the hospital on Saturday, February 15.
In addition, Miss Victoria Obuobi, a nurse on her way to work at Tema was also attacked by robbers and valuable items taken away and currently on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Cardio-Thoracic recovery ward receiving treatment.The statement said at Saltpond, a nurse had to run for her life to avoid being attacked by a psychiatric patient and similar cases of attacks had been recorded in Kumasi and Wa.
It appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to put in place measures to assure safety to nurses and called for appropriate compensatory packages to be given to victims of such unfortunate acts in the form supportive treatment and claim procedures.
The statement noted that nurses work in unfriendly environment and compromised their duties because most hospitals lacked the needed infrastructure, logistics and equipment to assure quality care which had contributed to the nurses' brain drain in the country.
"The onset of this current problem of insecurity in and out of the work place would further increase the attrition rate thereby lowering productivity."
"If quality care cannot but be compromised by reason of infrastructural deficits, the few health professionals remaining should be assured of security and be treated with dignity and respect" it added.
28 Feb. 07
A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Samuel MacCarthy, Public Relation Officer of GRNA said the association considered the attacks as violence against nurses, majority of whom were women and appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to lead a crusade to curb the trend.
"Without any reservations, the health and safety needs of all members stand paramount in its activities. Perpetuated acts of abuse on its members by bandits armed or unarmed would in future, compel health workers, especially nurses to refuse taking up night duties in particular and afternoon shits," it added.
The statement said the association had received news of an attack on a member, Miss Cecilia Eshun, a nurse at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi by unidentified armed robbers on her return home from work after an afternoon shift just opposite the casualty ward of the hospital on Saturday, February 15.
In addition, Miss Victoria Obuobi, a nurse on her way to work at Tema was also attacked by robbers and valuable items taken away and currently on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Cardio-Thoracic recovery ward receiving treatment.The statement said at Saltpond, a nurse had to run for her life to avoid being attacked by a psychiatric patient and similar cases of attacks had been recorded in Kumasi and Wa.
It appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to put in place measures to assure safety to nurses and called for appropriate compensatory packages to be given to victims of such unfortunate acts in the form supportive treatment and claim procedures.
The statement noted that nurses work in unfriendly environment and compromised their duties because most hospitals lacked the needed infrastructure, logistics and equipment to assure quality care which had contributed to the nurses' brain drain in the country.
"The onset of this current problem of insecurity in and out of the work place would further increase the attrition rate thereby lowering productivity."
"If quality care cannot but be compromised by reason of infrastructural deficits, the few health professionals remaining should be assured of security and be treated with dignity and respect" it added.
28 Feb. 07
Veep asks media to shy away from politics
Accra, Feb. 28, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Tuesday asked journalists to give adequate coverage to developmental issues and convey the necessary feedback to Government for informed policy formulation.
"It is not only politics and politics that make news, but other developmental issues that affect the very core of our livelihood," he said at the launch of a 398-page book: "Jubilee Ghana, A 50-Year News Journey Thro' Graphic, published by Graphic Communication Group Limited (GCGL).
He said "Our rural communities need such basic amenities as potable water, housing, good health and freedom from ignorance. I believe there is no better way to influence such issues than through the media."
Vice President Mahama lauded the management of Graphic Communications Group for blazing the trail, but added that as a developing nation, Ghana deserved more interplay between the people and the Government.
He said all over the world good newspapers had been known not only as conduit for the dissemination of news but also as moulders of public opinion.
"It is this task that we as a nation of 50 years expect from our media," he added.
Vice President Mahama said the book would serve as a great source of history.
"The contents of this book would provide a one for all source from which the elderly would derive an opportunity to relive history; the relatively young ones would reflect over the achievements and disappointments of the past. And for students and researchers, valuable leads to events over the 50-year period," he added.
Vice President Mahama said the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana's Independence was an occasion for deep reflection as well as celebration.
"Deep reflection because as it is said an unexamined life is not worth living. It is a good opportunity for us to look back to see where we have come from, where we are now and where we are now going."
"It is also not only an opportunity to celebrate this important milestone of our nationhood but also to exhibit our dynamic culture to the entire world whilst reigniting Ghana's pre-eminence on the African Continent," he added.
Professor Kwesi Yankah, Pro-Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, who reviewed the book, said the book had shifted the focus of publications in the Graphic from the gate-keeping role of the media to delve into the realm of history.
However, he warned that when journalists were writing history it could enhance the process or subvert it.
Prof. Yankah said the book had captured the entire story of Ghana's contemporary history.
He said it comprised the odd things of life such as a man biting a dog, politics and social issues.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor said management of Graphic Communications Group had pioneered excellence in the print media and a generic word for the newspaper industry in Ghana.
Osaahene Kwasi Offei Agyeman IV, Krontihene of Akropong-Akuapem and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCGL, described the book as a reference point of history.
Mr Berfi Apenteng, former Managing Director of GCGL said the book, which started as a dream was made a reality through the hard work of staff of the company to facilitate review of the country's performance since 1957.
GNA
JA/PAF
He said "Our rural communities need such basic amenities as potable water, housing, good health and freedom from ignorance. I believe there is no better way to influence such issues than through the media."
Vice President Mahama lauded the management of Graphic Communications Group for blazing the trail, but added that as a developing nation, Ghana deserved more interplay between the people and the Government.
He said all over the world good newspapers had been known not only as conduit for the dissemination of news but also as moulders of public opinion.
"It is this task that we as a nation of 50 years expect from our media," he added.
Vice President Mahama said the book would serve as a great source of history.
"The contents of this book would provide a one for all source from which the elderly would derive an opportunity to relive history; the relatively young ones would reflect over the achievements and disappointments of the past. And for students and researchers, valuable leads to events over the 50-year period," he added.
Vice President Mahama said the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana's Independence was an occasion for deep reflection as well as celebration.
"Deep reflection because as it is said an unexamined life is not worth living. It is a good opportunity for us to look back to see where we have come from, where we are now and where we are now going."
"It is also not only an opportunity to celebrate this important milestone of our nationhood but also to exhibit our dynamic culture to the entire world whilst reigniting Ghana's pre-eminence on the African Continent," he added.
Professor Kwesi Yankah, Pro-Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, who reviewed the book, said the book had shifted the focus of publications in the Graphic from the gate-keeping role of the media to delve into the realm of history.
However, he warned that when journalists were writing history it could enhance the process or subvert it.
Prof. Yankah said the book had captured the entire story of Ghana's contemporary history.
He said it comprised the odd things of life such as a man biting a dog, politics and social issues.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor said management of Graphic Communications Group had pioneered excellence in the print media and a generic word for the newspaper industry in Ghana.
Osaahene Kwasi Offei Agyeman IV, Krontihene of Akropong-Akuapem and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCGL, described the book as a reference point of history.
Mr Berfi Apenteng, former Managing Director of GCGL said the book, which started as a dream was made a reality through the hard work of staff of the company to facilitate review of the country's performance since 1957.
GNA
JA/PAF
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Re-introduce inspection of pupil's cleaniliness - SHEP Co-ordinator
xSaltpond, Feb. 21, GNA - the Mfantseman District School Health Educational Programme (SHEP) Coordinator, Mr. Reemans Osei Bonsu, has called for the re-introduction of inspection of pupils' cleanliness in schools at least once a week.
Mr. Osei-Bonsu said the call was to ensure that pupils maintained good personal and environmental cleanliness.
He was commenting on the national de-worming exercise held last week in an interview with the GNA at Saltpond.
The SHEP coordinator said inspection of fingernails among other things would minimize the pupil's contact with worms.
Mr. Osei Bonsu said over 40,000 children in basic schools in the district were de-wormed and described the exercise as successful and incident free.
Mrs. Margaret Morrison, a Public Health Nurse, who supervised the exercise commended PLAN, Ghana and World Vision Ghana, both international non-government organizations for conducting periodic de-worming exercises in the district.
The nurse attributed the success of the exercise to the awareness created by the NGOS.
The SHEP Unit of the Ghana Education Service in collaboration with the Nutrition Unit And Disease Control Unit of the Ghana Health Service initiated the exercise funded by UNICEF and DANIDA.
The exercise was nearly marred in some districts following a radio announcement that some children had died after taking the drug.
21 Feb 07
Mr. Osei-Bonsu said the call was to ensure that pupils maintained good personal and environmental cleanliness.
He was commenting on the national de-worming exercise held last week in an interview with the GNA at Saltpond.
The SHEP coordinator said inspection of fingernails among other things would minimize the pupil's contact with worms.
Mr. Osei Bonsu said over 40,000 children in basic schools in the district were de-wormed and described the exercise as successful and incident free.
Mrs. Margaret Morrison, a Public Health Nurse, who supervised the exercise commended PLAN, Ghana and World Vision Ghana, both international non-government organizations for conducting periodic de-worming exercises in the district.
The nurse attributed the success of the exercise to the awareness created by the NGOS.
The SHEP Unit of the Ghana Education Service in collaboration with the Nutrition Unit And Disease Control Unit of the Ghana Health Service initiated the exercise funded by UNICEF and DANIDA.
The exercise was nearly marred in some districts following a radio announcement that some children had died after taking the drug.
21 Feb 07
Regard flag as symbol of national unity - Pupils told
Apam, Feb. 21, GNA - The Gomoa District Coordinating Director, Mr. Fred Addae, has called on Ghanaians to regard the National Flag as a symbol of unity.
Ethnic, religious and political relationship should not becloud our minds, he said adding that, we should see our neighbours and regard them as people with whom we share a common destiny.
He was addressing school children from both public and private basic and second cycle schools after marching through the streets of Apam with miniature national flags in a programme known as "Rally behind the Flag" planned by the Assembly as part of activities marking Golden Jubilee Independence celebration.
Mr. Addae noted that the flag must be dear to the hearts of the people who must be prepared to defend it at all times, adding that, the perception that its defence was the responsibility of the security forces must be erased.
Mr. Samuel Sersah, Assistant Director at the Gomoa District Directorate of the Ghana Education Service gave a brief history about the struggle for independence and urged the children to learn hard to become responsible future leaders.
He cautioned them against things that could destroy their future.
Mr. Fred Oscar Abban, Presiding Member of the Assembly expressed concern about indiscipline in educational institution and reminded the children that an undisciplined child could not be a successful student.
Ghana needs disciplined scholars to take on the mantle of leaderships after our leaders are gone, Mr. Abban stressed.
21 Feb 07
Ethnic, religious and political relationship should not becloud our minds, he said adding that, we should see our neighbours and regard them as people with whom we share a common destiny.
He was addressing school children from both public and private basic and second cycle schools after marching through the streets of Apam with miniature national flags in a programme known as "Rally behind the Flag" planned by the Assembly as part of activities marking Golden Jubilee Independence celebration.
Mr. Addae noted that the flag must be dear to the hearts of the people who must be prepared to defend it at all times, adding that, the perception that its defence was the responsibility of the security forces must be erased.
Mr. Samuel Sersah, Assistant Director at the Gomoa District Directorate of the Ghana Education Service gave a brief history about the struggle for independence and urged the children to learn hard to become responsible future leaders.
He cautioned them against things that could destroy their future.
Mr. Fred Oscar Abban, Presiding Member of the Assembly expressed concern about indiscipline in educational institution and reminded the children that an undisciplined child could not be a successful student.
Ghana needs disciplined scholars to take on the mantle of leaderships after our leaders are gone, Mr. Abban stressed.
21 Feb 07
Kormanste student wins President's Special Award
Kormantse, (C/R), Feb 20, GNA - A student of Oxford Junior Secondary school at Kormantse, Master Frederick Amonoo has won President's Special Award for being the best student in the 2006 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Central Region.
Master Amonoo who is now a science student of St Augustine's college in Cape Coast scored aggregate six with grade one in nine subjects.Speaking to GNA at Kormantse, Mr. Francis Kow Addison, Headmaster of the School, said Master Amonoo's award would be presented to him at the Independence anniversary parade in Accra.
Mr. Addison said the School, which was established in 1997 and sat its maiden BECE in 2002, had since been scoring 100 per cent.He commended the proprietor for creating an enabling condition for effective academic work.Mr Addison also praised the teachers for ensuring that the students worked hard and maintained discipline. "We are expecting an improved performance in the 2007 BECE," the Headmaster said.
21 Feb 07
Master Amonoo who is now a science student of St Augustine's college in Cape Coast scored aggregate six with grade one in nine subjects.Speaking to GNA at Kormantse, Mr. Francis Kow Addison, Headmaster of the School, said Master Amonoo's award would be presented to him at the Independence anniversary parade in Accra.
Mr. Addison said the School, which was established in 1997 and sat its maiden BECE in 2002, had since been scoring 100 per cent.He commended the proprietor for creating an enabling condition for effective academic work.Mr Addison also praised the teachers for ensuring that the students worked hard and maintained discipline. "We are expecting an improved performance in the 2007 BECE," the Headmaster said.
21 Feb 07
Passengers urged to report drunk drivers
Sunyani, Feb 20. GNA - Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohammed N. Adams, the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, on Tuesday urged passengers to report to the police drunk drivers.He was speaking at a road safety education programme organized by the National Road Safety Commission to sensitize parents, teachers and school children on road safety in Sunyani.
Mr Adams also appealed to passengers not to board vehicles whose drivers are drunk.He said statistics showed that at least about four people died in an accident every day and that the situation could change if drivers could refrain from taking alcohol when driving.
