From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast.
THE Headmaster of the St. Augustine’s College, Mr Joseph Connel, has taken a swipe at the Secretariat of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) for not adhering to the vacancies declared by heads of schools and rather placing higher numbers of students in the schools.
Mr Connel said this virtual one-sided external manipulation of placing more than the required number of students any school could conveniently accommodate at any particular time had become a challenge and headache to the heads of schools.
Mr Connel said this in his report at the 80th Anniversary Speech and Prize-giving Day of the St Augustine’s College in Cape Coast.
He said the CSSPS Secretariat and the Ghana Education Service placed too many students in the college for admission.
“This creates a lot of congestion, inconvenience and discomfort for students, teachers and the administration of the college,” describing the situation as unacceptable, and urging the CSSPS Secretariat to adhere to the number of vacancies declared by heads for general sanity to prevail in the current system of admitting students to schools.
The headmaster said the system, expected to address certain problems and make admission of the students to schools quite smooth for the school administrators and parents, has rather burdened the schools.
Mr Connel said to facilitate the admission process, the GES and the CSSPS secretariat should request heads of schools to submit inputs and data pertaining to the number of first year vacancies for the ensuing academic year.
He said for some inexplicable reasons, the CSSPS secretariat did not adhere to the vacancies declared by heads of schools and rather placed very high numbers of students in the schools.
Mr Connel said students who would gain admission to the college in September/October this year would face serious accommodation difficulties as the classroom and dormitory blocks under construction would not have been completed.
He said whereas the construction of the classroom block was progressing steadily, the same could not be said of the dormitory block.
He, therefore, called on the government to endeavour to complete the two projects for the college to continue to deliver its quality education to the students and the nation.
Professor Joseph K. Adjaye, a lecturer in African Studies, History and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, USA, called for the institution of a National History Day at the basic and secondary levels to make students understand the nation’s history.
He called on the Ministry of Education to work with the GES to develop a realistic and long-range plan toward the attainment of universal secondary education for all.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
ASUNASI TECHNICAL AT CROSSROADS — SAGOE (MIRROR, PAGE 25 APRIL 1, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Asuansi.
THE Asuansi Technical Institute, the premier in technical education in Ghana, as well as the first technical institute in the sub-region, is at the crossroads.
Started in 1917, it has held its own all these years against overwhelming odds of old and inadequate infrastructure.
“Perhaps our geographical location has contributed to the lack of prominence and the needed attention either from the government or corporate bodies.” This is how the Principal, Mr Joshua Sagoe, summed up the predicament of the institute.
Mr Sagoe said the seeming neglect was portrayed by the poor infrastructure, including the limited and dilapidated residential facilities for both staff and students.
According to the principal, the academic and residential facilities put up 93 years ago were for a student population of about 200.
Student enrolment over the years has been increasing consistently following the enrolment drive embarked upon and this has far outstripped the capacity of the facilities. The current enrolment is 830, with a boarding population of 560.
Over the years, management has ingeniously been providing classroom and residential space to accommodate the increasing number of students, but now has reached rock bottom.
The school faces huge challenges in terms of staff and student accommodation to run the four-year senior high school system.
It is in this vein that the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the institute is funding the construction of a two-storey dormitory project at a cost of GH¢240 million to ease the plight of both management, staff and the students.
When completed, the dormitory will accommodate 600 students.
At the sod-cutting ceremony last Thursday, Mr Sagoe, a product and former staff member of the institute for eight years, commended the PTA for its immense support for the running of the institute.
He expressed the hope that the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District Assembly would provide a six-classroom pavilion as a short-term measure and that they were excited and full of anticipation of the government’s commitment to upgrading the institute as one of the 10 public technical institutes.
The principal further hoped that Tullow Oil would keep to its promise to put up a science laboratory for the institute.
The Chairman of the PTA, Mr Emmanuel Gbekley, said the ground floor of the project would be completed by September, this year, to enhance enrolment at the institute.
The District Chief Executive, Madam Araba Adusah, said the assembly would provide support for the institute to meet its mission and vision of providing excellent technical education in the country.
The Chief of Asuansi, Nana Yaw Berkoh III, also commended the PTA for the project.
THE Asuansi Technical Institute, the premier in technical education in Ghana, as well as the first technical institute in the sub-region, is at the crossroads.
Started in 1917, it has held its own all these years against overwhelming odds of old and inadequate infrastructure.
“Perhaps our geographical location has contributed to the lack of prominence and the needed attention either from the government or corporate bodies.” This is how the Principal, Mr Joshua Sagoe, summed up the predicament of the institute.
