Accra, June 18, GNA - Professor Anne Adams, Director of the Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture, on Monday noted that any political and economic goals that the upcoming African Union Summit would set must take into account cultural factors.
She explained that culture was a vehicle through which Africans could relate to one other.
Prof. Adams was speaking at a programme dubbed: "African Union Exposition" organized ahead of the AU summit scheduled from July 1-3 to enlighten Ghanaians on the cultural similarities and differences between them and other African Union Members.
The day's Expo, which is the fourth in the series, featured Burkina Faso and showcased the country through a film on the culture and the economy.
Prof. Adams explained that the Expo was being organized in Ghana ahead of the AU Summit because of the historical facts and the role Ghana played in the AU.
Prof. Adams said W.E.B. Du Bois, who is known as the father of Pan-Africanism, once advised Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to be certain to establish structures in the country that would preserve culture.
"Therefore culture is an important issue in Africa despite the little differences in language and other little issues."
Prof. Adams expressed the hope that the AU Expo would enable Ghanaians to know more about neighbouring countries.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Food import bills reach a record high - FAO
Accra, June 7, GNA - Global food import bills are increasing, partly due to
soaring demand for biofuels, according to UN Food and Agriculture
Organisation's latest Food Outlook report.
Global expenditures on imported foodstuffs look set to surpass
US$400 billion in 2007, almost five per cent above the record of the
previous year, the FAO said in a statement in Accra on Thursday.
Rising prices of imported coarse grains and vegetable oils - the
commodity groups that feature most heavily in biofuel production -
account for the bulk of the increase. Import bills for these
commodities are forecast to rise by as much as 13 per cent from 2006,
the report said.
It said more expensive feed ingredients would lead to higher
prices for meat and dairy products, raising expenditures on imports of
those commodities. In several cases, such as for meat and rice, larger
world purchases are likely to drive import bills up.
In the case of sugar, generally high and volatile prices could
lead to smaller import volumes, which is likely to result in a drop in
the cost of global sugar imports, the report said.
"Record-high international freight rates have also affected the
import value of all commodities, putting additional pressure on
countries' abilities to cover their food import bills."
The statement said developing countries as a whole were
anticipated to face a nine per cent increase in overall food import
expenditures in 2007.
The more economically vulnerable countries are forecast to be
most affected, with total expenditures by low-income food-deficit
(LIFDC) and least developed countries (LDCs) expected to rise by 10
percent from last year.
"The food import basket for the least developed countries in 2007
is expected to cost roughly 90 percent more than it did in 2000," said
FAO economist Adam Prakash.
"This is in stark contrast to the 22 percent growth in developed
country import bills over the same period."
FAO said world cereal production in 2007 is forecast to reach
2,125 million tonnes, up 6 per cent from the reduced level in 2006 and
higher than FAO's previous forecast in May.
"The prospect of a strong recovery in global cereal production in
2007 is a positive development, but total supplies will still be
barely adequate to meet the expected rise in demand, not only from the
traditional food and feed sectors but in particular from the
fast-growing biofuels industry," said Abdolreza Abbassian, one of the
authors of the report.
"This means prices for most cereals are likely to remain high in
the coming year."
soaring demand for biofuels, according to UN Food and Agriculture
Organisation's latest Food Outlook report.
Global expenditures on imported foodstuffs look set to surpass
US$400 billion in 2007, almost five per cent above the record of the
previous year, the FAO said in a statement in Accra on Thursday.
Rising prices of imported coarse grains and vegetable oils - the
commodity groups that feature most heavily in biofuel production -
account for the bulk of the increase. Import bills for these
commodities are forecast to rise by as much as 13 per cent from 2006,
the report said.
It said more expensive feed ingredients would lead to higher
prices for meat and dairy products, raising expenditures on imports of
those commodities. In several cases, such as for meat and rice, larger
world purchases are likely to drive import bills up.
In the case of sugar, generally high and volatile prices could
lead to smaller import volumes, which is likely to result in a drop in
the cost of global sugar imports, the report said.
"Record-high international freight rates have also affected the
import value of all commodities, putting additional pressure on
countries' abilities to cover their food import bills."
The statement said developing countries as a whole were
anticipated to face a nine per cent increase in overall food import
expenditures in 2007.
The more economically vulnerable countries are forecast to be
most affected, with total expenditures by low-income food-deficit
(LIFDC) and least developed countries (LDCs) expected to rise by 10
percent from last year.
"The food import basket for the least developed countries in 2007
is expected to cost roughly 90 percent more than it did in 2000," said
FAO economist Adam Prakash.
"This is in stark contrast to the 22 percent growth in developed
country import bills over the same period."
FAO said world cereal production in 2007 is forecast to reach
2,125 million tonnes, up 6 per cent from the reduced level in 2006 and
higher than FAO's previous forecast in May.
