Monday, December 1, 2008

VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DIVIDED OVER VEEP'S ROLE (PAGE 16)

THE Vice-Presidential candidates of the four political parties with representation in Parliament have expressed mixed feelings over the amendment of provisions of the constitution on the role of the Vice-President.
While two of the Vice-Presidential candidates, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Mr John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said they would call for the establishment of a constitutional review committee on the role of the Vice-President, Dr Abu Foster Sakara of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and Ms Petra Amegashie of the People’s National Convention (PNC), however, contended that the 1992 Constitution be allowed to work for some time before any repeal of the provisions of the role of the Vice-President is made.
The 1992 Constitution assigns special roles such as the Chairmanship of the Ghana Police Service Council, Ghana Prisons Service Council and that of the Ghana Armed Forces, to the Vice President.
Due to the rift between the former President and his Vice in 1992, those provisions were repealed when the Vice-President refused to resign.
The candidates who had given their family and educational backgrounds at the first-ever Vice- Presidential debate in Coast Cape on Friday also gave hints of resigning from a government that failed to take action against any official found to have engaged in corruption.
They believed that a strong political will was vital to tackle the canker of corruption in the country and would therefore strengthen institutions with the mandate to check and fight corruption.
Dr Bawumia, Dr Sakara, Mr Mahama and Mrs Amegashie expressed the commitment of their parties to fight corruption, at the first-ever vice- presidential debate organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) at the Centre for National Culture in Cape Coast last Friday.
The vice-presidential debate was aired live from 6 p.m. on Ghana Television (GTV), GBC Radio, Joy FM and other media outlets in the country.
The moderators of the event were Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and Mr Israel Laryea of Joy FM. The two also moderated the presidential debate in Tamale.
Out of the four candidates, three are from the north and the only female is from the south.
The debate which was on the theme: "Strengthening the Pillars of Ghana's Democracy", fielded questions on economic, governance and social issues.
Dr Bawumia said the fight against corruption was key on the agenda of the NPP government as it demonstrated through the system with the Whistle Blowers Act, Public Procurement Act, repeal of the Criminal Libel Law and the public sitting of the Public Accounts Committee.
He said Nana Akufo-Addo’s government would strengthen the Serious Fraud Office and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to make them more effective.
For his part, the NDC's vice-presidential candidate, Mr Mahama, said the most important ingredient needed for fighting corruption was political will and that without the political will, it would be difficult for the state institutions charged to do that to carry out the task well.
He said on assumption of power, the NDC would convert the SFO into an independent Fraud Commission, in addition to strengthening the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Mrs Amegashie said the issue of corruption needed to be tackled head-on and that the PNC was going to use all the mechanisms to do that effectively.
Dr Sakara noted that corruption needed to be fought by example, and that when the CPP took over the administration of the country, it would adhere strictly to a declaration of assets regime and go ahead to set up a review institution to check on the assets declared by public officials.
He said the punishment for corruption would be stiff and clear to serve as a deterrent to others.
On tackling the issue of indiscipline, Mr Mahama said no child is born indisciplined, and that it is social acculturation that makes people indisciplined, and that following the breakdown of traditional values, people are now becoming westernised.
Dr Sakara said having spent more time with the family, civil education and engagement in community service would help address the issue of indiscipline.
He believed the idea of one-year military service would help ensure a disciplined society.
Mrs Petra Amegashie said the issue of discipline needed the collective efforts of all.
Dr Bawumia said the role of the family in ensuring a disciplined society was very important through the educational system.
In addition to free education the candidates said it was important to tackle the issues of logistics and free feeding together.
The candidates agreed that putting in place the right measures to make the disabled assume their rightful place in society was laudable because disability is not inability.
According to them, equipping them with employable skills, among other social interventions, were vital to improving their lot.
On what impressed and depressed them most on their campaign tours, they said poverty depressed them most and the willingness of the people to make the most out of it impressed them most during their campaign tours.
They all underscored the need to improve the living standards of the people.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

NGO STARTS 2 PROJECTS IN CENTRAL REGION (PAGE 22)

THE Microsfere, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Wild Life Division of the Forestry Commission, has set up two projects in the Central and the Western regions to support communities which fringe two forest reserves, to enhance biodiversity and wildlife protection.
The project areas are the ones which border the Kakum National Park in the Central Region and the Amansuri Wetland in the Western Region.
Under the project, 30 groups made up of 360 participants around the Kakum National Park would benefit from financial assistance from Microsfere.
Launching the project at Abeka Nkwanta, the Project Co-ordinator of Microsfere, Mr Senyo Mensah Buake, named the beneficiary communities around the Kakum National Park as Antwikwaa, Afiaso, Abeka Nkwanta, Adianom, Kenkuase and Brahabebome.
He said the financial assistance to the communities was being channelled through the Kakum Rural Bank.
Mr Buake said the project in the Western Nzema Traditional Area would be channelled through the Jomoro Rural Bank and mentioned Kengen, Benyin, Eloyin and Ngelekrzo as the beneficiary communities.
He added that the activities to be supported in the beneficiary communities included petty trading, vegetable farming, cash crop farming, palm fruits processing, traditional soap making, traditional catering, livestock and poultry, fish processing and other economic ventures.
Mr Buake stated that Microsfere and the Wild Life Division were collaborating in environmental awareness education and the conservation of biodiversity in the project areas.
The District Chief Executive for Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira, Mr Samuel Agyeibi Kessie commended Microsfere for initiating the programme.
He called on the beneficiary communities to support the project, since it would improve their livelihood.

GOMOA RURAL BANK TO RAISE CAPITAL BASE (PAGE 22)

THE Gomoa Rural Bank Limited is to raise its capital base through the sale of additional shares to meet the requirement of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
A resolution to that effect was adopted at its 27th annual general meeting of the bank at Apam, where shares were floated for sale to the board of directors, shareholders and the general public.
Through the sale of shares, the bank is expected to raise GH¢44,000. The bank has already ploughed back from its own resources an amount of GH¢56,000 to offset part of the shortfall.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Andrew B. Simpson, said the bank computerised its operations during the re-denomination exercise, adding that additional computers would be needed to complete the computerisation process.
He commended the staff and customers of the bank for their co-operation which contributed to its success.
Mr Simpson advised shareholders and customers to patronise the share sales to sustain the operations of the bank.
The Manager of the Accra branch of the ARB Apex Bank Limited, Mr Seth Ankrah, who read a speech on behalf of the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, urged rural and community banks to set up an internal audit unit as part of their management structure to enable them to oversee the implementation of the bank's systems and controls and report directly to the board.
Reverend Peter Ohene Ansah, an Assistant Director of Education, was elected as a member of the Board of Directors to replace Mr Robert Mensah whose term of office expired.

PRAH ELECTED PRESIDING MEMBER OF KEEA (PAGE 22)

A FORTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD tutor of the Komenda Teacher Training College, Mr Andrew Prah, has been elected as the Presiding Member of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assembly.
Mr Prah, who is also the proprietor of the Oxford Preparatory School at Kissi, polled 36 votes as against 11 by his contestant, Mr Eben Obeng, also a teacher at Kissi.
Before the election, Mr Frank Appiah, who had served for two four-year terms, had tendered his resignation letter to the assembly.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Prah called for support from the members and gave the assurance that he would work diligently to ensure the success of the assembly.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr George Frank Asmah, said the assembly had by the end of August, this year, mobilised an amount of GH¢702,993.87 representing 78 per cent of its estimated revenue for the year.
He urged members of the assembly to help recruit credible revenue collectors who would be given commission, since most of the assembly’s revenue collectors had either retired of gone on transfer.
Mr Asmah said the twin-sister city relationship with the Gouda Municipality in The Netherlands and Ottawa in Canada were yielding good results.
He said the assembly was taking the necessary steps to check the declining rate of education in the municipality.

30,000 TO RECIEVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (PAGE 22)

ABOUT 30,000 vulnerable people would benefit from the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) by the end of the year.
Initially, 15,000 vulnerable people were earmarked for the project but the increase in figure was informed by the number of those who were not covered under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.
Briefing the press after the opening of a capacity-building workshop for the national technical committee of the NSPS at Elmina, Ms Angela Asante-Asare, the National Co-ordinator of the programme, said the NSPS was another government intervention to enhance the capacity of the poor and vulnerable persons.
It is aimed at assisting them to manage socio-economic risks, such as unemployment, sickness, disability and old age.
Ms Asante-Asare said the interventions were meant to improve the livelihood of the extremely poor by reducing the impact of risks and shocks confronting them.
She said the NSPS support would also give the extremely poor opportunities to acquire sustainable basic needs.
She said the programme would improve the ability of the very poor to contribute to economic development as well as assisting the country to meet the Millennium Development Goals and the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
Ms Asante-Asare stated that Cabinet approved the NSPS due to the inadequacies in the LEAP in reaching the poorest of the poor.