Mr Sagoe said the seeming neglect was portrayed by the poor infrastructure, including the limited and dilapidated residential facilities for both staff and students.
According to the principal, the academic and residential facilities put up 93 years ago were for a student population of about 200.
Student enrolment over the years has been increasing consistently following the enrolment drive embarked upon and this has far outstripped the capacity of the facilities. The current enrolment is 830, with a boarding population of 560.
Over the years, management has ingeniously been providing classroom and residential space to accommodate the increasing number of students, but now has reached rock bottom.
The school faces huge challenges in terms of staff and student accommodation to run the four-year senior high school system.
It is in this vein that the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the institute is funding the construction of a two-storey dormitory project at a cost of GH¢240 million to ease the plight of both management, staff and the students.
When completed, the dormitory will accommodate 600 students.
At the sod-cutting ceremony last Thursday, Mr Sagoe, a product and former staff member of the institute for eight years, commended the PTA for its immense support for the running of the institute.
He expressed the hope that the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District Assembly would provide a six-classroom pavilion as a short-term measure and that they were excited and full of anticipation of the government’s commitment to upgrading the institute as one of the 10 public technical institutes.
The principal further hoped that Tullow Oil would keep to its promise to put up a science laboratory for the institute.
The Chairman of the PTA, Mr Emmanuel Gbekley, said the ground floor of the project would be completed by September, this year, to enhance enrolment at the institute.
The District Chief Executive, Madam Araba Adusah, said the assembly would provide support for the institute to meet its mission and vision of providing excellent technical education in the country.
The Chief of Asuansi, Nana Yaw Berkoh III, also commended the PTA for the project.
WAEC MAN DIED FROM NATURAL CAUSE (MIRROR, PAGE 25, APRIL 1, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Elmina
IT has now been established that Mr Sampson Mensah, an Examination Clerk of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), died from a natural cause.
According to the Elmina police, which investigated the case of his death, post-mortem on the body revealed that no foul play could be suspected and that no one would be held responsible for his death.
Mr Mensah died after complaining of a stomach upset to a colleague he was putting up in a guest/transit quarters belonging to the WAEC at the SSNIT Flats in Elmina a fortnight ago.
The police took a left-over of the banku and some tablets he took, together with the body, to the Central Regional Metropolitan Hospital for autopsy after his colleague who shared an apartment with him had reported of his sudden demise.
It would be recalled that Mr Mensah had complained of sickness to Mr Charles Thompson, a Principal Examinations Officer of the WAEC, on Wednesday, March 9, around 11:20 p.m. after they had retired to bed.
The two had been transferred to Cape Coast on March 1, 2010 and were living in Flat 14 within Block Two.
Even though the police would not comment on the exact cause of his death, it is believed that he died of stress due to hypertension.
IT has now been established that Mr Sampson Mensah, an Examination Clerk of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), died from a natural cause.
According to the Elmina police, which investigated the case of his death, post-mortem on the body revealed that no foul play could be suspected and that no one would be held responsible for his death.
Mr Mensah died after complaining of a stomach upset to a colleague he was putting up in a guest/transit quarters belonging to the WAEC at the SSNIT Flats in Elmina a fortnight ago.
The police took a left-over of the banku and some tablets he took, together with the body, to the Central Regional Metropolitan Hospital for autopsy after his colleague who shared an apartment with him had reported of his sudden demise.
It would be recalled that Mr Mensah had complained of sickness to Mr Charles Thompson, a Principal Examinations Officer of the WAEC, on Wednesday, March 9, around 11:20 p.m. after they had retired to bed.
The two had been transferred to Cape Coast on March 1, 2010 and were living in Flat 14 within Block Two.
Even though the police would not comment on the exact cause of his death, it is believed that he died of stress due to hypertension.
STUDENTS URGED TO CONSERVE WATER (MIRROR, PAGE 35, APRIL 1, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Winneba.
THE Central Regional Customer Care Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr Samuel Esuon, has advised students to conserve water to assist their institutions to reduce their huge water bills and make funds available for other projects.
Speaking to a group of students drawn from the University of Education, Winneba, the Winneba Senior High School and the Apam Senior High School as part of the celebration of World Water Day on March 22, Mr Esuon decried the practice whereby some students turned on the tap and wasted water without regard to cost and conservation.
The students had toured the Winneba water supply system as part of the celebration to sensitise them to the need for water conservation.
He said instead of using cups to fetch water to brush their teeth, most students turned on the tap and wasted water and that some even refused to turn off the tap after use.