"The prospect of a strong recovery in global cereal production in
2007 is a positive development, but total supplies will still be
barely adequate to meet the expected rise in demand, not only from the
traditional food and feed sectors but in particular from the
fast-growing biofuels industry," said Abdolreza Abbassian, one of the
authors of the report.
"This means prices for most cereals are likely to remain high in
the coming year."
07 June 07
Ban calls for new thinking on solutions to climate change problems
Accra, June 7, GNA - The world needs "new thinking and a new
inclusiveness" to tackle the perils of climate change,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, marking World
Environment Day with a call for urgent global action that takes into
account the needs of the world's least affluent countries.
"Solutions to global warming proposed by developed nations cannot
come at the expense of less fortunate neighbours on the planet," Mr.
Ban wrote in an opinion column for The International Herald Tribune.
Noting that global warming "affects us all, yet it affects us all
differently," he said wealthy nations already have the resources and
know-how to adapt to global warming.
"An African farmer, losing crops or herds to drought and dust
storms, or a Tuvalu islander worried his village might soon be under
water, is infinitely more vulnerable," he said in a statement released
in Accra on Thursday by the UN Information Centre.
Mr. Ban, who is in Heiligendamm, Germany, for a summit meeting
with leaders from the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations,
noted that the United States and European countries were proposing
contrasting strategies for dealing with climate change.
"We shall see how all this unfolds... But let us remember. A G8
agreement that is not global in scope cannot hope to offer solutions
to a global problem. It is time for new thinking and a new
inclusiveness."
He welcomed US President George W. Bush's recent declaration that
he would launch a US climate initiative, but urged that it take place
within the UN's global framework for discussion.
Mr. Ban stressed that the sign is clear on climate change, with
everyday bringing new evidence of both its growing impact and its
principal cause - humans - and the need for urgent action.
"Today's solution du jour - the rage for carbon trading - is but
one weapon in our arsenal.
"New technologies, energy conservation, forestry projects and
renewable fuels, as well as private markets, must all be part of a
long-term strategy. So must adaptation. After all, mitigation can only
go so far," he stated.
He added that he would soon announce the details of a special
high-level meeting on climate change, to be held in New York in
September before the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly.
inclusiveness" to tackle the perils of climate change,
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, marking World
Environment Day with a call for urgent global action that takes into
account the needs of the world's least affluent countries.
"Solutions to global warming proposed by developed nations cannot
come at the expense of less fortunate neighbours on the planet," Mr.
Ban wrote in an opinion column for The International Herald Tribune.
Noting that global warming "affects us all, yet it affects us all
differently," he said wealthy nations already have the resources and
know-how to adapt to global warming.
"An African farmer, losing crops or herds to drought and dust
storms, or a Tuvalu islander worried his village might soon be under
water, is infinitely more vulnerable," he said in a statement released
in Accra on Thursday by the UN Information Centre.
Mr. Ban, who is in Heiligendamm, Germany, for a summit meeting
with leaders from the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations,
noted that the United States and European countries were proposing
contrasting strategies for dealing with climate change.
"We shall see how all this unfolds... But let us remember. A G8
agreement that is not global in scope cannot hope to offer solutions
to a global problem. It is time for new thinking and a new
inclusiveness."
He welcomed US President George W. Bush's recent declaration that
he would launch a US climate initiative, but urged that it take place
within the UN's global framework for discussion.
Mr. Ban stressed that the sign is clear on climate change, with
everyday bringing new evidence of both its growing impact and its
principal cause - humans - and the need for urgent action.
"Today's solution du jour - the rage for carbon trading - is but
one weapon in our arsenal.
"New technologies, energy conservation, forestry projects and
renewable fuels, as well as private markets, must all be part of a
long-term strategy. So must adaptation. After all, mitigation can only
go so far," he stated.
He added that he would soon announce the details of a special
high-level meeting on climate change, to be held in New York in
September before the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly.
07 June 07
Single drug treatment for malaria to be phased out
Accra, June 7, GNA - The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) is no longer
registering new anti-malaria mono-therapies, or single drug, for use
in the management of malaria.
The regulatory body said the licenses of mono-therapies already
in existence would not be renewed once their term expired, as part of
measures to phase them out after a set period.FDB officials told the
GNA in Accra on Thursday that this was in conformity with policy
directions to phase out mono-therapies in favour of combination
therapies.
Currently, there are a variety of mono-therapies such artesunate,
chloroquine, amodiaquine, alaxin and halufantrine in the system but
the registration licenses of majority of these drugs are expected to
expire by the end of the year.
Following problems of resistance and failure rate of chloroquine,
the World Health Organization has recommended the use of a combination
of more than one drug to treat malaria.
The world body has accepted the use of an artemisinin and other
anti-malarial drugs, ushering in a regime of artemisinin-based
combination therapies (ACTs) for treatment of malaria.
