Tamale, June 29, GNA - The Inter-NGO Consortium operating in Tamale on Friday, presented 65 packets of roofing sheets worth 65 million cedis to the Tamale Disaster Relief Fund to assist re-roof seven disaster-hit schools in Tamale Metropolis.The beneficiary schools are, Tamale Girls' International School Complex (TAGIS) and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Primary and Nursery Schools all at Kaladan.The rest are Bethel Methodist Primary and Junior Secondary at Ward 'K', T.I. Ahmadiyya nursery and primary schools at Zorgbeli and Anglican Junior Secondary at Kalpohin.Mr Martin Alfa, a representative of Inter-NGO Consortium, presenting the items said those schools were not included in the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly's "Disaster Help" list for assistance.
He was optimistic that the items would help the affected schools to be restored to their previous status for effective teaching and learning.Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister who received the items called on the media in the region to play the advocacy role on the Tamale disaster to enable people know the extent of destruction for assistance to the affected people and institutions.He said the number of displaced people, affected houses, schools and institutions continued to increase therefore, it was necessary for NGOs and other benevolent individuals to assist in re-settling those affected.Alhaji Idris called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to make it as part of admission requirements for primary, junior and secondary schools to come along with two seedlings for planting to prevent disasters particularly in the three northern regions.
Friday, June 29, 2007
GBS introduces mobile testing Certification of sandcrete blocks.
Accra 29 June, GNA - "The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) has acquired a mobile testing laboratory (Van) for to check the quality of building materials before use.A pilot project has therefore started in the Grater Accra Region in fulfilment of its mandate of protecting the consumer and improving the quality of materials used in the building and construction industry.The National Building Regulation, LI 1630 of 1996 mandates the GSB to assess the quality of all building material before use.A statement signed by Adu G. Darkwa, Executive Director of GSB said the mobile testing aimed at providing conformity assessment service to small-scale companies and manufacturers.It would also provide basis for quality blocks manufacturing to ensure safety in the building industry as well as provide a data base on the quality of sandcrete blocks in Ghana.It said the pilot project had registered two hundred and thirteen factories in the project area and would be extended to other regions of the country after the pilot scheme.
It said each factory registered had been given a unique identification code and factories conforming to the standard would be issued with certificates indicating their strength, class of the block tested.The statement said the benefit of the program would include third party assurance of quality, providing data for designers, contractors and real estate developers and promoting standards and quality in the industry.The board in addition has also installed testing equipment for concrete pipe and concrete compression and invited all manufactures and consumers alike to make use of the facilities.
It said each factory registered had been given a unique identification code and factories conforming to the standard would be issued with certificates indicating their strength, class of the block tested.The statement said the benefit of the program would include third party assurance of quality, providing data for designers, contractors and real estate developers and promoting standards and quality in the industry.The board in addition has also installed testing equipment for concrete pipe and concrete compression and invited all manufactures and consumers alike to make use of the facilities.
African Development Fund to be launched on Saturday
Accra, June 29, GNA - A Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF) would be launched on Saturday at the ongoing African Union Summit, Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, Chairperson of the Fund, announced on Friday. The fund, he said, had seed money of 625 million dollars and was aiming at attaining at least one billion dollars by the end of the year.
Professor Nkuhlu said South Africa, the African Development Bank and Ghana through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), had already contributed to the Fund, which would be used mainly for infrastructure development, energy needs and promotion of science and technology across the continent.
He said other countries in Africa had expressed interest in contributing to the fund, but were unable to because their legislations did not give way for the release of funds without parliamentary approval.
Professor Nkuhlu, who is one of the brains behind the institution of NEPAD, called for the amendment of pension laws across the continent so that countries would be able to contribute to the fund.
He said Africa had the potential to become a big investment destination by 2050, because by that time its population would be more that China's adding that it was for this reason that Africa needed to be strategic in its developmental agenda.
"We need to focus on how to use the vast resources at out disposal to turn the continent round to become the desired place of choice for investors and people looking for potential markets for the goods," he said.
Professor Nkuhlu said the focus of governments now should be the pace of development taking place in their respective countries.
Mr Brain Kagoro, Pan Africa Director, Action AID International, said Africans needed to rejoice at their successes which had become the envy of some developed nations.
