Accra, April 6, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday, condemned attempts by the Government and New Patriotic Party (NPP) functionaries to divert discussion on the energy crisis.In a statement in Accra signed by Dr Kwabena Adjei, National Chairman, the NDC said it had observed without surprise attempts by "our opponents" to divert attention from the debilitating energy crisis that the country is saddled with.The NDC had also taken note of the failure of President John Agyekum Kufuor and the Government "to keep faith with their numerous promises to solve the problem," it said.
The Party expressed concern about a section of the media, which it said had taken bits and pieces of "what they might have heard" at the "second Family Meeting" of the NDC on Tuesday, and had added "their diabolical spin to suit their diversionary agenda".The statement said, "The words, phrases and statement" attributed to certain NDC personalities "emanate more from the figments of their imagination than from what was actually said at the Family Meeting". "The NDC remains more united than ever and is poised for the beckoning 2008 electoral victory", the statement said.The leadership of the party urged NDC members not to be distracted by any vile propaganda until victory in December 2008.
06 April 07
Friday, April 6, 2007
Trail into treatment of malaria and pneumonia underway
Dodowa (G/A), April 6, GNA - A trial of a single combination drug for the treatment of malaria and pneumonia at the same time administered on children under five years to reduce mortality rate, has begun at the Dodowa Health Research Centre in the Greater Accra Region.Mr Sylvanus Afesorgbor, a Research Assistant, working on the antimalarial-antibiotics therapy at the Centre, said the treatment of conditions associated with fevers in children was usually skewed towards malaria.
He said children suffering from other diseases, such as pneumonia, could also present with fevers and headaches, but treatment for pneumonia could be overlooked and children treated for malaria.The Research Assistant was speaking to a group of journalists from the Africa Media and Malaria Research Network, who were on a visit to the Centre to acquaint themselves with ongoing malaria projects there.The visit was sponsored by the INDEPTH-Network and the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance, an African-led body set-up with a 17-million dollar grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Mr Afesorgbor said with the conclusion of the study, also known as the malaria-pneumonia project, doctors could combine the treatment of both malaria and pneumonia through a single regimen.
He said the four-year study, which started in 2005, would involve 725 community-trained agents going into the Dangwe-West community to administer the drugs to more than a thousand children recruited for the study.It is expected that with the conclusion of the study, recommendations would be made for use of the treatment in the national health delivery programme for children.The Dodowa Research Centre is one of three research centres in Ghana researching into various malaria initiatives.
6 April 07
He said children suffering from other diseases, such as pneumonia, could also present with fevers and headaches, but treatment for pneumonia could be overlooked and children treated for malaria.The Research Assistant was speaking to a group of journalists from the Africa Media and Malaria Research Network, who were on a visit to the Centre to acquaint themselves with ongoing malaria projects there.The visit was sponsored by the INDEPTH-Network and the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance, an African-led body set-up with a 17-million dollar grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Mr Afesorgbor said with the conclusion of the study, also known as the malaria-pneumonia project, doctors could combine the treatment of both malaria and pneumonia through a single regimen.
He said the four-year study, which started in 2005, would involve 725 community-trained agents going into the Dangwe-West community to administer the drugs to more than a thousand children recruited for the study.It is expected that with the conclusion of the study, recommendations would be made for use of the treatment in the national health delivery programme for children.The Dodowa Research Centre is one of three research centres in Ghana researching into various malaria initiatives.
6 April 07
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Osei-Assibey assumes duty as acting Obuasi MCE
Obuasi, April 4, GNA - Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, the Deputy Ashanti
Regional Minister, has assumed duty at the Obuasi Municipal Assembly
(OMA) as the acting Chief Executive.This follows an eight-week leave
of absence of the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Boampong.
A statement issued by the assembly's public relations officer
said Mr Boampong was out of the municipality to attend to some
pressing needs.
04 April 07
Regional Minister, has assumed duty at the Obuasi Municipal Assembly
(OMA) as the acting Chief Executive.This follows an eight-week leave
of absence of the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Boampong.
A statement issued by the assembly's public relations officer
said Mr Boampong was out of the municipality to attend to some
pressing needs.
