THE food and Drugs Board (FDB) has directed health workers, especially medical doctors, to report to the board any negative effects that medical equipment or drugs might have on their patients.
According to the board, that would enable it to take remedial measures to avoid the recurrence of such mishaps on patients, some of whom die from such instances.
Messrs Afesey Ernest and George Sablala, Heads of the Medical Devices Laboratory and Safety Monitoring Unit of the FDB, respectively gave the directive, when they addressed a conference on patient safety and quality health care in Koforidua.
The one-day conference organised by the Ghana Quality Organisation (GQO), in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, was attended by about 120 medical practitioners and experts drawn from different parts of the country.
The two FDB officials said many patients died as a result of negative effects of counterfeit drugs and medical equipment, some of which were not properly applied or wrong devices.
They stated that currently, there were a lot of drugs and medical equipment that should not be used on patients, and the only way to address the issue was for medical practitioners to identify such drugs and equipment with notification to the FDB to enable it to trace their sources of supply for the necessary action.
“There are a lot of fake drugs in the system which must not be used by human beings as well as medical equipment that are either obsolete or wrongly applied on patients and you as medical doctors owe society a duty by helping to withdraw them from the system,” they stated.
A medical expert and resource person, Dr Cynthia Bannerman, said one in every 300 patients treated at the hospitals suffered permanent injury or death, due to the application of fake drugs or wrongful usage of medical equipment.
She said the sad aspect of the situation was that some of the health workers, especially doctors and nurses, made mistakes in the course of rendering services to patients.
Dr Bannerman stated that such a situation often led to financial loss to the patient and family, and could also lead to unnecessary litigation and death of the patient.
She, therefore, urged doctors and nurses to be bold to notify their superiors of their mistakes for the necessary remedy to forestall recurrence of such mistakes.
Another expert on patient safety and quality health care, Lieutenant Commander (red) Ernest Boateng-Okrah expressed dissatisfaction about the long hours patients had to wait when receiving treatment at the hospitals.
He stressed that the long period of waiting, which constituted wastage, could also be dangerous for patients.
Lt Col. Boateng-Okrah, therefore, called on administrators of health facilities to see how best to address the problem.
A Medical Practitioner, Dr Wilfred Larbi Addo, who deputised for the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Elias Sory, implored doctors to follow the operational guidelines of the medical profession.
He said it was only in that direction that they could assure the safety of patients.
Earlier in a welcoming address, the Project Co-ordinator of the Ghana Quality Organisation (GQO), Mr Anthony K. Ameka, stated that his outfit, which was formed in 2005, aimed at assisting health care professionals and workers to build quality management skills and capabilities to improve patients’ safety and also speed up patient recovery process.
Mr Ameka said in order to achieve those goals, GQO would continue to offer short-term quality programmes for health professionals in such areas as food safety and quality, health quality assurance, quality engineering, management and auditing.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
KWAEBIBIREM CONFIRMS DCE AMIDST POLICE PRESENCE (PAGE 16)
IN the midst of heavy police presence, the Kwaebibirem District Assembly in the Eastern Region, on Monday by a vote of 76-20, confirmed the appointment of Mr George Agyeman Duah, a legal practitioner, as the District Chief Executive for the area.
The policemen, led by the Regional Police Commander DCOP George Anko-Bil, were deployed around the precincts of the assembly and the main road leading to the premises where the ballot was cast to ward off a group of demonstrators who besieged the area to possibly disrupt the proceedings.
The policemen tactfully managed to control the situation, particularly during the counting of the votes when a number of the demonstrators broke the security cordon to bang on the doors and windows of the building. No arrests were made anyway.
Before the voting started, the Presiding Member, Mr George Aboagye, called for calm, after which the Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, spent about 40 minutes to address the House that was filled to capacity, including traditional leaders.
The Regional Minister told the gathering that although some of the people in the district might not like Mr Duah, his appointment was the prerogative of the President, and that they should vote for him to take up the position.
That, according to him, would enable Mr Duah to initiate programmes and projects that would accelerate the development of the district, which he said, had a number of natural resources such as timber, oil palm, citrus plantations and diamond.
He also called on the chiefs to co-operate and support Mr Dua, who, he said, had the capacity to advance the development of the district.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Muhammed Ahmed, who was also present, expressed his joy about the successful conduct of the election, and appealed to the people to unite for the development of the district.
In his victory speech, Mr Dua asked the people to forget about the past, unite and support him to administer the district, adding that his administration would do its best to improve the lot of the people.
Later in the day, Mr Napoleon Amaoko Asiamah, a pharmacist, was also confirmed as the District Chief Executive for Birim North.
At New Abirem, the district capital, where the ballot was cast, Mr Amoako, who had for a long period been an Assembly member, polled 27 out of the 28 votes to carry the day.
Before the voting, both Mr Ofosu Ampofo and the Member of Parliament for the area, Madam Esther Obeng Dapaah, pleaded with the Assembly members to give Mr Asiamah the nod to administer the district, which had not had a substantive political head for the past one-a-and-a-half years.
Earlier at the weekend, a 59-year-old Human Resource consultant, Mr Atta Twum, was endorsed as the political head for Atiwa, also in the Eastern Region.
When the ballot was cast at Kwabeng, the district capital, all the 35 Assembly members voted for him.
The policemen, led by the Regional Police Commander DCOP George Anko-Bil, were deployed around the precincts of the assembly and the main road leading to the premises where the ballot was cast to ward off a group of demonstrators who besieged the area to possibly disrupt the proceedings.
The policemen tactfully managed to control the situation, particularly during the counting of the votes when a number of the demonstrators broke the security cordon to bang on the doors and windows of the building. No arrests were made anyway.
Before the voting started, the Presiding Member, Mr George Aboagye, called for calm, after which the Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, spent about 40 minutes to address the House that was filled to capacity, including traditional leaders.
The Regional Minister told the gathering that although some of the people in the district might not like Mr Duah, his appointment was the prerogative of the President, and that they should vote for him to take up the position.
That, according to him, would enable Mr Duah to initiate programmes and projects that would accelerate the development of the district, which he said, had a number of natural resources such as timber, oil palm, citrus plantations and diamond.
He also called on the chiefs to co-operate and support Mr Dua, who, he said, had the capacity to advance the development of the district.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Muhammed Ahmed, who was also present, expressed his joy about the successful conduct of the election, and appealed to the people to unite for the development of the district.
In his victory speech, Mr Dua asked the people to forget about the past, unite and support him to administer the district, adding that his administration would do its best to improve the lot of the people.
Later in the day, Mr Napoleon Amaoko Asiamah, a pharmacist, was also confirmed as the District Chief Executive for Birim North.
At New Abirem, the district capital, where the ballot was cast, Mr Amoako, who had for a long period been an Assembly member, polled 27 out of the 28 votes to carry the day.
Before the voting, both Mr Ofosu Ampofo and the Member of Parliament for the area, Madam Esther Obeng Dapaah, pleaded with the Assembly members to give Mr Asiamah the nod to administer the district, which had not had a substantive political head for the past one-a-and-a-half years.
Earlier at the weekend, a 59-year-old Human Resource consultant, Mr Atta Twum, was endorsed as the political head for Atiwa, also in the Eastern Region.
When the ballot was cast at Kwabeng, the district capital, all the 35 Assembly members voted for him.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
CONSULT CHURCHES ON MATTERS OF EDUCATION ...Presby Moderator advises govt (PAGE 36)
THE MODERATOR of the General Council of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt Rev. Dr Yaw Frempong-Manso, has called on the government to consult churches that had a stake in education on whether to ban or allow extra classes in schools to continue.
He also suggested that the churches must be involved in taking decisions on study leave for teachers in the diploma-awarding colleges of education.
Rt Rev. Frempong-Manso made the suggestions when he addressed the 82nd Conference of the Akuapem Presbytery of the PCG at Akropong Akuapem.
The four-day event was on the theme: “Put on the whole armour of God”.
It was attended by the clergy and some members of the laity, to take stock of activities of the presbytery over the past year and plan for the future.
Present at the ceremony were a number of traditional rulers of Akuapem, including the Okuapehemaa, Nana Dokua.