Monday, November 24, 2008

FIRST PHASE OF PLASTIC RECYCLING PLANT COMPLETED (PAGE 54)

THE first phase of the 1.5 million euro plastic recycling plant for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assembly has been completed.
The Cyclus Elmina Plastic Recycling Plant, located at Aburansa, is the first ever in the country to recycle plastic waste into chips and then churn it into pavement blocks, roofing sheets, containers, cloth, among others, for both local and the international market.
It is a partnership between Cyclus Netherlands and Vanhold Construction Limited, a local Ghanaian company. The project is being executed under the twin-sister city relationship between the Gouda Municipality in Netherlands and the KEEA Municipal Assembly.
The first phase comprises the administration block and the factory.
The equipment, is however, expected in the country by January next year and work would start in March immediately after installation and test run.
In an address at its inauguration at Aburansa at the weekend, the Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative, Papa Owusu Ankomah, underscored the benefits and the socio-economic impact on the livelihoods of the people in the community.
Papa Owusu Ankomah said since technology had made it possible to turn waste from industrialisation and population explosion into useful materials, waste should not be allowed to degrade the environment.
He noted that the operation of the company had generated so much interest that other companies in Accra and Kumasi had started transporting plastic waste to the factory site for recycling.
He said this would contribute to a clean environment in cities and villages, as well as provide employment for local people, and therefore advised management of the company to set up collection points in relevant locations to effectively manage the raw materials supply system.
He expressed the hope that such collaborative effort between the government and the Dutch government would be strengthened and expanded to other priority areas.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, who initiated the partnership whilst he was the District Chief Executive for KEEA five years ago, said the partnership had opened so many opportunities for the municipality.
He expressed the hope that the project would make a considerable contribution to consistent economic growth towards sustainable poverty reduction in the area.
He commended the untiring efforts of the Mayor of Gouda Municipality, Netherlands, Wim Cornelis, Messrs Jaap Warners, Hans Beltman, Leendart and all who contributed to the planning and the execution of the project.
He implored those who would be working at the factory to be dedicated and committed to ensure its success.
The Municipal Chief Executive of KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, said the factory was expected to create about 3000 direct and indirect jobs, as well as about 500 collectors.
He said the KEEA had earmarked Aburansa as the assembly's industrial zone, and cautioned the chiefs and people against litigation in order to attract the needed investors for job and wealth creation.
The Executive Director of Cyclus Elmina Plastic Recycling Limited, Mr Bless Kwame Darkey, said currently collectors had been trained to ensure regular supply of raw materials for the operations of the factory.
He said the collectors had also been trained in business management to enhance their business operations.
The Omanhen of Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Kru II, who chaired the function, commended all those whose efforts had contributed to the realisation of the project.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

2,000 BENEFIT FROM FREE MEDICAL SCREENING (PAGE 26)

MORE than 2,000 people from a number of communities around Ajumako Bisease in the Central Region have benefited from a free medical screening organised by the Christian Faith Church (CFC), Ghana, in partnership with the Growing Discoveries Ministries, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The four-day exercise was undertaken by a 19-member medical missionary team from the Growing Discoveries Ministries in Atlanta.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic during the exercise at Ajumako Bisease, the leader of the team, Reverend Tracy Lewis, said the church had a medical missionaries team in the USA which offered free medical services to the needy.
She said the team had sent down medicines for various diseases for 2,000 people and 700 spectacles.
According to Rev. Lewis, the diseases the team diagnosed included asthma, high blood pressure, ear, nose, throat, dental and sight problems.
She said pregnant women were also taken care of with ultra-sound equipment.
The General Overseer of the CFC, Bishop Emmanuel Botwey, said the area was selected because it constituted the catchment area of the church, with 13 assemblies.
The National Administrative Secretary of CFC and Co-ordinator of the exercise, Reverend John Ashun, said the screening exercise was part of the church’s social responsibility to its members and the communities within which it had assemblies.
A member of the team, Dr Jeff Chapman, commended authorities of the Bisease Health Centre, especially Ms Philomena Aryee, for their co-operation in regard to the success of the exercise.
The team also donated the rest of the medicines to the health centre to enhance its work.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

CAPE COAST WATER PROJECT COMPLETED (SPREAD)

The perennial water shortage that affects Cape Coast and its environs and sometimes leads to the interruption of academic work in second-cycle and tertiary institutions in the town will soon be over with the completion of the Sekyere Hemang headworks.
The scope of work at the new supply system, which taps water from the Pra river, involved the construction of a 30,000 cubic metres per day water treatment plant, laying of about 65 kilometres of water transport and distribution mains, construction of reservoirs and booster pumping station and the rehabilitation of the existing headworks at Brimsu.
The project is to improve water supply delivery in the Cape Coast area, especially Komenda, Elmina and Abrem Agona.
Other areas to benefit from the project include educational and health institutions, as well as the tourism industry.
Inaugurating the 40-million euro project, President John Agyekum Kufuor said since 2001, four out of the six major urban water systems planned for the Central Region had been completed.
The President said funding for the Assin Fosu water supply system was in the pipeline.
According to him, the project confirmed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government's resolve to improve the quality of life of Ghanaians.
He underscored the need for clean and safe drinking water in the socio-economic development of mankind and said it was for that reason that the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing had issued a national water policy to serve as a blueprint for water supply delivery in the country.
President Kufuor reminded the people of the numerous development projects embarked upon by the NPP government and urged them to vote massively to retain it for more development.
He also asked them to remain focused and maintain the peace during and after the elections.
He commended The Netherlands government, the contractor, Messrs Ballast Nedam B.V., and the consultants, Messrs Royal Haskoning, both of The Netherlands, for executing the project.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Siddique Boniface, advised communities within the project area to desist from polluting the river to ensure that the water from the treatment plant was clean and safe.
Earlier, the President had inaugurated expansion works on the Baifikrom water supply system.
He also cut the sod for work on the interconnection of Kasoa and environs to the Kwanyako water supply system.

PREZ INAUGURATES MALLAM-YAMORANSA HIGHWAY (PAGE 55)

President Kufuor on Tuesday inaugurated the 116-kilometre Mallam-Yamoransa Highway at a ceremony at Kasoa.
The road, which forms part of the trans-ECOWAS highway network, connects Aflao in the Volta Region to Elubo on the Ghana–Cote d'Ivoire border.
It was financed jointly by the Ghana government, the World Bank and the Japanese government.
While the World Bank provided a credit facility of $18 million, the Japanese government gave a grant of $54.68 million, with the government providing GH¢8.9 million as its contribution towards the construction of the road.
The project was executed in three phases, with the first phase involving the construction of the 18- km asphalted three-lane, dual carriageway from Mallam Junction to Dunkonaa and a dual section between Dunkonaa and Kasoa Junction.
The second phase covered the construction of the 41-km stretch from Kasoa to Winneba Junction, while the third phase covered the 57 km from about two km from Ankamu to Yamoransa.
The completion of the project has reduced travel time and the high spate of accidents on the Accra-Cape Coast road.
Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of Mankessim before cutting the tape to inaugurate the road, President Kufuor said on assumption of office, the government made the development of road infrastructure one of its priorities.
Over the period, he said, it had been able to increase the road infrastructure from 38,000 kilometres in 2001 to 64,000km in 2008 and the condition of roads had also improved significantly.
The President was hopeful that the completion of the road would enhance the economic conditions of the people.
He, however, expressed concern over the situation whereby some individuals were constructing temporary and permanent structures within 60 metres of the prohibited zone along the road.
President Kufuor directed the Ghana Highway Authority to ensure the prosecution of drivers whose vehicles exceeded the permitted axle load on the road.
He thanked the chiefs and people of the area for their co-operation during his almost eight years in office.
The Minister of Transportation, Dr Richard Anane, said the project had been executed within the contract period of four years, with a defect liability period of one year.
He said the defect liability period had elapsed, hence the inauguration of the road.
The Programme Manager of the World Bank in Ghana, Ms Kathrine Bain, said there was a positive relationship between the welfare of people and improved road infrastructure.
The Japanese Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Keiichi Katami, said the completion of the project was a testimony of the enhanced relation and co-operation between Ghana and Japan.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

NEW PRESIDENT FOR CR HOUSE OF CHIEFS (PAGE 23)

THE Omanhen of the Abease Dominase Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, has been elected as the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs.
At the election supervised by officials of the Electoral Commission, Daasebre Ewusi polled 15 votes as against nine by his predecessor, Nana Kwamena Ansah IV, the Omanhen of the Eguafo Traditional Council.
Otumfuo Amoah Sasraku III, Omanhene of Hemang, had only one vote. Okatakyi Dr Amenfi, the Omanhen of the Asebu Traditional Area was elected unopposed as the Vice-President of the house.
The house also elected five members to represent it at the National House of Chiefs.
They were the Oguaamanhen, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II; the Omanhene of the Assin Apimanim Traditional Area, Barima Kwame Nkyi XII; Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi, Okatakyi Dr Amenfi of the Asebu Traditional Area, and Nana Appiah-Nuamah II of the Twifo Traditional Area.
In his acceptance speech after being sworn in by a High Court Judge, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha, Daasebre Ewusi assured the house that he would build on the work done by his predecessors.
He admonished the chiefs to ensure that the December 7 general election was free, fair and peaceful.
At the same ceremony, the Omanhene of the Owerenkyim Traditional Area, Nana Prah Agyensim, who had been elevated to the status of a paramount chief, was sworn in as a member of the house.

