THE Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has stated that the long delay in the migration of its members to the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) was due to low placement of teachers on the structure which the association was trying to correct.
It said the long delay would not negatively affect its members since any arrears due them would be paid when they finally migrated to the SSSS.
The SSSS was to have taken effect from January 2010.
Speaking at a press conference in Koforidua after an executive meeting, the President of the association, Mr Paul A. Apanga, said after CoEn Consulting firm, which was mandated to do job evaluation and grading had completed the exercise, it was realised that placements of teachers on the SSSS had been low.
Mr Apanga, who was flanked by and other executive members of GNAT the General Secretary, Mrs Irene Duncan Adanusa, said GNAT and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), therefore, rejected the low placements and insisted that the necessary corrections be made.
It was in view of this, he noted, that the Ghana Education Service (GES) put together a committee with membership from GNAT, NAGRAT, GES and the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) to deal with the issue, adding that the committee’s meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) held last Friday had been fruitful.
Mr Apanga said it was better to spend time to correct the anomaly than rushing onto the SSSS with the distortions that would impact negatively on its members. “We think that a delay which will ensure that no single teacher is disadvantaged when we are finally rolled onto the SSSS is far better than rushing onto it to encounter unforeseen problems that may defy all solutions”.
“GNAT wishes to assure its members that it will not decline to offer its expertise in all areas regarding the exercise to get the job done in order to get teachers to roll onto the SSSS at the earliest possible time”, Mr Apanga stated.
When asked about the inability of the government to pay the arrears effective January, 2010 due to the large number of teachers totalling about 170,000, Mr Apanga said based on the assurance given by President John Evans Atta Mills, teachers would get all arrears paid to them.
On Ghana’s oil find and consequent drilling in commercial quantities, GNAT commended the various agencies and the executive arm of government for the lead role they were playing in getting a better deal on the issue.
It also congratulated Ghanaians for their ability to manage the country’s democracy and specifically praised the executive, judiciary, legislature and the media in that respect.
With regard to the current political confusion in Cote d’Ivoire, GNAT called on the government to stick to the position that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had taken to bring sanity to that country since the disturbances would have rippling effects on Ghana.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
BLIND & DEAF STUENT NOW POULTRY FARMER (PAGE 22, DEC 28, 2010)
IT was a mixture of joy and sorrow when a 24-year-old blind and deaf graduate of the Demonstration School for the Deaf at Mampong-Akuapem, Mr Yoa Sampana was robed with an academic gown to begin life on his own.
Sampana, who was born deaf and blind, had stayed in the school for 15 years during which he went through a functional academic programme (the study of English Language and Basic Accounting), as well as vocations such as poultry and snail rearing).
While some of the parents of the disabled students present could not hold back their tears, officials and others at the function, including the parents of Sampana, Mr Yaw Asiedu Moro, a Security Officer of the Presbyterian College of Education at Akropong-Akuapem and the wife, Madam Ama Asibi, were however filled with joy because Sampana, who was a burden to them, could now generate an income for livelihood.
To ensure that Sampana does not stay long at home, the school with the support of Hilton/Perkins, a human- centred organisation in the United States, has set up a small poultry farm for him in his house.
Sampana’s graduation also coincided with the 15th annual workshop for parents of deaf-blind children during which two resource persons, Mr Kafui Kum and Mrs Ayisha Frimpong took the parents through basic sign language lessons to enable them communicate effectively with their children.
Addressing the gathering, the Akuapem North District Special Education Co-ordinator, Mrs Asiama Bekoe, advised parents of disabled children not to hide them at home but to send them to special schools to be trained because they
could be assisted to make a living.
“Do not hide them in rooms, send them out to functions to mix with society and also to school to be trained to make a living,” Mrs Bekoe told the parents.
The Unit Head and Low Vision Co-ordinator of the Education of Visually Impaired, Mr Seth Nyame, who also read the speech of Ms Rosemond Blay, the Director Special Education Division, said it was the primary responsibility of parents to support
their disabled children.
He said since they could only do that effectively through the learning of sign language, they should make it a point to participate in workshops organised in that respect.
Ms Blay called for the implementation of the Disability Law which was passed in 2006 to create the necessary employment opportunities for such unfortunate persons.
He expressed her gratitude to all individuals and organisations that had assisted the disabled, especially the Christofel Blindien Mission.
An official of the Akuapem North District Directorate of Education, Mr Opoku Addo, who chaired the function, said it was sad that previous governments had paid
lip-service to the welfare of people with disabilities and called for a change in such an attitude.
Earlier, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Agnes Akakpo, said the school was facing serious challenges and appealed for assistance from individuals and organisations.
Sampana, who was born deaf and blind, had stayed in the school for 15 years during which he went through a functional academic programme (the study of English Language and Basic Accounting), as well as vocations such as poultry and snail rearing).
While some of the parents of the disabled students present could not hold back their tears, officials and others at the function, including the parents of Sampana, Mr Yaw Asiedu Moro, a Security Officer of the Presbyterian College of Education at Akropong-Akuapem and the wife, Madam Ama Asibi, were however filled with joy because Sampana, who was a burden to them, could now generate an income for livelihood.
To ensure that Sampana does not stay long at home, the school with the support of Hilton/Perkins, a human- centred organisation in the United States, has set up a small poultry farm for him in his house.
Sampana’s graduation also coincided with the 15th annual workshop for parents of deaf-blind children during which two resource persons, Mr Kafui Kum and Mrs Ayisha Frimpong took the parents through basic sign language lessons to enable them communicate effectively with their children.
Addressing the gathering, the Akuapem North District Special Education Co-ordinator, Mrs Asiama Bekoe, advised parents of disabled children not to hide them at home but to send them to special schools to be trained because they
could be assisted to make a living.
“Do not hide them in rooms, send them out to functions to mix with society and also to school to be trained to make a living,” Mrs Bekoe told the parents.
The Unit Head and Low Vision Co-ordinator of the Education of Visually Impaired, Mr Seth Nyame, who also read the speech of Ms Rosemond Blay, the Director Special Education Division, said it was the primary responsibility of parents to support
their disabled children.
He said since they could only do that effectively through the learning of sign language, they should make it a point to participate in workshops organised in that respect.
Ms Blay called for the implementation of the Disability Law which was passed in 2006 to create the necessary employment opportunities for such unfortunate persons.
He expressed her gratitude to all individuals and organisations that had assisted the disabled, especially the Christofel Blindien Mission.
An official of the Akuapem North District Directorate of Education, Mr Opoku Addo, who chaired the function, said it was sad that previous governments had paid
lip-service to the welfare of people with disabilities and called for a change in such an attitude.
Earlier, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Agnes Akakpo, said the school was facing serious challenges and appealed for assistance from individuals and organisations.
TSOSAM ADJUDGED KWAHU SOUTH BEST FARMER (PAGE 22, DEC 28, 2010)
A FIFTY-SIX-year-old farmer from Kwahu Amanfrom, Mr Jonas Tsosam, was adjudged this year’s overall best farmer in the Kwahu South District in the Eastern Region.
Mr Tsosam has been a professional farmer for the past 26 years, cultivating many cash and food crops, as well as engaging in poultry production.
Mr Tsosam received a bicycle, a full piece of wax print, a spraying machine, five machetes, 10 roofing sheets, a 21-inch colour television set and a certificate as his prize.
About 30 other farmers including women who also distinguished themselves in the cultivation of various crops, animal rearing, as well as fish farming, and an agricultural extension officer were also honoured.
They received various items such as spraying machines, machetes, Wellington boots, wax prints and roofing sheets.
Presenting the items to them at a ceremony at Kwahu Ntomeng, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Omari, praised farmers in the district for their hard work.
To boost food production in the district, Mr Omari said 64 young men and women had been supplied with the necessary inputs such as maize seeds and fertiliser to cultivate 75 acres of maize in the area during the major season, while an acre of rice demonstration farm had been established at Formanso to train the youth in rice cultivation.
The DCE stated that this year, 21,424 hectares of cocoa farms belonging to 5,744 farmers had been given special attention with regard to black pod and capsid disease control.
He said 300 cockerels had been distributed to 44 farmers to improve genetic composition of local birds through cross breeding to improve the lot of peasant farmers.
Mr Omari stated that other farmers were also being assisted to apply modern technology in farming.
He said a number of challenges such as bad roads, lack of storage and processing facilities continued to negatively affect food production and marketing in the area.
Mr Omari said his administration was seriously tackling the issues, especially the rehabilitation of most of the roads.
Mr Tsosam and Mr Eric Midorse, the third national best farmer who is also from Adaklu, a village in the district, praised the government for its assistance to farmers and expressed the hope that such assistance would continue.
Mr Tsosam has been a professional farmer for the past 26 years, cultivating many cash and food crops, as well as engaging in poultry production.
Mr Tsosam received a bicycle, a full piece of wax print, a spraying machine, five machetes, 10 roofing sheets, a 21-inch colour television set and a certificate as his prize.
About 30 other farmers including women who also distinguished themselves in the cultivation of various crops, animal rearing, as well as fish farming, and an agricultural extension officer were also honoured.
They received various items such as spraying machines, machetes, Wellington boots, wax prints and roofing sheets.
Presenting the items to them at a ceremony at Kwahu Ntomeng, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Joseph Omari, praised farmers in the district for their hard work.
To boost food production in the district, Mr Omari said 64 young men and women had been supplied with the necessary inputs such as maize seeds and fertiliser to cultivate 75 acres of maize in the area during the major season, while an acre of rice demonstration farm had been established at Formanso to train the youth in rice cultivation.
The DCE stated that this year, 21,424 hectares of cocoa farms belonging to 5,744 farmers had been given special attention with regard to black pod and capsid disease control.
He said 300 cockerels had been distributed to 44 farmers to improve genetic composition of local birds through cross breeding to improve the lot of peasant farmers.
Mr Omari stated that other farmers were also being assisted to apply modern technology in farming.
He said a number of challenges such as bad roads, lack of storage and processing facilities continued to negatively affect food production and marketing in the area.
Mr Omari said his administration was seriously tackling the issues, especially the rehabilitation of most of the roads.
Mr Tsosam and Mr Eric Midorse, the third national best farmer who is also from Adaklu, a village in the district, praised the government for its assistance to farmers and expressed the hope that such assistance would continue.
ER POLICE COMMAND UNTS FOR 38 OFFENDING DRIVERS (PAGE 22, DEC 28, 2010)
THIRTY-EIGHT drivers who were arrested this year for committing various traffic offences in different parts of the region have absconded.
The areas where the drivers were arrested included; Apedwa, Osino, Jejeti and Akyem Sekyere, all on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Bunso, Akyem Asafo, Apeguso and Akrade.
The drivers were apprehended in a special exercise under the personal supervision of the Eastern Regional Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah.
Some of the traffic offences included; driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, use of underweight licenses, driving without license, insecure loading (human beings sitting on cargo), using photocopies of driving licenses and operating with empty fire extinguishers.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua last weekend, Superintendent Peprah said bench warrants had been issued for their rearrest for prosecution.
The drivers include; Kudzinu Francis, who was driving a Madza saloon car with registration number GV 268 T, Eric Amponsah, VW Golf, GW 4873 P, Frimpong Manso, Benz saloon, GW 288 Z, Adu Afful Samuel, Toyota Hiace, GN 2848 Z, Agyeman K. Dua, Toyota 4 Runner, DV 2942, Joseph Kagoa, Toyota Hilux Pick-Up, GW 3312 Z, Enning Emmanuel, TD bus, 6298 10, Joseph Osei, Nissan Pick-Up, GN 3695 Y, Charles Adu Opoku, Nissan Urvan, GW 1695 Q, Amo Joseph, vehicle number GR 7919- 10.
He also named James Owusu operating a Hyundai 200 bus GC 4641-09, John Amadu, Nissan (private) GN 3324-09, Nyarko Akwasi, Sprinter bus, AS 2486-10, Sosuh Aba Egyirba, vehicle number GW 4898-W, Gajesu Komla, Mercedez Benz (private) GW 4511-V, Sackey Prince Nii Mensah, Tata Pick-Up, GE 8950-W, Lawrence A. Baiden, Hyundai Tuck, GS3630-Z, Jonathan Tetteh, Musso Pick-Up GT 1311-W, Kofi Osei Ababio, Toyota Corolla, GW 6535-V, Kwarteng Yaw, Ford (private) GE 7607-V and Kofi Cutburt, Opel Astra, GW 6256-Y, as some of the drivers who have absconded.
Others are; Addo Bernard, Nissan Serena, GE 9769-Z, Emmanuel Wover, Landrover GT 4839-10, Mensah Adjei Kwabena, Hyndai Elantra DV 8170, Eunice Amuzu Great Wall GE 8602-Z, Menka Adjei Kwabena, Hyundai Elantra DV 8170, Wiafe Carl, Mitsubishi ER 1531-Z, Daniel Otchere, Nissan Pathfinder DV 1479-10, Abubakar Zakaria, Toyota Corolla AS 8109-09, Sadic Adams, Nissan Premiera GR 6289-W, Botoyoe Star Kojo, Suzuki 3278-Y and Alhassan Abdulai, Nissan Pick Up GR 9593.
The rest are; Mahoukous Dacruz Pertus, Toyota Rava GR 8843-W, Bediako A. Asare, Madza Tribute DV 1332, Amoah Ernest, Toyota (private) DV 1580-10, Nyarko Yaw Range Rover GE 8300-V, Kanyagui Samuel, Toyota Corolla GS 1900-Z and Tetteh Sundey, Hyundai 100 bus, GW 8223-Y.
According to Superintendent Peprah, although the offending drivers had managed to dodge the police for a long period, they would eventually be apprehended.
He, therefore, advised them to hand themselves over to the police.
To ensure an accident free Christmas and New Year, Superintendent Peprah said his outfit at the weekend organised similar exercises at Somanya, Odumase-Krobo and Kpong.
The exercises, which he said were supported by personnel of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) under the direct supervision of Mr Jacob Abegyah, the Eastern Regional Director, led to the arrest of drivers of 35 vehicles ranging from private saloon cars to heavy duty vehicles.
Superintendent Sarfo Peprah said his men had been placed at vantage points, especially on the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, which according to him, had witnessed a gradual reduction in motor accidents.
He warned that any driver found wanting would not be spared.
Comparing road accident cases and their attendant death tolls in the first 11 months of 2009 to that of 2010 in the region, Superintendent Peprah said while 2009 registered 1371 cases with 317 deaths, that of 2010 were 1,229 and 216 deaths, a drop of 101.
He explained that the significant reductions were due to intensification of educational campaigns mounted by his outfit on the issue and the positioning of police personnel on strategic areas on the roads and highways, especially the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
The areas where the drivers were arrested included; Apedwa, Osino, Jejeti and Akyem Sekyere, all on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Bunso, Akyem Asafo, Apeguso and Akrade.
The drivers were apprehended in a special exercise under the personal supervision of the Eastern Regional Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah.
Some of the traffic offences included; driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, use of underweight licenses, driving without license, insecure loading (human beings sitting on cargo), using photocopies of driving licenses and operating with empty fire extinguishers.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Koforidua last weekend, Superintendent Peprah said bench warrants had been issued for their rearrest for prosecution.