He said their actions had resulted in huge water bills for their schools, which has depleted their coffers and hindered the development of the institutions.
The Regional Human Resource Manager, Mr Cletus Amoah, said water and sanitation were critical factors to alleviate poverty and hunger, for sustainable development, for environmental integrity and for human health.
The Central Regional Manager for Quality Assurance, Mr Stephen Amihere-Mensah, said his outfit would ensure quality, clean and safe water supply in the region.
THE Central Regional Customer Care Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mr Samuel Esuon, has advised students to conserve water to assist their institutions to reduce their huge water bills and make funds available for other projects.
Speaking to a group of students drawn from the University of Education, Winneba, the Winneba Senior High School and the Apam Senior High School as part of the celebration of World Water Day on March 22, Mr Esuon decried the practice whereby some students turned on the tap and wasted water without regard to cost and conservation.
The students had toured the Winneba water supply system as part of the celebration to sensitise them to the need for water conservation.
He said instead of using cups to fetch water to brush their teeth, most students turned on the tap and wasted water and that some even refused to turn off the tap after use.
He said their actions had resulted in huge water bills for their schools, which has depleted their coffers and hindered the development of the institutions.
The Regional Human Resource Manager, Mr Cletus Amoah, said water and sanitation were critical factors to alleviate poverty and hunger, for sustainable development, for environmental integrity and for human health.
The Central Regional Manager for Quality Assurance, Mr Stephen Amihere-Mensah, said his outfit would ensure quality, clean and safe water supply in the region.
Monday, March 22, 2010
RESIST TEMPTATION OF ALCOHOLISM — KABRAL (PAGE 11, MARCH 22, 2010)
The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Kabral Blay Amihere, has advised the youth to resist the temptation of alcoholism and drug abuse.
Mr Amihere noted that most of the inmates of the country’s psychiatric hospitals were made up of the youth due to their indulgence in alcoholism and drug abuse.
He was speaking to the Daily Graphic after joining staff, students and some past students of the St. Augustine’s College to donate items to the inmates of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital on Monday.
They also planted tree seedlings along the road from the school’s park to the Metropolitan Hospital to commemorate activities marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the St. Augustine’s College by the Catholic Church.
“Coming here is not a choice, students should be guided by the advice on drug abuse and excessive use of alcohol,” he stated.
Mr Amihere, who is a former High Commissioner to Sierra Leone and member of the St. Augustine’s Past Students Union (APSU), advised the youth to study hard to help unearth their potential to enable them to become useful citizens and contribute to nation building so as to justify the investment made by their parents and the government in their education.
He commended the staff and students for their efforts to give to the needy and described the gesture as a testimony of the founding fathers of the school built on the spirit of service to mankind.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Joseph Connel, said it was the objective of the school to train the youth to learn moral values to make them become useful citizens and contribute to the development of the country.
Mr Connel said the donation formed part of the school’s social responsibility and was also meant to inculcate in the students the spirit of giving back to society to help the less fortunate.
The Head of Administration of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Mr Kingsley Asamoah-Bediako, expressed gratitude to the staff, students and the past students for the donation, which he described as the biggest for the institution so far.
He also advised the students to learn from the unfortunate experience of the inmates who were once students but failed to heed advice and had, therefore, found themselves in that unfortunate circumstance.
Mr Amihere noted that most of the inmates of the country’s psychiatric hospitals were made up of the youth due to their indulgence in alcoholism and drug abuse.
He was speaking to the Daily Graphic after joining staff, students and some past students of the St. Augustine’s College to donate items to the inmates of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital on Monday.
They also planted tree seedlings along the road from the school’s park to the Metropolitan Hospital to commemorate activities marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the St. Augustine’s College by the Catholic Church.
“Coming here is not a choice, students should be guided by the advice on drug abuse and excessive use of alcohol,” he stated.
Mr Amihere, who is a former High Commissioner to Sierra Leone and member of the St. Augustine’s Past Students Union (APSU), advised the youth to study hard to help unearth their potential to enable them to become useful citizens and contribute to nation building so as to justify the investment made by their parents and the government in their education.
He commended the staff and students for their efforts to give to the needy and described the gesture as a testimony of the founding fathers of the school built on the spirit of service to mankind.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Joseph Connel, said it was the objective of the school to train the youth to learn moral values to make them become useful citizens and contribute to the development of the country.
Mr Connel said the donation formed part of the school’s social responsibility and was also meant to inculcate in the students the spirit of giving back to society to help the less fortunate.
