April 12, 2008
Story: Joe Okyere, Elmina
THE scope of the partnership between the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District and the Municipality of Gouda, Netherlands, has been expanded to include a monthly pension scheme for needy aged women between 70 and 80 in the district.
The first 50 beneficiaries from Berase in the Abrem Traditional Area have received GH¢11 per month as their pension.
The beneficiaries need not contribute under the scheme, which is being implemented on purely humanitarian grounds.
To qualify for the scheme, one must have attained 70 years, besides proving that the one had no breadwinner.
Dubbed “Adopt a Granny Foundation”, the project introduces the needy aged to interested sponsors in the Netherlands for adoption and monthly support.
Speaking at Berase where the first 50 beneficiaries received their pension, the initiator of the scheme and Mayor of the Municipality of Gouda, Mr Wim Cornelis, who led a three-member delegation, said it would be expanded to embrace more aged women.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, commended Mr Cornelis for initiating the scheme and advised the recipients to use the money judiciously.
He also commended the District Chief Executive (DCE) for KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, for striving hard to sustain and expand the partnership arrangement that began during his (Nana Ato Arthur) term of office as the DCE.
The DCE, Mr George Frank Asmah, said currently the partnership was yielding positive results in areas of sanitation and health with the provision of hospital equipment.
A 1.2-million euro plastic recycling factory is expected to be built at Essaman to tackle the plastic waste menace in the district and provide employment for about 3,000 people.
The Omanhen of the Abrem Traditional Area, Nana Kyiriwia Kordie, thanked the KEEA District Assembly and the Municipality of Gouda for the introduction of the scheme and said it would go a long way to assist aged women in his area.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
‘God will use Africa as rallying point to foster unity’
April 12, 2008
Story: Joe Okyere, Cape Coast
THE Primate and Archbishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church in North Carolina, USA, the Most Reverend Dr Scott Earl McLaughin, has expressed optimism that God will, in his own wisdom, use Africa as the rallying point to foster unity among the various Christian religions.
He observed that many Africans were embracing Christianity than before, therefore the continent’s leading role in fostering unity among the various Christian religions was a reality.
Archbishop Dr McLaughin stated this when he paid a courtesy call on the Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast, His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, at his residence in Cape Coast.
He is in the country to consecrate and enthrone the Very Reverend Dr Jacob Augustine Welbourne as the first bishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church of Ghana.
Dr McLaughin has expressed his condolence to Peter Cardinal Turkson on the death of the first Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Porekuur Dery.
He disclosed that the Orthodox Anglican Church was drawing plans to establish theological colleges on the continent to help promote the teaching and propagation of the Christian doctrine.
Cardinal Appiah Turkson used the opportunity to explain how Christian religion was introduced into the country by the European missionaries and the various avenues existing for Christian churches to meet regularly and dialogue on ecumenical issues, national stability and peaceful co-existence.
Archbishop Dr McLaughin was accompanied by the Presiding Bishop of the Orthodox Anglican Churches in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Right Reverend Hesbon Njera and Right Reverend Alphonse Mfika, respectively.
Story: Joe Okyere, Cape Coast
THE Primate and Archbishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church in North Carolina, USA, the Most Reverend Dr Scott Earl McLaughin, has expressed optimism that God will, in his own wisdom, use Africa as the rallying point to foster unity among the various Christian religions.
He observed that many Africans were embracing Christianity than before, therefore the continent’s leading role in fostering unity among the various Christian religions was a reality.
Archbishop Dr McLaughin stated this when he paid a courtesy call on the Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast, His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, at his residence in Cape Coast.
He is in the country to consecrate and enthrone the Very Reverend Dr Jacob Augustine Welbourne as the first bishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church of Ghana.
Dr McLaughin has expressed his condolence to Peter Cardinal Turkson on the death of the first Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Porekuur Dery.
He disclosed that the Orthodox Anglican Church was drawing plans to establish theological colleges on the continent to help promote the teaching and propagation of the Christian doctrine.
Cardinal Appiah Turkson used the opportunity to explain how Christian religion was introduced into the country by the European missionaries and the various avenues existing for Christian churches to meet regularly and dialogue on ecumenical issues, national stability and peaceful co-existence.
Archbishop Dr McLaughin was accompanied by the Presiding Bishop of the Orthodox Anglican Churches in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Right Reverend Hesbon Njera and Right Reverend Alphonse Mfika, respectively.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
AJUMAKO KOKOBEN GETS NEW CHIEF (PAGE 26)
Story: Joe Okyere, Ajumako Kokoben
THE chief of Essaman near Elmina, Nana Kwesi Tandoh IV, has threatened to stop the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assembly from dumping liquid and solid waste at the dumping site in the community.