The drivers include; Kudzinu Francis, who was driving a Madza saloon car with registration number GV 268 T, Eric Amponsah, VW Golf, GW 4873 P, Frimpong Manso, Benz saloon, GW 288 Z, Adu Afful Samuel, Toyota Hiace, GN 2848 Z, Agyeman K. Dua, Toyota 4 Runner, DV 2942, Joseph Kagoa, Toyota Hilux Pick-Up, GW 3312 Z, Enning Emmanuel, TD bus, 6298 10, Joseph Osei, Nissan Pick-Up, GN 3695 Y, Charles Adu Opoku, Nissan Urvan, GW 1695 Q, Amo Joseph, vehicle number GR 7919- 10.
He also named James Owusu operating a Hyundai 200 bus GC 4641-09, John Amadu, Nissan (private) GN 3324-09, Nyarko Akwasi, Sprinter bus, AS 2486-10, Sosuh Aba Egyirba, vehicle number GW 4898-W, Gajesu Komla, Mercedez Benz (private) GW 4511-V, Sackey Prince Nii Mensah, Tata Pick-Up, GE 8950-W, Lawrence A. Baiden, Hyundai Tuck, GS3630-Z, Jonathan Tetteh, Musso Pick-Up GT 1311-W, Kofi Osei Ababio, Toyota Corolla, GW 6535-V, Kwarteng Yaw, Ford (private) GE 7607-V and Kofi Cutburt, Opel Astra, GW 6256-Y, as some of the drivers who have absconded.
Others are; Addo Bernard, Nissan Serena, GE 9769-Z, Emmanuel Wover, Landrover GT 4839-10, Mensah Adjei Kwabena, Hyndai Elantra DV 8170, Eunice Amuzu Great Wall GE 8602-Z, Menka Adjei Kwabena, Hyundai Elantra DV 8170, Wiafe Carl, Mitsubishi ER 1531-Z, Daniel Otchere, Nissan Pathfinder DV 1479-10, Abubakar Zakaria, Toyota Corolla AS 8109-09, Sadic Adams, Nissan Premiera GR 6289-W, Botoyoe Star Kojo, Suzuki 3278-Y and Alhassan Abdulai, Nissan Pick Up GR 9593.
The rest are; Mahoukous Dacruz Pertus, Toyota Rava GR 8843-W, Bediako A. Asare, Madza Tribute DV 1332, Amoah Ernest, Toyota (private) DV 1580-10, Nyarko Yaw Range Rover GE 8300-V, Kanyagui Samuel, Toyota Corolla GS 1900-Z and Tetteh Sundey, Hyundai 100 bus, GW 8223-Y.
According to Superintendent Peprah, although the offending drivers had managed to dodge the police for a long period, they would eventually be apprehended.
He, therefore, advised them to hand themselves over to the police.
To ensure an accident free Christmas and New Year, Superintendent Peprah said his outfit at the weekend organised similar exercises at Somanya, Odumase-Krobo and Kpong.
The exercises, which he said were supported by personnel of the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) under the direct supervision of Mr Jacob Abegyah, the Eastern Regional Director, led to the arrest of drivers of 35 vehicles ranging from private saloon cars to heavy duty vehicles.
Superintendent Sarfo Peprah said his men had been placed at vantage points, especially on the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, which according to him, had witnessed a gradual reduction in motor accidents.
He warned that any driver found wanting would not be spared.
Comparing road accident cases and their attendant death tolls in the first 11 months of 2009 to that of 2010 in the region, Superintendent Peprah said while 2009 registered 1371 cases with 317 deaths, that of 2010 were 1,229 and 216 deaths, a drop of 101.
He explained that the significant reductions were due to intensification of educational campaigns mounted by his outfit on the issue and the positioning of police personnel on strategic areas on the roads and highways, especially the Eastern Region stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
Friday, December 17, 2010
PRESIDENT'S TERM OF OFFICE DOMINATES IEA DISCUSSIONS (PAGE 12, DEC 17, 2010)
THE term of office of the President dominated discussions at a public forum for the review of the 1992 Constitution in Koforidua.
While some of the participants suggested a seven or six year term for the President who must not be allowed to go for a second term, others agreed that the present four-year term and an additional term must stay.
Some others were also of the view that the President must first serve for five years and allowed to contest for the seat for another term.
It was also suggested that a separate ministry should be created to cater for the needs of physically-challenged persons who, according to the participants, had always been marginalised.
The forum which was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), for the marginalized in society was to enable physically-challenged persons in the Eastern Region to make inputs into the constitutional review process for their welfare.
The term of office of the President took the center stage after a constitutional expert, Justice Srem-Sai, had briefed the participants on the functions of the executive, legislature and judiciary as well as decentralisation, chieftaincy, national elections and Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in the 1992 Constitution.
But as soon as Justice Srem-Sai had completed his presentation most of speakers dwelt on the term of office of the President, which some said should be a one-time seven or six year period while others rooted for a four or five-year term with provisions to go for another term.
Proponents of the one-time six or seven-year term explained that such a relatively long period would enable the President to complete his development agenda and that if he or she was to go for another term that would make him or her autocratic.
However, others raised objections and said the present four-year term and an additional term must be allowed to stay,while others were of the view that two terms with each spanning for five years should be allowed by the Constitution.
They explained that the President would have to stabilise the economy within the first term with real development coming on during the second term.
Touching on the emoluments, especially the end-of-service of the President and his vice, participants were of the view that they must be based on what pertained in the public service.
They explained that it was ridiculous for the two to be paid huge salaries and end-of-service benefits while most civil or public servants who had continuously been at post for over 30 years continued to receive paltry sums as salaries and end-of-service benefits.
The Speaker, they also suggested, must be sworn in only once to take over the duties of either the Vice President or the President whenever both of them happened to be away from the country.
With regard to how long a member of Parliament must stay in the House, participants also expressed divergent views, with some suggesting that MPs must not be in Parliament for more than three terms while others said there should not be limitation to the number of years in the House so far as an MP could perform.
On the appointment of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), majority of the participants suggested that the President should nominate at most three persons whose fate should be determined by voting in either their respective assemblies or the entire electorate in their districts.
Salaries and end-of-service benefits for the MMDCEs, they further said, must be tied to the revenue generation capacity of their respective assemblies.
Dealing with the welfare of the physically-challenged persons, participants deplored the inability of previous governments to cater for their needs and suggested that a separate ministry should be created in that respect to ensure that what was due to them would be provided.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal, expressed appreciation of the Regional Co-ordinating Council to the IEA for organising the workshop, and said his outfit would continue to support the IEA in its efforts to promote local democracy and decentralised participatory government in Ghana.
Earlier in a welcoming remark, a policy analyst of the IEA, Dr Michael Ofori-Mensah, said the workshop was to allow the vulnerable in society, especially the physically-challenged, to make inputs into the Constitution to address their concerns.
While some of the participants suggested a seven or six year term for the President who must not be allowed to go for a second term, others agreed that the present four-year term and an additional term must stay.
Some others were also of the view that the President must first serve for five years and allowed to contest for the seat for another term.
It was also suggested that a separate ministry should be created to cater for the needs of physically-challenged persons who, according to the participants, had always been marginalised.
The forum which was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), for the marginalized in society was to enable physically-challenged persons in the Eastern Region to make inputs into the constitutional review process for their welfare.
The term of office of the President took the center stage after a constitutional expert, Justice Srem-Sai, had briefed the participants on the functions of the executive, legislature and judiciary as well as decentralisation, chieftaincy, national elections and Directive Principles of State Policy as contained in the 1992 Constitution.
But as soon as Justice Srem-Sai had completed his presentation most of speakers dwelt on the term of office of the President, which some said should be a one-time seven or six year period while others rooted for a four or five-year term with provisions to go for another term.
Proponents of the one-time six or seven-year term explained that such a relatively long period would enable the President to complete his development agenda and that if he or she was to go for another term that would make him or her autocratic.
However, others raised objections and said the present four-year term and an additional term must be allowed to stay,while others were of the view that two terms with each spanning for five years should be allowed by the Constitution.
They explained that the President would have to stabilise the economy within the first term with real development coming on during the second term.
Touching on the emoluments, especially the end-of-service of the President and his vice, participants were of the view that they must be based on what pertained in the public service.
They explained that it was ridiculous for the two to be paid huge salaries and end-of-service benefits while most civil or public servants who had continuously been at post for over 30 years continued to receive paltry sums as salaries and end-of-service benefits.
The Speaker, they also suggested, must be sworn in only once to take over the duties of either the Vice President or the President whenever both of them happened to be away from the country.
With regard to how long a member of Parliament must stay in the House, participants also expressed divergent views, with some suggesting that MPs must not be in Parliament for more than three terms while others said there should not be limitation to the number of years in the House so far as an MP could perform.
On the appointment of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), majority of the participants suggested that the President should nominate at most three persons whose fate should be determined by voting in either their respective assemblies or the entire electorate in their districts.
Salaries and end-of-service benefits for the MMDCEs, they further said, must be tied to the revenue generation capacity of their respective assemblies.
Dealing with the welfare of the physically-challenged persons, participants deplored the inability of previous governments to cater for their needs and suggested that a separate ministry should be created in that respect to ensure that what was due to them would be provided.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal, expressed appreciation of the Regional Co-ordinating Council to the IEA for organising the workshop, and said his outfit would continue to support the IEA in its efforts to promote local democracy and decentralised participatory government in Ghana.
Earlier in a welcoming remark, a policy analyst of the IEA, Dr Michael Ofori-Mensah, said the workshop was to allow the vulnerable in society, especially the physically-challenged, to make inputs into the Constitution to address their concerns.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
2,308 TO CONTEST ASSEMPLY POLLS IN ER (PAGE 12, DEC 16, 2010)
A TOTAL of 2,308 persons have filed their nomination to contest the district level elections on December 28 to enter the 21 assemblies in the Eastern Region.
Out of the figure, 2,110, which constitutes 91 per cent, are males, while 198 representing 8.6 per cent are females.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Eric Mensah-Bonsu, made this known in an interview in Koforidua.
He said the elections would cover 819 electoral areas out of which 791 were being contested for, with the remaining 28 uncontested.
According to Mr Mensah-Bonsu, the Kwaebibirem District had the largest number of 60 electoral areas while Kwahu East District had the lowest of 22.
With regard to the Unit Committee elections, the Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the EC said in all, 5,585 prospective candidates made up of 5,021 males and 557 females would be contesting in 819 units.
He said while 134 candidates were unopposed; 40 of the units were without nominations.
Kwaebibirem District, he indicated again, had the largest number of 60 units with Kwahu East District registering the lowest figure of 22 units.
Out of the figure, 2,110, which constitutes 91 per cent, are males, while 198 representing 8.6 per cent are females.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Eric Mensah-Bonsu, made this known in an interview in Koforidua.
He said the elections would cover 819 electoral areas out of which 791 were being contested for, with the remaining 28 uncontested.
According to Mr Mensah-Bonsu, the Kwaebibirem District had the largest number of 60 electoral areas while Kwahu East District had the lowest of 22.
With regard to the Unit Committee elections, the Deputy Eastern Regional Director of the EC said in all, 5,585 prospective candidates made up of 5,021 males and 557 females would be contesting in 819 units.
He said while 134 candidates were unopposed; 40 of the units were without nominations.
Kwaebibirem District, he indicated again, had the largest number of 60 units with Kwahu East District registering the lowest figure of 22 units.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
ELECTORAL MATERIALS READY FOR EASTERN REGION ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS (PAGE 12, DEC 15, 2010)
ALMOST all the materials needed for the district level elections in the Eastern Region have been sent to the region.
The Deputy Commissioner (Operations) of the Electoral Commission (EC) who is also in charge of the Eastern Region, Mr Sarfo Kantanka made this known in Koforidua .
He said the EC was now left with the ballot papers which would soon be sent to the region for the elections slated for December 28.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka who was briefing district officers of the EC, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and the Information Service Department (ISD) in the region on the election said the main problem was the release of money which he was hopeful would be done on time.
The one-day meeting was organised by the EC in collaboration with Kab Governance Consult to discuss problems associated with the district level election in the region in order to see how best the three organisations, EC, NCCE and the ISD, could collaborate for a smooth election.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka, who was not happy about the lack of enthusiasm of the people towards the elections was hopeful that it would be successful, explaining that district level elections in all countries generally had low patronage.
He, however, appealed to the media, the NCCE and the ISD to intensify their educational campaign especially on where to vote since some of the electoral areas had been re-demarcated to increase participation.
“Almost all the materials for the elections have been sent here but people are not enthusiastic about the event so all of us have to intensify our educational campaigns on the issue to rekindle voters’ interest to vote on December 28”, Mr Sarfo Kantanka said.
With regard to the mounting of platforms, he said that would be done by the EC or the candidates themselves.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka further said non-political organisations would also be allowed to mount platforms or make public address systems available to all the candidates in a specific area to enable them to market themselves.
Welcoming the participants, the Eastern Regional Director of the EC, Mr Paul Boateng, said the meeting, the first of its kind, would make it possible for the EC to collaborate effectively with the ISD and the NCCE for a successful election on December 28.
The Deputy Commissioner (Operations) of the Electoral Commission (EC) who is also in charge of the Eastern Region, Mr Sarfo Kantanka made this known in Koforidua .
He said the EC was now left with the ballot papers which would soon be sent to the region for the elections slated for December 28.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka who was briefing district officers of the EC, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and the Information Service Department (ISD) in the region on the election said the main problem was the release of money which he was hopeful would be done on time.
The one-day meeting was organised by the EC in collaboration with Kab Governance Consult to discuss problems associated with the district level election in the region in order to see how best the three organisations, EC, NCCE and the ISD, could collaborate for a smooth election.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka, who was not happy about the lack of enthusiasm of the people towards the elections was hopeful that it would be successful, explaining that district level elections in all countries generally had low patronage.
He, however, appealed to the media, the NCCE and the ISD to intensify their educational campaign especially on where to vote since some of the electoral areas had been re-demarcated to increase participation.
“Almost all the materials for the elections have been sent here but people are not enthusiastic about the event so all of us have to intensify our educational campaigns on the issue to rekindle voters’ interest to vote on December 28”, Mr Sarfo Kantanka said.
With regard to the mounting of platforms, he said that would be done by the EC or the candidates themselves.
Mr Sarfo Kantanka further said non-political organisations would also be allowed to mount platforms or make public address systems available to all the candidates in a specific area to enable them to market themselves.
Welcoming the participants, the Eastern Regional Director of the EC, Mr Paul Boateng, said the meeting, the first of its kind, would make it possible for the EC to collaborate effectively with the ISD and the NCCE for a successful election on December 28.
MINING COMPANY ASSISTS TWO COMMUNITIES (PAGE 23, DEC 13, 2010)
IN line with its social responsibility, X’tra-Gold, a gold mining company at Kwabeng in the Eastern Region, has provided four boreholes in two communities in its operational areas.
Two of the boreholes constructed by Starco Drilling Company at a total cost of GH¢32,000, have been sited at Pameng and the remaining two at Akyem Akropong.
Inaugurating the boreholes last Tuesday, a Director of X’tra-Gold, Mr Victor Nkansah, said his outfit decided to provide the amenities free of charge to the people to enable them to enjoy potable water.
He said the gesture had become necessary because of the possibility of the company’s activities impacting negatively on the people, and gave the assurance that X’tra-Gold would in the near future provide additional social amenities in the area.
Mr Nkansah, therefore, urged the people to take good care of the boreholes, expressing his appreciation to the chiefs for their support which made it possible for the company to carry out its activities in a peaceful atmosphere.
The Chief of Pameng, Barima Okorie Brasiam and the Krontihene of Akyem Akropong, Nana Wiredu Kwakye II, thanked the company for providing the boreholes.