Mr Adams appealed to the National Road Safety Commission to enforce their laws and extend their education programmes to every road user.Mr. Kwamew Oware, road safety coordinator in charge of Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions, appealed to parents not to allow their children below 18 years to use bicycles on the road.He also appealed to religious leaders and other groups to desist from overloading vehicles travelling to funerals and other programmes.
20 Feb 07
Mr Adams also appealed to passengers not to board vehicles whose drivers are drunk.He said statistics showed that at least about four people died in an accident every day and that the situation could change if drivers could refrain from taking alcohol when driving.
Mr Adams appealed to the National Road Safety Commission to enforce their laws and extend their education programmes to every road user.Mr. Kwamew Oware, road safety coordinator in charge of Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions, appealed to parents not to allow their children below 18 years to use bicycles on the road.He also appealed to religious leaders and other groups to desist from overloading vehicles travelling to funerals and other programmes.
20 Feb 07
Police appealed for help to trace families of deceased
Suhum, Feb. 20, GNA - The Suhum District Commander of Police, Chief Superintendent Awuni, has appealed for help to trace the families of two people who died in an accident at Kabo hill near Suhum in the Eastern Region.He said the deceased were travelling from Kumasi to Accra on February 7 when the accident occurred.
One of the deceased, believed to be a Muslim, has a white beard, about five feet eight inches tall, well built and fair in complexion and was wearing a long straight dress and would be in his early 60 years.
The other is believed to be around 50 years, wore multi coloured trousers with black T shirt, about five feet six inches tall and black in complexion.The two bodies are at the Suhum Government Hospital.
20 Feb 07
One of the deceased, believed to be a Muslim, has a white beard, about five feet eight inches tall, well built and fair in complexion and was wearing a long straight dress and would be in his early 60 years.
The other is believed to be around 50 years, wore multi coloured trousers with black T shirt, about five feet six inches tall and black in complexion.The two bodies are at the Suhum Government Hospital.
20 Feb 07
BBC praises Ghanaian journalists
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - Judges of the West Africa category of the BBC Africa Radio Awards, on Tuesday praised radio journalists as the most developed and professional in the sub-region.
Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, who chaired the panel of judges for the award said, "out of the more than 100 entries for the seven categories, entries from Ghana stood out as the most professional in terms of presentation, details and technical quality."
She made the remark at a press conference to announce the winners of the award in Accra. The award was the third and final of the regional heats as the first two, the Eastern Africa and Southern Africa categories had been held already.
Other judges on the panel, including Ms. Vera Kwakofi, Project Manager for the award and Bola Mosuro, Senior Producer and Presenter with BBC and Selase Kwawu, a student of the University of Ghana, also said they were proud of Ghanaian radio journalists for the quality of their entries.
They attributed the high quality of the entries from Ghana to the stiff competition in the radio market in Ghana, saying that kind of competition did not exist in other countries in the sub-region and entries from those countries were largely mediocre.
Out of the seven awards, Ghana won five. Joy FM, a local radio station won three awards; Radio Station of the Year, Local On-Air Campaign of the Year and Kofi Owusu of the same radio station won the News Journalist of the Year.
Citi FM, another local radio stations, won the New Radio Station of the Year and the Interactive Talk Show of the Year, being their Breakfast Show.
Ibukunluwa Sammi from Ray Power FM in Nigeria won the Young Broadcaster of the year.The seventh award, which was the Sports Journalist of the Year was not awarded because according to the judges all the entries were sub-standard and could not meet the criteria.
Prof Akunyili observed that most of the sport entries had muffled voices, lacked clarity and the kind of detailed information necessary to sustain the interest of the listener.
She noted that unlike the television broadcaster, the radio broadcaster was handicapped since he or she had no pictures to support his or her report but had to use just the voice to create imaginative pictures in the minds of the listener.
"We also had problems with the intonation of most of the broadcasters who sent sports entries because most of them tried to sound western and in the process they sounded ambiguous, unclear and difficult to understand," she said.
Ms Kwakofi said the over-all BBC African Radio Journalists Award would be held on May 26, 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya.
20 Feb .07
Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, who chaired the panel of judges for the award said, "out of the more than 100 entries for the seven categories, entries from Ghana stood out as the most professional in terms of presentation, details and technical quality."
She made the remark at a press conference to announce the winners of the award in Accra. The award was the third and final of the regional heats as the first two, the Eastern Africa and Southern Africa categories had been held already.
Other judges on the panel, including Ms. Vera Kwakofi, Project Manager for the award and Bola Mosuro, Senior Producer and Presenter with BBC and Selase Kwawu, a student of the University of Ghana, also said they were proud of Ghanaian radio journalists for the quality of their entries.
They attributed the high quality of the entries from Ghana to the stiff competition in the radio market in Ghana, saying that kind of competition did not exist in other countries in the sub-region and entries from those countries were largely mediocre.
Out of the seven awards, Ghana won five. Joy FM, a local radio station won three awards; Radio Station of the Year, Local On-Air Campaign of the Year and Kofi Owusu of the same radio station won the News Journalist of the Year.
Citi FM, another local radio stations, won the New Radio Station of the Year and the Interactive Talk Show of the Year, being their Breakfast Show.
Ibukunluwa Sammi from Ray Power FM in Nigeria won the Young Broadcaster of the year.The seventh award, which was the Sports Journalist of the Year was not awarded because according to the judges all the entries were sub-standard and could not meet the criteria.
Prof Akunyili observed that most of the sport entries had muffled voices, lacked clarity and the kind of detailed information necessary to sustain the interest of the listener.
She noted that unlike the television broadcaster, the radio broadcaster was handicapped since he or she had no pictures to support his or her report but had to use just the voice to create imaginative pictures in the minds of the listener.
"We also had problems with the intonation of most of the broadcasters who sent sports entries because most of them tried to sound western and in the process they sounded ambiguous, unclear and difficult to understand," she said.
Ms Kwakofi said the over-all BBC African Radio Journalists Award would be held on May 26, 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya.
20 Feb .07
Funds for Ghana at 50 would be audited- Chief Of Staff
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - Funds given to the Ghana at 50 Secretariat shall be audited by the Auditor General and made public by the end of the year, Chief of Staff Kwadwo Mpiani said on Tuesday.
"On accountability, I want to assure everybody that we are transparent in our dealings as required and will continue to do through the period of the celebrations", Mr Mpiani, who is also the chairman of the national planning committee of the Ghana at 50 celebrations said.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra, he noted that the secretariat had so far received in pledges 34.6 billion cedis both in cash and in kind out of which 18.8 billion cedis have been received.
The Chief of Staff admitted that resources allocated to the regions have been minimal and gave the assurance that more resources would be made available to them by the end of the week to enable them fully participate in the jubilee celebrations.
Answering questions on the exclusion of political parties from the Jubilee planning, he said the organisation of celebrations of every landmark point of Ghana's history has been stewarded by the incumbent government at the helm of affairs.
He cited that 25th anniversary of Ghana's independence was planned by the government of Dr Hilla Limann and that of the 40th was planned and implemented by the National Democratic Congress.
He however, noted that the members of the planning committee were humans and bound to make mistakes, adding "we therefore take genuine criticisms and suggestions in good faith".
He stressed the need for Ghanaians to focus on the positive aspect of the celebrations and how to make the occasion memorable and successful to ensure unity among the citizenry.
He said all African Heads of States have been invited to the celebration out of which 16 have confirmed their participation.
Asked if former President Jerry Rawlings has agreed to participate in the celebrations, Mr Mpiani said he has been duly invited "... let us wait for the delegation sent to him to report to President John Agyekum Kufuor and let stop speculating."
He catalogued some of the events to mark the anniversary as "Telling the Ghana News Agency Story", the first news gathering and dissemination organisation in the Sub-Saharan Africa established on the eve of independence, Street parties and carnivals and commemorative parades in all districts and regions.
Other activities would also be the Miss Ghana gala balls that would recognise an event that has been part of the country's anniversary celebrations as well as live concerts that would chart the journey from highlife to hip life, and the re-enactment of the colonial power formally handing over instrument of power to independent Ghana before Dr. Nkrumah's polo ground declarations by Parliament.
He outdoored two commemorative clothes to mark the occasion, which comes in a special Kente cloth and a jubilee version of traditional wax print called "Ghana United at 50".
Part of the wax print, he said were printed in Ghana and China because the local companies in Ghana could not meet the demand.
Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Information and National Orientation Minister stressed the need to celebrate the jubilee saying, "it is worth celebrating due to the fact that Ghana continues to play lead roles in the history of Africa and the country that also produced many great personalities like Busumuru Kofi Annan, as the first black UN Secretary General, among others.
He called on individuals and organisations along the ceremonial routes to clad their buildings with the national colours as Cal Bank and the Paloma hotel had done.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Mr. Kofi Adda has assured Ghanaians of uninterrupted power supply from March 1 to 14 while government made frantic efforts to find lasting solution to the energy crisis.
He also announced that government would meet the media next Tuesday to brief them on the energy situation in the country.
20 Feb. 07
"On accountability, I want to assure everybody that we are transparent in our dealings as required and will continue to do through the period of the celebrations", Mr Mpiani, who is also the chairman of the national planning committee of the Ghana at 50 celebrations said.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra, he noted that the secretariat had so far received in pledges 34.6 billion cedis both in cash and in kind out of which 18.8 billion cedis have been received.
The Chief of Staff admitted that resources allocated to the regions have been minimal and gave the assurance that more resources would be made available to them by the end of the week to enable them fully participate in the jubilee celebrations.
Answering questions on the exclusion of political parties from the Jubilee planning, he said the organisation of celebrations of every landmark point of Ghana's history has been stewarded by the incumbent government at the helm of affairs.
He cited that 25th anniversary of Ghana's independence was planned by the government of Dr Hilla Limann and that of the 40th was planned and implemented by the National Democratic Congress.
He however, noted that the members of the planning committee were humans and bound to make mistakes, adding "we therefore take genuine criticisms and suggestions in good faith".
He stressed the need for Ghanaians to focus on the positive aspect of the celebrations and how to make the occasion memorable and successful to ensure unity among the citizenry.
He said all African Heads of States have been invited to the celebration out of which 16 have confirmed their participation.
Asked if former President Jerry Rawlings has agreed to participate in the celebrations, Mr Mpiani said he has been duly invited "... let us wait for the delegation sent to him to report to President John Agyekum Kufuor and let stop speculating."
He catalogued some of the events to mark the anniversary as "Telling the Ghana News Agency Story", the first news gathering and dissemination organisation in the Sub-Saharan Africa established on the eve of independence, Street parties and carnivals and commemorative parades in all districts and regions.
Other activities would also be the Miss Ghana gala balls that would recognise an event that has been part of the country's anniversary celebrations as well as live concerts that would chart the journey from highlife to hip life, and the re-enactment of the colonial power formally handing over instrument of power to independent Ghana before Dr. Nkrumah's polo ground declarations by Parliament.
He outdoored two commemorative clothes to mark the occasion, which comes in a special Kente cloth and a jubilee version of traditional wax print called "Ghana United at 50".
Part of the wax print, he said were printed in Ghana and China because the local companies in Ghana could not meet the demand.
Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Information and National Orientation Minister stressed the need to celebrate the jubilee saying, "it is worth celebrating due to the fact that Ghana continues to play lead roles in the history of Africa and the country that also produced many great personalities like Busumuru Kofi Annan, as the first black UN Secretary General, among others.
He called on individuals and organisations along the ceremonial routes to clad their buildings with the national colours as Cal Bank and the Paloma hotel had done.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Mr. Kofi Adda has assured Ghanaians of uninterrupted power supply from March 1 to 14 while government made frantic efforts to find lasting solution to the energy crisis.
He also announced that government would meet the media next Tuesday to brief them on the energy situation in the country.
20 Feb. 07
Pay stumpage fees now - GTA tells members
Takoradi, Feb 20, GNA - The Ghana Timber Association (GTA) has called on its members who are indebted in stumpage fees to the Forestry Commission as at October 2006 to settle their arrears by February 28.This was contained in a communiqué issued after the association's executive meeting held at Kumasi over the weekend.
The communiqué signed by Mr. Alexander K. Dadzie, National Vice-Chairman of the GTA asked its members to take advantage of the agreement signed between the GTA and the Forestry Commission to cover the unpaid debts.It asked that the remaining arrears should be paid in 40 percent instalments by March 31 and June 30 in fulfilment of the agreements with the FC.
Under the agreement, members of the GTA are expected to pay the arrears in three instalments.The statement said receipts of the payments from the FC should be sent to the GTA for renewal.The communiqué stated that members who failed to settle their indebtedness to the FC by the deadline would be charged an additional five percent penalty.It asked the Forestry Services Division (FSD) to renew Property Marks of the GTA members who posses recommendation from the association.The communiqué urged the FC to re-visit the quota system of the GTA to prevent members from accumulating their bills due to insufficient logs.
20 Feb 07
The communiqué signed by Mr. Alexander K. Dadzie, National Vice-Chairman of the GTA asked its members to take advantage of the agreement signed between the GTA and the Forestry Commission to cover the unpaid debts.It asked that the remaining arrears should be paid in 40 percent instalments by March 31 and June 30 in fulfilment of the agreements with the FC.