He said if it was established that a new recycling plant for the district was sited at Aburansa near Komenda, he and his people would advise themselves.
"We wish to assure the assembly that if it decides to maintain its position to relocate the recycling plant at Aburansa, we shall leave no stone unturned in going any length to fully recover our land and also destroy the dumping site," Nana Tandoh warned.
He said the community would further demand GH¢15,000 from the assembly for using the area as a dumping site for the past 16 years without paying anything.
Addressing a news conference to express his displeasure at the rumours, Nana Tandoh explained that soon after the KEEA District was created out of the Cape Coast District in 1992, the then District Chief Executive for the area entered into a “gentleman's agreement” with the community to provide land for dumping waste.
He said it was agreed that any commercial venture to process the waste into useful economic ventures like recycling of plastic waste would be sited at Essaman.
According to Nana Tandoh, the chief and elders of the town did not collect any money for the 16.32 acre land released to the assembly, with the understanding that the land would be used as equity for the community when no other community was ready to give out land for that purpose.
Nana Tandoh said the waste site unusually bred huge and biting flies, which infected community members with diseases.
He noted that it was being rumoured that a group of individuals, inlcuding (Nana Tandoh) himself had set up a company to recycle plastic waste at Aburansa.
According to him, the rumours indicated that because he (Nana Tandoh) was a partner in the company, he had kept quiet about the issue.
He stressed that he knew nothing about any such company and therefore urged the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to probe the issue to clear his name, since his credibility and honour were at stake.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive for KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, in an interview, reacted to the issue, saying that there was no written agreement anywhere between the assembly and the community to site a plant there.
He said the assembly had the right to locate anything anywhere once it was within the law.
Mr Asmah explained that Sesame would have a subsidiary site where the raw materials would be processed and taken to Aburansa for processing, adding that the recycling plant project at Aburansa was going on smoothly.
He said school buildings near the dumping site at Essaman were being turned into warehouses and the schools relocated to pave the way for the subsidiary site project to kick off.
According to the MCE, Essaman would benefit from a plant to recycle liquid waste into electricity for the community and another project to turn waste into fertiliser.
He urged the people to support the assembly in its quest to ensure total development of the area.
THE chief of Essaman near Elmina, Nana Kwesi Tandoh IV, has threatened to stop the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assembly from dumping liquid and solid waste at the dumping site in the community.
He said if it was established that a new recycling plant for the district was sited at Aburansa near Komenda, he and his people would advise themselves.
"We wish to assure the assembly that if it decides to maintain its position to relocate the recycling plant at Aburansa, we shall leave no stone unturned in going any length to fully recover our land and also destroy the dumping site," Nana Tandoh warned.
He said the community would further demand GH¢15,000 from the assembly for using the area as a dumping site for the past 16 years without paying anything.
Addressing a news conference to express his displeasure at the rumours, Nana Tandoh explained that soon after the KEEA District was created out of the Cape Coast District in 1992, the then District Chief Executive for the area entered into a “gentleman's agreement” with the community to provide land for dumping waste.
He said it was agreed that any commercial venture to process the waste into useful economic ventures like recycling of plastic waste would be sited at Essaman.
According to Nana Tandoh, the chief and elders of the town did not collect any money for the 16.32 acre land released to the assembly, with the understanding that the land would be used as equity for the community when no other community was ready to give out land for that purpose.
Nana Tandoh said the waste site unusually bred huge and biting flies, which infected community members with diseases.
He noted that it was being rumoured that a group of individuals, inlcuding (Nana Tandoh) himself had set up a company to recycle plastic waste at Aburansa.
According to him, the rumours indicated that because he (Nana Tandoh) was a partner in the company, he had kept quiet about the issue.
He stressed that he knew nothing about any such company and therefore urged the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to probe the issue to clear his name, since his credibility and honour were at stake.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive for KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, in an interview, reacted to the issue, saying that there was no written agreement anywhere between the assembly and the community to site a plant there.
He said the assembly had the right to locate anything anywhere once it was within the law.
Mr Asmah explained that Sesame would have a subsidiary site where the raw materials would be processed and taken to Aburansa for processing, adding that the recycling plant project at Aburansa was going on smoothly.
He said school buildings near the dumping site at Essaman were being turned into warehouses and the schools relocated to pave the way for the subsidiary site project to kick off.
According to the MCE, Essaman would benefit from a plant to recycle liquid waste into electricity for the community and another project to turn waste into fertiliser.
