THE Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, on Saturday launched newly developed supplementary readers aimed at encouraging active reading in children.
Known as the Reading Goals Series, the new readers employ popular themes such as soccer and the history of the soccer World Cup to capture the reading and learning interests of children.
They have the Ghanaian international football hero, Michael Essien, as the role model around which the series is developed and they also capture the history of Essien from childhood to his current activities at Chelsea FC.
They are targeted at pupils in Primary Four, Five and Six.
The project is an international collaboration among Pearson and Sedco-Longman, both world acclaimed publishers, Chelsea FC, UK, The Michael Essien Foundation and the United Nation’s One Goal Project.
The first set of 90,000 copies, produced at the cost of GH¢1 million, is to be distributed to schools in the Central Region. Other parts of the country will be supplied in the course of the year.
Mr Tettey-Enyo said the new supplementary readers tied in with the Ministry of Education’s determination to ensure that the targets spelt out under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for education were attained.
He said there were many children of school age who were currently out of school, a situation which posed a major challenge to the government, civil society and other stakeholders.
He said to ensure that education was functional and effective, there was the need for a collaborative effort to step up the current levels of literacy to an acceptable rate.
Mr Tettey-Enyo urged the various district directors of education to ensure that the books were made available to the children in their districts before the World Cup, adding, “The children need to read and enjoy the books while the competition is on.”
In a recorded message from his base in England, Essien said education was very important for kids in Ghana and expressed the hope that children would strive to achieve high levels of literacy through reading.
The Sales Director of Pearson in charge of Africa and The Caribbean, Mr Michael McGarvey, said the company chose football because it had immense power to enthuse and engage.
“The aim of Reading Goals is to inspire children to read. It is to use football to tell a story and, more important, build the language skills of children,” he added.
He said Book One had 75 words per page; Book Two 100 words per page and Book Three 150 words per page.
Mr McGarvey expressed gratitude to Chelsea FC for the help offered.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
CHIEF GRANTED GH¢10,000 BAIL (MIRROR, PAGE 35, MAY 29, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast.
The self-styled chief of Ekumfi Ekumpoano who is being tried for alleged rape of his former fiancee’s daughter has been granted a GH¢10,000.00 bail with one surety to reappear on June 7.
Kofi Aboarabor, 48, was alleged to have raped the woman after sending her to buy him fish.
In granting bail the court, presided over by Mr Justice Beresford Acquah, ordered the accused to report twice daily to the police.
The accused who pleaded alibi on May 18 when he appeared for the second time is to take the investigator to Accra and trace the route of his whereabouts that day after his counsel could not prove his case of alibi at the previous sitting.
The self-styled chief of Ekumfi Ekumpoano who is being tried for alleged rape of his former fiancee’s daughter has been granted a GH¢10,000.00 bail with one surety to reappear on June 7.
Kofi Aboarabor, 48, was alleged to have raped the woman after sending her to buy him fish.
In granting bail the court, presided over by Mr Justice Beresford Acquah, ordered the accused to report twice daily to the police.
The accused who pleaded alibi on May 18 when he appeared for the second time is to take the investigator to Accra and trace the route of his whereabouts that day after his counsel could not prove his case of alibi at the previous sitting.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
CHIEFS WEEPS IN COURT (MIRROR, PAGE 27, MAY 22, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast
The chief of Ekumpoano in the Mfantseman Municipality, Nana Korsah VII, aka Kofi Aborabor, could not hold his tears as he wept uncontrollably after he had been remanded for the second time for another two weeks by the Circuit Court in Cape Coast where he is standing trial for alleged rape.
Nana Korsah burst into tears minutes after the Judge, Mr Beresford Acquah, had asked his counsel, Mr J.P.K. Appiatse, to file a plea of alibi through the appropriate procedure.
At the hearing, Mr Appiatse had indicated that he had filed an application of alibi to the effect that Nana Korsah was not in Ekumpoano on the day the victim claimed she was raped.
Mr Appiatse said there was evidence to prove that the chief was at Fanti Nyankomasi on that day.
Mr Appiatse even offered GH¢30 to the prosecutor to enable him to travel to Fanti Nyankomasi to ascertain the suspect’s claim.
When he appeared before the court two weeks ago, Nana Korsah had pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape and was subsequently remanded for two weeks to reappear.
According to Inspector Daniel Agbezuhior, Nana Korsah sent the victim to buy fish for him the evening of the day in question and when she returned, she could not find him.
The victim, who knew where the chief stayed, decided to send the fish to the chief’s house and on knocking on his door, the chief opened the door and locked it.
He then demanded to sleep with the lady who refused but after a hard struggle with her, the chief tore her dress, panties and forcibly slept with her.
He said the victim went home after the incident and reported the case to her mother and a report was made to the police the next morning since it was then late.
Meanwhile, chiefs of the Ekumpoano Traditioanl Council have disassociated themselves from the chief. According to them, Nana Korsah is not recognised by the council.