The four ACTs recommended by the WHO for Africa are:
artesunate-fansidar, artesunate-amodiaquine, artesunate-mefloquine and
artemether-lumefantrine, known also as coartem.
Eighteen countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra
Leone and DR Congo, have opted for artesunate-amodiaquine, as a first
line malaria drug while 21 countries including Kenya, South Africa,
Mali and Nigeria have gone for artemether-lumefantrine.
Meanwhile, Mr Nelson Aklamanu, a pharmacist at the Palace
Pharmacy at Danquah Circle in Accra, has called for a possible trial
into reasons why children experience little side effects as compared
to adult patients when they go on artesunate amodiaquine.
He told the GNA that most adult patients who visited his pharmacy
opted for other malaria drugs, especially artemether-lumefantrine,
because of adverse effects of sleeplessness, palpitation and others
they experienced after taking artesunate-amodiaquine.
He said children, surprisingly, tolerated artesunate-amodiaquine
with very little complaints.
registering new anti-malaria mono-therapies, or single drug, for use
in the management of malaria.
The regulatory body said the licenses of mono-therapies already
in existence would not be renewed once their term expired, as part of
measures to phase them out after a set period.FDB officials told the
GNA in Accra on Thursday that this was in conformity with policy
directions to phase out mono-therapies in favour of combination
therapies.
Currently, there are a variety of mono-therapies such artesunate,
chloroquine, amodiaquine, alaxin and halufantrine in the system but
the registration licenses of majority of these drugs are expected to
expire by the end of the year.
Following problems of resistance and failure rate of chloroquine,
the World Health Organization has recommended the use of a combination
of more than one drug to treat malaria.
The world body has accepted the use of an artemisinin and other
anti-malarial drugs, ushering in a regime of artemisinin-based
combination therapies (ACTs) for treatment of malaria.
The four ACTs recommended by the WHO for Africa are:
artesunate-fansidar, artesunate-amodiaquine, artesunate-mefloquine and
artemether-lumefantrine, known also as coartem.
Eighteen countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra
Leone and DR Congo, have opted for artesunate-amodiaquine, as a first
line malaria drug while 21 countries including Kenya, South Africa,
Mali and Nigeria have gone for artemether-lumefantrine.
Meanwhile, Mr Nelson Aklamanu, a pharmacist at the Palace
Pharmacy at Danquah Circle in Accra, has called for a possible trial
into reasons why children experience little side effects as compared
to adult patients when they go on artesunate amodiaquine.
He told the GNA that most adult patients who visited his pharmacy
opted for other malaria drugs, especially artemether-lumefantrine,
because of adverse effects of sleeplessness, palpitation and others
they experienced after taking artesunate-amodiaquine.
He said children, surprisingly, tolerated artesunate-amodiaquine
with very little complaints.
7 June 07
Sub-standard tourist facilities in Kumasi to be closed down
Kumasi, June 7, GNA – The Kumasi Venue Organising Committee (KVOC) of
the CAN 2008 tournament has advised managers of tourist facilities in
the Metropolis to strive to upgrade their facilities to meet
international standards towards the impending tournament in Ghana next
year.
The Committee said the upgrading of such facilities was crucial
to ensuring the nation's image was ensured when the tournament starts,
and warned that it would in collaboration with the Ghana Tourist Board
(GTB) close down sub-standard tourist facilities if they are not given
a face-lift.
Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, Chairman of the Committee,
announced this at a press conference organized to brief newsmen on
measures being instituted by the Committee to ensure that Kumasi
Metropolis became one of the successful hosting venues.
He said as part of moves to ensure professionalism in the
operation of tourist facilities, the GTB had been mandated to organize
training workshops for managers of hotels, restaurants, night clubs
and drinking spots to build their capacity and develop their
knowledge-base ahead of the tournament.
On the rehabilitation of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Prof
Adarkwa said the Committee was satisfied with the progress of work so
far done by the contractors, Messrs Consar Construction Limited.
He said when completed, the stadium would have a seating capacity
for about 40,000 spectators, adding that a total of four floodlights
with 75 bulbs fixed on each would be installed since most of the
matches would be honoured in the evenings.
The Chairman further said that the stadium would have a general
media centre with a broad-band Internet access to facilitate the work
of media personnel covering the event.
He stated that there were also plans by the KVOC to sell advance
tickets for the tournament so as to avoid inconveniences when the
tournament starts.
Prof Adarkwa said rehabilitation works have also begun earnestly
on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST),
Prempeh College, Opoku Ware School and Wesley College Parks to put the
training pitches into proper shape before the commencement of the
tournament.
He pointed out that the playing fields of those pitches would be
upgraded to CAF standards whilst the changing rooms would also see a
facelift when the project is finally completed.