He urged the people to support the assembly in its quest to ensure total development of the area.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
‘Train more experts in venture capital’
April 1, 2008
Story: Joe Okyere, Elmina
more experts in venture capital should be trained to offset the short supply of expertise and to enhance such investments in the country, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Venture Capital Trust Fund, Nana Osei-Bonsu, has said.
According to him, training of such experts was vital for a better and successful venture capital investments.
He said the provision of financial resources to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) depended on the analysis by experts in the industry to determine the risks inherent in the potential investor.
Nana Osei-Bonsu was addressing the opening session of a three-day private equity/venture capital professional training course at the Elmina Beach Resort on Monday.
He said the development of the venture capital industry was a direct consequence of the technical capacity that could be created to drive the industry.
The CEO said that included building capacities of analysts, accountants, finance professionals and lawyers, to deepen their understanding of venture financing.
The various areas the course would address included aspects of private equity/venture capital investments, deal sourcing, investment appraisal and analysis, due diligence, monitoring, documentation, portfolio valuation and the legal aspect of private equity transactions.
Nana Osei-Bonsu, therefore, advised the participants to take advantage of the course to deepen their knowledge to enhance the performance of the sector.
The Chairman of the Venture Capital Trust Fund, Dr S. Nii Noi Ashong, who gave a summary review of the macro-economic conditions in the country, said despite challenges, the economy was far doing well.
He explained that the fund was set up to support SMEs as part of the Ghana poverty reduction strategy and growth.
Story: Joe Okyere, Elmina
more experts in venture capital should be trained to offset the short supply of expertise and to enhance such investments in the country, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Venture Capital Trust Fund, Nana Osei-Bonsu, has said.
According to him, training of such experts was vital for a better and successful venture capital investments.
He said the provision of financial resources to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) depended on the analysis by experts in the industry to determine the risks inherent in the potential investor.
Nana Osei-Bonsu was addressing the opening session of a three-day private equity/venture capital professional training course at the Elmina Beach Resort on Monday.
He said the development of the venture capital industry was a direct consequence of the technical capacity that could be created to drive the industry.
The CEO said that included building capacities of analysts, accountants, finance professionals and lawyers, to deepen their understanding of venture financing.
The various areas the course would address included aspects of private equity/venture capital investments, deal sourcing, investment appraisal and analysis, due diligence, monitoring, documentation, portfolio valuation and the legal aspect of private equity transactions.
Nana Osei-Bonsu, therefore, advised the participants to take advantage of the course to deepen their knowledge to enhance the performance of the sector.
The Chairman of the Venture Capital Trust Fund, Dr S. Nii Noi Ashong, who gave a summary review of the macro-economic conditions in the country, said despite challenges, the economy was far doing well.
He explained that the fund was set up to support SMEs as part of the Ghana poverty reduction strategy and growth.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
PLASTIC RECYLING PLANT FOR ELMINA (BACK PAGE)
Story: Joe Okyere, Elmina
A 1.3-million euro plastic waste recycling plant, Cyclus Elmina Recycling Factory, located at Aburansa in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District in the Central Region would start operations before the end of the year.
The factory, which will have the capacity to process 500 kilogrammes of plastic waste per hour, will produce plastic granules from plastic bottles and water sachets for the local market and export.
Equipment for the factory is expected in the country by June, this year and would give direct employment to about 60 people while it would indirectly employ over 3000 agents who would collect and buy raw materials.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive of the KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, said the factory was the product of a collaboration between the KEEA and the Gouda Municipality and Cyclus both of the Netherlands, which have twin-sister relations with the district.
Mr Asmah said to sustain the operations of the factory, the Gouda Municipality had made available sufficient waste bins for the collection of the raw materials and that some of the bins had been donated to some assemblies to feed the factory with their waste.
He said Aburansa was selected to house the factory due to its strategic location and proximity to Takoradi.
Mr Asmah said the KEEA Municipality would also acquire lands from the other traditional areas to serve as land banks for easy access by investors to relocate to the municipality.
The Managing Director of the Cyclus Elmina Recycling Factory, Mr Nico Mensing, said waste could be used to generate wealth and employment and called on the people to take advantage of the project to improve their living standards.
Mr Mensing expressed his company’s interest to look for an investor to build a plant to process citrus and other fruits in the region.
At the same ceremony, the Special Assistant to the Central Regional Minister, Mr Keneth Kingsley Nunoo, on behalf of Nana Ato Arthur and the Elmina Cyclus Recycling Factory, presented 10 computers to the Aburansa School to enhance the children’s study of information communication technology.
