Two communities and surrounding villages at Nso Nyame Ye and Bebia Ni Ha in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District will benefit from two boreholes constructed by Pioneers-Ghana and Brute Labs, California, from the United States of America.
The boreholes cost GH¢18.000.
Hitherto, the communities relied on stagnant water and ponds which caused water borne diseases.
Inaugurating the boreholes, Joshua To, Leader of Done Well Team, California expressed the hope that the wells would improve the socio-economic well-being of the people.
He commended Mr Fred Dimado, Executive Director of Pioneers-Ghana and the two communities who worked tirelessly to see the project through.
Pioneers-Ghana is the Ghana arm of Pioneers Africa, a non-governmental organisation, committed to serving rural communities.
Mr Kofi Opoku Tufuor, the Central Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Project urged the community to maintain the boreholes by setting up committees to manage them.
Nana Odom Darkoh IV, Chief of Nso Nyame Ye on behalf of the communities thanked Brute Labs, California, USA and Pioneers-Ghana for providing them with safe drinking water which will improve their health.
Monday, June 30, 2008
CENTRAL REGION LAUNCHES LOCAL ACTION FOR BIODIVERSITY (PAGE 39)
THE Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, has launched a local action for biodiversity project to plant 53,000 trees in the region.
Speaking at the ceremony after which 5,000 seedlings were planted within the Cape Coast Metropolis by schoolchildren, Nana Ato Arthur said each of the remaining 16 districts of the region was expected to plant at least 3,000 seedlings.
Nana Ato Arthur, who is also contesting the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Constituency seat on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, said that it was estimated that Ghana’s total forest area dwindled from 8.5 million hectares in the early 1980s to 1.2 million hectares in 2000.
He said that these losses of the country’s forest cover had been estimated to cost about ¢10.8 billion per annum in enviornmentally-related disasters such as strong winds, bush fires, reduced rainfall pattern, among others.
He reiterated the environmental, ecological and economical benefits from trees and urged all to support the project to reverse the cause of deforestation.
Nana Ato Arthur also commended the German Development Service (DED) for supporting the project.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Cape Coast, Ms Mercy Arhin, said it was time to give back to the earth which had fed us over the years by planting more trees to replace those that had been destroyed through human action such as illegal logging and farming.
The Oguaamanhen, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, urged citizens of the metropolis to embrace the project and nurture the seedlings to make the metropolis a garden city.
A World Bank representative, Mr Peter Kustensen, also underscored the need to plant trees since biodiversity is linked with poverty reduction.
Speaking at the ceremony after which 5,000 seedlings were planted within the Cape Coast Metropolis by schoolchildren, Nana Ato Arthur said each of the remaining 16 districts of the region was expected to plant at least 3,000 seedlings.
Nana Ato Arthur, who is also contesting the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Constituency seat on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, said that it was estimated that Ghana’s total forest area dwindled from 8.5 million hectares in the early 1980s to 1.2 million hectares in 2000.
He said that these losses of the country’s forest cover had been estimated to cost about ¢10.8 billion per annum in enviornmentally-related disasters such as strong winds, bush fires, reduced rainfall pattern, among others.
He reiterated the environmental, ecological and economical benefits from trees and urged all to support the project to reverse the cause of deforestation.
Nana Ato Arthur also commended the German Development Service (DED) for supporting the project.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Cape Coast, Ms Mercy Arhin, said it was time to give back to the earth which had fed us over the years by planting more trees to replace those that had been destroyed through human action such as illegal logging and farming.
The Oguaamanhen, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, urged citizens of the metropolis to embrace the project and nurture the seedlings to make the metropolis a garden city.
A World Bank representative, Mr Peter Kustensen, also underscored the need to plant trees since biodiversity is linked with poverty reduction.
AGYEPONG INITIATES PROJECTS (PAGE 17)
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, Mr Kennedy Agyepong, has initiated 37 development projects in his constituency with his share of the District Assemblies Common Fund, GETFund, donors and from his own resources.
