Kumasi, Feb. 2, GNA- Police Superintendent Paul K. Ayittey, the Asawasi District Commander, said the crime wave at Asawasi, a suburb of Kumasi, notorious for robbery and other serious crimes, has drastically reduced.
He said the improvement in the security situation was as a result of the commitment, resilience and ingenuity of the police, despite inadequate resources at their disposal.Sup. Ayittey, who said these at the district's annual West Africa Social Services (WASSA) in Kumasi, pledged that the security personnel would continue to work hard to further reduce the crime rate in the area.
The get-together, which attracted personnel of the Police Service, traditional rulers, Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, and a cross-section of the public, was to honour personnel for their hard work.Sup. Ayittey commended the people for cooperating with the police to ensure peace and security. Deputy Commissioner of Police Frank Adu-Poku, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, expressed satisfaction about the performance of the district police, under the command of Supt Ayittey, who was directly involved in combating crime.
Nana Owusu Bempah, chief of Buokrom, pledged his support for the police in the discharge of their duties.
2 Feb. 07
Friday, February 2, 2007
African leaders urged to introduce participatory budgeting into local government
Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - The introduction of participatory budgeting into participatory governance could be a panacea to most developmental problems faced by African countries, Mr George Matovu of the Municipal Development Programme for Eastern and South Africa said on Friday.
Speaking during a video conferencing programme for the seventh edition of the Africa Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF) for seven African English-speaking countries, he said participatory budgeting would increase public accountability; reduce corruption and bureaucratic sclerosis with better inputs for public policies."For others, participation is a fundamental right that stands at the centre of democratic governance and human development."Mr Matovu was speaking on "The Challenges and Constraints of Introducing Participatory Budgeting as a Tool for Resource Mobilization and Allocation and Realizing Good Governance in Africa" to participants from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe though a videoconference.The World Bank supported the programme.Mr Matovu defined participatory budgeting as a process whereby communities worked together with elected representatives and officials to develop policies and budgets in order to meet the needs of the community.
Citing Brazil as a place where participatory budgeting had been implemented, he said it had expanded citizenship; empowered excluded members of society; redefined rights; deepened democracy and stimulated civil society; all of which Africa needed in deepening democracy.He said although research was still underway to fully understand the benefits and impact of participatory budgeting, it had the potential to benefit various stakeholders and public administration as a whole.Mr Matovu said participatory budget could only function if there was a mechanism, which could facilitate free interaction between local government functionaries and the community and effectively handle the successes, limitations and challenges associated with the introduction of the system.He called on governments to think through the concept before introducing it in their local government systems to ensure that all the stages were carefully planned and executed.
Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, General Secretary of National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana, said the concept of participatory budgeting had already taken off in some district assemblies in Ghana such as Suhum and was bringing tremendous benefits to the District, since projects were never executed even from government without the involvement of the local communities.
He said the concept would take time to be embraced by all communities due to issues such as apathy, illiteracy and the need to build capacity for effective participation.He also advocated a strong political will from the Government, supported by an enabling legal framework for it to work.
2 Feb. 07
Speaking during a video conferencing programme for the seventh edition of the Africa Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF) for seven African English-speaking countries, he said participatory budgeting would increase public accountability; reduce corruption and bureaucratic sclerosis with better inputs for public policies."For others, participation is a fundamental right that stands at the centre of democratic governance and human development."Mr Matovu was speaking on "The Challenges and Constraints of Introducing Participatory Budgeting as a Tool for Resource Mobilization and Allocation and Realizing Good Governance in Africa" to participants from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe though a videoconference.The World Bank supported the programme.Mr Matovu defined participatory budgeting as a process whereby communities worked together with elected representatives and officials to develop policies and budgets in order to meet the needs of the community.
Citing Brazil as a place where participatory budgeting had been implemented, he said it had expanded citizenship; empowered excluded members of society; redefined rights; deepened democracy and stimulated civil society; all of which Africa needed in deepening democracy.He said although research was still underway to fully understand the benefits and impact of participatory budgeting, it had the potential to benefit various stakeholders and public administration as a whole.Mr Matovu said participatory budget could only function if there was a mechanism, which could facilitate free interaction between local government functionaries and the community and effectively handle the successes, limitations and challenges associated with the introduction of the system.He called on governments to think through the concept before introducing it in their local government systems to ensure that all the stages were carefully planned and executed.
Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, General Secretary of National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana, said the concept of participatory budgeting had already taken off in some district assemblies in Ghana such as Suhum and was bringing tremendous benefits to the District, since projects were never executed even from government without the involvement of the local communities.
He said the concept would take time to be embraced by all communities due to issues such as apathy, illiteracy and the need to build capacity for effective participation.He also advocated a strong political will from the Government, supported by an enabling legal framework for it to work.
2 Feb. 07
Tema East NPP clash over occupation of office
Tema, Feb. 2 GNA - The timely intervention by the Police averted a bloody clash between two factions in the Tema East Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the occupation of their office at Tema Community One. At about 0830 hours on Thursday, Party members joined by a mob allegedly besieged the office wanting to attack officials on duty.
Sensing danger the Police were quickly brought in to control the situation and are still on guard duty.Mr Charles Boateng, Constituency Secretary, flanked by some Executive Members of the Constituency, told the Ghana News Agency that there were factions in the Party at the constituency level.
He said soon after entering the office in the morning of Thursday he heard the firing of warning shots and a man confronted him and suddenly a mob converged at the place so the Police was called in to disperse them.According to him ever since their election into office about two years ago, there has not been peace on their front and the occupation of the Party Office had become a problem as the key to the door had been changed seven times.
2 Feb. 07
Sensing danger the Police were quickly brought in to control the situation and are still on guard duty.Mr Charles Boateng, Constituency Secretary, flanked by some Executive Members of the Constituency, told the Ghana News Agency that there were factions in the Party at the constituency level.
He said soon after entering the office in the morning of Thursday he heard the firing of warning shots and a man confronted him and suddenly a mob converged at the place so the Police was called in to disperse them.According to him ever since their election into office about two years ago, there has not been peace on their front and the occupation of the Party Office had become a problem as the key to the door had been changed seven times.
2 Feb. 07
Contractors and others schooled on Public Procurement Act
Kumasi, Feb 2, GNA - Mr Daniel Kwagbenu, Procurement Reform Expert, has stated that the Public procurement Act 663 was promulgated to enable local industries to contribute meaningfully towards the socio-economic development of the country.
He has therefore urged contractors and other service providers to be more conversant with the provisions of the Act to help them improve their businesses.Mr Kwagbenu was speaking at a day's workshop on Public Procurement Act 663 organised by the Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) in Kumasi on Thursday.
The workshop attended by contractors, service providers, consultants and other procurement entities, aimed at briefing them on the provisions and its importance and benefits.He stressed the need for contractors and other service providers to ensure that they periodically make their procurement plans as part of their efforts to enhance the performance of their businesses.Mr Kwagbenu said the domestic margin of preference in the Act was to assist the local business community to become competitive and efficient suppliers to the public sector.He advised contractors and other professional associations to interact with the Public Procurement Board to be equipped with new skills for efficient and effective work.
He told them to ensure an up-to-date record of their activities so that they can receive credit facilities from financial institutions to expand their businesses.Mr Moses Agyemang, Project Officer of PEF, commended the Business Advocacy Centre (BUSAC) Fund and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) for sponsoring the workshop.Mr Kwabena Danso-Aboagye, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Association of Building and civil Engineering Contractors, was not happy with the delay in the payment of contracts and appealed to the government, district and municipal assemblies to address the problem.
The participants resolved that clause 60 (1) of Act 663 which states that, "procurement entity 'may' grant a margin of preference for the benefit of work by domestic contractors be changed to 'shall' to give full meaning to the clause".
2 Feb. 07
He has therefore urged contractors and other service providers to be more conversant with the provisions of the Act to help them improve their businesses.Mr Kwagbenu was speaking at a day's workshop on Public Procurement Act 663 organised by the Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) in Kumasi on Thursday.
The workshop attended by contractors, service providers, consultants and other procurement entities, aimed at briefing them on the provisions and its importance and benefits.He stressed the need for contractors and other service providers to ensure that they periodically make their procurement plans as part of their efforts to enhance the performance of their businesses.Mr Kwagbenu said the domestic margin of preference in the Act was to assist the local business community to become competitive and efficient suppliers to the public sector.He advised contractors and other professional associations to interact with the Public Procurement Board to be equipped with new skills for efficient and effective work.
He told them to ensure an up-to-date record of their activities so that they can receive credit facilities from financial institutions to expand their businesses.Mr Moses Agyemang, Project Officer of PEF, commended the Business Advocacy Centre (BUSAC) Fund and the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) for sponsoring the workshop.Mr Kwabena Danso-Aboagye, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Association of Building and civil Engineering Contractors, was not happy with the delay in the payment of contracts and appealed to the government, district and municipal assemblies to address the problem.
