Alavanyo-Kpeme,(V/R), GNA-Togbe Atakora Tsedze II, Fiaga of Alavanyo traditional area has hinted at prospects for development in the area once peace has been firmly established between Alavanyo and neighbouring Nkonya.
Togbe Tsedze gave the hint when the Mediation Committtee spearheading peace efforts between the two neighbours met the chiefs and people of Alavanyo and Nkonya separately last Friday to deliberate on boundary demarcation between them.
Togbe Tsedze said, "myself and my senior brother Nana Okotor Kofi, Omanhene of Nkonya were invited to Accra to talk about prospects for development of the area".
"The two of us sat in the same chair side by side and ate from the same plate," he said.Togbe Tsedze said there is much goodwill towards the two traditional areas by people ready "to help us tackle our developmental problems once lasting peace has been achieved".
He said "the priority need of the two areas was an all-weather road from Nkonya through Alavanyo to link them to Hohoe, a road is currently in very bad shape."
Togbe Tsedze catalogued a number of projects about which promises have been made to the two communities in peacetime and appealed to his people to demonstrate that they were committed to peaceful co-existence and development.Nana Kofi Kodua, II, Adontenhene of Nkonya-Wurupong, and Chairman of the Consultative Committee made up of representatives of Nkonya and Alavanyo impressed on any troublemakers in Nkonya that the people were in no mood to rally behind them if they stirred any trouble.
The Mediation Committee, under the chairmanship of Right Reverend Dr. Livingstone Buama, Moderator of the E.P. Church has since its inauguration in 2004 by the Volta Regional Co-ordination Council succeed in making the guns and cutlasses of slaughter in the two traditional areas silent and blunt.
Through a Consultative Committee comprising representatives of the Nkonya and Alavanyo, the committee has so far succeeded in establishing trust and social interaction between the two neighbours locked in an over 80-year old, often bloody land dispute.
The peace formula has been a series of peace workshops that brought together opinion leaders, the youth and chiefs and elders of the two traditional areas and contacts with their kith and kin outside home.The peace efforts have now gotten to a crucial stage where the two have reaffirmed their agreed terms for demarcating their contending boundaries with each other in-turns.
Rt. Rev. Dr Buama impressed on the two neighbours that, permanent peace was within their reach having come this far, but the temptation to rock the boat was equally strong and that if they lowered their guard, detractors who stood to benefit from re-igniting hostilities would take advantage of them.
Other members of the Mediation Committee were, Right Reverend Francis Lodonu, Bishop of Ho Diocese of the Catholic, as Vice-Chairman, Right Reverend Gabriel Mantey, Bishop of the Jasikan diocese of the Catholic Church, Nana Mprah Besemuna, Krachiwura, Nana Adokua Asigble, Queenmother of Tefle.
The rest are Mrs Felicia Okyere-Danso, Chief State Attorney, Mrs Hilary Gbedemah, Legal Practitioner and Mr Evans Kanfra of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council as member Secretary.
20 Feb. 07
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Good health is ideal for wealth creation - Quashigah
Akim-Oda(E/R), Feb. 20, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd), Minister for Health on Monday observed that people in good health could save money and have the strength to work and create wealth.
He noted that Ghana could not develop with a life expectancy of 57 years and when 68 children of every 1000 life births die before their first anniversary.
Major Quashigah made the observation when addressing the opening session of a week's training of trainers workshop on the regenerative health and nutrition programme for 80 participants at Akim Oda.
The participants included students from second cycle institutions, matrons of schools, Assembly Members, health workers and Heads of Departments in the Birim South District.
He said despite the importance of health to the development of society, there was nothing in the school curriculum to make children learn more about their health and how to live a more healthy life.
Major Quashigah said regenerative health and nutrition programme could contribute to the country's development some issues such as provision of potable water and good sanitation were outside his Ministry.Major Quashigah said some local foods when given to children could help improve their intellectual capacity and information on them were available to most nutritionists in the country but they had failed to educate the people on them.
Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, said most of the diseases affecting Ghanaians were related to their lifestyles and urged health officials to be more concerned with preventive medicine than curative medicine.
Dr Yaw Otchere, Birim South District Director of Health Services, said the district recorded 20 maternal deaths in 2006 and eight by mid-February this year.
He said a major problem facing the district was most of the pregnant women dying before their ninth month.
