Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you but I still wonder why your shirts and pairs of trousers and everything of yours is big.
From Kofoya Tetteh
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
DON'T LOOK FOR FINANCIAL FAVOURS (P.3...Published Mon Dec 17, 2007)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, has advised journalists not to look for finacncial favours (otherwise known as ‘soli’) after covering events.
Such a practice, he said, would have a negative influence on their reportage, professional competence and credibility.
Mr Affram Asiedu, therefore, urged media men and women to be circumspect at all times, since that would enable them to attain greater heights in their career.
He made the remarks at a reception he organised for the Eastern Regional Press Corps in Koforidua at the weekend.
The meeting was to enable the minister to obtain firsthand information about the difficulties journalists in the region went through and how best to address them to enable them to disseminate information that would accelerate the region’s development
The minister appealed to employers, particularly those in the private media, to adequately reward their employees to enable them to desist from the unprofessional practice of demanding rewards from event organisers.
He said as human beings, journalists were entitled to decent livestyles and the only way they could do that was to get good renumeration like other professionals.
“Journalists are also workers or professionals who should be catered for by their employers and if their employers fail to do so and they go out looking for “soli”, then they should not be blamed,” the minister stressed.
To help advance the region’s socio-economic and political development through the media, the regional minister said his administration would, in April next year, organise a mini durbar at which journalists who distinguished themselves would be identified and rewarded.
Mr Afram Asiedu asked journalists to develop themselves through formal and informal training to enable them to meet the fast changing journalistic field and gave the assurance that he would do everything within his power to enable journalists in the region to operate in a serene atmosphere.
The acting Chairman of the Eastern Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Edmund Quaynor, assured the regional minister of the preparedness of the members of the association to give out the necessary information that would project the region positively.
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, has advised journalists not to look for finacncial favours (otherwise known as ‘soli’) after covering events.
Such a practice, he said, would have a negative influence on their reportage, professional competence and credibility.
Mr Affram Asiedu, therefore, urged media men and women to be circumspect at all times, since that would enable them to attain greater heights in their career.
He made the remarks at a reception he organised for the Eastern Regional Press Corps in Koforidua at the weekend.
The meeting was to enable the minister to obtain firsthand information about the difficulties journalists in the region went through and how best to address them to enable them to disseminate information that would accelerate the region’s development
The minister appealed to employers, particularly those in the private media, to adequately reward their employees to enable them to desist from the unprofessional practice of demanding rewards from event organisers.
He said as human beings, journalists were entitled to decent livestyles and the only way they could do that was to get good renumeration like other professionals.
“Journalists are also workers or professionals who should be catered for by their employers and if their employers fail to do so and they go out looking for “soli”, then they should not be blamed,” the minister stressed.
To help advance the region’s socio-economic and political development through the media, the regional minister said his administration would, in April next year, organise a mini durbar at which journalists who distinguished themselves would be identified and rewarded.
Mr Afram Asiedu asked journalists to develop themselves through formal and informal training to enable them to meet the fast changing journalistic field and gave the assurance that he would do everything within his power to enable journalists in the region to operate in a serene atmosphere.
The acting Chairman of the Eastern Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Edmund Quaynor, assured the regional minister of the preparedness of the members of the association to give out the necessary information that would project the region positively.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Idul Adha (composite)
From the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua A. Kofoya-Tetteh reports that policemen had to form a human shield around a special platform within the premises of the Central Mosque to protect the Regional Chief Iman Alhaji Yusif Seidu Sulemana Amdani who led the prayers.
That was due to a problem of who should be the Regional Chief Imam which was pending at the Koforidua High Court.
Addressing the gathering after the prayers, Alhaji Amdani asked Moslems to examine themselves to see whether they were doing what Allah had asked them to do, adding that what they sow today would be reaped the next day.
He prayed for Allah for the success and good health of President Kufuor, the Vice, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the entire members of government, the Omanhene of New Juaben, Alhaji Aliu Mahama and the entire Moslem community.
The Regional Chief Imam who appealed to all to live in peace thanked Moslem chiefs, mallams and the youth who stood by him during difficult times adding expressed the hope that such problems would be overcome for a happy, prosperous and peaceful community.
That was due to a problem of who should be the Regional Chief Imam which was pending at the Koforidua High Court.
Addressing the gathering after the prayers, Alhaji Amdani asked Moslems to examine themselves to see whether they were doing what Allah had asked them to do, adding that what they sow today would be reaped the next day.
He prayed for Allah for the success and good health of President Kufuor, the Vice, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the entire members of government, the Omanhene of New Juaben, Alhaji Aliu Mahama and the entire Moslem community.
The Regional Chief Imam who appealed to all to live in peace thanked Moslem chiefs, mallams and the youth who stood by him during difficult times adding expressed the hope that such problems would be overcome for a happy, prosperous and peaceful community.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
GOVT HAS RECOGNITION FOR PRIVATE SECTOR (Page 21)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Asamankese
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, has given the assurance that his outfit would give the necessary assistance to Pinora Limited, a foreign-owned fruits processing factory at Asamankese in the West Akyem District in the Eastern Region.