OGUAA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL HONOURS COL BENARSKO (PAGE 22)

ANY nation that does not honour her heroes is not worth dying for, so goes the saying.
It was in this vein that the Oguaa Traditional Council honoured Colonel Frank George Bernasko (retd), to acknowledge his invaluable contribution towards the socio-economic development of Cape Coast.
Col. Bernasko, 78, known for his shrewd and strict discipline, served the Central Region as the Regional Commissioner in the era of the National Redemption Council (NRC) in 1972 and as Commissioner of Agriculture in 1973 and later as the Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs in 1975.
A citation signed by the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, described Col. Bernasco as a dedicated, selfless and disciplined person who worked tirelessly for the socio-economic development of the region as well as the country.
It continued that he would be remembered for his agricultural initiative “Operation Feed Yourself” (OFY), which was accepted as a national agricultural policy aimed at boosting food production and sufficiency when he was the Commissioner for Agriculture.
His administration also helped in inculcating the spirit of voluntarism in the youth, who engaged in communal work and clean-up exercises to improve health and sanitation in Cape Coast, as well as agricultural projects nation-wide.
The Dawhenya Irrigation Project and others under his agricultural revolution led to bumper harvests and the hosting of the first national agricultural show in 1974.
Apart from the improvement in the health and educational sectors, Col. Bernasko also promoted the tourism industry in the region.
In civilian life, he took up private legal practice, venturing into politics by forming the Action Congress Party (ACP) in 1979. It won 12 seats in the Parliament of the Third Republic.
As a member and chief patron of the Oguaa Akoto Association (UK), Col. Bernasko has been actively involved in all initiatives taken to develop Cape Coast, especially in education.
Born on December 7, 1930, Colonel Bernasko had his basic education in Cape Coast and Asante Mampong before attending Adisadel College from where he attended the University of Gold Coast (now University of Ghana).
After a stint as a teacher in that institution, “Uncle Berna” as he was affectionately called, enlisted in the Ghana Armed Forces and served as officer in charge of education at the Armed Forces Recruit Training Centre in Kumasi.
He also served as the Director of Studies of the Ghana Military Academy and Training School and later as the Director of Education of the Ghana Armed Forces.
In his acceptance speech, Col. Bernasko commended those who supported him for his success in those turbulent days.
He also called on people from the region to contribute their quota towards its development.
Col. Bernasco noted with regret that Cape Coast was now sinking and expressed the hope that efforts would be made by the chiefs and people to restore it to its past glory.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta commended Col. Bernasko for his forthrightness, dedication and discipline, which raised the image of Cape Coast and the country in the mid and the late 1970s.

IMPROVE SERVICE CONDITIONS OF TEACHERS (PAGE 22)

THE Vice-chancellor of the University of Education Winneba (UEW), Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw has called on the government to improve the conditions of service of teachers to attract the best brains for the success of the new educational reform.
Prof. Asabere-Ameyaw said it should be the responsibility of the government to make the teaching profession very attractive to make it a profession of choice.
That, he said, called for the support of teacher trainees through scholarships and conducive teacher-learning environments.
Prof. Asabere-Ameyaw made the call at the 13th congregation of the UEW in Winneba.
He said the UEW had positioned itself to provide quality training for teachers for quality education, adding that it was incumbent on the government to offer the necessary support for it to meet its mission.
He said the new educational reform posed challenges to institutions such as the UEW, which was charged with the responsibility of training quality teachers.
The Vice-chancellor appealed to the Ghana Education Service to grant more scholarships with pay to teachers.
He further called for improvement in teaching and learning facilities, staff and students to enhance the programmes of the university.
Professor Asabere-Ameyaw also called for support to expand the facilities of the former Specialist Training College at Ajumako in the Central Region to enable the UEW to utilise the facility in the next academic year.
He commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the chiefs and the people of Gomoa Atetsedo, near Okyereko, the Techiman Traditional Council and the Mamponghene and the Students Representative Council for their support for the growth of the UEW.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic K. Fobih urged the universities and the National Council for Tertiary Education to come up with appropriate recommendations to ensure the success of the new educational reform.
The Acting Chairman of the University Council, Reverend Dr Livingstone Buama noted that since education was not meant for decoration but to impart knowledge to others, teachers should ensure that the knowledge they acquired was placed at the disposal of others.

ASAMOAH-BOATENG CUTS SOD FOR KORMANTSE COMPLEX (BACK PAGE)

The Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, has cut the sod for the construction of a GH¢57,119.57 post office, library and Community Information Centre (CIC) complex at Kormantse in the Mfantseman municipality.
The project, which is being funded by Ghana Post, is to be completed within four months.
The CIC will have a capacity for 35 people, with the library accommodating 32.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Asamoah-Boateng, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West, urged the people to vote for him and the NPP presidential candidate to enhance the development of the area.
He said under the NPP government, the area had benefited from a number of projects in the areas of health, education, water and road.
He advised the people not to be swayed by the vague promises of people who could not deliver on their pledges and asked them to take into consideration the benefits they had derived from the various government interventions since the NPP assumed power.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng donated GH¢1,000 towards the construction of a community centre at Kormantse.
Mr Charles Asiedu of the Ghana Post called on the contractor to ensure that the project was executed on time and stressed the need for quality work.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Mfantseman,, Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, called on the people to remain loyal to the NPP and their Member of Parliament for the development of the area.
The Chief of Kormantse, Nana Kwame Akyen II, commended the NPP government and Mr Asamoah-Boateng for initiating a number of development projects in the area.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

RAWLINGS LEADS IN NDC KEEP-FIT EXERCISE (PAGE 16)

The former President, Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is very prepared to wrest power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), come December 7.
Flt. Lt. Rawlings said from what he had seen during his campaign tours, the NDC had a brighter chance than its opponents.
Addressing a massive rally at the Victoria Park after he had joined supporters of the party on a keep fit march through some of the principal streets of Cape Coast on Sunday, he said the smiles of victory and signs of suffering on the faces of the supporters were indications that they really wanted a change for the better.
He described the NPP campaign as ‘a TV campaign’ and that the response of people who turned up for such campaigns was not as spontaneous as those who turned up for NDC campaigns.
He said this was a sign that the NPP was not firm on the ground and an indication of loss of support for it.
He therefore asked NDC supporters not to be complacent but remain vigilant to ensure a resounding victory.
He added that the NPP government was oppressive, unjust and not truthful, and that they had inflicted much suffering on Ghanaians.
The ex-President said the NPP government also did not respect the rights of choice for others and that was why they allegedly rigged the 2004 elections.
He pointed out that the NDC’s philosophy was based on collective strength and respect for human values and dignity and added that the leadership of the country should be driven by patriotism and nationalism.
The National Vice-Chairman of the party, Mr E.T. Mensah, described the NPP as corrupt and urged people to vote it out of office.
Others who spoke at the rally included Mr Ebo Barton Odro, the aspiring NDC MP for Cape Coast and other leading members of the party.

Monday, November 10, 2008

REGIONS OBSERVE FARMERS DAY (PAGE 20)

The Chief of Dunkwa-On-Offin, Nana Obeng Nuako III, was selected as the Central Regional Best Farmer at the awards day which took place at Nsuaem-Kyekyewere, the capital of the Assin South District.
For his reward, he took home a corn-mill, a sewing machine, a pair of wellington boots, a knap-sack, wax print, a bicycle and cutlasses, among others.
Speaking at the function which was infused with some road safety tit-bits, the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur said about US$132.2 million donor assistance and investment was channelled into the country's agricultural sector.
He said, besides, the government had taken a number of important interventions to address the challenges facing farmers and the agricultural sector in general.
He said all these interventions had been implemented with the view to enabling the poor to manage the income that accrue to them from farming and to lead a decent lifestyle.
He advised farmers to form viable co-operatives to enable them to access credit from financial institutions and to also adopt an open-minded attitude to improve agro practices by the sector ministry in order to be abreast with the times and benefit from globalisation.
The Minister for Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic K. Fobih and the Assin South District Chief Executive, Ms Alice Millicent Korankye, commended the award winner for their hard work which has contributed towards food security and the national economy.
The Omanhene of the Assin Attandansu Traditional Area, Odeefuo Tsibu Asare, who chaired the function urged people not to consider farming as demeaning but a full fledged profession which could help create employment and generate wealth for economic boom.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

WORK TO ENSURE SUCCESS OF ELECTIONS — MKAPA (PAGE 13)

The former President of Tanzania, Mr Benjamin William Mkapa, has called on all Ghanaians to work together to ensure the success of the December elections.
Mr Mkapa said Ghana had provided an inspirational leadership role in Africa, and that the rest of the continent was looking to her.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, last Thursday, Mr Mkapa said it was the responsibility of all to ensure a peaceful election.
He called on the Electoral Commission, political parties, chiefs, civil society, religious bodies and all stakeholders to ensure that nothing was done to derail the elections.
He reminded Ghanaians about the need for unity in diversity, and that each one should respect other people's rights.
He described power sharing as not the best for the continent, and said the opposition must wait for its chance.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, who briefed him on the local government system in the country said Africa was watching the country, as it went through the elections, and gave the assurance that the elections would be peaceful.
He said Ghana would need the experience and expertise of the former Tanzanian leader.
In a related development, the President of Trinidad and Tobago, George Maxwell Richards, who was in the country on an official visit, also held discussions on issues of bilateral relations with the minister.
Nana Ato Arthur, who briefed him on the local government system in the country, said Africa was watching Ghana as it went through the elections, and gave the assurance that the elections would be peaceful.
He said Ghana would need the experience and expertise of the former Tanzanian leader.