Under the agreement, members of the GTA are expected to pay the arrears in three instalments.The statement said receipts of the payments from the FC should be sent to the GTA for renewal.The communiqué stated that members who failed to settle their indebtedness to the FC by the deadline would be charged an additional five percent penalty.It asked the Forestry Services Division (FSD) to renew Property Marks of the GTA members who posses recommendation from the association.The communiqué urged the FC to re-visit the quota system of the GTA to prevent members from accumulating their bills due to insufficient logs.
20 Feb 07
PEF conducts business survey
Accra, Feb 20, GNA - The Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) will undertake a Business Environment Survey from February 26 to April 16 this year to obtain views of the private sector on the environment for business in Ghana.
The investment climate or business environment describes the range of policies and practices that have an impact on business operations and investment decisions.
Dr Osei Boeh-Ocansey, Director-General of PEF in a signed statement said the exercise formed part of a larger survey being coordinated by the CBC in 33 Commonwealth countries to assess current private sector views.
It would help to measure developments as well as progress on action areas and report made to member governments in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The CBC Business Survey report has been published since 1999 and subsequently in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The results of the survey are circulated to member governments to assist with the development of future policies to enhance economic growth and investment.
The survey takes place simultaneously in other Commonwealth countries including Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, United Kingdom, India and Nigeria.
20 Feb. 07
The investment climate or business environment describes the range of policies and practices that have an impact on business operations and investment decisions.
Dr Osei Boeh-Ocansey, Director-General of PEF in a signed statement said the exercise formed part of a larger survey being coordinated by the CBC in 33 Commonwealth countries to assess current private sector views.
It would help to measure developments as well as progress on action areas and report made to member governments in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The CBC Business Survey report has been published since 1999 and subsequently in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The results of the survey are circulated to member governments to assist with the development of future policies to enhance economic growth and investment.
The survey takes place simultaneously in other Commonwealth countries including Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, United Kingdom, India and Nigeria.
20 Feb. 07
Veep lauds the establishment of painless surgery centre
Accra, Feb.20, GNA- Ghana is establishing a Keyhole Surgery (Laparoscopic) Centre at Korle bu Teaching Hospital, where the state of the art equipment would be used to carry out painless surgeries without the conventional incision and medication.
The centre, the first in the West African Sub-Region would carry out surgeries on patients, which involves a small incision around the abdomen, which is filled with gas and attached to microscopic cameras to give surgeons access to the defective human anatomy for surgery.
Professor Edward Yeboah, past President of the West African College of Surgeons, who originated the project in Ghana, led a team from the International Federation of Societies of Endoscopic Surgeons (IFSES) to call on Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama to brief him about the innovative surgery procedure.
Prof. Tehemton Udwadia from India and President of IFSES and Prof. Jacques Perissat from France, who briefed the Vice President about the visit, said Ghanaian doctors would be trained in Laparoscopic surgery to start the centre.
They said the centre was capital intensive and called for expensive and sustainable maintenance of equipment.
Vice President Mahama expressed the gratitude of the Executive for the model centre, which he said would offer patients the opportunity to go back to their normal activities a day after surgery.
He said the centre also fell in line with Government's desire to turn Korle bu into a medical facility of excellence.
The basic procedures to be covered for the surgery include diagnostic, appendectomy, hernia repair, basic gynaecological procedures for sterilisation, ectopic pregnancy and ovarian cysts.
Members of the IFSES would among other things, provide equipment and train surgeons free of charge.
20 Feb. 07
The centre, the first in the West African Sub-Region would carry out surgeries on patients, which involves a small incision around the abdomen, which is filled with gas and attached to microscopic cameras to give surgeons access to the defective human anatomy for surgery.
Professor Edward Yeboah, past President of the West African College of Surgeons, who originated the project in Ghana, led a team from the International Federation of Societies of Endoscopic Surgeons (IFSES) to call on Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama to brief him about the innovative surgery procedure.
Prof. Tehemton Udwadia from India and President of IFSES and Prof. Jacques Perissat from France, who briefed the Vice President about the visit, said Ghanaian doctors would be trained in Laparoscopic surgery to start the centre.
They said the centre was capital intensive and called for expensive and sustainable maintenance of equipment.
Vice President Mahama expressed the gratitude of the Executive for the model centre, which he said would offer patients the opportunity to go back to their normal activities a day after surgery.
He said the centre also fell in line with Government's desire to turn Korle bu into a medical facility of excellence.
The basic procedures to be covered for the surgery include diagnostic, appendectomy, hernia repair, basic gynaecological procedures for sterilisation, ectopic pregnancy and ovarian cysts.
Members of the IFSES would among other things, provide equipment and train surgeons free of charge.
20 Feb. 07
Subj: 2 SPORTS NEWS GNA:
xAccra, Feb 20, GNA - The second edition of the National Open Table Tennis Championship comes off this Saturday, 24, at the Seven Great Princess Academy, in Dansoman, Accra.
The championship forms part of preparations towards the All Africa Games scheduled for Algiers, Algeria.
The tournament which, is being organised by the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), is in conjunction with Goil Ghana Limited, dealers of petroleum products.
At stake is a giant trophy and mouth-watering packages for outstanding players after the one-day championship.
The secretariat has therefore called on players interested in participating in the championship to register at the offices of the National Sports Council at the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex, or the Public Relations Department of the Council.
The first edition of the competition was held at the Aviation Social Center in Accra about three weeks ago.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
The championship forms part of preparations towards the All Africa Games scheduled for Algiers, Algeria.
The tournament which, is being organised by the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), is in conjunction with Goil Ghana Limited, dealers of petroleum products.
At stake is a giant trophy and mouth-watering packages for outstanding players after the one-day championship.
The secretariat has therefore called on players interested in participating in the championship to register at the offices of the National Sports Council at the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex, or the Public Relations Department of the Council.
The first edition of the competition was held at the Aviation Social Center in Accra about three weeks ago.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Three receive President's Excellence Awards
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - Three Institutions on Tuesday received the maiden President's Excellence Awards introduced by the Government to recognise and reward outstanding innovations and achievements within the public services.
They are the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PPMED) both of the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Through imaginative, innovative and cost effective interventions, the three have delivered positive results with the CWSA for example, having succeeded within the past five years, with the removal of high levels of iron and manganese from ground water in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions, making it safe to drink from about 1,000 boreholes sunk in those areas.
The GHS and the PPMED, on their part were rewarded for the increased access to quality health services and the significant reduction of measles in the country with no death recorded since 2005.The awards were in two categories: "Innovative Service Delivery Improvement" and "Innovative Partnership between Governments, Private Sector and Civil Organisations."
The CWSA picked Gold in the Innovative Service Delivery Improvement category with the Silver going to the GHS.The ultimate in the Innovative Partnership between Governments, Private Sector and Civil Organisations went to the PPMED.President Kufuor said it was part of the motivation to promote high performance standards and inspire competition within the public services by way of best management practices.
He said the fashion now was for states to use entrepreneurship approach, not in terms of profit making but efficiency in service delivery to meet targeted goals.He said it was on the basis of this that the Government was determined to motivate the public sector and encourage the individual public servants to stand out in the running of the state.President Kufuor said the awards would not be limited to only institutions and that individuals who drive the innovations that lead to improved public performance would also be honoured.
He praised the Minister of Public Sector Reform, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom for the good job he was doing, which he said, had given justification for the creation of the Ministry. Earlier, the Minister said the award winners would be entered in the Africa and the United Nations (UN) competitions.He highlighted changes going on in the public services as a result of the launch of the comprehensive public sector reform and expressed optimism that there was a better future for those who chose to work with the service.Dr Nduom noted that the appointment of Chief Directors had brought stability to the public services.
Dr Albert Boohene, Chairman of the Health Service Council, asked the CWSA, GHS and the PPMED to continue to improve the ground water and intensify the mass immunisation to totally eradicate guinea worm infestation and measles from the country.
20 Feb. 2007
They are the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PPMED) both of the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Through imaginative, innovative and cost effective interventions, the three have delivered positive results with the CWSA for example, having succeeded within the past five years, with the removal of high levels of iron and manganese from ground water in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions, making it safe to drink from about 1,000 boreholes sunk in those areas.
The GHS and the PPMED, on their part were rewarded for the increased access to quality health services and the significant reduction of measles in the country with no death recorded since 2005.The awards were in two categories: "Innovative Service Delivery Improvement" and "Innovative Partnership between Governments, Private Sector and Civil Organisations."
The CWSA picked Gold in the Innovative Service Delivery Improvement category with the Silver going to the GHS.The ultimate in the Innovative Partnership between Governments, Private Sector and Civil Organisations went to the PPMED.President Kufuor said it was part of the motivation to promote high performance standards and inspire competition within the public services by way of best management practices.
He said the fashion now was for states to use entrepreneurship approach, not in terms of profit making but efficiency in service delivery to meet targeted goals.He said it was on the basis of this that the Government was determined to motivate the public sector and encourage the individual public servants to stand out in the running of the state.President Kufuor said the awards would not be limited to only institutions and that individuals who drive the innovations that lead to improved public performance would also be honoured.
He praised the Minister of Public Sector Reform, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom for the good job he was doing, which he said, had given justification for the creation of the Ministry. Earlier, the Minister said the award winners would be entered in the Africa and the United Nations (UN) competitions.He highlighted changes going on in the public services as a result of the launch of the comprehensive public sector reform and expressed optimism that there was a better future for those who chose to work with the service.Dr Nduom noted that the appointment of Chief Directors had brought stability to the public services.
Dr Albert Boohene, Chairman of the Health Service Council, asked the CWSA, GHS and the PPMED to continue to improve the ground water and intensify the mass immunisation to totally eradicate guinea worm infestation and measles from the country.
20 Feb. 2007
Ex-convict jailed two years for stealing
Juaso (Ash), Feb.20, and GNA- A circuit court at Juaso has ordered Kwame opuni, an ex-convict, back to prison for stealing a bunch of plantain worth 20,000 cedis, sixteen months after serving a jail sentence.
The ex-convict was sentenced to two years imprisonment in hard labour on two counts of stealing and causing unlawful harm.
Police Chief Inspector, Kippo Iddrisu Mahama, told the court that the two complainants in the case and the accused were all farmers resident at Bompata near Asankare.He said on January 5, this year, the second complainant who was returning from farm spotted the accused harvesting plantain in the farm of the other complainant.
Chief Insp. Mahama said the accused on seeing the second complainant approaching, threatened to slash him with a cutlass and a scuffle ensured between them.The prosecutor said in the course of the struggle, the accused inflicted cutlass wounds in the palm of the second complainant and also bit his left eyelid after which he fled the scene.
Chief Insp. Mahama said the second complainant lodged a complaint at the Bompata Police where he was issued with a medical form to attend hospital.The prosecutor said on January 6, this year, the first complainant detected the theft of the plantain from his farm and reported the case to the police.
20 Feb. 07
The ex-convict was sentenced to two years imprisonment in hard labour on two counts of stealing and causing unlawful harm.
Police Chief Inspector, Kippo Iddrisu Mahama, told the court that the two complainants in the case and the accused were all farmers resident at Bompata near Asankare.He said on January 5, this year, the second complainant who was returning from farm spotted the accused harvesting plantain in the farm of the other complainant.
Chief Insp. Mahama said the accused on seeing the second complainant approaching, threatened to slash him with a cutlass and a scuffle ensured between them.The prosecutor said in the course of the struggle, the accused inflicted cutlass wounds in the palm of the second complainant and also bit his left eyelid after which he fled the scene.
Chief Insp. Mahama said the second complainant lodged a complaint at the Bompata Police where he was issued with a medical form to attend hospital.The prosecutor said on January 6, this year, the first complainant detected the theft of the plantain from his farm and reported the case to the police.
20 Feb. 07
Anglican Church present items for Kwahu Jamasi Clinic
Feb. 20, GNA - The Anglican Diocese of Koforidua has presented beddings, furniture and paints worth over 10 million cedis to the Kwahu Jamasi Clinic.
Presenting the items Ms Comfort Boateng, Assistant Diocesan Treasurer of the Church, said the foreign sponsors of the church would be visiting the country by the end of the month to access the facilities of the clinic to ensure its early operation.
She urged the people of the area to repaint the facility and use communal labour to level the frontage of the clinic.
Ms Boateng said the support that the church was offering was its efforts to ensure that the community benefit from good health facility and called on the community to support the efforts of the church.
The Assemblyman for the area, Mr Agyenim Boateng who received the items, thanked the church for the presentation and gave the assurance that the community would ensure that the clinic is reopened.
February 20, 2007
Presenting the items Ms Comfort Boateng, Assistant Diocesan Treasurer of the Church, said the foreign sponsors of the church would be visiting the country by the end of the month to access the facilities of the clinic to ensure its early operation.
She urged the people of the area to repaint the facility and use communal labour to level the frontage of the clinic.
Ms Boateng said the support that the church was offering was its efforts to ensure that the community benefit from good health facility and called on the community to support the efforts of the church.
The Assemblyman for the area, Mr Agyenim Boateng who received the items, thanked the church for the presentation and gave the assurance that the community would ensure that the clinic is reopened.
February 20, 2007
Health not area for spending but for wealth creation-Quashigah
Akim-Oda (E/R), Feb. 20, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah (RTD), the Minister of Health, has said the country could not develop its life expectancy of 57 years when 68 out of every 1,000 births die before their first anniversary.He said if people lead healthy lives, they could save a lot of money that otherwise they would use for curing themselves when they fall sick.