On accreditation, the Chairman said accreditation for the
coverage of the tournament would be given to all local media houses
which intend to cover the tournament and therefore urged the media to
contact the Committee as soon as possible to be briefed on the
modalities for getting their accreditation.
He gave the assurance that the Committee would not discriminate
against any media house in the issuance of the accreditation and
therefore called on the media to endeavour to create the necessary
awareness as the tournament draws near to get most sports lovers
interested in the event.
the CAN 2008 tournament has advised managers of tourist facilities in
the Metropolis to strive to upgrade their facilities to meet
international standards towards the impending tournament in Ghana next
year.
The Committee said the upgrading of such facilities was crucial
to ensuring the nation's image was ensured when the tournament starts,
and warned that it would in collaboration with the Ghana Tourist Board
(GTB) close down sub-standard tourist facilities if they are not given
a face-lift.
Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, Chairman of the Committee,
announced this at a press conference organized to brief newsmen on
measures being instituted by the Committee to ensure that Kumasi
Metropolis became one of the successful hosting venues.
He said as part of moves to ensure professionalism in the
operation of tourist facilities, the GTB had been mandated to organize
training workshops for managers of hotels, restaurants, night clubs
and drinking spots to build their capacity and develop their
knowledge-base ahead of the tournament.
On the rehabilitation of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Prof
Adarkwa said the Committee was satisfied with the progress of work so
far done by the contractors, Messrs Consar Construction Limited.
He said when completed, the stadium would have a seating capacity
for about 40,000 spectators, adding that a total of four floodlights
with 75 bulbs fixed on each would be installed since most of the
matches would be honoured in the evenings.
The Chairman further said that the stadium would have a general
media centre with a broad-band Internet access to facilitate the work
of media personnel covering the event.
He stated that there were also plans by the KVOC to sell advance
tickets for the tournament so as to avoid inconveniences when the
tournament starts.
Prof Adarkwa said rehabilitation works have also begun earnestly
on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST),
Prempeh College, Opoku Ware School and Wesley College Parks to put the
training pitches into proper shape before the commencement of the
tournament.
He pointed out that the playing fields of those pitches would be
upgraded to CAF standards whilst the changing rooms would also see a
facelift when the project is finally completed.
On accreditation, the Chairman said accreditation for the
coverage of the tournament would be given to all local media houses
which intend to cover the tournament and therefore urged the media to
contact the Committee as soon as possible to be briefed on the
modalities for getting their accreditation.
He gave the assurance that the Committee would not discriminate
against any media house in the issuance of the accreditation and
therefore called on the media to endeavour to create the necessary
awareness as the tournament draws near to get most sports lovers
interested in the event.
07 June 07
Leaders of G-8 gather in Germany for annual summit
Heiligendamm, Germany, June 7, GNA - Leaders of the Group of Eight top
industrialized nations (G-8) on Wednesday gathered in the German
Baltic seaside resort of Heiligendamm amid tight security, for the
annual three-day meeting to discuss the political and economic
direction of the world.
They include United States (US) President George Bush, German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Prime
Minister Tony Blair of the UK, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, German President Nicolas Sarkozy
and Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
Key issues on the agenda are the promotion of worldwide
economic recovery, making globalisation socially equitable and
delivering on aid pledges to Africa.
Climate change, the row between the US and Russia over the
deployment of a missile shield in Europe and the controversy over
Iran´s Nuclear programme are also likely to dominate the discussions.
President John Agykum Kufuor is attending the meeting
alongside five other African leaders.
They are South African President Thabo Mbeki, newly inaugurated
Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar,dua, President Hosni Mubarak of
Egypt, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and Algerian President
Abdul Aziz Bouteflika.
The G-8 leaders according to a programme released by the
summit organisers would have a special session with the African
leaders on Friday.
President Kufuor is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks on
the sidelines with the leaders of Germany, Italy and Russia.
German Chancellor Merkel whose country holds
the Presidency of the G-8 said the goal was to identify solutions to
the challenges of security, environment and development policy issues
confronting humanity.
industrialized nations (G-8) on Wednesday gathered in the German
Baltic seaside resort of Heiligendamm amid tight security, for the
annual three-day meeting to discuss the political and economic
direction of the world.
They include United States (US) President George Bush, German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Prime
Minister Tony Blair of the UK, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, German President Nicolas Sarkozy
and Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
Key issues on the agenda are the promotion of worldwide
economic recovery, making globalisation socially equitable and
delivering on aid pledges to Africa.
Climate change, the row between the US and Russia over the
deployment of a missile shield in Europe and the controversy over
Iran´s Nuclear programme are also likely to dominate the discussions.
President John Agykum Kufuor is attending the meeting
alongside five other African leaders.
They are South African President Thabo Mbeki, newly inaugurated
Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar,dua, President Hosni Mubarak of
Egypt, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and Algerian President
Abdul Aziz Bouteflika.