According to the moderator, the organisation of extra classes in educational institutions, especially in the senior high schools, had its advantages and disadvantages.
He stated that since some of the churches such as the PCG had a stake in education, they must be consulted before banning or allowing such extra classes to continue.
“Now almost all the primary, junior and senior high schools are organising extra classes with the view of improving the performances of the pupils and students but since there are advantages and disadvantages in the process, the government should consult churches which have a stake in education before taking any action on it”, Rt Rev Dr Frempong Manso stressed.
He also called for the involvement of churches, especially the PCG, in taking decisions on all matters on study leave with pay to students in the colleges of education.
The moderator deplored the upsurge of various forms of indiscipline in the society such as occultism, armed robbery, bribery and corruption and careless driving which had turned the roads and highways into graveyards.
He suggested to the government to collaborate with the churches to address the issues.
Rt Rev. Frempong-Manso tasked the Akuapem Presbytery to form a committee to bring back discipline within the communities in the presbytery.
He traced the history of the PCG in Ghana and said the church had established a lot of educational institutions from primary to the tertiary level as well as health facilities.
The moderator gave the assurance that the PCG would continue to partner the government in improving education and health in the country.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo said since the government alone could not carry out development projects, particularly on education, it was necessary for the churches and non-governmental organisations to support it.
The regional minister stated that the government was doing its best to address indiscipline in the society, and expressed the hope that the conference would come up with proposals that would help stamp out the canker from the country.
He praised the PCG for its tremendous contributions to education and discipline in the country.
In a welcoming address which was contained in a nine-page document that was accepted by the conference as its development agenda, the Chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery, Rev Dr J.O.Y. Mantey, spelt out a number of projects and programmes that had either been completed or would be executed to improve both the spiritual and physical well-being not only of the various congregations within the presbytery but other people in the communities as well.
Rev. Dr Mantey said the task ahead would not be easy, and therefore called on both the clergy and the laity for support.
On the international scene, he said although the world was changing fast for the better, Africa as a whole was not keeping pace with the changing trend.
Rev. Dr Mantey, therefore, suggested that unless Africa attached a sense of urgency to its development, its people would continue to beg from the developed world.
He also suggested that the churches must be involved in taking decisions on study leave for teachers in the diploma-awarding colleges of education.
Rt Rev. Frempong-Manso made the suggestions when he addressed the 82nd Conference of the Akuapem Presbytery of the PCG at Akropong Akuapem.
The four-day event was on the theme: “Put on the whole armour of God”.
It was attended by the clergy and some members of the laity, to take stock of activities of the presbytery over the past year and plan for the future.
Present at the ceremony were a number of traditional rulers of Akuapem, including the Okuapehemaa, Nana Dokua.
According to the moderator, the organisation of extra classes in educational institutions, especially in the senior high schools, had its advantages and disadvantages.
He stated that since some of the churches such as the PCG had a stake in education, they must be consulted before banning or allowing such extra classes to continue.
“Now almost all the primary, junior and senior high schools are organising extra classes with the view of improving the performances of the pupils and students but since there are advantages and disadvantages in the process, the government should consult churches which have a stake in education before taking any action on it”, Rt Rev Dr Frempong Manso stressed.
He also called for the involvement of churches, especially the PCG, in taking decisions on all matters on study leave with pay to students in the colleges of education.
The moderator deplored the upsurge of various forms of indiscipline in the society such as occultism, armed robbery, bribery and corruption and careless driving which had turned the roads and highways into graveyards.
He suggested to the government to collaborate with the churches to address the issues.
Rt Rev. Frempong-Manso tasked the Akuapem Presbytery to form a committee to bring back discipline within the communities in the presbytery.
He traced the history of the PCG in Ghana and said the church had established a lot of educational institutions from primary to the tertiary level as well as health facilities.
The moderator gave the assurance that the PCG would continue to partner the government in improving education and health in the country.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo said since the government alone could not carry out development projects, particularly on education, it was necessary for the churches and non-governmental organisations to support it.
The regional minister stated that the government was doing its best to address indiscipline in the society, and expressed the hope that the conference would come up with proposals that would help stamp out the canker from the country.
He praised the PCG for its tremendous contributions to education and discipline in the country.
In a welcoming address which was contained in a nine-page document that was accepted by the conference as its development agenda, the Chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery, Rev Dr J.O.Y. Mantey, spelt out a number of projects and programmes that had either been completed or would be executed to improve both the spiritual and physical well-being not only of the various congregations within the presbytery but other people in the communities as well.
Rev. Dr Mantey said the task ahead would not be easy, and therefore called on both the clergy and the laity for support.
On the international scene, he said although the world was changing fast for the better, Africa as a whole was not keeping pace with the changing trend.
Rev. Dr Mantey, therefore, suggested that unless Africa attached a sense of urgency to its development, its people would continue to beg from the developed world.
STRANGE COFFIN AT NKURAKAN (PAGE 19)
TRADING activities at the Nkurakan Market in Koforidua came to a halt last Thursday following the sighting of a six-foot coffin decorated in red cloth at the market.
The traders saw seven eggs in the coffin, which was found at the southern end of the market.
Later, a popular traditional priest in the town by name Sakora burnt the coffin after he had performed some rituals under the directives of the chief of the town, Nene Opata Korley II.
Most of the traders in the market, one of the largest foodstuffs selling and buying points in the Eastern Region, abandoned the area in which the coffin was deposited while a large number of onlookers, some of them travellers, converged on the scene to catch a glimpse of what the local people termed the “wonder of Nkurakan”.
The location of the coffin in the market aroused the suspicion of policemen in the town of a ritual murder but when they rushed to the scene, they did not find any human parts in so they had to stay back.
The mystery surrounding the coffin is not yet known but some of the traders who normally reported at dawn at the market said it might have been deposited by an unknown man who used to carry a coffin at midnight on Mondays and Thursdays, which are the market days of the town, ostensibly for prosperity rituals.
According to Nene Opata Korley, at about 6 a.m. that day, the assembly member for the town and a toll collector informed him that a coffin draped in pure red cloth containing seven eggs had been deposited at the market.
Nene Opata Korle stated that together with his elders, he rushed to the scene, where they saw the coffin.
He said a popular traditional priest known as Sakora, who also came to the scene, offered to perform a ritual to counter whatever intention of the one who deposited the coffin.
The chief said when he agreed, Sakora demanded GH¢10, six flowers perfume—a special perfume purposely used for rituals, a bottle of Florida water and petrol, which he provided after which the traditional priest sprinkled the Florida water on the coffin, poured the powder and the petrol on it, before setting it ablaze.
Sakora, the chief said later, took some of the ashes away.
When contacted, a police source said he suspected the coffin might have contained human parts but when they rushed there, nothing of that nature was found.
The source said the policemen, therefore, went away for the traditional priest and the chief to do whatever pleased them to spiritually counteract the intention of whoever deposited the coffin there.
The traders saw seven eggs in the coffin, which was found at the southern end of the market.
Later, a popular traditional priest in the town by name Sakora burnt the coffin after he had performed some rituals under the directives of the chief of the town, Nene Opata Korley II.
Most of the traders in the market, one of the largest foodstuffs selling and buying points in the Eastern Region, abandoned the area in which the coffin was deposited while a large number of onlookers, some of them travellers, converged on the scene to catch a glimpse of what the local people termed the “wonder of Nkurakan”.
The location of the coffin in the market aroused the suspicion of policemen in the town of a ritual murder but when they rushed to the scene, they did not find any human parts in so they had to stay back.
The mystery surrounding the coffin is not yet known but some of the traders who normally reported at dawn at the market said it might have been deposited by an unknown man who used to carry a coffin at midnight on Mondays and Thursdays, which are the market days of the town, ostensibly for prosperity rituals.
According to Nene Opata Korley, at about 6 a.m. that day, the assembly member for the town and a toll collector informed him that a coffin draped in pure red cloth containing seven eggs had been deposited at the market.
Nene Opata Korle stated that together with his elders, he rushed to the scene, where they saw the coffin.
He said a popular traditional priest known as Sakora, who also came to the scene, offered to perform a ritual to counter whatever intention of the one who deposited the coffin.