Major Quashigah was speaking at the opening of a one-week training of trainers workshop on regenerative health and nutrition programme for 80 participants at Akim Oda on Monday.School prefects from second cycles schools, matrons of schools, assembly members, health workers and heads of departments of the Birim South District Assembly are attending.
The training programme, which includes community sensitization, had resource persons from the African Hebrew Development Agency of Israel.
He said despite the importance of health to the development of the society, there was nothing in the school curriculum to make children learn more about their health and how to live a more healthy life.
Maj. Quarshigah said despite the fact that the regenerative health and nutrition programme could contribute a lot to the development of the country, some of the things that needed to be done falls outside his ministry and sited issues like the provision of good drinking water and good sanitation.The Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, said many of the diseases facing Ghanaians were lifestyle related and urged health staff to realign themselves with the paradigm shift of the Ministry of Health from curative to preventive medicine.
The Birim South District Director of Health Service, Dr Yaw Otchere, said the district recorded 20 maternal deaths in 2006 and by mid February this year, the district had recorded 8 deaths.
He said currently the problem facing the district was that many of the pregnant women even die before their ninth month.
The leader of the African Hebrew Development Agency team, Mr Prince Immanuel Ben-Yehuda, said most of the diseases that affect Ghanaians were preventable and could be solved by a change in day-to-day lifestyle.
Mr Ben-Yehuda said similar training programmes had been organized in Asikuma-Odobin-Brakwa, Amasaman and the next town would be Hohoe in the Volta Region.
He said Ghana was the only country that had adopted the programme as a national policy but some countries like South Africa had sent delegations to study the system in Dimona, Isreal.
20 Feb 07
Major Quashigah was speaking at the opening of a one-week training of trainers workshop on regenerative health and nutrition programme for 80 participants at Akim Oda on Monday.School prefects from second cycles schools, matrons of schools, assembly members, health workers and heads of departments of the Birim South District Assembly are attending.
The training programme, which includes community sensitization, had resource persons from the African Hebrew Development Agency of Israel.
He said despite the importance of health to the development of the society, there was nothing in the school curriculum to make children learn more about their health and how to live a more healthy life.
Maj. Quarshigah said despite the fact that the regenerative health and nutrition programme could contribute a lot to the development of the country, some of the things that needed to be done falls outside his ministry and sited issues like the provision of good drinking water and good sanitation.The Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, said many of the diseases facing Ghanaians were lifestyle related and urged health staff to realign themselves with the paradigm shift of the Ministry of Health from curative to preventive medicine.
The Birim South District Director of Health Service, Dr Yaw Otchere, said the district recorded 20 maternal deaths in 2006 and by mid February this year, the district had recorded 8 deaths.
He said currently the problem facing the district was that many of the pregnant women even die before their ninth month.
The leader of the African Hebrew Development Agency team, Mr Prince Immanuel Ben-Yehuda, said most of the diseases that affect Ghanaians were preventable and could be solved by a change in day-to-day lifestyle.
Mr Ben-Yehuda said similar training programmes had been organized in Asikuma-Odobin-Brakwa, Amasaman and the next town would be Hohoe in the Volta Region.
He said Ghana was the only country that had adopted the programme as a national policy but some countries like South Africa had sent delegations to study the system in Dimona, Isreal.
20 Feb 07
Sub-Sahara Africa Finance Ministers meet in Burkina Faso
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA – Sub-Saharan Africa Finance Ministers are gathering in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to update the status of their preparation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), which seeks to create a convergence point of agreement between creditors and lenders concerning loans and grants.
Briefing the Ghana News Agency in a pre-departure interview, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, who is co-chairing the SPA Meeting, said the meeting was borne out of the need to have borrowers to be part of plans and projects outlined by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Mr Hart Schafer, Acting Vice resident of the World Bank, Africa Region is the other co-chair.
He explained that attempts had been made since 1987 for borrowers to be involved in shaping the programmes for grants and loans.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said 16 other countries are attending the week-long meeting, whose technical session started on Monday.
He said issues including the growth agenda, trade, deepening multi-donor budget support programmes will be top of the agenda.
Ghana and the AfDB are expected to brief the meeting on plans to enhance the participation of the African stakeholders' participation in the ongoing activities for the working groups.
Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda are attending.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said discussions would be held between Ghana and her development partners on closing the gap between the period loan and grant agreements were signed and disbursed.
The Finance Minister said it took the World Bank two years between signing and disbursement of loans and grants and 27 months for the AfDB, adding that this situation must be addressed.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said with the advent of new line of creditors such as China, India, Brazil and Russia, it was important for some strategic planning for the ensuing relationship.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Briefing the Ghana News Agency in a pre-departure interview, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, who is co-chairing the SPA Meeting, said the meeting was borne out of the need to have borrowers to be part of plans and projects outlined by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Mr Hart Schafer, Acting Vice resident of the World Bank, Africa Region is the other co-chair.
He explained that attempts had been made since 1987 for borrowers to be involved in shaping the programmes for grants and loans.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said 16 other countries are attending the week-long meeting, whose technical session started on Monday.
He said issues including the growth agenda, trade, deepening multi-donor budget support programmes will be top of the agenda.
Ghana and the AfDB are expected to brief the meeting on plans to enhance the participation of the African stakeholders' participation in the ongoing activities for the working groups.
Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda are attending.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said discussions would be held between Ghana and her development partners on closing the gap between the period loan and grant agreements were signed and disbursed.
The Finance Minister said it took the World Bank two years between signing and disbursement of loans and grants and 27 months for the AfDB, adding that this situation must be addressed.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said with the advent of new line of creditors such as China, India, Brazil and Russia, it was important for some strategic planning for the ensuing relationship.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Ex-DCE challenges government to come clean
Goaso (B/A), Feb 20, GNA - Mr Mohammed Kwaku Doku, a District Chief Executive for Asunafo in Brong Ahafo in the erstwhile National Democratic Congress administration, has challenged the government to come clean on the claim of pursuing the rule of law.
He said in a statement after a meeting of NDC executives in Asunafo North constituency at the weekend that the government "only respects the law and decisions of the courts whenever they favour it".
Mr. Doku, the immediate past Brong Ahafo Regional secretary of the NDC, said the government had deliberately turned a blind eye to "prosecutable reports" made against government officials and NPP functionaries.
"The government is only quick to call state investigative bodies and prosecutors to act when an allegation is made against Ghanaians who are not of NPP coloration", he alleged.
The former DCE said the government had hidden under the cloak of the law of wilfully causing financial loss to the state to prosecute NDC functionaries.
"Ministers and officials who did not heed to calls and advice from parliament and the World Bank and pursued the infamous IFC and CNTI loans should have been charged with wilfully causing financial loss to the state", Mr. Doku said.Mr. Doku said: "Ghanaians are still waiting to know when the former Minister of Lands and Forestry who the Auditor General cited for causing financial loss to the state for importing grafted mango seedlings worth more than three billion cedis to northern Ghana during the dry season".
He also asked if the Minister of Food and Agriculture could be charged with wilfully causing financial loss to the state "for deliberately neglecting the Aveyime Rice Project to rot, for which some NDC ministers had served prison sentences".
The former DCE challenged the government to prosecute those who destroyed electoral materials in Pru and Asunafo districts in Brong Ahafo during the 2004 general election, "if it truly respects the rule of law".
Mr. Doku stated that information showed that the police arrested the culprits but were released upon instructions from government officials.
He said he took the government to court to claim his salaries, entitlements and ex-gratia as DCE but two years after the court had ruled against the government it had blatantly refused to comply with the court's orders. "The government's reaction would have been very swift and quick if the court had ruled otherwise. Is this the rule of law that the NPP government preaches?" the former DCE asked.
20 Feb 07
He said in a statement after a meeting of NDC executives in Asunafo North constituency at the weekend that the government "only respects the law and decisions of the courts whenever they favour it".
Mr. Doku, the immediate past Brong Ahafo Regional secretary of the NDC, said the government had deliberately turned a blind eye to "prosecutable reports" made against government officials and NPP functionaries.
"The government is only quick to call state investigative bodies and prosecutors to act when an allegation is made against Ghanaians who are not of NPP coloration", he alleged.
The former DCE said the government had hidden under the cloak of the law of wilfully causing financial loss to the state to prosecute NDC functionaries.
"Ministers and officials who did not heed to calls and advice from parliament and the World Bank and pursued the infamous IFC and CNTI loans should have been charged with wilfully causing financial loss to the state", Mr. Doku said.Mr. Doku said: "Ghanaians are still waiting to know when the former Minister of Lands and Forestry who the Auditor General cited for causing financial loss to the state for importing grafted mango seedlings worth more than three billion cedis to northern Ghana during the dry season".
He also asked if the Minister of Food and Agriculture could be charged with wilfully causing financial loss to the state "for deliberately neglecting the Aveyime Rice Project to rot, for which some NDC ministers had served prison sentences".
The former DCE challenged the government to prosecute those who destroyed electoral materials in Pru and Asunafo districts in Brong Ahafo during the 2004 general election, "if it truly respects the rule of law".
Mr. Doku stated that information showed that the police arrested the culprits but were released upon instructions from government officials.
He said he took the government to court to claim his salaries, entitlements and ex-gratia as DCE but two years after the court had ruled against the government it had blatantly refused to comply with the court's orders. "The government's reaction would have been very swift and quick if the court had ruled otherwise. Is this the rule of law that the NPP government preaches?" the former DCE asked.
20 Feb 07
EC presents certificate to new political party
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday presented a certificate of recognition to the Ghana National Party (GNP), a new political party.
Deputy Chairman (Operations) of EC, Mr Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka, who presented the certificate reminded members of the enormous task of running a political party, saying many surfaced during the previous elections but fizzled out.He urged them to be proactive and play their cards well saying, "political parties are not easy clubs to run but if the right structures put in place they will surmount the challenges and make impact".
Mr Kantanka said the absence of the Chairman of EC at the ceremony did not mean that they underestimated the party."We at the Commission do not undermine small parties. Rather we believe that they can grow and become a force to be reckoned with in the political front."
Mr Sarfo Ampofo, founding member of the Party, thanked the EC for recognizing the party and granting it a full fledged status.He said after the struggle to attain independence, the vision of the freedom fighters to make the people live in a society of fairness, applying the natural resources they were endowed with had since been characterized by political greed and selfishness.Mr Ampofo accused politicians of using their offices to enrich themselves instead of seeking the welfare of the people that voted them into power.
"Those who want to be multi-millionaires do not belong to politics, they should be business entrepreneurs, create jobs for the unemployed, pay their business taxes and make their millions and nobody will have problems with them. Instead, politics is seen as gold mine in our part of the world."
He said the GNP was poised to change this chronic mindset once and for all in Ghana.Mr Ampofo said GNP was confused at Ghana@50 celebrations and asked whether it was to celebrate the birth of Ghana or achievements."We need to re-evaluate ourselves as a people if we have achieved much to celebrate as a proud country, given our God-given natural resources and human resources." he added.He noted that the government had not been able to deliver consistent supply of ordinary necessities of life like electricity and water, even when prices are prohibitive.Mr Ampfo argued that successes in every economy must be translated into the pockets of the people but that was not the case in the country.
"The GNP within six months in government will alleviate the people of this country from the cruel pricing of goods and services immediately after a comprehensive salary commission submits its recommendations."He said the GNP would pursue a new political direction devoid of selfishness, greed, bribery and corruption, tribalism, nepotism and indiscipline.
"We believe these are the evils of the country and we will discourage people against them.
"The old political order of vindictiveness will be replaced with unity and open-mindedness and welcome constructive views from all political opponents." Mr Ampofo said political opponents were not political combatants but political tensions between the major political parties had only succeeded in creating the politics of divisiveness.He said the party would change the political vendetta associated with the country's political history, which had led to 50 years of economic mismanagement, misplaced priorities, greed and selfishness.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Deputy Chairman (Operations) of EC, Mr Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka, who presented the certificate reminded members of the enormous task of running a political party, saying many surfaced during the previous elections but fizzled out.He urged them to be proactive and play their cards well saying, "political parties are not easy clubs to run but if the right structures put in place they will surmount the challenges and make impact".
Mr Kantanka said the absence of the Chairman of EC at the ceremony did not mean that they underestimated the party."We at the Commission do not undermine small parties. Rather we believe that they can grow and become a force to be reckoned with in the political front."
Mr Sarfo Ampofo, founding member of the Party, thanked the EC for recognizing the party and granting it a full fledged status.He said after the struggle to attain independence, the vision of the freedom fighters to make the people live in a society of fairness, applying the natural resources they were endowed with had since been characterized by political greed and selfishness.Mr Ampofo accused politicians of using their offices to enrich themselves instead of seeking the welfare of the people that voted them into power.
"Those who want to be multi-millionaires do not belong to politics, they should be business entrepreneurs, create jobs for the unemployed, pay their business taxes and make their millions and nobody will have problems with them. Instead, politics is seen as gold mine in our part of the world."
He said the GNP was poised to change this chronic mindset once and for all in Ghana.Mr Ampofo said GNP was confused at Ghana@50 celebrations and asked whether it was to celebrate the birth of Ghana or achievements."We need to re-evaluate ourselves as a people if we have achieved much to celebrate as a proud country, given our God-given natural resources and human resources." he added.He noted that the government had not been able to deliver consistent supply of ordinary necessities of life like electricity and water, even when prices are prohibitive.Mr Ampfo argued that successes in every economy must be translated into the pockets of the people but that was not the case in the country.