They, however, asked the company to provide other social amenities such as modern public places of convenience and also rehabilitate some of the dilapidated school buildings in the area to further improve the living condition of the people.
Two of the boreholes constructed by Starco Drilling Company at a total cost of GH¢32,000, have been sited at Pameng and the remaining two at Akyem Akropong.
Inaugurating the boreholes last Tuesday, a Director of X’tra-Gold, Mr Victor Nkansah, said his outfit decided to provide the amenities free of charge to the people to enable them to enjoy potable water.
He said the gesture had become necessary because of the possibility of the company’s activities impacting negatively on the people, and gave the assurance that X’tra-Gold would in the near future provide additional social amenities in the area.
Mr Nkansah, therefore, urged the people to take good care of the boreholes, expressing his appreciation to the chiefs for their support which made it possible for the company to carry out its activities in a peaceful atmosphere.
The Chief of Pameng, Barima Okorie Brasiam and the Krontihene of Akyem Akropong, Nana Wiredu Kwakye II, thanked the company for providing the boreholes.
They, however, asked the company to provide other social amenities such as modern public places of convenience and also rehabilitate some of the dilapidated school buildings in the area to further improve the living condition of the people.
Friday, December 10, 2010
TAMTAM ASSISTS SIX COMMUNITIES (PAGE 22, DEC 10, 2010)
TAMTAM-Together Against Malaria, a subsidiary of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated 2,100 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to six communities in Dsanam Sub-District of the Ghana Health Service in the Upper Manya District.
Tamtam works through a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Promoting Malaria Prevention and Treatment (ProMPT), which in turn collaborates with the Klo Drivers Alliance, an umbrella organisation of commercial drivers in the Lower Manya Krobo and Upper Manya Krobo districts to prevent malaria in the two districts.
Presenting the nets at Asesewa, Mr Paul Wang, the President of Tamtam, said his outfit decided to donate the mosquito-treated nets to be given out free-of-charge to the people in the communities to help prevent mosquito bites and consequently malaria.
He expressed the hope that the beneficiaries would make good use of them to make the area malaria-free.
Receiving the items on behalf of the people, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Klo-Drivers Alliance, Dr Charles Nyarko, gave the assurance that the nets would be fairly distributed within the communities and thanked Tamtam for the initiative.
Dr Nyarko, who is also the Medical Officer in charge of the St Martins Hospital at Agormanya, said the usage of the mosquito-treated nets would lead to the reduction of malaria cases at the hospital.
The Community Facilitator for ProMPT, Mr Moses Fordjoe, said already some of the nets had been fixed to the beds of most of the beneficiaries.
The Project Manager of the Klo-Drivers Alliance, Okyeame Sakite Offei, said the alliance would continue to fight for the eradication of malaria in the communities within its operational areas.
Tamtam works through a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Promoting Malaria Prevention and Treatment (ProMPT), which in turn collaborates with the Klo Drivers Alliance, an umbrella organisation of commercial drivers in the Lower Manya Krobo and Upper Manya Krobo districts to prevent malaria in the two districts.
Presenting the nets at Asesewa, Mr Paul Wang, the President of Tamtam, said his outfit decided to donate the mosquito-treated nets to be given out free-of-charge to the people in the communities to help prevent mosquito bites and consequently malaria.
He expressed the hope that the beneficiaries would make good use of them to make the area malaria-free.
Receiving the items on behalf of the people, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Klo-Drivers Alliance, Dr Charles Nyarko, gave the assurance that the nets would be fairly distributed within the communities and thanked Tamtam for the initiative.
Dr Nyarko, who is also the Medical Officer in charge of the St Martins Hospital at Agormanya, said the usage of the mosquito-treated nets would lead to the reduction of malaria cases at the hospital.
The Community Facilitator for ProMPT, Mr Moses Fordjoe, said already some of the nets had been fixed to the beds of most of the beneficiaries.
The Project Manager of the Klo-Drivers Alliance, Okyeame Sakite Offei, said the alliance would continue to fight for the eradication of malaria in the communities within its operational areas.
PLAN GHANA'S DISCOURSE ON CHILD PROTECTION (PAGE 22, DEC 10, 2010)
PLAN Ghana, a child-centered Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has held a stakeholders’ meeting at Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo District during which various factors militating against the welfare of children, especially in the district, were discussed.
In all, 38 participants represented the stakeholders which included the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, Judicial Service, National Commission For Civil Education (NCCE), Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Education Service and the district assembly.
Topics discussed included outmoded Krobo customary rites such as Lapom which is the presentation of a sheep, drinks and money by a father to claim a child born out of marriage and Yobam, presentation of drinks by a man to the parents of a woman for the parents to allow their daughter to stay with him as a wife although the marriage rites have not been performed.
These outmoded customary rites according to the participants, had led to the neglect of a large number of children not only in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, but the entire Dangme areas.
They, therefore, called on the paramount chiefs and queens in such areas to either modify or scrap them in the interest of the children.
Setting the ball rolling, the Eastern Regional Police Officer in charge of the DOVVSU, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mrs Eunice Annor, said most of the child neglect cases being handled by her outfit were due to the Lapom and Yobam customary rites.
She explained that most of the men who fathered such unfortunate children were either not willing to perform the rites or were too poor to do so.
DSP Annor said in such a situation, while the mothers of the children never tasted proper marriages, the children were left with their mothers or aged grandparents who could not even feed them let alone cater for their education.
She stated that as a result, such unfortunate children normally grew up as miscreants in the society.
DSP Annor also delved into other aspects of child abuse such as rape, defilement and various cruel treatments meted out to children.
She, therefore, called on assembly members to take the issues, especially the outmoded customs, to the traditional rulers in the area to see how best they could be addressed.
The Upper Manya Krobo District Director of the NCCE, Mr Alexander Owusu Siaw, told the gathering that although his outfit had been educating the people in the area on child welfare, a number of parents and relatives still subjected their children to all forms of child abuse, but said with education, such abuses would be reduced.
The CHRAJ Director for Upper Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo, Mr James Awumey, said although his outfit had been able to settle many cases of child neglect, many more which could not be settled had been sent to either CHRAJ or the law courts.
Plan Ghana’s Community Facilitator in charge of Child Abuse in the Asesewa area, Madam Victoria Minimade, said training of facilitators and review meetings on child protection in the area would be sustained to ensure that most of the children were properly taken care of by their parents.
Earlier, Plan Ghana’s Asesewa Area Manager, Mr Joseph Appiah, said apart from seeing to the welfare of children, Plan had also given out or facilitated micro-finance schemes for women in the area, especially single mothers, to enable them to educate their children.
He said Plan had been working in 300 communities in 16 districts and gave the assurance that Plan would not relent its efforts to make life worth living for children and women.
In all, 38 participants represented the stakeholders which included the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, Judicial Service, National Commission For Civil Education (NCCE), Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Education Service and the district assembly.
Topics discussed included outmoded Krobo customary rites such as Lapom which is the presentation of a sheep, drinks and money by a father to claim a child born out of marriage and Yobam, presentation of drinks by a man to the parents of a woman for the parents to allow their daughter to stay with him as a wife although the marriage rites have not been performed.
These outmoded customary rites according to the participants, had led to the neglect of a large number of children not only in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, but the entire Dangme areas.
They, therefore, called on the paramount chiefs and queens in such areas to either modify or scrap them in the interest of the children.
Setting the ball rolling, the Eastern Regional Police Officer in charge of the DOVVSU, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mrs Eunice Annor, said most of the child neglect cases being handled by her outfit were due to the Lapom and Yobam customary rites.
She explained that most of the men who fathered such unfortunate children were either not willing to perform the rites or were too poor to do so.
DSP Annor said in such a situation, while the mothers of the children never tasted proper marriages, the children were left with their mothers or aged grandparents who could not even feed them let alone cater for their education.
She stated that as a result, such unfortunate children normally grew up as miscreants in the society.
DSP Annor also delved into other aspects of child abuse such as rape, defilement and various cruel treatments meted out to children.
She, therefore, called on assembly members to take the issues, especially the outmoded customs, to the traditional rulers in the area to see how best they could be addressed.
The Upper Manya Krobo District Director of the NCCE, Mr Alexander Owusu Siaw, told the gathering that although his outfit had been educating the people in the area on child welfare, a number of parents and relatives still subjected their children to all forms of child abuse, but said with education, such abuses would be reduced.
The CHRAJ Director for Upper Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo, Mr James Awumey, said although his outfit had been able to settle many cases of child neglect, many more which could not be settled had been sent to either CHRAJ or the law courts.
Plan Ghana’s Community Facilitator in charge of Child Abuse in the Asesewa area, Madam Victoria Minimade, said training of facilitators and review meetings on child protection in the area would be sustained to ensure that most of the children were properly taken care of by their parents.
Earlier, Plan Ghana’s Asesewa Area Manager, Mr Joseph Appiah, said apart from seeing to the welfare of children, Plan had also given out or facilitated micro-finance schemes for women in the area, especially single mothers, to enable them to educate their children.
He said Plan had been working in 300 communities in 16 districts and gave the assurance that Plan would not relent its efforts to make life worth living for children and women.
SOUTH AKIM RURAL BANK BEATS 'EM ALL (PAGE 22, DEC 10, 2010)
OUT of the 20 Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) admitted to the Club 100 last year, as many as five of them are from the Eastern Region.
In all, there are 130 RCBs in the country.
A document made available at the 16th biennial general meeting of the Association of Rural Banks in Koforidua last week named the five banks as South Akim Rural Bank which took the first position; Akuapem Rural Bank, second; Upper Manya Kro Rural Bank, third; Adonteng Community Bank at Akyem Tafo 19th and the Kwahu Rural Bank 20th.
The significant improvement of the five banks, according to sources, had been due to prudent measures instituted by the boards of directors which were effectively carried out by their management.
The source said that made it possible for the five banks to make more profits, increase deposits, assets as well as loans and overdrafts to customers.
The source stated that the operations of the banks in the Eastern Region had boosted the rural economy, especially the agricultural sector where a number of farmers cultivating various cash crops like cocoa and food crops benefited from loans to expand their farms.
The three-day meeting on the theme: “An Effective and Human Resource Management: Key to the Sustainability of the Rural Banking System” was attended by members of the boards of directors, managers and other senior officials of the RCBs in the region.
The meeting was to take stock of the previous year’s activities and brainstorm how best to address inherent challenges with the view to improving the fortunes of the RCBs to make it possible for the banks which are located in the rural areas to give out more loans to the people and also honour their social responsibilities, all geared at improving the lot of the people in their operational areas.
Addressing the participants, the President of the Association of Rural Banks, Mrs Rose E. Newman, said banking had become very competitive and unless RCBs undertook a vigorous programme to further improve the performance of their staff to attract customers, the orthodox banks would always be in advantageous position.
“We are in competitive banking which demands that our staff should be well-trained to make it possible for us to favourably compete with the old orthodox banks,” she stated.
Mrs Newman was hopeful that participants would come out with useful suggestion that would ensure the growth of the RCBs to be able to continue to assist in the development of not only the rural communities but the country as a whole.
She also commended the banks for the significant role they had played in the socio-economic development of rural communities.
Mrs Newman, however, advised them not to relent their efforts since such initiatives would go a long way to improve the lot of rural dwellers in line with the government’s “Better Ghana” agenda.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, commended the RCBs for their tremendous contributions towards the development of rural communities, especially the offer of scholarships to brilliant, needy students as well as the provision of social amenities.
He said in recognition of the role being played by the RCBs, the government would be channelling funds through them on a number of poverty alleviation programmes in rural communities.
Baba Jamal, therefore, called on management of RCBs to prudently manage the funds.
He also urged management of the RCBs to increase their micro-finance schemes to boost trade and industry in the rural areas to improve the lot of the people.
The Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boateng, who chaired the function, said since only 30 per cent of Ghanaians were into banking, RCBs should rope in more customers to increase the figure to at least 70 per cent, as it was only in such a situation that rural communities could develop.
He also suggested that all RCBs should be linked to enhance their operations.
Daasebre Oti Boateng called on entrepreneurs to invest in the rural areas because the RCBs would be willing to assist.
In all, there are 130 RCBs in the country.
A document made available at the 16th biennial general meeting of the Association of Rural Banks in Koforidua last week named the five banks as South Akim Rural Bank which took the first position; Akuapem Rural Bank, second; Upper Manya Kro Rural Bank, third; Adonteng Community Bank at Akyem Tafo 19th and the Kwahu Rural Bank 20th.
The significant improvement of the five banks, according to sources, had been due to prudent measures instituted by the boards of directors which were effectively carried out by their management.
The source said that made it possible for the five banks to make more profits, increase deposits, assets as well as loans and overdrafts to customers.
The source stated that the operations of the banks in the Eastern Region had boosted the rural economy, especially the agricultural sector where a number of farmers cultivating various cash crops like cocoa and food crops benefited from loans to expand their farms.
The three-day meeting on the theme: “An Effective and Human Resource Management: Key to the Sustainability of the Rural Banking System” was attended by members of the boards of directors, managers and other senior officials of the RCBs in the region.
The meeting was to take stock of the previous year’s activities and brainstorm how best to address inherent challenges with the view to improving the fortunes of the RCBs to make it possible for the banks which are located in the rural areas to give out more loans to the people and also honour their social responsibilities, all geared at improving the lot of the people in their operational areas.
Addressing the participants, the President of the Association of Rural Banks, Mrs Rose E. Newman, said banking had become very competitive and unless RCBs undertook a vigorous programme to further improve the performance of their staff to attract customers, the orthodox banks would always be in advantageous position.
“We are in competitive banking which demands that our staff should be well-trained to make it possible for us to favourably compete with the old orthodox banks,” she stated.
Mrs Newman was hopeful that participants would come out with useful suggestion that would ensure the growth of the RCBs to be able to continue to assist in the development of not only the rural communities but the country as a whole.
She also commended the banks for the significant role they had played in the socio-economic development of rural communities.
Mrs Newman, however, advised them not to relent their efforts since such initiatives would go a long way to improve the lot of rural dwellers in line with the government’s “Better Ghana” agenda.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, commended the RCBs for their tremendous contributions towards the development of rural communities, especially the offer of scholarships to brilliant, needy students as well as the provision of social amenities.
He said in recognition of the role being played by the RCBs, the government would be channelling funds through them on a number of poverty alleviation programmes in rural communities.
Baba Jamal, therefore, called on management of RCBs to prudently manage the funds.
He also urged management of the RCBs to increase their micro-finance schemes to boost trade and industry in the rural areas to improve the lot of the people.
The Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boateng, who chaired the function, said since only 30 per cent of Ghanaians were into banking, RCBs should rope in more customers to increase the figure to at least 70 per cent, as it was only in such a situation that rural communities could develop.
He also suggested that all RCBs should be linked to enhance their operations.
Daasebre Oti Boateng called on entrepreneurs to invest in the rural areas because the RCBs would be willing to assist.
Monday, December 6, 2010
ADJETEY TOPS ALL (PAGE 3, DEC 4, 2010)
A 60-year-old farmer, Mr Benjamin Adjei Adjetey, from Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, was yesterday adjudged the national Best Farmer for 2010.