The factory, which started operations in October last year, currently produces 25 tons of orange juice/concentrates and five tons of similar products from pineapples daily.
It has a labour force of 297, most of who are from Asamankese and its surrounding areas.
Mr Affram Asiedu who was on a working visit to some parts of the West Akyem District stated that the government had recognised the private sector, including foreign investors, as the key partner of the country's development and would therefore continue with its investment-friendly policies to attract more companies, especially the foreign ones to operate in the country.
Mr Affram Asiedu mentioned tax rebates as some of the government’s initiatives, which he said, would make it possible for the private companies to operate and engage the unemployed youth to generate income for their maintenance and that of their families, thereby reducing poverty in the communities.
"The government believes in the private sector as the engine of growth and will therefore give it the necessary support to grow and engage the unemployed to generate income for their livelihood", Mr Affram Asiedu stated.
He asked management of the company to constantly be in touch with his outfit to see how best to resolve any problem that would hinder the smooth operations of the company.
The Managing Director of Pinora, Mr Tim Anderson, said the company's success depended on co-operation from farmers who produced the raw materials of oranges and pineapples and appealed to the District Chief Executive of West Akyem, Mr Sintim Aboagye, and the minister to help promote good relationship with the farmers.
He appealed to the minister to help secure land for the company's expansion.
Mr Anderson who also stated that the company was currently using a diesel plant and a large number of expatriate staff expressed the hope that the premises would be hooked to the national grid and more local people trained to take over from the expatriates, adding that it would go a long way to reduce the cost of production.
The Production Manager, Mr Francisco Guerra, who conducted the minister round the factory said the company had the capacity to increase output.
Mr Affram Asiedu later inspected work at the ¢2.7 billion steel bridge over the Ayensu River that linked Asibirem and Okotokrom, cocoa producing communities near Asamankese and also inaugurated a ¢823 million six-classroom block for the Ekoso Primary School, where he asked parents to take advantage of the government's educational initiatives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme and send their children to school.
Mr Asiedu Affram also called on the Chief of Asamankese, Osabarima Kwaku Amoah, who assured him of his co-operation for the development of the area.
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, has given the assurance that his outfit would give the necessary assistance to Pinora Limited, a foreign-owned fruits processing factory at Asamankese in the West Akyem District in the Eastern Region.
The factory, which started operations in October last year, currently produces 25 tons of orange juice/concentrates and five tons of similar products from pineapples daily.
It has a labour force of 297, most of who are from Asamankese and its surrounding areas.
Mr Affram Asiedu who was on a working visit to some parts of the West Akyem District stated that the government had recognised the private sector, including foreign investors, as the key partner of the country's development and would therefore continue with its investment-friendly policies to attract more companies, especially the foreign ones to operate in the country.
Mr Affram Asiedu mentioned tax rebates as some of the government’s initiatives, which he said, would make it possible for the private companies to operate and engage the unemployed youth to generate income for their maintenance and that of their families, thereby reducing poverty in the communities.
"The government believes in the private sector as the engine of growth and will therefore give it the necessary support to grow and engage the unemployed to generate income for their livelihood", Mr Affram Asiedu stated.
He asked management of the company to constantly be in touch with his outfit to see how best to resolve any problem that would hinder the smooth operations of the company.
The Managing Director of Pinora, Mr Tim Anderson, said the company's success depended on co-operation from farmers who produced the raw materials of oranges and pineapples and appealed to the District Chief Executive of West Akyem, Mr Sintim Aboagye, and the minister to help promote good relationship with the farmers.
He appealed to the minister to help secure land for the company's expansion.
Mr Anderson who also stated that the company was currently using a diesel plant and a large number of expatriate staff expressed the hope that the premises would be hooked to the national grid and more local people trained to take over from the expatriates, adding that it would go a long way to reduce the cost of production.
The Production Manager, Mr Francisco Guerra, who conducted the minister round the factory said the company had the capacity to increase output.
Mr Affram Asiedu later inspected work at the ¢2.7 billion steel bridge over the Ayensu River that linked Asibirem and Okotokrom, cocoa producing communities near Asamankese and also inaugurated a ¢823 million six-classroom block for the Ekoso Primary School, where he asked parents to take advantage of the government's educational initiatives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme and send their children to school.
Mr Asiedu Affram also called on the Chief of Asamankese, Osabarima Kwaku Amoah, who assured him of his co-operation for the development of the area.
OBOMENG HOSTS EASTERN REGION FARMERS' DAY (Page 20)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Adawso
The Eastern Regional Farmers’ Day celebrations scheduled for Tease in the Kwahu North District had to be shifted to Obomeng in the Kwahu South District last Friday where that district’s celebration was being held.
That was because the only pontoon, the safest means to cross the Afram Lake from Adawso to Ekye-Amanfrom had broken down.
As a result, the Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, his deputy, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), farmers selected from the various parts of the region for awards as well as pressmen were stranded at the lake town of Adawso, waiting impatiently for the technicians and engineers to repair the faulty pontoon.
After about four hours when it became obvious that the pontoon could not be used, a decision was taken to go by outboard motor-powered canoes eqiupped with life jackets, but the award-winning farmers refused to go, with the explanation that it was risky.