"The GNP within six months in government will alleviate the people of this country from the cruel pricing of goods and services immediately after a comprehensive salary commission submits its recommendations."He said the GNP would pursue a new political direction devoid of selfishness, greed, bribery and corruption, tribalism, nepotism and indiscipline.
"We believe these are the evils of the country and we will discourage people against them.
"The old political order of vindictiveness will be replaced with unity and open-mindedness and welcome constructive views from all political opponents." Mr Ampofo said political opponents were not political combatants but political tensions between the major political parties had only succeeded in creating the politics of divisiveness.He said the party would change the political vendetta associated with the country's political history, which had led to 50 years of economic mismanagement, misplaced priorities, greed and selfishness.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Man drowns in Birim River
Akyem Oda, Feb. 20, GNA - When Samuel Frimpong, 20, decided to travel from Akyem Oda to Akyem Adjobue in the Birim North District on Wednesday February 14 to celebrate the Valentine day little did he foresee that he was going to die.
A few hours after arriving at Akyem Adjobue, Frempong was rescued from the Birim River unconscious and taken to the Akyem Oda Government Hospital.
Dr Yaw Okyere, the Akyem Oda District Director of Health Services, told the GNA that Frempong who smelt of alcohol, died 15 minutes on admission.He attributed the cause of death to excessive intake of water through drowning.The deceased had since been buried.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
A few hours after arriving at Akyem Adjobue, Frempong was rescued from the Birim River unconscious and taken to the Akyem Oda Government Hospital.
Dr Yaw Okyere, the Akyem Oda District Director of Health Services, told the GNA that Frempong who smelt of alcohol, died 15 minutes on admission.He attributed the cause of death to excessive intake of water through drowning.The deceased had since been buried.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
PTAs warned against imposing fees on poor parents
Wa, Feb. 20, GNA - Mr Ambrose Dery, the Upper West Regional Minster, on Tuesday warned Parent/Teacher Associations of first cycle schools to desist from fixing fees for parents to pay.
"The capitation grant has been introduced to take care of all necessary expenses in the basic schools and it is therefore not prudent for executives of PTAs to burden poor parents with school fees," he said at the Head of State's end of year party for children at Charia in the Wa Municipality.About 500 school children in the Charia community were given a special treat of food and soft drinks at the ceremony which was organized by the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs.
He also urged parents to pay their premiums to enable their wards benefit from free medical care under the National Health Insurance Scheme.Mr George Hikah Benson, Acting Wa Municipal Chief Executive, said the good intentions that had been expressed in the programmes the government had initiated for school children could be undermined by the continued practice of outmoded customs such as forced marriages, elopement and parental irresponsibility.
"Government's efforts will not materialize if parents and guardians fail to play the complementary role expected of them in the proper development of children," he said.
GNA
20 Feb 07
"The capitation grant has been introduced to take care of all necessary expenses in the basic schools and it is therefore not prudent for executives of PTAs to burden poor parents with school fees," he said at the Head of State's end of year party for children at Charia in the Wa Municipality.About 500 school children in the Charia community were given a special treat of food and soft drinks at the ceremony which was organized by the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs.
He also urged parents to pay their premiums to enable their wards benefit from free medical care under the National Health Insurance Scheme.Mr George Hikah Benson, Acting Wa Municipal Chief Executive, said the good intentions that had been expressed in the programmes the government had initiated for school children could be undermined by the continued practice of outmoded customs such as forced marriages, elopement and parental irresponsibility.
"Government's efforts will not materialize if parents and guardians fail to play the complementary role expected of them in the proper development of children," he said.
GNA
20 Feb 07
Ghana identified as a good ground for aquaculture business- Mrs Asmah
Accra, Feb 20, GNA – Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Minister for Fisheries on Tuesday called on Ghanaians entrepreneurs to position themselves to partner foreign investors in the aquaculture industry since Ghana has been identified as a good site for aquaculture business.
She said studies over "the last two years have proven beyond all doubt that aquaculture in Ghana can be a viable economic and rewarding venture because all the natural factors, especially water and good soil are available in abundance".
Mrs Asmah was addressing about 200 participants who attended a day's Aquaculture Investors Forum in Accra that deliberated on the government's aim of promoting aquaculture as a business venture.
It attracted participants from the Association of Ghana Industries, Banking and Financial Institutions, fish farmers, animal feed producers, importers and exporters and policy makers at all levels.
Mrs Asmah said the promotion of aquaculture in the past failed because people lacked commitment, treated it as a hobby instead of a business and lacked technical expertise.
"These constraints were aggravated by factors that include: not too clear institutional policies and allocations of responsibilities, weak aquaculture institutions, poor networking among aquaculture institutions, poorly defined skilled staff and motivated practitioners at all levels.
"Also, lack of complete understanding of scientific aquaculture, the abundant marine and inland fishing at the time did not give the needed impetus to pursue aquaculture as a viable enterprise, hence the poor performance of the industry at the time," Mrs Asamh said.
The Fisheries Minister said government was giving all interested parties the opportunity to retrace their steps and move forward in making aquaculture the business for the next decade.
"The ministry's target for aquaculture production in the next five years is to produce up to 50 per cent of local consumption which stands at about 400,000 metric tonnes.
"To achieve this target, there is the need to step up efforts, to inject major factors such as financial and technical support in the aquaculture enterprise," Mrs Asmah said.
She said lessons from Asia which produced more than 90 per cent of world aquaculture suggested that it was basically the involvement, support and investments of their financial institutions.
She therefore suggested the setting up of an Aquaculture Support Funds by the banks to support aquaculture development.
Mr Joh Moehl, Regional Aquaculture Officer, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said globally aquaculture was one of the world's fastest growing food production sectors.
"In Ghana, as elsewhere in Africa, aquaculture is looked upon as a high –potential sector that can make significant contributions to our efforts to achieve food security and sustainable economic growth".
Aquaculture, Mr Moehl, noted could only advance through direct investment by the private sector, be it in micro, small, medium or large enterprises.
He however, cautioned the new investors against seeing the industry as a 'quick road to riches.
"It is hard work, but in many cases, today's investors will be charting a new path, using new technologies and developing new markets. While it is not risk-free, it is challenging, highly profitable, rewarding and of importance to both the investor and the country," Mr Moehl said.
He said there was a high level of political will to support the development of the sector and this would have to be merged with an equal dose of technical and economic pragmatism to identify doable and profitable aquaculture investments.
Mr Moehl pledged that FAO would remain a staunch partner with the Ministry of Fisheries in promoting the new wave of profitable aqua-businesses and would be ready to offer all possible assistance within its means.
Ms Joyce Aryee, who chaired the function urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the "Blue Gold" since it held a lot of prospects for the country.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
She said studies over "the last two years have proven beyond all doubt that aquaculture in Ghana can be a viable economic and rewarding venture because all the natural factors, especially water and good soil are available in abundance".
Mrs Asmah was addressing about 200 participants who attended a day's Aquaculture Investors Forum in Accra that deliberated on the government's aim of promoting aquaculture as a business venture.
It attracted participants from the Association of Ghana Industries, Banking and Financial Institutions, fish farmers, animal feed producers, importers and exporters and policy makers at all levels.
Mrs Asmah said the promotion of aquaculture in the past failed because people lacked commitment, treated it as a hobby instead of a business and lacked technical expertise.
"These constraints were aggravated by factors that include: not too clear institutional policies and allocations of responsibilities, weak aquaculture institutions, poor networking among aquaculture institutions, poorly defined skilled staff and motivated practitioners at all levels.
"Also, lack of complete understanding of scientific aquaculture, the abundant marine and inland fishing at the time did not give the needed impetus to pursue aquaculture as a viable enterprise, hence the poor performance of the industry at the time," Mrs Asamh said.
The Fisheries Minister said government was giving all interested parties the opportunity to retrace their steps and move forward in making aquaculture the business for the next decade.
"The ministry's target for aquaculture production in the next five years is to produce up to 50 per cent of local consumption which stands at about 400,000 metric tonnes.
"To achieve this target, there is the need to step up efforts, to inject major factors such as financial and technical support in the aquaculture enterprise," Mrs Asmah said.
She said lessons from Asia which produced more than 90 per cent of world aquaculture suggested that it was basically the involvement, support and investments of their financial institutions.
She therefore suggested the setting up of an Aquaculture Support Funds by the banks to support aquaculture development.
Mr Joh Moehl, Regional Aquaculture Officer, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said globally aquaculture was one of the world's fastest growing food production sectors.
"In Ghana, as elsewhere in Africa, aquaculture is looked upon as a high –potential sector that can make significant contributions to our efforts to achieve food security and sustainable economic growth".
Aquaculture, Mr Moehl, noted could only advance through direct investment by the private sector, be it in micro, small, medium or large enterprises.
He however, cautioned the new investors against seeing the industry as a 'quick road to riches.
"It is hard work, but in many cases, today's investors will be charting a new path, using new technologies and developing new markets. While it is not risk-free, it is challenging, highly profitable, rewarding and of importance to both the investor and the country," Mr Moehl said.
He said there was a high level of political will to support the development of the sector and this would have to be merged with an equal dose of technical and economic pragmatism to identify doable and profitable aquaculture investments.
Mr Moehl pledged that FAO would remain a staunch partner with the Ministry of Fisheries in promoting the new wave of profitable aqua-businesses and would be ready to offer all possible assistance within its means.
Ms Joyce Aryee, who chaired the function urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the "Blue Gold" since it held a lot of prospects for the country.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Amoah advises sub-committees to compliment each other
Accra, Feb 20, GNA – Osei Bonsu Amoah, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports has advised the two newly formed sub-committees of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of GHANA 2008 to join forces with other sectors for the success of the event.He said a lot has already been done by the LOC and tasked the Opening and Closing ceremonies, Medical and Doping Committees to join hands in earnest to collaborate to achieve the desired results.Mr Amoah who said this at the inauguration of the two bodies in Accra on Wednesday noted that the LOC will be counting on the expertise and initiatives of the Committees to raise the standards and deliver to the admiration and satisfaction of Ghanaians.
"Between now and January 2008, we expect you to diligently pursue the activities which will enable you achieve the objectives of Ghana as the host nation."
Mr Amoah reckoned that the task ahead is enormous and required great dedication and sacrifices to succeed."The inauguration of the two committees to a large extent signifies the nation's closeness to honouring the pledge and responsibility of hosting Africa's most coveted sporting event".Dr Kofi Amoah, Chairman of the LOC Board admitted that even though the achievements of the Committee may seem little compared to the task ahead, they have helped to underscore several possibilities that lie within reach.
"Both committees are integral to the organisation of the tournament and will give further assurances regarding our preparedness and entrench the nation's ambition to host a fabulous event". The Opening and Closing Ceremonies Committee will seek to establish the spiritual and material essence of the nation and also produce a blue print for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the opening of the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium.The Medical and Doping Committee is mandated to establish special help desks at all medical institutions nationwide to facilitate speedy delivery of services during the tourney.Togbe Afede XIV, Paramount Chief of the Ho Traditional Area and First Vice Chairman of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies Committee in an address commended the LOC for putting together a truly Ghanaian committee.He said this will enhance the LOC's quest to add a traditional touch to the opening ceremony to set the tone for the competition.
Other members of the Committee include Nii Adotey Obuor II, Sempe Mantse – Second Vice Chairman and Prof J. H. Nketia, University of Ghana – Third Vice Chairman.The other members are Dr. Francis Nii Dodoo, Mr. Kwaw Ansah (TV Africa), Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Prof. K. K. Adarkwa, Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof Kwesi Yankah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mr Bolina Saaka, Chairman of the Tamale Venue Organising Committee and Mr Berefi Appenteng, Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited.
The rest are Mr Teddy Osei - Leader of Osibisa, Mr Mike Amon–Kwafo - Set Designer, Prof. Martin Owusu – School of Performing Arts, Mr Zapp Mallet – Music Producer, Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi-President of the Ghana Football Association, Nana Akua Busia – African Fashion Designer and Ms Joyce Ababio – Vogue Clothing.
Mr Ackah Anthony-President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Mawuli Okudzeto – Fashion Designer, Mr Kofi Ansah – Fashion designer, Mr Mike Bonsu – Sound Engineer, Mr Stanley Adjiri-Blankson – Chief Executive of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Papa Pappus Nketiah – Artist and Mr Magnus Rex Danquah, Operating Director of the LOC completes the list.
The Medical/Doping Committee is made up of Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa – Chairman, Dr Felix Anyah – Holy Trinity Spa and Health farm, Vice Chairman, with Madam Hilda Commey, Dr Ahmed Zakaria, Intensive Care Consultant, Brigadier Dr Apeagyei – 37 Military Hospital and Dr Martin Engmann, Team Doctor of the Black Stars as members.The rest of the members include Mr Kenneth Agbodza – Pharmacist, Mrs Betty Awal – Physiotherapist, Dr Ed Nignpenfp-Poison and Drug Centre, Ridge Hospital, Dr Fordjour, 37 Military Hospital and Mr Simpson.
20 Feb. 07
"Between now and January 2008, we expect you to diligently pursue the activities which will enable you achieve the objectives of Ghana as the host nation."