The chief said when he agreed, Sakora demanded GH¢10, six flowers perfume—a special perfume purposely used for rituals, a bottle of Florida water and petrol, which he provided after which the traditional priest sprinkled the Florida water on the coffin, poured the powder and the petrol on it, before setting it ablaze.
Sakora, the chief said later, took some of the ashes away.
When contacted, a police source said he suspected the coffin might have contained human parts but when they rushed there, nothing of that nature was found.
The source said the policemen, therefore, went away for the traditional priest and the chief to do whatever pleased them to spiritually counteract the intention of whoever deposited the coffin there.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
ABISIM APOSTOLIC CHURCH GETS GENERATOR (PAGE 39)
HE Abisim District of the Apostolic Church of Ghana in the Eastern Region now has a generator for its activities.
The Aburi District Pastor of the church, Pastor Kwabena Ankama, donated the generator to the Abisim District, which comprises about five assemblies all located in deprived farming communities not connected to the national grid.
Due to lack of electricity in those communities, especially the Abesim Assembly, which together with Asamankese received the early missionaries from Bradford, York in the United Kingdom in the 1930s, and has become the cradle of the church in Ghana, it has become very difficult for the church to organise its activities in such a rural area.
The difficulties associated with organising church activities without electricity in the area, especially at night, won the sympathy of Pastor Ankamah, hence the donation.
In a telephone interview, Pastor Ankamah, a lawyer by profession, who is also associated with the prisons ministries, said it had always been his desire to assist deprived assemblies and the needy, especially widows and orphans.
Presenting the generator to the Abissim Assembly over the weekend, the Koforidua Area Head of the church, Apostle J.K. Addey, commended the donor for the gesture.
He appealed to other pastors and members of the church with the means to help resource deprived assemblies of the church.
“Some of our assemblies are so deprived so we should all help them to enable them to stand on their feet to propagate the gospel and win more souls for Christ, which is the main mission of the church,” Apostle Addey stated.
The Head of the Abisim District of the church, Pastor S. Asimeng, said the donation had come at the appropriate time because the local assembly, which was established in 1939, would celebrate its 70th anniversary in September, this year.
He gave the assurance that the generator would be put to good use.
The Aburi District Pastor of the church, Pastor Kwabena Ankama, donated the generator to the Abisim District, which comprises about five assemblies all located in deprived farming communities not connected to the national grid.
Due to lack of electricity in those communities, especially the Abesim Assembly, which together with Asamankese received the early missionaries from Bradford, York in the United Kingdom in the 1930s, and has become the cradle of the church in Ghana, it has become very difficult for the church to organise its activities in such a rural area.
The difficulties associated with organising church activities without electricity in the area, especially at night, won the sympathy of Pastor Ankamah, hence the donation.
In a telephone interview, Pastor Ankamah, a lawyer by profession, who is also associated with the prisons ministries, said it had always been his desire to assist deprived assemblies and the needy, especially widows and orphans.
Presenting the generator to the Abissim Assembly over the weekend, the Koforidua Area Head of the church, Apostle J.K. Addey, commended the donor for the gesture.
He appealed to other pastors and members of the church with the means to help resource deprived assemblies of the church.
“Some of our assemblies are so deprived so we should all help them to enable them to stand on their feet to propagate the gospel and win more souls for Christ, which is the main mission of the church,” Apostle Addey stated.
The Head of the Abisim District of the church, Pastor S. Asimeng, said the donation had come at the appropriate time because the local assembly, which was established in 1939, would celebrate its 70th anniversary in September, this year.
He gave the assurance that the generator would be put to good use.
NEW JUABEN FAILS TO ELECT PRESIDING MEMBER (PAGE 17)
AN ATTEMPT by the New Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region to elect a Presiding Member on Tuesday, proved futile after two ballots cast during which none of the two candidates polled the required two thirds of the votes as required.
The two candidates were Mr George Boakye Yiadom and Madam Stella Adu Obeng, both products of the University of Cape Coast.
In the first ballot, Mr Boakye Yiadom secured 35 out of the 65 valid votes as against 30 obtained by Madam Stella Obeng while in the second ballot, Mr Boakye Yiadom had 34 out of the 66 valid votes in contrast to 32 obtained by Madam Stella Obeng.
After the official of the Electoral Commission had announced the results of the first ballot, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Michael Ofei, who presided over the voting, adjourned proceedings for about an hour to allow members to engage in the necessary consultations on the matter for the second ballot to take place.
But after the second ballot also failed to produce a winner, Mr Ofei put the matter before the House and this sparked a lengthy debate lasting over two hours.
While some members were of the view that the two candidates should step aside for new candidates to be considered, others kicked against it and the issue had to be decided by vote during which the House agreed that only the two candidates should stand. The House then adjourned sine die.
The two candidates were Mr George Boakye Yiadom and Madam Stella Adu Obeng, both products of the University of Cape Coast.
In the first ballot, Mr Boakye Yiadom secured 35 out of the 65 valid votes as against 30 obtained by Madam Stella Obeng while in the second ballot, Mr Boakye Yiadom had 34 out of the 66 valid votes in contrast to 32 obtained by Madam Stella Obeng.
After the official of the Electoral Commission had announced the results of the first ballot, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Michael Ofei, who presided over the voting, adjourned proceedings for about an hour to allow members to engage in the necessary consultations on the matter for the second ballot to take place.
But after the second ballot also failed to produce a winner, Mr Ofei put the matter before the House and this sparked a lengthy debate lasting over two hours.
While some members were of the view that the two candidates should step aside for new candidates to be considered, others kicked against it and the issue had to be decided by vote during which the House agreed that only the two candidates should stand. The House then adjourned sine die.
DCES FIR AKYEMMANSA, BIRIM SOUTH CONFIRMED (PAGE 15)
THE President’s nominees for the position of District Chief Executive (DCEs) for Akyemmansa, Mr Tom Budu and that of Birim South, Nana Baffour Mensah Takyi, were overwhelmingly endorsed by their respective assembly members at separate functions at Akyem Ofoase and Akyem Swedru last Monday.
All the 31 members of the Akyemmansa District Assembly voted yes to unanimously approve of Mr Budu’s nomination while the 32-member Birim South District Assembly also gave Baffour Takyi 100 per cent votes in the election conducted by the Electoral Commission.
The well-attended ceremonies attracted a member of the Council of State, Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu II, traditional and religious leaders as well as members of both sides of the politicl divide including the two Members of Parliament (MPs) for the area, Mr David Oppong-Kusi, for Akyemmansa and Mr Joseph Ampomah Bosompem, both of whom belong to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The two MPs were instrumental in the unanimous endorsement of the two DCEs as they impressed upon the assembly members to confirm their appointments because they were affable, humble and hardworking and were prepared to co-operate with all and sundry to push the young districts forward.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Budu, a graduate teacher at Jaha near Akyem Abenase, thanked President J.E.A. Mills for nominating him to the high office, and the assembly members for confirming his nomination.
He stressed that with the support of the assembly members, the core staff of the assembly, the chiefs and people in the district, he would live up to expectation.
Mr Budu stressed that his major pre-occupation was to fight poverty, ignorance, disease and ignorance, adding that he would promote health and quality education.
For his part, Baffour Takyi, who is the Nkosuohene of Akyem Achiase, was also grateful and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members for his nomination and the assembly members for endorsing his appointment.
He said the young district that lacked a lot of infrastructure and basic social amenities, needed the unity and support of all the people in the area to overcome the challenges.
Baffour Takyi, therefore, entreated the people in the district to pull all their expertise and rich experience together to fashion out effective policies and programmes in order to meet the desirable development aspirations of the district to ensure its rapid development.
He seized the opportunity to commend his predecessor, Mr Samuel Antwi-Berko for the wonderful work he did in spite of his short term in office.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, who graced the two functions, commended the assembly members for endorsing the two nominees.
He advised the new DCEs not to be swollen-headed or self-conceited by their appointments since such high positions went with great responsibilities.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo enjoined them to be prepared to serve the masses at all times but should not lord it over them.
He assured the two young district assemblies of his maximum support but cautioned the people not to undermine the new DCEs since that would hinder the progress of the area.