Although the District Chief Executive for Kwahu North, Mr Solomon Fordjour, crossed the lake with a canoe from Ekye-Amanfrom to Adawso to demonstrate that it was safe to go by canoes, the award-winning farmers stood their ground.
The regional minister therefore directed the large entourage to join participants of the event at Obomeng at the last hour, during which a 44-year-old farmer from Batabi in the Birim South District Benjamin Blackie Forson emerged from the 21 others to take the ultimate prize as the region’s best.
He took home a corn mill, sewing and spraying machines, six machetes, a piece of wax print, agro-chemicals and other items.
The 20 other farmers selected as the best in other categories such as maize, oil palm, piggery, cassava, cocoa and non-traditional products such as beekeeping and grasscutter breeding were also presented with a number of items.
Mr Affram Asiedu in an address said since agriculture was the main economic activity in the region, employing 67 per cent of its work force, his outfit and the MoFA had intensified their activities to ensure that the success chalked up in agricultural production would be improved upon.
He said sustainable farming systems had the capacity of reducing environmental degradation and promoting economic viability in both the short and long terms, and urged farmers in the region to adopt good farming practices.
Mr Afram Asiedu said the government for its part would continue to ensure that farmers had the necessary inputs and access to funds, adding that so far GH¢54,747.30 had been disbursed as loans to 186 farmers’ groups in the region.
The regional minister who also mentioned the mass cocoa spraying exercise and the Cocoa Hi-Tech programme as other government interventions to boost agriculture production, congratulated farmers, especially the award winners, for their enormous contribution to the economy of the region.
The Eastern Regional Farmers’ Day celebrations scheduled for Tease in the Kwahu North District had to be shifted to Obomeng in the Kwahu South District last Friday where that district’s celebration was being held.
That was because the only pontoon, the safest means to cross the Afram Lake from Adawso to Ekye-Amanfrom had broken down.
As a result, the Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, his deputy, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), farmers selected from the various parts of the region for awards as well as pressmen were stranded at the lake town of Adawso, waiting impatiently for the technicians and engineers to repair the faulty pontoon.
After about four hours when it became obvious that the pontoon could not be used, a decision was taken to go by outboard motor-powered canoes eqiupped with life jackets, but the award-winning farmers refused to go, with the explanation that it was risky.
Although the District Chief Executive for Kwahu North, Mr Solomon Fordjour, crossed the lake with a canoe from Ekye-Amanfrom to Adawso to demonstrate that it was safe to go by canoes, the award-winning farmers stood their ground.
The regional minister therefore directed the large entourage to join participants of the event at Obomeng at the last hour, during which a 44-year-old farmer from Batabi in the Birim South District Benjamin Blackie Forson emerged from the 21 others to take the ultimate prize as the region’s best.
He took home a corn mill, sewing and spraying machines, six machetes, a piece of wax print, agro-chemicals and other items.
The 20 other farmers selected as the best in other categories such as maize, oil palm, piggery, cassava, cocoa and non-traditional products such as beekeeping and grasscutter breeding were also presented with a number of items.
Mr Affram Asiedu in an address said since agriculture was the main economic activity in the region, employing 67 per cent of its work force, his outfit and the MoFA had intensified their activities to ensure that the success chalked up in agricultural production would be improved upon.
He said sustainable farming systems had the capacity of reducing environmental degradation and promoting economic viability in both the short and long terms, and urged farmers in the region to adopt good farming practices.
Mr Afram Asiedu said the government for its part would continue to ensure that farmers had the necessary inputs and access to funds, adding that so far GH¢54,747.30 had been disbursed as loans to 186 farmers’ groups in the region.
The regional minister who also mentioned the mass cocoa spraying exercise and the Cocoa Hi-Tech programme as other government interventions to boost agriculture production, congratulated farmers, especially the award winners, for their enormous contribution to the economy of the region.
Monday, December 10, 2007
280 DELEGATAES TO REPRESENT EASTERN REGION AT NPP CONGRESS (Page 17)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
280 delegates would represent the Eastern Region at the national delegates congress of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), scheduled to take place in Accra on December 22, 2007.
The delegates would be made up of four constituency executives and six other members selected by consensus or voting.
According to the Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, so far 23 out of the 28 constituencies in the region had picked their delegates, five with others, namely Nkawkaw, Mpraeso, Abetifi, Akyem Oda and Asuogyaman yet to do so.
He said the process for selection, which was in accordance with Article 6, Sub-Section 18 of the NPP consitution, was followed peacefully in the constituencies covered, and expressed the hope that it would be the same in the other constituencies yet to be covered.
“After the executive members had agreed on who among them should be delegates, the chairman then called for a meeting of non-executive members who also elected delegates by consensus without voting, in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Mr Gyekye Amoabeng expressed the hope that the national congress would also be peaceful to elect a good and marketable leader to lead the party to victory in next year’s elections.
This would enable the sitting NPP President to hand over to another NPP candidate due to the good works of the party over the past seven years.
“President Kufuor will definitely hand over to another NPP man because Ghanaians have seen the good works of the President and the party which are improving the condition of life of the people,” Mr Gyekye Amoabeng stated with confidence.
