The Member of Parliament for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Mr P.C. Appiah-Ofori, has inspected two projects being undertaken by the Breman Asikuma District Assembly.
They are a two-storey multi-purpose community centre and an office for the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme.
Mr Appiah-Ofori who was accompanied by the District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Adjei Domson, said he supported the construction of the DMHIS offices with 200 bags of cement from his share of the MPs Common Fund.
Mr Appiah-Ofori said he would continue to provide support for the completion of the offices for the effective functioning and the smooth implementation of the scheme in the district.
This, he said, would make health care easily accessible to the people in the area.
He advised the people to register with the scheme to reap its benefits.
The MP said the 3000-seater capacity multi-purpose community project would also have an ICT room, a library, a conference room, two offices and a bar, among other facilities.
Earlier in an interaction with chiefs of the Breman Asikuma Traditional Council, Mr Appiah-Ofori called on the people to return the NPP to power to continue its good work.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
TACKLE FACTORS WHICH HINDER QUALITY EDUCATION (PAGE 11)
PARTICIPANTS at a two-day international conference on Teacher Education held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have agreed that factors which hinder the teaching profession should be tackled with zeal to enhance quality education in the country.
They also stressed the need for commitment on the part of all stakeholders in teacher education to implement innovations and avoid resistance to change.
This was contained in an eight-point communiqué issued at the end of the conference, which discussed pertinent issues, prospects and challenges in education in sub-Saharan Africa.
The participants referred to the formation of the National Teachers Council and asked all stakeholders to see it as a paramount concern, which they must vigorously pursue for it to become a reality.
They said teacher education should live up to expectation through effective teaching and learning that placed emphasis on reflective enquiry and constructive approaches to teaching and learning.
According to them, teacher education should make effective use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to promote teaching and learning and that teachers and students should acquire the basic skills and knowledge in ICT.
The participants said effective models should be used to deal with issues of teaching, including field experience.
Teachers should also explore alternative ways of expanding access to education beyond the conventional and distance education models.
The issue of in-service training was also advocated as an integral part of teacher education and must be done on a regular and sustainable basis.
They further called for the promotion of networking among stakeholders in teacher education in sub-Saharan Africa to promote the exchange of ideas.
The participants stressed the need for frequent international conferences on teacher education to share ideas on contemporary issues in education.
They also stressed the need for commitment on the part of all stakeholders in teacher education to implement innovations and avoid resistance to change.
This was contained in an eight-point communiqué issued at the end of the conference, which discussed pertinent issues, prospects and challenges in education in sub-Saharan Africa.
The participants referred to the formation of the National Teachers Council and asked all stakeholders to see it as a paramount concern, which they must vigorously pursue for it to become a reality.
They said teacher education should live up to expectation through effective teaching and learning that placed emphasis on reflective enquiry and constructive approaches to teaching and learning.
According to them, teacher education should make effective use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to promote teaching and learning and that teachers and students should acquire the basic skills and knowledge in ICT.
The participants said effective models should be used to deal with issues of teaching, including field experience.
Teachers should also explore alternative ways of expanding access to education beyond the conventional and distance education models.
The issue of in-service training was also advocated as an integral part of teacher education and must be done on a regular and sustainable basis.
They further called for the promotion of networking among stakeholders in teacher education in sub-Saharan Africa to promote the exchange of ideas.
The participants stressed the need for frequent international conferences on teacher education to share ideas on contemporary issues in education.
Friday, August 1, 2008
RELEASE FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF BURSARIES...
THE University of Cape Coast (UCC) branch of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has called on the government to release funds for the payment of bursaries and thesis grants to students for the 2007/08 academic year.
This, the association said, would enable students to undertake their research projects.
It expressed dismay at the undue delay in the release of the funds, which, it said, was affecting continued studies at the university.
At a press conference in Cape Coast last Tuesday to press home the demand for the release of funds, the association also called for increase in the bursaries and grants from GH¢127 and GH¢230 to GH¢400 and GH¢600 respectively to reflect the realities and the increasing cost of living.
The president of the branch, Mr Napoleon-Bonaparte Afenyo, said the association was shocked at the inability of the government to pay the grants since May, this year, adding that several follow-up discussions with the Scholarship Secretariat had yielded no positive results.
Mr Afenyo said students were surprised as to why government officials continued to insist on education as a priority, but not much was being done to achieve excellence in higher education.