All the 31 members of the Akyemmansa District Assembly voted yes to unanimously approve of Mr Budu’s nomination while the 32-member Birim South District Assembly also gave Baffour Takyi 100 per cent votes in the election conducted by the Electoral Commission.
The well-attended ceremonies attracted a member of the Council of State, Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu II, traditional and religious leaders as well as members of both sides of the politicl divide including the two Members of Parliament (MPs) for the area, Mr David Oppong-Kusi, for Akyemmansa and Mr Joseph Ampomah Bosompem, both of whom belong to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The two MPs were instrumental in the unanimous endorsement of the two DCEs as they impressed upon the assembly members to confirm their appointments because they were affable, humble and hardworking and were prepared to co-operate with all and sundry to push the young districts forward.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Budu, a graduate teacher at Jaha near Akyem Abenase, thanked President J.E.A. Mills for nominating him to the high office, and the assembly members for confirming his nomination.
He stressed that with the support of the assembly members, the core staff of the assembly, the chiefs and people in the district, he would live up to expectation.
Mr Budu stressed that his major pre-occupation was to fight poverty, ignorance, disease and ignorance, adding that he would promote health and quality education.
For his part, Baffour Takyi, who is the Nkosuohene of Akyem Achiase, was also grateful and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members for his nomination and the assembly members for endorsing his appointment.
He said the young district that lacked a lot of infrastructure and basic social amenities, needed the unity and support of all the people in the area to overcome the challenges.
Baffour Takyi, therefore, entreated the people in the district to pull all their expertise and rich experience together to fashion out effective policies and programmes in order to meet the desirable development aspirations of the district to ensure its rapid development.
He seized the opportunity to commend his predecessor, Mr Samuel Antwi-Berko for the wonderful work he did in spite of his short term in office.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, who graced the two functions, commended the assembly members for endorsing the two nominees.
He advised the new DCEs not to be swollen-headed or self-conceited by their appointments since such high positions went with great responsibilities.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo enjoined them to be prepared to serve the masses at all times but should not lord it over them.
He assured the two young district assemblies of his maximum support but cautioned the people not to undermine the new DCEs since that would hinder the progress of the area.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
STAMP OUT INDISCIPLINE FROM SOCIETY (PAGE 20)
THE PRESIDING Bishop of the Joint Anglican Diocese Council (JADC), Rt Rev. Daniel S.A. Allotey, has called on Christians to help stamp out all forms of indiscipline and crime from the society.
He said while indiscipline on the part of some drivers had resulted in carnage on the roads in recent times, love for money and material things had made people to engage in all sorts of crimes.
The Rt Rev. Allotey who is also the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast, made the call when he addressed the eighth national biennial conference of the Association of Anglican Church Clergy Wives at the Bunso Cocoa College over the weekend.
The four-day conference under the theme: “Arise and shine for the light has come” was attended by the wives of the reverend ministers of the Anglican Church.
According to Rt Rev. Allotey, human lives were being destroyed on the roads and highways through carelessness on the part of some drivers due to indiscipline and that it was time for Christians to help address the issue.
Rt Rev. Allotey also expressed his dissatisfaction about the behaviour of self-styled pastors and prophets who took advantage of the vulnerability of worshippers to exploit them for luxurious life, and asked Christians to be wary of such supposed men of God.
An adviser on Christian ethics, who is also the wife of the retired Methodist Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, Mrs Christiana Omane Acheamfuor, took the gathering through various aspects that would advance the welfare of women, particularly in the church.
She advised the participants to come out with initiatives that would benefit the needy.
Mrs Acheamfuor also urged them to be ambassadors for reconciliation to help bring peace in homes by helping to resolve marital problems which had led to many divorces not only within the church, but the society as a whole.
With regard to curbing motor accidents, Mrs Acheamfuor called for psychological training for drivers to enable them be in the right frame of mind behind the steering wheel.
For his part, the Anglican Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Rt Rev. F.B. Quashie appealed to the women to be role models for others, adding that it was only in that respect that society would be disciplined.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, expressed regret that some women had shirked their responsibility as mothers and embraced certain lifestyles such as penchant for ostentation that had made their children to go wayward.
He appealed to the church to help address the issue.
The regional minister said the government was doing its best to address issues facing women and children.
He, therefore, appealed to the participants to support the government to stamp out all forms of negative tendencies such as occultism and hooliganism from the society.
In her welcoming address, the president of the Eastern Regional Chapter of the association, Mrs Mary Quashie said the participants were to examine the weaknesses and strength of the association with the view of formulating strategies to move it forward.
He said while indiscipline on the part of some drivers had resulted in carnage on the roads in recent times, love for money and material things had made people to engage in all sorts of crimes.
The Rt Rev. Allotey who is also the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast, made the call when he addressed the eighth national biennial conference of the Association of Anglican Church Clergy Wives at the Bunso Cocoa College over the weekend.
The four-day conference under the theme: “Arise and shine for the light has come” was attended by the wives of the reverend ministers of the Anglican Church.
According to Rt Rev. Allotey, human lives were being destroyed on the roads and highways through carelessness on the part of some drivers due to indiscipline and that it was time for Christians to help address the issue.
Rt Rev. Allotey also expressed his dissatisfaction about the behaviour of self-styled pastors and prophets who took advantage of the vulnerability of worshippers to exploit them for luxurious life, and asked Christians to be wary of such supposed men of God.
An adviser on Christian ethics, who is also the wife of the retired Methodist Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, Mrs Christiana Omane Acheamfuor, took the gathering through various aspects that would advance the welfare of women, particularly in the church.
She advised the participants to come out with initiatives that would benefit the needy.
Mrs Acheamfuor also urged them to be ambassadors for reconciliation to help bring peace in homes by helping to resolve marital problems which had led to many divorces not only within the church, but the society as a whole.
With regard to curbing motor accidents, Mrs Acheamfuor called for psychological training for drivers to enable them be in the right frame of mind behind the steering wheel.
For his part, the Anglican Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Rt Rev. F.B. Quashie appealed to the women to be role models for others, adding that it was only in that respect that society would be disciplined.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, expressed regret that some women had shirked their responsibility as mothers and embraced certain lifestyles such as penchant for ostentation that had made their children to go wayward.
He appealed to the church to help address the issue.
The regional minister said the government was doing its best to address issues facing women and children.
He, therefore, appealed to the participants to support the government to stamp out all forms of negative tendencies such as occultism and hooliganism from the society.
In her welcoming address, the president of the Eastern Regional Chapter of the association, Mrs Mary Quashie said the participants were to examine the weaknesses and strength of the association with the view of formulating strategies to move it forward.
SAVE ADJENA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FROM COLLAPSE (PAGE 20)
IN the early sixties, the Volta River Authority (VRA) established a settlement at Adjena, a small village with mud houses in the Asuogyaman District.
The settlement was to settle land owners and farmers in the catchments areas of the River Volta whose arable lands had been flooded by the waters of the river to create the Volta Lake for Ghana’s first hydro electric project at Akosombo.
As expected, the VRA put up concrete buildings for the settlers to replace their mud houses which were washed away by the flood waters.
Initially, the village and the nearby communities had no basic school to cater for children of school age in the area so it was decided to establish one, which eventually took off in 1974.
That educational set up comprising a primary and middle school which was later transformed to a Junior Secondary School now (Junior High School) produced pupils for second-cycle educational institutions, although their grades were not too good compared with pupils in basic schools in the urban areas.
However, due to the non-availability of a Senior High School (SHS) in the area, many of such students had their dream of continuing with their education cut short, except those whose parents could afford.
Those students were privileged to be enrolled in second-cycle schools in far-away places such as Krobo Odumase, Somanya, Koforidua or Accra.
The only nearby second-cycle school, the Akosombo International School, could not also admit them because it catered for its employees and few other students outside with high academic grades.
The unfortunate pupils from the locality who could not secure those institutions were left in the limbo.
To address the imbalance, a prominent chief of the area, Otwasuom Osei Nyampong together with other Nananom and opinion leaders in the area decided to work for the establishment of a SHS which materialised with the transformation of the local JHS into a Senior High/Technical School in 1979, producing its first graduates in 1982.