The chief of Ekumpoano in the Mfantseman Municipality, Nana Korsah VII, aka Kofi Aborabor, could not hold his tears as he wept uncontrollably after he had been remanded for the second time for another two weeks by the Circuit Court in Cape Coast where he is standing trial for alleged rape.
Nana Korsah burst into tears minutes after the Judge, Mr Beresford Acquah, had asked his counsel, Mr J.P.K. Appiatse, to file a plea of alibi through the appropriate procedure.
At the hearing, Mr Appiatse had indicated that he had filed an application of alibi to the effect that Nana Korsah was not in Ekumpoano on the day the victim claimed she was raped.
Mr Appiatse said there was evidence to prove that the chief was at Fanti Nyankomasi on that day.
Mr Appiatse even offered GH¢30 to the prosecutor to enable him to travel to Fanti Nyankomasi to ascertain the suspect’s claim.
When he appeared before the court two weeks ago, Nana Korsah had pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape and was subsequently remanded for two weeks to reappear.
According to Inspector Daniel Agbezuhior, Nana Korsah sent the victim to buy fish for him the evening of the day in question and when she returned, she could not find him.
The victim, who knew where the chief stayed, decided to send the fish to the chief’s house and on knocking on his door, the chief opened the door and locked it.
He then demanded to sleep with the lady who refused but after a hard struggle with her, the chief tore her dress, panties and forcibly slept with her.
He said the victim went home after the incident and reported the case to her mother and a report was made to the police the next morning since it was then late.
Meanwhile, chiefs of the Ekumpoano Traditioanl Council have disassociated themselves from the chief. According to them, Nana Korsah is not recognised by the council.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
DWM ENJOYS SUPPORT — KONADU-AGYEMAN (PAGE 13, MAY 20, 2010)
The President of the December 31st Women’s Movement, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, has stated that the movement continues to enjoy the massive support of women because of its policy to empower women and unearth their potential to take their rightful place in society.
She said it was for that reason that it embarked on projects aimed at educating women to raise their income levels.
Speaking at the launch of the 28th anniversary of the movement at a rally at Esuehyia, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings said the movement did bid and win the Nsawam Cannery through its own company, CARRIDEM, by raising a loan.
It is being celebrated on the theme: The role of women in nation-building, and was attended by delegates from all the regions.
The former First Lady said the movement also sourced funds to establish a cocoa processing factory to raise funds for women.
She therefore described the charges of causing financial loss to the state preferred against her and some executive members of the movement as an attempt to stifle the operations and good intentions of the movement.
She said it was ironical that the movement won cases of impropriety against it only to be appealed against by the then government at the High Track Fast Court.
Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings said despite the attempt and blatant lies to discredit the movement would remain resolute and ever committed to chart the path it was intended for.
She said no amount of intimidation would make the movement deviate from its cause and advised women to rally solidly behind its success.
She said everything was on course to deliver on its policies and that the two companies would soon start operations to support the movement’s projects.
A former Minister in President Rawlings’s administration, Mr. Samuel Nuamah-Donkoh commended the movement for championing the cause of women.
Mr. Nuamah-Donkor said the movement continues to be stronger due to its immense support for the emancipation and empowerment of women and that it would forever be remembered by generations of Ghanaian women for its role in bringing them into the limelight.
He said even though women had potential that could be unearthed for national development, society had relegated them to the background in the past and prayed for God’s guidance for the founding member and all those who had brought the movement this far.
He asked women not to waver in their support for the movement to give them the needed push to enhance their contribution in nation-building.
She said it was for that reason that it embarked on projects aimed at educating women to raise their income levels.
Speaking at the launch of the 28th anniversary of the movement at a rally at Esuehyia, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings said the movement did bid and win the Nsawam Cannery through its own company, CARRIDEM, by raising a loan.
It is being celebrated on the theme: The role of women in nation-building, and was attended by delegates from all the regions.
The former First Lady said the movement also sourced funds to establish a cocoa processing factory to raise funds for women.
She therefore described the charges of causing financial loss to the state preferred against her and some executive members of the movement as an attempt to stifle the operations and good intentions of the movement.
She said it was ironical that the movement won cases of impropriety against it only to be appealed against by the then government at the High Track Fast Court.
Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings said despite the attempt and blatant lies to discredit the movement would remain resolute and ever committed to chart the path it was intended for.
She said no amount of intimidation would make the movement deviate from its cause and advised women to rally solidly behind its success.
She said everything was on course to deliver on its policies and that the two companies would soon start operations to support the movement’s projects.
A former Minister in President Rawlings’s administration, Mr. Samuel Nuamah-Donkoh commended the movement for championing the cause of women.
Mr. Nuamah-Donkor said the movement continues to be stronger due to its immense support for the emancipation and empowerment of women and that it would forever be remembered by generations of Ghanaian women for its role in bringing them into the limelight.