Mr Amoah reckoned that the task ahead is enormous and required great dedication and sacrifices to succeed."The inauguration of the two committees to a large extent signifies the nation's closeness to honouring the pledge and responsibility of hosting Africa's most coveted sporting event".Dr Kofi Amoah, Chairman of the LOC Board admitted that even though the achievements of the Committee may seem little compared to the task ahead, they have helped to underscore several possibilities that lie within reach.
"Both committees are integral to the organisation of the tournament and will give further assurances regarding our preparedness and entrench the nation's ambition to host a fabulous event". The Opening and Closing Ceremonies Committee will seek to establish the spiritual and material essence of the nation and also produce a blue print for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the opening of the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium.The Medical and Doping Committee is mandated to establish special help desks at all medical institutions nationwide to facilitate speedy delivery of services during the tourney.Togbe Afede XIV, Paramount Chief of the Ho Traditional Area and First Vice Chairman of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies Committee in an address commended the LOC for putting together a truly Ghanaian committee.He said this will enhance the LOC's quest to add a traditional touch to the opening ceremony to set the tone for the competition.
Other members of the Committee include Nii Adotey Obuor II, Sempe Mantse – Second Vice Chairman and Prof J. H. Nketia, University of Ghana – Third Vice Chairman.The other members are Dr. Francis Nii Dodoo, Mr. Kwaw Ansah (TV Africa), Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area, Prof. K. K. Adarkwa, Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof Kwesi Yankah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mr Bolina Saaka, Chairman of the Tamale Venue Organising Committee and Mr Berefi Appenteng, Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited.
The rest are Mr Teddy Osei - Leader of Osibisa, Mr Mike Amon–Kwafo - Set Designer, Prof. Martin Owusu – School of Performing Arts, Mr Zapp Mallet – Music Producer, Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi-President of the Ghana Football Association, Nana Akua Busia – African Fashion Designer and Ms Joyce Ababio – Vogue Clothing.
Mr Ackah Anthony-President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Mawuli Okudzeto – Fashion Designer, Mr Kofi Ansah – Fashion designer, Mr Mike Bonsu – Sound Engineer, Mr Stanley Adjiri-Blankson – Chief Executive of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Papa Pappus Nketiah – Artist and Mr Magnus Rex Danquah, Operating Director of the LOC completes the list.
The Medical/Doping Committee is made up of Prof. Agyemang Badu Akosa – Chairman, Dr Felix Anyah – Holy Trinity Spa and Health farm, Vice Chairman, with Madam Hilda Commey, Dr Ahmed Zakaria, Intensive Care Consultant, Brigadier Dr Apeagyei – 37 Military Hospital and Dr Martin Engmann, Team Doctor of the Black Stars as members.The rest of the members include Mr Kenneth Agbodza – Pharmacist, Mrs Betty Awal – Physiotherapist, Dr Ed Nignpenfp-Poison and Drug Centre, Ridge Hospital, Dr Fordjour, 37 Military Hospital and Mr Simpson.
20 Feb. 07
Ghana@50: Is it worth celebrating? by Stephen Asante
On March 6 1957 Ghana made history as the first country south of Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule.It is on record that at the time of independence the nation had a strong multi-party parliamentary system of government with a popular ruling party led by Dr Kwame Nkrumah and a vigorous opposition led by Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, supported outside parliament by Joseph Boakye Danquah.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that the nation at the time of independence had a population of about five million, an average per capita income of 400 dollars, a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of some 2.5 billion dollars, balance of payments surplus of some 400 million dollars and close to about 100 per cent of her total land being arable.The prospects for successful governance and rapid socio-economic development looked excellent and it was against this backdrop that many countries on the African Continent looked up to Ghana for inspiration and motivation.
However, Ghana's 50 years of self-rule has witnessed many positives and negatives and it is, therefore, incumbent upon us as a nation to make a self-assessment of the past to see where we fell short so as to make amends.The nation had over the years gone through authoritarian rule, political instability, systematic violations of the human rights of the citizenry, arbitrary seizures of properties and misguided economic policies with their attendant consequences.In the 1970s, 80s and 90s, for instance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that thousands of Ghanaian professionals and intellectuals left the shores of the country in search of greener pastures abroad, a development that contributed to the significant depletion of the country's vibrant human resource base.
Notable among the factors that contributed to this mass exodus of Ghanaian professionals was the almost economic stagnation that fuelled widespread unemployment with a steep decline in real incomes and the political instability on those days.The fact that foreign remittances constitute about 40 per cent of Ghana's total GDP in recent times suggests the many number of Ghanaians who are still living abroad due to economic and political reasons.It must, however, be noted that since independence, successive governments in 1966; 1972; 1979; 1982, 1992 and 2000 had in spite of their bad records tried their best to restore the nation to cutting the path forward; substantive economic liberalism; multi-cultural participatory democracy; commandments by rule of equitable law; efficient, responsible and responsive governance as well as campaign against corruption.
Already, immediate past ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration had sufficiently succeeded to re-arrange Ghana's domestic affairs so that confidence has returned, business has revived and the nation appears to be entering an era of prosperity which is gradually reading into every part of the nation.Due to the ever-improving economic fundamentals and domestic political maturation about seven billion dollars of Ghana's debt has been written off under the present Administration with the cedi enjoying its longest sustained stability.In 2005, for instance, economists estimate that the real effective exchange rate of the cedi appreciated by 19.1 per cent in trade-weighted terms and by 17.4 per cent in foreign exchange.
It is worth mentioning that President John Agyekum Kufuor in his recent State of the Nation's Address affirmed his Government's resolve to working hard to overcome her existing problems and hindrances such as the energy crisis plaguing industrial and economic activities, conflicts arising from chieftaincy disputes, productivity as well as the high unemployment rate among the youth.ore importantly, the President cited Government's commitment to instituting pragmatic measures that would ensure that Ghana attained a middle-income status through a growth rate of eight per cent GDP annually, which translates to over 1,000 dollars per capita income within the next decade.There is no denying the fact that Ghana is endowed with unique natural and human resources that could significantly contribute to the quality of life and economic prosperity of the citizenry.However, there are constraints in mobilising, allocating and utilising these resources to achieve higher per capita income levels and thereby help to reduce poverty at the individual level and at the national level as well.
The most significant of these challenges is the failure to formulate a comprehensive and coherent national science and technology policy designed to contribute to the achievement of the country's development objectives.Even though, our society depends on science and technology for its survival, successive governments had failed to realise this, a development that had resulted in a situation where Ghana even after 50 years of independence still import almost everything and produces virtually nothing.Ghana has not been able to change the structure of its economy for over 40 years as the country still rely on the export of raw materials and also depend mostly on foreign donors and her development partners to fund development budgets.It is unacceptable that about 80 per cent of inputs into agriculture, education and health are from foreign sources.
In his lecture address at a Students' Forum at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi last year, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, decried the inability of the nation to do things for itself as a result of the lack of a vibrant science and technology policy."Building roads, construction of schools, hospitals and digging boreholes with borrowed money or grants does not constitute development. Development, to me, is the process of developing the capacity to do things for ourselves and to be less and less dependent on foreign capital and technology", he noted.
Indeed, despite efforts to alleviate poverty, Ghana still exhibits chronic inability to alleviate poverty. Many people still find it difficult to afford nutritious food, access to clean water and sanitation, energy, safe shelter, education and a healthy environment.In the 1960s, both Ghana and South Korea had per capita income of 250 dollars. Today, the per capita income of South Korea is estimated to be over 5,000 dollars whiles that of Ghana is hovering around 300 dollars.The reasons for the success story of South Korea include the application of science and technology in all sectors of the economy, effective science and technology policies as well as adequate funding for research and development activities by institutions.Considering the present state of Ghana's socio-economic development, there is no disguising the phenomenal scale of work, commitment and seriousness that need to be imputed before the nation could close the technological gap that had over the years stifled her overall development agenda.Already, there seem to be a fairly developed science and technology infrastructure since independence.In 1958 for instance, the National Research Council was established with the broad aim of co-ordinating scientific research to support the country's development.Since then Ghana has witnessed the creation of a Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology in 1996 with the mandate for science and technology policy formulation, planning, programming and co-ordination. The ministry's principal operating agency is the Council for Scientific and Industrial Resarch (CSIR).
There is, however, more room for improvement as technological advancement does not occur automatically but through a deliberate well thought out programme backed by action, ingenuity and uncompromising determination.The state should put in place an enabling framework to encourage tertiary institutions to be more innovative and results-oriented.Again, technical schools and research bodies should be resourced and equipped so that they could produce the manpower required in the manufacturing sectors to enhance the manufacturing of machines, development of processes and materials for national development.As Ghana prepares feverishly to celebrate her 50 years of the attainment of independence, it is imperative that the state, universities and private research institutions resolve to embark on collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring the pursuance of a more vigorous programme to bringing research findings and developed technologies to the level of potential users for a sustainable economic development.
GNA
20 Feb. 06
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that the nation at the time of independence had a population of about five million, an average per capita income of 400 dollars, a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of some 2.5 billion dollars, balance of payments surplus of some 400 million dollars and close to about 100 per cent of her total land being arable.The prospects for successful governance and rapid socio-economic development looked excellent and it was against this backdrop that many countries on the African Continent looked up to Ghana for inspiration and motivation.
However, Ghana's 50 years of self-rule has witnessed many positives and negatives and it is, therefore, incumbent upon us as a nation to make a self-assessment of the past to see where we fell short so as to make amends.The nation had over the years gone through authoritarian rule, political instability, systematic violations of the human rights of the citizenry, arbitrary seizures of properties and misguided economic policies with their attendant consequences.In the 1970s, 80s and 90s, for instance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that thousands of Ghanaian professionals and intellectuals left the shores of the country in search of greener pastures abroad, a development that contributed to the significant depletion of the country's vibrant human resource base.
Notable among the factors that contributed to this mass exodus of Ghanaian professionals was the almost economic stagnation that fuelled widespread unemployment with a steep decline in real incomes and the political instability on those days.The fact that foreign remittances constitute about 40 per cent of Ghana's total GDP in recent times suggests the many number of Ghanaians who are still living abroad due to economic and political reasons.It must, however, be noted that since independence, successive governments in 1966; 1972; 1979; 1982, 1992 and 2000 had in spite of their bad records tried their best to restore the nation to cutting the path forward; substantive economic liberalism; multi-cultural participatory democracy; commandments by rule of equitable law; efficient, responsible and responsive governance as well as campaign against corruption.
Already, immediate past ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration had sufficiently succeeded to re-arrange Ghana's domestic affairs so that confidence has returned, business has revived and the nation appears to be entering an era of prosperity which is gradually reading into every part of the nation.Due to the ever-improving economic fundamentals and domestic political maturation about seven billion dollars of Ghana's debt has been written off under the present Administration with the cedi enjoying its longest sustained stability.In 2005, for instance, economists estimate that the real effective exchange rate of the cedi appreciated by 19.1 per cent in trade-weighted terms and by 17.4 per cent in foreign exchange.
It is worth mentioning that President John Agyekum Kufuor in his recent State of the Nation's Address affirmed his Government's resolve to working hard to overcome her existing problems and hindrances such as the energy crisis plaguing industrial and economic activities, conflicts arising from chieftaincy disputes, productivity as well as the high unemployment rate among the youth.ore importantly, the President cited Government's commitment to instituting pragmatic measures that would ensure that Ghana attained a middle-income status through a growth rate of eight per cent GDP annually, which translates to over 1,000 dollars per capita income within the next decade.There is no denying the fact that Ghana is endowed with unique natural and human resources that could significantly contribute to the quality of life and economic prosperity of the citizenry.However, there are constraints in mobilising, allocating and utilising these resources to achieve higher per capita income levels and thereby help to reduce poverty at the individual level and at the national level as well.
The most significant of these challenges is the failure to formulate a comprehensive and coherent national science and technology policy designed to contribute to the achievement of the country's development objectives.Even though, our society depends on science and technology for its survival, successive governments had failed to realise this, a development that had resulted in a situation where Ghana even after 50 years of independence still import almost everything and produces virtually nothing.Ghana has not been able to change the structure of its economy for over 40 years as the country still rely on the export of raw materials and also depend mostly on foreign donors and her development partners to fund development budgets.It is unacceptable that about 80 per cent of inputs into agriculture, education and health are from foreign sources.
In his lecture address at a Students' Forum at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi last year, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, decried the inability of the nation to do things for itself as a result of the lack of a vibrant science and technology policy."Building roads, construction of schools, hospitals and digging boreholes with borrowed money or grants does not constitute development. Development, to me, is the process of developing the capacity to do things for ourselves and to be less and less dependent on foreign capital and technology", he noted.
Indeed, despite efforts to alleviate poverty, Ghana still exhibits chronic inability to alleviate poverty. Many people still find it difficult to afford nutritious food, access to clean water and sanitation, energy, safe shelter, education and a healthy environment.In the 1960s, both Ghana and South Korea had per capita income of 250 dollars. Today, the per capita income of South Korea is estimated to be over 5,000 dollars whiles that of Ghana is hovering around 300 dollars.The reasons for the success story of South Korea include the application of science and technology in all sectors of the economy, effective science and technology policies as well as adequate funding for research and development activities by institutions.Considering the present state of Ghana's socio-economic development, there is no disguising the phenomenal scale of work, commitment and seriousness that need to be imputed before the nation could close the technological gap that had over the years stifled her overall development agenda.Already, there seem to be a fairly developed science and technology infrastructure since independence.In 1958 for instance, the National Research Council was established with the broad aim of co-ordinating scientific research to support the country's development.Since then Ghana has witnessed the creation of a Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology in 1996 with the mandate for science and technology policy formulation, planning, programming and co-ordination. The ministry's principal operating agency is the Council for Scientific and Industrial Resarch (CSIR).