Monday, November 3, 2008

FISHERMEN SUFFER DISTRESS AT SEA (MIRROR, PAGE 34)

From Joe Okyere, Elmina. Fishermen

For the 16-man crew of the “Nana Ayaya” canoe, it was a normal fishing expedition when they set sail in the evening of Thursday, August 28 to return the next morning.
However, things turned sour as they spent five days on the high seas after their 40 horse power outboard motor developed a fault.
According to the captain of the crew, Kwamena Shaibu, 44, after they had not made enough catch, they continued with their expedition, with the hope of making some before they returned to defray the cost of the expedition and also make some money for their toil.
Shaibu said fortunately they made a handsome catch after casting the first net. But unknown to them, their outboard motor developed a fault.
He said crew from two other canoes which saw their catch approached them to find out where they had made the catch, with the intention of making a catch of their own.
He said it was after the crew in the two canoes had left them that they detected the fault, saying that since there was no canoe in sight they tried frantically to repair it and sail back to Elmina.
Shaibu said try as they did, they could not fix it and they, therefore, resigned themselves to their fate, as colleague fishermen who had seen them in desperation refused to assist them, let alone send the message to the owner of the canoe after those fishermen had returned.
He said since it was just a day’s expedition, they had carried food and the necessary items they used at sea for such short outings.
He said they had to throw away their catch into the sea when the ice cubes they carried melted and the fish was going bad.
All that while, the owner of the canoe, Mr Emmanuel Mensah, aka Aborokyir Wansan, kept waiting in anticipation that the crew would return.
Mr Mensah, who is also a former Assembly Member for the Liverpool Electoral Area in Elmina, said relatives of the crew kept trooping to his house to find out what had happened to their loved ones when they detected the unusual delay in their landing.
He said about 5.30 p.m. on Friday he received a distress call on his cell phone from the captain about their ordeal and that they desperately needed food, water and fuel.
He said he sent a rescue team with their request between 6.00-6.30 p.m. on Friday but the rescue team could not locate the distressed canoe because it was drifting with the wind.
He said under the circumstance, the rescue team returned around 2.00 a.m. Saturday.
Mr Mensah said he sent yet another rescue team, which could also not locate the distressed crew. He said he then sent messages to the fishing communities along the coastline to be on the look out for any strange canoe within their territorial waters.
Shaibu said after their pleas to other fishermen who saw their plight to assist them had failed, it was only divine intervention which saved them by drifting the canoe to the shore at Apam.
He said as if their ordeal was not enough, after picking a spare outboard motor at Apam to continue with the journey back to Elmina, they lost another vital part of that motor and had to be rescued by another canoe before fixing the machine to enable them to get to Elmina.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

VOTE NDC FOR DEVELOPMENT — MILLS (PAGE 15)

THE flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor J.E. Atta Mills, has called on the people of the Central Region to vote for him to lead the country into economic prosperity and development.
Professor Mills further asked them to vote for him because he is a God-fearing person who would serve them with truth and humility.
Addressing the Central Regional House of Chiefs in Cape Coast, Professor Mills also appealed to supporters of the party to eschew acts that could lead to violence before, during and after the elections.
He challenged the other parties to ensure a free, fair and peaceful elections.
He said the current economic hardships facing the people needed a person who was capable of developing sound policies.
He said by his experience, he was better placed to serve the people and create the enabling environment for job creation, wealth and real growth.
Professor Mills who was accompanied by the Regional Chairman of the party, Mr S.V. Akyianu, said when he becomes President, he would not discriminate against any section of the populace.
He said the Central Region had lagged behind in terms of industrial development, and that his government would tackle the problem when it was voted into power.
He said his government would set up a buffer stock management agency to buy and store excess food items for the lean season.
He also debunked claims that the former President said chiefs in the region were bribed to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He explained that ex-President Rawlings rather blamed some of the NDC’s polling agents for contributing to the party’s defeat.
Earlier, the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, and the Omanhen of the Eguafo Traditional Area, Nana Kwamena Ansah VI, described the forthcoming election as vital for democracy in the country.
He called on the contesting candidates to address how they would solve the myriad of challenges which the country faced, and that chiefs would continue to open their doors to all political parties.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

SET UP SECURITY FUND —ATO ARTHUR (PAGE 32)

THE Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, has stressed the need to set up a security fund to provide decent accommodation for personnel of the security services.
He said decent accommodation for personnel of the security services, especially those on transfer, had been a major problem confronting the institutions.
He was addressing a three-day seminar for regional and district officers and regional accountants and storekeepers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) from the southern sector in Cape Coast last Monday.
Nana Arthur said throughout the world governments were being called upon to practise good governance, which called for transparency, accountability, equality and good decision-making.
He said it was in line with those that the government passed the Financial Administration Act, the Procurement Act and the Audit Agency Act to form the pillars of the country's strategy for achieving accelerated social and economic development.
He said the acts had brought sanity into the handling and management of government resources and urged the officers to take advantage of the seminar for effective and efficient delivery.
Nana Arthur reminded them of the upcoming elections and advised them to harp on issues that would unite the people rather than divide them.
The Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Director in charge of Finance and Administration at the GNFS, Mr Cornelius Woedi, said the service had, from January to September this year, mobilised GH¢244,580.99, against a projected GH¢330,000.
He asked the officers to put in efforts to make up for the shortfall by the end of the year.
He said the service had responded to 2,279 fires throughout the country as of the end of August this year and that those fires cost GH¢5,351,177 in damage.
He urged the officers to use the seminar to improve on their skills in financial management to enhance the judicious use of resources for development.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

MAKE SACRIFICES ON ELECTION DAY...IGP tells police officers (PAGE 16)

THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick K. Acheampong, has called on the police to make the necessary sacrifices on December 7, to ensure violence-free elections.
He said since there might not be enough by way of resources at their disposal it was important they made the necessary sacrifices to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
Mr Acheampong said this at the inauguration of GH¢4.8 million accommodation for the Central Regional Police Command in Cape Coast.
He said Ghanaians had had non-violent elections since 1992 and that the country would not burn as being touted by sceptics.
He therefore assured Ghanaians that the police would do all in their power to ensure peace before, during and after the elections.
He added that the police would ensure adequate security and that at the end of the day, the people would be happy that they had gone through another successful general election.
The IGP advised the police to be bold to correct any anomalies at the polling stations.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, urged the police administration to complete ongoing accommodation projects to ensure decent housing for its personnel.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE TO HELP CHECK STREETISM (PAGE 31)

The Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has suggested that the promotion of family life based on sound cultural practices should be included in the national plan to get the youth out of the streets.
He added that such a plan should also include an overall improvement in the socio-economic status of the people.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said since poverty had been identified as the cause of streetism in Ghana, measures such as sound education for the youth would be the best way to tackle the poverty cycle.
He was delivering the 13th congregation lecture of the University of Education Winneba (UEW) at Winneba on the theme: "Sustaining Excellence in Educational Leadership for Accelerated Development". His topic was the "Role of Education in Addressing "Streetism".
Defining "streetism" as the leaving of homeless or unmonitored children on the street, he drew a direct link between the phenomenon and drugs, crime, broken homes, disease and delinquency, adding that the phenomenon constituted an emerging challenge to one of the most disquieting challenges facing not only civil society but also the political society as well as religious leaders and that its magnitude was unknown even to public institutions.
Professor Frimpong-Boateng who is also the President of the Ghana Heart Foundation and the Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), said unconfirmed estimates put the figure in the country at 100,000.
He said for the traditional African society "streetism" indicates that the once cherished value of collective societal responsibility towards children is fast disappearing.
He said in Ghana the two main categories of street children are the ones who migrate from the remote parts of the country to the cities and those who work on the street to supplement family income but return to the house at the end of the day.
He said vocational education should be seen as not only providing training and employment for the youth but also as an indispensable link in the chain of wealth creation and prosperity for the people.
He said education is the system that unearths hidden talents or ability, which can be described as a potential force that needs other variables to manifest its usefulness to society and that this calls for motivation and attitudinal change.
He therefore called on all to change their attitude to enable the country to achieve her goals which have eluded her for a long time.
Professor Frimpong-Boateng further called for the establishment of a strong link between the universities, industries and the government to enhance funding and the use of research.
The Vice-Chancellor of the UEW, Professor Asabere-Ameyaw, said since the problems of street children relate to drugs and crime, it is the collective responsibility of all to help curb the unfortunate phenomenon.

RAWLINGS: BE VIGILANT TO SECURE VICTORY FOR NDC (PAGE 15)

Former President J.J. Rawlings has asked supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be vigilant and ensure that the December 7 elections is peaceful, free and fair.
Addressing a rally at Elmina on Sunday, he said supporters of the party should not repeat the mistake of 2004 when they became complacent and were cheated at the election.
He said an international survey indicated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was going to lose that election by a margin of about 70 per cent due to the waning popularity and support as a result of the hardship the people were going through.
The former President said the NPP, knowing that it was going to lose the election in 2004, manipulated the results to retain power and that the results in the Central Region bore testimony to that.
The Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr S.V. Akyianu, commended the supporters for their massive turn-out for the rally, and to welcome the former President.
He asked them to translate their support into a vote for the NDC to win the December 7 election.
The party’s parliamentary candidate for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem, Dr J.S.Annan, was introduced to the people.
From Sekondi Kwame Asiedu Marfo reports that the former President said that the NDC government left behind a legacy and opportunities which could make it possible for every Ghanaian to live a decent life.
He added that as soon as the party left office, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government reduced the people to fourth class citizens, and urged Ghanaians not to vote for the NPP again.
Flt Lt Rawlings was speaking at the launch of the political campaign for constituencies in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis in Sekondi at the weekend, where the party's parliamentary candidates for the constituencies were introduced.
"Ghana must wake up because Satan wants to destroy her people", the former President said, and urged the people to stay united and maintain the sense of purpose and not to allow any darkness to befall the country.
The Western Regional Chairman of the NDC, Dr John Abu, said the region would continue to recognise the NDC for what it did for the region by voting massively for it.
He mentioned some of the achievements of the NDC in the region as the construction of a fishing harbour at Sekondi, roads and schools, and added that with all these projects , the NPP government was claiming that the NDC did nothing for the region.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

MAN, 18, REMANDED FOR STEALING (PAGE 23)

THE Assin Fosu District Magistrate Court has remanded an 18-year-man in prison custody for four weeks for stealing.
The accused, Evans Ahiafo, a native of Sogakope, allegedly stole 60 metres of electric cable valued at GH¢174.60 meant for supplying power to some communities, including Assin Nduaso.
Ahiafo pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing and causing damage to cables belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana.
According to the court, presided over by Mr Joseph Blay, Ahiafo’s remand was to enable the police to look for his accomplice, whose name was only given as Ralph, who is on the run, to assist the police in their investigations.
Prosecuting, Inspector P.K. Atta stated that on September 24, this year, Ahiafo and Ralph caused damage to a cable connecting some houses at Nduaso in the Assin North District.
He said residents, who had been sensitised by the ECG to irregular power supply interruptions by thieves to enable them to steal cables, managed to arrest Ahiafo but Ralph bolted.
Mr Blay urged the police to invite Ahiafo’s parents to the court at the next hearing of the case.
Briefing the press later, Mr Christian Ayensu Nimako, the Assin Fosu District Manager of the ECG, said there had been rampant stealing of cables connecting power to houses in several communities in the area, thereby plunging those communities into darkness.
He said the modus operandi of the thieves was to switch off the mains before stealing the cables and sometimes meters.