Twenty-five of the projects involve the construction of classroom blocks and hostels for educational institutions. Others are market stalls, roads, electricity and health facilities.
Mr Agyepong made these known when he addressed the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the Assin North Municipal Assembly at Assin Fosu.
Besides, he is sponsoring 68 students at the junior high school and tertiary levels. Beneficiary communities are Assin Fosu, Dompom Fosu Zongo, Mempeasem, Brofoyedur, Amponsie, Eadwa, Beraku, Dansome, Asempanaye, Praso, Akonfode and Assin Nyamkumasi.
Mr Agyepong said because he was committed to raising the living standards of people in his constituency he had added his own funds to support the projects.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Assin North District Assembly, Mr Kwabena Karikari Apau, said the assembly had achieved 40 per cent of its revenue target of GH¢166.339.00 at the end of the first quarter of the year.
Mr Karikari-Apau said all projects to uplift the district and improve the standards of living of the people were on course, and that it would commit resources and mobilise the necessary support for the projects.
Twenty-five of the projects involve the construction of classroom blocks and hostels for educational institutions. Others are market stalls, roads, electricity and health facilities.
Mr Agyepong made these known when he addressed the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the Assin North Municipal Assembly at Assin Fosu.
Besides, he is sponsoring 68 students at the junior high school and tertiary levels. Beneficiary communities are Assin Fosu, Dompom Fosu Zongo, Mempeasem, Brofoyedur, Amponsie, Eadwa, Beraku, Dansome, Asempanaye, Praso, Akonfode and Assin Nyamkumasi.
Mr Agyepong said because he was committed to raising the living standards of people in his constituency he had added his own funds to support the projects.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Assin North District Assembly, Mr Kwabena Karikari Apau, said the assembly had achieved 40 per cent of its revenue target of GH¢166.339.00 at the end of the first quarter of the year.
Mr Karikari-Apau said all projects to uplift the district and improve the standards of living of the people were on course, and that it would commit resources and mobilise the necessary support for the projects.
Monday, June 16, 2008
30 STILL ON ADMISSION (PAGE 3)
THE 30 people who were injured in last Thursday's accident at Dompoase, near the Komenda Junction, are receiving treatment at the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast.
Two have, however, been transferred to the 37 Military Hospital and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for further management, at the request of the institutions they work for.
The eight-month-old baby girl, Naa Adoley Thompson, who survived the fatal accident has also been re-united with her mother, Mrs Vivian Thompson of the Home Finance Company in Accra.
Two of the victims are at the Intensive Care Unit of the Cape Coast Regional Hospital, while two others have been treated and discharged.
These came to light during a visit by the Central and Western Regional ministers, Nana Ato Arthur and Mr A. E. Amoah, respectively, to the hospital at the weekend to find out the condition of the injured and how the hospital was coping with the situation.
They were accompanied by the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Peter Mac Manu, and the National Campaign Manager of the party, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, who is also the Member of Parliament for Offinso South.
Both Nana Arthur and Mr Amoah commended the doctors, the nurses and all involved for the effort and commitment with which they handled the situation.
Nana Arthur, on behalf of the Central Regional Co-ordinating Council, pledged GH¢1,500 for the upkeep of the injured at the hospital.
The two regional ministers advised drivers to exercise maximum caution on the roads to reduce accidents.
The Senior Nursing Officer in charge of the Intensive Care Unit of the Female Ward, Mrs Efia Ofori Atakora, who conducted the visitors round the wards where the injured were on admission, said the injured were responding to treatment and expressed the hope that they would recover soon.
Two have, however, been transferred to the 37 Military Hospital and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for further management, at the request of the institutions they work for.
The eight-month-old baby girl, Naa Adoley Thompson, who survived the fatal accident has also been re-united with her mother, Mrs Vivian Thompson of the Home Finance Company in Accra.