He said each student spent about GH¢1,500 on a project and so if the little grant which was meant to supplement their contribution was delayed, they became handicapped.
He said the delay had negatively affected some of the students to the extent that they stood the risk of deferring their courses.
He, therefore, called on the government to make good its obligation to the students concerning their projects.
This, the association said, would enable students to undertake their research projects.
It expressed dismay at the undue delay in the release of the funds, which, it said, was affecting continued studies at the university.
At a press conference in Cape Coast last Tuesday to press home the demand for the release of funds, the association also called for increase in the bursaries and grants from GH¢127 and GH¢230 to GH¢400 and GH¢600 respectively to reflect the realities and the increasing cost of living.
The president of the branch, Mr Napoleon-Bonaparte Afenyo, said the association was shocked at the inability of the government to pay the grants since May, this year, adding that several follow-up discussions with the Scholarship Secretariat had yielded no positive results.
Mr Afenyo said students were surprised as to why government officials continued to insist on education as a priority, but not much was being done to achieve excellence in higher education.
He said each student spent about GH¢1,500 on a project and so if the little grant which was meant to supplement their contribution was delayed, they became handicapped.
He said the delay had negatively affected some of the students to the extent that they stood the risk of deferring their courses.
He, therefore, called on the government to make good its obligation to the students concerning their projects.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
GROUP DONATES TO ANKAFUL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL (PAGE 21)
THE Care Generation Africa Foundation, a social group, has presented items worth GH¢800 to the inmates of the female and male wards of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital near Cape Coast.
The items comprised used clothing, detergents, footwear, provisions and soap.
The Chairman of the association, Mr T.E. Andoh, made the presentation after visiting the Foster ward for males and the Nightingale ward for females.
He said the gesture was the society’s contribution towards maintaining people admitted at the psychiatric hospital.
Mr Andoh said the society would adopt one of the wards at the hospital and provide assistance to the inmates on admission.
He commended the staff of the hospital for their dedication and zeal in the face of the challenges involved in handling psychiatric patients.
It came out during the visit that apart from budgetary and staff constraints, the hospital also lacks the needed tools to handle the patients on admission.
He called for more support from both the government, philanthropists, government agencies and non-governmental organisations to help provide the needs of the hospital.
The Patron of the Care Generation Africa Foundation, Mr John Obeng, promised to provide an instrument for checking the pressure of patients in the wards.
The Principal Nursing Officer at the hospital, Mr Ebenezer Abaka-Sey, who received the items, commended Care Generation Africa Foundation for its concern.
He expressed the hope that other agencies would emulate their example to alleviate the plight of the inmates.
The items comprised used clothing, detergents, footwear, provisions and soap.
The Chairman of the association, Mr T.E. Andoh, made the presentation after visiting the Foster ward for males and the Nightingale ward for females.
He said the gesture was the society’s contribution towards maintaining people admitted at the psychiatric hospital.
Mr Andoh said the society would adopt one of the wards at the hospital and provide assistance to the inmates on admission.
He commended the staff of the hospital for their dedication and zeal in the face of the challenges involved in handling psychiatric patients.
It came out during the visit that apart from budgetary and staff constraints, the hospital also lacks the needed tools to handle the patients on admission.
He called for more support from both the government, philanthropists, government agencies and non-governmental organisations to help provide the needs of the hospital.
The Patron of the Care Generation Africa Foundation, Mr John Obeng, promised to provide an instrument for checking the pressure of patients in the wards.
The Principal Nursing Officer at the hospital, Mr Ebenezer Abaka-Sey, who received the items, commended Care Generation Africa Foundation for its concern.
He expressed the hope that other agencies would emulate their example to alleviate the plight of the inmates.
Monday, July 28, 2008
GHANA NATIONAL COLLEGE MARKS 60TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 49)
A two-storey library complex for the Ghana National College, valued at GH¢290,000, has been inaugurated by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Ernest Debrah.
The minister, also on behalf of the GETFund and in fulfilment of the President's promise, presented a 55-seater bus to the school to ease its transportation problems.
Speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the school, Mr Debrah, a former student of the school, commended the founder, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and the pioneering staff for their vision and foresight which had produced many products who occupied key positions in various sectors of the economy and at the international level.
The college was established in 1948 for students who participated in the demonstration against the British colonial government and who were dismissed from their schools.