The G-8 leaders according to a programme released by the
summit organisers would have a special session with the African
leaders on Friday.
President Kufuor is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks on
the sidelines with the leaders of Germany, Italy and Russia.
German Chancellor Merkel whose country holds
the Presidency of the G-8 said the goal was to identify solutions to
the challenges of security, environment and development policy issues
confronting humanity.
06 June 2007
Sixty-three people screened for 'Hepatitis 'B'
Winneba, (C/R), June 7, GNA- Sixty-three people, mostly members of the
Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly, have been screened for the
deadly, 'Hepatitis 'B' desease at Winneba.
The programme was initiated by the District Chief Executive for
the area, Mr. Solomon Kwashie Abbam-Quaye, and successfully executed
by officials of Christian Professionals Fellowship (CPF), a
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), based in Accra.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Winneba on Wednesday, Mr.
Abbam-Quaye said 10 of the people who were tested proved positive.
He said according to the medical experts who carried out the
exercise, those tested positive would be given another test after
which they would given treatment for some months to free them from the
disease.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye expressed the assembly's profound appreciation
to members of the Christian Professionals Fellowship for the job well
done and appealed to them to extend their services to other district
assemblies in the Central Region for members of those assemblies also
to benefit.
The DCE reiterated his call on Ghanaians, particularly
inhabitants in his area of operation to ensure regular medical
check-ups so as to be
sure of their health status all the time.
He said that, besides the major health problems, regular medical
check-ups would help protect them against all sexually transmitted and
other diseases in good time for early treatment.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye also praised the assembly members and those from
outside who took advantage of media reports on the programme to test
their blood.
Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly, have been screened for the
deadly, 'Hepatitis 'B' desease at Winneba.
The programme was initiated by the District Chief Executive for
the area, Mr. Solomon Kwashie Abbam-Quaye, and successfully executed
by officials of Christian Professionals Fellowship (CPF), a
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), based in Accra.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Winneba on Wednesday, Mr.
Abbam-Quaye said 10 of the people who were tested proved positive.
He said according to the medical experts who carried out the
exercise, those tested positive would be given another test after
which they would given treatment for some months to free them from the
disease.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye expressed the assembly's profound appreciation
to members of the Christian Professionals Fellowship for the job well
done and appealed to them to extend their services to other district
assemblies in the Central Region for members of those assemblies also
to benefit.
The DCE reiterated his call on Ghanaians, particularly
inhabitants in his area of operation to ensure regular medical
check-ups so as to be
sure of their health status all the time.
He said that, besides the major health problems, regular medical
check-ups would help protect them against all sexually transmitted and
other diseases in good time for early treatment.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye also praised the assembly members and those from
outside who took advantage of media reports on the programme to test
their blood.
07 June 07
Traffickers Cautioned of Severe Punishments
Senya Beraku (C/R), June 7, GNA- Recalcitrant child traffickers in
coastal communities in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District of the Central
Region, have been cautioned of dire consequences when trapped by the
law.
Mr. Solomon Kwashie Abam-Quaye, District Chief Executive for
the area who gave the warning at Senya Beraku said such people would
not be given the option of a fine when they appear before the law
court on child trafficking offences.
He said that reports reaching his office indicated that certain
recalcitrant wicked people in coastal towns and villages in the
district were still bent on influencing parents faced with abject
poverty with a few hundreds of thousands of Cedis to give the children
out for strenuous labour work alongside the Volta Lake.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye was addressing a ceremony organized by
officials of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya district secretariat of the Centre
for Rural Enterprise Development (CRED) to distribute free school
uniforms, shoes and bags to over 40 children in Senya township who
were rescued from indirect slavery conditions at Yeji and surrounding
fishing communities by the Government.
He recalled the bad name the illicit child trafficking business
had carved for the district in recent years, and said effective
measures had been put in place to deal with criminals who, in spite of
the tireless efforts by the government to redeem victims of child
traffickers, were determined to undermine such moves.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye expressed appreciation to directors of the
Centre for Rural Enterprise Development for the immense contributions
they were making to sustain the interest of the rescued children in
education in order to build them to become useful to the society in
future.
He charged parents and guardians of the beneficiary children to
seriously supplement the efforts of CRED by taking advantage of the
free uniforms to encourage their kids to attend school regularly.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye cited himself as an example, saying that even
though he was born in a small community in the Awutu Traditional Area,
because his parents attached great importance to his education he has
been blessed with the appointment as a District Chief Executive.
He stressed the need for parents not to allow poverty to
undermine the future of their children because it is possible that
some of these children might grow to become ministers of state,
doctors, educators, engineers scientists and powerful administrators
and judges to handle the affairs of the country in future.