As his prize, Mr Adjetey, who is also the Managing Director of the Neehata Farm at Oyibi near Dodowa, will receive a three-bedroom house to be built at a place of his choice and fully furnished by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
In addition, Mr Adjetey, who has been in the farming business for the past 37 years, will have a personal insurance cover worth GH¢5,000 provided by the Unique Insurance Company and undertake a trip to the United Kingdom sponsored by the State Insurance Company (SIC), a GH¢4,000 Akuafo Adamfo Life Policy to be financed by the Ghana Life Insurance Company and a Dstv donated by Multichoice.
Mr Adjetey, married with six children, earned the ultimate prize for embarking on a number of agricultural activities, including the cultivation of 166 acres of land, animal husbandry, a rice farm covering 100 acres, 80 acres of maize, 45 acres of mango, 20 acres of groundnuts and seven acres of cowpea.
Mr Adjetey, who has engaged five full-time workers and 100 casual ones, as well as seven family members, on his farm, also has 757 cattle, 122 sheep, 84 goats, 160 guinea fowls and 240 fowls.
The second overall national best farmer prize went to Mr Maxwell Akandem, 42, from the Upper East Region.
Mr Akandem, a graduate from the University of Development Studies (UDS), received a tractor and accessories for cultivating a 493.5-acre farmland, comprising 241 acres of maize, 10 acres each of rice, sorghum, and yam, five acres each of onion and garden eggs, as well as rearing eight goats.
Mr Eric Midose, a 47-year-old farmer from the Kwahu South District in the Eastern Region, emerged the third best national farmer and took home a double cabin pick-up worth GH¢42,000 donated by the Stanbic Bank.
Other significant awards went to Mr Moses Tetteh, 41, from Nkonya in the Volta Region, who had a KIA pick-up for being the best in fishing, while the national best livestock farmer award went to Alhaji Awudu Karim, 56, from the Upper East Region. He also received a KIA pick-up.
Sixty-five other farmers who distinguished themselves in animal raising, fishing and the production of food and cash crops such as cocoa, pineapple, citrus and cashew were also honoured.
They were presented with various items, including farm machinery and inputs.
On behalf of his colleagues, a highly elated Mr Adjetey expressed his appreciation to the government for honouring them and gave the assurance that they would do their best to increase food production.
As his prize, Mr Adjetey, who is also the Managing Director of the Neehata Farm at Oyibi near Dodowa, will receive a three-bedroom house to be built at a place of his choice and fully furnished by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
In addition, Mr Adjetey, who has been in the farming business for the past 37 years, will have a personal insurance cover worth GH¢5,000 provided by the Unique Insurance Company and undertake a trip to the United Kingdom sponsored by the State Insurance Company (SIC), a GH¢4,000 Akuafo Adamfo Life Policy to be financed by the Ghana Life Insurance Company and a Dstv donated by Multichoice.
Mr Adjetey, married with six children, earned the ultimate prize for embarking on a number of agricultural activities, including the cultivation of 166 acres of land, animal husbandry, a rice farm covering 100 acres, 80 acres of maize, 45 acres of mango, 20 acres of groundnuts and seven acres of cowpea.
Mr Adjetey, who has engaged five full-time workers and 100 casual ones, as well as seven family members, on his farm, also has 757 cattle, 122 sheep, 84 goats, 160 guinea fowls and 240 fowls.
The second overall national best farmer prize went to Mr Maxwell Akandem, 42, from the Upper East Region.
Mr Akandem, a graduate from the University of Development Studies (UDS), received a tractor and accessories for cultivating a 493.5-acre farmland, comprising 241 acres of maize, 10 acres each of rice, sorghum, and yam, five acres each of onion and garden eggs, as well as rearing eight goats.
Mr Eric Midose, a 47-year-old farmer from the Kwahu South District in the Eastern Region, emerged the third best national farmer and took home a double cabin pick-up worth GH¢42,000 donated by the Stanbic Bank.
Other significant awards went to Mr Moses Tetteh, 41, from Nkonya in the Volta Region, who had a KIA pick-up for being the best in fishing, while the national best livestock farmer award went to Alhaji Awudu Karim, 56, from the Upper East Region. He also received a KIA pick-up.
Sixty-five other farmers who distinguished themselves in animal raising, fishing and the production of food and cash crops such as cocoa, pineapple, citrus and cashew were also honoured.
They were presented with various items, including farm machinery and inputs.
On behalf of his colleagues, a highly elated Mr Adjetey expressed his appreciation to the government for honouring them and gave the assurance that they would do their best to increase food production.
Oil or no oil...FOOD IS NO. 1 (LEAD STORY, DEC 4, 2010)
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills has assured Ghanaians that despite the oil find, his administration will continue to give all the necessary support to boost agricultural production in the country.
That, according to the President, was because the agricultural sector was a strong option for achieving accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction.
Addressing the 26th National Farmers’ Day celebration at Somanya yesterday, President Atta Mills said agriculture was still the mainstay of the economy, so despite the oil find, his administration would continue to support agriculture for it to help accelerate economic growth and alleviate poverty to ensure decent living for all Ghanaians.
“I am reiterating the point I continue to make that in spite of our oil find, the Atta Mills Government will continue to support the agriculture sector as a strong option for achieving accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction,” the President stated.
In all 70 farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders and agricultural extension officers who distinguished themselves in various areas of agricultural production were honoured.
President Mills said because of the government’s commitment to the agriculture sector and the efforts of the indefatigable farmers in the country who stepped up food production, the global food and economic crisis which resulted in poverty and hunger around the world last year did not become that severe in Ghana.
For instance, he said, the farmers in 2009 produced 23.1 million metric tons of root tubers and plantain and 2.6 million metric tons of cereals as against 21.3 million and 2.2 million metric tons of root tubers and plantain and cereals respectively in 2008.
On cocoa production, President Mills said it provided a foreign exchange cover of about $1.86 billion from export in 2009, while livestock farmers and fisherfolk did not only provide the nation with its important protein requirements but also generated $48.12 million in foreign exchange from fish and other seafood exports.
President Mills, however, stated that despite such gains, Ghana still spent more than $1 billion annually on the importation of food that could be produced in the country with rice alone wiping out $500 million of Ghana’s hard-earned foreign exchange.
He expressed the hope that duties imposed on selected food items in the 2011 budget would address the gross imbalance and mentioned subsidy on fertiliser, expanding irrigation to end rain-fed agriculture, intensified dissemination of agricultural technologies and education, the Youth in Agriculture Programme and the creation of a national food buffer stock company to store food as some of the government’s interventions.
President Mills said the buffer stock company had started yielding good results because it had purchased and stored 10,000 metric tons of paddy rice and about 32,000 metric tons of maize, some of which had been bought by the World Food Programme and sent to Niger.
He thanked the farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders who were honoured and the entire farming community for their efforts at keeping the economy going.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kwasi Ahwoi, told the gathering about numerous initiatives that the ministry had implemented in the agricultural sector.
These included 63 per cent increase in the allocation of tractors and implements, provision of combine harvesters to farmers, warehousing, support for farmer organisations, which, he indicated, had led to increased production of food crops, livestock and fish catch, especially in the Afram Plains.
Mr Ahwoi, who also dwelt on various aspects of agriculture, stated that the ministry would not relent in its efforts at assisting all those engaged in agriculture to boost production.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said a number of interventions had been made to boost agriculture in the region.
These, Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated, included the rehabilitation of about 1,126.28 km. of feeder roads at the cost of GH¢2.2 million and the construction of a number of bridges.
He also stated that a road was being constructed from Mame Krobo in Kwahu North (Afram Plains) to link the Ashanti Region at Agogo, explaining that such a road network would make the Afram Plains, which could only be reached by crossing the Afram River by pontoon, accessible by vehicles from the Ashanti Region.
That, according to the President, was because the agricultural sector was a strong option for achieving accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction.
Addressing the 26th National Farmers’ Day celebration at Somanya yesterday, President Atta Mills said agriculture was still the mainstay of the economy, so despite the oil find, his administration would continue to support agriculture for it to help accelerate economic growth and alleviate poverty to ensure decent living for all Ghanaians.
“I am reiterating the point I continue to make that in spite of our oil find, the Atta Mills Government will continue to support the agriculture sector as a strong option for achieving accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction,” the President stated.
In all 70 farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders and agricultural extension officers who distinguished themselves in various areas of agricultural production were honoured.
President Mills said because of the government’s commitment to the agriculture sector and the efforts of the indefatigable farmers in the country who stepped up food production, the global food and economic crisis which resulted in poverty and hunger around the world last year did not become that severe in Ghana.
For instance, he said, the farmers in 2009 produced 23.1 million metric tons of root tubers and plantain and 2.6 million metric tons of cereals as against 21.3 million and 2.2 million metric tons of root tubers and plantain and cereals respectively in 2008.
On cocoa production, President Mills said it provided a foreign exchange cover of about $1.86 billion from export in 2009, while livestock farmers and fisherfolk did not only provide the nation with its important protein requirements but also generated $48.12 million in foreign exchange from fish and other seafood exports.
President Mills, however, stated that despite such gains, Ghana still spent more than $1 billion annually on the importation of food that could be produced in the country with rice alone wiping out $500 million of Ghana’s hard-earned foreign exchange.
He expressed the hope that duties imposed on selected food items in the 2011 budget would address the gross imbalance and mentioned subsidy on fertiliser, expanding irrigation to end rain-fed agriculture, intensified dissemination of agricultural technologies and education, the Youth in Agriculture Programme and the creation of a national food buffer stock company to store food as some of the government’s interventions.
President Mills said the buffer stock company had started yielding good results because it had purchased and stored 10,000 metric tons of paddy rice and about 32,000 metric tons of maize, some of which had been bought by the World Food Programme and sent to Niger.
He thanked the farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders who were honoured and the entire farming community for their efforts at keeping the economy going.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Kwasi Ahwoi, told the gathering about numerous initiatives that the ministry had implemented in the agricultural sector.
These included 63 per cent increase in the allocation of tractors and implements, provision of combine harvesters to farmers, warehousing, support for farmer organisations, which, he indicated, had led to increased production of food crops, livestock and fish catch, especially in the Afram Plains.
Mr Ahwoi, who also dwelt on various aspects of agriculture, stated that the ministry would not relent in its efforts at assisting all those engaged in agriculture to boost production.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said a number of interventions had been made to boost agriculture in the region.
These, Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated, included the rehabilitation of about 1,126.28 km. of feeder roads at the cost of GH¢2.2 million and the construction of a number of bridges.
He also stated that a road was being constructed from Mame Krobo in Kwahu North (Afram Plains) to link the Ashanti Region at Agogo, explaining that such a road network would make the Afram Plains, which could only be reached by crossing the Afram River by pontoon, accessible by vehicles from the Ashanti Region.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
MMDCES MUST UPGRADE THEMSELVES (PAGE 13, DEC 1, 2010)
METROPOLITAN, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) are to upgrade themselves academically to effectively administer their outfits when the decentralisation process currently underway is fully implemented.
Under the decentralisation programme, about 30,000 civil servants will have to migrate into the local government service with the MMDCEs as the heads who will administer their areas through the co-ordinating directors.
Also, former heads of the ministries at the district level will be re-designated as scheduled officers of the MMDCEs who will give them directives.
Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, an expert on local government and Principal Lecturer of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, who made the call said it had become necessary for the MMDCEs to upgrade themselves academically because they would have to direct highly qualified and skilled personnel with qualifications such as second degrees or higher.
Mr Ahwoi, a one-time Minister of Local Government, made the call at a one-day seminar on local government Koforidua on Monday.
It was attended by a number of dignitaries such as the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, his deputy, Baba Jamal, municipal and district chief executives, co-ordinating directors and other top officials of the assemblies in the Eastern Region.
Also present were some traditional rulers including the Omanhene of New Juaben and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Daasebre (Prof) Oti Boaten, the Omanhene of Akyem Bosome, Okofrobuor Kantamanto Oware Agyekum, who is also the Vice President of the Eastern Regional House of Chefs, the Acting President of the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, Nene Sasraku and Osabarima Owusu Gyemadu III, Chief of Anyinasin and Member of Council of State who chaired the function.
Speaking on the topic “One step forward, the significance of LI 1961 in MMDAs’ capacity building”, Mr Ahwoi said MMDCEs as administrators or managers would have to upgrade themselves academically to be able to face the realities of giving orders to well qualified personnel when the decentralisation process is fully implemented.
He, therefore, advised MMDCEs to consider upgrading themselves so that they would be able to stamp their authority on the highly qualified personnel that would be placed under them.
“You are going to give orders or directives to these former directors all of whom have high academic qualifications some with second university degrees or higher and if you still have lower qualifications, it will be difficult for you to administer because they will simply not take your directives serious”, Mr Kwamena Ahwoi told the MDCEs.
Mr Ahwoi traced the history of local government, especially the decentralization process.He pointed out the rationale of the process and indicated that its full implementation would accelerate the development in the municipalities and districts, and called for the co-operation of all the staff who would be made to work in such areas.
Daasebre (Prof) Oti Boateng suggested that all the assemblies should be linked to share ideas. He also called on all to put aside political affiliations and help develop the communities.
Welcoming the participants, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, re-affirmed government’s commitment to the decentralisation process which he said was to ensure popular participation and accelerated development of the communities.
On the orientation of MMDCEs, Mr Ampofo suggested that such newly-appointed political heads must be in office for at least three weeks before undergoing an orientation course and explained that such a situation would enable them to have some knowledge of their new establishments before being oriented.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo called for mutual respect and trust between MMDCEs and Co-ordinating Directors and indicated it was vital for the development of the communities.
The Director of Human Resource at the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Charles Kotey, assured civil servants who would migrate to the local government service of motivation and added that such personnel would however have to be disciplined and loyal.
Under the decentralisation programme, about 30,000 civil servants will have to migrate into the local government service with the MMDCEs as the heads who will administer their areas through the co-ordinating directors.
Also, former heads of the ministries at the district level will be re-designated as scheduled officers of the MMDCEs who will give them directives.
Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, an expert on local government and Principal Lecturer of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, who made the call said it had become necessary for the MMDCEs to upgrade themselves academically because they would have to direct highly qualified and skilled personnel with qualifications such as second degrees or higher.
Mr Ahwoi, a one-time Minister of Local Government, made the call at a one-day seminar on local government Koforidua on Monday.
It was attended by a number of dignitaries such as the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, his deputy, Baba Jamal, municipal and district chief executives, co-ordinating directors and other top officials of the assemblies in the Eastern Region.
Also present were some traditional rulers including the Omanhene of New Juaben and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Daasebre (Prof) Oti Boaten, the Omanhene of Akyem Bosome, Okofrobuor Kantamanto Oware Agyekum, who is also the Vice President of the Eastern Regional House of Chefs, the Acting President of the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, Nene Sasraku and Osabarima Owusu Gyemadu III, Chief of Anyinasin and Member of Council of State who chaired the function.
Speaking on the topic “One step forward, the significance of LI 1961 in MMDAs’ capacity building”, Mr Ahwoi said MMDCEs as administrators or managers would have to upgrade themselves academically to be able to face the realities of giving orders to well qualified personnel when the decentralisation process is fully implemented.
He, therefore, advised MMDCEs to consider upgrading themselves so that they would be able to stamp their authority on the highly qualified personnel that would be placed under them.
“You are going to give orders or directives to these former directors all of whom have high academic qualifications some with second university degrees or higher and if you still have lower qualifications, it will be difficult for you to administer because they will simply not take your directives serious”, Mr Kwamena Ahwoi told the MDCEs.
