Thursday, March 13, 2008

Varsity programmes should reflect national needs

Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Abetifi
12/03/08

PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor has tasked the universities in the country to design their programmes to reflect the general needs of society instead of producing graduates with narrow specialisation.
He added that university authorities, in conjunction with industries and other stakeholders should come out with adaptable courses to enable their products meet the needs of society.
President Kufuor made the call in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, at the maiden congregation of the Presbyterian University College (PUC) at Abetifi on Saturday.
In all, 54 students were awarded degrees in Business Administration and Information and Communication Technology, out of which four, including a female, Miss Ama Nyaakua, obtained first class.
According to President Kufuor, the changing realities of life demanded that the universities designed new courses that would be beneficial to the society, adding that with the discovery of commercial quantities of oil in Ghana, such institutions of higher learning should turn out graduates who would be able to adapt to the needs of the country’s technological advancement.
“I want our universities to design their programmes to reflect the general needs of society and move away from the present narrow specialisation of graduates. This you can do by consulting with industry and stakeholders to ensure that your products meet the needs of the society”, President Kufuor stated.
He also told the students that they were entering the job market at a time the micro- economic indicators were promising a higher prospect for successful economic growth and that the country needed the skills of ICT and Business Administrators to advance the cause of the nation.
President Kufuor, who stated that products of Presbyterian educational institutions had been imbued with the church’s discipline, expressed the hope that the new graduates would live up to expectation of becoming intellectually-inclined good and responsible citizens.
President Kufuor also commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) for playing a sigificant role in the provision of junior and senior high schools, vocational institutions, nurses and teacher training colleges, and of late, a university, which he said had complemented the government’s efforts to provide quality education for the people.
The Moderator of the PCG, Rt Reverend Frempong Manso, said the church had realised its cherished aim of establishing a university to produce high calibre personnel to serve society and asked the new graduates to be worthy good ambassadors of the church by accepting postings to deprived areas in the country.
The Principal of the university, Professor K. Sraku-Lartey, said 700 students had been enrolled and were offering various programmes on its three campuses at Abetifi, Akropong-Akuapem and Agogo.
He said to serve Abetifi and its surrounding communities, the university had established outreach centres that dealt in projects such as aqua-culture and piggery within the area.
Mr Sam Okudzeto, Chairman of the University Council, appealed to the government to support private universities with funds from the GETFund to enable them to come out with scientific and technological programmes which, according to him, were expensive.
He expressed his appreciation to the church and chiefs in the area for supporting the univesity.
The Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akuamoa Boateng, gave the assurance that the traditional council would continue to support the university and appealed to the government to improve the road network to the university’s satellite stations.
He was hopeful that the university college would soon be upgraded to a full university status.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Mustapha Boateng donates to Ofori Panin Fie

Story: A.Kofoya-Tetteh
March 12, 2008
THE Managing Director of Choco Industries, Alhaji Mustapha Boateng, at the weekend donated four giant Hitachi air conditioners to Ofori Panin Fie at Kyebi, the seat of the Akyem Abuakwa Paramountcy.
The GH¢13,000 air conditioners, which have already been installed at the palace, were received by the Abontendomhene of Kyebi, Osabarima Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah.
Making the presentation, Alhaji Mustapha Boateng, who is a citizen of Kwabeng in Akyem Abuakwa ,said it was his responsibility to assist the paramountcy since he came from the area.
Alhaji Mustapha, a philanthropist currently taking care of the educational needs of about 30 needy pupils and students in the area, promised to help build Okyeman.
Osabarima Boakye Danquah commended Alhaji Mustapha Boateng for his commitment to the needy and the community, and expressed the hope that he would not relent in his efforts at improving the society.
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who was present at the ceremony, appealed to well-to-do Akyem Abuakwa citizens both at home and abroad, to pay regular visits to their ancestral homes to assist in the development of those places.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin gave the assurance that Abuakwaman would give Choco Industries the necessary assistance to boost production to enable it offer more assistance to the needy.

Mustapha Boateng donates to Ofori Panin Fie

Story: A.Kofoya-Tetteh
March 12, 2008
THE Managing Director of Choco Industries, Alhaji Mustapha Boateng, at the weekend donated four giant Hitachi air conditioners to Ofori Panin Fie at Kyebi, the seat of the Akyem Abuakwa Paramountcy.
The GH¢13,000 air conditioners, which have already been installed at the palace, were received by the Abontendomhene of Kyebi, Osabarima Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah.
Making the presentation, Alhaji Mustapha Boateng, who is a citizen of Kwabeng in Akyem Abuakwa ,said it was his responsibility to assist the paramountcy since he came from the area.
Alhaji Mustapha, a philanthropist currently taking care of the educational needs of about 30 needy pupils and students in the area, promised to help build Okyeman.
Osabarima Boakye Danquah commended Alhaji Mustapha Boateng for his commitment to the needy and the community, and expressed the hope that he would not relent in his efforts at improving the society.
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who was present at the ceremony, appealed to well-to-do Akyem Abuakwa citizens both at home and abroad, to pay regular visits to their ancestral homes to assist in the development of those places.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin gave the assurance that Abuakwaman would give Choco Industries the necessary assistance to boost production to enable it offer more assistance to the needy.

