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.
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