The school which is a day institution, lacks almost all the necessary infrastructure and facilities that a SHS should have although it is located in a serene atmosphere with a lot of space for the provision of the required infrastructure.
Its classrooms are too small with leaking roofs while the cemented floors have not been renovated over the years, thereby producing dust during dry season.
Such a deplorable situation makes it difficult for classes to be conducted because when it rains, the rain water sips in the classroom while during the harmattan period, the classrooms become so dusty that the occupants find it difficult to breathe notwithstanding the dirt on uniforms, dresses, books and other educational materials.
There is also no assembly and dinning halls, accommodation for staff, except the headmaster who is using a ramshackle edifice on the school compound.
In reality, the school has a myriad of problems and at a certain period, the Ghana Education Service attempted to close it down had it not been the intervention of Otwasuom Nyampong and other chiefs and opinion leaders who worked around the clock and provided some of the basic facilities needed to avert its closure.
Despite such numerous problems, the school has over the years produced good students some of who entered the universities and other tertiary institutions.
Making bare its hydra-headed problems during the inauguration of the robes of the school choir at its premises recently, the Headmaster, Mr Joseph K. Aziaka said in spite of the numerous problems, the continued to produce good students.
He stated that enrolment had not been encouraging, with the student population currently standing at 262 comprising 150 boys and 111 girls.
Mr Aziaka said the difficulties facing the staff had not o deterred them from putting up their best and praised them for their dedicated services.
Mr Aziaka specifically mentioned staff members such as Messrs Vincent Ashie, Samuel Ahiadze, and Simon Ayivor for combining academic work with music that had enabled the school to form a choir to attract new students.
He also commended Otwasuom Nyanpong and others for their invaluable contributions that had enabled the school to continue to exist.
“Adjena Senior High Technical School has come to stay due to the tremendous assistance rendered by Otswsuom Osei Nyampong and others as well as the staff who also made a lot of sacrifices to guide the students academically for greater heights”, he told the gathering made up of past students and parents present to grace the occasion.
According to the headmaster, the school which has never organised a speech and prize-giving day due to its deplorable situation, hopes to do so in the near future.
He said “Unless help comes from Macedonia, such a memorable occasion in which students who distinguish themselves in the various subjects are awarded prizes to encourage them to study may be a mirage”.
This calls for the necessary assistance from stakeholders, especially the GES to ensure that the basic facilities are provided to the school without delay.
Basic facilities such as furniture if provided together with proper infrastructure for the classrooms, administration, and accommodation for staff, would transform the Adjena Senior Technical School to become one of the best in the region to cater for pupils in the very deprived area where poverty is the order of the day.
In the long term, that assistance would have a positive impact on the community since the school’s products most of who come from the area, would help in its development.
The settlement was to settle land owners and farmers in the catchments areas of the River Volta whose arable lands had been flooded by the waters of the river to create the Volta Lake for Ghana’s first hydro electric project at Akosombo.
As expected, the VRA put up concrete buildings for the settlers to replace their mud houses which were washed away by the flood waters.
Initially, the village and the nearby communities had no basic school to cater for children of school age in the area so it was decided to establish one, which eventually took off in 1974.
That educational set up comprising a primary and middle school which was later transformed to a Junior Secondary School now (Junior High School) produced pupils for second-cycle educational institutions, although their grades were not too good compared with pupils in basic schools in the urban areas.
However, due to the non-availability of a Senior High School (SHS) in the area, many of such students had their dream of continuing with their education cut short, except those whose parents could afford.
Those students were privileged to be enrolled in second-cycle schools in far-away places such as Krobo Odumase, Somanya, Koforidua or Accra.
The only nearby second-cycle school, the Akosombo International School, could not also admit them because it catered for its employees and few other students outside with high academic grades.
The unfortunate pupils from the locality who could not secure those institutions were left in the limbo.
To address the imbalance, a prominent chief of the area, Otwasuom Osei Nyampong together with other Nananom and opinion leaders in the area decided to work for the establishment of a SHS which materialised with the transformation of the local JHS into a Senior High/Technical School in 1979, producing its first graduates in 1982.
The school which is a day institution, lacks almost all the necessary infrastructure and facilities that a SHS should have although it is located in a serene atmosphere with a lot of space for the provision of the required infrastructure.
Its classrooms are too small with leaking roofs while the cemented floors have not been renovated over the years, thereby producing dust during dry season.
Such a deplorable situation makes it difficult for classes to be conducted because when it rains, the rain water sips in the classroom while during the harmattan period, the classrooms become so dusty that the occupants find it difficult to breathe notwithstanding the dirt on uniforms, dresses, books and other educational materials.
There is also no assembly and dinning halls, accommodation for staff, except the headmaster who is using a ramshackle edifice on the school compound.
In reality, the school has a myriad of problems and at a certain period, the Ghana Education Service attempted to close it down had it not been the intervention of Otwasuom Nyampong and other chiefs and opinion leaders who worked around the clock and provided some of the basic facilities needed to avert its closure.
Despite such numerous problems, the school has over the years produced good students some of who entered the universities and other tertiary institutions.
Making bare its hydra-headed problems during the inauguration of the robes of the school choir at its premises recently, the Headmaster, Mr Joseph K. Aziaka said in spite of the numerous problems, the continued to produce good students.
He stated that enrolment had not been encouraging, with the student population currently standing at 262 comprising 150 boys and 111 girls.
Mr Aziaka said the difficulties facing the staff had not o deterred them from putting up their best and praised them for their dedicated services.
Mr Aziaka specifically mentioned staff members such as Messrs Vincent Ashie, Samuel Ahiadze, and Simon Ayivor for combining academic work with music that had enabled the school to form a choir to attract new students.
He also commended Otwasuom Nyanpong and others for their invaluable contributions that had enabled the school to continue to exist.
“Adjena Senior High Technical School has come to stay due to the tremendous assistance rendered by Otswsuom Osei Nyampong and others as well as the staff who also made a lot of sacrifices to guide the students academically for greater heights”, he told the gathering made up of past students and parents present to grace the occasion.
According to the headmaster, the school which has never organised a speech and prize-giving day due to its deplorable situation, hopes to do so in the near future.
He said “Unless help comes from Macedonia, such a memorable occasion in which students who distinguish themselves in the various subjects are awarded prizes to encourage them to study may be a mirage”.
This calls for the necessary assistance from stakeholders, especially the GES to ensure that the basic facilities are provided to the school without delay.
Basic facilities such as furniture if provided together with proper infrastructure for the classrooms, administration, and accommodation for staff, would transform the Adjena Senior Technical School to become one of the best in the region to cater for pupils in the very deprived area where poverty is the order of the day.
In the long term, that assistance would have a positive impact on the community since the school’s products most of who come from the area, would help in its development.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
PARAGLIDING FESTIVAL RESUMES NEXT YEAR — REGIONAL MINISTER (SPREAD)
THE Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council has promised the people of Kwahu that it will reintroduce the Paragliding Festival on the Kwahu Mountain next year and make it sustainable.
The festival, which has been integrated into the Easter festivities, could not be staged this year due to financial reasons, thus disappointing a lot of people who trooped to the area at the weekend purposely to witness the gliders fly.
In the past, it brought together seasoned gliders from various parts of the world such as Australia, France, the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa, who took off from a launching pad on top of the Odwen Anoma Mountain at Atibie to encircle in the sky for some time before landing at Nkawkaw.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said a lot of money had to be secured for the organisation of the festival to cater for the travelling and other expenses of the gliders and his administration would soon come out with a modality for its sustenance.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo gave the assurance when he addressed a durbar to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the installation of Nana Atuobi Yiadom 1V, the Chief of Nkwatia, and pledged that the festival would be organised next year.
Throwing more light on how to secure funding for the festival, he said the Regional Co-ordinating Council would be collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism, the district assemblies in the Kwahu area, as well as other stakeholders, in that respect.
,He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to play the roles expected of them for the sustenance of the festival.
The festival, which has been integrated into the Easter festivities, could not be staged this year due to financial reasons, thus disappointing a lot of people who trooped to the area at the weekend purposely to witness the gliders fly.