04 April 07
Blind woman in court for kidnapping
Ho, April 4, GNA - Rejoice Havor, 38, a blind woman on Wednesday
appeared before a Ho Circuit Court for allegedly kidnapping and
selling a 21-year-old neighbour Miss Faustina Acquaye, for 40,000
CFA.She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of 10 million cedis
with one surety until April 26.
Police Inspector Emmanuel Okudjeto told the Court presided by Mr
Emmanuel Siameh that Rejoice and Miss Acquaye, a trader, lived in the
same area at Agortime-Kpetoe in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District.He said
about five years ago, Rejoice connived with her boyfriend Godwin
Nunoamesi, now in police custody, to convince Miss Acquaye of a job
opportunity in Benin which she could take advantage of.Inspector
Okudjeto said taken in by the promise, Miss Acquaye embarked on the
journey to Benin with Rejoice and her boyfriend Nunoamesi unknown to
her family.
appeared before a Ho Circuit Court for allegedly kidnapping and
selling a 21-year-old neighbour Miss Faustina Acquaye, for 40,000
CFA.She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of 10 million cedis
with one surety until April 26.
Police Inspector Emmanuel Okudjeto told the Court presided by Mr
Emmanuel Siameh that Rejoice and Miss Acquaye, a trader, lived in the
same area at Agortime-Kpetoe in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District.He said
about five years ago, Rejoice connived with her boyfriend Godwin
Nunoamesi, now in police custody, to convince Miss Acquaye of a job
opportunity in Benin which she could take advantage of.Inspector
Okudjeto said taken in by the promise, Miss Acquaye embarked on the
journey to Benin with Rejoice and her boyfriend Nunoamesi unknown to
her family.
He said on reaching the Aflao border, Nunoamesi introduced a man to
the victim as her prospective employer in Benin and after the
introduction varnished together with Rejoice.Inspector Okudjeto said
the supposed employer later informed Miss Acquaye that she had been
sold her to him for 40,000 CFA for rituals but he preferred her as a
wife.He said this led to an argument between the two but Miss Acquaye
subsequently accompanied the man to Benin.Inspector Okudjeto said four
years later, a businesswoman from Miss Acquaye's hometown went on a
business trip to Benin where she met her.Miss Acquaye asked the woman
to inform her family and the police about her situation so that they
could come to her rescue. Some of Miss Acquaye's family members
travelled to Benin with the help of the police and met Miss Acquaye
with the man with whom she had some children.Inspector Okudjeto said
Rejoice escaped during investigations but was later arrested after the
boyfriend had been apprehended.
04 April 07
Greater Accra development plan under review
Accra, April 4, GNA - A 12-member committee has been set up by the
Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations to look into the Greater
Accra Metropolitan Area Development Plan developed 15 years ago.The
action was informed by the growing demand of the economy in terms of
population size, infrastructure and social needs as well as the
changes in governance of the City.Dr Thomas Fokuo Agyapong, Director
for the Modernization of the Capital City, who was speaking to the
Ghana News Agency on Wednesday in Accra, said the Committee made up of
experts including economists, development planners, engineers and
architects were mandated to review the plan to give it a short, medium
and long-term strategic view.He said the old plan had features like
road networks, telecommunications, environment and natural resources
and security.
Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations to look into the Greater
Accra Metropolitan Area Development Plan developed 15 years ago.The
action was informed by the growing demand of the economy in terms of
population size, infrastructure and social needs as well as the
changes in governance of the City.Dr Thomas Fokuo Agyapong, Director
for the Modernization of the Capital City, who was speaking to the
Ghana News Agency on Wednesday in Accra, said the Committee made up of
experts including economists, development planners, engineers and
architects were mandated to review the plan to give it a short, medium
and long-term strategic view.He said the old plan had features like
road networks, telecommunications, environment and natural resources
and security.
Dr Agyapong said a two-year strategic plan had been developed in the
interim to look at the urban economy in respect of Greater Accra and
Tema.He noted that economic and social development needed to be
dynamic to reflect current and growing changes in the society, hence
the need for a workable plan, which would facilitate the City's
development and beautification.Dr Agyapong said the growth in
population required that the features in the 1992 plan were reviewed
and the necessary modifications done to suit the status of the Capital
City.
He said so far copies of the drafted Review Plan had been circulated
to all sectors concerned, including Ministries, Department and
Agencies to enable them to make inputs.He said after every necessary
procedure had been followed and the draft approved by the Government,
it would become a working document for local authorities, the Accra
Metropolitan Assembly, Tema Municipal Assembly and other districts
within the Capital City.