Mr Ahwoi traced the history of local government, especially the decentralization process.He pointed out the rationale of the process and indicated that its full implementation would accelerate the development in the municipalities and districts, and called for the co-operation of all the staff who would be made to work in such areas.
Daasebre (Prof) Oti Boateng suggested that all the assemblies should be linked to share ideas. He also called on all to put aside political affiliations and help develop the communities.
Welcoming the participants, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, re-affirmed government’s commitment to the decentralisation process which he said was to ensure popular participation and accelerated development of the communities.
On the orientation of MMDCEs, Mr Ampofo suggested that such newly-appointed political heads must be in office for at least three weeks before undergoing an orientation course and explained that such a situation would enable them to have some knowledge of their new establishments before being oriented.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo called for mutual respect and trust between MMDCEs and Co-ordinating Directors and indicated it was vital for the development of the communities.
The Director of Human Resource at the Ministry of Local Government, Mr Charles Kotey, assured civil servants who would migrate to the local government service of motivation and added that such personnel would however have to be disciplined and loyal.
NEW JUABENG POLICE CHIEF CALLS FOR SUPPORT (PAGE 43, NOV 29, 2010)
THE newly-posted New Juaben Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Lovelace Tefutor Kaletsi, has appealed to residents in the municipality for assistance to deal with criminals in the area.
He also called for media collaboration in that respect.
Superintendent Kaletsi who assumed office barely three weeks ago, said although the police had identified all the crime-prone areas within the municipality, information from the public would enable the police to promptly apprehend the criminals in the act.
The police commander made the appeal when he met representatives of the various media houses in Koforidua.
He mentioned some of the crime-prone areas as Pentoa Walla, Nsukwao, some parts of Ada, Adweso Mile 50, the Railway Line and areas of Nkurakan, Huhunya and Asikasu.
Supt Kaletsi said most often suspected criminals rounded up, especially at Pentoa Walla which is in the centre of Koforidua, had to be freed because such miscreants who smoked and dealt in Indian hemp attacked and snatched mobile phones and bags containing money were not found with such items.
In view of that, Supt Kaletsi appealed to the public to immediately notify the police anytime such criminals were spotted smoking or selling Indian hemp or engaging in other criminal acts.
He said last month, the municipality recorded 417 crimes out of which there were two murders, 165 assaults, 35 threats of death, two abductions, 39 cases of causing damage by fire or acid, 112 stealing cases and one robbery.
He stated that although police personnel under his command had been put in readiness to combat crime, their limited number had made it difficult for them to accomplish the task because some of them had to be permanently put on guard duties at the banks and other vital installations.
Apart from that, Supt Kalitsi said an old Land Rover vehicle which was being used by the police had been sent for servicing at the Police Headquarters.
He expressed the hope that a request to the financial institutions within the municipality for an operational vehicle for his outfit would be granted on time to enable the police to operate effectively.
“We have identified all the crime-prone areas but our number is small with no operational vehicle, but despite that, we are doing our best to arrest the criminals and make the municipality safe for the inhabitants,” Supt Kalitsi stressed.
He also called for media collaboration in that respect.
Superintendent Kaletsi who assumed office barely three weeks ago, said although the police had identified all the crime-prone areas within the municipality, information from the public would enable the police to promptly apprehend the criminals in the act.
The police commander made the appeal when he met representatives of the various media houses in Koforidua.
He mentioned some of the crime-prone areas as Pentoa Walla, Nsukwao, some parts of Ada, Adweso Mile 50, the Railway Line and areas of Nkurakan, Huhunya and Asikasu.
Supt Kaletsi said most often suspected criminals rounded up, especially at Pentoa Walla which is in the centre of Koforidua, had to be freed because such miscreants who smoked and dealt in Indian hemp attacked and snatched mobile phones and bags containing money were not found with such items.
In view of that, Supt Kaletsi appealed to the public to immediately notify the police anytime such criminals were spotted smoking or selling Indian hemp or engaging in other criminal acts.
He said last month, the municipality recorded 417 crimes out of which there were two murders, 165 assaults, 35 threats of death, two abductions, 39 cases of causing damage by fire or acid, 112 stealing cases and one robbery.
He stated that although police personnel under his command had been put in readiness to combat crime, their limited number had made it difficult for them to accomplish the task because some of them had to be permanently put on guard duties at the banks and other vital installations.
Apart from that, Supt Kalitsi said an old Land Rover vehicle which was being used by the police had been sent for servicing at the Police Headquarters.
He expressed the hope that a request to the financial institutions within the municipality for an operational vehicle for his outfit would be granted on time to enable the police to operate effectively.
“We have identified all the crime-prone areas but our number is small with no operational vehicle, but despite that, we are doing our best to arrest the criminals and make the municipality safe for the inhabitants,” Supt Kalitsi stressed.
KOFORIDUA POLY GETS NEW RECTOR (PAGE 43, NOV 29, 2010)
KOFORIDUA Polytechnic now has a new rector in the person of Professor (Ing) Reynolds Okai, formerly of the University of Education, Winneba. He took over from Dr George Afranie whose four-year term of office has expired.
Speaking during his investiture at Koforidua at the weekend, Prof. Okai, 45, who is currently the youngest person to administer a polytechnic in the country, pledged to transform the institution to be among the best in Africa.
The colourful ceremony was witnessed by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, fellow rectors of the other polytechnics, some traditional rulers in the New Juaben Municipality, including the Adwesohene on whose land the polytechnic is situated, and students.
The new rector said his vision for the transformation of the polytechnic would include strengthening its departments with highly qualified staff, improving the infrastructure, equipping the laboratories and mobilising funds to support development projects.
Others, according to him, would be the introduction of innovative demand-driven programmes such as Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) and increasing access to Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes through distance learning by 50 per cent and Master of Technology degree programme (M. Tech), all by the year 2014.
Welcoming the new rector, the chairman of the Polytechnic Council, Nana Nkwantabisa III, said Professor Okai’s appointment had come at a time the polytechnic was facing many challenges, particularly emanating from the just ended strike action by the polytechnic teachers.
He appealed to all stakeholders to support the new rector to find solutions to the challenges.
Earlier, Mr Ofosu Ampofo urged the new rector to increase the number of programmes and modes of delivery as well as set up a scholarship scheme for brilliant, needy students.
According to Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the government had also embarked on massive infrastructural development in the polytechnic whose access roads were also being improved.
Professor Okai who was born in Accra on September 23, 1965, began his formal education at the Roman Catholic Primary School at Akwadum, a rural community, near Koforidua.
Between 1976 and 1981, he was a student at the Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua, where he obtained the GCE Ordinary Level certificate and continued at the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, Legon, between 1981 and 1983 when he secured the GCE Advance Level certificate.
Thereafter, Prof. Okai entered the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in 1984 and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
From 1992 to 1997, Professor Okai studied in the Nagoya University in Japan where he obtained Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Mechanical Engineering for Biological Materials after which he earned a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Education, Winneba.
Professor Okai has worked for more than 20 years in Africa, Asia and Europe with scores of research papers to his credit and had presented dozens of international conference papers some of which have been published in international journals.
He is also a co-author of four textbooks.
The new rector who speaks Japanese, French, English as well as local languages such as Ga, Fante and Twi, is married to Mrs Dora Okai and are blessed with four children.
* Picture DSC-3459:
Picture: Takyi Boateng
Speaking during his investiture at Koforidua at the weekend, Prof. Okai, 45, who is currently the youngest person to administer a polytechnic in the country, pledged to transform the institution to be among the best in Africa.
The colourful ceremony was witnessed by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, fellow rectors of the other polytechnics, some traditional rulers in the New Juaben Municipality, including the Adwesohene on whose land the polytechnic is situated, and students.
The new rector said his vision for the transformation of the polytechnic would include strengthening its departments with highly qualified staff, improving the infrastructure, equipping the laboratories and mobilising funds to support development projects.
Others, according to him, would be the introduction of innovative demand-driven programmes such as Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) and increasing access to Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes through distance learning by 50 per cent and Master of Technology degree programme (M. Tech), all by the year 2014.
Welcoming the new rector, the chairman of the Polytechnic Council, Nana Nkwantabisa III, said Professor Okai’s appointment had come at a time the polytechnic was facing many challenges, particularly emanating from the just ended strike action by the polytechnic teachers.
He appealed to all stakeholders to support the new rector to find solutions to the challenges.
Earlier, Mr Ofosu Ampofo urged the new rector to increase the number of programmes and modes of delivery as well as set up a scholarship scheme for brilliant, needy students.
According to Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the government had also embarked on massive infrastructural development in the polytechnic whose access roads were also being improved.
Professor Okai who was born in Accra on September 23, 1965, began his formal education at the Roman Catholic Primary School at Akwadum, a rural community, near Koforidua.
Between 1976 and 1981, he was a student at the Ghana Senior High School, Koforidua, where he obtained the GCE Ordinary Level certificate and continued at the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, Legon, between 1981 and 1983 when he secured the GCE Advance Level certificate.
Thereafter, Prof. Okai entered the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in 1984 and graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
From 1992 to 1997, Professor Okai studied in the Nagoya University in Japan where he obtained Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Mechanical Engineering for Biological Materials after which he earned a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Education, Winneba.
Professor Okai has worked for more than 20 years in Africa, Asia and Europe with scores of research papers to his credit and had presented dozens of international conference papers some of which have been published in international journals.
He is also a co-author of four textbooks.
The new rector who speaks Japanese, French, English as well as local languages such as Ga, Fante and Twi, is married to Mrs Dora Okai and are blessed with four children.
* Picture DSC-3459:
Picture: Takyi Boateng
COUNCILS FOR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION INAUGURATED (PAGE 38, NOV 29, 2010)
ALL the six teacher training colleges in the Eastern Region whose status have been raised from second cycle to the tertiary level and renamed colleges of education, now have governing councils.
They are the Presbyterian Colleges of Education at Akropong-Akuapem, Aburi, Abetifi, Kyebi, the Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education at Asokore, near Koforidua, and the Mount Mary College of Education at Somanya.
The governing councils of the colleges of education which are currently on an interim basis because the processes of their transition to the tertiary level have not been completed are, among others, to administer the colleges and also appoint their chief executives currently known as principals just like any tertiary institution.
Inaugurating the councils in Koforidua at the weekend, the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, spelt out the functions of members of the councils which, among others, were to appoint the chief executives of the colleges and also help administer them.
He expressed the hope that with the rich educational and administrative backgrounds of the members, they would be able to assist the principals to properly guide the colleges to produce quality teachers to nurture and produce academically-inclined and disciplined pupils who would be able to climb the academic ladder to become professionals.
According to Mr Tettey-Enyo, that would go a long way to accelerate the country’s development.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Muhamed Ahmed Baba Jamal, said since the transition of the teacher training colleges to tertiary status would be associated with problems, the Regional Co-ordinating Council would help solve them to enable them to turn out good teachers for the classrooms.
The Principal of the College of Education, Kyebi, Rev. Emmanuel Yaw Omenako, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, was hopeful that the transition would further improve the quality of education in the country .
He gave the assurance that as principals, they would do their best in that respect.
They are the Presbyterian Colleges of Education at Akropong-Akuapem, Aburi, Abetifi, Kyebi, the Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education at Asokore, near Koforidua, and the Mount Mary College of Education at Somanya.
The governing councils of the colleges of education which are currently on an interim basis because the processes of their transition to the tertiary level have not been completed are, among others, to administer the colleges and also appoint their chief executives currently known as principals just like any tertiary institution.
Inaugurating the councils in Koforidua at the weekend, the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, spelt out the functions of members of the councils which, among others, were to appoint the chief executives of the colleges and also help administer them.
He expressed the hope that with the rich educational and administrative backgrounds of the members, they would be able to assist the principals to properly guide the colleges to produce quality teachers to nurture and produce academically-inclined and disciplined pupils who would be able to climb the academic ladder to become professionals.
According to Mr Tettey-Enyo, that would go a long way to accelerate the country’s development.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Muhamed Ahmed Baba Jamal, said since the transition of the teacher training colleges to tertiary status would be associated with problems, the Regional Co-ordinating Council would help solve them to enable them to turn out good teachers for the classrooms.
The Principal of the College of Education, Kyebi, Rev. Emmanuel Yaw Omenako, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, was hopeful that the transition would further improve the quality of education in the country .
He gave the assurance that as principals, they would do their best in that respect.
OKUAPEMAN SHS PROVIDES MORE FACILITIES (PAGE 38, NOV 29, 2010)
THE management of the Okuapeman Senior High School (SHS) at Akropong-Akuapem, one of the best second-cycle educational institutions in the region, has provided the necessary infrastructural amenities, especially dormitories and classrooms for students.
Other amenities provided are 350 dual beds, 500 mono desks and 120 dining hall benches.
The facilities, worth thousands of Ghana cedis, were funded from the school’s resources with the support of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which also provided unspecified sums of money.
The situation has made it possible for the school’s current student population of 2,114 to have decent sleeping places and classrooms to study in a congenial atmosphere.
Such an initiative which was taken by the Headmaster, Mr Felix Essah-Hienno, won the admiration of parents at a PTA meeting last weekend.
Before the commencement of the academic year, the Okuapeman SHS like any other second-cycle educational institution, did not have the required dormitories and classrooms to take care of first year students due to the extension of the SHS duration from three to four years.
Although the government has engaged a contractor to put up the vital facilities, especially a classroom block, work on the project was at a standstill, so the school administration with the support of the PTA, had to work around the clock to provide additional classrooms and dormitories.
“We have to use the school’s limited financial resources together with funds from the PTA to put up additional classrooms and dormitories for the students, so all of them are comfortably accommodated and classes are going on normally,” Mr Essah-Hienno told members of the PTA.
According to him, the extension of the SHS from three to four years required that additional facilities such as classroom blocks and dormitories should be provided.
The headmaster stated that although the government did its best by awarding contracts for the construction of the facilities, especially a classroom block, work on it was not progressing as expected.
He said his administration therefore had to use its meagre resources together with additional funds from the PTA to provide more structures to accommodate the students in a congenial atmosphere.
Mr Essah-Hienno’s development programme was hailed by parents present at the meeting as most of them praised him for taking such a bold decision, which had prevented a situation where first year students had to sleep on the floor as in the case of some schools in the country.
The chairman of the PTA, Mr James Fokuo, said additional facilities such as KVIP places of convenience and water tanks would soon be provided for the school, and appealed to parents for support.
Other amenities provided are 350 dual beds, 500 mono desks and 120 dining hall benches.
The facilities, worth thousands of Ghana cedis, were funded from the school’s resources with the support of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which also provided unspecified sums of money.
The situation has made it possible for the school’s current student population of 2,114 to have decent sleeping places and classrooms to study in a congenial atmosphere.
Such an initiative which was taken by the Headmaster, Mr Felix Essah-Hienno, won the admiration of parents at a PTA meeting last weekend.
Before the commencement of the academic year, the Okuapeman SHS like any other second-cycle educational institution, did not have the required dormitories and classrooms to take care of first year students due to the extension of the SHS duration from three to four years.
Although the government has engaged a contractor to put up the vital facilities, especially a classroom block, work on the project was at a standstill, so the school administration with the support of the PTA, had to work around the clock to provide additional classrooms and dormitories.
“We have to use the school’s limited financial resources together with funds from the PTA to put up additional classrooms and dormitories for the students, so all of them are comfortably accommodated and classes are going on normally,” Mr Essah-Hienno told members of the PTA.
According to him, the extension of the SHS from three to four years required that additional facilities such as classroom blocks and dormitories should be provided.