Dr Otchere said last year, the district established five new CHIPs centres and appealed to the Ministry of Health to supply furniture and equipment to make them functional.
Mr Prince Immanuel Ben-Yehuda, Leader of African Hebrew Development Agency Team from Israel, said most diseases affecting people in the country were preventable and could be solved by a change in their lifestyle.
He urged the people to eat nutritious diet produced locally.
Mr Ben-Yehuda said similar training programmes had been organized in Asikuma-Odobin-Brakwa and Amasaman and the next town would be Hohoe in the Volta Region.
He said Ghana was the only country that had adopted the programme as a national policy but some countries like South Africa had sent delegations to study the system in Dimona, Isreal.
GNA
EAQ/PAF
20 Feb. 07
He noted that Ghana could not develop with a life expectancy of 57 years and when 68 children of every 1000 life births die before their first anniversary.
Major Quashigah made the observation when addressing the opening session of a week's training of trainers workshop on the regenerative health and nutrition programme for 80 participants at Akim Oda.
The participants included students from second cycle institutions, matrons of schools, Assembly Members, health workers and Heads of Departments in the Birim South District.
He said despite the importance of health to the development of society, there was nothing in the school curriculum to make children learn more about their health and how to live a more healthy life.
Major Quashigah said regenerative health and nutrition programme could contribute to the country's development some issues such as provision of potable water and good sanitation were outside his Ministry.Major Quashigah said some local foods when given to children could help improve their intellectual capacity and information on them were available to most nutritionists in the country but they had failed to educate the people on them.
Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, said most of the diseases affecting Ghanaians were related to their lifestyles and urged health officials to be more concerned with preventive medicine than curative medicine.
Dr Yaw Otchere, Birim South District Director of Health Services, said the district recorded 20 maternal deaths in 2006 and eight by mid-February this year.
He said a major problem facing the district was most of the pregnant women dying before their ninth month.
Dr Otchere said last year, the district established five new CHIPs centres and appealed to the Ministry of Health to supply furniture and equipment to make them functional.
Mr Prince Immanuel Ben-Yehuda, Leader of African Hebrew Development Agency Team from Israel, said most diseases affecting people in the country were preventable and could be solved by a change in their lifestyle.
He urged the people to eat nutritious diet produced locally.
Mr Ben-Yehuda said similar training programmes had been organized in Asikuma-Odobin-Brakwa and Amasaman and the next town would be Hohoe in the Volta Region.
He said Ghana was the only country that had adopted the programme as a national policy but some countries like South Africa had sent delegations to study the system in Dimona, Isreal.
GNA
EAQ/PAF
20 Feb. 07
Monday, February 19, 2007
Unemployed man in court for killing mother
Ho, Feb. 19, GNA- A 31 year old unemployed man, Agbleke Apetorgbor, from Adaklu-Kpatove on Monday appeared before a Ho Circuit Court for murdering his mother, Adzo Kete.He pleaded guilty, but with an explanation that his mother was the cause of his woes.
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Emmanuel Okudjeto told the Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Siameh, that Apetorgbor and the mother lived in the same house at Adaklu-Kpatove.He said on February 13, 2007 at about 0700 hours the accused asked the mother to accompany him to visit his brother at Ave-Dakpa.
The Prosecution said on the way, Agbleke lured the mother to the banks of river Tordze at the outskirts of the town and dragged her into the river.He said Agbleke then pressed the mother deep into river and sat on her till she died.
Inspector Okudjeto said Agbleke then tied the corpse of his mother to a rock in the river and escaped to Ave-Dakpa.He said the community suspected foul play the next day when the two were not returning from their visit and traced Agbleke to Ziope.Agbleke after being questioned and held responsible for the missing mother finally gave in and led a search party to the river where he brought the body out.Inspector Okudjeto said the youth in the town immediately arrested Agbleke and handed him over to the Police.
GNA
19 Feb. 07
Prosecuting, Police Inspector Emmanuel Okudjeto told the Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Siameh, that Apetorgbor and the mother lived in the same house at Adaklu-Kpatove.He said on February 13, 2007 at about 0700 hours the accused asked the mother to accompany him to visit his brother at Ave-Dakpa.
The Prosecution said on the way, Agbleke lured the mother to the banks of river Tordze at the outskirts of the town and dragged her into the river.He said Agbleke then pressed the mother deep into river and sat on her till she died.