Mr. Abam-Quaye assured CRED officials in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya
District of his administration's continued support and co-operation to
enhance their work.
Mr. A. S. Nkrumah, Project Officer of CRED in-charge of the
district, had earlier outlined the aims and objectives of the
organization and strongly advised parents of children who benefited
from the gifts to make sure that their wards remained in school.
That is the best reciprocal gesture directors of CRED expects
from the parents of the beneficiary children, adding that this way,
they would be offering CRED the much needed inspirations to extend
more benefits to children in other deprived communities in the
country.
According to Mr. Nkrumah since the project started more than 70
children had been given school uniforms, shoes, bags, while others
were being trained to acquire knowledge in various vocations to make
them self-reliant in future.
coastal communities in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District of the Central
Region, have been cautioned of dire consequences when trapped by the
law.
Mr. Solomon Kwashie Abam-Quaye, District Chief Executive for
the area who gave the warning at Senya Beraku said such people would
not be given the option of a fine when they appear before the law
court on child trafficking offences.
He said that reports reaching his office indicated that certain
recalcitrant wicked people in coastal towns and villages in the
district were still bent on influencing parents faced with abject
poverty with a few hundreds of thousands of Cedis to give the children
out for strenuous labour work alongside the Volta Lake.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye was addressing a ceremony organized by
officials of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya district secretariat of the Centre
for Rural Enterprise Development (CRED) to distribute free school
uniforms, shoes and bags to over 40 children in Senya township who
were rescued from indirect slavery conditions at Yeji and surrounding
fishing communities by the Government.
He recalled the bad name the illicit child trafficking business
had carved for the district in recent years, and said effective
measures had been put in place to deal with criminals who, in spite of
the tireless efforts by the government to redeem victims of child
traffickers, were determined to undermine such moves.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye expressed appreciation to directors of the
Centre for Rural Enterprise Development for the immense contributions
they were making to sustain the interest of the rescued children in
education in order to build them to become useful to the society in
future.
He charged parents and guardians of the beneficiary children to
seriously supplement the efforts of CRED by taking advantage of the
free uniforms to encourage their kids to attend school regularly.
Mr. Abbam-Quaye cited himself as an example, saying that even
though he was born in a small community in the Awutu Traditional Area,
because his parents attached great importance to his education he has
been blessed with the appointment as a District Chief Executive.
He stressed the need for parents not to allow poverty to
undermine the future of their children because it is possible that
some of these children might grow to become ministers of state,
doctors, educators, engineers scientists and powerful administrators
and judges to handle the affairs of the country in future.
Mr. Abam-Quaye assured CRED officials in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya
District of his administration's continued support and co-operation to
enhance their work.
Mr. A. S. Nkrumah, Project Officer of CRED in-charge of the
district, had earlier outlined the aims and objectives of the
organization and strongly advised parents of children who benefited
from the gifts to make sure that their wards remained in school.
That is the best reciprocal gesture directors of CRED expects
from the parents of the beneficiary children, adding that this way,
they would be offering CRED the much needed inspirations to extend
more benefits to children in other deprived communities in the
country.
According to Mr. Nkrumah since the project started more than 70
children had been given school uniforms, shoes, bags, while others
were being trained to acquire knowledge in various vocations to make
them self-reliant in future.
07 June 07
PENSA ends week-long environmental hygiene
Gomoa-Oboasi (C/R), June 6, GNA-The University of Education, Winneba,
branch of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA), has
sensitised over 12,000 inhabitants of eight communities in the
Gomoa-Afransi District of the Pentecost Church on sound environmental
hygiene and Divine Laws.
The group also conducted clean-up activities at the Gomoa-Oboasi
Health Centre and offered voluntary tuition to supplement efforts of
Primary and Junior Secondary School teachers in the communities which
benefited from the weeklong programme.
One hundred and fifteen members of the group took part in the
programme, which formed part of PENSA's annual soul-winning exercise.
They were jointly led and effectively supervised by the UEW PENSA
President Elder Dickson Agyei, and the Evangelism Co-ordinator, Elder
Seth Tetteh Tawiah.
Communities that benefited from the programme included,
Agona-Abodom, Gomoa-Darhom, Gomoa-Offaso
Gomoa-Abamkwaam, Gomoa-Gyamang, Gomoa-Kokofu,
Gomoa-Essikuma, and Gomoa Afransi.
Addressing communal labour participants at Gomoa-Oboasi Health
Centre, Elder Dickson Agyei said PENSA regarded the exercise as the
Pentecost Church's social responsibility to the nation and assured
communities who have not benefited from PENSA's educational programme
to exercise patient for their time will come.
Elder Tetteh-Tawiah said the Pentecost Church was not only out to
win souls for Christ, but also to seek their socio-economic well-being
to enable them to play their individual and collective role towards
national development.