In the past, it brought together seasoned gliders from various parts of the world such as Australia, France, the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa, who took off from a launching pad on top of the Odwen Anoma Mountain at Atibie to encircle in the sky for some time before landing at Nkawkaw.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said a lot of money had to be secured for the organisation of the festival to cater for the travelling and other expenses of the gliders and his administration would soon come out with a modality for its sustenance.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo gave the assurance when he addressed a durbar to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the installation of Nana Atuobi Yiadom 1V, the Chief of Nkwatia, and pledged that the festival would be organised next year.
Throwing more light on how to secure funding for the festival, he said the Regional Co-ordinating Council would be collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism, the district assemblies in the Kwahu area, as well as other stakeholders, in that respect.
,He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to play the roles expected of them for the sustenance of the festival.
KOFORIDUA CHURCHES HOLD MINI CONVENTIONS (PAGE 21)
Various churches in Koforidua organised mini conventions to celebrate the Easter.
The Church of Pentecost organised two conventions, which were addressed by the Koforidua Area Head of the church, Pastor Samuel K. Ofosu, who used the occasion to thank God for peace that had prevailed in the country after last year’s general election.
Basing his preaching on Psalm 31 and Numbers 35, he wondered why Christian festivals such as Easter had now become festivals for evil doing, which had the tendency to create problems for society.
He stressed the need for Christians to lead decent lives.
The Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, urged Ghanaians to use the Easter period to reconcile and bury their political differences to help move the country forward.
He also appealed parents and religious leaders to help mould the character of the youth to enable them to grow up and become disciplined citizens.
Nana Konadu Agyeman also reports from Koforidua that at the Light House Church at Adweso, Pastor David Yalley called on Christians to use the Easter as a period to seek God first in all their endeavours to enable them to enjoy the blessings, joy, happiness and love that “we yearn for so much in life”.
“Since life without God could be full of frustrations, we must always seek Christ who can direct our footsteps to enable us to enjoy the good things of life, such as children, long life, love, material wealth and happiness, that we are always desperately looking for”, Pastor Yalley said.
He also appealed to Christians not to allow themselves to be distracted by worldly pleasures, stressing “The resurrection of Christ should remind us of the blessings that await us here on earth and in Heaven”.
The Church of Pentecost organised two conventions, which were addressed by the Koforidua Area Head of the church, Pastor Samuel K. Ofosu, who used the occasion to thank God for peace that had prevailed in the country after last year’s general election.
Basing his preaching on Psalm 31 and Numbers 35, he wondered why Christian festivals such as Easter had now become festivals for evil doing, which had the tendency to create problems for society.
He stressed the need for Christians to lead decent lives.
The Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, urged Ghanaians to use the Easter period to reconcile and bury their political differences to help move the country forward.
He also appealed parents and religious leaders to help mould the character of the youth to enable them to grow up and become disciplined citizens.
Nana Konadu Agyeman also reports from Koforidua that at the Light House Church at Adweso, Pastor David Yalley called on Christians to use the Easter as a period to seek God first in all their endeavours to enable them to enjoy the blessings, joy, happiness and love that “we yearn for so much in life”.
“Since life without God could be full of frustrations, we must always seek Christ who can direct our footsteps to enable us to enjoy the good things of life, such as children, long life, love, material wealth and happiness, that we are always desperately looking for”, Pastor Yalley said.
He also appealed to Christians not to allow themselves to be distracted by worldly pleasures, stressing “The resurrection of Christ should remind us of the blessings that await us here on earth and in Heaven”.
KWAHU PROJECTS WILL CONTINUE (BACK PAGE)
THE President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has assured the people of the Kwahu Traditional Area that his administration will complete all feasible ongoing projects in the area.
That, he said, was due to the fact that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration was determined to depart from the practice of undoing the valuable contributions of its predecessor.
The President gave the assurance in a speech read on his behalf by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, at a durbar organised last Saturday by the chiefs and people of Nkwatia to mark the 50th anniversary of the installation of Nana Atuobi Yiadom IV as the Nkwatiahene.
The occasion also marked the 10th anniversary of Nana Atuobi Yiadom as Sanaahene of Kwahu.
It was attended by a large number of people and dignitaries including the Beponghene, Nana Nyarko Bawuah II, who represented the Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoa Boateng.
According to President Mills, as a nation it is important for us to accept and add value to what worked well and change course only when it was deemed to be in the national interest, adding that ongoing feasible projects in any part of the Eastern Region, particularly in the Kwahu Traditional Area would be continued.
“In fact no part of the country will be neglected under the NDC Government; we have come to serve and you can rely on us”, President Mills assured the people.
He said his administration was also determined to improve the standard of living of the people and that was why it had also decided to continue with a number of initiatives such as the National Youth Employment Programme, which would be widened and the Capitation Grant, which it had also increased from GH¢3 to ¢4.50.
The National Health Insurance Scheme, he stated, would also be improved.
With regard to how best to confront the global economic crisis, he said there was the urgent need for all to be patriotic and make sacrifices to support the government to enable it to respond adequately to the socio-economic needs of the people.
On HIV/AIDS, President Mills cautioned people, especially the youth, not to do anything that would make them to contract the pandemic due to its negative effects on the individual, family and the nation.
He also stated that since the annual Kwahu Easter celebrations had now become a potential tourist attraction, the assemblies in the area would collaborate with the major stakeholders to promote it.
President Mills, who presented drinks and GH¢10,000 to the Nkwatiahene, expressed the hope that he would live long to lead his people in all spheres of human endeavour.
The Nkwatiahene expressed his appreciation to the past and present governments for their support in providing some social amenities in the area.
He, however, said since some of the projects such as the rehabilitation of the Asakraka-Nkwatia Road had not been completed, the government should ensure its completion as soon as possible.
The Nkwatiahene also appealed to the government to build a bridge over the Afram arm of the Volta Lake and provide a ferry on the lake to facilitate transportation in the area.
That, he said, was due to the fact that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration was determined to depart from the practice of undoing the valuable contributions of its predecessor.
The President gave the assurance in a speech read on his behalf by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, at a durbar organised last Saturday by the chiefs and people of Nkwatia to mark the 50th anniversary of the installation of Nana Atuobi Yiadom IV as the Nkwatiahene.
The occasion also marked the 10th anniversary of Nana Atuobi Yiadom as Sanaahene of Kwahu.
It was attended by a large number of people and dignitaries including the Beponghene, Nana Nyarko Bawuah II, who represented the Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoa Boateng.
According to President Mills, as a nation it is important for us to accept and add value to what worked well and change course only when it was deemed to be in the national interest, adding that ongoing feasible projects in any part of the Eastern Region, particularly in the Kwahu Traditional Area would be continued.
“In fact no part of the country will be neglected under the NDC Government; we have come to serve and you can rely on us”, President Mills assured the people.
He said his administration was also determined to improve the standard of living of the people and that was why it had also decided to continue with a number of initiatives such as the National Youth Employment Programme, which would be widened and the Capitation Grant, which it had also increased from GH¢3 to ¢4.50.
The National Health Insurance Scheme, he stated, would also be improved.
With regard to how best to confront the global economic crisis, he said there was the urgent need for all to be patriotic and make sacrifices to support the government to enable it to respond adequately to the socio-economic needs of the people.
On HIV/AIDS, President Mills cautioned people, especially the youth, not to do anything that would make them to contract the pandemic due to its negative effects on the individual, family and the nation.
He also stated that since the annual Kwahu Easter celebrations had now become a potential tourist attraction, the assemblies in the area would collaborate with the major stakeholders to promote it.
President Mills, who presented drinks and GH¢10,000 to the Nkwatiahene, expressed the hope that he would live long to lead his people in all spheres of human endeavour.
The Nkwatiahene expressed his appreciation to the past and present governments for their support in providing some social amenities in the area.
He, however, said since some of the projects such as the rehabilitation of the Asakraka-Nkwatia Road had not been completed, the government should ensure its completion as soon as possible.
The Nkwatiahene also appealed to the government to build a bridge over the Afram arm of the Volta Lake and provide a ferry on the lake to facilitate transportation in the area.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
HUNGER PROJECT TRAINS TBAs (PAGE 39)
SEVEN traditional birth attendants (TBAs) drawn from remote areas of the Fanteakwa District have been taken through the basic rudiments of child delivery.