He, however, asked Ghanaians to rally behind the party for a resounding victory at the polls to enable the NPP to continue with its good works.
280 delegates would represent the Eastern Region at the national delegates congress of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), scheduled to take place in Accra on December 22, 2007.
The delegates would be made up of four constituency executives and six other members selected by consensus or voting.
According to the Regional Chairman of the party, Mr Yaw Gyekye Amoabeng, so far 23 out of the 28 constituencies in the region had picked their delegates, five with others, namely Nkawkaw, Mpraeso, Abetifi, Akyem Oda and Asuogyaman yet to do so.
He said the process for selection, which was in accordance with Article 6, Sub-Section 18 of the NPP consitution, was followed peacefully in the constituencies covered, and expressed the hope that it would be the same in the other constituencies yet to be covered.
“After the executive members had agreed on who among them should be delegates, the chairman then called for a meeting of non-executive members who also elected delegates by consensus without voting, in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Mr Gyekye Amoabeng expressed the hope that the national congress would also be peaceful to elect a good and marketable leader to lead the party to victory in next year’s elections.
This would enable the sitting NPP President to hand over to another NPP candidate due to the good works of the party over the past seven years.
“President Kufuor will definitely hand over to another NPP man because Ghanaians have seen the good works of the President and the party which are improving the condition of life of the people,” Mr Gyekye Amoabeng stated with confidence.
He, however, asked Ghanaians to rally behind the party for a resounding victory at the polls to enable the NPP to continue with its good works.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
'CHIEFS SHOULD ADVISE GOVT OFFICIALS' (Page 49)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Mpraeso
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram-Asiedu, has stated that although the Constitution does not allow traditional rulers to be involved in active politics, they can advise government officials, especially district chief executives, on how best to develop their areas.
He has, therefore, urged chiefs to always ensure that infrastructural amenities that are provided in their areas will be beneficial to the people.
Mr Afram-Asiedu made the remark when he addressed the Kwahu Traditional Council at Mpraeso at the weekend.
He said the government had recognised the role being played by traditional rulers in the development of their areas and that was why it had created a separate ministry to give the necessary support to chiefs so that they could partner the government to accelerate the country’s development.
“Although you are not supposed to be in active politics, you have the responsibility to advise or lead your people in activities that will enable the government to continue with such initiatives which, he said, had brought a lot of relief to the ordinary man.
The Minister of Communications, Dr Aggrey Ntim, who also addressed the chiefs, said efforts were being made to improve telecommunication in the area.
The Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng, for his part, expressed the appreciation of the traditional council to the government for providing a number of social amenities in the area and said the creation of three more districts, namely, Kwahu West, Kwahu North and Kwahu East, in the area within a period of seven years would further enhance the development of the area.
The Omanhene, however, called for the rehabilitation of the Nkawkaw-Atibie Road which he said was fast deteriorating and appealed to the government to compensate all those whose lands submerged as a result of the creation of the Volta Lake.
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram-Asiedu, has stated that although the Constitution does not allow traditional rulers to be involved in active politics, they can advise government officials, especially district chief executives, on how best to develop their areas.
He has, therefore, urged chiefs to always ensure that infrastructural amenities that are provided in their areas will be beneficial to the people.
Mr Afram-Asiedu made the remark when he addressed the Kwahu Traditional Council at Mpraeso at the weekend.
He said the government had recognised the role being played by traditional rulers in the development of their areas and that was why it had created a separate ministry to give the necessary support to chiefs so that they could partner the government to accelerate the country’s development.
“Although you are not supposed to be in active politics, you have the responsibility to advise or lead your people in activities that will enable the government to continue with such initiatives which, he said, had brought a lot of relief to the ordinary man.
The Minister of Communications, Dr Aggrey Ntim, who also addressed the chiefs, said efforts were being made to improve telecommunication in the area.
The Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng, for his part, expressed the appreciation of the traditional council to the government for providing a number of social amenities in the area and said the creation of three more districts, namely, Kwahu West, Kwahu North and Kwahu East, in the area within a period of seven years would further enhance the development of the area.
The Omanhene, however, called for the rehabilitation of the Nkawkaw-Atibie Road which he said was fast deteriorating and appealed to the government to compensate all those whose lands submerged as a result of the creation of the Volta Lake.
KASSADJAN BRIDGE PROJECT PROGRESSES (Page 28)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
CONSTRUCTION work on the GH¢380,000 (¢3.8 billion) bridge over the rail line on the Kassadjan Dual Carriageway at Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, is progressing steadily.
The government’s biggest single project under the New Juaben Roads Rehabilitation Programme is being executed by A. Naggesten Limited, a local civil engineering firm, with Deoke Consult as the consultant engineers.
Currently, the project is 40 per cent complete, and would be ready for use in February, 2008.
According to the New Juaben Municipal Chief Engineer, Mr Abass Awolu, the bridge when completed would ease transportation on the road, which would also be completed in August, next year.
He said although the bridge was scheduled to be completed in December, this year, torrential rains did not make that possible. Mr Awolu praised the construction firm for the quality work done so far, and expressed the hope that considering the rate of work, the bridge would be ready for use next February.