The participants resolved that clause 60 (1) of Act 663 which states that, "procurement entity 'may' grant a margin of preference for the benefit of work by domestic contractors be changed to 'shall' to give full meaning to the clause".
2 Feb. 07
Two mental health NGOs to collaborate
Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - Mr Lance Montia, representative of Basic Needs-Ghana, an international nongovernmental organisation (NGO) based in Accra, on Friday advised Ghanaians not to associate mental illness with superstition.He said Ghanaians had adopted an attitude of sending mentally ill people to shrines and prophets instead of hospitals, where they would be medically treated.Mr Montia said these when Basic Needs-Ghana and Mindfreedom-Ghana, another NGO, signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday to work together in the area of mental health and development in the country.He said the two NGOs would work together to help to ease the stigmatization of mentally ill people in the society and also ensure quality health care for the mentally ill in Ghana.Mr Montia said since its establishment seven years ago, Basic Needs-Ghana had ensured that the fundamental rights of the mentally ill were brought to the fore, adding; "people need to understand that mental illness is no respecter of persons".
Mrs Janet Amegatcher, Director of Mindfreedom-Ghana, appealed to the Government to build more mental hospitals, especially in the North, since all the hospitals and mental institutions were located in the southern part of the country.She asked for Government's support for NGOs working in the area of mental health care.Mrs Amegatcher expressed the hope that with the coming together of the two organisations, the needs of the mentally sick would be highlighted.
2 Feb. 07
Mrs Janet Amegatcher, Director of Mindfreedom-Ghana, appealed to the Government to build more mental hospitals, especially in the North, since all the hospitals and mental institutions were located in the southern part of the country.She asked for Government's support for NGOs working in the area of mental health care.Mrs Amegatcher expressed the hope that with the coming together of the two organisations, the needs of the mentally sick would be highlighted.
2 Feb. 07
Court convicts driver's mate for stealing
Akyem Swedru Feb.02 GNA- The Akyem Swedru Circuit Court on Friday sentenced Kofi Atta, a 21-year-old driver's mate to six years imprisonment in hard labour for stealing. Atta was convicted on his own plea to three charges of causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry and stealing.
Kwaku Sarkwa, a carpenter who was standing trial with Atta on a charge of dishonestly receiving pleaded not guilty and was remanded into police custody to reappear on January 22.Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Alice Appiakorang told the court presided over by Mr Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah that the complainant is an accountant and owned an uncompleted house at Akyem Swedru where some items including carpentry tools were kept.On January nine this year, the complainant went to the house and found out that one of the rooms have been broken into through the window and some of the carpentry tools as well as a pair of shoes stolen.He said the complainant re-fixed the window and locked the room and left.
On January 11 he again visited the house and saw that it has been broken onto again and a car jack and some of the carpentry tools stolen. The prosecutor said the complainant made his own enquiries and arrested Sarkwa to the local police station.He said during a search, two carpenter's saw, two hammers, a cutlass, two boxes of wall nails, one tape measure and a chisel valued at 420,000 cedis belonging to the complainant were found.The prosecutor said Sarkwa mentioned Atta as the one who brought the items to him for safe keeping and when Atta was later arrested, a car jack as well as a pair of shoes valued at 250,000 cedis belonging to the complainant were found.
02 Feb. 07
Kwaku Sarkwa, a carpenter who was standing trial with Atta on a charge of dishonestly receiving pleaded not guilty and was remanded into police custody to reappear on January 22.Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Alice Appiakorang told the court presided over by Mr Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah that the complainant is an accountant and owned an uncompleted house at Akyem Swedru where some items including carpentry tools were kept.On January nine this year, the complainant went to the house and found out that one of the rooms have been broken into through the window and some of the carpentry tools as well as a pair of shoes stolen.He said the complainant re-fixed the window and locked the room and left.
On January 11 he again visited the house and saw that it has been broken onto again and a car jack and some of the carpentry tools stolen. The prosecutor said the complainant made his own enquiries and arrested Sarkwa to the local police station.He said during a search, two carpenter's saw, two hammers, a cutlass, two boxes of wall nails, one tape measure and a chisel valued at 420,000 cedis belonging to the complainant were found.The prosecutor said Sarkwa mentioned Atta as the one who brought the items to him for safe keeping and when Atta was later arrested, a car jack as well as a pair of shoes valued at 250,000 cedis belonging to the complainant were found.