The Head of Administration of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Mr Kingsley Asamoah-Bediako, expressed gratitude to the staff, students and the past students for the donation, which he described as the biggest for the institution so far.
He also advised the students to learn from the unfortunate experience of the inmates who were once students but failed to heed advice and had, therefore, found themselves in that unfortunate circumstance.
Friday, March 12, 2010
2 COPS IN LIBERTY CASE (MIRROR, PAGE 27, MARCH 13, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Assin Fosu
Two policemen have been placed in custody for allegedly compromising their position by collecting money from an accused person in a murder case.
This came to light when seven accused persons appeared before the Assin Fosu Magistrate’s Court, which was presided over by Mr. Justice Joseph Blay.
Kobina Yakubu, a farmer at Assin Atwereboanda, and six others who are facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder, told the court that he sold his palm trees and paid GH¢150 to an Inspector to avoid being arrested.
The others are Dan De-Graft Adjei, Kojo Sam, Kwame Asamani, alias Tan, Yao Gede, Wofa Nsiah and Ababio. Four other suspects are said to be on the run.
Mr Justice Blay remanded the suspects in prison custody for two weeks to assist the police in their investigation and advised the suspects to reveal the whereabouts of the other suspects on the run to enable the investigator to unravel the mystery surrounding the case.
The prosecutor, Detective Inspector Emmanuel Abiwu, told the court that on January 6, this year, a concerned citizen from Assin Atwereboanda wrote an anonymous letter to the Central Regional Police Commander in Cape Coast requesting that investigations be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kwame Foofo.
Detective Inspector Abiwu said the report mentioned the seven suspects and others as culprits.
He said on February 9, detailed police personnel proceeded to Atwereboanda and arrested Yakubu, Adjei and Sam.
He said investigations revealed that Yakubu shared a common boundary with Foofo and that there had been a dispute between the deceased and Yakubu.
He said on August 23, last year, Yakubu and Foofo fought on the farm following which each of them sustained machete wounds and reported the case to the police at Bediadua.
Inspector Abiwu said due to the alleged misbehaviour of the deceased, Adjei convened a meeting with the chief and people of the town to banish the deceased from the town.
He said, however, that in the morning of August 25, 2009 Foofo was found dead in front of his hamlet.
He said a report was made to the police at Bediadua and Inspector Abiwu led a team of policemen to the scene to inspect the body.
He said the family pleaded with the police to allow them to bury Foofo because they were financially handicapped and so could not transfer the body to hospital for post-mortem to be performed on it .
He said the police released the body to the family for burial.
He said Yakubu, in his caution statement, stated that his friend, Kwame Asamani, on seeing the wounds on him, promised to eliminate Foofo.
It was also alleged that Yakubu sold his palm trees to fund the group to execute the plan.
In remanding the suspects, Mr Blay indicated that the evidence supporting the case had given a twist to the case, especially the arrest and detention of the two policemen and therefore called for further investigation.
Two policemen have been placed in custody for allegedly compromising their position by collecting money from an accused person in a murder case.
This came to light when seven accused persons appeared before the Assin Fosu Magistrate’s Court, which was presided over by Mr. Justice Joseph Blay.
Kobina Yakubu, a farmer at Assin Atwereboanda, and six others who are facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder, told the court that he sold his palm trees and paid GH¢150 to an Inspector to avoid being arrested.
The others are Dan De-Graft Adjei, Kojo Sam, Kwame Asamani, alias Tan, Yao Gede, Wofa Nsiah and Ababio. Four other suspects are said to be on the run.
Mr Justice Blay remanded the suspects in prison custody for two weeks to assist the police in their investigation and advised the suspects to reveal the whereabouts of the other suspects on the run to enable the investigator to unravel the mystery surrounding the case.
The prosecutor, Detective Inspector Emmanuel Abiwu, told the court that on January 6, this year, a concerned citizen from Assin Atwereboanda wrote an anonymous letter to the Central Regional Police Commander in Cape Coast requesting that investigations be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kwame Foofo.
Detective Inspector Abiwu said the report mentioned the seven suspects and others as culprits.
He said on February 9, detailed police personnel proceeded to Atwereboanda and arrested Yakubu, Adjei and Sam.
He said investigations revealed that Yakubu shared a common boundary with Foofo and that there had been a dispute between the deceased and Yakubu.
He said on August 23, last year, Yakubu and Foofo fought on the farm following which each of them sustained machete wounds and reported the case to the police at Bediadua.