Mr Awolu, who visited the site to acquaint himself with the progress of the project, stated that provision had also been made under the bridge for the construction of an additional rail line in future.
The Project Engineer of A. Naggesten, Mr Gideon Appiah Amankwa, gave the assurance that with the rains virtually over, the company would do its best to complete the project by February, next year.
CONSTRUCTION work on the GH¢380,000 (¢3.8 billion) bridge over the rail line on the Kassadjan Dual Carriageway at Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, is progressing steadily.
The government’s biggest single project under the New Juaben Roads Rehabilitation Programme is being executed by A. Naggesten Limited, a local civil engineering firm, with Deoke Consult as the consultant engineers.
Currently, the project is 40 per cent complete, and would be ready for use in February, 2008.
According to the New Juaben Municipal Chief Engineer, Mr Abass Awolu, the bridge when completed would ease transportation on the road, which would also be completed in August, next year.
He said although the bridge was scheduled to be completed in December, this year, torrential rains did not make that possible. Mr Awolu praised the construction firm for the quality work done so far, and expressed the hope that considering the rate of work, the bridge would be ready for use next February.
Mr Awolu, who visited the site to acquaint himself with the progress of the project, stated that provision had also been made under the bridge for the construction of an additional rail line in future.
The Project Engineer of A. Naggesten, Mr Gideon Appiah Amankwa, gave the assurance that with the rains virtually over, the company would do its best to complete the project by February, next year.
HELP IMPROVE EDUCATION IN BIRIM NORTH (Page 28)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Birim North in the Eastern Region, Nana Acquah Frempong, has asked basic school teachers in the district to help improve the educational standard in the area.
According to him, that could be accomplished if the teachers imparted the required knowledge to their pupils to enable them to climb the academic ladder in order to become useful citizens in future.
Nana Acquah Frempong made the call when he addressed a two-day seminar for teachers at New Abirem.
The seminar, which was jointly organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Birim North District Assembly, was to educate the teachers on the new educational reforms syllabi to enable them to perform creditably.
The DCE said the future of pupils depended on how best teachers would perform, adding that it was their responsibility to assist pupils to acquire the relevant knowledge to assist them move forward academically.
“Let us remember how our teachers handled us to make us what we are today so that we also do likewise for the pupils,” Nana Acquah Frempong, who was once a classroom teacher, told the gathering.
The DCE expressed the hope that the seminar would equip the participants with the necessary skills in their chosen field, giving the assurance that the assembly would do its best to improve teaching and learning in schools in the area.
He also asked parents to take advantage of the government’s numerous educational initiatives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme, and enrol their children in school.
The acting Birim North District Director of Education, Mr Jonathan Akakpo, urged the teachers to consider the assistance offered them by their former teachers in their school days and reciprocate such ventures, stressing, “That is the only way through which society would progress.”
A resource person from the Curriculum Research and Development Division of the GES, Alhaji Seidu Mahamma, gave an overview of the syllabi and suggested the inclusion of Religious and Moral Education in the curriculum.
He also asked teachers to be disciplined and dress properly to serve as an example for the pupils.
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Birim North in the Eastern Region, Nana Acquah Frempong, has asked basic school teachers in the district to help improve the educational standard in the area.
According to him, that could be accomplished if the teachers imparted the required knowledge to their pupils to enable them to climb the academic ladder in order to become useful citizens in future.
Nana Acquah Frempong made the call when he addressed a two-day seminar for teachers at New Abirem.
The seminar, which was jointly organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Birim North District Assembly, was to educate the teachers on the new educational reforms syllabi to enable them to perform creditably.
The DCE said the future of pupils depended on how best teachers would perform, adding that it was their responsibility to assist pupils to acquire the relevant knowledge to assist them move forward academically.
“Let us remember how our teachers handled us to make us what we are today so that we also do likewise for the pupils,” Nana Acquah Frempong, who was once a classroom teacher, told the gathering.
The DCE expressed the hope that the seminar would equip the participants with the necessary skills in their chosen field, giving the assurance that the assembly would do its best to improve teaching and learning in schools in the area.
He also asked parents to take advantage of the government’s numerous educational initiatives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme, and enrol their children in school.
The acting Birim North District Director of Education, Mr Jonathan Akakpo, urged the teachers to consider the assistance offered them by their former teachers in their school days and reciprocate such ventures, stressing, “That is the only way through which society would progress.”
A resource person from the Curriculum Research and Development Division of the GES, Alhaji Seidu Mahamma, gave an overview of the syllabi and suggested the inclusion of Religious and Moral Education in the curriculum.
He also asked teachers to be disciplined and dress properly to serve as an example for the pupils.
YILO NFED REWARDS FACILITATORS (Page 28)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
NINETY-FIVE facilitators of the Non-Formal Education Division (NFED) who voluntarily assisted 2,673 adult illiterates to read and write the Krobo and English languages in the Yilo Krobo District in the Eastern Region have been rewarded.