WASTE PROCESSING PLANT FOR ABURANSA (PAGE 23)

THE problem of plastic waste disposal which has been the bane of most communities will soon be a thing of the past within the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) municipality with the construction of recycling plant at Aburansa.
As a result of the collaboration between the Gouda municipality of The Netherlands and the KEEA Municipal Assembly, early next year four tonnes of recycled plastic from 4,000 kilogrammes of waste will be turned into sheets and tiles, among other things.
At a three-day seminar for agents for the collection of types of plastic waste in Elmina, the Project Manager of Cyclus Limited, Mr Bless Darke, said response by the agents had so far been encouraging. They rake in 1,700 kilogrammes of waste weekly.
He said the KEEA Municipal Assembly had also donated 400 litter bins to neighbouring assemblies to ensure regular supply of raw materials for the plant.
He said the plant would not only help reduce the sanitation problems within the KEEA and neighbouring assemblies but also offer employment for about 3,000 youth.
Mr Darke said the KEEA had placed litter bins at the disposal of collection agents at vantage points, while some of them had also been donated to the neighbouring assemblies to ensure the regular supply of raw materials for the effective operation of the plant.
Mr Wim Hardeman, the Project Manager of Cyclus Netherlands, which is supporting the project, said at the moment only transparent bottles were being collected but that other types of bottles and waste such as sachets and containers for cooking oil, detergents, soft drinks and shopping bags would also be needed after the construction of a new plant next year.
He said the machines were expected in the country by the end of this month, adding that work on the construction was progressing steadily.

EDINAMAN SHS CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET (PAGE 23)

THE students of Edinaman Senior High School (SHS) have benefited from a GH¢12,000 Internet connectivity funded by SOG, a development foundation in Gouda, The Netherlands.
The facility was made possible under the twin-city relationship between the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assembly and the Gouda Municipality.
It consists of broadband Internet services, local area network designing and implementation, website designing and the refurbishment of computers for the school.
Speaking at the inauguration of the facility on the school premises at Elmina, the Mayor of Gouda, Mr Wim Cornellis, said Gouda would support the Edinaman school with computers to enhance the teaching and learning of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), in line with the new educational reform.
For his part, the KEEA Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Frank Asmah, said the package would help the students to access the Internet, use the website to showcase their school and the country to the international community.
He said the donation had propelled the relationship between the KEEA and Gouda to another height.
Mr Asmah stated that the relationship, which began five years ago, continued to deepen yearly, mentioning other areas of co-operation under the partnership as capacity building for KEEA staff and support for environmental improvement, tourism promotion and development in the municipality.
In a related development, the LOGO South Platform (LSP) has honoured Mr Asmah for his commitment to the promotion of the organisation’s activities.
The LSP, which is made up of five municipalities each in The Netherlands and Ghana, promotes an exchange programme at sister-city levels where knowledge and good governance practices are shared.
Presenting the award to Mr Asmah, the VNG Director in Ghana, Mr Martin Beks, commended the former’s interest and contributions towards the development of the organisation.
Mr Asmah said the KEEA Municipal Assembly was conscious of the benefits of the LSP programme, which was helping the municipality in diverse ways.

MCE ANGRY WITH PEOPLE WHO FLOUT SANITATION REGULATIONS (PAGE 23)

THE Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Madam Mercy Arhin, has deplored the way sanitation regulations in the metropolis are flouted with impunity by some residents.
She said the situation had contributed to the heavy pollution and silting of the Fosu Lagoon, as well as choked drains and poor sanitary conditions in some parts of the metropolis.
Madam Arhin, therefore, called on residents of the metropolis to ensure good sanitation and proper hygienic practices to rid the metropolis of filth to boost tourism and healthy lives.
She also urged them to keep the beaches clean and be bold to challenge people who flouted sanitation regulations.
Addressing a capacity-building workshop for opinion leaders of Anaafo in Cape Coast, Madam Arhin said it had become common practice for the residents to dump garbage at unauthorised places, including open drains, resulting in the spread of diseases.
The project is being supported by the German Development Service, in collaboration with Youth Watch, Ghana, the Central Regional Development Commission and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly.
The Metropolitan Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey, said 632 cases of cholera were reported in the metropolis in 2006, with 28 deaths, adding that there was no outbreak of the disease in 2007.
He said three cases of yellow fever were reported in 2005, with none being recorded in 2006 and 2007, while 60,113 cases of malaria were recorded in 2005, 61,764 in 2006 and 61,077 in 2007.
He stated that 13 elephantiasis cases were recorded in 2005, 23 in 2006 and 36 in 2007.
Dr Nuertey called on the assembly to enact and enforce its bye-laws on sanitation for improved and healthy lives.
Messrs Francis Kyeremeh and Christopher Mensah, Executive Director Programme and Director, respectively, of Youth Watch Ghana, said a recent UNICEF/WTO joint monitoring report on sanitation ranked the country as one of the dirtiest in West Africa.
They, therefore, called for concerted efforts to address the situation.

Friday, October 10, 2008

NPP POLLING EXECUTIVES REACT TO REPORT (PAGE 34)

POLLING station executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Constituency in the Central Region have reacted angrily to a report that the sale of pre-mix fuel in the area has been restored to the Chief Fisherman of Elmina, Joojo Solomon.
The return of the trade to the chief fisherman followed the dissolution of the Elmina Interim Premix Management Committee annonced by the Minister of Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah.
At a press conference in Elmina on Monday to react to the minister’s announcement, the polling station executives said if within one week the decision is not reversed, they would embark on mass demonstrations.
In a statement read on their behalf by the KEEA Constituency Chairman of the NPP, Nana Appiah Korang, the group expressed dismay at the minister's decision and described it as a flagrant disrespect for the President, the Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the Central Regional Minister and the KEEA Municipal Chief Executive.
They also wondered why Mrs Asmah should direct the Oil Marketing Companies to supply Joojo Solomon premix fuel without going through the Central Regional Co-ordinating Committee on premix as stipulated by the premix regulations.
The Executives said until its dissolution, the IMC was performing creditably and rendering regular accounts. They added that the IMC had rehabilitated street lights, supplied learning materials, uniforms, granted bursaries to children of fishermen and donated 50 bags of cement to support the construction of the chief’s palace.
They claimed that Joojo Solomon was suspended for allegedly embezzling funds from premix sale and that since the minister had failed to investigate the allegation, they found the action to reinstate him incompatible with the tenets of anti-corruption, accountability and transparency.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

ASSOCIATION SUPPLIES FARMING INPUTS TO FARMERS (PAGE 20)

THE Cocoa Abrabopa Association (CAA) has provided farming inputs worth more than GH¢5,000,000 to its members on credit.
The association that was registered in January, this year, to provide assistance to cocoa farmers through the supply of improved yields and quality beans to improve the quality of life of cocoa farmers, has a total membership of 1,000.
The Executive Secretary of the association, Mr Eliseus Opoku-Boamah, made this known at Dunkwa-on-Offin. Mr Opoku-Boamah said each farmer received inputs worth GH¢390 and operational expenses of GH¢160.
He said the recovery rate had been over 90 per cent and commended the farmers for their co-operation. Mr Opoku-Boamah also praised TechnoServe Ghana, Wienco Ghana Limited, the Ghana Cocoa Board and their partners, which supported the project.
The Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, Lidi Remme Lzwaa, said the Netherlands as a significant consumer of cocoa products in the world, was ready to support efforts aimed at improving cocoa production as well as the life of cocoa farmers.
The ambassador said out of the about 35,000 metric tonnes of cocoa the Dutch consumed yearly, about 60 per cent was expected to come from Ghana.
She welcomed the collaboration between Wienco Ghana and the association and said it marked the beginning of a milestone in the future of the association and the lives of hard-working cocoa farmers.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

FIRST FEMALE VICE-CHANCELLOR INDUCTED AT CAPE COAST VARSITY (SPREAD)