Two of the victims are at the Intensive Care Unit of the Cape Coast Regional Hospital, while two others have been treated and discharged.
These came to light during a visit by the Central and Western Regional ministers, Nana Ato Arthur and Mr A. E. Amoah, respectively, to the hospital at the weekend to find out the condition of the injured and how the hospital was coping with the situation.
They were accompanied by the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Peter Mac Manu, and the National Campaign Manager of the party, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, who is also the Member of Parliament for Offinso South.
Both Nana Arthur and Mr Amoah commended the doctors, the nurses and all involved for the effort and commitment with which they handled the situation.
Nana Arthur, on behalf of the Central Regional Co-ordinating Council, pledged GH¢1,500 for the upkeep of the injured at the hospital.
The two regional ministers advised drivers to exercise maximum caution on the roads to reduce accidents.
The Senior Nursing Officer in charge of the Intensive Care Unit of the Female Ward, Mrs Efia Ofori Atakora, who conducted the visitors round the wards where the injured were on admission, said the injured were responding to treatment and expressed the hope that they would recover soon.
Friday, June 13, 2008
GHANA'S EFFORTS AT GOOD GOVERNANCE YIELDING RESULTS (PAGE 16)
THE Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, has reiterated that the country’s efforts at good governance are yielding positive results from donor partners and in the level of high investment flow into the economy.
Addressing a stakeholders workshop on good governance in Cape Coast on Wednesday, Nana Ato Arthur said “the $547 million grant under the Millennium Challenge Account by the United States of America gives a testimony of the growing international confidence in the economy”.
The one-day capacity-building workshop, organised by the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM) in conjunction with the German Development Service (DED), was aimed at bringing together stakeholders to discuss, learn and share experiences for the promotion of good governance.
The participants were drawn from the traditional authorities, state institutions, civil society and the private sector.
Nana Ato Arthur described the high level of investment inflow of late as another manifestation of good governance embarked upon by the government.
He, however, stated that while recognising these modest achievements, the government was also mindful of the fact that much more needed to be done to deepen and consolidate the gains so far made.
He said it was against such background that the Regional Co-ordinating Council embraced the collaborative partnership between the CEDECOM and DED.
The workshop, the regional minister stated, was to create a platform for dialogue and the promotion of good governance among key stakeholders, which would eventually contribute to a just, equitable and democratic society.
The Executive Director of CEDECOM, Mr John Akowuah, described the workshop as timely, as the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections were only a few months away.
He said the workshop would be of immense benefits, since the participants came from an array of organisations and institutions whose roles impacted positively or negatively on development and good governance.
He expressed the hope that they would take advantage of the workshop to exchange ideas and share experiences to promote good governance and ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
Addressing a stakeholders workshop on good governance in Cape Coast on Wednesday, Nana Ato Arthur said “the $547 million grant under the Millennium Challenge Account by the United States of America gives a testimony of the growing international confidence in the economy”.
The one-day capacity-building workshop, organised by the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM) in conjunction with the German Development Service (DED), was aimed at bringing together stakeholders to discuss, learn and share experiences for the promotion of good governance.
The participants were drawn from the traditional authorities, state institutions, civil society and the private sector.
Nana Ato Arthur described the high level of investment inflow of late as another manifestation of good governance embarked upon by the government.
He, however, stated that while recognising these modest achievements, the government was also mindful of the fact that much more needed to be done to deepen and consolidate the gains so far made.
He said it was against such background that the Regional Co-ordinating Council embraced the collaborative partnership between the CEDECOM and DED.
The workshop, the regional minister stated, was to create a platform for dialogue and the promotion of good governance among key stakeholders, which would eventually contribute to a just, equitable and democratic society.
The Executive Director of CEDECOM, Mr John Akowuah, described the workshop as timely, as the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections were only a few months away.
He said the workshop would be of immense benefits, since the participants came from an array of organisations and institutions whose roles impacted positively or negatively on development and good governance.