4 April 07
Anti-narcotics office opened at KIA
Accra, April 4, GNA - A permanent office for the Ghana/UK
anti-narcotics collaboration dubbed Operation West Bridge has been
opened at the Departure Hall of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA)
in Accra.
With sophisticated gadgets and advanced technology, Operation
West Bridge is expected to tackle drug trafficking much more
effectively than before.Ms Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation, on
Tuesday jointly cut the tape for the opening of the office with Mr
Richard Powell, Deputy British High Commissioner.In brief remarks, the
Aviation Minister noted that while aiming at turning the KIA into an
aviation hub within the West Africa Sub-Region, safety and security
were vital to the attraction of partners in that quest.
She pointed out that recent arrests and interceptions of drugs at
the Airport were clear signals to would-be traffickers that they did
not stand much of a chance.Ms Akuffo thanked the British Government
for their assistance saying it was most crucial in the fight against
illicit drug trafficking.
Among those present at the opening were Mr Simon Allotey, Acting
Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); Mr
Willie Orhin, Acting Deputy Director General, GCAA; General Joshua
Hamidu (rtd), Chairman, Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) and Major
General Richardson Baiden, Executive Secretary, NACOB.Meanwhile, a
committee of enquiry has been set up by GCAA to investigate a recent
discovery of about 70 kilograms of a substance suspected to be cocaine
at the Duty-Free Shop within the KIA.Three workers at the shop as well
as Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel were taken in for questioning
as a result of the discovery. Two AVSEC personnel have deserted their
posts ever since the incident.
anti-narcotics collaboration dubbed Operation West Bridge has been
opened at the Departure Hall of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA)
in Accra.
With sophisticated gadgets and advanced technology, Operation
West Bridge is expected to tackle drug trafficking much more
effectively than before.Ms Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation, on
Tuesday jointly cut the tape for the opening of the office with Mr
Richard Powell, Deputy British High Commissioner.In brief remarks, the
Aviation Minister noted that while aiming at turning the KIA into an
aviation hub within the West Africa Sub-Region, safety and security
were vital to the attraction of partners in that quest.
She pointed out that recent arrests and interceptions of drugs at
the Airport were clear signals to would-be traffickers that they did
not stand much of a chance.Ms Akuffo thanked the British Government
for their assistance saying it was most crucial in the fight against
illicit drug trafficking.
Among those present at the opening were Mr Simon Allotey, Acting
Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); Mr
Willie Orhin, Acting Deputy Director General, GCAA; General Joshua
Hamidu (rtd), Chairman, Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) and Major
General Richardson Baiden, Executive Secretary, NACOB.Meanwhile, a
committee of enquiry has been set up by GCAA to investigate a recent
discovery of about 70 kilograms of a substance suspected to be cocaine
at the Duty-Free Shop within the KIA.Three workers at the shop as well
as Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel were taken in for questioning
as a result of the discovery. Two AVSEC personnel have deserted their
posts ever since the incident.
4 April 07
Government to work towards phasing out pan latrines
Koforidua, April 4, GNA - Ghana is working towards phasing-out pan
latrines as part of measures to tackle perennial sanitation related
epidemics such as cholera.Under a new policy to that effect, about 90
per cent of all households in the country are to be made to have
access to decent toilet facilities.Government is additionally
considering proposals that would lead to the provision of community
toilets of acceptable standards to transient populations.
This is part of an integrated approach towards ensuring that 10
per cent of the nation's population have access to hygienic public
toilets.These are part of proposals being deliberated upon at a
consultative workshop underway at Koforidua on Tuesday as part of the
process towards revising the National Environmental Sanitation
Policy.The workshop was the third in a series that seeks to collate
views and best practices on how to reposition the nation's sanitation
policy to reflect environmental sanitation needs and challenges of the
country.
Participants from the Eastern, Volta, Central and Greater Accra
regions are attending.
Experts from the University of Cape Coast, the Ghana Health
Service among others are teaming up with District Chief Executives and
officials of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and
Environment on how to align the nation's sanitation process in line
with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs.)