The group, made up of 77 males and 18 females who were drawn from the various communities in the district and spent 21 months on the job, were each given a sewing machine or ghetto blaster depending on their choices.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Adu Tawiah, made the presentation at a ceremony at Somanya, the district capital, at the weekend.
He said the government was determined to eradicate poverty and ignorance from the communities, especially the rural areas, by teaching illiterate adults who could not benefit from formal education due to a number of reasons, to read and write.
He said that would empower them to know more about the various government poverty alleviation initiatives such as the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to ensure that they enrolled their children in school and also embrace the NHIS, for affordable and quality healthcare delivery.
“The district has a number of people who through no fault of theirs could not go to school to read and write so the government has to take up that responsibility to school them so that they can at least read about government policies and any other initiatives, to improve their lot”.
The DCE personally supervised some of the literacy classes in the remote areas and commended the NFED, the facilitators and the learners.
He gave the assurance that the assembly would continue to support the adult literacy programme in the area to ensure that most of the illiterate adults would be able to read and write.
The Yilo Krobo District Co-ordinator of the NFED, Mr Nicholas K. Addai, said the learners in addition to being able to read and write the local and English languages, had also been trained in income-generating ventures to make a decent living.
He expressed his gratitude to Mr Samuel Antwi-Berko, the Regional Director of the NFED, and Mr Adu Tawiah for their support towards the success of the programme.
Mr Antwi-Berko, for his part, said since illiteracy made people ignorant on all issues, his outfit would go all out to reduce illiteracy in the region.
He was grateful to the facilitators for their commitment to duty.
Mr Antwi-Berko appealed to religious and traditional leaders to take interest in the programme and supervise adult literacy classes in their areas.
The Chief of Plao, a suburb of Somanya, Nene Tetteh Agblesee, who chaired the function, thanked the government for helping adult illiterates to read and write.
He gave the assurance that chiefs in the area would support the government in that respect.
NINETY-FIVE facilitators of the Non-Formal Education Division (NFED) who voluntarily assisted 2,673 adult illiterates to read and write the Krobo and English languages in the Yilo Krobo District in the Eastern Region have been rewarded.
The group, made up of 77 males and 18 females who were drawn from the various communities in the district and spent 21 months on the job, were each given a sewing machine or ghetto blaster depending on their choices.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Adu Tawiah, made the presentation at a ceremony at Somanya, the district capital, at the weekend.
He said the government was determined to eradicate poverty and ignorance from the communities, especially the rural areas, by teaching illiterate adults who could not benefit from formal education due to a number of reasons, to read and write.
He said that would empower them to know more about the various government poverty alleviation initiatives such as the Capitation Grant, the School Feeding Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to ensure that they enrolled their children in school and also embrace the NHIS, for affordable and quality healthcare delivery.
“The district has a number of people who through no fault of theirs could not go to school to read and write so the government has to take up that responsibility to school them so that they can at least read about government policies and any other initiatives, to improve their lot”.
The DCE personally supervised some of the literacy classes in the remote areas and commended the NFED, the facilitators and the learners.
He gave the assurance that the assembly would continue to support the adult literacy programme in the area to ensure that most of the illiterate adults would be able to read and write.
The Yilo Krobo District Co-ordinator of the NFED, Mr Nicholas K. Addai, said the learners in addition to being able to read and write the local and English languages, had also been trained in income-generating ventures to make a decent living.
He expressed his gratitude to Mr Samuel Antwi-Berko, the Regional Director of the NFED, and Mr Adu Tawiah for their support towards the success of the programme.
Mr Antwi-Berko, for his part, said since illiteracy made people ignorant on all issues, his outfit would go all out to reduce illiteracy in the region.
He was grateful to the facilitators for their commitment to duty.
Mr Antwi-Berko appealed to religious and traditional leaders to take interest in the programme and supervise adult literacy classes in their areas.
The Chief of Plao, a suburb of Somanya, Nene Tetteh Agblesee, who chaired the function, thanked the government for helping adult illiterates to read and write.
He gave the assurance that chiefs in the area would support the government in that respect.
BRING BACK PROTOCOL ALLOCATION IN SHS ADMISSION (Page 28)
Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
TWO personalities, a traditional ruler and a former minister of state, have made a passionate appeal to the government to reintroduce protocol allocation for the admission of students to senior high schools (SHS) to chiefs and communities, which was stopped when the computerised system of admission kicked off two years ago.
The Chief of Kukurantumi, Osabarima Kena Ampaw, who is also the Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, and Mr E. Appiah-Korang, a former Minister of Fuel and Power in the previous government, made the appeal at the speech and prize-giving day of the Ofori Panin Senior High School (OPASS), which also coincided with the school’s 46th anniversary at Kukurantumi at the weekend.
They said the abolition of the protocol allocation was not only a disincentive to chiefs who gave out land for the construction of the schools, but had also made it impossible for the poor in society to enrol their children in schools within their communities.
The event, which was on the theme: “46 Years of Quality Education and Discipline: The Role of Stakeholders in the New Educational Reform” was attended by a number of dignitaries.
They included Osabarima Edusei Peasah, Chief of Akyem Tafo, Messrs Emmanuel Victor Asihene and Kwasi Osei Agyepong, both past students of the school who are currently District Chief Executives for East Akyem and Atiwa respectively, and Ms Benedicta Naana Biney, the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service.