Inspector Okudjeto said Agbleke then tied the corpse of his mother to a rock in the river and escaped to Ave-Dakpa.He said the community suspected foul play the next day when the two were not returning from their visit and traced Agbleke to Ziope.Agbleke after being questioned and held responsible for the missing mother finally gave in and led a search party to the river where he brought the body out.Inspector Okudjeto said the youth in the town immediately arrested Agbleke and handed him over to the Police.
GNA
19 Feb. 07
Ghana to host African Supporters’ conference
Accra, Feb 19, GNA – The Ghana National Supporters Union (GHANSU) will next month host their counterparts on the continent at the forth African Football and Other Sports Supporters Union (AFOSSU) Delegates Congress.The one day event expected to pull about 87 visitors to the country is billed for March 2.
The biannual Conference which will be under the theme, "Promoting African Peace and Unity through Sports" will be under the distinguished patronage of Alhaji Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).About 16 other CAF officials are also expected to grace the conference.
Abraham Boakye, President of GHANSU mentioned the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the National Sports Council (NSC) as the stakeholders of the event.He said the conference aside the various speeches to be delivered, will also hold a workshop that will look for ways of factoring all sports into their activities after which a blueprint will be drawn.
Togo, Burkina Faso and Nigeria are previous hosts of the event. The President said Ghana's celebration of her Golden Jubilee and next year's African Cup of Nations (CAN 2008) was the motivation that challenged the Union to accept the responsibility of organizing the event in Ghana. He was convinced that the conference would further project Ghana's readiness for the CAN 2008 tourney which brings together the best 16 on the continent.
19 Feb. 07
The biannual Conference which will be under the theme, "Promoting African Peace and Unity through Sports" will be under the distinguished patronage of Alhaji Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).About 16 other CAF officials are also expected to grace the conference.
Abraham Boakye, President of GHANSU mentioned the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the National Sports Council (NSC) as the stakeholders of the event.He said the conference aside the various speeches to be delivered, will also hold a workshop that will look for ways of factoring all sports into their activities after which a blueprint will be drawn.
Togo, Burkina Faso and Nigeria are previous hosts of the event. The President said Ghana's celebration of her Golden Jubilee and next year's African Cup of Nations (CAN 2008) was the motivation that challenged the Union to accept the responsibility of organizing the event in Ghana. He was convinced that the conference would further project Ghana's readiness for the CAN 2008 tourney which brings together the best 16 on the continent.
19 Feb. 07
We treat address with contempt-NPP
Accra, Feb. 19, GNA- The ruling majority New Patriotic Party on Monday said it would treat with contempt the address of the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, which the minority opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) called the "true state of the nation address" delivered in Accra on Wednesday February 14, 2007.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip, told a press conference
in reaction to the address of the Minority Article that 67 of the national constitution empowers only the President of the Republic to deliver to Parliament, and by extension the nation, the state of the nation address.
"There is only one President and no other person presumptuous person can assume that role. Anybody other than the President who purports to do so can only be described as an usurper," the Majority Chief Whip said.
The Majority said the impression coming from the NDC that there was 'desperation, despair, doom, gloom, fear and insecurity for this country' was not expected.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu accused the NDC of human rights abuses, and "brazen arrogance of power" when they were in the Majority, preceded by the then erstwhile government of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
"They stripped women naked, whipped the bare-backs of human beings in public, killed judges and insulted our bishops and chiefs. And the tradition of arresting and keeping people in custody without trial... continued into the NDC era."
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu took Mr Bagbin on for calling the President John Agyekum Kufuor arrogant and said Mr. Bagbin would not debate him on Joy FM, an Accra radio station "because in Bagbin's mind Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is not his equal."
"That is not haughtiness; that is not arrogance. If Bagbin's logic is extrapolated it will mean that if ordinary citizens ask questions of Ministers and other key government officials they should not respond because they are not of the same class."
The Majority Chief Whip debunked accusations by the Minority of selective justice, saying that, for the Minority Leader to base his critique on mere 'allegations of interference in the work of judges by the Chief Justice' is most unfortunate.
The Majority Chief Whip accused the NDC and its supporters of injecting tribalism into many national issues, and said the nation must not be allowed to slide into ethnic hatred and suspicions. "We are all one people in one nation with a common destiny.