Mr Debrah said the establishment of the school was linked with the history of the country and that as the school of destiny, it had become the prototype of the co-educational Ghana Education Trust schools which were established throughout the country after independence to admit students, irrespective of their religion and tribe.
He said the government would provide extra classrooms in all second-cycle schools throughout the country to address the problem that would come with the extension of the duration of the senior high school from three to four years.
The Chief Executive Officer of Taylor and Taylor Company Limited in Accra, Dr David K. A. Taylor, another old student, donated GH¢10,000 towards the rehabilitation of the school’s senior science block in honour of Professor Francis Allotey, also an old student and acclaimed international mathematician and scientist.
He suggested that the science block be named after Prof. Allotey for his international feat in science and mathematics.
Dr Taylor also promised to sponsor for 10 years two pupils from the St Peter’s Primary School at Saltpond where Prof. Allotey started his basic education.
The Headmaster of the Ghana National College, Mr Robert Koomson-Barnes, commended the government for improving the water supply system in the school and providing it with a modern library and a bus.
He, however, called on it to provide more accommodation for staff to ensure their retention for effective academic work.
Prof. Allotey, who chaired the function, called for a new educational system which would put emphasis on creativity, science, and information and communication technology.
The Archbishop of the Cape Coast Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, his Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, advised the students to submit themselves to be nurtured, polished and refined into youthful gems worthy of example to their peers.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, urged students to be disciplined and study hard to enhance their future.
The minister, also on behalf of the GETFund and in fulfilment of the President's promise, presented a 55-seater bus to the school to ease its transportation problems.
Speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the school, Mr Debrah, a former student of the school, commended the founder, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and the pioneering staff for their vision and foresight which had produced many products who occupied key positions in various sectors of the economy and at the international level.
The college was established in 1948 for students who participated in the demonstration against the British colonial government and who were dismissed from their schools.
Mr Debrah said the establishment of the school was linked with the history of the country and that as the school of destiny, it had become the prototype of the co-educational Ghana Education Trust schools which were established throughout the country after independence to admit students, irrespective of their religion and tribe.
He said the government would provide extra classrooms in all second-cycle schools throughout the country to address the problem that would come with the extension of the duration of the senior high school from three to four years.
The Chief Executive Officer of Taylor and Taylor Company Limited in Accra, Dr David K. A. Taylor, another old student, donated GH¢10,000 towards the rehabilitation of the school’s senior science block in honour of Professor Francis Allotey, also an old student and acclaimed international mathematician and scientist.
He suggested that the science block be named after Prof. Allotey for his international feat in science and mathematics.
Dr Taylor also promised to sponsor for 10 years two pupils from the St Peter’s Primary School at Saltpond where Prof. Allotey started his basic education.
The Headmaster of the Ghana National College, Mr Robert Koomson-Barnes, commended the government for improving the water supply system in the school and providing it with a modern library and a bus.
He, however, called on it to provide more accommodation for staff to ensure their retention for effective academic work.
Prof. Allotey, who chaired the function, called for a new educational system which would put emphasis on creativity, science, and information and communication technology.
The Archbishop of the Cape Coast Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, his Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson, advised the students to submit themselves to be nurtured, polished and refined into youthful gems worthy of example to their peers.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, urged students to be disciplined and study hard to enhance their future.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
GARI PROCESSING CENTRE FOR ABURA KWAMANKESE (PAGE 20)
A US$12,000 gari processing centre for the people of Abura Kwamankese, near Mankessim, sponsored by the Trinity Chapel in the United Kingdom, has been inaugurated.
The Chief Executive of GRATIS Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Asiedu, who performed the inaugural ceremony, commended the good work of the donor for providing funds for the centre.
He said the provision of the centre would go a long way to reduce poverty, since the bulk of farmers in the community cultivated cassava.
A senior pastor of the Trinity Chapel in London, Rev Dr Shala Fola-Alade, said appropriate technology was the only solution to the toil of the rural woman.
He said technology would also help improve quality, as well as quantity, and enable women to generate more income.
Rev Fola-Alade expressed the hope that the district assemblies, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies would assist communities to acquire processing equipment to ensure that rural communities were equipped with improved substitutes for the traditional ways of production.
He said by doing so they would be helping to alleviate poverty, enhance food security and at the same time help GRATIS to become self-sufficient.