Citing the election of an African Woman President, he said this kind of event had eluded the United States of America, a leader in democratic governance issues.
"There is hope for Africa, because for some time now there has been significant economic progress across the continent, with conflicts reducing considerably," Mr Kagoro said.
He said unless the continent's leaders invested in the people there could not be progress.
Professor Nkuhlu said South Africa, the African Development Bank and Ghana through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), had already contributed to the Fund, which would be used mainly for infrastructure development, energy needs and promotion of science and technology across the continent.
He said other countries in Africa had expressed interest in contributing to the fund, but were unable to because their legislations did not give way for the release of funds without parliamentary approval.
Professor Nkuhlu, who is one of the brains behind the institution of NEPAD, called for the amendment of pension laws across the continent so that countries would be able to contribute to the fund.
He said Africa had the potential to become a big investment destination by 2050, because by that time its population would be more that China's adding that it was for this reason that Africa needed to be strategic in its developmental agenda.
"We need to focus on how to use the vast resources at out disposal to turn the continent round to become the desired place of choice for investors and people looking for potential markets for the goods," he said.
Professor Nkuhlu said the focus of governments now should be the pace of development taking place in their respective countries.
Mr Brain Kagoro, Pan Africa Director, Action AID International, said Africans needed to rejoice at their successes which had become the envy of some developed nations.
Citing the election of an African Woman President, he said this kind of event had eluded the United States of America, a leader in democratic governance issues.
"There is hope for Africa, because for some time now there has been significant economic progress across the continent, with conflicts reducing considerably," Mr Kagoro said.
He said unless the continent's leaders invested in the people there could not be progress.
Rights NGO to hold vigil for Gambia murder victims
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on Friday said it would organize a vigil on Tuesday in honour of the 44 Ghanaians and six other Africans who were murdered in The Gambia two years ago.
"It is our hope that the people of Ghana can signal to the Africa Union (AU) the importance of pursuing agendas that promote human rights throughout the region," it said in a statement released in Accra.
The statement said the vigil was to send a message to President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and to the rest of the AU leaders that Ghanaians and the international community could not look on quietly while human rights violations were happening.The statement called on President Jammeh to take responsibility for this injustice and communicate his commitment to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
"We also hope that all AU delegates will adopt this issue and set a precedent that will serve to prevent future atrocities." It said the memory of the 44 Ghanaians serves as a lasting reminder of the persisting human rights issues still facing Africans.It said although many countries had pledged to enforce human rights, extra judicial killings in The Gambia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries continued to deprive individuals of their most basic human rights, the right to life.The statement also said the recent incidents in Darfur had received particular international attention and were regarded as the hallmark of these forms of infractions.
"It is our hope that the people of Ghana can signal to the Africa Union (AU) the importance of pursuing agendas that promote human rights throughout the region," it said in a statement released in Accra.
The statement said the vigil was to send a message to President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and to the rest of the AU leaders that Ghanaians and the international community could not look on quietly while human rights violations were happening.The statement called on President Jammeh to take responsibility for this injustice and communicate his commitment to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
"We also hope that all AU delegates will adopt this issue and set a precedent that will serve to prevent future atrocities." It said the memory of the 44 Ghanaians serves as a lasting reminder of the persisting human rights issues still facing Africans.It said although many countries had pledged to enforce human rights, extra judicial killings in The Gambia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries continued to deprive individuals of their most basic human rights, the right to life.The statement also said the recent incidents in Darfur had received particular international attention and were regarded as the hallmark of these forms of infractions.
Work begins on Kwabenya landfill site project
Accra, June 29, GNA - The Kwabenya landfill site project would begin this year and completed by June 2009, Mr Stanley Adjiri Blankson, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive said on Friday.
He said valuations for compensation had been done adding, applications were being processed for compensation and pictures of about 80 houses to be demolished.
Signing a 30-million dollar contract to start construction of Schools, Sanitation facilities and other projects including the landfill in Accra, Mr Blankson said a consultant was about to review designs of various building to be demolished in order to pave way for the construction.
The project is jointly funded by the World Bank, Agence Franciase de Development (AFD), the Nordic Development Fund and the Government of Ghana.
The Kwabenya landfill site project had been on hold for the past five years after protests by residents.