Osabarima Kena Ampaw, who set the ball rolling, said chiefs in the country had made a lot of sacrifices by giving out land and other logistics for the establishment of SHSs in their traditional areas to ensure that people, especially the poor within the area, would be able to send their children to such schools.
He said it was in that respect that provision was made for them in the admission of students to such schools, which, according to him, made it possible for chiefs to identify and assist brilliant students of poor parents to be enrolled in such schools.
Osabarima Kena Ampaw added that with the present computerised system, poor parents could not send their children to such schools because the computers sent the wards far away from home.
Mr Appiah-Korang, who was the guest of honour, for his part, said currently students in the catchment areas of SHSs could not attend such schools and that had defeated the purpose for which they were established.
He also appealed to parents to see to the educational needs of their children instead of spending lavishly on funerals.
The former minister further asked the government to ensure that poor students were enrolled in schools within their communities.
Miss Biney, for her part, dwelt extensively on the new educational reforms and said since Information Communication Technology (ICT) had become a core subject, her outfit would be upgrading computer laboratories in schools to be manned by computer experts to guide the students.
The Deputy Director-General praised OPASS for its excellent academic achievements over the years.
She, however, cautioned both students and staff against immorality, adding that anyone found wanting would be severely dealt with in accordance with Ghana Education Service (GES) regulations.
The Student Prefect, Master David Iddrisu, called on the authorities of the school to fully equip the science laboratory, and also urged the students to study hard to achieve their ambitions.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Kwaku Kyei-Brobbey, said the school, which was founded 46 years ago with 14 students and four tutors, now had a student population of 1,650 comprising 1,040 girls and 610 boys.
He said the academic record of the school over the years had been excellent, adding that it scored 73 per cent pass at the final examinations in 2004, 77.3 per cent in 2005, 85.79 per cent in 2006 and 98.15 per cent in 2007.
Mr Kyei-Brobbey attributed the successes to discipline among students and staff.
He said the school was facing a lot of challenges such as inadequate staff accommodation, an assembly hall and school bus, and appealed to the government and other stakeholders for assistance.
Mr Kyei-Brobbey expressed his appreciation to the immediate past headmaster of the school, Mr Amo-Dako, and all those whose efforts had brought the school to its present status.
TWO personalities, a traditional ruler and a former minister of state, have made a passionate appeal to the government to reintroduce protocol allocation for the admission of students to senior high schools (SHS) to chiefs and communities, which was stopped when the computerised system of admission kicked off two years ago.
The Chief of Kukurantumi, Osabarima Kena Ampaw, who is also the Adontenhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, and Mr E. Appiah-Korang, a former Minister of Fuel and Power in the previous government, made the appeal at the speech and prize-giving day of the Ofori Panin Senior High School (OPASS), which also coincided with the school’s 46th anniversary at Kukurantumi at the weekend.
They said the abolition of the protocol allocation was not only a disincentive to chiefs who gave out land for the construction of the schools, but had also made it impossible for the poor in society to enrol their children in schools within their communities.
The event, which was on the theme: “46 Years of Quality Education and Discipline: The Role of Stakeholders in the New Educational Reform” was attended by a number of dignitaries.
They included Osabarima Edusei Peasah, Chief of Akyem Tafo, Messrs Emmanuel Victor Asihene and Kwasi Osei Agyepong, both past students of the school who are currently District Chief Executives for East Akyem and Atiwa respectively, and Ms Benedicta Naana Biney, the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service.
Osabarima Kena Ampaw, who set the ball rolling, said chiefs in the country had made a lot of sacrifices by giving out land and other logistics for the establishment of SHSs in their traditional areas to ensure that people, especially the poor within the area, would be able to send their children to such schools.
He said it was in that respect that provision was made for them in the admission of students to such schools, which, according to him, made it possible for chiefs to identify and assist brilliant students of poor parents to be enrolled in such schools.
Osabarima Kena Ampaw added that with the present computerised system, poor parents could not send their children to such schools because the computers sent the wards far away from home.
Mr Appiah-Korang, who was the guest of honour, for his part, said currently students in the catchment areas of SHSs could not attend such schools and that had defeated the purpose for which they were established.
He also appealed to parents to see to the educational needs of their children instead of spending lavishly on funerals.
The former minister further asked the government to ensure that poor students were enrolled in schools within their communities.
Miss Biney, for her part, dwelt extensively on the new educational reforms and said since Information Communication Technology (ICT) had become a core subject, her outfit would be upgrading computer laboratories in schools to be manned by computer experts to guide the students.
The Deputy Director-General praised OPASS for its excellent academic achievements over the years.
She, however, cautioned both students and staff against immorality, adding that anyone found wanting would be severely dealt with in accordance with Ghana Education Service (GES) regulations.
The Student Prefect, Master David Iddrisu, called on the authorities of the school to fully equip the science laboratory, and also urged the students to study hard to achieve their ambitions.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Kwaku Kyei-Brobbey, said the school, which was founded 46 years ago with 14 students and four tutors, now had a student population of 1,650 comprising 1,040 girls and 610 boys.