Inspector Abiwu said due to the alleged misbehaviour of the deceased, Adjei convened a meeting with the chief and people of the town to banish the deceased from the town.
He said, however, that in the morning of August 25, 2009 Foofo was found dead in front of his hamlet.
He said a report was made to the police at Bediadua and Inspector Abiwu led a team of policemen to the scene to inspect the body.
He said the family pleaded with the police to allow them to bury Foofo because they were financially handicapped and so could not transfer the body to hospital for post-mortem to be performed on it .
He said the police released the body to the family for burial.
He said Yakubu, in his caution statement, stated that his friend, Kwame Asamani, on seeing the wounds on him, promised to eliminate Foofo.
It was also alleged that Yakubu sold his palm trees to fund the group to execute the plan.
In remanding the suspects, Mr Blay indicated that the evidence supporting the case had given a twist to the case, especially the arrest and detention of the two policemen and therefore called for further investigation.
UEW TO INTRODUCE NEW MASTER'S PROGRAMME (MIRROR, PAGE 34, MARCH 13, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Winneba
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) is to introduce a master’s degree in Educational Management from next academic year.
The trilateral executive programme, to be established with friends and partners at the Galilee College, Israel, will be relevant and necessary to address the changing trends in today’s world of globalised higher education.
Alhaji (Dr.) Asoma Abu Banda, First Chancellor of the UEW, made this known at his investiture at the South Campus in Winneba.
Alhaji Banda said the master’s degree would be run in conjunction with the Galilee College, Israel, and a European university.
He said the programme would consist of four semesters, two at UEW and one each at the Galilee College and at the European university, respectively.
He expressed the belief that the diverse cultural collaboration would create a truly unique programme, exposing students and the faculty to diverse cultural perspectives from the major regions of the world, to equip the students for leadership in a truly global arena.
He said as they endeavoured to expand their vision of modern worldwide education, they had a great hope that this would be the first of many such projects.
He stated that he would not rush to establish an endowment fund but would rather create a forum where the university council, management, staff and students would share ideas on what to do to make it unique.
The Chancellor asked them to prepare students for the changing needs of the world by providing them the knowledge and skills for solving complex problems.
He called on teacher education institutions to consider including enterprise education in the their curricula in order to support students to develop characteristics such as creativity, self-reliance, investigative aptitude and knowledge and understanding to identify and take advantage of opportunities, adding that these are essential skills and values for life.
The Chairman of the University Council, Dr E. Kenneth Andoh (Nana Okofo Amoako Bondam III), expressed the hope that Alhaji Banda would bring his vast business experience to bear on the development of the university.
The Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, said the university had turned out over 46,000 teachers since its establishment.
He called for the expansion and improvement of infrastructure on the campus to enable the university to achieve its mission and vision.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, expressed the hope that under Alhaji Banda’s wise guidance and business acumen, the university would achieve greater heights and grow further as an institute of excellence in the country and internationally.
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) is to introduce a master’s degree in Educational Management from next academic year.
The trilateral executive programme, to be established with friends and partners at the Galilee College, Israel, will be relevant and necessary to address the changing trends in today’s world of globalised higher education.
Alhaji (Dr.) Asoma Abu Banda, First Chancellor of the UEW, made this known at his investiture at the South Campus in Winneba.
Alhaji Banda said the master’s degree would be run in conjunction with the Galilee College, Israel, and a European university.
He said the programme would consist of four semesters, two at UEW and one each at the Galilee College and at the European university, respectively.
He expressed the belief that the diverse cultural collaboration would create a truly unique programme, exposing students and the faculty to diverse cultural perspectives from the major regions of the world, to equip the students for leadership in a truly global arena.
He said as they endeavoured to expand their vision of modern worldwide education, they had a great hope that this would be the first of many such projects.
He stated that he would not rush to establish an endowment fund but would rather create a forum where the university council, management, staff and students would share ideas on what to do to make it unique.
The Chancellor asked them to prepare students for the changing needs of the world by providing them the knowledge and skills for solving complex problems.
He called on teacher education institutions to consider including enterprise education in the their curricula in order to support students to develop characteristics such as creativity, self-reliance, investigative aptitude and knowledge and understanding to identify and take advantage of opportunities, adding that these are essential skills and values for life.
The Chairman of the University Council, Dr E. Kenneth Andoh (Nana Okofo Amoako Bondam III), expressed the hope that Alhaji Banda would bring his vast business experience to bear on the development of the university.
The Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, said the university had turned out over 46,000 teachers since its establishment.