He said even though women had potential that could be unearthed for national development, society had relegated them to the background in the past and prayed for God’s guidance for the founding member and all those who had brought the movement this far.
He asked women not to waver in their support for the movement to give them the needed push to enhance their contribution in nation-building.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
CASES OF RABIES INCREASE (MIRROR, PAGE 34, MAY 15, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast.
More than 55,000 people die of rabies annually and about 95 per cent of the human deaths occur in Asia and Africa.
Rabies is one of the most dangerous diseases caused by a virus which can be transmitted to humans from animals and occurs when an infected animal bites a victim.
Dr Anthony Annan-Prah, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, who stated these said between 30 per cent and 60 per cent of dog bite victims were children under the age of 15.
Dr Annan-Prah was making a presentation at a public lecture on rabies as part of activities by the Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) to mark World Veterinary Day in Cape Coast.
Dr Annan-Prah said if wound cleansing and immunisation are done as soon as possible after contact with a suspected animal, rabies could be prevented in virtually 100 per cent of exposures and that the disease could be prevented by vaccinating pets by the fourth month.
Dr Annan-Prah advised people to report neighbours who do not vaccinate their pets and that countrywide mass vaccination of dogs and cats could also prevent the disease and called for the elimination of stray dogs, cats and monkeys.
The President of the Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA), Dr Kwesi Bowi Darkwa, appealed to the government to reintroduce the free mass vaccination for pets to enhance the anti-rabies campaign.
He said the unprecedented flow of commodities and people give pathogens of all kinds the opportunity to spread and multiply around the world and that climate change enabled them to extend their range, notably through the vectors such as insects colonising new areas.
The Metropolitan Director of Health Services, Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey, said rabies was becoming a neglected disease due to lack of accurate data and public awareness.
Dr Nuertey said like all viral disease, rabies had no cure but early intervention was the best remedy.
Earlier in his welcoming address, a representative of the GVMA, Dr A.N.A. Ayitey, said 200 dogs and 109 cats were vaccinated in the Cape Coast Metropolis during an outreach programme as part of activities to mark the occasion.
Participants called on the government to give equal attention to rabies and HIV/AIDS.
More than 55,000 people die of rabies annually and about 95 per cent of the human deaths occur in Asia and Africa.
Rabies is one of the most dangerous diseases caused by a virus which can be transmitted to humans from animals and occurs when an infected animal bites a victim.
Dr Anthony Annan-Prah, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, who stated these said between 30 per cent and 60 per cent of dog bite victims were children under the age of 15.
Dr Annan-Prah was making a presentation at a public lecture on rabies as part of activities by the Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) to mark World Veterinary Day in Cape Coast.
Dr Annan-Prah said if wound cleansing and immunisation are done as soon as possible after contact with a suspected animal, rabies could be prevented in virtually 100 per cent of exposures and that the disease could be prevented by vaccinating pets by the fourth month.
Dr Annan-Prah advised people to report neighbours who do not vaccinate their pets and that countrywide mass vaccination of dogs and cats could also prevent the disease and called for the elimination of stray dogs, cats and monkeys.
The President of the Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA), Dr Kwesi Bowi Darkwa, appealed to the government to reintroduce the free mass vaccination for pets to enhance the anti-rabies campaign.
He said the unprecedented flow of commodities and people give pathogens of all kinds the opportunity to spread and multiply around the world and that climate change enabled them to extend their range, notably through the vectors such as insects colonising new areas.
The Metropolitan Director of Health Services, Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey, said rabies was becoming a neglected disease due to lack of accurate data and public awareness.
Dr Nuertey said like all viral disease, rabies had no cure but early intervention was the best remedy.
Earlier in his welcoming address, a representative of the GVMA, Dr A.N.A. Ayitey, said 200 dogs and 109 cats were vaccinated in the Cape Coast Metropolis during an outreach programme as part of activities to mark the occasion.
Participants called on the government to give equal attention to rabies and HIV/AIDS.
UPHOLD IMAGE OF JUDICIARY (MIRROR, PAGE 34, MAY 15, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast.
The Supervising High Court Judge of Central Region, Mrs Justice Francesca Owusu-Ansah, has tasked members of the bench and staff of the Judiciary Service to uphold the image of the service at all times.
Mrs. Owusu-Ansah said as the arm of government entrusted with the dispensation of justice to all manner of people, the Judiciary Service had the onerous duty of being fair and impartial in the administration of justice.
Launching a revised code of conduct for the bench and staff, she said people, therefore, considered the institution as sacrosanct and that its sanctity must be preserved. She, therefore, advised members of the bench and the staff not to do anything to undermine the judiciary.
She said her outfit would not hesitate to apply the necessary sanctions against those who flouted the code for their personal interest.
She further advised them to change their attitude which sometimes gave wrong perceptions about the bench, avoid interference, as well as behaviour which undermined and tarnished the image of the service.