On the celebration of Ghana's 50 year's anniversary celebrations, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said it is an occasion that engenders festive celebration.
He said the argument that the must not celebrate its 50 anniversary because it was poor and guinea worm is affecting some people is convoluted.
"The NDC celebrated the 40 year of Ghana's independence in style. Is Alban Bagbin saying that at the time there were no reported cases of guinea worm? Is he saying that in 1997 women were not dying in childbirth? Indeed President Kufuor could not have said it of such people that 'they know the cost of everything. But know the value of nothing'".
The Majority Chief Whip said the NPP wanted to set the records straight for prosperity.
19 Feb. 07
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip, told a press conference
in reaction to the address of the Minority Article that 67 of the national constitution empowers only the President of the Republic to deliver to Parliament, and by extension the nation, the state of the nation address.
"There is only one President and no other person presumptuous person can assume that role. Anybody other than the President who purports to do so can only be described as an usurper," the Majority Chief Whip said.
The Majority said the impression coming from the NDC that there was 'desperation, despair, doom, gloom, fear and insecurity for this country' was not expected.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu accused the NDC of human rights abuses, and "brazen arrogance of power" when they were in the Majority, preceded by the then erstwhile government of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
"They stripped women naked, whipped the bare-backs of human beings in public, killed judges and insulted our bishops and chiefs. And the tradition of arresting and keeping people in custody without trial... continued into the NDC era."
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu took Mr Bagbin on for calling the President John Agyekum Kufuor arrogant and said Mr. Bagbin would not debate him on Joy FM, an Accra radio station "because in Bagbin's mind Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is not his equal."
"That is not haughtiness; that is not arrogance. If Bagbin's logic is extrapolated it will mean that if ordinary citizens ask questions of Ministers and other key government officials they should not respond because they are not of the same class."
The Majority Chief Whip debunked accusations by the Minority of selective justice, saying that, for the Minority Leader to base his critique on mere 'allegations of interference in the work of judges by the Chief Justice' is most unfortunate.
The Majority Chief Whip accused the NDC and its supporters of injecting tribalism into many national issues, and said the nation must not be allowed to slide into ethnic hatred and suspicions. "We are all one people in one nation with a common destiny.
On the celebration of Ghana's 50 year's anniversary celebrations, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said it is an occasion that engenders festive celebration.
He said the argument that the must not celebrate its 50 anniversary because it was poor and guinea worm is affecting some people is convoluted.
"The NDC celebrated the 40 year of Ghana's independence in style. Is Alban Bagbin saying that at the time there were no reported cases of guinea worm? Is he saying that in 1997 women were not dying in childbirth? Indeed President Kufuor could not have said it of such people that 'they know the cost of everything. But know the value of nothing'".
The Majority Chief Whip said the NPP wanted to set the records straight for prosperity.
19 Feb. 07
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Ghanaian students urged justify huge educational investments
Accra, Feb. 17, GNA- Students in the country have been urged to take their studies seriously to enable them pass their examinations, to justify huge investments being made in their education by individuals, organisations and government.
Nii Amasah Namoale, Member of Parliament (MP) for La Dadekotopon, who gave the advice, expressed worry that some students indulged in drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity and other social vices thereby affecting academic work.
The MP was speaking at the launch of this year's Islamic Quiz Competition for senior secondary schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions, in Accra on Saturday.
Seventy schools from the regions would be expected to take part in the contest, which would be organised under the theme 'Ghana at 50, the essence of religious knowledge in nation-building.'
He also asked students to be law-abiding and obedient and expressed the hope that in 20 years time, they would be in responsible positions.
Mr Seth Owusu Ibrahim, President of the Ghana Muslim Academy, organizers of the competition, appealed to Muslim students to abide by the true teachings of Islam which espouse hard work, love, peace and unity.
He appealed to religious bodies to come together and work towards the socio-economic development of the country.
Brother Issah Abubakar, Chairman of the Education Committee of the Academy, urged school heads to support and encourage Muslim students to participate in various quiz competitions to enable them to improve upon their academic standards.
In the first Greater Accra Regional preliminary competition, held after the launch, Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School came first with 51 points, Accra Technical Training Centre was second with 25 points and Amasam Secondary took the third position with 22 points while Labone Secondary was fourth with 18 points.