Mr Blanskon said the assembly would be holding various meetings with legitimate landlords before the commencement of the project.
He said the assembly would also take precautionary measures to ensure that people did not build in the night to escalate the compensation.
The Mayor said the city was saddled with garbage collection problems, adding that it could not be held ransom by some people.
"AMA was going to commence and complete the project at Kwabenya once and for all," he added.
He said valuations for compensation had been done adding, applications were being processed for compensation and pictures of about 80 houses to be demolished.
Signing a 30-million dollar contract to start construction of Schools, Sanitation facilities and other projects including the landfill in Accra, Mr Blankson said a consultant was about to review designs of various building to be demolished in order to pave way for the construction.
The project is jointly funded by the World Bank, Agence Franciase de Development (AFD), the Nordic Development Fund and the Government of Ghana.
The Kwabenya landfill site project had been on hold for the past five years after protests by residents.
Mr Blanskon said the assembly would be holding various meetings with legitimate landlords before the commencement of the project.
He said the assembly would also take precautionary measures to ensure that people did not build in the night to escalate the compensation.
The Mayor said the city was saddled with garbage collection problems, adding that it could not be held ransom by some people.
"AMA was going to commence and complete the project at Kwabenya once and for all," he added.
Armed men kill GCB Deputy Managing Director
Tema, June 29, GNA - A gang of four armed men last night stormed the house of the Deputy Managing Director in-charge of Operations of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), Mr Rocco Frimpong at Sakumono Estates and shot him dead at close range.A relative, Madam Rebecca Fumador, who is the deceased's brother's wife on Friday told the Ghana News Agency at the scene of the incident that the armed men disguised themselves in black dresses and dark sun glasses.She said at about 2030 hours on Thursday, she heard a knock at the main gate and went to open it and saw a young man who said he was looking for Mr Frimpong who was then ironing his dress in the room.
Madam Fumador said before she could ask further questions, the man pushed her aside, followed by three others and went straight to where Mr Frimpong was ironing, pulled him to the main gate and shot him.Just at that time, two of the armed robbers collected her husband, Mr James Dabo's two mobile phones and hit his forehead, resulting in blood gushing out.Madam Fumador said the armed men did not enter any of the rooms to pick anything but after shooting him at the gate, they rushed into a dark-blue saloon car parked far away from the house and sped away.
There were blood stains at the main entrance to the house when the GNA visited there.Madam Fumador said the body has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.Meanwhile the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) John Kudalor confirmed the story and told the GNA that the Regional Police Command has offered 20 million cedis to anyone whose information would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.
Madam Fumador said before she could ask further questions, the man pushed her aside, followed by three others and went straight to where Mr Frimpong was ironing, pulled him to the main gate and shot him.Just at that time, two of the armed robbers collected her husband, Mr James Dabo's two mobile phones and hit his forehead, resulting in blood gushing out.Madam Fumador said the armed men did not enter any of the rooms to pick anything but after shooting him at the gate, they rushed into a dark-blue saloon car parked far away from the house and sped away.
There were blood stains at the main entrance to the house when the GNA visited there.Madam Fumador said the body has been deposited at the Tema General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.Meanwhile the Tema Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) John Kudalor confirmed the story and told the GNA that the Regional Police Command has offered 20 million cedis to anyone whose information would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.
Court remands labourer for allegedly killing his brother
Bawku (UER), June 29, GNA – A Bawku Circuit court has remanded Akudugu Asawin 46, a labourer into prison custody for allegedly killing his junior brother suspected of flirting with his wife at Zawse.
He pleaded not guilty and the docket on the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General's Department for advice.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Andrews Yirenkyi told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, that Akudugu and his wife Rebecca lived near his junior
brother Dashmani Asawin's house at Zawse, near Bawku.
He said in the evening of Sunday, June 24, Akudugu who suspected his wife flirting with Dashmani trailed them to a drinking spot, but when they saw Akudugu behind them they separated and went different ways.
Police Inspector Yirenkyi said the two brothers later engaged in a hot brawl at the drinking spot when Akudugu confronted Dashmani for flirting with his wife but they were separated.
He said when Akudugu went home, he told his wife to leave her matrimonial home but Dashmani pleaded on her behalf but Akudugu refused.