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, has pledged to work with everybody to advance the mission of the university and the country.
She said she was taking office "with a high sense of purpose, a desire for excellence, commitment, discipline, compassion, fairness and dedication to the core mission of the UCC, while being mindful of the complex nature of the responsibility involved in this position".
She gave the assurance in her acceptance speech at her induction as the Vice-Chancellor of the UCC in Cape Coast yesterday.
Prof Opoku-Agyeman, who turns 57 on November 22, this year, is the first Ghanaian woman to be appointed to that position. She succeeds Reverend Prof Emmanuel Adow Obeng, who has completed his tenure of two terms in office.
The occasion was also used to induct the new Registrar, Mr Isaac Ohene, who also takes over from Mr S.K. Ohene.
The new vice-chancellor promised to endeavour to consult widely on key decisions, while being mindful of the ultimate good of the university and the country.
She said the 21st Century had created a global village with new and exciting pathways to the world of learning and that Ghanaian universities needed to rethink a new vision that would effectively tap the huge learning opportunities now placed within the reach of all age groups, especially the young.
She said the new vision, aided by an intellectual leadership, should place the universities at the core of all that the country desired in the fields of teaching and learning, research and a new partnership among the universities, industry and the government.
Prof. Opoku-Agyeman said the universities drove the vision of development, which recognised that learning and skills formed the foundation of the knowledge society, which determines lasting innovation and increased production for the improvement of the living standards of the people.
She said that implied producing a student who was truly professional in every field of human endeavour, was willing to take initiatives and ready to turn challenges into opportunities.
"Such is the mindset I bring to engage the teaching, learning and working environment of the UCC," she added.
She expressed the hope that staff, students and workers would extend the needed co-operation and teamwork to enable her to continue the good works of her predecessors who sacrificed to bring the UCC to its current state.
President John Agyekum Kufuor, in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Trade, Industry and President’s Special Initiatives, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, said by Prof Opoku-Agyeman's appointment, she had broken the jinx surrounding the glass ceiling limiting women’s efforts to higher positions.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah was accompanied by the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic K. Fobih, and the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur.
President Kufuor said the government, in its quest for women to strive for higher positions, created the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and went further to appoint women to key positions.
He said Prof Opoku-Agyeman's appointment would ginger the younger generation of females to excel in their chosen fields.
He commended the past administration for its work in ensuring the growth of the university.
The Immediate Past Vice-Chancellor, Rev Prof Obeng, expressed the hope that all would give their support to Prof. Opoku-Agyeman to enhance the growth of the university.
The Chancellor of the UCC, Dr Sam Esson Jonah, who performed the induction ceremony, said by her appointment, Prof Opoku-Agyeman had exhibited great courage and refused to accept the status quo which imposed disadvantages on the role of women in all endeavours of life.
He said millions of young women would be emboldened to appreciate that there was no limit to what they could achieve in life, if they were as disciplined, courageous hardworking and determined as Prof Opoku-Agyeman.

PROF NAANA OPOKU-AGYEMANG...First female Vice-Chancellor (PAGE 11)

I draw inspiration from life around me and people who do not give up easily. When I see women who sit behind their wares in the scorching sun, those who trek to markets on trucks loaded with foodstuffs, fish and other items and those who do not have fixed income, yet they are able to look after their children, I think there are no better role models than them.”
That was how Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang summed up her description of an ideal woman, whilst answering a question on who her role model was during an interview on her new appointment as the first woman Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
She did her postgraduate studies in Toronto's York University in Canada, between 1978 and 1986 and started life as a lecturer at UCC in the English Department. This was after she had completed her first degree at UCC in 1971, majoring in English and French with a diploma in education.
Asked whether she faced any challenges as a lecturer at the time, she replied in the affirmative and recalled that one of the greatest challenges that came her way in her work as a lecturer at the UCC over the past 22 years was the day she described as follows: After giving a two-hour lecture, a group of students from her class followed her to her office to tell her that they did not understand what she taught.
She said after listening to them carefully she realised they were mature students who had not gone through certain rudiments in literature and, therefore, she decided to hold special tutorials for them on Friday evenings.
She said that strategy worked, since the affected students showed determination and picked up, adding that she was glad to see them graduate successfully with some of them pursuing further studies.
Asked whether she dreamt of ever becoming the Vice Chancellor of UCC one day, Professor Opoku-Agyemang, in her usual and characteristic humility and soft-spoken tone, said since she was employed to teach, she was only "interested in doing that and doing it well”, adding that “whether teaching, researching or offering community service, I strive for excellence".
She said she did not know she would even become the Hall Warden for the Adehye Hall where she helped to mobilise students of the hall to improve facilities and conditions there.
The new vice chancellor said there were certain positions one had to compete for whilst others came along the line and that she contested for certain positions and won or lost but when she saw the advertisement for the position of vice chancellor, she studied the qualifications and requirements and then went through the application process as every applicant did and waited for the results.
Incidentally, she was the only woman who applied for the position.
Sounding proverbial on her vision for the UCC as vice chancellor, she said, "I want to see myself first as an interior decorator who occupies a room and re-arranges whatever is found there to give it a new look" and expressed optimism that once she would be working with a competent team the results would show.
She said she wanted the UCC to be globally known and remain "the university of choice” because of the high calibre of students and staff and pointed out that she was only interested to bring everyone on board to push the university forward.
She commended the past principals and vice chancellors for their respective roles in sustaining the vision of the university to maintain excellence and quality programmes.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who hails from Komenda, was born in Cape Coast on November 22, 1952, where she spent much of her life. She said she grew up in a home where everyone had the opportunity to attend school and that all those in the family including herself, siblings and cousins were educated.
She described her father simply as a senior civil servant and her mother as a telephonist, seamstress and a housewife.
After one year at the Komenda Primary School she attended the Koforidua Anglican School when they moved to Koforidua and later entered the Aburi Girls Boarding School where she continued her basic education.
She recalled that even though her parents had to cater for her and also another sister and three brothers as well as her cousins, their needs were readily met, adding, "Everybody was encouraged to do his or her best.”
After elementary education she gained admission to the Wesley Girls High School where she pursued Arts subjects and obtained the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level and the Advanced Level offering English, French and Religious Studies.
About her days as a youth at the Wey Gey Hey where she became a senior prefect, Professor Opoku-Agyemang said apart from the serene atmosphere and sense of freedom at the school, she met masters who took pains to teach them and gave them assignments to monitor their progress.
She advised the public to discard the wrong perception about the university set-up in 1962 and associate it with quality education and human resource development that the country's future hinged on.
She stressed the need to encourage the government to spend more on education, giving the assurance that the university would continue to be partners in a far-reaching vision in advancing education in all spheres throughout the country and across the world.
Asked to comment on the falling standards of education in the country, Professor Opoku-Agyemang said as a researcher, such a comparison could only be based on proper research because education in the country had depended on several different mechanisms at different times.
She said years ago, student numbers were not as huge as now and that if the methodology was changed and resources were provided, the university could cope with the situation.
She said since human resource was very important for national development the nation should be interested in the training of its people, stressing that the country needs to strategise to meet the challenges.
She said the youth of today had several opportunities and avenues and advised them to avail themselves of such opportunities to get good results.
She called on the girl-child, who she described as very brilliant and intelligent, to study hard and excel because her achievement was a credit to the family and the country.
On affirmative action for women, she said the issue should be handled with sensitivity because some people had a lot of misconceptions about the concept, adding that structures must be put in place in that respect.
She advised the youth to learn to be honest and avoid doing things that would mar their lives and shut the door to their future will.
She further advised the youth not to experiment but look up to the good examples set by others and also learn from their mistakes.
She advised parents to stop complaining to their children because they had no business to do that but strive to provide their essential needs to offer their best in whatever area they found themselves.
She is married with three children. She enjoys reading, cooking, playing tennis, entertainment and loves having people around her.
She is a member of a number of literary associations such as the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, African Literature Association, Ghana English Association, and the Ghana Studies Council. She has nine books to her credit and over 25 publications. She worships at the OLA Methodist Church and is a patron of the UCC Ladies Association.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

24 SHS IN CENTRAL REGION GET BUSES (PAGE 21)

TWENTY-FOUR senior high schools (SHS) in the Central Region have benefited from buses donated by the government to ease the transportation problems of schools throughout the country.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, who handed over the keys to the buses to Mr Ebo G. Edzie, the Deputy Central Regional Director in charge of Finance and Administration of the Ghana Education Service in Cape Coast, expressed regret that some of the drivers who went for the vehicles stole radio cassette systems in the cars before they were sent to their destinations.
Nana Ato Arthur said investigations would be conducted into the case and the drivers who would be found culpable would be dealt with.
He entreated the beneficiary schools to use the vehicles judiciously and maintain them to ease the transportation problems of students and staff of their schools.
Mrs Anastasia Okyere of the Regional Education office, commended the government for providing the buses to ease the transportation problem of the schools.
Among the beneficiary institutions are the Efutu, Mankessim, Obrakyere, Nyakrom, Assin North, Mando, Senya, Eguafo, Enyan Denkyira, Abakrampa senior high schools, the Komenda Senior High (Technical) and the Gomoa Senior High (Technical).

Sunday, August 17, 2008

CHILD SURVIVAL PROJECT MAKES IMPACT IN 12 COMMUNITIES (PAGE 22)

THE Child Survival Project implemented by Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organisation NGO), has made significant gains in 12 communities in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District in the Central Region.
The project is being sponsored by SIMAVI of Netherlands.
In a summary at a workshop at Ajumako, Ms Nancy Ansah, a resource person of HFFG, said the project raised the awareness of the link between ill-health and sanitation in the participating communities.
She said the project achieved community participation in health care through training of volunteers, and the establishment of community support systems.
Ms Ansah said the project had made major gains in the knowledge on preventive health, signs, symptoms, spread, prevention and management of malaria, adding that its incidence reduced by 47.13 per cent during the period.
She said the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets also increased by 46.7 per cent.
Ms Ansah stated that primary health care was made easily accessible to the people and that community-based health agents were also trained to refer diseases to hospitals.
According to her, the project also encouraged mothers to immunise their children on time while traditional birth attendants also received training and incentives to send women in labour to health facilities.
It was, however, observed that more needed to be done and the project expanded to cover more communities for the benefit of the majority of people who lived in deprived areas.