The headmaster stated that although the government did its best by awarding contracts for the construction of the facilities, especially a classroom block, work on it was not progressing as expected.
He said his administration therefore had to use its meagre resources together with additional funds from the PTA to provide more structures to accommodate the students in a congenial atmosphere.
Mr Essah-Hienno’s development programme was hailed by parents present at the meeting as most of them praised him for taking such a bold decision, which had prevented a situation where first year students had to sleep on the floor as in the case of some schools in the country.
The chairman of the PTA, Mr James Fokuo, said additional facilities such as KVIP places of convenience and water tanks would soon be provided for the school, and appealed to parents for support.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
MILITARY-POLICE TEAM IMPOUNDS SAWN LUMBER (PAGE 42, NOV 25, 2010)
THE Ashaiman Municipal Assembly is adopting effective strategies to improve revenue generation to finance development projects in the municipality.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Numo Adinortey Addison, made this known at the passing out parade of newly recruited city guards.
He said the concept of grassroots development was vital to the country’s middle income objective as well as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on poverty eradication.
The eight female recruits underwent a six-week intensive training programme at the Ghana Police College where they were taken through foot drills, criminal law, public relations and the local government act.
Mr Adinortey stated that the city guards unit of the assembly was created to assist in its revenue mobilisation drive and to also assist police personnel on traffic duties, decongestion and maintenance of law and order.
He entreated the recruits to ensure that residents in the municipality were accorded the needed respect and courtesy in the discharge of their duties, stressing that they should also work hard to ensure the criminality tag associated with the municipality was a thing of the past.
The MCE expressed concern about street-hawking which had taken a new dimension in the municipality, although the assembly had in the past spent a huge chunk of its revenue on decongestion.
Mr Adinortey appealed to the residents to co-operate with the assembly and the guards in revenue mobilisation to help improve the assembly’s developmental drive.
A Member of the Council of State, Mr Adjei Annang, who represented the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashittey, challenged the guards to live above reproach as they contribute their quota towards the development of the assembly and the community as a whole.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Numo Adinortey Addison, made this known at the passing out parade of newly recruited city guards.
He said the concept of grassroots development was vital to the country’s middle income objective as well as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on poverty eradication.
The eight female recruits underwent a six-week intensive training programme at the Ghana Police College where they were taken through foot drills, criminal law, public relations and the local government act.
Mr Adinortey stated that the city guards unit of the assembly was created to assist in its revenue mobilisation drive and to also assist police personnel on traffic duties, decongestion and maintenance of law and order.
He entreated the recruits to ensure that residents in the municipality were accorded the needed respect and courtesy in the discharge of their duties, stressing that they should also work hard to ensure the criminality tag associated with the municipality was a thing of the past.
The MCE expressed concern about street-hawking which had taken a new dimension in the municipality, although the assembly had in the past spent a huge chunk of its revenue on decongestion.
Mr Adinortey appealed to the residents to co-operate with the assembly and the guards in revenue mobilisation to help improve the assembly’s developmental drive.
A Member of the Council of State, Mr Adjei Annang, who represented the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashittey, challenged the guards to live above reproach as they contribute their quota towards the development of the assembly and the community as a whole.
FWSC MEETS POTAG REPS (PAGE 51, NOV 24, 2010)
THE Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), as well as Governing Councils of Polytechnics, yesterday met in Koforidua to explore avenues for resolving the sticky points concerning their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Mr George Smith-Graham, explained the rationale behind the Commission’s decision not to negotiate with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) for their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS)
He explained that since there were other groups of workers such as the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) within the polytechnics to be negotiated with, the best solution to the problem was for FWSC to standardise the allowances and salaries within the public sector to correct all the anomalies.
That, Mr Smith-Graham said, would help members of POTAG to benefit from their placement on the SSSS.
The one-day meeting was to see how best to finally resolve issues that led to the strike of POTAG, which ended recently and also address inherent challenges facing polytechnics.
Mr Smith-Graham said although POTAG, whose collective agreement had elapsed since 2008, had a genuine case, should the FWSC single it out and negotiate with it for its placement on the SSSS, that would open a floodgate for others to follow suit and that would worsen the situation.
He, therefore, explained that the best option was for the FWSC to standardise allowances associated with 110 salary structures within the public sector, including that of polytechnic lecturers, to ensure fairness.
He also stated that the SSSS concept was for equal pay for equal job performed but not equal pay for equal qualification and said it was wrong for workers with the same qualification to be paid the same salary, explaining that while one’s work would be tedious for hours a day, another person with the same qualification would be working for less hours.
Mr Smith-Graham said FWSC had done a lot in terms of SSSS implementation and that 15 institutions would be hooked on to it this month and appealed to POTAG to be patient to allow his outfit to do its job for the placement of its members on the structure, which, he said, would be beneficial to POTAG.
The President of POTAG, Mr Godfred Abledu, had earlier told the gathering that POTAG was not happy about the refusal of FWSC to meet the association and that it would be suicidal if its members were not involved in negotiations for their placement on the SSSS.
Mr Abledu, who gave an example of the disparities in the salaries of lecturers of the polytechnics and those in the public universities, indicated that such disparities must be addressed to bring harmony.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the FWSC would act in that respect.
Earlier, in his welcoming address, the Chairman of the Koforidua Polytechnic Council, Nana Nkwantabisa III, said although polytechnic teachers were back to the lecture halls, there were other challenges facing the polytechnics and called on stakeholders to help resolve them.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Mr George Smith-Graham, explained the rationale behind the Commission’s decision not to negotiate with the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) for their placement on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS)
He explained that since there were other groups of workers such as the Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) within the polytechnics to be negotiated with, the best solution to the problem was for FWSC to standardise the allowances and salaries within the public sector to correct all the anomalies.
That, Mr Smith-Graham said, would help members of POTAG to benefit from their placement on the SSSS.
The one-day meeting was to see how best to finally resolve issues that led to the strike of POTAG, which ended recently and also address inherent challenges facing polytechnics.
Mr Smith-Graham said although POTAG, whose collective agreement had elapsed since 2008, had a genuine case, should the FWSC single it out and negotiate with it for its placement on the SSSS, that would open a floodgate for others to follow suit and that would worsen the situation.
He, therefore, explained that the best option was for the FWSC to standardise allowances associated with 110 salary structures within the public sector, including that of polytechnic lecturers, to ensure fairness.
He also stated that the SSSS concept was for equal pay for equal job performed but not equal pay for equal qualification and said it was wrong for workers with the same qualification to be paid the same salary, explaining that while one’s work would be tedious for hours a day, another person with the same qualification would be working for less hours.
Mr Smith-Graham said FWSC had done a lot in terms of SSSS implementation and that 15 institutions would be hooked on to it this month and appealed to POTAG to be patient to allow his outfit to do its job for the placement of its members on the structure, which, he said, would be beneficial to POTAG.
The President of POTAG, Mr Godfred Abledu, had earlier told the gathering that POTAG was not happy about the refusal of FWSC to meet the association and that it would be suicidal if its members were not involved in negotiations for their placement on the SSSS.
Mr Abledu, who gave an example of the disparities in the salaries of lecturers of the polytechnics and those in the public universities, indicated that such disparities must be addressed to bring harmony.
He, therefore, expressed the hope that the FWSC would act in that respect.
Earlier, in his welcoming address, the Chairman of the Koforidua Polytechnic Council, Nana Nkwantabisa III, said although polytechnic teachers were back to the lecture halls, there were other challenges facing the polytechnics and called on stakeholders to help resolve them.
SAUDI NATIONAL DONATES CATTLE TO THE POOR (PAGE 54, NOV 22, 2010)
TO ensure that the poor and marginalised in society within the New Juaben Municipality also enjoyed the Idul Adha festival, a Saudi national donated five cows which were slaughtered and the meat shared among them last Tuesday.
According to Chief Abu Adams, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Council of Muslim Chiefs, who received the cattle, the donation had been a big relief to not only poor Muslims, but also others people in general since the festival was a joyous occasion to for all.
Chief Abu Adams, who is also the Head of the Dagomba Community in the Eastern Region, on behalf of Muslims and their chiefs, especially the poor, expressed his appreciation to the Saudi donor.
According to Chief Abu Adams, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Council of Muslim Chiefs, who received the cattle, the donation had been a big relief to not only poor Muslims, but also others people in general since the festival was a joyous occasion to for all.
Chief Abu Adams, who is also the Head of the Dagomba Community in the Eastern Region, on behalf of Muslims and their chiefs, especially the poor, expressed his appreciation to the Saudi donor.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
MINISTER DEFENDS OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL MINERS (SPREAD, NOV 18, 2010)
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has defended the military/police crackdown on illegal gold miners at Kyebi, stating that such operations will continue until the miners are totally flushed out.
He said if that was not done, the activities of the illegal gold miners, most of whom operated along the Birim river, would lead to the total destruction of the river, the main source of water for numerous farming communities.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo also said the crack-down was to prevent the situation of Ghana becoming a failed state or lawless society since the “galamsey” operators who were always armed often fought among themselves, making their operational grounds a no-go area.
Mr Ampofo, therefore, called for support from traditional rulers in the area.
The regional minister made these remarks at a press conference to throw light on the military/police crackdown on “galamsey” operators at Kyebi and its environs on November 8, 2010.
It was attended by top security personnel including Lt Col. Barima Owusu, the Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Brigade, Michel Camp, Tema and the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, who led the military/police operation.
Also present were top officials of the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Ghana Health Service who gave detailed accounts on the negative effects of the activities of the “galamsey” operators on the environment and the health of the people.
The minister said although the military and the police had over the past year carried out a number of swoops not only in the Kyebi area but in other parts of Akyem Abuakwa where a number of the illegal miners were arrested and their equipment seized, it was difficult in getting their prosecutions expedited.
He said what was also worrying was that fines imposed by the courts on the illegal miners were not punitive enough to deter them from re-engaging in the illegal activities and gave the assurance that the swoops would be carried out when and where necessary to totally flush them from the area.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo deplored some reports in the media with specific reference to private radio stations and newspapers portraying the military as being heavy-handed during the swoop as well as wrongfully associating some politicians to the problem.
“As media personnel, it is your responsibility to come out with the actual truth, pointing out the dangers of illegal gold mining instead of wrongfully accusing the military of brutalities because if the military withdraws, it is the people in the area who will suffer,” he stated.
He said if that was not done, the activities of the illegal gold miners, most of whom operated along the Birim river, would lead to the total destruction of the river, the main source of water for numerous farming communities.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo also said the crack-down was to prevent the situation of Ghana becoming a failed state or lawless society since the “galamsey” operators who were always armed often fought among themselves, making their operational grounds a no-go area.
Mr Ampofo, therefore, called for support from traditional rulers in the area.
The regional minister made these remarks at a press conference to throw light on the military/police crackdown on “galamsey” operators at Kyebi and its environs on November 8, 2010.
It was attended by top security personnel including Lt Col. Barima Owusu, the Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Brigade, Michel Camp, Tema and the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, who led the military/police operation.
Also present were top officials of the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Ghana Health Service who gave detailed accounts on the negative effects of the activities of the “galamsey” operators on the environment and the health of the people.
The minister said although the military and the police had over the past year carried out a number of swoops not only in the Kyebi area but in other parts of Akyem Abuakwa where a number of the illegal miners were arrested and their equipment seized, it was difficult in getting their prosecutions expedited.
He said what was also worrying was that fines imposed by the courts on the illegal miners were not punitive enough to deter them from re-engaging in the illegal activities and gave the assurance that the swoops would be carried out when and where necessary to totally flush them from the area.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo deplored some reports in the media with specific reference to private radio stations and newspapers portraying the military as being heavy-handed during the swoop as well as wrongfully associating some politicians to the problem.
“As media personnel, it is your responsibility to come out with the actual truth, pointing out the dangers of illegal gold mining instead of wrongfully accusing the military of brutalities because if the military withdraws, it is the people in the area who will suffer,” he stated.
CLINICAL AUDIT SAVES NHIS FROM LOSING GH¢100,000 (PAGE 43, NOV 15, 2010)
A CLINICAL audit of claims submitted by service providers to the Eastern Regional Office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) saved the office from paying GH¢100,000 that would have gone down the drain.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the NHIS, Mr Windham Emil Afram, made this known at a peer review meeting in Koforidua last Thursday.
He did not, however, indicate which particular health service providers that submitted the fictitious and false claims.
Mr Afram assured the gathering that his outfit would continue to scrutinise every claim submitted to ensure that the correct claims from service providers were paid.
The one-day meeting, which was attended by district managers and other top officials of the scheme, was to examine the inherent challenges of the scheme in the region and strategise for the future.
Mr Afram said although there had been some anomalies in the book keeping processes of the scheme which were addressed, no financial malfeasance was identified when the clinical audit was conducted on claims submitted in the first quarter of this year.
He stated that in recent times, service providers in the region had few or no complaints in respect of claims payments, adding that GH¢31,142,027.46, which was released by the government from January to August this year to pay claims, had been disbursed to most of the service providers.
Mr Afram praised the government for its commitment to the sustainability of the scheme, noting that such commitment would sustain the scheme and make it possible for the poor to continue to access quality healthcare.
With regard to the issuing of new identity cards for the scheme, he said with tremendous improvement in the process, cards for all those who registered six months ago had been made available for distribution.
He also announced that mass registration of new members during traditional festivals and market days in the region was ongoing.
Mr Afram mentioned Akuapem North, East Akyem, Kwahu North, Atiwa, Yilo Krobo and Manya Krobo as districts where the mass registration was about to be completed, while Kwahu West, Kwahu South, New Juaben and Fanteakwa would soon be tackled.
On the proposed one-time premium, he stated that it was feasible and that its modalities would be outlined by the close of the year.
He expressed his appreciation to the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo for his personal commitment, as well as the Regional Co-ordinating Council, that had made it possible for the scheme to gain grounds in the region.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, said the NHIS was on the verge of collapse when the National Democratic Congress administration took over the reins of government.
He said, for instance that the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua had GH¢1,089,768.53 in outstanding claims as of the end of May this year, while those of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital stood at GH¢2.7 million.
Mr Baba Jamal said the government, therefore, had to institute prudent measures to clear the outstanding bills and also purge the system of illegitimate claims.
The deputy regional minister asked the scheme managers to eschew all forms of corrupt practices to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.
He, however, praised them for their high performance that had sustained the scheme in the region.
The National Operation Manager of the NHIS, Mr William Okyere, commended managers of the scheme in the region for their efforts at detecting fraud in the payment of claims, while the Head of the Audit Unit, Mr George Omaboe, directed them to furnish his outfit with the necessary documents on all past directors to make it possible to process their end-of-service benefits.
A representative of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Addo Larbi, who also spoke at the meeting, urged the managers not to do anything that would lead to the collapse of the scheme in the region.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the NHIS, Mr Windham Emil Afram, made this known at a peer review meeting in Koforidua last Thursday.
He did not, however, indicate which particular health service providers that submitted the fictitious and false claims.
Mr Afram assured the gathering that his outfit would continue to scrutinise every claim submitted to ensure that the correct claims from service providers were paid.
The one-day meeting, which was attended by district managers and other top officials of the scheme, was to examine the inherent challenges of the scheme in the region and strategise for the future.
Mr Afram said although there had been some anomalies in the book keeping processes of the scheme which were addressed, no financial malfeasance was identified when the clinical audit was conducted on claims submitted in the first quarter of this year.