There is, however, more room for improvement as technological advancement does not occur automatically but through a deliberate well thought out programme backed by action, ingenuity and uncompromising determination.The state should put in place an enabling framework to encourage tertiary institutions to be more innovative and results-oriented.Again, technical schools and research bodies should be resourced and equipped so that they could produce the manpower required in the manufacturing sectors to enhance the manufacturing of machines, development of processes and materials for national development.As Ghana prepares feverishly to celebrate her 50 years of the attainment of independence, it is imperative that the state, universities and private research institutions resolve to embark on collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring the pursuance of a more vigorous programme to bringing research findings and developed technologies to the level of potential users for a sustainable economic development.
GNA
20 Feb. 06
Ghana@50: Is it worth celebrating? by Stephen Asante
On March 6 1957 Ghana made history as the first country south of Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule.It is on record that at the time of independence the nation had a strong multi-party parliamentary system of government with a popular ruling party led by Dr Kwame Nkrumah and a vigorous opposition led by Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, supported outside parliament by Joseph Boakye Danquah.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that the nation at the time of independence had a population of about five million, an average per capita income of 400 dollars, a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of some 2.5 billion dollars, balance of payments surplus of some 400 million dollars and close to about 100 per cent of her total land being arable.The prospects for successful governance and rapid socio-economic development looked excellent and it was against this backdrop that many countries on the African Continent looked up to Ghana for inspiration and motivation.
However, Ghana's 50 years of self-rule has witnessed many positives and negatives and it is, therefore, incumbent upon us as a nation to make a self-assessment of the past to see where we fell short so as to make amends.The nation had over the years gone through authoritarian rule, political instability, systematic violations of the human rights of the citizenry, arbitrary seizures of properties and misguided economic policies with their attendant consequences.In the 1970s, 80s and 90s, for instance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that thousands of Ghanaian professionals and intellectuals left the shores of the country in search of greener pastures abroad, a development that contributed to the significant depletion of the country's vibrant human resource base.
Notable among the factors that contributed to this mass exodus of Ghanaian professionals was the almost economic stagnation that fuelled widespread unemployment with a steep decline in real incomes and the political instability on those days.The fact that foreign remittances constitute about 40 per cent of Ghana's total GDP in recent times suggests the many number of Ghanaians who are still living abroad due to economic and political reasons.It must, however, be noted that since independence, successive governments in 1966; 1972; 1979; 1982, 1992 and 2000 had in spite of their bad records tried their best to restore the nation to cutting the path forward; substantive economic liberalism; multi-cultural participatory democracy; commandments by rule of equitable law; efficient, responsible and responsive governance as well as campaign against corruption.
Already, immediate past ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration had sufficiently succeeded to re-arrange Ghana's domestic affairs so that confidence has returned, business has revived and the nation appears to be entering an era of prosperity which is gradually reading into every part of the nation.Due to the ever-improving economic fundamentals and domestic political maturation about seven billion dollars of Ghana's debt has been written off under the present Administration with the cedi enjoying its longest sustained stability.In 2005, for instance, economists estimate that the real effective exchange rate of the cedi appreciated by 19.1 per cent in trade-weighted terms and by 17.4 per cent in foreign exchange.
It is worth mentioning that President John Agyekum Kufuor in his recent State of the Nation's Address affirmed his Government's resolve to working hard to overcome her existing problems and hindrances such as the energy crisis plaguing industrial and economic activities, conflicts arising from chieftaincy disputes, productivity as well as the high unemployment rate among the youth.ore importantly, the President cited Government's commitment to instituting pragmatic measures that would ensure that Ghana attained a middle-income status through a growth rate of eight per cent GDP annually, which translates to over 1,000 dollars per capita income within the next decade.There is no denying the fact that Ghana is endowed with unique natural and human resources that could significantly contribute to the quality of life and economic prosperity of the citizenry.However, there are constraints in mobilising, allocating and utilising these resources to achieve higher per capita income levels and thereby help to reduce poverty at the individual level and at the national level as well.
The most significant of these challenges is the failure to formulate a comprehensive and coherent national science and technology policy designed to contribute to the achievement of the country's development objectives.Even though, our society depends on science and technology for its survival, successive governments had failed to realise this, a development that had resulted in a situation where Ghana even after 50 years of independence still import almost everything and produces virtually nothing.Ghana has not been able to change the structure of its economy for over 40 years as the country still rely on the export of raw materials and also depend mostly on foreign donors and her development partners to fund development budgets.It is unacceptable that about 80 per cent of inputs into agriculture, education and health are from foreign sources.
In his lecture address at a Students' Forum at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi last year, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, decried the inability of the nation to do things for itself as a result of the lack of a vibrant science and technology policy."Building roads, construction of schools, hospitals and digging boreholes with borrowed money or grants does not constitute development. Development, to me, is the process of developing the capacity to do things for ourselves and to be less and less dependent on foreign capital and technology", he noted.
Indeed, despite efforts to alleviate poverty, Ghana still exhibits chronic inability to alleviate poverty. Many people still find it difficult to afford nutritious food, access to clean water and sanitation, energy, safe shelter, education and a healthy environment.In the 1960s, both Ghana and South Korea had per capita income of 250 dollars. Today, the per capita income of South Korea is estimated to be over 5,000 dollars whiles that of Ghana is hovering around 300 dollars.The reasons for the success story of South Korea include the application of science and technology in all sectors of the economy, effective science and technology policies as well as adequate funding for research and development activities by institutions.Considering the present state of Ghana's socio-economic development, there is no disguising the phenomenal scale of work, commitment and seriousness that need to be imputed before the nation could close the technological gap that had over the years stifled her overall development agenda.Already, there seem to be a fairly developed science and technology infrastructure since independence.In 1958 for instance, the National Research Council was established with the broad aim of co-ordinating scientific research to support the country's development.Since then Ghana has witnessed the creation of a Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology in 1996 with the mandate for science and technology policy formulation, planning, programming and co-ordination. The ministry's principal operating agency is the Council for Scientific and Industrial Resarch (CSIR).
There is, however, more room for improvement as technological advancement does not occur automatically but through a deliberate well thought out programme backed by action, ingenuity and uncompromising determination.The state should put in place an enabling framework to encourage tertiary institutions to be more innovative and results-oriented.Again, technical schools and research bodies should be resourced and equipped so that they could produce the manpower required in the manufacturing sectors to enhance the manufacturing of machines, development of processes and materials for national development.As Ghana prepares feverishly to celebrate her 50 years of the attainment of independence, it is imperative that the state, universities and private research institutions resolve to embark on collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring the pursuance of a more vigorous programme to bringing research findings and developed technologies to the level of potential users for a sustainable economic development.
GNA
20 Feb. 06
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that the nation at the time of independence had a population of about five million, an average per capita income of 400 dollars, a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of some 2.5 billion dollars, balance of payments surplus of some 400 million dollars and close to about 100 per cent of her total land being arable.The prospects for successful governance and rapid socio-economic development looked excellent and it was against this backdrop that many countries on the African Continent looked up to Ghana for inspiration and motivation.
However, Ghana's 50 years of self-rule has witnessed many positives and negatives and it is, therefore, incumbent upon us as a nation to make a self-assessment of the past to see where we fell short so as to make amends.The nation had over the years gone through authoritarian rule, political instability, systematic violations of the human rights of the citizenry, arbitrary seizures of properties and misguided economic policies with their attendant consequences.In the 1970s, 80s and 90s, for instance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that thousands of Ghanaian professionals and intellectuals left the shores of the country in search of greener pastures abroad, a development that contributed to the significant depletion of the country's vibrant human resource base.
Notable among the factors that contributed to this mass exodus of Ghanaian professionals was the almost economic stagnation that fuelled widespread unemployment with a steep decline in real incomes and the political instability on those days.The fact that foreign remittances constitute about 40 per cent of Ghana's total GDP in recent times suggests the many number of Ghanaians who are still living abroad due to economic and political reasons.It must, however, be noted that since independence, successive governments in 1966; 1972; 1979; 1982, 1992 and 2000 had in spite of their bad records tried their best to restore the nation to cutting the path forward; substantive economic liberalism; multi-cultural participatory democracy; commandments by rule of equitable law; efficient, responsible and responsive governance as well as campaign against corruption.
Already, immediate past ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration had sufficiently succeeded to re-arrange Ghana's domestic affairs so that confidence has returned, business has revived and the nation appears to be entering an era of prosperity which is gradually reading into every part of the nation.Due to the ever-improving economic fundamentals and domestic political maturation about seven billion dollars of Ghana's debt has been written off under the present Administration with the cedi enjoying its longest sustained stability.In 2005, for instance, economists estimate that the real effective exchange rate of the cedi appreciated by 19.1 per cent in trade-weighted terms and by 17.4 per cent in foreign exchange.
It is worth mentioning that President John Agyekum Kufuor in his recent State of the Nation's Address affirmed his Government's resolve to working hard to overcome her existing problems and hindrances such as the energy crisis plaguing industrial and economic activities, conflicts arising from chieftaincy disputes, productivity as well as the high unemployment rate among the youth.ore importantly, the President cited Government's commitment to instituting pragmatic measures that would ensure that Ghana attained a middle-income status through a growth rate of eight per cent GDP annually, which translates to over 1,000 dollars per capita income within the next decade.There is no denying the fact that Ghana is endowed with unique natural and human resources that could significantly contribute to the quality of life and economic prosperity of the citizenry.However, there are constraints in mobilising, allocating and utilising these resources to achieve higher per capita income levels and thereby help to reduce poverty at the individual level and at the national level as well.
The most significant of these challenges is the failure to formulate a comprehensive and coherent national science and technology policy designed to contribute to the achievement of the country's development objectives.Even though, our society depends on science and technology for its survival, successive governments had failed to realise this, a development that had resulted in a situation where Ghana even after 50 years of independence still import almost everything and produces virtually nothing.Ghana has not been able to change the structure of its economy for over 40 years as the country still rely on the export of raw materials and also depend mostly on foreign donors and her development partners to fund development budgets.It is unacceptable that about 80 per cent of inputs into agriculture, education and health are from foreign sources.
In his lecture address at a Students' Forum at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi last year, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, decried the inability of the nation to do things for itself as a result of the lack of a vibrant science and technology policy."Building roads, construction of schools, hospitals and digging boreholes with borrowed money or grants does not constitute development. Development, to me, is the process of developing the capacity to do things for ourselves and to be less and less dependent on foreign capital and technology", he noted.
Indeed, despite efforts to alleviate poverty, Ghana still exhibits chronic inability to alleviate poverty. Many people still find it difficult to afford nutritious food, access to clean water and sanitation, energy, safe shelter, education and a healthy environment.In the 1960s, both Ghana and South Korea had per capita income of 250 dollars. Today, the per capita income of South Korea is estimated to be over 5,000 dollars whiles that of Ghana is hovering around 300 dollars.The reasons for the success story of South Korea include the application of science and technology in all sectors of the economy, effective science and technology policies as well as adequate funding for research and development activities by institutions.Considering the present state of Ghana's socio-economic development, there is no disguising the phenomenal scale of work, commitment and seriousness that need to be imputed before the nation could close the technological gap that had over the years stifled her overall development agenda.Already, there seem to be a fairly developed science and technology infrastructure since independence.In 1958 for instance, the National Research Council was established with the broad aim of co-ordinating scientific research to support the country's development.Since then Ghana has witnessed the creation of a Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology in 1996 with the mandate for science and technology policy formulation, planning, programming and co-ordination. The ministry's principal operating agency is the Council for Scientific and Industrial Resarch (CSIR).
There is, however, more room for improvement as technological advancement does not occur automatically but through a deliberate well thought out programme backed by action, ingenuity and uncompromising determination.The state should put in place an enabling framework to encourage tertiary institutions to be more innovative and results-oriented.Again, technical schools and research bodies should be resourced and equipped so that they could produce the manpower required in the manufacturing sectors to enhance the manufacturing of machines, development of processes and materials for national development.As Ghana prepares feverishly to celebrate her 50 years of the attainment of independence, it is imperative that the state, universities and private research institutions resolve to embark on collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring the pursuance of a more vigorous programme to bringing research findings and developed technologies to the level of potential users for a sustainable economic development.
GNA
20 Feb. 06
Bloody Saturday Launched
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - A new book titled; "Bloody Saturday" was on Monday launched in Accra with a call on Africans to take interest in their history in order to build confidence in themselves. Dr K.B. Asante, a former diplomat, observed that many years of struggle by founding fathers of Africa had not built confidence in the African and that there was the need for reconstruction of African history.
The book highlights the contributions of Nii Kwabena Bonney III, Osu Alata Mantse in Accra and other nationalists who joined the struggle for Ghana's independence.The book launch was organised as part of activities marking Black African History Month.
Dr David Bosumtwi, High Commissioner to Kenya in the First Republic, said it was sad that the contributions of chiefs in the struggle for independence had been relegated to the background.He said Nii Kwabena Bonney was the main architect of the 1948 strike against imported goods that served as "a catalyst for Ghana's independence".