17 Feb. 07
Nii Amasah Namoale, Member of Parliament (MP) for La Dadekotopon, who gave the advice, expressed worry that some students indulged in drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity and other social vices thereby affecting academic work.
The MP was speaking at the launch of this year's Islamic Quiz Competition for senior secondary schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions, in Accra on Saturday.
Seventy schools from the regions would be expected to take part in the contest, which would be organised under the theme 'Ghana at 50, the essence of religious knowledge in nation-building.'
He also asked students to be law-abiding and obedient and expressed the hope that in 20 years time, they would be in responsible positions.
Mr Seth Owusu Ibrahim, President of the Ghana Muslim Academy, organizers of the competition, appealed to Muslim students to abide by the true teachings of Islam which espouse hard work, love, peace and unity.
He appealed to religious bodies to come together and work towards the socio-economic development of the country.
Brother Issah Abubakar, Chairman of the Education Committee of the Academy, urged school heads to support and encourage Muslim students to participate in various quiz competitions to enable them to improve upon their academic standards.
In the first Greater Accra Regional preliminary competition, held after the launch, Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School came first with 51 points, Accra Technical Training Centre was second with 25 points and Amasam Secondary took the third position with 22 points while Labone Secondary was fourth with 18 points.
17 Feb. 07
Adisadel College retains trophy
Cape Coast, Feb. 17, GNA - Adisadel College on Friday retained the Zone One Championship trophy when they bagged 149 points in the Annual Inter Schools and Colleges Athletics competition held at the Central Regional Schools and Colleges sports park at Adisadel.
Cape Coast Secondary Technical Institute took the second position with 107.5 points followed by Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School at third position with 88.5 points while Ghana National College took the fourth position with 62 points.Edinaman Secondary School came fifth with 50 points, Komenda Secondary Technical School took the sixth position with 46 points, Academy of Christ the King sevenh with 36 points, Eguafo-Abrem Secondary Technical School eigth with 10 points and Commercial Service Institute was ninth with six points while Aburaman Secondary School came last with three points.
In the Girls division, Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School came first with 126 points followed by Edinaman Secondary Technical School at the second position with 92.5 points with Academy of Christ the King third with 74.5 points while Cape Coast Technical Institute came fourth with 67 points.
Mfantsiman Girl's Secondary School took the fifth position with 63 points, Ghana National College came sixth with 46 points, Aburaman Secondary tied with Komenda Secondary with 31 points each for the sevenh position.Eguafo-Abrem Secondary School came eighth with 13 points while Commercial Service Institute came last with five points.
GNA
17 Feb. 07
Cape Coast Secondary Technical Institute took the second position with 107.5 points followed by Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School at third position with 88.5 points while Ghana National College took the fourth position with 62 points.Edinaman Secondary School came fifth with 50 points, Komenda Secondary Technical School took the sixth position with 46 points, Academy of Christ the King sevenh with 36 points, Eguafo-Abrem Secondary Technical School eigth with 10 points and Commercial Service Institute was ninth with six points while Aburaman Secondary School came last with three points.
In the Girls division, Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School came first with 126 points followed by Edinaman Secondary Technical School at the second position with 92.5 points with Academy of Christ the King third with 74.5 points while Cape Coast Technical Institute came fourth with 67 points.
Mfantsiman Girl's Secondary School took the fifth position with 63 points, Ghana National College came sixth with 46 points, Aburaman Secondary tied with Komenda Secondary with 31 points each for the sevenh position.Eguafo-Abrem Secondary School came eighth with 13 points while Commercial Service Institute came last with five points.
GNA
17 Feb. 07
Veep asks universities to be ambitious in the 21st Century
Accra, Feb.17, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend, tasked tertiary schools to undergo critical re-orientation in order to develop the human resources required for effective adjustment in the social, industrial and global market of the 21st century.
"A key and indispensable factor in this transformation, which necessarily involves diversification of disciplines, lies in the mastery of science and technology," he said, Vice President Mahama was speaking when he attended the second matriculation of Regent University College of Science and Technology and the commissioning of the Kings Campus of the University.
He tasked the University authorities to combine practical education with rigorous academic study and research, so that the students would require little or no training to get started on a job after graduation.
"If your graduates are not easily absorbed by industry or are unable to create jobs for themselves and others, then you would have failed in your mission."If you are able to do this, the labour market can easily absorb your products without asking for working experience, which sometimes keep off most of our young graduates from securing jobs."