He stated that in recent times, service providers in the region had few or no complaints in respect of claims payments, adding that GH¢31,142,027.46, which was released by the government from January to August this year to pay claims, had been disbursed to most of the service providers.
Mr Afram praised the government for its commitment to the sustainability of the scheme, noting that such commitment would sustain the scheme and make it possible for the poor to continue to access quality healthcare.
With regard to the issuing of new identity cards for the scheme, he said with tremendous improvement in the process, cards for all those who registered six months ago had been made available for distribution.
He also announced that mass registration of new members during traditional festivals and market days in the region was ongoing.
Mr Afram mentioned Akuapem North, East Akyem, Kwahu North, Atiwa, Yilo Krobo and Manya Krobo as districts where the mass registration was about to be completed, while Kwahu West, Kwahu South, New Juaben and Fanteakwa would soon be tackled.
On the proposed one-time premium, he stated that it was feasible and that its modalities would be outlined by the close of the year.
He expressed his appreciation to the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo for his personal commitment, as well as the Regional Co-ordinating Council, that had made it possible for the scheme to gain grounds in the region.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, said the NHIS was on the verge of collapse when the National Democratic Congress administration took over the reins of government.
He said, for instance that the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua had GH¢1,089,768.53 in outstanding claims as of the end of May this year, while those of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital stood at GH¢2.7 million.
Mr Baba Jamal said the government, therefore, had to institute prudent measures to clear the outstanding bills and also purge the system of illegitimate claims.
The deputy regional minister asked the scheme managers to eschew all forms of corrupt practices to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.
He, however, praised them for their high performance that had sustained the scheme in the region.
The National Operation Manager of the NHIS, Mr William Okyere, commended managers of the scheme in the region for their efforts at detecting fraud in the payment of claims, while the Head of the Audit Unit, Mr George Omaboe, directed them to furnish his outfit with the necessary documents on all past directors to make it possible to process their end-of-service benefits.
A representative of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Addo Larbi, who also spoke at the meeting, urged the managers not to do anything that would lead to the collapse of the scheme in the region.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
AKROPONG PRESBY CELEBRATES 175TH ANNIVERSARY (PAGE 57, NOV 15, 2010)
THE AKROPONG-Akuapem Christ Church congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has celebrated its 175th anniversary.
The ceremony, which was attended by a large number of worshippers, including the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and some sub-chiefs and queens of Akropong-Akuapem, was addressed by the outgoing Moderator of the PCG, Rt Revd Dr Yaw Frempong Manso.
The Rt Revd Frempong Manso expressed regret that although Christianity had permeated every community in the country, indiscipline had been the order of the day.
Quoting various biblical texts, he said hardly would a day pass without malpractices such as corruption and other negative acts like armed robbery, prostitution and disrespect for the elderly being encountered in the country.
“Ghana has lost its past glory because of indiscipline, so hardly will a day pass without hearing of armed robbery, corruption and girls soliciting for sex and it is the duty of Christians to live decent life worthy of emulation to change the trend,” Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso stated.
Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso said what was also worrying was the exodus of Ghanaians to foreign lands, especially the United States, Germany and France, to do all sorts of menial jobs, adding that Ghana seemed to have lost its glory and called on Christians to lead lives worthy of emulation.
The Chairperson of the Akuapem Presbytery of the PCG, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantey, traced the history of the church in the presbytery as one associated with numerous challenges.
He said although almost all the early Basel missionaries from Europe who brought Christianity, especially Presbyterianism, to the area died from malaria, they were able to establish the church at Akropong, as well as educational institutions.
That, he said, did not only bring the people closer to God, but also contributed to the physical development of the area and asked members of the church to continue from where the early missionaries and indigenous converts left off.
The ceremony, which was attended by a large number of worshippers, including the Member of Parliament for Akropong, Mr William Ofori Boafo, and some sub-chiefs and queens of Akropong-Akuapem, was addressed by the outgoing Moderator of the PCG, Rt Revd Dr Yaw Frempong Manso.
The Rt Revd Frempong Manso expressed regret that although Christianity had permeated every community in the country, indiscipline had been the order of the day.
Quoting various biblical texts, he said hardly would a day pass without malpractices such as corruption and other negative acts like armed robbery, prostitution and disrespect for the elderly being encountered in the country.
“Ghana has lost its past glory because of indiscipline, so hardly will a day pass without hearing of armed robbery, corruption and girls soliciting for sex and it is the duty of Christians to live decent life worthy of emulation to change the trend,” Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso stated.
Rt Revd Dr Frempong Manso said what was also worrying was the exodus of Ghanaians to foreign lands, especially the United States, Germany and France, to do all sorts of menial jobs, adding that Ghana seemed to have lost its glory and called on Christians to lead lives worthy of emulation.
The Chairperson of the Akuapem Presbytery of the PCG, Rev. Dr Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantey, traced the history of the church in the presbytery as one associated with numerous challenges.
He said although almost all the early Basel missionaries from Europe who brought Christianity, especially Presbyterianism, to the area died from malaria, they were able to establish the church at Akropong, as well as educational institutions.
That, he said, did not only bring the people closer to God, but also contributed to the physical development of the area and asked members of the church to continue from where the early missionaries and indigenous converts left off.
FOUNDATION INTENSIFIES CAMPAIGN ON SANITATION (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
AMPA Resource Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to good sanitation, especially purity of the Densu River at Nsawam and its environs, has intensified its educational campaign in that respect.
One of such programmes sponsored by the World Bank was held at Nsawam at the weekend during which resource persons took participants through the rudiments of sanitation, especially how to make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
The participants who were drawn from the communities that depend on the Densu River, some assembly members of the areas involved and workers of refuse collection companies, expressed concern about the pollution of the Densu River, especially at Nsawam.
According to them, although the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly was doing its best to ensure that the Densu River would not be polluted, the situation had rather worsened.
They said they had therefore decided to serve as watchdogs to apprehend those found dumping refuse or human excreta into the river.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Director of Ampa Resource Foundation, Mr Emmanuel K. Mintah, said his outfit was determined to make Nsawam and its environs tidy and also help make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
Mr Mintah said those were being done through radio programmes and dialogue in partnership with the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a refuse management company, and other stakeholders such as the people in the communities.
He said schoolchildren in the area were being educated on the issue to carry the message to their parents.
One of such programmes sponsored by the World Bank was held at Nsawam at the weekend during which resource persons took participants through the rudiments of sanitation, especially how to make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
The participants who were drawn from the communities that depend on the Densu River, some assembly members of the areas involved and workers of refuse collection companies, expressed concern about the pollution of the Densu River, especially at Nsawam.
According to them, although the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly was doing its best to ensure that the Densu River would not be polluted, the situation had rather worsened.
They said they had therefore decided to serve as watchdogs to apprehend those found dumping refuse or human excreta into the river.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Director of Ampa Resource Foundation, Mr Emmanuel K. Mintah, said his outfit was determined to make Nsawam and its environs tidy and also help make the water from the Densu River safe for drinking.
Mr Mintah said those were being done through radio programmes and dialogue in partnership with the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a refuse management company, and other stakeholders such as the people in the communities.
He said schoolchildren in the area were being educated on the issue to carry the message to their parents.
ATIWA MAKES GIANT STRIDES (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
THE Atiwa District which was created four years ago has made giant strides in terms of provision of social amenities.
Highlighting on the progress so far made at the last annual sitting of the assembly, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum, said a lot had been achieved within the limited period, particularly in the areas of health, education as well as water and sanitation where many of such facilities had been provided
He cited for instance that on education, 37 classroom blocks had either been provided or rehabilitated with eight more school blocks currently under construction, which were at various stages of completion.
Apart from that Mr Atta Twum stated that the assembly had also spent GH21,771.43 to sponsor the education of 67 brilliant, needy students at various levels of education while 11 basic schools had been roped into the school feeding programme.
He said the assembly which had put education on its priority list, had provided the required furniture for teachers and the pupils, adding that 100 sets of furniture for children at the kindergarten level and 1,200 dual desks for those in the junior high schools would soon be delivered.
Mr Atta Twum stated that so far 58,010 people had sort far been insured under the district’s health insurance scheme to enable them to have affordable and quality health care.
To reduce water-borne diseases, the DCE said the percentage of the population enjoying good drinking water had increased from 51 per cent in 2006 to 65 per cent in 2008 and further improved to about 75 per cent this year.
The assembly, he further stated collaborated with Community Water and Sanitation Agency DANIDA, World Vision, Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA), Water Aid and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to provide 262 boreholes, 54 hand-dug wells, four small town water facilities and 54 institutional latrines in the district, especially in the deprived areas.
Mr Atta Twum who indicated that some of the bad roads had also been rehabilitated said GH 39,000.00 had been given out to members of the district’s branch of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled and other individuals to undertake livelihood projects.
On electricity, the DCE told the House that most of the towns and villages had been hooked to the national grid and that the facility would soon be extended to other villages such as Nanapa, Ahankrasu, Vanderpuye and Akutuase-Ehiawoanwu.
With regard to internally-generated revenue, Mr Atta Twum said as of September 30, this year, GH199.851.74 had been collected from local sources, representing 77.6 per cent of the assembly’s annual budget estimated at GH 257,358.20 out of which GH 158,360 had been expended on various projects and programmes.
Highlighting on the progress so far made at the last annual sitting of the assembly, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Atta Twum, said a lot had been achieved within the limited period, particularly in the areas of health, education as well as water and sanitation where many of such facilities had been provided
He cited for instance that on education, 37 classroom blocks had either been provided or rehabilitated with eight more school blocks currently under construction, which were at various stages of completion.
Apart from that Mr Atta Twum stated that the assembly had also spent GH21,771.43 to sponsor the education of 67 brilliant, needy students at various levels of education while 11 basic schools had been roped into the school feeding programme.
He said the assembly which had put education on its priority list, had provided the required furniture for teachers and the pupils, adding that 100 sets of furniture for children at the kindergarten level and 1,200 dual desks for those in the junior high schools would soon be delivered.
Mr Atta Twum stated that so far 58,010 people had sort far been insured under the district’s health insurance scheme to enable them to have affordable and quality health care.
To reduce water-borne diseases, the DCE said the percentage of the population enjoying good drinking water had increased from 51 per cent in 2006 to 65 per cent in 2008 and further improved to about 75 per cent this year.
The assembly, he further stated collaborated with Community Water and Sanitation Agency DANIDA, World Vision, Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA), Water Aid and Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to provide 262 boreholes, 54 hand-dug wells, four small town water facilities and 54 institutional latrines in the district, especially in the deprived areas.
Mr Atta Twum who indicated that some of the bad roads had also been rehabilitated said GH 39,000.00 had been given out to members of the district’s branch of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled and other individuals to undertake livelihood projects.
On electricity, the DCE told the House that most of the towns and villages had been hooked to the national grid and that the facility would soon be extended to other villages such as Nanapa, Ahankrasu, Vanderpuye and Akutuase-Ehiawoanwu.
With regard to internally-generated revenue, Mr Atta Twum said as of September 30, this year, GH199.851.74 had been collected from local sources, representing 77.6 per cent of the assembly’s annual budget estimated at GH 257,358.20 out of which GH 158,360 had been expended on various projects and programmes.
NEWMOUNT, OLIVES DONATE TO MINING COMMUNITIES (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
NEWMONT Golden Ridge Limited, a gold mining company in the Akyem area in the Eastern Region, in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, the Organisation for Livelihood Enhancement Services (OLIVES), has presented television sets, DVD players and office and games equipment to be distributed to four communities in the operational areas of the company.
The four beneficiary communities, Adausena, Afosu, Ntronang and Okaikrom, have also been given plastic chairs and canopies to be rented out to generate income for the people in the area.
Presenting the items on behalf of Newmont at New Abirem at the weekend, the Birim North District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Francis Owusu Ansah, praised Newmont and OLIVES for their assistance, which according to him, would help improve the lot of the people.
He advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the items.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs Juliana Sackey, who received the items on behalf of the communities, was hopeful that Newmont had already assessed the medical equipment situation of health facilities in the area.
She said the items would be delivered to the health facilities such as the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw to improve on their performance.
The Executive Director of OLIVES, Mr Moses E. Ogoe, said apart from the donation, his outfit was also educating the people to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS due to the influx of people from all walks of life to the area as a result of the operations of the company.
Earlier, Newmont had organised a quiz competition for 16 junior high schools (JHS) in its operational area during which the pupils were drilled on mining activities, science, mathematics and social studies.
The event also brought together, the queen of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Nana Akua Asantewa III, the Abiremhene, Nana Amo Tweretwie and officials of the Birim North District Assembly, who were impressed with the pupils’ performance.
Mamanso Islamic JHS won the competition while Afosu Roman Catholic JHS took the second position, with New Abirem Holy Child JHS placing third and Old Abirem Muzama Academy JHS coming fourth.
The four schools were given television sets and other educational materials which were also presented to all the 16 participating schools.
The contestants of the four schools were each given school bags stocked with stationery and a certificate while the overall best school received a gift voucher valued at GH1,200 presented by Global Institute of Business and ICT Studies (GIBCTS) to be used by the contestants for basic training in ICT.
Miss Erica Afumwaa of the Afosu Roman Catholic JHS, the only female candidate who also excelled in the competition, was presented with a special prize.
While Nana Akua Asantewa appealed to parents to give teachers the chance to discipline their indisciplined children, Nana Amo Tweretwie suggested that all the senior high schools in Newmont’s operational area should in future be roped into the quiz to enable the students to know more about mining operations.
Teachers, he said, must also help the pupils to solve mathematical and science problems since such areas had been their Achilles heel.
Newmont’s Government Relations Co-ordinator, Mr K. Obodum, said pupils, students and adults in the 17 communities in the company’s operational areas were being properly educated on mining activities as well as providing the needed social amenities and other poverty alleviation programmes.
The four beneficiary communities, Adausena, Afosu, Ntronang and Okaikrom, have also been given plastic chairs and canopies to be rented out to generate income for the people in the area.
Presenting the items on behalf of Newmont at New Abirem at the weekend, the Birim North District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Francis Owusu Ansah, praised Newmont and OLIVES for their assistance, which according to him, would help improve the lot of the people.
He advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the items.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs Juliana Sackey, who received the items on behalf of the communities, was hopeful that Newmont had already assessed the medical equipment situation of health facilities in the area.
She said the items would be delivered to the health facilities such as the Holy Family Hospital at Nkawkaw to improve on their performance.
The Executive Director of OLIVES, Mr Moses E. Ogoe, said apart from the donation, his outfit was also educating the people to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS due to the influx of people from all walks of life to the area as a result of the operations of the company.
Earlier, Newmont had organised a quiz competition for 16 junior high schools (JHS) in its operational area during which the pupils were drilled on mining activities, science, mathematics and social studies.
The event also brought together, the queen of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Nana Akua Asantewa III, the Abiremhene, Nana Amo Tweretwie and officials of the Birim North District Assembly, who were impressed with the pupils’ performance.
Mamanso Islamic JHS won the competition while Afosu Roman Catholic JHS took the second position, with New Abirem Holy Child JHS placing third and Old Abirem Muzama Academy JHS coming fourth.
The four schools were given television sets and other educational materials which were also presented to all the 16 participating schools.
The contestants of the four schools were each given school bags stocked with stationery and a certificate while the overall best school received a gift voucher valued at GH1,200 presented by Global Institute of Business and ICT Studies (GIBCTS) to be used by the contestants for basic training in ICT.
Miss Erica Afumwaa of the Afosu Roman Catholic JHS, the only female candidate who also excelled in the competition, was presented with a special prize.