The Supervising High Court Judge urged them to uphold the confidentiality, trust and impartiality expected of them.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah said the code had been revised to meet modern trends and technological development as well as recruitment of new hands due to retirement, resignations and so on.
On the deplorable situation of the court building in Cape Coast, she said there was the need for major renovation to make work more conducive and that land had been acquired at the Fourth Ridge for the building of a new court complex since the old building was now in the centre of the town and, therefore, not suitable for the promotion of efficient work.
The Supervising High Court Judge of Central Region, Mrs Justice Francesca Owusu-Ansah, has tasked members of the bench and staff of the Judiciary Service to uphold the image of the service at all times.
Mrs. Owusu-Ansah said as the arm of government entrusted with the dispensation of justice to all manner of people, the Judiciary Service had the onerous duty of being fair and impartial in the administration of justice.
Launching a revised code of conduct for the bench and staff, she said people, therefore, considered the institution as sacrosanct and that its sanctity must be preserved. She, therefore, advised members of the bench and the staff not to do anything to undermine the judiciary.
She said her outfit would not hesitate to apply the necessary sanctions against those who flouted the code for their personal interest.
She further advised them to change their attitude which sometimes gave wrong perceptions about the bench, avoid interference, as well as behaviour which undermined and tarnished the image of the service.
The Supervising High Court Judge urged them to uphold the confidentiality, trust and impartiality expected of them.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah said the code had been revised to meet modern trends and technological development as well as recruitment of new hands due to retirement, resignations and so on.
On the deplorable situation of the court building in Cape Coast, she said there was the need for major renovation to make work more conducive and that land had been acquired at the Fourth Ridge for the building of a new court complex since the old building was now in the centre of the town and, therefore, not suitable for the promotion of efficient work.
OIL, GAS ROADSHOW IN CAPE COAST (MIRROR, PAGE 35, MAY 15, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Cape Coast.
The Deputy Minister for Energy, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has stated that the government’s programme to pump oil from the Jubilee Field in the last quarter of 2010 is on course.
Under Phase One of the project, Ghana is expected to produce 120,000 barrels of oil per day and 120,000mmscfd of gas.
Phase Two starts in 2013 with 240,000 barrels per day and 240mmscfd of gas production.
Speaking at the Roadshow on Local Content on Oil and Gas in Cape Coast, Mr Buah said the construction of pipelines to convey gas to the proposed gas processing plant at Bonyere in the Western Region for the production of ethanol, propane and fertiliser have begun.
Mr Buah also said gas would also be piped to an existing power plant at Aboadze to generate electricity for the country.
He added that there were plans to build an industrial estate to house petrochemical and other industrial facilities and a mini-harbour, warehousing facilities, as well as storage tanks would also be required.
He hinted that a railway would also be required and that with the availability of gas as a cheap energy source, any industrial activity could take place within the area, adding that the prospects for both local professionals and investors were endless.
He also mentioned ancillary business activities like real estate, telecommunications, banking, insurance, weather forecasting, search-and-rescue services, transport and catering as some of the opportunity areas.
Mr Buah said the fascinating thing about this development was that the above–mentioned activities could be replicated in any part of the country as more oil and gas was discovered, especially in the Keta Basin.
He said Cabinet had approved the policy framework for local content and local participation in petroleum activities which were to be developed into legislation to ensure that Ghanaians obtain maximum benefits from the oil find.
The Deputy Minister for Energy, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has stated that the government’s programme to pump oil from the Jubilee Field in the last quarter of 2010 is on course.
Under Phase One of the project, Ghana is expected to produce 120,000 barrels of oil per day and 120,000mmscfd of gas.
Phase Two starts in 2013 with 240,000 barrels per day and 240mmscfd of gas production.
Speaking at the Roadshow on Local Content on Oil and Gas in Cape Coast, Mr Buah said the construction of pipelines to convey gas to the proposed gas processing plant at Bonyere in the Western Region for the production of ethanol, propane and fertiliser have begun.
Mr Buah also said gas would also be piped to an existing power plant at Aboadze to generate electricity for the country.
He added that there were plans to build an industrial estate to house petrochemical and other industrial facilities and a mini-harbour, warehousing facilities, as well as storage tanks would also be required.
He hinted that a railway would also be required and that with the availability of gas as a cheap energy source, any industrial activity could take place within the area, adding that the prospects for both local professionals and investors were endless.
He also mentioned ancillary business activities like real estate, telecommunications, banking, insurance, weather forecasting, search-and-rescue services, transport and catering as some of the opportunity areas.
Mr Buah said the fascinating thing about this development was that the above–mentioned activities could be replicated in any part of the country as more oil and gas was discovered, especially in the Keta Basin.
He said Cabinet had approved the policy framework for local content and local participation in petroleum activities which were to be developed into legislation to ensure that Ghanaians obtain maximum benefits from the oil find.