He called for the expansion and improvement of infrastructure on the campus to enable the university to achieve its mission and vision.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, expressed the hope that under Alhaji Banda’s wise guidance and business acumen, the university would achieve greater heights and grow further as an institute of excellence in the country and internationally.
POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF WAEC CLERK (MIRROR, PAGE 34, MARCH 13, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Elmina
The Elmina police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Sampson Mensah, an Examinations Clerk of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), who died in the Council’s guest house at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust Flats (SSNIT FLATS) at Elmina last Tuesday.
Mr Charles Thompson, a Principal Examinations Officer, who occupies Flat 14, located at the second floor at Block Two, as Mr Mensah, aged about 30, told The Mirror that Mr Mensah retired to bed in a separate room on Tuesday evening after he had taken his supper of banku.
The two, who have been transferred to Cape Coast since March 1, 2010, share the two-bed room flat, which serves as the guesthouse /transit quarters for WAEC staff.
Mr Thompson said around 11:30p.m. he heard an usual cough from Mr Mensah and rushed out of his room to find out what was happening only to be told by Mr Mensah, who was then in the toilet, that he was just coughing.
Mr Thompson stated that he then returned to his room to continue sleeping and that not quite long, Mr Mensah called and asked him to take him to the hospital since he was not feeling well.
Mr Thompson said since Mr Mensah could not walk properly, he helped him to the hall, where he sat on the floor whilst he Mr. Thompson decided to go downstairs to look for a vehicle to send Mr Mensah to the hospital.
He said he returned to find, to his dismay, Mr Mensah lying flat on his back dead.
He said he rushed to the Elmina police to report the incident and also made a statement to the police.
A team of police detectives led by Chief Inspector Eugene Nyavor arrived at the scene the next morning and, after preliminary investigations, conveyed the body to the morgue at the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast for autopsy.
The leftover of the banku Mr Mensah had as supper and some tablets found on the dining table, where he sat for the meal, were taken by the police as exhibits to help in the investigations.
The Elmina police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Sampson Mensah, an Examinations Clerk of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), who died in the Council’s guest house at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust Flats (SSNIT FLATS) at Elmina last Tuesday.
Mr Charles Thompson, a Principal Examinations Officer, who occupies Flat 14, located at the second floor at Block Two, as Mr Mensah, aged about 30, told The Mirror that Mr Mensah retired to bed in a separate room on Tuesday evening after he had taken his supper of banku.
The two, who have been transferred to Cape Coast since March 1, 2010, share the two-bed room flat, which serves as the guesthouse /transit quarters for WAEC staff.
Mr Thompson said around 11:30p.m. he heard an usual cough from Mr Mensah and rushed out of his room to find out what was happening only to be told by Mr Mensah, who was then in the toilet, that he was just coughing.
Mr Thompson stated that he then returned to his room to continue sleeping and that not quite long, Mr Mensah called and asked him to take him to the hospital since he was not feeling well.
Mr Thompson said since Mr Mensah could not walk properly, he helped him to the hall, where he sat on the floor whilst he Mr. Thompson decided to go downstairs to look for a vehicle to send Mr Mensah to the hospital.
He said he returned to find, to his dismay, Mr Mensah lying flat on his back dead.
He said he rushed to the Elmina police to report the incident and also made a statement to the police.
A team of police detectives led by Chief Inspector Eugene Nyavor arrived at the scene the next morning and, after preliminary investigations, conveyed the body to the morgue at the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast for autopsy.
The leftover of the banku Mr Mensah had as supper and some tablets found on the dining table, where he sat for the meal, were taken by the police as exhibits to help in the investigations.
TRAGEDY HITS FAMILY (MIRROR, LEAD STORY, MARCH 13, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Aboransa
Tragedy struck the Atwea family of Aboransa in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipality last Friday evening when a bus ran over two heads of the family who had arrived from Nsuaem, near Tarkwa, to attend the funeral of their late ebusuapanyin (clan head).
The two, Mr. J.K. Brehun and Adjoa Koflah, both in their 80s, were crossing the road when the Accra-Takoradi bus, with registration number GC 4883 Z, ran over them, killing them instantly.
Their bodies have been deposited at the Central Regional Hospital morgue for autopsy.
According to a family spokesman, the two, who were the ebusuapanyin and obaahemaa (queen) of the Atwea family at Nsuaem, Tarkwa, had arrived at Aboransa on that ill-fated day for the funeral of their late ebusuapanyin, J.E. Quayson, and were in the company of a third person who was escorting them to the house of another kin.