ENYANMAIM CITIZENS IN UK REMEMBER HOME (PAGE 22)

A MEMBER of the Enyanmaim Citizens Association in the United Kingdom, Ms Philomena Poku, has on behalf of the association presented two computers, a printer and books to the Enyanmaim community library to enhance Information Communication Technology (ICT) education for schoolchildren in the area.
At a durbar of chiefs and people of the area at Enyanmaim, Ms Poku said the donation was the association's contribution towards the development of education in the area.
She said information technology formed the basis of education in the world and therefore, it would require the support of all to provide technology for the youth to assist them become competitive on the international job market.
He advised parents not to shirk their parental responsibility towards their children's education.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Mr John Arthur-Baiden, urged parents to offer the necessary support for their children’s education, since that was the best investment they could leave for their children.
The District Director of Education, Mr Isaac Amonoo, commended the citizens in the UK for remembering their kit and kin they had left behind.
He advised the youth to take advantage of the library to study hard and become useful citizens.
The Omanhen of the Enyanmaim Traditional Area, Okofo Amoako Bondam III, also praised the association for donating the computers to facilitate the acquisition of ICT skills, as well as books to boost education in the area.

2 GOMOA FACTIONS SMOKE PEACE PIPE (PAGE 22)

THE parties embroiled in the dispute over the siting of the newly created Gomoa East District Assembly at Gomoa Afransi have agreed to smoke the peace pipe for the unity and development of the area.
This follows the intervention of a media team led by the Omanhene of the Abeadze Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII.
At a meeting at Mankessim, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi advised the two feuding factions from the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area and the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area to consider the convening of regular meetings in future to foster unity among Gomoas.
The Omanhen of Gomoa Akyempim, Obirifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, gave his full backing to the peaceful settlement of the impasse for peace and unity to prevail in the two traditional areas as it used to be some years back.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, denied that he never sacked some people from the Akyempim who called on him at his office in Cape Coast.
He also explained that he was neither involved in the naming of the district assembly nor the siting of its capital at Gomoa Afransi, adding that all what he did was to act upon a letter from the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment’s Legislative Instrument (1883), which gave the legal backing to the new assembly.
The District Chief Executive for Gomoa West, Ms Joyce Aidoo, called for decorum and tolerance to guide the new district assembly for a smooth and prosperous administration.
The Odikro of Afransi, Nana Ogyedom Obrenu Atta II, denied any knowledge about the siting of the district capital until it was announced.
He stated that he only counted himself as a lucky chief, stressing that any controversy should be settled.
Other members of the committee were Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaamanhen; Nana Yamful Obrenu VIII, the Twafohene; Nana Nketsia Afful, the Abontendomhen; and Nana Antwi Bosiako, the Ankobeahen, all of the Abeadze Traditional Area.
It would be recalled that following a suit filed by Obirifo Ahor Ankobea at a court in Accra against the Minister of Local Government, the Central Regional Minister and three others, against the inauguration of the assembly, the chief called on the court to commit the defendants for contempt for going ahead to inaugurate the assembly.

POLICE STRENGTHENS UNIT TO CHECK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (PAGE 22)

THE Police Administration has set in motion a programme to strengthen the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) throughout the country to address the problem of domestic violence.
Violence against women and children has been a worldwide problem over the years. Even though the problem has existed in many communities for a long time, it was only in the early 1990's that it featured prominently in human rights discourse, particularly at the world conference on Human Rights held in 1992.
Since then measures have been put in place at the international, national, regional and local levels in an attempt to address the problem.
At a three-day conference for police personnel of DOVVSU, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) at the National Secretariat of the DOVVSU, Haleema Afa Boakye, said the unit had set aside this month for an advocacy programme in the Central Region to create awareness in both gender and domestic violence.
ASP Boakye said the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana had been contributing towards the training and provided logistic support for DOVVSU.
The Central Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mrs Rose Bio Atenga, said it had been realised that issues of domestic violence needed to be treated with professionalism, expertise and understanding.
She said there was also the need to be mindful of physical abuse and its social, mental and psychological dimensions.
Mrs Atenga said service providers had to sympathise with victims to understand such issues.
In Ghana, the Women and Juvenile Unit (WAG) was established in 1998 through the collaboration of some non-governmental organisations, pressure groups and the then Ghana National Commission on Children, to oversee the challenges facing women and children.
The unit was re-christened the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit in 2006 to address the concerns of men, who earlier held uninformed perception of the unit’s operations.
Today, the unit has established offices in all the Regional Police Headquarters, as well as in the districts.
In the Central Region, the unit was established in 2002 and currently has opened offices in all the working districts.
Mrs Atenga said as a specialised unit, there was the need for regular courses for its personnel to enhance their performance.
She said the unit faced a lot of challenges because more cases were reported as a result of domestic conflicts between men and their wives.
The regional commander said most of such cases were as a result of men seeking to take additional women for wives because of bumper fish catch and bumper crop harvest.
The course was designed to equip the participants with investigative skills and broaden their counselling abilities to enhance their performance.
The participants were taken through topics such as the legal framework for survivors of abuse, domestic violence and gender-based violence, counselling for survivors of abuse and professional investigations.
Mrs Atenga said the unit had achieved many successes and overcome challenges, which won it a national award.
She stated that the course had also been designed to help them to confront the challenges they faced.
The regional commander expressed the hope that the knowledge they would acquire during the workshop would enhance their work.
The Central Regional Co-ordinator of DOVVSU, ASP Felicia Ayesu, urged the participants to take advantage of the workshop to upgrade their knowledge and skills to ensure the effective and efficient discharge of their duties.

Monday, August 11, 2008

WIREKO-BROBBY TO CONTEST SEAT AS INDEPENDENT (PAGE 17)

A 36-year-old Development Engineer, Mr Bright Wireko-Brobby, has decided to contest the Hemang-Lower Denkyira seat as an independent parliamentary candidate.
Mr Wireko-Brobby, who announced this at a press conference in Cape Coast, said he took the decision to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December parliamentary elections, to vindicate his position that he was truly the man of the people.
He said that he took the decision after a deep and sober reflection of an unfair and unjustifiable treatment meted out to him and his teeming supporters by the NPP Constituency Executives and the Central Regional Chairman over his eligibility to contest the primary.
Mr Wireko-Brobby said he had chosen the lantern as his symbol, and that as a true faithful of the NPP, he filed his papers to contest the incumbent MP because many supporters in the constituency had lost faith and confidence in the incumbent Member of Parliament.
He said since the incumbent realised that he would be defeated at the primary, he teamed up with the constituency executive and were reluctant to allow any eligible person to contest him, and falsely argued that he, Wireko-Brobby, was not known in the party.
He said he had been a member of the party since 1992 and was even privileged to introduce the late professor Adu Boahen during a campaign in the constituency.
He said when Mr Lord Commey, who happened to chair the vetting committee for prospective candidates, realised that he had been unfairly treated, he referred the matter to a mediation committee, chaired by Nana Awuku.
He expressed surprise as to why some constituencies such as Suhum, Tema East, Offinso and Oforikrom, which had not had their primaries were spared the acclamation.
He said apart from denying him of his democratic right to contest, the action was also a breach of the party” constitution.
He said with his 12 years of experience as a Development Consultant, and having worked earlier on USAID-sponsored projects across the length and breadth of the country and now CARE International, a non-governmental organisation, he was only responding to distress calls from his people to contest as an independent candidate.
He called on all eligible voters to register and vote massively to vindicate his position that he was truly the man of the people.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

APPIAH-OFORI INSPECTS PROJECTS (PAGE 13)

The Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Mr P.C. Appiah-Ofori, has inspected two projects being undertaken by the Breman Asikuma District Assembly.
They are a two-storey multi-purpose community centre and an office for the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme.
Mr Appiah-Ofori who was accompanied by the District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Adjei Domson, said he supported the construction of the DMHIS offices with 200 bags of cement from his share of the MPs Common Fund.
Mr Appiah-Ofori said he would continue to provide support for the completion of the offices for the effective functioning and the smooth implementation of the scheme in the district.
This, he said, would make health care easily accessible to the people in the area.
He advised the people to register with the scheme to reap its benefits.
The MP said the 3000-seater capacity multi-purpose community project would also have an ICT room, a library, a conference room, two offices and a bar, among other facilities.
Earlier in an interaction with chiefs of the Breman Asikuma Traditional Council, Mr Appiah-Ofori called on the people to return the NPP to power to continue its good work.

TACKLE FACTORS WHICH HINDER QUALITY EDUCATION (PAGE 11)

PARTICIPANTS at a two-day international conference on Teacher Education held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have agreed that factors which hinder the teaching profession should be tackled with zeal to enhance quality education in the country.
They also stressed the need for commitment on the part of all stakeholders in teacher education to implement innovations and avoid resistance to change.
This was contained in an eight-point communiqué issued at the end of the conference, which discussed pertinent issues, prospects and challenges in education in sub-Saharan Africa.
The participants referred to the formation of the National Teachers Council and asked all stakeholders to see it as a paramount concern, which they must vigorously pursue for it to become a reality.
They said teacher education should live up to expectation through effective teaching and learning that placed emphasis on reflective enquiry and constructive approaches to teaching and learning.
According to them, teacher education should make effective use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to promote teaching and learning and that teachers and students should acquire the basic skills and knowledge in ICT.
The participants said effective models should be used to deal with issues of teaching, including field experience.
Teachers should also explore alternative ways of expanding access to education beyond the conventional and distance education models.
The issue of in-service training was also advocated as an integral part of teacher education and must be done on a regular and sustainable basis.
They further called for the promotion of networking among stakeholders in teacher education in sub-Saharan Africa to promote the exchange of ideas.
The participants stressed the need for frequent international conferences on teacher education to share ideas on contemporary issues in education.