The prosecution said after Rebecca had left, Dashmani went to Akudugu's house at dawn on Monday June 25, and rebuked Akudugu for sending his wife away and this resulted into another brawl.
He said in the course of the brawl, which lasted for nearly an hour, Akudugu hit the back of Dashmani's head with a stick, rendering him unconscious and later died while being sent to the hospital.
The prosecution said Akudugu was arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.
He pleaded not guilty and the docket on the case has been forwarded to the Attorney General's Department for advice.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Andrews Yirenkyi told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owusu Ofori, that Akudugu and his wife Rebecca lived near his junior
brother Dashmani Asawin's house at Zawse, near Bawku.
He said in the evening of Sunday, June 24, Akudugu who suspected his wife flirting with Dashmani trailed them to a drinking spot, but when they saw Akudugu behind them they separated and went different ways.
Police Inspector Yirenkyi said the two brothers later engaged in a hot brawl at the drinking spot when Akudugu confronted Dashmani for flirting with his wife but they were separated.
He said when Akudugu went home, he told his wife to leave her matrimonial home but Dashmani pleaded on her behalf but Akudugu refused.
The prosecution said after Rebecca had left, Dashmani went to Akudugu's house at dawn on Monday June 25, and rebuked Akudugu for sending his wife away and this resulted into another brawl.
He said in the course of the brawl, which lasted for nearly an hour, Akudugu hit the back of Dashmani's head with a stick, rendering him unconscious and later died while being sent to the hospital.
The prosecution said Akudugu was arrested and after investigations charged with the offence.
Emulate good examples of nation’s heroes-Professor Anamuah-Mensah
Cape Coast, June 29, GNA - Professor Jophus Ato Anamuah-Mensah, Vice Chancellor of University of Education, Winneba (UEW), on Friday stressed the need for Ghanaians to learn about the history of past heroes and emulate their good examples to enhance the country's development.
He said some of the nation's heroes left behind "meaningful and important legacies" when properly harnessed would enhance development.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah made the call when launching this year's "Oguaa Fetu-Afahye" festival, under the theme "Celebrating Cape Coast and her Heroes," at Cape Coast.
He said with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence, Ghanaians should express appreciation not only to the "Big Six" but acknowledge the sacrifices of veritable heroes and heroines of the last two centuries, in the development of education and politics.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said as Oguaaman honoured her heroes and celebrated them she should be reminded of the present "unacceptable state" of the area a former capital of Ghana.
"Cape Coast formerly the Mecca of educational development has lost its glitter, many children expected to be in school are found at the beach and market places, parents did not care about their children's education resulting in poor performance in the BECE and other examinations," he added.Prof. Anamuah-Mensah attributed the challenges of Oguaaman to University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Polytechnic being the major avenue for employment in the area and lack of industries and collapsing fishing industry.
He therefore, stressed the need for the establishment of a fishing harbour and creation of a fishery department at UCC to help revamp the fishing industry in Oguaaman.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah, also called for the re-establishment of Mfantsi National Education fund to supplement the GETFUND to support development of education in the area adding" Oguaaman cannot continue to live on its past glories."
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area called on all and sundry, particularly citizens of Cape Coast to make this year's festival a success.
He urged them to contribute towards the development of the area since the 43 chiefs in the area alone could not bring any meaningful development to the more than 250,000 people.
Nana Kodwo Addae II, Chief of Abura and Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, said 13 people including two institutions that had contributed to the development of Oguaaman would be honoured during the festival.
He said some of them would have their busts erected at the Victoria Park, while some streets would be named after others.
Nana Addae announced a ban on drumming and noise making, fishing in the Fosu Lagoon and funerals in the Oguaa traditional area from Tuesday July 31 to Thursday August 16.
He said some of the nation's heroes left behind "meaningful and important legacies" when properly harnessed would enhance development.
Professor Anamuah-Mensah made the call when launching this year's "Oguaa Fetu-Afahye" festival, under the theme "Celebrating Cape Coast and her Heroes," at Cape Coast.
He said with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence, Ghanaians should express appreciation not only to the "Big Six" but acknowledge the sacrifices of veritable heroes and heroines of the last two centuries, in the development of education and politics.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said as Oguaaman honoured her heroes and celebrated them she should be reminded of the present "unacceptable state" of the area a former capital of Ghana.