An elder of Kwamankese, Mr James Quansah, on behalf of the people, thanked Trinity Chapel, UK and the GRATIS Foundation for the gesture.
He assured the donors that the facility would be put to good use to enhance the living conditions of the people.
The Chief Executive of GRATIS Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Asiedu, who performed the inaugural ceremony, commended the good work of the donor for providing funds for the centre.
He said the provision of the centre would go a long way to reduce poverty, since the bulk of farmers in the community cultivated cassava.
A senior pastor of the Trinity Chapel in London, Rev Dr Shala Fola-Alade, said appropriate technology was the only solution to the toil of the rural woman.
He said technology would also help improve quality, as well as quantity, and enable women to generate more income.
Rev Fola-Alade expressed the hope that the district assemblies, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies would assist communities to acquire processing equipment to ensure that rural communities were equipped with improved substitutes for the traditional ways of production.
He said by doing so they would be helping to alleviate poverty, enhance food security and at the same time help GRATIS to become self-sufficient.
An elder of Kwamankese, Mr James Quansah, on behalf of the people, thanked Trinity Chapel, UK and the GRATIS Foundation for the gesture.
He assured the donors that the facility would be put to good use to enhance the living conditions of the people.
BE VIGILANT DURING ELECTIONS — MILLS (PAGE 16)
THE flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, has admonished NDC faithful to remain calm, peaceful, honest and faithful but vigilant during the forthcoming elections.
He said as a man of peace and repute, he would not inflame passions to create chaos in the country.
Addressing separate rallies during a tour of parts of the Central Region, Professor Mills explained that he refused to accept the National Award due to the polarisation it created among sections of the Ghanaian populace.
He said he took the independent decision without the prompting of anyone but in the interest of national peace.
Professor Mills said as a man of peace and unity, he thought the award would help heal the wounds of the past and reconcile the people.
He said he realised that when his name was mentioned among the recipients, comments made about his nomination polarised the populace, at a time when Ghanaians should be preaching peace, unity and reconciliation before the December 7 elections.
He said since the comments generated an atmosphere of bitterness, he decided to decline the award to calm all the nerves in the national interest.
He reminded Ghanaians of the current hardships they were facing and said they should not allow themselves to be influenced by empty promises, gifts and money to sell their votes but exercise their franchise based on the issues and their genuine conscience.
A member of the NDC campaign team, Mr Ato Ahwoi, said the government was paying the cocoa farmer less than the 70 per cent it claimed it was paying because while a tonne of cocoa sold at GH¢3,200, the government paid the farmer GH¢1,200.
The National Women’s Organiser of the party, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, advised the people to be wary of empty promises and vote massively for the NDC to reverse the hardships they were going through under the NPP administration.
The visit took the team to Denkyira Asikuma, Kyekyewere, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Nyame Bekyere, Stom, Diaso, Denkyira Obuasi and Anyanfuri in the Upper Denkyira East and Upper DenkyiraWest constituencies.
...AND CELEBRATES DAY WITH ORPHANS
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who turned 64 on Monday, has reached out to orphans of the Peace & Love Orphanage at Frafraha, near Accra with donations amounting to several million cedis.
Represented by his wife, Mrs Naadu Mills, Professor Mills presented a number of items, including bags of rice, bags of sugar, gallons of cooking oil, boxes of drinks, food seasoning, and boxes of biscuits to the orphanage.
Mrs Mills said she and her husband were contributing their widow’s mite to the orphanage and expressed the hope that the fortunate in society would always reach out to the less fortunate.
"My husband believes that there is more blessing in giving than there is in receiving and believes in sharing, hence this humble gesture of ours," said Mrs Mills.
A teacher herself, just like her husband, Mrs Mills thanked the teachers for the huge sacrifices they were making in the education of the kids and encouraged them to keep up their good work.
Mrs Mills also had a word of caution for the youth: “You must stay away from premarital sex”.
According to the educationist, it was when people were not ready for children and yet went ahead and engaged in sexual relations that there would be unwanted pregnancies and the abandoning of babies.
Mr Eric Adu Opare, the supervisor at the orphanage, thanked Mrs Mills and her husband for their very kind gesture and gave the assurance that the orphanage was most grateful.
On the issue of the sacrifices that the teachers were making, the supervisor said: "As teachers, we hope that when you and your husband become the President and First Lady, you would pay particular attention to the plight of teachers, especially those of us who are sacrificing the way we are doing."