He expressed the hope that they would take advantage of the workshop to exchange ideas and share experiences to promote good governance and ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
21 PERISH ...In two horrific accidents on Accra-K'si, Accra-Tdi highways (LEAD STORY)
TWENTY-ONE people lost their lives and many others sustained various degrees of injury in two accidents on the Accra-Kumasi and the Cape Coast-Takoradi highways, five hours from each other on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first accident, which occurred at Atwedie, near Juaso, at 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday, claimed five lives, with 46 injuries, while 16 people lost their lives and 32 sustained various degrees of injury in the second accident which occurred at Dompoase, near Komenda Junction, at 4.00 a.m. yesterday.
According to our Central Regional correspondent, it was quite a horrendous scene at Dompoase when a tipper truck loaded with chippings collided with an Accra-bound InterCity/STC Coaches Limited bus, killing 15 people on the spot.
The bodies of the deceased, including a soldier and a member of staff of the Ghana Commercial Bank, are in the morgue at the district and the regional hospitals, both in Cape Coast.
The deceased, who are yet to be identified, also include the drivers and the mates of both the InterCity/STC Coaches Limited bus and the tipper truck.
An official of InterCity/STC Coaches Limited gave the name of the driver as J. T. Kwafo, aged about 45.
Thirty three passengers who received various degrees of injury were rushed to the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast where they are receiving treatment.
Miraculously, a nine-month-old baby girl whose mother, said to be occupying seat number 17 on the STC bus, died, escaped unhurt and is on admission at the hospital for observation.
The accident, which left the STC bus mangled beyond repairs, led to a traffic jam that lasted almost two hours in the early hours of the morning.
The police at the accident scene indicated that the accident occurred when the tipper truck veered off its lane and rammed into the STC bus which had 48 passengers on board.
Between 5.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., people trooped to the scene and the Emergency Ward of the Central Regional Hospital to look for their relatives when the news of the accident filtered out.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Assistant Divisional Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service at the Regional Headquarters in Cape Coast, Mr Anthony K. E. Edusah, said the service received a distress call around 4.00 a.m. and mobilised a rescue team to the scene.
He said as a result of the mangled nature of the STC bus, the team had to cut parts of the body before retrieving bodies and rescuing the survivors.
Information gathered from the Daily Graphic correspondent in Takoradi, Moses Dotse Aklorbotu, indicated that people started trooping to the STC Yard in Takoradi when they heard the news of the accident.
He said others also rushed to Cape Coast to find out about their relatives who were on board the bus.
At the Central Regional Hospital, some relatives could be seen wailing after they had been told that their relatives were dead.
Some doctors at the district hospital had joined their colleagues at the regional hospital to deal with the emergency cases.
The Emergency Ward was filled to capacity and some injured were seen receiving treatment on the floor and on the grass outside the ward.
The Hospital Administrator, Mr Adjei Frimpong, told the press that it was too early to comment on the conditions of the casualties, since the hospital was more concerned about saving lives than compiling statistics.
George Ernest Asare reports from Kumasi that the first accident occurred when a Kumasi-bound OA bus crashed into a DAF articulated truck.
Four of the passengers in the bus died on the spot, while one died later at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where he, together with the other injured passengers, had been rushed for medical care.
The bodies of the deceased, who are yet to be identified, have been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy.
About 46 passengers in the bus were said to have suffered various degrees of injury and are on admission at the Juaso Hospital and KATH where they are receiving medical care.
The driver of the bus, who was identified only as Onassis, was said to have suffered multiple fractures in both legs.
The driver of the DAF truck and his mate were said to have vanished from the accident scene and the police have mounted a search for their arrest to assist in investigations.
The Ashanti Regional MTTU Officer, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident, said initial investigations revealed that the articulated truck veered into the lane of the bus in a 'C' shape, completely blocking the lane of the oncoming bus.
He said the situation caused the bus to crash into the mid-section of the truck.