The Omanhene of the Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Kru II, commended Cyclus Netherlands for siting the plant at Aburansa to create employment for the people in the area.
For his part, the Chief of Aburansa and the Nifahene of the Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kwamina Annobil II, promised to release land for the assembly, the company and investors to open up the area.
A 1.3-million euro plastic waste recycling plant, Cyclus Elmina Recycling Factory, located at Aburansa in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District in the Central Region would start operations before the end of the year.
The factory, which will have the capacity to process 500 kilogrammes of plastic waste per hour, will produce plastic granules from plastic bottles and water sachets for the local market and export.
Equipment for the factory is expected in the country by June, this year and would give direct employment to about 60 people while it would indirectly employ over 3000 agents who would collect and buy raw materials.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive of the KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, said the factory was the product of a collaboration between the KEEA and the Gouda Municipality and Cyclus both of the Netherlands, which have twin-sister relations with the district.
Mr Asmah said to sustain the operations of the factory, the Gouda Municipality had made available sufficient waste bins for the collection of the raw materials and that some of the bins had been donated to some assemblies to feed the factory with their waste.
He said Aburansa was selected to house the factory due to its strategic location and proximity to Takoradi.
Mr Asmah said the KEEA Municipality would also acquire lands from the other traditional areas to serve as land banks for easy access by investors to relocate to the municipality.
The Managing Director of the Cyclus Elmina Recycling Factory, Mr Nico Mensing, said waste could be used to generate wealth and employment and called on the people to take advantage of the project to improve their living standards.
Mr Mensing expressed his company’s interest to look for an investor to build a plant to process citrus and other fruits in the region.
At the same ceremony, the Special Assistant to the Central Regional Minister, Mr Keneth Kingsley Nunoo, on behalf of Nana Ato Arthur and the Elmina Cyclus Recycling Factory, presented 10 computers to the Aburansa School to enhance the children’s study of information communication technology.
The Omanhene of the Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Kru II, commended Cyclus Netherlands for siting the plant at Aburansa to create employment for the people in the area.
For his part, the Chief of Aburansa and the Nifahene of the Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kwamina Annobil II, promised to release land for the assembly, the company and investors to open up the area.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Let’s sustain Kufuor’s economic achievements Says Akufo-Addo
Story: Joe Okyere, Cape Coast
17/03/08
The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that the country under the Kufour administration has made giant strides in her socio-economic and political development, which needed to be sustained.
He has, therefore, asked Ghanaians to vote for him to continue with the solid foundation laid by the Kufuor administration to ensure prosperity of Ghanaians.
Addressing a well-attended rally at the Chapel Square in Cape Coast as part of his two-day campaign visit to the Central Region at the weekend, Nana Akufo-Addo said the country was moving forward in a new era of economic prosperity which should be sustained.
He said the NPP government under his leadership would ensure that the gains and solid foundation laid under President Kufuor’s administration would be maintained for the rapid development of the country.
He called on Ghanaians who had attained 18 years to register when the voters register is re-opened to enable them to exercise their franchise to vote for the NPP to continue its socio-economic and political development of the country.
He, however, cautioned those below the voting age not to register, since it would be against the law.
He said the Kufuor administration had fulfilled its promises to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians and cited the improvement of the water supply and the road network in the country and the region as evidence of such promises.
He expressed the hope that the region, which was one of the strongholds of the NPP, would continue to maintain its loyalty and unflinching support for the party to retain power in the 2008 elections.
The Central Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Smith Danquah aka “Buttey,” described the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, as a wounded lion and urged members of the party to step up their campaign for the NPP to retain power.
Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman said the party remained united contrary to sceptics that it would disintegrate after its congress.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, who is contesting the seat for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem seat for the party, commended the government for establishing the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Cape Coast and raising the regional capital to the status of a metropolis.
Earlier, Nana Akufo-Addo addressed a forum at TESCON at the University of Cape Coast and paid courtesy calls on Zongo Chiefs and the Oguaa Omanhen, Nana Kwesi Atta I.
17/03/08
The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that the country under the Kufour administration has made giant strides in her socio-economic and political development, which needed to be sustained.
He has, therefore, asked Ghanaians to vote for him to continue with the solid foundation laid by the Kufuor administration to ensure prosperity of Ghanaians.
Addressing a well-attended rally at the Chapel Square in Cape Coast as part of his two-day campaign visit to the Central Region at the weekend, Nana Akufo-Addo said the country was moving forward in a new era of economic prosperity which should be sustained.