The spokesman said the family escort who foresaw the danger asked the two to wait for the bus to pass before crossing but Koflah, who did not sense the danger ahead, held the hand of Brehun and pulled him along to cross the road only to be run over by the bus, resulting in their instant death.
The accident threw the town into a state of uncontrollable wailing.
A number of residents who spoke to The Mirror called on the KEEA Municipal Assembly to erect speed humps at Aboransa to prevent such accidents as drivers ignored the speed limit when entering or leaving the town.
In another development, an eight-year-old school pupil of the Ajumako-Kokoben Presbyterian Primary School, Attah- Essuman, who was knocked down by a speeding vehicle last Friday, died the next day at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Hospital at Breman Asikuma.
Tragedy struck the Atwea family of Aboransa in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipality last Friday evening when a bus ran over two heads of the family who had arrived from Nsuaem, near Tarkwa, to attend the funeral of their late ebusuapanyin (clan head).
The two, Mr. J.K. Brehun and Adjoa Koflah, both in their 80s, were crossing the road when the Accra-Takoradi bus, with registration number GC 4883 Z, ran over them, killing them instantly.
Their bodies have been deposited at the Central Regional Hospital morgue for autopsy.
According to a family spokesman, the two, who were the ebusuapanyin and obaahemaa (queen) of the Atwea family at Nsuaem, Tarkwa, had arrived at Aboransa on that ill-fated day for the funeral of their late ebusuapanyin, J.E. Quayson, and were in the company of a third person who was escorting them to the house of another kin.
The spokesman said the family escort who foresaw the danger asked the two to wait for the bus to pass before crossing but Koflah, who did not sense the danger ahead, held the hand of Brehun and pulled him along to cross the road only to be run over by the bus, resulting in their instant death.
The accident threw the town into a state of uncontrollable wailing.
A number of residents who spoke to The Mirror called on the KEEA Municipal Assembly to erect speed humps at Aboransa to prevent such accidents as drivers ignored the speed limit when entering or leaving the town.
In another development, an eight-year-old school pupil of the Ajumako-Kokoben Presbyterian Primary School, Attah- Essuman, who was knocked down by a speeding vehicle last Friday, died the next day at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Hospital at Breman Asikuma.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
LACK OF CO-OPERATION BANE OF DEV — NDUOM (PAGE 16, MARCH 11, 2010)
THE Flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2008 election, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has identified the lack of co-operation among the Member of Parliament (MP), the Municipal Chief Executive and the traditional authorities as the main obstacle to the development of Komenda, Edina, Eguafo area (KEEA).
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the independence day celebration at the Elmina Methodist School Park on March 6, Dr Ndoum said the situation had not augured well for the development of the area.
Dr Nduom served as the CPP’s MP for the KEEA from 2000 to 2008 before being elected as the flagbearer of the party in the 2008 elections.
He said as the elected representative of the people, the MP had the onerous responsibility for articulating their views and concerns, and that nothing should be done by any other body or authority to undermine his authority.
He said during his tenure, even though he was a Cabinet Minister, some of the projects he tried to execute were stalled because he did not belong to the party in power.
He, therefore, called on all to be guided by a sense of co-operation and togetherness in order to develop the municipality.
Earlier, Dr Nduom presented prizes and certificates to participating schools in a quiz competition organised by Ahomka FM Station, in collaboration with the First National Bank, Coconut Grove and Gold Coast Securities on the 53rd Independence Anniversary celebrations and the achievements of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana.
St Anne’s School emerged winners with 23 points and took home GH¢250, whilst the Elmina Model School came second with 21 points and also took home GH¢150, with the Bantama School settling for the third position with 20 points and GH¢100.
He commended the participating schools for responding to the competition, despite the short served them.
Dr Nduom emphasised the need for the present generation to be made to know the country’s history and those who laid down their lives for her liberation from colonial rule.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the independence day celebration at the Elmina Methodist School Park on March 6, Dr Ndoum said the situation had not augured well for the development of the area.
Dr Nduom served as the CPP’s MP for the KEEA from 2000 to 2008 before being elected as the flagbearer of the party in the 2008 elections.
He said as the elected representative of the people, the MP had the onerous responsibility for articulating their views and concerns, and that nothing should be done by any other body or authority to undermine his authority.
He said during his tenure, even though he was a Cabinet Minister, some of the projects he tried to execute were stalled because he did not belong to the party in power.
He, therefore, called on all to be guided by a sense of co-operation and togetherness in order to develop the municipality.