UPHOLD IMAGE OF JUDICIAL SERVICE — JUSTICE OWUSU-ANSAH (PAGE 42, MAY 17, 2010)
THE Cape Coast Supervising High Court Judge, Mrs Justice Francesca Owusu-Ansah, has tasked members of the bench and staff of the judiciary service to uphold the image of the service at all times.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah said the judiciary service, as the arm of government entrusted with the dispensation of justice to all manner of people, had the onerous duty to be fair and impartial in the administration of justice.
Launching a revised code of conduct for the bench and staff, she said people therefore looked up to the institution as sacrosanct whose sanctity must be preserved.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah therefore advised members of the bench and the staff not to do anything to undermine the judiciary.
She said her outfit would not hesitate to apply the necessary sanctions against anyone who flouted the code for his personal interest.
The Supervising High Court Judge further advised them to change their attitude which sometimes gave wrong perception about the bench and avoid interference as well as behaviour which undermined and tarnished the image of the service.
She urged them to uphold the confidentiality, trust and impartiality expected of them.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah said the code had been revised to meet modern trends and technological development, as well as recruitment of new hands due to retirement, resignations, among other things.
On the deplorable situation of the court building in Cape Coast, she said the building would need a major rehabilitation to make work more conducive.
According to her, land had been acquired at Fourth Ridge for a new court complex, since the old building was in the centre of the town and therefore did not augur well for smooth work.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah said the judiciary service, as the arm of government entrusted with the dispensation of justice to all manner of people, had the onerous duty to be fair and impartial in the administration of justice.
Launching a revised code of conduct for the bench and staff, she said people therefore looked up to the institution as sacrosanct whose sanctity must be preserved.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah therefore advised members of the bench and the staff not to do anything to undermine the judiciary.
She said her outfit would not hesitate to apply the necessary sanctions against anyone who flouted the code for his personal interest.
The Supervising High Court Judge further advised them to change their attitude which sometimes gave wrong perception about the bench and avoid interference as well as behaviour which undermined and tarnished the image of the service.
She urged them to uphold the confidentiality, trust and impartiality expected of them.
Mrs Owusu-Ansah said the code had been revised to meet modern trends and technological development, as well as recruitment of new hands due to retirement, resignations, among other things.
On the deplorable situation of the court building in Cape Coast, she said the building would need a major rehabilitation to make work more conducive.
According to her, land had been acquired at Fourth Ridge for a new court complex, since the old building was in the centre of the town and therefore did not augur well for smooth work.
Monday, May 10, 2010
ABOAKYER CANCELLED (SPREAD, MAY 10, 2010)
THE chieftaincy dispute in the Effutu Traditional Area reared its ugly head over the weekend, leading to the cancellation of the celebration of this year’s Aboakyer Festival at Winneba.
The once cherished annual festival, which was celebrated with splendour and glamour for a bounty harvest of food and fish, suffered a setback as the two Asafo companies, the Tuafo and the Dentsifo, failed to go to their hunting grounds for fear of reprisals.
The one-week event, celebrated between the last week of April and the first Saturday of May, was postponed this year because the events leading to the deer catch coincided with May Day, the international labour day.
Information gathered in Winneba was that there had been a clash between the two Asafo factions, with rumours having it that 10 people had been killed. But that turned out to be false.
Unconfirmed sources said even though there had been a clash between the two Asafo companies, eight people were treated and discharged from hospital, while the other two whose cases were said to be serious were admitted at the Winneba Hospital.
Even though the town was agog with music from households which had mounted loud speakers, with various sponsors displaying their products, the durbar ground was empty because the Dentsifo Number Two Asafo Company, in defiance, had decided not to go to the hunting grounds and threatened to attack the Tuafo Number One Asafo Company if it dared go to its hunting grounds.
The security services had a hard time monitoring the situation for several hours, while a closed-door meeting was held with the municipal security committee and the Central Regional Police Command to review the situation.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, who arrived later, had to be ushered to the municipal assembly and after being briefed, she sent a delegation to the Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, Nenyi Ghartey VII, for consultation.
Mrs Benyiwa-Doe was later escorted to the palace, where the Omanhene was also considering the security implications of the stalemate.
It was then that Nenyi Ghartey informed the regional minister that after assessing the security situation and the looming danger, he and his elders had decided to confine the rest of the rituals indoors to avoid any mayhem and bloodshed.
Mrs Benyiwa-Doe advised the people to take the necessary steps to resolve the dispute for the once revered festival to attract both local and foreign patronage.
Nenyi Ghartey lamented over the problem and its effect on tourism but said the traditional council decided to perform the rest of the rituals indoors in the interest of peace and reconciliation.
The once cherished annual festival, which was celebrated with splendour and glamour for a bounty harvest of food and fish, suffered a setback as the two Asafo companies, the Tuafo and the Dentsifo, failed to go to their hunting grounds for fear of reprisals.