The first accident, which occurred at Atwedie, near Juaso, at 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday, claimed five lives, with 46 injuries, while 16 people lost their lives and 32 sustained various degrees of injury in the second accident which occurred at Dompoase, near Komenda Junction, at 4.00 a.m. yesterday.
According to our Central Regional correspondent, it was quite a horrendous scene at Dompoase when a tipper truck loaded with chippings collided with an Accra-bound InterCity/STC Coaches Limited bus, killing 15 people on the spot.
The bodies of the deceased, including a soldier and a member of staff of the Ghana Commercial Bank, are in the morgue at the district and the regional hospitals, both in Cape Coast.
The deceased, who are yet to be identified, also include the drivers and the mates of both the InterCity/STC Coaches Limited bus and the tipper truck.
An official of InterCity/STC Coaches Limited gave the name of the driver as J. T. Kwafo, aged about 45.
Thirty three passengers who received various degrees of injury were rushed to the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast where they are receiving treatment.
Miraculously, a nine-month-old baby girl whose mother, said to be occupying seat number 17 on the STC bus, died, escaped unhurt and is on admission at the hospital for observation.
The accident, which left the STC bus mangled beyond repairs, led to a traffic jam that lasted almost two hours in the early hours of the morning.
The police at the accident scene indicated that the accident occurred when the tipper truck veered off its lane and rammed into the STC bus which had 48 passengers on board.
Between 5.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., people trooped to the scene and the Emergency Ward of the Central Regional Hospital to look for their relatives when the news of the accident filtered out.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Assistant Divisional Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service at the Regional Headquarters in Cape Coast, Mr Anthony K. E. Edusah, said the service received a distress call around 4.00 a.m. and mobilised a rescue team to the scene.
He said as a result of the mangled nature of the STC bus, the team had to cut parts of the body before retrieving bodies and rescuing the survivors.
Information gathered from the Daily Graphic correspondent in Takoradi, Moses Dotse Aklorbotu, indicated that people started trooping to the STC Yard in Takoradi when they heard the news of the accident.
He said others also rushed to Cape Coast to find out about their relatives who were on board the bus.
At the Central Regional Hospital, some relatives could be seen wailing after they had been told that their relatives were dead.
Some doctors at the district hospital had joined their colleagues at the regional hospital to deal with the emergency cases.
The Emergency Ward was filled to capacity and some injured were seen receiving treatment on the floor and on the grass outside the ward.
The Hospital Administrator, Mr Adjei Frimpong, told the press that it was too early to comment on the conditions of the casualties, since the hospital was more concerned about saving lives than compiling statistics.
George Ernest Asare reports from Kumasi that the first accident occurred when a Kumasi-bound OA bus crashed into a DAF articulated truck.
Four of the passengers in the bus died on the spot, while one died later at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) where he, together with the other injured passengers, had been rushed for medical care.
The bodies of the deceased, who are yet to be identified, have been deposited at the KATH mortuary for autopsy.
About 46 passengers in the bus were said to have suffered various degrees of injury and are on admission at the Juaso Hospital and KATH where they are receiving medical care.
The driver of the bus, who was identified only as Onassis, was said to have suffered multiple fractures in both legs.
The driver of the DAF truck and his mate were said to have vanished from the accident scene and the police have mounted a search for their arrest to assist in investigations.
The Ashanti Regional MTTU Officer, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, who briefed the Daily Graphic on the incident, said initial investigations revealed that the articulated truck veered into the lane of the bus in a 'C' shape, completely blocking the lane of the oncoming bus.
He said the situation caused the bus to crash into the mid-section of the truck.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
8 COMMUNITIES GET HEALTH, EDUCATION PROJECTS (PAGE 35)
EIGHT communities within the Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira District have benefited from community-based rural development projects to improve education and health.
Under the programme, six communities were each provided with a three-unit classroom block with offices and stores attached while two others had improved sanitary facilities.