He commended the churches for being at the forefront in the promotion and growth of formal education for many years.
"The active involvement of the churches in the current efforts to establish private universities therefore is a welcoming development as it also marks a continuation in the history of the role of churches in the educational development of the country.
Vice President Mahama pledged the support of the Ghana Education Trust Fund to support the infrastructure expansion programmes of the University.Turning his attention to the students, he said: "The future of this country is bright and you can help make it brighter and greener. Those of you endowed with entrepreneurial acumen and skills will find that going into private business may yield handsome dividends."
Professor Kingsley Kwabena Larbi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the University asked Ghanaians to change their negative attitude to time as well as their inability to plan ahead and the poor culture of maintenance.
He said until some cultural trappings were changed, Ghana would not be essentially different during the next 50 years.
Prof. Larbi said 50 years of Ghana's independence called for wailing instead of joy since paradoxically the country was underdeveloped in the midst of plenty.He expressed displeasure that most Ghanaians think it is only when they travel abroad that they can make it, while foreigners come to invest in the country and make huge profits.
"The problems of illiteracy, poverty, filth and disease are serious developmental challenges," He said.
Justice Francesca Owusu-Arhin, Justice of the High Court administered the matriculation oath to the students, who pledged among other things to keep away from all immoral and illegal acts.
"… I will not drink any intoxicants of any kind; I will not use tobacco," they all pledged.
17 Feb. 07
"A key and indispensable factor in this transformation, which necessarily involves diversification of disciplines, lies in the mastery of science and technology," he said, Vice President Mahama was speaking when he attended the second matriculation of Regent University College of Science and Technology and the commissioning of the Kings Campus of the University.
He tasked the University authorities to combine practical education with rigorous academic study and research, so that the students would require little or no training to get started on a job after graduation.
"If your graduates are not easily absorbed by industry or are unable to create jobs for themselves and others, then you would have failed in your mission."If you are able to do this, the labour market can easily absorb your products without asking for working experience, which sometimes keep off most of our young graduates from securing jobs."
He commended the churches for being at the forefront in the promotion and growth of formal education for many years.
"The active involvement of the churches in the current efforts to establish private universities therefore is a welcoming development as it also marks a continuation in the history of the role of churches in the educational development of the country.
Vice President Mahama pledged the support of the Ghana Education Trust Fund to support the infrastructure expansion programmes of the University.Turning his attention to the students, he said: "The future of this country is bright and you can help make it brighter and greener. Those of you endowed with entrepreneurial acumen and skills will find that going into private business may yield handsome dividends."
Professor Kingsley Kwabena Larbi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the University asked Ghanaians to change their negative attitude to time as well as their inability to plan ahead and the poor culture of maintenance.
He said until some cultural trappings were changed, Ghana would not be essentially different during the next 50 years.
Prof. Larbi said 50 years of Ghana's independence called for wailing instead of joy since paradoxically the country was underdeveloped in the midst of plenty.He expressed displeasure that most Ghanaians think it is only when they travel abroad that they can make it, while foreigners come to invest in the country and make huge profits.
"The problems of illiteracy, poverty, filth and disease are serious developmental challenges," He said.
Justice Francesca Owusu-Arhin, Justice of the High Court administered the matriculation oath to the students, who pledged among other things to keep away from all immoral and illegal acts.
"… I will not drink any intoxicants of any kind; I will not use tobacco," they all pledged.
17 Feb. 07
US-Embassy supports rural community with grinding mill
Sandu (NR), Feb. 17, GNA - Alhaji Abubakari Atori, Savelugu/Nanton District Chief Executive (DCE) has called on stakeholders to have more commitment in the fight against the guinea worm disease in the Northern Region particularly Savelugu where the disease is more precarious.
He said the issue was not just the prevalence of the disease but the fact that the disease was declining in other districts in the region and was shifting to other districts in leaps and bounds there was a problem somewhere, which needed to be addressed.
Alhaji Atori said this at the commissioning ceremony of a 37-million
cedi grinding mill facility at Sandu a farming community in the Savelugu/Nanton District for the people to help alleviate their poverty.
The United States of America-Embassy in Ghana funded the project under
the US-Ambassador's Self-Help Programs in collaboration with the Tuma Kavi Development Association, a Tamale-based NGO.