Dr Bosumtwi said Nii Kwabena Bonney's action precipitated the 1948 riots, which ultimately led to the setting up of the Watson Committee to investigate the causes of the disturbances in the then Gold Coast.
"Apart from Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Nii Kwabena Bonney III should be commended for the struggle for independence," he said.Mr Yaw Adjei, author of the book, said the exclusion of contributions of chiefs in the struggle for independence was what motivated him to write the book "in order to set the record straight"He called on the Ghana Education Service to include the book in the curricula of schools and colleges.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
The book highlights the contributions of Nii Kwabena Bonney III, Osu Alata Mantse in Accra and other nationalists who joined the struggle for Ghana's independence.The book launch was organised as part of activities marking Black African History Month.
Dr David Bosumtwi, High Commissioner to Kenya in the First Republic, said it was sad that the contributions of chiefs in the struggle for independence had been relegated to the background.He said Nii Kwabena Bonney was the main architect of the 1948 strike against imported goods that served as "a catalyst for Ghana's independence".
Dr Bosumtwi said Nii Kwabena Bonney's action precipitated the 1948 riots, which ultimately led to the setting up of the Watson Committee to investigate the causes of the disturbances in the then Gold Coast.
"Apart from Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Nii Kwabena Bonney III should be commended for the struggle for independence," he said.Mr Yaw Adjei, author of the book, said the exclusion of contributions of chiefs in the struggle for independence was what motivated him to write the book "in order to set the record straight"He called on the Ghana Education Service to include the book in the curricula of schools and colleges.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Motivational Quote
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ---Marianne Williamson
Former diplomat bemoans sidelining of chiefs in anniversary celebrations
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA – Dr. David Bosumtwi, Ghana's High Commissioner to Kenya in the First Republic, on Monday described as unfortunate the marginalisation of the significant role played by chiefs in the independence struggle as part of the country's Golden Jubilee celebrations.He noted that activities marking the celebrations so far had not given any prominence to the incalculable contributions of the chiefs and stressed the need to factor in the role of the custodians of the land.He made the remark at a colloquium organized by the Centre for African Art and Civilization as part of activities marking this year's African World History Month. A book entitled "Bloody Saturday", elaborating the experiences of the 28th February, 1948 was also launched at the function by Dr. K.B. Asante, a former diplomat. Mr Yaw Adjei Appiah authored the book.
Dr. Bosumtwi said it was regrettable that no credit had so far been given to the Chiefs for their remarkable contribution of setting the pace for the independence struggle, in our History Books or in the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The colloquium was characterized by the exhibition of portraits of past African heads of state and other freedom fighters.
One of such eminent and gallant chiefs, he said, was Nii Bonne III, Osu Alata Mantse, in Accra."But for Nii Bonne there would have been no occasion for Nkrumah to declare a Positive Action for Independence."
Nii Bonne III was a sub-chief of Osu in Accra who organized and led a march to boycott imported goods in Accra on 28th February 1948. The boycott led to the halting of economic and social activities in the capital and saw the subsequent arrest of the famous Big Six by the British Colonial authorities and the shooting of some Ghana ex-servicemen at the Crossroads of the Christianborg Castle.
20 Feb. 07
Dr. Bosumtwi said it was regrettable that no credit had so far been given to the Chiefs for their remarkable contribution of setting the pace for the independence struggle, in our History Books or in the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The colloquium was characterized by the exhibition of portraits of past African heads of state and other freedom fighters.
One of such eminent and gallant chiefs, he said, was Nii Bonne III, Osu Alata Mantse, in Accra."But for Nii Bonne there would have been no occasion for Nkrumah to declare a Positive Action for Independence."
Nii Bonne III was a sub-chief of Osu in Accra who organized and led a march to boycott imported goods in Accra on 28th February 1948. The boycott led to the halting of economic and social activities in the capital and saw the subsequent arrest of the famous Big Six by the British Colonial authorities and the shooting of some Ghana ex-servicemen at the Crossroads of the Christianborg Castle.
20 Feb. 07
Volta Foundation celebrates first anniversary
Hohoe, Feb. 20, GNA - Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State at the Office of the President has appealed to people in the Volta region to be assertive and collectively market the positive values of the region for socio-economic development.
She said this was the only way they could improve on the living standards of the people.Ms Ohene made the call when addressing the first anniversary celebration of Volta Foundation, an NGO established to accelerate development in the Volta Region at Hohoe.
The "Volta Messenger" an 80-page magazine on socio-economic developments in the region was also launched.
Ms Ohene urged the people to collectively work towards improvement in their living standards adding "We are great people, let us concentrate on areas where we have comparative advantage and be ready to learn from others to gain self-sufficiency and economic power within the shortest possible time."
She expressed concern about the falling standards of education despite the many trained teachers from the region.Ms Ohene called on stakeholders including chiefs and the District Assemblies to collaborate towards reducing the incidence of bushfire in the region this year. She appealed to the people to support the vision of the Foundation towards development in the region.
Mr Raymond Okudzeto, President of the Foundation entreated the citizens to rise above partisan politics, and forge ahead in unity towards achieving self-reliance.He noted that in spite of the numerous human and natural resources, the region was still under-developed.Mr Okudzeto said the time to act was now and urged all and sundry to support the Foundation.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
She said this was the only way they could improve on the living standards of the people.Ms Ohene made the call when addressing the first anniversary celebration of Volta Foundation, an NGO established to accelerate development in the Volta Region at Hohoe.
The "Volta Messenger" an 80-page magazine on socio-economic developments in the region was also launched.
Ms Ohene urged the people to collectively work towards improvement in their living standards adding "We are great people, let us concentrate on areas where we have comparative advantage and be ready to learn from others to gain self-sufficiency and economic power within the shortest possible time."
She expressed concern about the falling standards of education despite the many trained teachers from the region.Ms Ohene called on stakeholders including chiefs and the District Assemblies to collaborate towards reducing the incidence of bushfire in the region this year. She appealed to the people to support the vision of the Foundation towards development in the region.
Mr Raymond Okudzeto, President of the Foundation entreated the citizens to rise above partisan politics, and forge ahead in unity towards achieving self-reliance.He noted that in spite of the numerous human and natural resources, the region was still under-developed.Mr Okudzeto said the time to act was now and urged all and sundry to support the Foundation.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Student jailed two years for stealing phone
Juaso (Ash), Feb. 20, GNA- A circuit court at Juaso, sentenced a 24-year-old student to two years imprisonment in hard labour for stealing a mobile phone worth 1.8 million cedis.
Joseph Abban pleaded guilty to one count of stealing and was convicted on his own plea.
Police Inspector Mike Fritz Bekoe, told the court presided over by Mr. Jacob Boom that both complainant and accused were students and residents of Domeabra, near Agogo.
He said in 2005 the accused, who was a member of a brass band which performed at a funeral of the grandmother of the complainant established relationship with one Abena Nyarko, a relative of the complainant.
Insp. Bekoe said the accused who had been visiting the family ever since, in December last year, told Nyarko and the complainant that he lost his mother and grandmother in a motor accident, rendering him homeless.
He said the accused who claimed to be a citizen of Juaben was accepted by the family and allowed to share the same room with the complainant.
Insp. Bekoe said three weeks later, the accused absconded with the mobile phone of the complainant and never returned to the house.
The prosecutor said, the complainant and the family traced the accused to Juaso and discovered that both his grandmother and mother were alive.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Joseph Abban pleaded guilty to one count of stealing and was convicted on his own plea.
Police Inspector Mike Fritz Bekoe, told the court presided over by Mr. Jacob Boom that both complainant and accused were students and residents of Domeabra, near Agogo.
He said in 2005 the accused, who was a member of a brass band which performed at a funeral of the grandmother of the complainant established relationship with one Abena Nyarko, a relative of the complainant.
Insp. Bekoe said the accused who had been visiting the family ever since, in December last year, told Nyarko and the complainant that he lost his mother and grandmother in a motor accident, rendering him homeless.
He said the accused who claimed to be a citizen of Juaben was accepted by the family and allowed to share the same room with the complainant.
Insp. Bekoe said three weeks later, the accused absconded with the mobile phone of the complainant and never returned to the house.
The prosecutor said, the complainant and the family traced the accused to Juaso and discovered that both his grandmother and mother were alive.
GNA
20 Feb. 07
Human trafficking rated third illicit business in the world
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - Statistics indicate that human trafficking is rated the third most profitable illicit business venture in the world aside drugs and prostitution.This has resulted in the high number of children who have been trafficked and transported from Afram Plains in the Eastern, Yeji in the Brong Ahafo, and Atitekpo rpt Atitekpo in the Volta Regions to neighbouring countries like The Gambia and Côte d'Ivoire in particular, to engage in hazardous occupation.
Mr Eric Okrah of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) office in Accra disclosed this at a workshop on Monday organized by the Association of People for Practical Life Education (APPLE), an NGO, against child trafficking.He said such children were made to engage in hard and exploitative work, which affected their health and well-being against the light work enshrined in the Children's Act of 1998.
Mr. Okrah said perpetrators of this crime always acted under the pretext of taking the children who were often under 16 years to school or taking proper care of them."Any action that tends to degrade the rights of the Ghanaian child is abhorrent and must be considered as such and dealt with," he added.
Mrs Susan Sabah, a child rights advocate with the Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC), who spoke on awareness creation said there was still more work to be done in the sensitization process, since more people were ignorant of the laws on child trafficking.She therefore called on the participants to make good the information acquired to educate local people who engaged in the practice. She cautioned them to be extra vigilant when they went about their work in order to identify such trafficked children and report them to the police.
Mrs. Sabah urged participants to use local information centres to update their knowledge, as this would help them in their education campaign.The Executive Director of APPLE, Mr Jack Dawson, said the workshop was organized for community co-coordinators to boost their knowledge base and also expose them to realities underlying child trafficking to help make them better equipped for their work.
20 Feb. 07
Mr Eric Okrah of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) office in Accra disclosed this at a workshop on Monday organized by the Association of People for Practical Life Education (APPLE), an NGO, against child trafficking.He said such children were made to engage in hard and exploitative work, which affected their health and well-being against the light work enshrined in the Children's Act of 1998.
Mr. Okrah said perpetrators of this crime always acted under the pretext of taking the children who were often under 16 years to school or taking proper care of them."Any action that tends to degrade the rights of the Ghanaian child is abhorrent and must be considered as such and dealt with," he added.
Mrs Susan Sabah, a child rights advocate with the Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child (GNCRC), who spoke on awareness creation said there was still more work to be done in the sensitization process, since more people were ignorant of the laws on child trafficking.She therefore called on the participants to make good the information acquired to educate local people who engaged in the practice. She cautioned them to be extra vigilant when they went about their work in order to identify such trafficked children and report them to the police.
Mrs. Sabah urged participants to use local information centres to update their knowledge, as this would help them in their education campaign.The Executive Director of APPLE, Mr Jack Dawson, said the workshop was organized for community co-coordinators to boost their knowledge base and also expose them to realities underlying child trafficking to help make them better equipped for their work.
20 Feb. 07
Ghana Post introduces Same Day Delivery services
Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - Ghana Post is introducing same day delivery services for Accra/Tema Metropolis as well as some regional capitals as a means of improving services to the public, Mr Kofi Dua Adonteng, Managing Director of Ghana Post Limited, announced on Tuesday at a press conference in Accra.
The same day delivery service, which takes effect immediately, adds no extra cost to the customer, he said, and mentioned Cape Coast, Takoradi, Ho, Koforidua and Kumasi as regional destinations under the new EMS.Mr Adonteng further explained that under the service, EMS would carry out delivery of items within Accra/Tema and other specified centres on the day of receiving the courier items and by certain times of the day.
"For instance any item given to EMS between 0700 hours and 1400 hours for Accra/Tema and their environs will surely be delivered on the same day without fail. Similarly EMS will deliver items meant for Cape Coast, Takoradi, Kumasi, Ho and Koforidua from Accra if they are handed in between 0700 hours and 1000 hours the same day.
"We are saying that if you hand in your items or call us to pick your items by a specified time of the day in accordance with the delivery time schedules that we have developed, we guarantee prompt delivery same day. No controversy, no question."
Mr Adonteng also announced that Ghana Post had a track and trace system in place, which enabled customers' items to be tracked and traced to know where they were to reinforce security and reliability of items through EMS.
20 Feb. 07
The same day delivery service, which takes effect immediately, adds no extra cost to the customer, he said, and mentioned Cape Coast, Takoradi, Ho, Koforidua and Kumasi as regional destinations under the new EMS.Mr Adonteng further explained that under the service, EMS would carry out delivery of items within Accra/Tema and other specified centres on the day of receiving the courier items and by certain times of the day.
"For instance any item given to EMS between 0700 hours and 1400 hours for Accra/Tema and their environs will surely be delivered on the same day without fail. Similarly EMS will deliver items meant for Cape Coast, Takoradi, Kumasi, Ho and Koforidua from Accra if they are handed in between 0700 hours and 1000 hours the same day.
"We are saying that if you hand in your items or call us to pick your items by a specified time of the day in accordance with the delivery time schedules that we have developed, we guarantee prompt delivery same day. No controversy, no question."
Mr Adonteng also announced that Ghana Post had a track and trace system in place, which enabled customers' items to be tracked and traced to know where they were to reinforce security and reliability of items through EMS.
20 Feb. 07
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