The beneficiary communities are Jakwa-Krobo, Arma/Kwamoano, Mampong, Nuamakrom, Osonoegya, Wamaso and Frani.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samuel Agyebi-Kessie, who inaugurated the projects at separate functions, said each of the classroom blocks cost GH¢35,000.
Mr Agyeibi-Kessie said the construction of the classroom blocks had increased enrolment in the beneficiary communities.
He advised parents to take advantage of the facilities to educate their children to justify the investment made by the district assembly.
The DCE said the district assembly would continue to support the educational and health development of the area.
He urged pupils in the beneficiary communities to study hard and be disciplined in order to become useful citizens to shape the destiny of future generations of the area.
Mr Agyeibi-Kessie stressed that the government was committed to the development of education hence the provision of infrastructure, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme, adding that the new educational reform could not be compromised.
He called on school management committees and parent-teacher associations, as well as the various religious educational units which had been entrusted with the new facilities, to ensure their regular maintenance for the benefit of the children in their communities.
Under the programme, six communities were each provided with a three-unit classroom block with offices and stores attached while two others had improved sanitary facilities.
The beneficiary communities are Jakwa-Krobo, Arma/Kwamoano, Mampong, Nuamakrom, Osonoegya, Wamaso and Frani.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samuel Agyebi-Kessie, who inaugurated the projects at separate functions, said each of the classroom blocks cost GH¢35,000.
Mr Agyeibi-Kessie said the construction of the classroom blocks had increased enrolment in the beneficiary communities.
He advised parents to take advantage of the facilities to educate their children to justify the investment made by the district assembly.
The DCE said the district assembly would continue to support the educational and health development of the area.
He urged pupils in the beneficiary communities to study hard and be disciplined in order to become useful citizens to shape the destiny of future generations of the area.
Mr Agyeibi-Kessie stressed that the government was committed to the development of education hence the provision of infrastructure, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme, adding that the new educational reform could not be compromised.
He called on school management committees and parent-teacher associations, as well as the various religious educational units which had been entrusted with the new facilities, to ensure their regular maintenance for the benefit of the children in their communities.
PLAN TO FACILITATE TEACHER TRAINING TRANSITION (PAGE 11)
THE National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are working together on a detailed plan to facilitate the transition of teacher training colleges to tertiary status.
As part of the plan, a workshop has already been organised for all principals of the colleges.
Another workshop for the principals and college accountants on the preparation of budgets to facilitate the incorporation of the budgets of the colleges into the tertiary sector budget is slated for next month.
These were contained in an address read by the Executive Secretary of the NCTE, Mr Paul Effah, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic K. Fobih, at a durbar to mark the 60th anniversary of the Komenda Training College at the weekend.
Professor Fobih said his ministry and the NCTE had also held discussions with vice-chancellors of the universities on proposals to facilitate staff development in the training colleges.
He said there were also proposals to strengthen ICT education through the provision of more computers and Internet facilities for the training of students to facilitate easy access to information, while teachers resource centres in all teacher training colleges would be strengthened.
He reminded principals and other key staff members of the colleges of their duty to ensure that standards were maintained in all the colleges.
In her address, the Principal of the Komenda Training College, Mrs Gladys Awan-Noonoo, called for the provision of more infrastructure for the college to enable it to increase its intake and improve teaching and learning.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, advised teachers to live above reproach to improve the image of the profession.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, the Rt Rev Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, expressed his pride at the contribution of the college towards education in the country by having liberated men and women from illiteracy who now occupied high positions in the country.
As part of the plan, a workshop has already been organised for all principals of the colleges.
Another workshop for the principals and college accountants on the preparation of budgets to facilitate the incorporation of the budgets of the colleges into the tertiary sector budget is slated for next month.
These were contained in an address read by the Executive Secretary of the NCTE, Mr Paul Effah, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Professor Dominic K. Fobih, at a durbar to mark the 60th anniversary of the Komenda Training College at the weekend.
Professor Fobih said his ministry and the NCTE had also held discussions with vice-chancellors of the universities on proposals to facilitate staff development in the training colleges.