CRIG encourages cocoa farmers to increase output

Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, New Tafo
March 12, 2008
THE Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) at New Tafo in the East Akyem District of the Eastern Region has distributed three clones of cocoa it developed three years to its Seed Production Unit (SPU) for multiplication and distribution to cocoa farmers.
The new drought-resistant high variety cocoa would boost production to make it possible for the country to hit an all-time record target of one million tonnes per year from 2010.
The Executive Director of CRIG, Dr Adu Ampomah, made this known at this year’s Best Worker award ceremony of the institute at New Tafo at the weekend.
The ceremony, attended by a number of dignitaries such as the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, witnessed the presentation of prizes to a number of workers who distinguished themselves in 2007, with Mr Abraham Nkansah of the Entomology Division receiving the ultimate award of a deep freezer.
Dr Ampomah said for cocoa farmers to increase production, especially with regard to the cultivation of the new crop, researchers had been educating and guiding the farmers to apply new technologies.
He expressed the hope that, with the measures put in place, cocoa production would in the near future increase considerably.
“Our researchers are on hand giving useful information on the crop to farmers and guiding them on production, which we believe, will increase production in the near future,” he stated.
Dr Ampomah also stated that CRIG was educating cocoa farmers on the use of child labour on cocoa farms due to its negative effects on the cocoa industry on the international scene.
He said CRIG was not concentrating only on cocoa, as cashew farmers were also being taught modern methods of production.
In an address read for the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Isaac Osei by Mr Tony Fofie, the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy, he said since the new management assumed office a few years ago, it had been making systematic and progressive efforts to move cocoa production to a higher level for the betterment of all stakeholders.
He stated that the measures instituted had started yielding positive results.
“We have set ourselves a target of 1,000 tonnes of cocoa production by 2010 and we strongly believe that this target is achievable, considering our total commitment, the resources we have marshalled and providence on our side,”Mr Osei said.
He, therefore, asked workers of CRIG to redouble their efforts to achieve that goal, which he said, would be in the interest of all stakeholders including the workers, cocoa farmers and the country as a whole.
“Our goal, in short, is to build a number one business for the nation with the quality product we offer to the world market and to adequately compensate our dedicated farmers, who produce it”, the chief executive stated.
With regard to the welfare of Crig’s workers, Mr Osei said, COCOBOD would continue to improve their lot and, therefore, appealed to them to put in more efforts in the face of challenges so that it would be able to meet its objective for this year.
He praised workers of CRIG for their initiative and support over the years, which had helped a lot in improving cocoa production in the country.
Mr Afram Asiedu, for his part, asked the workers of CRIG not to relent their efforts at finding scientific solutions to the cocoa industry since cocoa had been the life blood of the country’s economy.
The Omanhene of Kwahu Traditional Area, and Chairman of COCOBOD Board of Directors, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng who chaired the function, expressed the hope that the prizes given to the workers would spur them on to offer their best this year.
He said that would go a long way to sustain the cocoa industry.

New Juabeng cultural fiesta ends

Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua
March 12, 2008

A spectacular cultural display and poetry recitals depicting the way of life of people, especially how to prevent negative tendencies that affect societal progress, were the main features of this year’s New Juaben Basic Schools Arts and Cultural Festival held in Koforidua.
The event, which ended at the almost completed theatre of the Centre for National Culture (CNC), saw the young artistes performing sketches on environmental cleanliness, HIV/AIDS, evils of ethnocentrism, girl-child education, outmoded customs, election 2008 and drug abuse.
Also present at the ceremony were talented artistes of the Abibigoroma Theatre Company, whose humorous and captivating performances kept the audience laughing almost throughout the show.
The three-day event on the theme: “Encouraging Reading Habit and Creative Writing” was organised by the Eastern regional office of the CNC, in collaboration with Unimax Macmillan, dealers in education materials as well as Ghana Telecom.
It brought together basic schools in the municipality whose artistes thrilled the audience to captivating performances drumming home the negative things that affect society.
So spectacular were the performances that some members of the audience, who were glued to their seats, wanted the event to be organised at short intervals instead of it being a yearly affair.
The performances of all the young artistes, who thrilled the audience, made it difficult for the judges to select the best among them.
However, after a series of consultations, the panel of judges picked Enoch Ankrah of Adweso Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Junior High School (JHS) as the Best Actor, with Eunice Yeboah of Korle Nkwanta Good Shepherd JHS as the Best Actress.
The Best Organised Play with the title “Filth, the Hidden Tragedy” went to Wesley International SHS while the Best Story with the title “The Dilemma” went to Korle Nkwanta Good Shepherd JHS.
The Best Poem award was won by Nana Kwaku Boateng of ‘B’ JHS with the Promising Actor award going to Prince Agyepong, also of Korle Nkwanta Good Shepherd JHS.
The Promising Actress diadem was taken by Lawrencia Ansah of Wesley International JHS while Adwoa Adubea of Nana Kwaku Boateng ‘B’ JHS took the prize for the Best Poetry.
In an address, the Eastern Regional Director of the CNC, Mr F. Kingsley Obeng, said since drama was a tool for education, communication, information and entertainment, which provided enlightenment and self-realisation to individuals, his outfit would continue to organise such events to help improve society.
He thanked all past sponsors of the event for their significant assistance.
Mr Raymond Bedoa who read the Regional Minister’s speech, advised the schoolchildren on HIV/AIDS while Mr Fleischer-Brook, the Regional Director of Ghana Telecom, and Mr Hamdu Mohammed, the Sales Representative of Unimax Macmillan for Eastern and Volta regions, expressed their willingness to continue to support similar events to be organised by the CNC.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Group demonstrates against Nyaunu