02 Feb. 07
Farmer jailed three years for causing harm
Akyem Swedru (E/R), Feb. 02, GNA- The Akyem Swedru Circuit Court on Friday, sentenced a 37- year-old farmer, Kwasi Adu Yeboah, to three years imprisonment in hard labour for causing harm.Police Chief Inspector Ben Osei Kwadwo, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah that both the convict and the complainant were close friends and reside at Akyem Aduasa in the Birim South District.
He said on September 10 last year there was a misunderstanding between them resulting in a quarrel.The prosecutor said Yeboah attacked the complainant and assault him.Yeboah in the process bit off part of the complainant's nose before people came to his rescue.
He said the complainant was rushed to the Akyem Oda Government hospital where he was treated and later discharged.
02 Feb. 07
He said on September 10 last year there was a misunderstanding between them resulting in a quarrel.The prosecutor said Yeboah attacked the complainant and assault him.Yeboah in the process bit off part of the complainant's nose before people came to his rescue.
He said the complainant was rushed to the Akyem Oda Government hospital where he was treated and later discharged.
02 Feb. 07
Mother of accident victim calls for enforcement of road regulations
Kumasi, Feb. 2, GNA - Madam Cecilia Addae, a native of Nsuta in the Sekyere West district and the mother of an accident victim, has appealed to the government and other road and transportation regulatory agencies to ensure that road traffic regulations were enforced to reduce accidents on the country's roads.
She said irresponsible and careless driving by some motorists were leaving most children orphaned and causing great pain and agony to the relatives of accident victims.Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Madam Addae narrated a pathetic instance where a speeding and careless driver on the Accra-Kumasi road crashed her son, Amstrong Duku-Kaakyire, a Ghanaian-Canadian, who was in the country recently to attend the funeral of her late sister, together with his elder sister.The accident, according to her, claimed the life of the elder sister and caused severe injuries to the son.
Madam Addae said the deceased had left behind three children, who had now become orphans.She called on the government to enforce road regulations to punish careless drivers to reduce road accidents in the country.
2 Feb. 07
She said irresponsible and careless driving by some motorists were leaving most children orphaned and causing great pain and agony to the relatives of accident victims.Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Madam Addae narrated a pathetic instance where a speeding and careless driver on the Accra-Kumasi road crashed her son, Amstrong Duku-Kaakyire, a Ghanaian-Canadian, who was in the country recently to attend the funeral of her late sister, together with his elder sister.The accident, according to her, claimed the life of the elder sister and caused severe injuries to the son.
Madam Addae said the deceased had left behind three children, who had now become orphans.She called on the government to enforce road regulations to punish careless drivers to reduce road accidents in the country.
2 Feb. 07
Nkwanta in mourning over accident victims
Nkwanta (V/R), Feb. 2, GNA – The Mercedes Benz bus that was involved in an accident with a tipper truck at Akuse Junction at dawn on Thursday was travelling from Nkwanta in the Volta to Accra.So far eight of the dead have been identified as coming from Nkwanta and Dambai.A source at the Nkwanta branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) told the Ghana News Agency on Friday that a delegation from the branch led by Mr John Mensah, an Executive Member of the Local Union, had gone to the accident spot.
The source said the victims, mainly traders, including the wife and an in-law of Mr Mensah, were going to Accra to buy some wares to come and sell.The tragedy has thrown the entire Nkwanta town into shock and mourning. A Nkwanta Hospital source told the GNA that six relatives of the victims, who collapsed on hearing the story about the accident were treated and discharged.Relatives of some of the victims have expressed displeasure at the manner in which they were informed about the fate of their relatives.
Ms Stella Yentumy, a Secretary who lost a relative, said when she called the mobile phone of one of the victims the Policeman who responded just said:"The owner of this mobile phone is dead."Mr Felix Dordoye, a Field Officer, said the blunt presentation of accident news to relatives of victims was not the best and asked the Media to find a refined way of presenting such shocking news.
02 Feb. 07
The source said the victims, mainly traders, including the wife and an in-law of Mr Mensah, were going to Accra to buy some wares to come and sell.The tragedy has thrown the entire Nkwanta town into shock and mourning. A Nkwanta Hospital source told the GNA that six relatives of the victims, who collapsed on hearing the story about the accident were treated and discharged.Relatives of some of the victims have expressed displeasure at the manner in which they were informed about the fate of their relatives.