The four-day programme, which took place at the District Hospital at Begoro, was sponsored by Hunger Project-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the empowerment of people in various aspects of life, especially women in rural communities.
The participants, most of who were in their middle ages and had already been practising as TBAs, were selected from communities such as Obuete, Nteso, Abuoso, Ososo Trawa and Prekumase.
Addressing the closing ceremony, the Fanteakwa District Director of Health Service, Dr C.N. Aduamah, who was also one of the resource persons, said although the TBAs performed creditably, some of them did not normally refer serious cases to the hospitals on time, leading to maternal deaths.
Dr Aduamah advised the TBAs to put into practice what they had learnt and expressed the hope that they would refer serious cases to the hospitals on time.
The course prefect, Madam Rita Teki Akwetey, on behalf of her colleagues, gave the assurance that they would follow the guidelines provided them for the safety of mothers and their new-born babies.
The Country Director of Hunger Project-Ghana, Dr Naana Agyemang-Mensah, said her outfit decided to sponsor the training of the TBAs in the remote communities to be able to perform well because of the difficulties expectant mothers from such areas had to go through in covering the long distances to the hospitals.
She stated that her outfit had earlier trained a number of TBAs in other rural communities as a result of which they had performed without any maternal or infant mortality.
Dr Agyeman-Mensah gave the assurance that her outfit would also continue to empower women in all aspects of life.
She expressed her appreciation to the health workers in the Fanteakwa District for training the TBAs.
All the trainees were later provided the necessary medical kits free of charge to be used in their operations.
The four-day programme, which took place at the District Hospital at Begoro, was sponsored by Hunger Project-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the empowerment of people in various aspects of life, especially women in rural communities.
The participants, most of who were in their middle ages and had already been practising as TBAs, were selected from communities such as Obuete, Nteso, Abuoso, Ososo Trawa and Prekumase.
Addressing the closing ceremony, the Fanteakwa District Director of Health Service, Dr C.N. Aduamah, who was also one of the resource persons, said although the TBAs performed creditably, some of them did not normally refer serious cases to the hospitals on time, leading to maternal deaths.
Dr Aduamah advised the TBAs to put into practice what they had learnt and expressed the hope that they would refer serious cases to the hospitals on time.
The course prefect, Madam Rita Teki Akwetey, on behalf of her colleagues, gave the assurance that they would follow the guidelines provided them for the safety of mothers and their new-born babies.
The Country Director of Hunger Project-Ghana, Dr Naana Agyemang-Mensah, said her outfit decided to sponsor the training of the TBAs in the remote communities to be able to perform well because of the difficulties expectant mothers from such areas had to go through in covering the long distances to the hospitals.
She stated that her outfit had earlier trained a number of TBAs in other rural communities as a result of which they had performed without any maternal or infant mortality.
Dr Agyeman-Mensah gave the assurance that her outfit would also continue to empower women in all aspects of life.
She expressed her appreciation to the health workers in the Fanteakwa District for training the TBAs.
All the trainees were later provided the necessary medical kits free of charge to be used in their operations.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
AKUAPEM MAMPONG PRESBY CHURCH IS 150 (PAGE 20)
December 27, this year will be exactly 150 years when the Basel (Presbyterian) missionaries established a church (Trinity Congregation) at Akuapem Mampong.
In preparation for that historic occasion, a large number of the church members in the various communities in the area such as Abotakyi converged on the Trinity Presbyterian Congregation at Mampong to launch the event.
The event was on the theme: “Put on the whole armour of God: Behold the works of the Lord”.
Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony were the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr William O. Boafo and the Chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery of the church, Rev (Dr) J.O.Y. Mante.
Although no specific programme has been released for the occasion, the church has decided to put up a modern residential accommodation (Manse) for the resident reverend minister at Mampong before December 27, this year.
According to the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr Michael Anguah, facilities that would boost the morale of the resident reverend minister and others that would cater for the vocational training of the youth would be put up.
Mr Anguah stated that although the church had over the past 150 years helped mould the character of the people in the area, its membership had not witnessed any significant increase.
He, therefore, called on each member of the congregation to at least draw three persons a year to the church.
Speaking at the function, Rev (Dr) Mantey gave a vivid historical account of the establishment of the church in the area, adding that initially the inhabitants refused to become Christians with the explanation that Christianity was a religion for the White people (Europeans) but not Blacks (Africans).
According to him, such a situation compelled the early missionaries to bring in their colleague Blacks from the West Indies to help propagate the gospel, which won the hearts of the indigenous people some of who were put to death for their belief.
“It was not easy at all for the early missionaries and the converts because some of them had their houses burnt while others paid dearly with their life,” Rev (Dr) Mantey told the congregation.
Later in a sermon based on Hebrew Chapter 12 verse one, Rev (Dr) Mantey said in life one had to go through difficulties, at times at one’s peril and that was exactly what the early missionaries and converts went through.
He said as true Christians, they never lost hope and finally succeeded not only in establishing the church on the Akuapem Scarps, but also built schools, adding that Christianity and education had helped improve society.
Rev (Dr) Mantey urged members of the congregation to strictly follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ and continue from where the early missionaries and converts left off.
He added that it was only in such a direction that the Presbyterian Church would continue to gain grounds in Akuapem.
In his address, Mr Boafo enjoined Christians to always speak the truth and not allow others to mislead them.
He also advised the youth not to rush to become rich overnight but rather work hard for a better future.
More than GH¢9,000 was realised during an appeal for funds out of which Mr Boafo donated GH¢1,000.
In preparation for that historic occasion, a large number of the church members in the various communities in the area such as Abotakyi converged on the Trinity Presbyterian Congregation at Mampong to launch the event.
The event was on the theme: “Put on the whole armour of God: Behold the works of the Lord”.
Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony were the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr William O. Boafo and the Chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery of the church, Rev (Dr) J.O.Y. Mante.
Although no specific programme has been released for the occasion, the church has decided to put up a modern residential accommodation (Manse) for the resident reverend minister at Mampong before December 27, this year.
According to the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr Michael Anguah, facilities that would boost the morale of the resident reverend minister and others that would cater for the vocational training of the youth would be put up.
Mr Anguah stated that although the church had over the past 150 years helped mould the character of the people in the area, its membership had not witnessed any significant increase.
He, therefore, called on each member of the congregation to at least draw three persons a year to the church.
Speaking at the function, Rev (Dr) Mantey gave a vivid historical account of the establishment of the church in the area, adding that initially the inhabitants refused to become Christians with the explanation that Christianity was a religion for the White people (Europeans) but not Blacks (Africans).
According to him, such a situation compelled the early missionaries to bring in their colleague Blacks from the West Indies to help propagate the gospel, which won the hearts of the indigenous people some of who were put to death for their belief.
“It was not easy at all for the early missionaries and the converts because some of them had their houses burnt while others paid dearly with their life,” Rev (Dr) Mantey told the congregation.
Later in a sermon based on Hebrew Chapter 12 verse one, Rev (Dr) Mantey said in life one had to go through difficulties, at times at one’s peril and that was exactly what the early missionaries and converts went through.
He said as true Christians, they never lost hope and finally succeeded not only in establishing the church on the Akuapem Scarps, but also built schools, adding that Christianity and education had helped improve society.
Rev (Dr) Mantey urged members of the congregation to strictly follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ and continue from where the early missionaries and converts left off.
He added that it was only in such a direction that the Presbyterian Church would continue to gain grounds in Akuapem.
In his address, Mr Boafo enjoined Christians to always speak the truth and not allow others to mislead them.
He also advised the youth not to rush to become rich overnight but rather work hard for a better future.
More than GH¢9,000 was realised during an appeal for funds out of which Mr Boafo donated GH¢1,000.
MANAGING WASTE IN THE EASTERN REGION...Zoomlion to the rescue (PAGE 20)
IMPROPER refuse management or disposal has since the colonial period been the main problem facing the various local councils in the country, especially the metropolises and the big towns.
Due to lack of equipment and logistics to clear refuse, most of the cities and towns were choked with refuse, and some of the refuse dumps that had not been cleared for years had became mountains emitting a pungent smell with flies hovering around them.