"Cape Coast formerly the Mecca of educational development has lost its glitter, many children expected to be in school are found at the beach and market places, parents did not care about their children's education resulting in poor performance in the BECE and other examinations," he added.Prof. Anamuah-Mensah attributed the challenges of Oguaaman to University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Polytechnic being the major avenue for employment in the area and lack of industries and collapsing fishing industry.
He therefore, stressed the need for the establishment of a fishing harbour and creation of a fishery department at UCC to help revamp the fishing industry in Oguaaman.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah, also called for the re-establishment of Mfantsi National Education fund to supplement the GETFUND to support development of education in the area adding" Oguaaman cannot continue to live on its past glories."
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area called on all and sundry, particularly citizens of Cape Coast to make this year's festival a success.
He urged them to contribute towards the development of the area since the 43 chiefs in the area alone could not bring any meaningful development to the more than 250,000 people.
Nana Kodwo Addae II, Chief of Abura and Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, said 13 people including two institutions that had contributed to the development of Oguaaman would be honoured during the festival.
He said some of them would have their busts erected at the Victoria Park, while some streets would be named after others.
Nana Addae announced a ban on drumming and noise making, fishing in the Fosu Lagoon and funerals in the Oguaa traditional area from Tuesday July 31 to Thursday August 16.
Huni Valley secondary school partly submerged
Huni Valley (W/R), June 29, GNA- Recent rainstorms had submerged parts of the Huni Valley Secondary School in the Wassa West District.The teachers and headmaster's bungalows and the main roads leading to the school have been flooded thus making movement within the school difficult.
Mr. Thomas Kodjoe Tandoh, headmaster of the school, disclosed these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Huni Valley on Thursday.
He said the school, established in 1975 with 25 students and now with a population of 839, had no drainage facilities.
Mr. Tandoh said the school was built on land that was susceptible to flooding and the entire campus became flooded after the slightest rain.
Mr. Tandoh said the lack of a teachers quarters and a boy's dormitory and a school library was a disincentive for teaching and learning.
He explained that 24 teachers were currently occupying an eight-unit accommodation block meant for eight teachers while a six-classroom block had been converted into a boy's dormitory.
Mr. Tandoh stressed that though the school needed about 40 teachers the lack of accommodation facilities was preventing other teachers from joining the school.
He said the school's mini bus was draining the resources of the school and called for assistance from individuals, organisations and the GETFUND.
Mr. Thomas Kodjoe Tandoh, headmaster of the school, disclosed these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Huni Valley on Thursday.
He said the school, established in 1975 with 25 students and now with a population of 839, had no drainage facilities.
Mr. Tandoh said the school was built on land that was susceptible to flooding and the entire campus became flooded after the slightest rain.
Mr. Tandoh said the lack of a teachers quarters and a boy's dormitory and a school library was a disincentive for teaching and learning.
He explained that 24 teachers were currently occupying an eight-unit accommodation block meant for eight teachers while a six-classroom block had been converted into a boy's dormitory.
Mr. Tandoh stressed that though the school needed about 40 teachers the lack of accommodation facilities was preventing other teachers from joining the school.
He said the school's mini bus was draining the resources of the school and called for assistance from individuals, organisations and the GETFUND.
President Kufuor commissions buses for MMT
Kumasi, June 29, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has advised stakeholders of Metro Mass Transport (MMT) to put adequate measures in place to ensure sustainable management and efficient operation of the company.Their ultimate responsibility was to ensure the strengthening of the financial, human and logistic resources of the company to enable it to make reasonable returns on the investment.President Kufuor gave the advice when he commissioned 20 buses provided by the VDL in Netherlands and assembled at Neoplan Ghana Limited in Kumasi on Friday to augment the fleet of buses for MMT.
He advised the staff to eschew negative tendencies and conduct themselves well, so as to enhance profitability, a necessary requirement for their job security.
The buses were the first consignment of 150 to be provided under the Dutch Government concessionary financing under which, 250 buses are being provided to the company out of which 100 buses had already been supplied.
President Kufuor said the government, in realizing the critical role the efficient mass transport system plays in the national development agenda, has already provided the MMT, which was piloted in Accra in 2002, a total of 625 buses and that, plans were far advanced to extend services to all district capitals by the end of 2007.