Story:  A. Kofoya-Tetteh,
Odumse-Krobo
07/03/08
SOME MEMBERS of the National Democratic Party (NDC) in the Lower Manya Constituency last Tuesday demonstrated against Mr Michael Nyaunu, Member of Parliament of the area, who they said was behind a false publication to the effect that the party’s flag bearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, was too sick to lead the party to this year’s elections.
The demonstrators, about 10 in number and bearing placards some of which read “Dr Nyaunu is rather the sick man”, as strong as a fiddle” and “Professor Mills you are the man of the hour” were among the large crowd that gave Professor Mills a rousing welcome when he arrived at Odumase-Krobo to begin a tour of some parts of the Eastern Region.
Mr Nyaunu who was unexpectedly leading Prof. Mills and his entourage at Akuse, the first place of call, and Odumase-Krobo, seemed not perturbed by the action of the demonstrators, likewise Professor Mills who seemed unconcerned with what was happening.
The pair who walked side by side, smiled at each other, particularly after Mr Nyaunu had introduced the NDC flag bearer to the Akuse Zongo Chief, Mustapha Moro and Mr Charles Mate-Korle, who represented the Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Sakite, at Odumase-Krobo.
The more disturbing was that anytime Mr Nyaunu mentioned Prof. Mills’ name the demonstrators responded “egbo we, egbo we” meaning he is not dead in the local Krobo dialect.
Some of the demonstrators the Daily Graphic talked to explained that Mr Nyaunu erred in coming out with the information that Professor Mills’ health would not make it possible for him to lead the NDC to this year’s general elections since he (Nyaunu) was not a medical officer.
They said although Prof. Mills was mortal and could be sick at any time, Mr Nyaunu should have been sure of what he had said, adding that such a false message to the public had the tendency of impacting negatively on the NDC.
The group therefore said they were happy that Professor Mills had presented himself with a limited period for all to know the truth.
“We are happy that Professor Mills had presented himself physically to the people for them to know that he was as strong as the bear, capable of campaigning in all parts of the country as he had started doing” said one of the demonstrators.
Some of the people however praised Mr Nyaunu for his ability to stand the storm by not only presenting himself at the gatherings but also playing a leading role in Professor Mills’ visit to the Krobo area.
They also appreciated the friendly manner the NDC flag bearer related with the Lower Manya legislator, explaining that such an attitude was a demonstration of statesmanship which would unite the NDC to better position it to win this year’s election.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

KWABENG RESIDENTS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST MINING COMPANY (PAGE 22)

Story: A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Kwabeng

THE people of Kwabeng in the Eastern Region, on Thursday staged a peaceful demonstration against X’tra Gold, a gold mining company in the area, for polluting their main source of their water, the Awusu River, and its tributaries.
The demonstrators, bearing placards some of which read, “Stop polluting our water, X’tra Gold”, “Esther Dapaah, our lives are in danger” and “Stop work X’tra Gold”, paraded through the principal streets of the town before converging near the premises of the District Assembly where their leaders held a closed-door meeting with the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwasi Osei-Agyepong.
A spokesman of the demonstrators, Alhaji Mustapha Boateng, told the media after the demonstration that the citizens decided to demonstrate against X’tra Gold for refusing to provide boreholes for the people so that they would not rely on the Awusu River, which the company had polluted.
He said they did not intend to do any negative thing, but only to drum home the need for good drinking water for the people, since many people in the town had been infected with bilharzia and other water-borne and skin diseases because of the contaminated water they drank from the River Awusu and its tributaries through the activities of the mining company.
Mr Osei-Agyepong later told the press that the government would provide a small town water system for Kwabeng by the end of the year.
He added that a hydrological company, Hydrosearch, which had been engaged in the project, was currently doing the feasibility studies.
The DCE said the government together with the assembly would contribute 90 per cent of the cost of the project while the community contribute five per cent.
He, therefore, appealed to the demonstrators to exercise restraint to enable Hydrosearch to execute the project on time.
“The assembly is concerned about the issue and is working around the clock to provide the people with good drinking water,” Mr Osei Agyepong stated.