Earlier, Dr Nduom presented prizes and certificates to participating schools in a quiz competition organised by Ahomka FM Station, in collaboration with the First National Bank, Coconut Grove and Gold Coast Securities on the 53rd Independence Anniversary celebrations and the achievements of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana.
St Anne’s School emerged winners with 23 points and took home GH¢250, whilst the Elmina Model School came second with 21 points and also took home GH¢150, with the Bantama School settling for the third position with 20 points and GH¢100.
He commended the participating schools for responding to the competition, despite the short served them.
Dr Nduom emphasised the need for the present generation to be made to know the country’s history and those who laid down their lives for her liberation from colonial rule.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
ANOKYE-YEBOAH JOINS PANAFEST COMMITTEE (PAGE 26, MIRROR, FEB 20, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast.
The PANAFEST Foundation has appointed Mr Gustav Anokye-Yeboah, a Cape Coast businessman and Chairman of the Central Region Business Club, as a member of the National Executive Committee.
This was contained in a letter signed by Mr Kohain Nathayah Helevi, Executive Secretary of the foundation, dated December 16, 2009.
Mr Anokye-Yeboah’s appointment follows a directive by the Chairman of the Board of PANAFEST Foundation, Dr Mohammed Ben Abdallah.
Speaking to The Mirror on his appointment, Mr Anokye-Yeboah said he would bring his business acumen and wealth of experience to improve upon the PANAFEST and package it such that it would attract more Africans in the Diaspora and tourists to attend the celebration.
The PANAFEST Foundation has appointed Mr Gustav Anokye-Yeboah, a Cape Coast businessman and Chairman of the Central Region Business Club, as a member of the National Executive Committee.
This was contained in a letter signed by Mr Kohain Nathayah Helevi, Executive Secretary of the foundation, dated December 16, 2009.
Mr Anokye-Yeboah’s appointment follows a directive by the Chairman of the Board of PANAFEST Foundation, Dr Mohammed Ben Abdallah.
Speaking to The Mirror on his appointment, Mr Anokye-Yeboah said he would bring his business acumen and wealth of experience to improve upon the PANAFEST and package it such that it would attract more Africans in the Diaspora and tourists to attend the celebration.
Monday, March 1, 2010
KOMENDA STUDENTS SEENT ON PREMATURE MID-TERM (BACK PAGE, FEB 23, 2010)
Students of the Komenda Senior Secondary-Technical High School have been asked to proceed on a one-week mid-term with effect from yesterday after they embarked on a demonstration over what they described as the indifference of the headmaster concerning a number of their grievances.
Mid-term had been scheduled for early March, this year.
The police had to be called in from Elmina to restore calm after the students, wielding weapons such as machetes and sticks, demonstrated through the compound and rampaged through a number of the school’s facilities and destroyed furniture.
The students vandalised furniture at the computer laboratory, the library, the arts classroom and the Counselling and Guidance Unit.
According to the students, the headmaster had failed to supply them their second school uniforms, even though they had paid for them.
They also complained about the poor quality of food served them at the dining hall and transportation problem even though the school had a bus.
When contacted, the Headmaster of the school, Mr David Bonney, said he was meeting the Regional Director of Education and the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal Director of Education to evaluate the situation.
He said as far as he was concerned, food served at the dining hall was of good quality and standard approved by the Ghana Education Service.
He said the school bus was always released to the students to facilitate their movements any time they requested it.
He said he did not understand what the students were demanding and said they might have been manipulated to embark on the unfortunate action.
He expressed the hope that the students would return next week for academic work to resume.
Mid-term had been scheduled for early March, this year.
The police had to be called in from Elmina to restore calm after the students, wielding weapons such as machetes and sticks, demonstrated through the compound and rampaged through a number of the school’s facilities and destroyed furniture.
The students vandalised furniture at the computer laboratory, the library, the arts classroom and the Counselling and Guidance Unit.
According to the students, the headmaster had failed to supply them their second school uniforms, even though they had paid for them.
They also complained about the poor quality of food served them at the dining hall and transportation problem even though the school had a bus.
When contacted, the Headmaster of the school, Mr David Bonney, said he was meeting the Regional Director of Education and the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal Director of Education to evaluate the situation.
He said as far as he was concerned, food served at the dining hall was of good quality and standard approved by the Ghana Education Service.
He said the school bus was always released to the students to facilitate their movements any time they requested it.
He said he did not understand what the students were demanding and said they might have been manipulated to embark on the unfortunate action.
He expressed the hope that the students would return next week for academic work to resume.
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