The facility is aimed at serving three communities around Sandu and has a sheabutter processor as well as grains miller and would also help the women to processes sheabutter in large quantities for sale.
Alhaji Atori said the district recorded only 427 guinea worm cases in January-December 2006 and had recorded 683 cases January 2007 and described the situation as unacceptable, which needed the support of all to fight the disease.
He commended the US-Embassy for the support it had given to communities in the district over the years and called on them to see how best they could help improve the water sector in the district as a means of fighting the guinea worm disease.Alhaji Atori advised the youth to venture into the agric-business under the National Youth Employment programme (NYEP) as a means of employment to better their lives.
Madam Peace A. Nunoo, Coordinator of the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Programs said the Embassy from 1990 to 2006 had received US grants totalling more than one million dollars, which had been used to provide self-help projects to rural communities throughout the country.
She said the Northern Regions had peculiar problems due to the unfavourable rainfall pattern and that her outfit would continue to give support to organised groups to collectively work and alleviate poverty.
Mr. John Abu Mahama, Programmes Coordinator of Tuma Kavi observed that
when economic activities were put in place in communities, the people would always live together in harmony and peace.
He said the Tuma Kavi was interested in working to improve the lives of children and vulnerable women in rural communities to ensure that there was economic liberation to promote peace and order.
Ms Sanatu Nantogmah, Country Director of the Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC), Tuma Kavi partners in development work in the Northern Region in a speech read for her advised mothers to use funds to offer their children the needed educate.
Madam Peace Nunoo and Alhaji Atori later jointly inaugurated the grinding mill for the women to formally commence operation.
17 Feb. 07
He said the issue was not just the prevalence of the disease but the fact that the disease was declining in other districts in the region and was shifting to other districts in leaps and bounds there was a problem somewhere, which needed to be addressed.
Alhaji Atori said this at the commissioning ceremony of a 37-million
cedi grinding mill facility at Sandu a farming community in the Savelugu/Nanton District for the people to help alleviate their poverty.
The United States of America-Embassy in Ghana funded the project under
the US-Ambassador's Self-Help Programs in collaboration with the Tuma Kavi Development Association, a Tamale-based NGO.
The facility is aimed at serving three communities around Sandu and has a sheabutter processor as well as grains miller and would also help the women to processes sheabutter in large quantities for sale.
Alhaji Atori said the district recorded only 427 guinea worm cases in January-December 2006 and had recorded 683 cases January 2007 and described the situation as unacceptable, which needed the support of all to fight the disease.
He commended the US-Embassy for the support it had given to communities in the district over the years and called on them to see how best they could help improve the water sector in the district as a means of fighting the guinea worm disease.Alhaji Atori advised the youth to venture into the agric-business under the National Youth Employment programme (NYEP) as a means of employment to better their lives.
Madam Peace A. Nunoo, Coordinator of the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Programs said the Embassy from 1990 to 2006 had received US grants totalling more than one million dollars, which had been used to provide self-help projects to rural communities throughout the country.
She said the Northern Regions had peculiar problems due to the unfavourable rainfall pattern and that her outfit would continue to give support to organised groups to collectively work and alleviate poverty.
Mr. John Abu Mahama, Programmes Coordinator of Tuma Kavi observed that
when economic activities were put in place in communities, the people would always live together in harmony and peace.
He said the Tuma Kavi was interested in working to improve the lives of children and vulnerable women in rural communities to ensure that there was economic liberation to promote peace and order.
Ms Sanatu Nantogmah, Country Director of the Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC), Tuma Kavi partners in development work in the Northern Region in a speech read for her advised mothers to use funds to offer their children the needed educate.
Madam Peace Nunoo and Alhaji Atori later jointly inaugurated the grinding mill for the women to formally commence operation.
17 Feb. 07
IRS looses 140 billion cedis due to power rationing
Akosombo (E/R), Feb. 17, GNA- The power rationing exercise currently being undertaken by the Electricity Company of Ghana, has caused the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to loose revenue estimated at 140 billion cedis, last year.
The Commissioner of the Service, Major Ablorh Quarcoo, who said this at the formal opening of a three-Day IRS Management Seminar at Akosombo, which ends on Saturday, observed that many businesses and companies in the country record low earnings due to the exercise.
The seminar, organized under the theme "Improving organisational performance-The importance of effective management," was being attended by the top management personnel and regional managers of the IRS.