He said the academic record of the school over the years had been excellent, adding that it scored 73 per cent pass at the final examinations in 2004, 77.3 per cent in 2005, 85.79 per cent in 2006 and 98.15 per cent in 2007.
Mr Kyei-Brobbey attributed the successes to discipline among students and staff.
He said the school was facing a lot of challenges such as inadequate staff accommodation, an assembly hall and school bus, and appealed to the government and other stakeholders for assistance.
Mr Kyei-Brobbey expressed his appreciation to the immediate past headmaster of the school, Mr Amo-Dako, and all those whose efforts had brought the school to its present status.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
AUDIT SERVICE CANNOT UNDERTAKE PROJECTS
Story: Kofoya Tetteh, Koforidua
LACK of technical expertise has made it impossible for the Ghana Audit Service (GAS) to undertake performance audit into physical infrastructural projects such as roads, buildings and bridges.
Other initiatives, such as the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS), the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) have all not benefited from performance audit.
These are some of the major challenges facing the service, Mr Edward Dua Agyeman, the Auditor-General, has stated.
He made the statement in a paper presented at a meeting of Supreme Audit Institutions in Washington, DC, USA, last Thursday.
It was on the theme, “Transformation for the 21st Century: Maximising the impact of Supreme Audit Institutions”.
Mr Agyeman said staffing and logistical constraints had not permitted the GAS to carry out timely financial audits of all entities as mandated in the Constitution, the Audit Service Act and other laws of the country, thus causing a backlog of reports to Parliament.
“We have recruited architects and civil engineers but we need more and the funding to secure these services if we are to move forward,” he indicated.
Mr Agyeman said procurement audit required under the Public Procurement Act, Act 2003, was yet to be mainstreamed into the financial audit of the service.
“Environmental and forensic audits, as well as special review of beneficiaries of financial aid required under the Audit Service Act, have not yet been introduced,” he noted.
Mr Agyeman said in spite of the challenges, the GAS had undergone a major transformation that had enhanced its operations.
He said a partnership between the GAS and the National Audit Office (NAO) of the United Kingdom had yielded good dividends as a result of which the service, for instance, had now become self-accounting.
The Auditor General said in 2002/2003, the service conducted nation-wide payroll audit which revealed some serious weaknesses in the government payroll, such as incorrect personal data.
He said a payroll unit was subsequently established in 2003 to analyse the cost and strengths of the central government payroll and that had helped save the nation more than $500 million in payroll fraud over a period of three years.
Mr Agyeman said the GAS, in conjunction with NAO (UK), intended to carry out extensive education of partners whose interests were affected by the work of the Audit Service, including the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
“The objective will be to demonstrate that the service is independent of all, not part of the internal control systems and anti-corruption initiatives of the Executive,” he said.
Mr Agyeman said the growing interest of the public in the work of the Auditor-General had demonstrated the important contribution that the service made in helping the nation to spend wisely.
LACK of technical expertise has made it impossible for the Ghana Audit Service (GAS) to undertake performance audit into physical infrastructural projects such as roads, buildings and bridges.
Other initiatives, such as the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS), the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) have all not benefited from performance audit.
These are some of the major challenges facing the service, Mr Edward Dua Agyeman, the Auditor-General, has stated.
He made the statement in a paper presented at a meeting of Supreme Audit Institutions in Washington, DC, USA, last Thursday.
It was on the theme, “Transformation for the 21st Century: Maximising the impact of Supreme Audit Institutions”.
Mr Agyeman said staffing and logistical constraints had not permitted the GAS to carry out timely financial audits of all entities as mandated in the Constitution, the Audit Service Act and other laws of the country, thus causing a backlog of reports to Parliament.
“We have recruited architects and civil engineers but we need more and the funding to secure these services if we are to move forward,” he indicated.
Mr Agyeman said procurement audit required under the Public Procurement Act, Act 2003, was yet to be mainstreamed into the financial audit of the service.
“Environmental and forensic audits, as well as special review of beneficiaries of financial aid required under the Audit Service Act, have not yet been introduced,” he noted.
Mr Agyeman said in spite of the challenges, the GAS had undergone a major transformation that had enhanced its operations.
He said a partnership between the GAS and the National Audit Office (NAO) of the United Kingdom had yielded good dividends as a result of which the service, for instance, had now become self-accounting.
The Auditor General said in 2002/2003, the service conducted nation-wide payroll audit which revealed some serious weaknesses in the government payroll, such as incorrect personal data.
He said a payroll unit was subsequently established in 2003 to analyse the cost and strengths of the central government payroll and that had helped save the nation more than $500 million in payroll fraud over a period of three years.
Mr Agyeman said the GAS, in conjunction with NAO (UK), intended to carry out extensive education of partners whose interests were affected by the work of the Audit Service, including the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
“The objective will be to demonstrate that the service is independent of all, not part of the internal control systems and anti-corruption initiatives of the Executive,” he said.
Mr Agyeman said the growing interest of the public in the work of the Auditor-General had demonstrated the important contribution that the service made in helping the nation to spend wisely.
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