Friday, August 1, 2008

RELEASE FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF BURSARIES...

THE University of Cape Coast (UCC) branch of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has called on the government to release funds for the payment of bursaries and thesis grants to students for the 2007/08 academic year.
This, the association said, would enable students to undertake their research projects.
It expressed dismay at the undue delay in the release of the funds, which, it said, was affecting continued studies at the university.
At a press conference in Cape Coast last Tuesday to press home the demand for the release of funds, the association also called for increase in the bursaries and grants from GH¢127 and GH¢230 to GH¢400 and GH¢600 respectively to reflect the realities and the increasing cost of living.
The president of the branch, Mr Napoleon-Bonaparte Afenyo, said the association was shocked at the inability of the government to pay the grants since May, this year, adding that several follow-up discussions with the Scholarship Secretariat had yielded no positive results.
Mr Afenyo said students were surprised as to why government officials continued to insist on education as a priority, but not much was being done to achieve excellence in higher education.
He said each student spent about GH¢1,500 on a project and so if the little grant which was meant to supplement their contribution was delayed, they became handicapped.
He said the delay had negatively affected some of the students to the extent that they stood the risk of deferring their courses.
He, therefore, called on the government to make good its obligation to the students concerning their projects.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

GROUP DONATES TO ANKAFUL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL (PAGE 21)

THE Care Generation Africa Foundation, a social group, has presented items worth GH¢800 to the inmates of the female and male wards of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital near Cape Coast.
The items comprised used clothing, detergents, footwear, provisions and soap.
The Chairman of the association, Mr T.E. Andoh, made the presentation after visiting the Foster ward for males and the Nightingale ward for females.
He said the gesture was the society’s contribution towards maintaining people admitted at the psychiatric hospital.
Mr Andoh said the society would adopt one of the wards at the hospital and provide assistance to the inmates on admission.
He commended the staff of the hospital for their dedication and zeal in the face of the challenges involved in handling psychiatric patients.
It came out during the visit that apart from budgetary and staff constraints, the hospital also lacks the needed tools to handle the patients on admission.
He called for more support from both the government, philanthropists, government agencies and non-governmental organisations to help provide the needs of the hospital.
The Patron of the Care Generation Africa Foundation, Mr John Obeng, promised to provide an instrument for checking the pressure of patients in the wards.
The Principal Nursing Officer at the hospital, Mr Ebenezer Abaka-Sey, who received the items, commended Care Generation Africa Foundation for its concern.
He expressed the hope that other agencies would emulate their example to alleviate the plight of the inmates.

Monday, July 28, 2008

GHANA NATIONAL COLLEGE MARKS 60TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 49)

A two-storey library complex for the Ghana National College, valued at GH¢290,000, has been inaugurated by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Ernest Debrah.
The minister, also on behalf of the GETFund and in fulfilment of the President's promise, presented a 55-seater bus to the school to ease its transportation problems.
Speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the school, Mr Debrah, a former student of the school, commended the founder, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and the pioneering staff for their vision and foresight which had produced many products who occupied key positions in various sectors of the economy and at the international level.
The college was established in 1948 for students who participated in the demonstration against the British colonial government and who were dismissed from their schools.
Mr Debrah said the establishment of the school was linked with the history of the country and that as the school of destiny, it had become the prototype of the co-educational Ghana Education Trust schools which were established throughout the country after independence to admit students, irrespective of their religion and tribe.
He said the government would provide extra classrooms in all second-cycle schools throughout the country to address the problem that would come with the extension of the duration of the senior high school from three to four years.
The Chief Executive Officer of Taylor and Taylor Company Limited in Accra, Dr David K. A. Taylor, another old student, donated GH¢10,000 towards the rehabilitation of the school’s senior science block in honour of Professor Francis Allotey, also an old student and acclaimed international mathematician and scientist.
He suggested that the science block be named after Prof. Allotey for his international feat in science and mathematics.
Dr Taylor also promised to sponsor for 10 years two pupils from the St Peter’s Primary School at Saltpond where Prof. Allotey started his basic education.
The Headmaster of the Ghana National College, Mr Robert Koomson-Barnes, commended the government for improving the water supply system in the school and providing it with a modern library and a bus.
He, however, called on it to provide more accommodation for staff to ensure their retention for effective academic work.
Prof. Allotey, who chaired the function, called for a new educational system which would put emphasis on creativity, science, and information and communication technology.
The Archbishop of the Cape Coast Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, his Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, advised the students to submit themselves to be nurtured, polished and refined into youthful gems worthy of example to their peers.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, urged students to be disciplined and study hard to enhance their future.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

GARI PROCESSING CENTRE FOR ABURA KWAMANKESE (PAGE 20)

A US$12,000 gari processing centre for the people of Abura Kwamankese, near Mankessim, sponsored by the Trinity Chapel in the United Kingdom, has been inaugurated.
The Chief Executive of GRATIS Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Asiedu, who performed the inaugural ceremony, commended the good work of the donor for providing funds for the centre.
He said the provision of the centre would go a long way to reduce poverty, since the bulk of farmers in the community cultivated cassava.
A senior pastor of the Trinity Chapel in London, Rev Dr Shala Fola-Alade, said appropriate technology was the only solution to the toil of the rural woman.
He said technology would also help improve quality, as well as quantity, and enable women to generate more income.
Rev Fola-Alade expressed the hope that the district assemblies, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies would assist communities to acquire processing equipment to ensure that rural communities were equipped with improved substitutes for the traditional ways of production.
He said by doing so they would be helping to alleviate poverty, enhance food security and at the same time help GRATIS to become self-sufficient.
An elder of Kwamankese, Mr James Quansah, on behalf of the people, thanked Trinity Chapel, UK and the GRATIS Foundation for the gesture.
He assured the donors that the facility would be put to good use to enhance the living conditions of the people.

BE VIGILANT DURING ELECTIONS — MILLS (PAGE 16)

THE flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, has admonished NDC faithful to remain calm, peaceful, honest and faithful but vigilant during the forthcoming elections.
He said as a man of peace and repute, he would not inflame passions to create chaos in the country.
Addressing separate rallies during a tour of parts of the Central Region, Professor Mills explained that he refused to accept the National Award due to the polarisation it created among sections of the Ghanaian populace.
He said he took the independent decision without the prompting of anyone but in the interest of national peace.
Professor Mills said as a man of peace and unity, he thought the award would help heal the wounds of the past and reconcile the people.
He said he realised that when his name was mentioned among the recipients, comments made about his nomination polarised the populace, at a time when Ghanaians should be preaching peace, unity and reconciliation before the December 7 elections.
He said since the comments generated an atmosphere of bitterness, he decided to decline the award to calm all the nerves in the national interest.
He reminded Ghanaians of the current hardships they were facing and said they should not allow themselves to be influenced by empty promises, gifts and money to sell their votes but exercise their franchise based on the issues and their genuine conscience.
A member of the NDC campaign team, Mr Ato Ahwoi, said the government was paying the cocoa farmer less than the 70 per cent it claimed it was paying because while a tonne of cocoa sold at GH¢3,200, the government paid the farmer GH¢1,200.
The National Women’s Organiser of the party, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, advised the people to be wary of empty promises and vote massively for the NDC to reverse the hardships they were going through under the NPP administration.
The visit took the team to Denkyira Asikuma, Kyekyewere, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Nyame Bekyere, Stom, Diaso, Denkyira Obuasi and Anyanfuri in the Upper Denkyira East and Upper DenkyiraWest constituencies.

...AND CELEBRATES DAY WITH ORPHANS

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who turned 64 on Monday, has reached out to orphans of the Peace & Love Orphanage at Frafraha, near Accra with donations amounting to several million cedis.
Represented by his wife, Mrs Naadu Mills, Professor Mills presented a number of items, including bags of rice, bags of sugar, gallons of cooking oil, boxes of drinks, food seasoning, and boxes of biscuits to the orphanage.
Mrs Mills said she and her husband were contributing their widow’s mite to the orphanage and expressed the hope that the fortunate in society would always reach out to the less fortunate.
"My husband believes that there is more blessing in giving than there is in receiving and believes in sharing, hence this humble gesture of ours," said Mrs Mills.
A teacher herself, just like her husband, Mrs Mills thanked the teachers for the huge sacrifices they were making in the education of the kids and encouraged them to keep up their good work.
Mrs Mills also had a word of caution for the youth: “You must stay away from premarital sex”.
According to the educationist, it was when people were not ready for children and yet went ahead and engaged in sexual relations that there would be unwanted pregnancies and the abandoning of babies.
Mr Eric Adu Opare, the supervisor at the orphanage, thanked Mrs Mills and her husband for their very kind gesture and gave the assurance that the orphanage was most grateful.
On the issue of the sacrifices that the teachers were making, the supervisor said: "As teachers, we hope that when you and your husband become the President and First Lady, you would pay particular attention to the plight of teachers, especially those of us who are sacrificing the way we are doing."
It would be recalled that last year, Professor Mills celebrated his birthday at the Saltpond Hospital, where he donated lots of items to the hospital.
Indeed, the year before, he also celebrated his birthday at the Osu Children’s Home.
Mrs Naadu Mills was accompanied by the Parliamentary candidate for Adenta, Mr Kojo Adu Asare; Ms Kakra Vanlare, Greater Accra Vice Chairperson; Nii Lantey Vanderpuje, Director of Operations of the Mills Campaign Team; Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications, Mills Campaign Team; Miss Clarissa Acolatse, Office of Prof. Mills and other executive of the Adenta Constituency.