The one-week event, celebrated between the last week of April and the first Saturday of May, was postponed this year because the events leading to the deer catch coincided with May Day, the international labour day.
Information gathered in Winneba was that there had been a clash between the two Asafo factions, with rumours having it that 10 people had been killed. But that turned out to be false.
Unconfirmed sources said even though there had been a clash between the two Asafo companies, eight people were treated and discharged from hospital, while the other two whose cases were said to be serious were admitted at the Winneba Hospital.
Even though the town was agog with music from households which had mounted loud speakers, with various sponsors displaying their products, the durbar ground was empty because the Dentsifo Number Two Asafo Company, in defiance, had decided not to go to the hunting grounds and threatened to attack the Tuafo Number One Asafo Company if it dared go to its hunting grounds.
The security services had a hard time monitoring the situation for several hours, while a closed-door meeting was held with the municipal security committee and the Central Regional Police Command to review the situation.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, who arrived later, had to be ushered to the municipal assembly and after being briefed, she sent a delegation to the Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, Nenyi Ghartey VII, for consultation.
Mrs Benyiwa-Doe was later escorted to the palace, where the Omanhene was also considering the security implications of the stalemate.
It was then that Nenyi Ghartey informed the regional minister that after assessing the security situation and the looming danger, he and his elders had decided to confine the rest of the rituals indoors to avoid any mayhem and bloodshed.
Mrs Benyiwa-Doe advised the people to take the necessary steps to resolve the dispute for the once revered festival to attract both local and foreign patronage.
Nenyi Ghartey lamented over the problem and its effect on tourism but said the traditional council decided to perform the rest of the rituals indoors in the interest of peace and reconciliation.
Friday, May 7, 2010
SNAKE SCATTERS COURT AT ASSIN FOSU (MIRROR, PAGE 21, MAY 8, 2010)
Joe Okyere, Assin Fosu
The Assin Fosu Court received an unwelcome witness last Tuesday when a huge snake appeared in the beams and the ceiling of the courtroom.
The snake was seen after the presiding judge, Mr Joseph Blay, had led the court in a short prayer prior to the day’s sitting.
As soon as Mr Blay sat down to begin calling cases, the snake, measuring about six feet and as big as the forearm of a an average man, appeared right behind his head.
It appeared menacingly, waging its tongue and prepared to bite the judge, who was completely oblivious of the looming danger behind him.
People in the courtroom who saw the dreadful situation started yelling and shouting “Jesus Christ”, “God”, “Awurade”, Allah”, with the judge completely flabbergasted.
Those who could not stand the perilous spectacle ran for their dear lives and in the ensuing mayhem and pandemonium, the snake was distracted momentarily, causing it to shift its attention away from the judge.
The brave ones who remained in the courtroom mustered courage and started pelting the serpent with whatever they could lay hands on — shoes, stones and sticks — and eventually succeeded in killing the snake.
Mr Kwadwo Manu, a farmer who happened to be in the courtroom to listen to proceedings, told the judge that the snake was a very poisonous one whose bite could be lethal.
The Assin Fosu Court is one of the most unsuitable premises to pass as a court. Apart from the unbearable heat from the sun, the court cannot sit anytime it rains due to the leaky nature of the roof.
Speaking to The Mirror about the incident later, Mr Blay said it was manifestly important now for the Judicial Service, the government, the Assin North Municipal Assembly and the people of the area to pool resources to find a suitable premises for the court to dispense justice to the people.
The Assin Fosu Court received an unwelcome witness last Tuesday when a huge snake appeared in the beams and the ceiling of the courtroom.
The snake was seen after the presiding judge, Mr Joseph Blay, had led the court in a short prayer prior to the day’s sitting.
As soon as Mr Blay sat down to begin calling cases, the snake, measuring about six feet and as big as the forearm of a an average man, appeared right behind his head.
It appeared menacingly, waging its tongue and prepared to bite the judge, who was completely oblivious of the looming danger behind him.
People in the courtroom who saw the dreadful situation started yelling and shouting “Jesus Christ”, “God”, “Awurade”, Allah”, with the judge completely flabbergasted.
Those who could not stand the perilous spectacle ran for their dear lives and in the ensuing mayhem and pandemonium, the snake was distracted momentarily, causing it to shift its attention away from the judge.
The brave ones who remained in the courtroom mustered courage and started pelting the serpent with whatever they could lay hands on — shoes, stones and sticks — and eventually succeeded in killing the snake.
Mr Kwadwo Manu, a farmer who happened to be in the courtroom to listen to proceedings, told the judge that the snake was a very poisonous one whose bite could be lethal.
The Assin Fosu Court is one of the most unsuitable premises to pass as a court. Apart from the unbearable heat from the sun, the court cannot sit anytime it rains due to the leaky nature of the roof.
Speaking to The Mirror about the incident later, Mr Blay said it was manifestly important now for the Judicial Service, the government, the Assin North Municipal Assembly and the people of the area to pool resources to find a suitable premises for the court to dispense justice to the people.