It would be recalled that last year, Professor Mills celebrated his birthday at the Saltpond Hospital, where he donated lots of items to the hospital.
Indeed, the year before, he also celebrated his birthday at the Osu Children’s Home.
Mrs Naadu Mills was accompanied by the Parliamentary candidate for Adenta, Mr Kojo Adu Asare; Ms Kakra Vanlare, Greater Accra Vice Chairperson; Nii Lantey Vanderpuje, Director of Operations of the Mills Campaign Team; Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications, Mills Campaign Team; Miss Clarissa Acolatse, Office of Prof. Mills and other executive of the Adenta Constituency.
He said as a man of peace and repute, he would not inflame passions to create chaos in the country.
Addressing separate rallies during a tour of parts of the Central Region, Professor Mills explained that he refused to accept the National Award due to the polarisation it created among sections of the Ghanaian populace.
He said he took the independent decision without the prompting of anyone but in the interest of national peace.
Professor Mills said as a man of peace and unity, he thought the award would help heal the wounds of the past and reconcile the people.
He said he realised that when his name was mentioned among the recipients, comments made about his nomination polarised the populace, at a time when Ghanaians should be preaching peace, unity and reconciliation before the December 7 elections.
He said since the comments generated an atmosphere of bitterness, he decided to decline the award to calm all the nerves in the national interest.
He reminded Ghanaians of the current hardships they were facing and said they should not allow themselves to be influenced by empty promises, gifts and money to sell their votes but exercise their franchise based on the issues and their genuine conscience.
A member of the NDC campaign team, Mr Ato Ahwoi, said the government was paying the cocoa farmer less than the 70 per cent it claimed it was paying because while a tonne of cocoa sold at GH¢3,200, the government paid the farmer GH¢1,200.
The National Women’s Organiser of the party, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, advised the people to be wary of empty promises and vote massively for the NDC to reverse the hardships they were going through under the NPP administration.
The visit took the team to Denkyira Asikuma, Kyekyewere, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Nyame Bekyere, Stom, Diaso, Denkyira Obuasi and Anyanfuri in the Upper Denkyira East and Upper DenkyiraWest constituencies.
...AND CELEBRATES DAY WITH ORPHANS
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who turned 64 on Monday, has reached out to orphans of the Peace & Love Orphanage at Frafraha, near Accra with donations amounting to several million cedis.
Represented by his wife, Mrs Naadu Mills, Professor Mills presented a number of items, including bags of rice, bags of sugar, gallons of cooking oil, boxes of drinks, food seasoning, and boxes of biscuits to the orphanage.
Mrs Mills said she and her husband were contributing their widow’s mite to the orphanage and expressed the hope that the fortunate in society would always reach out to the less fortunate.
"My husband believes that there is more blessing in giving than there is in receiving and believes in sharing, hence this humble gesture of ours," said Mrs Mills.
A teacher herself, just like her husband, Mrs Mills thanked the teachers for the huge sacrifices they were making in the education of the kids and encouraged them to keep up their good work.
Mrs Mills also had a word of caution for the youth: “You must stay away from premarital sex”.
According to the educationist, it was when people were not ready for children and yet went ahead and engaged in sexual relations that there would be unwanted pregnancies and the abandoning of babies.
Mr Eric Adu Opare, the supervisor at the orphanage, thanked Mrs Mills and her husband for their very kind gesture and gave the assurance that the orphanage was most grateful.
On the issue of the sacrifices that the teachers were making, the supervisor said: "As teachers, we hope that when you and your husband become the President and First Lady, you would pay particular attention to the plight of teachers, especially those of us who are sacrificing the way we are doing."
It would be recalled that last year, Professor Mills celebrated his birthday at the Saltpond Hospital, where he donated lots of items to the hospital.
Indeed, the year before, he also celebrated his birthday at the Osu Children’s Home.
Mrs Naadu Mills was accompanied by the Parliamentary candidate for Adenta, Mr Kojo Adu Asare; Ms Kakra Vanlare, Greater Accra Vice Chairperson; Nii Lantey Vanderpuje, Director of Operations of the Mills Campaign Team; Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications, Mills Campaign Team; Miss Clarissa Acolatse, Office of Prof. Mills and other executive of the Adenta Constituency.
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