Such an unsanitary situation gave rise to epidemics such as cholera and dysentery, especially in the big towns where for lack of space, food sellers and vendors had to sell at refuse areas with swam of flies depositing all sorts of germs on the food.
The Eastern Region, which has some of the largest towns with fairly large concentration of people like other parts of the country, faced such a deplorable situation although not in similar magnitude as the metropolises such as Accra, Kumasi or Tamale.
Towns such as Koforidua, the regional capital, Akyem Oda, Somanya, Agormanya, Nkawkaw, Suhum, Old Tafo, and New Tafo, particularly were experiencing problems of waste management before 2006.
Although the various municipal and district assemblies did their best to clear the communities of filth and evacuate the mountainous refuse dumps at vicinities such as the Koforidua Railway Station and the Agormanya Market, the irregularity of the evacuation and the inability to cover most of the communities made such communities to be engulfed in filth.
To address the problem, it was decided to engage Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a private waste collection firm, to assist the assemblies to execute the job throughout the country.
Zoomlion, which was contracted under the National Youth Employment Programme (to engage the unemployed youth), entered the region in 2006 and started work in partnership with the assemblies. Zoomlion assisted by providing sanitation equipment in addition to the actual disposal of refuse, mostly solid waste.
The company with a little over 1,000 workers, 1,050 refuse collection tricycles, 35 operational vehicles and numerous sanitation tools, has been able to operate in all the 21 political entities in the region comprising six municipalities and 16 districts, clearing choked gutters, sweeping all corners, especially public places of convenience and excavating the remnants of the heaps of refuse.
In all, Zoomlion disposes about 14,312 tonnes of refuse (solid waste) monthly and the bulk of the refuse is generated in the municipalities such as New Juaben, Birim Central, Kwahu West and West Akyem.
According to Mr Ernest Kusi, the Eastern Regional Supervisor of Zoomlion, although refuse collection in the region had not been easy, his outfit was doing its best to ensure that the task given to the company would be executed to perfection.
Mr Kusi said at the time Zoomlion started work in the region, it was not easy for the assemblies to maintain a clean environment although they were doing their best, as such Zoomlion had to offer the necessary support which had helped a lot.
“We entered the region to tackle the issue on all fronts at the same time, in communities both large and small in all the districts. Each of the districts has been allocated 50 of the tricycles and assorted sanitation tools.
“Our main objective is to find a lasting solution to waste management by efficiently and effectively building the capacity of the local assemblies in waste management, provide brand new waste management vehicles and to use simple technology (tricycle) to clear refuse,” Mr Kusi stated.
Another point worth noting is that Zoomlion apart from assisting the assemblies in refuse disposal also periodically undertakes infestation exercises, spraying specific areas to get rid of harmful insects and pungent smell.
It has also entered into agreement with a number of individuals and institutions in the region to help manage their waste products.
They include 1,197 people whose household waste is collected from door-to door, corporate entities such as the Regional Hospital, Midwifery and Nurses’ Training College, both in Koforidua, Chocho Industries at Suhum, the Atua Government Hospital near Odumase-Krobo, the Atibie Government Hospital at Atibie Kwahu and the Akuse Senior High School.
Touching on its future plan, Mr Kusi said Zoomlion would soon be recycling 90 per cent of solid waste generated in the region and also undertake a sustainable public education programme on the proper disposal of waste.
The company’s operation in the region has won the confidence of the people including top officials of the assemblies.
For instance, the Deputy Co-ordinating Director of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Mr Adu-Owusu Yeboah, was full of praise for Zoomlion, stressing that the company had lived up to expectation.
The Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, however, said “although Zoomlion has helped to manage waste in the region, there is the need for a sustainable public education on indiscriminate disposal of waste, as well as the provision of receptacles at all vantage points in the communities”.
“District Assemblies must learn from Zoomlion in building their own capacity, developing good working attitude on waste management while drains must be covered to prevent people from depositing waste products in them and these would go a long way to improve sanitation in the communities,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
It is hoped that the company will be able to sustain such a credible performance to justify its engagement for the job.
Due to lack of equipment and logistics to clear refuse, most of the cities and towns were choked with refuse, and some of the refuse dumps that had not been cleared for years had became mountains emitting a pungent smell with flies hovering around them.
Such an unsanitary situation gave rise to epidemics such as cholera and dysentery, especially in the big towns where for lack of space, food sellers and vendors had to sell at refuse areas with swam of flies depositing all sorts of germs on the food.
The Eastern Region, which has some of the largest towns with fairly large concentration of people like other parts of the country, faced such a deplorable situation although not in similar magnitude as the metropolises such as Accra, Kumasi or Tamale.
Towns such as Koforidua, the regional capital, Akyem Oda, Somanya, Agormanya, Nkawkaw, Suhum, Old Tafo, and New Tafo, particularly were experiencing problems of waste management before 2006.
Although the various municipal and district assemblies did their best to clear the communities of filth and evacuate the mountainous refuse dumps at vicinities such as the Koforidua Railway Station and the Agormanya Market, the irregularity of the evacuation and the inability to cover most of the communities made such communities to be engulfed in filth.
To address the problem, it was decided to engage Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a private waste collection firm, to assist the assemblies to execute the job throughout the country.
Zoomlion, which was contracted under the National Youth Employment Programme (to engage the unemployed youth), entered the region in 2006 and started work in partnership with the assemblies. Zoomlion assisted by providing sanitation equipment in addition to the actual disposal of refuse, mostly solid waste.
The company with a little over 1,000 workers, 1,050 refuse collection tricycles, 35 operational vehicles and numerous sanitation tools, has been able to operate in all the 21 political entities in the region comprising six municipalities and 16 districts, clearing choked gutters, sweeping all corners, especially public places of convenience and excavating the remnants of the heaps of refuse.
In all, Zoomlion disposes about 14,312 tonnes of refuse (solid waste) monthly and the bulk of the refuse is generated in the municipalities such as New Juaben, Birim Central, Kwahu West and West Akyem.
According to Mr Ernest Kusi, the Eastern Regional Supervisor of Zoomlion, although refuse collection in the region had not been easy, his outfit was doing its best to ensure that the task given to the company would be executed to perfection.
Mr Kusi said at the time Zoomlion started work in the region, it was not easy for the assemblies to maintain a clean environment although they were doing their best, as such Zoomlion had to offer the necessary support which had helped a lot.
“We entered the region to tackle the issue on all fronts at the same time, in communities both large and small in all the districts. Each of the districts has been allocated 50 of the tricycles and assorted sanitation tools.
“Our main objective is to find a lasting solution to waste management by efficiently and effectively building the capacity of the local assemblies in waste management, provide brand new waste management vehicles and to use simple technology (tricycle) to clear refuse,” Mr Kusi stated.
Another point worth noting is that Zoomlion apart from assisting the assemblies in refuse disposal also periodically undertakes infestation exercises, spraying specific areas to get rid of harmful insects and pungent smell.
It has also entered into agreement with a number of individuals and institutions in the region to help manage their waste products.
They include 1,197 people whose household waste is collected from door-to door, corporate entities such as the Regional Hospital, Midwifery and Nurses’ Training College, both in Koforidua, Chocho Industries at Suhum, the Atua Government Hospital near Odumase-Krobo, the Atibie Government Hospital at Atibie Kwahu and the Akuse Senior High School.
Touching on its future plan, Mr Kusi said Zoomlion would soon be recycling 90 per cent of solid waste generated in the region and also undertake a sustainable public education programme on the proper disposal of waste.
The company’s operation in the region has won the confidence of the people including top officials of the assemblies.
For instance, the Deputy Co-ordinating Director of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Mr Adu-Owusu Yeboah, was full of praise for Zoomlion, stressing that the company had lived up to expectation.
The Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, however, said “although Zoomlion has helped to manage waste in the region, there is the need for a sustainable public education on indiscriminate disposal of waste, as well as the provision of receptacles at all vantage points in the communities”.
“District Assemblies must learn from Zoomlion in building their own capacity, developing good working attitude on waste management while drains must be covered to prevent people from depositing waste products in them and these would go a long way to improve sanitation in the communities,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
It is hoped that the company will be able to sustain such a credible performance to justify its engagement for the job.
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