SNAKE SCATTERS COURT AT ASSIN FOSU (MIRROR, PAGE 21, MAY 8, 2010)
Joe Okyere, Assin Fosu
The Assin Fosu Court received an unwelcome witness last Tuesday when a huge snake appeared in the beams and the ceiling of the courtroom.
The snake was seen after the presiding judge, Mr Joseph Blay, had led the court in a short prayer prior to the day’s sitting.
As soon as Mr Blay sat down to begin calling cases, the snake, measuring about six feet and as big as the forearm of a an average man, appeared right behind his head.
It appeared menacingly, waging its tongue and prepared to bite the judge, who was completely oblivious of the looming danger behind him.
People in the courtroom who saw the dreadful situation started yelling and shouting “Jesus Christ”, “God”, “Awurade”, Allah”, with the judge completely flabbergasted.
Those who could not stand the perilous spectacle ran for their dear lives and in the ensuing mayhem and pandemonium, the snake was distracted momentarily, causing it to shift its attention away from the judge.
The brave ones who remained in the courtroom mustered courage and started pelting the serpent with whatever they could lay hands on — shoes, stones and sticks — and eventually succeeded in killing the snake.
Mr Kwadwo Manu, a farmer who happened to be in the courtroom to listen to proceedings, told the judge that the snake was a very poisonous one whose bite could be lethal.
The Assin Fosu Court is one of the most unsuitable premises to pass as a court. Apart from the unbearable heat from the sun, the court cannot sit anytime it rains due to the leaky nature of the roof.
Speaking to The Mirror about the incident later, Mr Blay said it was manifestly important now for the Judicial Service, the government, the Assin North Municipal Assembly and the people of the area to pool resources to find a suitable premises for the court to dispense justice to the people.
The Assin Fosu Court received an unwelcome witness last Tuesday when a huge snake appeared in the beams and the ceiling of the courtroom.
The snake was seen after the presiding judge, Mr Joseph Blay, had led the court in a short prayer prior to the day’s sitting.
As soon as Mr Blay sat down to begin calling cases, the snake, measuring about six feet and as big as the forearm of a an average man, appeared right behind his head.
It appeared menacingly, waging its tongue and prepared to bite the judge, who was completely oblivious of the looming danger behind him.
People in the courtroom who saw the dreadful situation started yelling and shouting “Jesus Christ”, “God”, “Awurade”, Allah”, with the judge completely flabbergasted.
Those who could not stand the perilous spectacle ran for their dear lives and in the ensuing mayhem and pandemonium, the snake was distracted momentarily, causing it to shift its attention away from the judge.
The brave ones who remained in the courtroom mustered courage and started pelting the serpent with whatever they could lay hands on — shoes, stones and sticks — and eventually succeeded in killing the snake.
Mr Kwadwo Manu, a farmer who happened to be in the courtroom to listen to proceedings, told the judge that the snake was a very poisonous one whose bite could be lethal.
The Assin Fosu Court is one of the most unsuitable premises to pass as a court. Apart from the unbearable heat from the sun, the court cannot sit anytime it rains due to the leaky nature of the roof.
Speaking to The Mirror about the incident later, Mr Blay said it was manifestly important now for the Judicial Service, the government, the Assin North Municipal Assembly and the people of the area to pool resources to find a suitable premises for the court to dispense justice to the people.
MORE TO BENEFIT FROM SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME (MIRROR, PAGE 21, MAY 8, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Ajumako.
Two more primary schools in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam (AEE) District are to benefit from the School Feeding Programme at no extra cost in the next academic year.
This follows the detection of excess number of 542 pupils in the three schools which were benefiting from the programme.
The three schools which started the programme are Abrofoa, Aworodo and Ekukrom.
Accordiing to the District Chief Executive, Mr Peter Light Koomson, the excess of the 542 was uncovered during an exercise in the first quarter of the 2010 in an exercise carried out by the assembly to streamline and harmonise the number on roll in each of the three beneficiary schools.
Mr Koomson said at the end of the exercise it was realised that the excess number could support the programme in two additional schools at no extra cost.
He said the assembly has within 60 days made a savings of about GH¢13,000 after the detection of the excess number.
Consequently, he said the assembly had applied to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ghana National School Feeding Programme to extend the programme to the schools at Ajumako Solomon and Ahamakurambua during the next academic year.
He said the assembly was currently making arrangements to put up two kitchens in the villages for the programme.
He said the acquisition of a motor grader for the assembly in August last year had helped it to construct new access roads and reshaped a number of existing ones.
On rural electrification, Mr Koomson said the Ministry of Energy has abrogated the contract it signed with Kosman Electrical Works for failing to live up to expectation and reawarded the contract to Kwanash Enterprise Ltd to complete outstanding works in some communities in the district.
He said the assembly was also participating in the International Labour Organisation’s Decent Work Programme to promote small and medium-scale business enterprises in the district.
A Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, commended the assembly for unearthing the deal to enable more pupils in the district to benefit from the School Feeding Programme and said the government was reviewing the Local Government Act to enhance participation by all segments of society.
Two more primary schools in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam (AEE) District are to benefit from the School Feeding Programme at no extra cost in the next academic year.
This follows the detection of excess number of 542 pupils in the three schools which were benefiting from the programme.
The three schools which started the programme are Abrofoa, Aworodo and Ekukrom.
Accordiing to the District Chief Executive, Mr Peter Light Koomson, the excess of the 542 was uncovered during an exercise in the first quarter of the 2010 in an exercise carried out by the assembly to streamline and harmonise the number on roll in each of the three beneficiary schools.
Mr Koomson said at the end of the exercise it was realised that the excess number could support the programme in two additional schools at no extra cost.
He said the assembly has within 60 days made a savings of about GH¢13,000 after the detection of the excess number.
Consequently, he said the assembly had applied to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ghana National School Feeding Programme to extend the programme to the schools at Ajumako Solomon and Ahamakurambua during the next academic year.
He said the assembly was currently making arrangements to put up two kitchens in the villages for the programme.
He said the acquisition of a motor grader for the assembly in August last year had helped it to construct new access roads and reshaped a number of existing ones.
On rural electrification, Mr Koomson said the Ministry of Energy has abrogated the contract it signed with Kosman Electrical Works for failing to live up to expectation and reawarded the contract to Kwanash Enterprise Ltd to complete outstanding works in some communities in the district.
He said the assembly was also participating in the International Labour Organisation’s Decent Work Programme to promote small and medium-scale business enterprises in the district.
A Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, commended the assembly for unearthing the deal to enable more pupils in the district to benefit from the School Feeding Programme and said the government was reviewing the Local Government Act to enhance participation by all segments of society.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
NMC CHAIR ADVISES YOUTH ON DRUG ABUSE (PAGE 21, MAY 1, 2010)
From Joe Okyere, Ankaful.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay Amihere, has entreated the youth to resist the temptation of drug abuse and excessive use of alcohol.
He said most of the inmates of the country’s psychiatric hospitals were youthful and he attributed that to drug abuse and alcoholism.
Mr Amihere gave the advice in an interview with The Mirror after joining the staff, students and some past students of St Augustine’s College to donate items to the inmates of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital.
They also planted seedlings of trees along the road from the St Augustine’s College Park to the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital to commemorate the occasion.
The donation formed part of activities marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the college by the Catholic Church.
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 justify the investment made in their education by their parents and the government to unearth their potential to enable them to become useful citizens and contribute to nation-building.
He commended the staff and students of the college for their efforts to give to the needy and described the gesture as a testimony that the founding fathers of the school built it on the spirit of service to mankind.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Joseph Connel, said training the youth was its desire for the students to learn moral values to make them become useful citizens to contribute to the development of the country.
He said the donation formed part of the school’s social responsibility, adding that it was also meant to inculcate in the students the spirit of giving back to society and helping the unfortunate ones who found themselves in such undesirable places.
The Head of Administration of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Mr Kingsley Asamoah-Bediako, expressed gratitude to the staff, the students and the past students of the college for the donation, which he described as the biggest to the institution so far.
He also advised the students to learn from the unfortunate experiences of the young inmates of the hospital who were once students but failed to heed advice, for which reason they found themselves in that unfortunate circumstance.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Kabral Blay Amihere, has entreated the youth to resist the temptation of drug abuse and excessive use of alcohol.
He said most of the inmates of the country’s psychiatric hospitals were youthful and he attributed that to drug abuse and alcoholism.
Mr Amihere gave the advice in an interview with The Mirror after joining the staff, students and some past students of St Augustine’s College to donate items to the inmates of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital.
They also planted seedlings of trees along the road from the St Augustine’s College Park to the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital to commemorate the occasion.
The donation formed part of activities marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the college by the Catholic Church.
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 justify the investment made in their education by their parents and the government to unearth their potential to enable them to become useful citizens and contribute to nation-building.
He commended the staff and students of the college for their efforts to give to the needy and described the gesture as a testimony that the founding fathers of the school built it on the spirit of service to mankind.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Joseph Connel, said training the youth was its desire for the students to learn moral values to make them become useful citizens to contribute to the development of the country.
He said the donation formed part of the school’s social responsibility, adding that it was also meant to inculcate in the students the spirit of giving back to society and helping the unfortunate ones who found themselves in such undesirable places.
The Head of Administration of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Mr Kingsley Asamoah-Bediako, expressed gratitude to the staff, the students and the past students of the college for the donation, which he described as the biggest to the institution so far.
He also advised the students to learn from the unfortunate experiences of the young inmates of the hospital who were once students but failed to heed advice, for which reason they found themselves in that unfortunate circumstance.
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