He said the NPP government under his leadership would ensure that the gains and solid foundation laid under President Kufuor’s administration would be maintained for the rapid development of the country.
He called on Ghanaians who had attained 18 years to register when the voters register is re-opened to enable them to exercise their franchise to vote for the NPP to continue its socio-economic and political development of the country.
He, however, cautioned those below the voting age not to register, since it would be against the law.
He said the Kufuor administration had fulfilled its promises to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians and cited the improvement of the water supply and the road network in the country and the region as evidence of such promises.
He expressed the hope that the region, which was one of the strongholds of the NPP, would continue to maintain its loyalty and unflinching support for the party to retain power in the 2008 elections.
The Central Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Smith Danquah aka “Buttey,” described the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, as a wounded lion and urged members of the party to step up their campaign for the NPP to retain power.
Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman said the party remained united contrary to sceptics that it would disintegrate after its congress.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, who is contesting the seat for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem seat for the party, commended the government for establishing the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Cape Coast and raising the regional capital to the status of a metropolis.
Earlier, Nana Akufo-Addo addressed a forum at TESCON at the University of Cape Coast and paid courtesy calls on Zongo Chiefs and the Oguaa Omanhen, Nana Kwesi Atta I.
Friday, March 14, 2008
KEEA, Netherlands partnership expanded
Story: Joe Okyere, Elmina
14/03/08
THE scope of the partnership between the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District and the Municipality of Gouda, The Netherlands, has been expanded to include a monthly pension scheme for needy aged women between 70 and 80 in the district.
The first 50 beneficiaries from Berase in the Abrem Traditional Area are receiving GH¢11.00 per month as their pension.
The beneficiaries need not contribute under the scheme, which is being implemented on purely humanitarian grounds.
To qualify for the scheme, one must have attained 70, besides proving that the beneficiary has no breadwinner.
Dubbed "Adopt a Granny Foundation", the project introduces the needy aged ones to interested sponsors in The Netherlands for adoption and monthly support.
Speaking at Berase where the first 50 beneficiaries received their pension, the initiator of the scheme and Mayor of the Municipality of Gouda, Mr Wim Cornelis, who led a three-member delegation, said the partnership would be expanded to embrace more aged women.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, commended Mr Cornelis for initiating the scheme, and advised the recipients to use the money judiciously.
He also praised the District Chief Executive (DCE) for KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, for striving hard to sustain and expand the partnership arrangement that began during the tenure of office of Nana Ato Arthur as the DCE.
Mr Asmah, said that currently, the partnership was yielding positive results in areas of sanitation and improvement in health with the provision of hospital equipment.
A 1.2 million euro plastic recycling factory is expected to be built at Essaman to tackle the plastic waste menace in the district and provide employment for about 3,000 people. The Omanhen of the Abrem Traditional Area, Nana Kyiriwia Kordie, thanked the KEEA District Assembly and the Municipality of Gouda for the introduction of the scheme and said it would go a long way to assist aged women in the area.
14/03/08
THE scope of the partnership between the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) District and the Municipality of Gouda, The Netherlands, has been expanded to include a monthly pension scheme for needy aged women between 70 and 80 in the district.
The first 50 beneficiaries from Berase in the Abrem Traditional Area are receiving GH¢11.00 per month as their pension.
The beneficiaries need not contribute under the scheme, which is being implemented on purely humanitarian grounds.
To qualify for the scheme, one must have attained 70, besides proving that the beneficiary has no breadwinner.
Dubbed "Adopt a Granny Foundation", the project introduces the needy aged ones to interested sponsors in The Netherlands for adoption and monthly support.
Speaking at Berase where the first 50 beneficiaries received their pension, the initiator of the scheme and Mayor of the Municipality of Gouda, Mr Wim Cornelis, who led a three-member delegation, said the partnership would be expanded to embrace more aged women.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, commended Mr Cornelis for initiating the scheme, and advised the recipients to use the money judiciously.
He also praised the District Chief Executive (DCE) for KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, for striving hard to sustain and expand the partnership arrangement that began during the tenure of office of Nana Ato Arthur as the DCE.
Mr Asmah, said that currently, the partnership was yielding positive results in areas of sanitation and improvement in health with the provision of hospital equipment.
A 1.2 million euro plastic recycling factory is expected to be built at Essaman to tackle the plastic waste menace in the district and provide employment for about 3,000 people. The Omanhen of the Abrem Traditional Area, Nana Kyiriwia Kordie, thanked the KEEA District Assembly and the Municipality of Gouda for the introduction of the scheme and said it would go a long way to assist aged women in the area.
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