An additional 1,000 buses are also to be provided to facilitate smooth transportation not only in the cities but nationwide.
President Kufuor said enormous benefits have accrued to the nation and in particular patrons of the services of these buses since the inception of the project in 2002, and that over 120 million passengers had used the MMT services.
Besides, over 2,500 jobs had been created. It is expected that job creation through MMT would be increased to 3,000 by the end of the year.
He announced that a collaborative pilot scheme for urban-public transportation in Greater-Accra and Kumasi aside, MMT services was underway to ease traffic congestion and problems regarding mass public transport in the cities.
He therefore, urged the collaborative partners, which are the Ministries of Transportation, Local Government, Rural Development and Environment as well as the World Bank to work hard for the early realization of this important project.
Mr. Felix Owusu-Agyapong, acting Minister of Transportation, said the company in a bid to enhance service delivery to the public was continuously putting in place terminal and passenger waiting facilities at vantage places to serve passengers.
He said the MMT carries an estimated 5.5 million passengers a month on its routes all over the country and by December 2006 the company had carried 55 million passengers nationwide and covered a total distance of 24.3 million kilometres.
Through the spreading of its activities to other districts, the number of passengers carried increased to 128 million passengers by the end of February 2007.
He, however, said the MMT was faced with challenges such as harassment of company's staff and destruction of properties, especially buses, slow pace of work on other passenger waiting facilities as well as inadequate and outdated terminal facilities.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, conveyed Otumfuo's appeal to Mrs Alida Remmelzwal, Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana to establish a bus manufacturing company in Kumasi for which land had already been provided.
Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, cautioned drivers and conductors to take good care of the buses and properly manage the proceeds of their operations so that investors could derive maximum benefits.
Mrs. Remmelzwal, on her part said the buses had been specially designed to suit tropical weather conditions and African roads and guarantee their durability.
He advised the staff to eschew negative tendencies and conduct themselves well, so as to enhance profitability, a necessary requirement for their job security.
The buses were the first consignment of 150 to be provided under the Dutch Government concessionary financing under which, 250 buses are being provided to the company out of which 100 buses had already been supplied.
President Kufuor said the government, in realizing the critical role the efficient mass transport system plays in the national development agenda, has already provided the MMT, which was piloted in Accra in 2002, a total of 625 buses and that, plans were far advanced to extend services to all district capitals by the end of 2007.
An additional 1,000 buses are also to be provided to facilitate smooth transportation not only in the cities but nationwide.
President Kufuor said enormous benefits have accrued to the nation and in particular patrons of the services of these buses since the inception of the project in 2002, and that over 120 million passengers had used the MMT services.
Besides, over 2,500 jobs had been created. It is expected that job creation through MMT would be increased to 3,000 by the end of the year.
He announced that a collaborative pilot scheme for urban-public transportation in Greater-Accra and Kumasi aside, MMT services was underway to ease traffic congestion and problems regarding mass public transport in the cities.
He therefore, urged the collaborative partners, which are the Ministries of Transportation, Local Government, Rural Development and Environment as well as the World Bank to work hard for the early realization of this important project.
Mr. Felix Owusu-Agyapong, acting Minister of Transportation, said the company in a bid to enhance service delivery to the public was continuously putting in place terminal and passenger waiting facilities at vantage places to serve passengers.
He said the MMT carries an estimated 5.5 million passengers a month on its routes all over the country and by December 2006 the company had carried 55 million passengers nationwide and covered a total distance of 24.3 million kilometres.
Through the spreading of its activities to other districts, the number of passengers carried increased to 128 million passengers by the end of February 2007.
He, however, said the MMT was faced with challenges such as harassment of company's staff and destruction of properties, especially buses, slow pace of work on other passenger waiting facilities as well as inadequate and outdated terminal facilities.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, Mamponghene who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, conveyed Otumfuo's appeal to Mrs Alida Remmelzwal, Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana to establish a bus manufacturing company in Kumasi for which land had already been provided.
Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, cautioned drivers and conductors to take good care of the buses and properly manage the proceeds of their operations so that investors could derive maximum benefits.
Mrs. Remmelzwal, on her part said the buses had been specially designed to suit tropical weather conditions and African roads and guarantee their durability.
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