Ms Stella Yentumy, a Secretary who lost a relative, said when she called the mobile phone of one of the victims the Policeman who responded just said:"The owner of this mobile phone is dead."Mr Felix Dordoye, a Field Officer, said the blunt presentation of accident news to relatives of victims was not the best and asked the Media to find a refined way of presenting such shocking news.
02 Feb. 07
GCLME attains interim Commission status
Accra, Feb 02, GNA – The Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) Project, aimed at combating fisheries depletion, water pollution and public health challenges was transformed into an interim Commission in Accra on Friday.The new corporate image: "Interim Guinea Current Commission (IGCC)" would enhance the objectives of the GCLME to assist the 16 countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea, to overcome challenges of population and urbanization, land use planning among other priorities.
Mr Kwadwo Mpianim, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, launched the new name, which was the maiden step towards the status of a full commission on behalf of President John Agyekum Kufuor.He also launched the scientific underpinnings and technical rationale for the creation of the IGCC, known as Transboundary Diagnosis Analysis (TDA) and inaugurated a secretariat for IGCC, named after Dr Kenneth Sherman, the originator of the GCLME Project.Mr Mpianim commended the strenuous efforts of the pioneers of the GCLME project to arrest the degradation of the environment. "We have all championed the course of this project mainly due to the transboundary environmental threat which has resulted in the careful prosecution of the Work Plan, which has resulted in the commissioning of the IGCC."Mr Mpianim lauded all international organizations especially the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other stakeholders who have made the Project a success.
UNIDO assisted the formation of GCLME Project, which was transformed into the IGCC at Abuja in September 2006 at its first meeting of Ministers of Environment and Fisheries from member countries.It was in line with a key recommendation contained in the Johannesburg Plan of Action for the goals and targets defined at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Professor Chidi Ibe, Regional Director GCLME and Executive Secretary of the IGCC, said the rationale behind IGCC was in view of the urgent actions needed to reverse the continual depletion of natural resources and the degradation of the coastal and marine environment within the Region.Professor Ibe commended Dr Sherman, Director of US NOAA, who was the special guest at ceremony, for originating the Large Marine Concept, which has revolutionalised marine, environmental and living resource management across the globe.
In a related development, the fourth Regional Steering Committee Meeting of the GCLME began in Accra on Friday to adopt and approve the work plan for 2007.Mr Daniel Dugan, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, who addressed the meeting, asked the participants to seek the support of their political leaders in order to combat the depletion of natural resources and coastal area degradation through the ecosystem management approach.
2 Feb. 07
Mr Kwadwo Mpianim, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, launched the new name, which was the maiden step towards the status of a full commission on behalf of President John Agyekum Kufuor.He also launched the scientific underpinnings and technical rationale for the creation of the IGCC, known as Transboundary Diagnosis Analysis (TDA) and inaugurated a secretariat for IGCC, named after Dr Kenneth Sherman, the originator of the GCLME Project.Mr Mpianim commended the strenuous efforts of the pioneers of the GCLME project to arrest the degradation of the environment. "We have all championed the course of this project mainly due to the transboundary environmental threat which has resulted in the careful prosecution of the Work Plan, which has resulted in the commissioning of the IGCC."Mr Mpianim lauded all international organizations especially the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other stakeholders who have made the Project a success.
UNIDO assisted the formation of GCLME Project, which was transformed into the IGCC at Abuja in September 2006 at its first meeting of Ministers of Environment and Fisheries from member countries.It was in line with a key recommendation contained in the Johannesburg Plan of Action for the goals and targets defined at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Professor Chidi Ibe, Regional Director GCLME and Executive Secretary of the IGCC, said the rationale behind IGCC was in view of the urgent actions needed to reverse the continual depletion of natural resources and the degradation of the coastal and marine environment within the Region.Professor Ibe commended Dr Sherman, Director of US NOAA, who was the special guest at ceremony, for originating the Large Marine Concept, which has revolutionalised marine, environmental and living resource management across the globe.
In a related development, the fourth Regional Steering Committee Meeting of the GCLME began in Accra on Friday to adopt and approve the work plan for 2007.Mr Daniel Dugan, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, who addressed the meeting, asked the participants to seek the support of their political leaders in order to combat the depletion of natural resources and coastal area degradation through the ecosystem management approach.
2 Feb. 07
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