Opening the workshop the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms
Suzzy Mensah, urged the participants to take advantage of the workshop
to find durable solutions to the sanitation problems facing the
country.She welcomed proposals in the document that seek to develop a
systematic approach and framework for identifying and harnessing
resources in pushing the economy forward.
Ms Mensah said Ghana's aspiration of becoming a middle-income
earning country requires a clear strategy to overcome its
shortcomings.Eastern Regional Environmental Health Officer, Mr F.K.
Quist, called for the establishment of sanitation courts in the
district to help arrest the falling sanitation situation in the
country.
04 April 07
latrines as part of measures to tackle perennial sanitation related
epidemics such as cholera.Under a new policy to that effect, about 90
per cent of all households in the country are to be made to have
access to decent toilet facilities.Government is additionally
considering proposals that would lead to the provision of community
toilets of acceptable standards to transient populations.
This is part of an integrated approach towards ensuring that 10
per cent of the nation's population have access to hygienic public
toilets.These are part of proposals being deliberated upon at a
consultative workshop underway at Koforidua on Tuesday as part of the
process towards revising the National Environmental Sanitation
Policy.The workshop was the third in a series that seeks to collate
views and best practices on how to reposition the nation's sanitation
policy to reflect environmental sanitation needs and challenges of the
country.
Participants from the Eastern, Volta, Central and Greater Accra
regions are attending.
Experts from the University of Cape Coast, the Ghana Health
Service among others are teaming up with District Chief Executives and
officials of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and
Environment on how to align the nation's sanitation process in line
with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs.)
Opening the workshop the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms
Suzzy Mensah, urged the participants to take advantage of the workshop
to find durable solutions to the sanitation problems facing the
country.She welcomed proposals in the document that seek to develop a
systematic approach and framework for identifying and harnessing
resources in pushing the economy forward.
Ms Mensah said Ghana's aspiration of becoming a middle-income
earning country requires a clear strategy to overcome its
shortcomings.Eastern Regional Environmental Health Officer, Mr F.K.
Quist, called for the establishment of sanitation courts in the
district to help arrest the falling sanitation situation in the
country.
04 April 07
Kokote residents petition Asantehene over a disputed school land
Offinso (Ash), April 4, GNA - Some concerned citizens of Kokote, a
suburb of Offinso, have petitioned Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the
Asantehene, against the encroachment of the Kokote-Abuasu Junior
Secondary School land.Mr Augustine Asamoah, secretary of the local
unit committee signed the petition on behalf of the School Management
Committee, Parent/Teacher Association and some prominent opinion
leaders.
suburb of Offinso, have petitioned Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the
Asantehene, against the encroachment of the Kokote-Abuasu Junior
Secondary School land.Mr Augustine Asamoah, secretary of the local
unit committee signed the petition on behalf of the School Management
Committee, Parent/Teacher Association and some prominent opinion
leaders.
It said the Kokote stool elders earmarked the land for educational
purposes about 42 years ago.The land has a site plan and remained
un-encroached until about four weeks ago when the residents detected
that it was being developed for residential purposes.The petition
condemned the alleged sale of the land by the Domehene to some private
estate developers and expressed the hope that the Asantehene would
solve the dispute to enhance the effective promotion of quality
education in the area.
04 April 07
GETFUND presents vehicles to schools
Kumasi, April 4, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, the Ashanti
Regional Minister, has presented three Ghana Education Trust Fund
(GETFund) pick-up vehicles to three senior girls' secondary schools in
the Ashanti Region.The schools are Kumasi and Serwa Nyarko Girls'
Secondary schools both in Kumasi and Afua Kobi Ampem Girls' Secondary
School at Trabuom in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District.
Presenting the keys of the vehicles on behalf of the GETFund to the
headmistresses of the schools, the Regional Minister said the
presentation was in fulfilment of the promise made by the GETFund to
support the development of education of girls in the region.Madam
Theresa Akua Baah, Headmistress of Kumasi Girls' Secondary School
expressed appreciation to the GETFund for the donation.
Regional Minister, has presented three Ghana Education Trust Fund
(GETFund) pick-up vehicles to three senior girls' secondary schools in
the Ashanti Region.The schools are Kumasi and Serwa Nyarko Girls'
Secondary schools both in Kumasi and Afua Kobi Ampem Girls' Secondary
School at Trabuom in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District.