Elders Dickson Agyei and Tetteh-Tawiah, on behalf of the group,
expressed their deepest appreciation to the Gomoa-Afransi District
Pastor, Nelson Agbeve and the entire members of the Pentecost Church
in the area for the love, unity, co-operation, mutual understanding,
and the deep sense of fellow feeling accorded PENSA members during
their short stay in the area.
Pastor Agbeve, praised leaders and members of the group for their
high sense of commitment, devotion to Divine functions, comportment
and dedication to duty which culminated in their excellent
performance, and advised them to sustain the spirit to maintain the
good image of the Pentecost Church.
Pastor Agbeve expressed gratitude that even though the programme
lasted for a short period, members of the group really proved the
level of their maturity in Divine call and functions and called on
them to visit next year.
branch of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA), has
sensitised over 12,000 inhabitants of eight communities in the
Gomoa-Afransi District of the Pentecost Church on sound environmental
hygiene and Divine Laws.
The group also conducted clean-up activities at the Gomoa-Oboasi
Health Centre and offered voluntary tuition to supplement efforts of
Primary and Junior Secondary School teachers in the communities which
benefited from the weeklong programme.
One hundred and fifteen members of the group took part in the
programme, which formed part of PENSA's annual soul-winning exercise.
They were jointly led and effectively supervised by the UEW PENSA
President Elder Dickson Agyei, and the Evangelism Co-ordinator, Elder
Seth Tetteh Tawiah.
Communities that benefited from the programme included,
Agona-Abodom, Gomoa-Darhom, Gomoa-Offaso
Gomoa-Abamkwaam, Gomoa-Gyamang, Gomoa-Kokofu,
Gomoa-Essikuma, and Gomoa Afransi.
Addressing communal labour participants at Gomoa-Oboasi Health
Centre, Elder Dickson Agyei said PENSA regarded the exercise as the
Pentecost Church's social responsibility to the nation and assured
communities who have not benefited from PENSA's educational programme
to exercise patient for their time will come.
Elder Tetteh-Tawiah said the Pentecost Church was not only out to
win souls for Christ, but also to seek their socio-economic well-being
to enable them to play their individual and collective role towards
national development.
Elders Dickson Agyei and Tetteh-Tawiah, on behalf of the group,
expressed their deepest appreciation to the Gomoa-Afransi District
Pastor, Nelson Agbeve and the entire members of the Pentecost Church
in the area for the love, unity, co-operation, mutual understanding,
and the deep sense of fellow feeling accorded PENSA members during
their short stay in the area.
Pastor Agbeve, praised leaders and members of the group for their
high sense of commitment, devotion to Divine functions, comportment
and dedication to duty which culminated in their excellent
performance, and advised them to sustain the spirit to maintain the
good image of the Pentecost Church.
Pastor Agbeve expressed gratitude that even though the programme
lasted for a short period, members of the group really proved the
level of their maturity in Divine call and functions and called on
them to visit next year.
07 June 07
Ninety per cent of world’s resource control by 10 Percent
Accra, June 7, GNA – The Head of Treasury Operations and Controls at
Fidelity Bank, the Reverend Edward Randolph-koranteng, on Wednesday
disclosed that ninety per cent of the world's resources were
controlled by only ten percent of the world's population.
"Ninety per cent of the total population of the whole world
controls just ten per cent of the world's resource, the statistics
transcend geographical location," Rev. Randolph-Koranteng stated at a
day's workshop in Accra
The workshop organized by the Men of Vision and Evangelism
ministry of Harvest Chapel International, to a large extent was to
improve upon Christians' understanding of investment opportunities.
It was also to equip Christians, especially members of Harvest
Chapel International with requisite financial understanding to take
advantage of opportunities that are emerging from a rapidly changing
world economy.
The Banker explained that, interestingly, the ten percent of the
world's population who form the economic power bloc were basically not
people born in the aristocratic homes.
They were ordinary people who took advantage of the world system
to venture into the thick, through prudent economic management
portfolio development.
Rev. Randolph-Koranteng noted: "any income that comes to them
they invest it in re-acquiring assets, plough back the profit into the
business to generate additional income.
"You don't borrow to consume, you borrow to invest, that is the
difference between good and bad debt…depending on the usage of a loan
a debt may create a permanent or temporary financial disorder, but the
prudent makes wise decision," he said.
Rev Randolph-Koranteng, who is also an associate pastor at
Harvest Chapel International urged Christians to face the challenges
of economic growth opportunities, constraints, and strategic
directions and utilize legitimate means of making money.
He said, "prayer works, but we must face the economic realities
of life as we pray, practical problems requires practical solutions
whilst spiritual challenges requires spiritual antidote.
"We must study the global growth systems replicate the models that
have lifted millions of people out of poverty in other regions of the
developing world."