Maj. Quarcoo said last year, the IRS exceeded its target by 72.76 billion cedis and was able to collect more taxes through the efforts of a special task force set up by the Service in November last year.
He said this year; the government revenue target had been raised from 7.3 trillion cedis to 8.9 trillion cedis, an increase of 22.13 per cent.
Maj. Quarcoo noted that the increase in tax collection was at a time when government had abolished the reconstruction levy and made several tax concessions to companies in the 2007 budget statement.
He said the IRS would adopt strategies to enhance tax collection to enable the Service to meet its new target.
Maj. Quarcoo said the plans included the re-launching of the Tax Stamp and the establishment of Small Taxpayers Bureau in the districts to bring in more potential taxpayers from the informal sector into the tax net.Maj. Quarcoo said the IRS would also operate the Global Positioning System to enable the Service to track properties to enhance rent tax collection.
He said the IRS would also develop the Income Tax Verification Sticker to track people who own several vehicles but did not pay taxes.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, he announced that government would implement computerization programme for the IRS this year, and that funding and the software have been secured for the plan to take off.
Mr Baah Wiredu urged the IRS to reciprocate the gesture of government by working harder to collect more taxes.
He advised the IRS to sustain its tax education campaign to widen the tax net, to enforce tax laws to enhance compliance, and to prosecute tax defaulters to deter tax evasion.
The Executive Secretary of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board, Mr Harry Owusu, called on the IRS to come out with new modalities of doing business without harassing and intimidating clients.The Eastern Regional Director of IRS, Mr Joseph Oppong, appealed for the relocation of the Nkawkaw IRS Office, the renovation of the Akim Oda IRS Office, and the provision of vehicles for the IRS offices in the region.
He said though the region could not achieve its target for 2006, despite the provision of adequate resourced, it could do better.
The Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Acting Chairman of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board, Mr Lionel Van Lare Dosoo, urged IRS to critically examine the impact of the re-denomination of the currency on tax collection, that will start in July this year.
GNA
Feb. 17 07
The Commissioner of the Service, Major Ablorh Quarcoo, who said this at the formal opening of a three-Day IRS Management Seminar at Akosombo, which ends on Saturday, observed that many businesses and companies in the country record low earnings due to the exercise.
The seminar, organized under the theme "Improving organisational performance-The importance of effective management," was being attended by the top management personnel and regional managers of the IRS.
Maj. Quarcoo said last year, the IRS exceeded its target by 72.76 billion cedis and was able to collect more taxes through the efforts of a special task force set up by the Service in November last year.
He said this year; the government revenue target had been raised from 7.3 trillion cedis to 8.9 trillion cedis, an increase of 22.13 per cent.
Maj. Quarcoo noted that the increase in tax collection was at a time when government had abolished the reconstruction levy and made several tax concessions to companies in the 2007 budget statement.
He said the IRS would adopt strategies to enhance tax collection to enable the Service to meet its new target.
Maj. Quarcoo said the plans included the re-launching of the Tax Stamp and the establishment of Small Taxpayers Bureau in the districts to bring in more potential taxpayers from the informal sector into the tax net.Maj. Quarcoo said the IRS would also operate the Global Positioning System to enable the Service to track properties to enhance rent tax collection.
He said the IRS would also develop the Income Tax Verification Sticker to track people who own several vehicles but did not pay taxes.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, he announced that government would implement computerization programme for the IRS this year, and that funding and the software have been secured for the plan to take off.
Mr Baah Wiredu urged the IRS to reciprocate the gesture of government by working harder to collect more taxes.
He advised the IRS to sustain its tax education campaign to widen the tax net, to enforce tax laws to enhance compliance, and to prosecute tax defaulters to deter tax evasion.
The Executive Secretary of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board, Mr Harry Owusu, called on the IRS to come out with new modalities of doing business without harassing and intimidating clients.The Eastern Regional Director of IRS, Mr Joseph Oppong, appealed for the relocation of the Nkawkaw IRS Office, the renovation of the Akim Oda IRS Office, and the provision of vehicles for the IRS offices in the region.
He said though the region could not achieve its target for 2006, despite the provision of adequate resourced, it could do better.
The Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Acting Chairman of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board, Mr Lionel Van Lare Dosoo, urged IRS to critically examine the impact of the re-denomination of the currency on tax collection, that will start in July this year.
GNA
Feb. 17 07
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