Presenting the keys of the vehicles on behalf of the GETFund to the
headmistresses of the schools, the Regional Minister said the
presentation was in fulfilment of the promise made by the GETFund to
support the development of education of girls in the region.Madam
Theresa Akua Baah, Headmistress of Kumasi Girls' Secondary School
expressed appreciation to the GETFund for the donation.
04 April 07
More “pro-active” policies needed to spur growth in Africa – UN
Accra, April 4, GNA - To spur the growth necessary to achieve the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)– a set of targets to slash a host
of social ills, including extreme poverty, by 2015 – African countries
must pursue more "pro-active" policies to develop a wider range of
goods, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday.
More than half of all African countries recorded improvements in
overall real GDP growth last year, a statement released by the UN
Information Office in Accra on Wednesday said.
It said, on average, the continent's economies had maintained a
"growth momentum" over the past several years, growing at 5.2 per cent
in 2004, 5.3 per cent in 2005, 5.7 per cent in 2006 and a projected
5.8 per cent this year.In spite of this growth, the report, entitled
"Economic Report on Africa 2007," said that African countries were
heavily dependent on primary commodities, which were a common feature
of production and exports throughout the continent, making the
countries extremely vulnerable to external shocks.
"The time has come for Africa to embark on the more systematic
effort at diversifying its economy," Eloho Otobo, a UN economist, told
reporters at the report's launch. "This can only come about by
promoting pro-active growth policies."
The annual report, jointly produced by the UN Economic Commission
for Africa and the Commission of the African Union (AU), said while
other developing regions had increased their share in global trade,
Africa's share had declined, even as global trade liberalization had
progressed.
"One-size-fits-all" macroeconomic models rooted in stabilization
and reform policies, the study noted, are partially to blame for the
continent's sluggish pace in achieving high and sustainable growth.
"Besides sustaining macroeconomic stability, African countries
needs to tailor their fiscal and monetary policies to promoting
domestic investment, employment generation, and growth," said the
report.The report calls for increased efforts to stimulate private
investment through increasing access to cheaper credit to hasten
diversification.It also stresses the importance of industrialization
to deepen horizontal diversification in a range of goods.
Another key recommendation is for African countries to strengthen
their institutions. Given that conflict undercuts industrialization,
"it is important that countries invest in peace-building and
peace-promoting institutions that can proactively deal with threats of
conflict flare-up or resurgence," the report stated.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)– a set of targets to slash a host
of social ills, including extreme poverty, by 2015 – African countries
must pursue more "pro-active" policies to develop a wider range of
goods, according to a United Nations report released on Tuesday.
More than half of all African countries recorded improvements in
overall real GDP growth last year, a statement released by the UN
Information Office in Accra on Wednesday said.
It said, on average, the continent's economies had maintained a
"growth momentum" over the past several years, growing at 5.2 per cent
in 2004, 5.3 per cent in 2005, 5.7 per cent in 2006 and a projected
5.8 per cent this year.In spite of this growth, the report, entitled
"Economic Report on Africa 2007," said that African countries were
heavily dependent on primary commodities, which were a common feature
of production and exports throughout the continent, making the
countries extremely vulnerable to external shocks.
"The time has come for Africa to embark on the more systematic
effort at diversifying its economy," Eloho Otobo, a UN economist, told
reporters at the report's launch. "This can only come about by
promoting pro-active growth policies."
The annual report, jointly produced by the UN Economic Commission
for Africa and the Commission of the African Union (AU), said while
other developing regions had increased their share in global trade,
Africa's share had declined, even as global trade liberalization had
progressed.
"One-size-fits-all" macroeconomic models rooted in stabilization
and reform policies, the study noted, are partially to blame for the
continent's sluggish pace in achieving high and sustainable growth.
"Besides sustaining macroeconomic stability, African countries
needs to tailor their fiscal and monetary policies to promoting
domestic investment, employment generation, and growth," said the
report.The report calls for increased efforts to stimulate private
investment through increasing access to cheaper credit to hasten
diversification.It also stresses the importance of industrialization
to deepen horizontal diversification in a range of goods.
Another key recommendation is for African countries to strengthen
their institutions. Given that conflict undercuts industrialization,
"it is important that countries invest in peace-building and
peace-promoting institutions that can proactively deal with threats of
conflict flare-up or resurgence," the report stated.
4 April 07
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