Rev. Randolph-Koranteng said most Ghanaians lack financial
education which is against conventional thinking, adding, "we have
confined ourselves to old adage…if you don't have money don't spend,
cut your coat according to your size…most Ghanaians fear to go into
debt."
"If you don't have enough money don't spend, in today's world
we have bad and good debt…you need to identify what good debts were,"
stressing that, the most pathetic person in the world is the one who
have sight but without a vision, you may have been born in a poor home
but you have to chose where you want to end in life."
Rev. Emmanuel Titi-Lartey, a manager at Merchant Bank Ghana
limited, noted that God, right at the beginning of creation provided
whatever mankind needed to be resourceful.
The problems was that, "it took man a long time to discover most
of these natural assets…there are still more that we have not
discovered, this gives us cause to continue to explore, we should not
just be comfortable with what is available within our reach."
Rev. Titi-Lartey, who is also a Senior Associate Pastor of
Harvest Chapel International noted that the world's resources were
enough to make everybody leave a comfortable life, but unfortunately
mismanagement, greed and misplaced priorities had robbed the people.
He therefore, urged Christians to roll their sleeves and come out
with godly innovative ideas.
Rev. Titi-Lartey urged the Church to pay greater attention to the
dimension of poverty reduction to complement the impact of
accelerating spiritual growth, particularly by enhancing the
income-earning opportunities for the poor.
Mr. Frank Adu Asante, Research and Development Manager, Cocoa
Processing Company (CPC) chaired the workshop, which also exposed
participants to the dynamics of management, formation of credit
unions, investment portfolios and the insurance market.
Fidelity Bank, the Reverend Edward Randolph-koranteng, on Wednesday
disclosed that ninety per cent of the world's resources were
controlled by only ten percent of the world's population.
"Ninety per cent of the total population of the whole world
controls just ten per cent of the world's resource, the statistics
transcend geographical location," Rev. Randolph-Koranteng stated at a
day's workshop in Accra
The workshop organized by the Men of Vision and Evangelism
ministry of Harvest Chapel International, to a large extent was to
improve upon Christians' understanding of investment opportunities.
It was also to equip Christians, especially members of Harvest
Chapel International with requisite financial understanding to take
advantage of opportunities that are emerging from a rapidly changing
world economy.
The Banker explained that, interestingly, the ten percent of the
world's population who form the economic power bloc were basically not
people born in the aristocratic homes.
They were ordinary people who took advantage of the world system
to venture into the thick, through prudent economic management
portfolio development.
Rev. Randolph-Koranteng noted: "any income that comes to them
they invest it in re-acquiring assets, plough back the profit into the
business to generate additional income.
"You don't borrow to consume, you borrow to invest, that is the
difference between good and bad debt…depending on the usage of a loan
a debt may create a permanent or temporary financial disorder, but the
prudent makes wise decision," he said.
Rev Randolph-Koranteng, who is also an associate pastor at
Harvest Chapel International urged Christians to face the challenges
of economic growth opportunities, constraints, and strategic
directions and utilize legitimate means of making money.
He said, "prayer works, but we must face the economic realities
of life as we pray, practical problems requires practical solutions
whilst spiritual challenges requires spiritual antidote.
"We must study the global growth systems replicate the models that
have lifted millions of people out of poverty in other regions of the
developing world."
Rev. Randolph-Koranteng said most Ghanaians lack financial
education which is against conventional thinking, adding, "we have
confined ourselves to old adage…if you don't have money don't spend,
cut your coat according to your size…most Ghanaians fear to go into
debt."
"If you don't have enough money don't spend, in today's world
we have bad and good debt…you need to identify what good debts were,"
stressing that, the most pathetic person in the world is the one who
have sight but without a vision, you may have been born in a poor home
but you have to chose where you want to end in life."
Rev. Emmanuel Titi-Lartey, a manager at Merchant Bank Ghana
limited, noted that God, right at the beginning of creation provided
whatever mankind needed to be resourceful.
The problems was that, "it took man a long time to discover most
of these natural assets…there are still more that we have not
discovered, this gives us cause to continue to explore, we should not
just be comfortable with what is available within our reach."
Rev. Titi-Lartey, who is also a Senior Associate Pastor of
Harvest Chapel International noted that the world's resources were
enough to make everybody leave a comfortable life, but unfortunately
mismanagement, greed and misplaced priorities had robbed the people.
He therefore, urged Christians to roll their sleeves and come out
with godly innovative ideas.
Rev. Titi-Lartey urged the Church to pay greater attention to the
dimension of poverty reduction to complement the impact of
accelerating spiritual growth, particularly by enhancing the
income-earning opportunities for the poor.
Mr. Frank Adu Asante, Research and Development Manager, Cocoa
Processing Company (CPC) chaired the workshop, which also exposed
participants to the dynamics of management, formation of credit
unions, investment portfolios and the insurance market.
07 June 07
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