He said there were also proposals to strengthen ICT education through the provision of more computers and Internet facilities for the training of students to facilitate easy access to information, while teachers resource centres in all teacher training colleges would be strengthened.
He reminded principals and other key staff members of the colleges of their duty to ensure that standards were maintained in all the colleges.
In her address, the Principal of the Komenda Training College, Mrs Gladys Awan-Noonoo, called for the provision of more infrastructure for the college to enable it to increase its intake and improve teaching and learning.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, advised teachers to live above reproach to improve the image of the profession.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, the Rt Rev Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, expressed his pride at the contribution of the college towards education in the country by having liberated men and women from illiteracy who now occupied high positions in the country.
Monday, June 9, 2008
RURAL BANKS URGED TO FACE UP TO CHALLENGES (PAGE 47)
THE Managing Director of the Association of Rural Banks APEX Bank (ARAB APEX Bank) Limited, Mr Eric Osei-Bonsu, has called for collective efforts by rural banks to fight the emerging competition in the banking sector.
Mr Osei-Bonsu has, therefore, urged the rural banks to use their ongoing 7th managers conference at the Elmina Beach Resort to map out strategies to meet their challenges.
He said with the removal of barriers to those who hold universal banking licences by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), rural community banks (RCBs) would no longer be protected against what he described as intrusion by the big commercial banks.
He asked them to put in their maximum efforts to provide better services for their customers in order not to lose them to ‘invading’ banks.
He said efforts were afoot for the RCBs to procure the necessary devices to enable them participate in the e-zwich system.
Mr Osei-Bonsu said the ARB had presented a paper to seek government support in terms of re-capitalisation drive and that it was also holding discussions with other investors who were development-oriented and might consider investiting in the bank.
He said the RCBs expected the BoG to review upwards loan ceiling to enable them meet current business demands and also ensure that they competed favourably with the big commercial banks.
He advised them to take the requisite measures such as improved services, computerisation, reduction in grant, removal of bottlenecks, to meet the challenges ahead.
In his welcoming address, the President of the Central Regional Chapter of the ARB, Mr Kweku Acquaah, proposed that the banks should set aside 10 per cent of their annual profits to lend to peasant farmers as part of their social responsiblility.
This, he said, would support such farmers to boost production for domestic consumption.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, asked the RCBs to develop new and relevant products, increase their capital base and to be able to underwrite bigger business and support commercial agriculture as was done in other countries.
He said support for agriculture had become necessary.
Mr Osei-Bonsu has, therefore, urged the rural banks to use their ongoing 7th managers conference at the Elmina Beach Resort to map out strategies to meet their challenges.
He said with the removal of barriers to those who hold universal banking licences by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), rural community banks (RCBs) would no longer be protected against what he described as intrusion by the big commercial banks.
He asked them to put in their maximum efforts to provide better services for their customers in order not to lose them to ‘invading’ banks.
He said efforts were afoot for the RCBs to procure the necessary devices to enable them participate in the e-zwich system.
Mr Osei-Bonsu said the ARB had presented a paper to seek government support in terms of re-capitalisation drive and that it was also holding discussions with other investors who were development-oriented and might consider investiting in the bank.
He said the RCBs expected the BoG to review upwards loan ceiling to enable them meet current business demands and also ensure that they competed favourably with the big commercial banks.
He advised them to take the requisite measures such as improved services, computerisation, reduction in grant, removal of bottlenecks, to meet the challenges ahead.
In his welcoming address, the President of the Central Regional Chapter of the ARB, Mr Kweku Acquaah, proposed that the banks should set aside 10 per cent of their annual profits to lend to peasant farmers as part of their social responsiblility.
This, he said, would support such farmers to boost production for domestic consumption.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, asked the RCBs to develop new and relevant products, increase their capital base and to be able to underwrite bigger business and support commercial agriculture as was done in other countries.
He said support for agriculture had become necessary.
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