While Nana Akua Asantewa appealed to parents to give teachers the chance to discipline their indisciplined children, Nana Amo Tweretwie suggested that all the senior high schools in Newmont’s operational area should in future be roped into the quiz to enable the students to know more about mining operations.
Teachers, he said, must also help the pupils to solve mathematical and science problems since such areas had been their Achilles heel.
Newmont’s Government Relations Co-ordinator, Mr K. Obodum, said pupils, students and adults in the 17 communities in the company’s operational areas were being properly educated on mining activities as well as providing the needed social amenities and other poverty alleviation programmes.
MARANATHA ASSISTS UPPER MANYA KROBO WITH SAFE WATER (PAGE 35, NOV 10, 2010)
Upper Manya Krobo District was carved out of the vast Manya Krobo District three years ago. Under the normal circumstances, many of the villages should have enjoyed potable water.
This is because the area, with numerous deprived communities, lies near a tributary of the Volta River from which treated water is pumped to Koforidua, the entire New Juaben Municipality and some communities in East Akyem.
Although provision was made for some of the communities along the pipeline to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project others had been left out.
Such an unfortunate situation is delaying the inauguration of the facility although work has almost been completed within the New Juaben Municipality and the people have started enjoying the facility.
The reason is that President Mills who is to inaugurate the facility directed that all the villages along the pipeline should be covered before the inauguration, and therefore asked the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, to act in that direction which was being done.
One deprived community which lies far away from the pipeline and would therefore not be covered is Kwabia Teyi.
The people of this village, together with other 15 adjoining smaller villages and hamlets with approximate population of about 1,000, depend on unwholesome water from a source shared with cattle.
Most of the inhabitants as expected have been contracting water-borne diseases and as such some of them have left such villages to join relatives in other areas where potable water is available, leaving behind vast stretches of arable land for farming, the mainstay in the area.
To reverse such an unfortunate trend, the Maranatha Power Ministries decided to provide a borehole for the villagers.
Inaugurating the facility at Kwabia Teyi, the General Overseer of Maranatha, Rev Francis Afotey Odai, said the church which had established a branch in the area, had to provide the people with potable water.
“The church is not only taking care of the spiritual needs of the people, but their physical needs as well and we are doing this to alleviate your suffering,” Reverend Afotey Odai told the people at the inauguration ceremony which was attended by all the chief farmers and people of the beneficiary communities.
Rev. Afotey Odai stated that Maranatha Power Ministries would ensure that other villages in the area also got the facility in due course, and advised the people to maintain the facility.
The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, who witnessed the ceremony, said provision had been made for 30 more villages to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project.
This is because the area, with numerous deprived communities, lies near a tributary of the Volta River from which treated water is pumped to Koforidua, the entire New Juaben Municipality and some communities in East Akyem.
Although provision was made for some of the communities along the pipeline to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project others had been left out.
Such an unfortunate situation is delaying the inauguration of the facility although work has almost been completed within the New Juaben Municipality and the people have started enjoying the facility.
The reason is that President Mills who is to inaugurate the facility directed that all the villages along the pipeline should be covered before the inauguration, and therefore asked the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, to act in that direction which was being done.
One deprived community which lies far away from the pipeline and would therefore not be covered is Kwabia Teyi.
The people of this village, together with other 15 adjoining smaller villages and hamlets with approximate population of about 1,000, depend on unwholesome water from a source shared with cattle.
Most of the inhabitants as expected have been contracting water-borne diseases and as such some of them have left such villages to join relatives in other areas where potable water is available, leaving behind vast stretches of arable land for farming, the mainstay in the area.
To reverse such an unfortunate trend, the Maranatha Power Ministries decided to provide a borehole for the villagers.
Inaugurating the facility at Kwabia Teyi, the General Overseer of Maranatha, Rev Francis Afotey Odai, said the church which had established a branch in the area, had to provide the people with potable water.
“The church is not only taking care of the spiritual needs of the people, but their physical needs as well and we are doing this to alleviate your suffering,” Reverend Afotey Odai told the people at the inauguration ceremony which was attended by all the chief farmers and people of the beneficiary communities.
Rev. Afotey Odai stated that Maranatha Power Ministries would ensure that other villages in the area also got the facility in due course, and advised the people to maintain the facility.
The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, who witnessed the ceremony, said provision had been made for 30 more villages to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project.
14 NPP MEMBERS IN YILO REINSTATED (PAGE 12, NOV 9, 2010)
ALL the 14 members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Yilo Krobo Constituency in the Eastern Region who were expelled from the party in 2005 have been reinstated.
With this new development, their dismissal letters have been declared null and void.
They are Nicholas Addai, Okyeame Odum, Mathew Bawa, Moses Tetteh Kwao, Alex Adjirakor, Stephen Nartey, John Lartey, alias carpenter, Adjei Paddy, J. Tetteh, one Kwasi, Desmond Afutu, Phillip Okunor and I.K. Chartey.
According to a statement signed by Mr Kwashie Davies, Yilo Krobo Constituency Secretary of the NPP, their reinstatement followed a peaceful settlement of the issues involved at the constituency headquarters at Somanya which was presided over by Mr Fred Oware, the First National Chairman of the NPP and Mr Opare Hammond, Director of Finance and Administration of the party.
The statement said the reconciliation became possible after a committee formed by all the parties involved and chaired by the former immediate past District Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo, Mr Adu Tawia, waived the dismissal letters and declared them null and void on October 30, this year.
The statement indicated that the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, who was happy with the peaceful settlement of the problem expressed his appreciation to the executive members of the party in the constituency, as well as the entire members for their efforts to resolve the matter amicably.
According to the statement, the former constituency Secretary of the NPP, Mr Stephen Nyadey, appealed to the members of the party in the constituency to forget about the past and unite to move the party forward to win the constituency seat in the 2012 elections.
Mr Moses Kwao, who represented the reinstated members, in a statement thanked the regional and national executives for their assistance in resolving the problem.
Present at the ceremony were Mr Stephen Nartey, constituency Chairman, Mr Richard Twum Barimah, 1st Vice Chairman, Enoch Tetteh, 2nd Vice Chairman, Kwashie Davies, Secretary, Esther Nuer, Women Organiser, Mary Osom, Deputy Women Organiser, Ebenezer Asodji, Financial Secretary and Paul Ayertey, Communication Officer.
Also present were the Regional Chairman of the NPP, Dr Samuel Annoh, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, the 1st Vice Regional Chairman as well as other members of the regional executive and a former Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah.
With this new development, their dismissal letters have been declared null and void.
They are Nicholas Addai, Okyeame Odum, Mathew Bawa, Moses Tetteh Kwao, Alex Adjirakor, Stephen Nartey, John Lartey, alias carpenter, Adjei Paddy, J. Tetteh, one Kwasi, Desmond Afutu, Phillip Okunor and I.K. Chartey.
According to a statement signed by Mr Kwashie Davies, Yilo Krobo Constituency Secretary of the NPP, their reinstatement followed a peaceful settlement of the issues involved at the constituency headquarters at Somanya which was presided over by Mr Fred Oware, the First National Chairman of the NPP and Mr Opare Hammond, Director of Finance and Administration of the party.
The statement said the reconciliation became possible after a committee formed by all the parties involved and chaired by the former immediate past District Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo, Mr Adu Tawia, waived the dismissal letters and declared them null and void on October 30, this year.
The statement indicated that the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, who was happy with the peaceful settlement of the problem expressed his appreciation to the executive members of the party in the constituency, as well as the entire members for their efforts to resolve the matter amicably.
According to the statement, the former constituency Secretary of the NPP, Mr Stephen Nyadey, appealed to the members of the party in the constituency to forget about the past and unite to move the party forward to win the constituency seat in the 2012 elections.
Mr Moses Kwao, who represented the reinstated members, in a statement thanked the regional and national executives for their assistance in resolving the problem.
Present at the ceremony were Mr Stephen Nartey, constituency Chairman, Mr Richard Twum Barimah, 1st Vice Chairman, Enoch Tetteh, 2nd Vice Chairman, Kwashie Davies, Secretary, Esther Nuer, Women Organiser, Mary Osom, Deputy Women Organiser, Ebenezer Asodji, Financial Secretary and Paul Ayertey, Communication Officer.
Also present were the Regional Chairman of the NPP, Dr Samuel Annoh, Alhaji Omar Bodinga, the 1st Vice Regional Chairman as well as other members of the regional executive and a former Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah.
Friday, November 12, 2010
DOCTORS THREATEN STRIKE (PAGE 3, NOV 8, 2010)
MEDICAL doctors in state-owned hospitals have called on the government and other stakeholders to act in concert to solve the numerous challenges in the health sector.
They also gave an ultimatum that November 30, 2010 should be the deadline for the payment of their outstanding on-duty-facilitation allowance, otherwise they would withdraw their services.
In a communiqué read at a press conference to climax the 52nd annual general meeting of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in Koforidua last Saturday, the President of the association, Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, said it was unfortunate that for almost two years after negotiations for the allowance, its implementation had not been fully carried out, making majority of doctors not being paid the allowance.
Such a situation, he stated, had serious consequences on the health delivery system.
The GMA, Dr Adom Winful said, was, therefore, asking the government to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that all its members would benefit from the allowance to avoid a strike.
With regard to the placement of medical doctors on the single spine salary structure, Dr Adom Winful called on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to, as soon as possible, engage the GMA to clear all the bottlenecks surrounding its implementation.
He also called on the Ministry of Health and the FWSC to negotiate and implement the conditions of service of medical doctors which had been outstanding for many years, adding that such an initiative would enable the doctors to get what was due them.
The GMA, according to Dr Adom Winful, had recognised numerous challenges in the health sector and, therefore, asked the government and other stakeholders to act in concert to solve them.
These, he said, included high maternal mortality rate of 451 deaths per 100,000 live births, which should be reduced by at least 75 per cent by 2015, as well as a condition of service that would, among other things, address the health care needs of doctors.
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Dr Adom Winful stated, should invest in at least one ambulance for their districts to transport the sick, especially pregnant women, in time of emergency, while the Ghana Blood Transfusion Service should also speedily implement the approved National Blood Policy to address the pressing problem of deaths from haemorrhage after childbirth.
In answer to a question why some members of the GMA often refused postings to deprived areas, Dr Adom Winful explained that the government had not heeded GMA’s advice to it to solve certain problems in deprived communities that would be encountered by doctors posted there.
“We have told the government what to do to keep doctors in the deprived areas but nothing has been done. If they do it as it has been done for doctors working in hospitals in deprived areas run by the Presbyterian Church, many of our members will flock to such areas,” Dr Adom Winful stated.
Earlier in a speech read on his behalf at the conference, the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, reiterated the government’s commitment to address the challenges in the health sector to particularly reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country.
He, therefore, asked members of the GMA to support the government in that direction by putting in their best.
The Vice-President said there were numerous challenges facing the health sector, which could only be addressed through collaboration between the government and the GMA to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
He said such an initiative would also enable the country to attain its millennium development goals in the health sector.
Mr Mahama expressed the hope that the GMA would embrace the slogan “Zero Tolerance for Maternal and Infant and Childhood Deaths” and work in that direction to find solutions to the problems associated with such deaths.
He commended the GMA for its numerous contributions to the development of the health sector that had culminated in the separation of healthcare delivery from health policy, leading to the creation of the Ghana Heath Service.
They also gave an ultimatum that November 30, 2010 should be the deadline for the payment of their outstanding on-duty-facilitation allowance, otherwise they would withdraw their services.
In a communiqué read at a press conference to climax the 52nd annual general meeting of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in Koforidua last Saturday, the President of the association, Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, said it was unfortunate that for almost two years after negotiations for the allowance, its implementation had not been fully carried out, making majority of doctors not being paid the allowance.
Such a situation, he stated, had serious consequences on the health delivery system.
The GMA, Dr Adom Winful said, was, therefore, asking the government to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that all its members would benefit from the allowance to avoid a strike.
With regard to the placement of medical doctors on the single spine salary structure, Dr Adom Winful called on the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to, as soon as possible, engage the GMA to clear all the bottlenecks surrounding its implementation.
He also called on the Ministry of Health and the FWSC to negotiate and implement the conditions of service of medical doctors which had been outstanding for many years, adding that such an initiative would enable the doctors to get what was due them.
The GMA, according to Dr Adom Winful, had recognised numerous challenges in the health sector and, therefore, asked the government and other stakeholders to act in concert to solve them.
These, he said, included high maternal mortality rate of 451 deaths per 100,000 live births, which should be reduced by at least 75 per cent by 2015, as well as a condition of service that would, among other things, address the health care needs of doctors.
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, Dr Adom Winful stated, should invest in at least one ambulance for their districts to transport the sick, especially pregnant women, in time of emergency, while the Ghana Blood Transfusion Service should also speedily implement the approved National Blood Policy to address the pressing problem of deaths from haemorrhage after childbirth.
In answer to a question why some members of the GMA often refused postings to deprived areas, Dr Adom Winful explained that the government had not heeded GMA’s advice to it to solve certain problems in deprived communities that would be encountered by doctors posted there.
“We have told the government what to do to keep doctors in the deprived areas but nothing has been done. If they do it as it has been done for doctors working in hospitals in deprived areas run by the Presbyterian Church, many of our members will flock to such areas,” Dr Adom Winful stated.
Earlier in a speech read on his behalf at the conference, the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, reiterated the government’s commitment to address the challenges in the health sector to particularly reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country.
He, therefore, asked members of the GMA to support the government in that direction by putting in their best.
The Vice-President said there were numerous challenges facing the health sector, which could only be addressed through collaboration between the government and the GMA to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
He said such an initiative would also enable the country to attain its millennium development goals in the health sector.
Mr Mahama expressed the hope that the GMA would embrace the slogan “Zero Tolerance for Maternal and Infant and Childhood Deaths” and work in that direction to find solutions to the problems associated with such deaths.
He commended the GMA for its numerous contributions to the development of the health sector that had culminated in the separation of healthcare delivery from health policy, leading to the creation of the Ghana Heath Service.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
NDC URGES NPP TO STOP CONVERT ACTIVITIES (PAGE 13, NOV 3, 2010)
THE Eastern Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked activists of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to refrain from covert activities designed to sow seeds of discord within the ranks of other political parties, especially the National Democratic Congress.
Speaking at a press conference at Koforidua, the Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Anthony Gyampoh, said it had been the practice of the NPP to undertake covert activities not only to sow seeds of discord within the NDC but also to discredit the government.
The press conference comes in the wake of the arrest of some activists of the NPP and the PNC at the weekend over the distribution and posting of posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
Mr Gyampoh, who was flanked by the Regional Organiser of the NDC, Mr Tawia Boateng and other regional executives of the party, said last Friday, October 29 at about 3 p.m., the Abetifi Constituency NDC Youth Organiser, Mr Oliver Mark Kervor informed the Kwahu East District Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Asamoah that an NPP activist, Mr William Kwaku Afrifa, was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
He said the DCE referred the matter to the police and Afrifa was arrested.
Afrifa, he said upon police investigations admitted possessing such posters but indicated that he picked them from the car of one Michael Boateng popularly called Mike 2, a presenter on Hi FM and that the posters formed part of a pack meant for one George Kwame Wiredu, the NPP Constituency Research Officer which he had already delivered to him.
According to Mr Gyampoh, the police, together with some NDC constituency executives, picked Wiredu at Aseseeso near Abetifi and when questioned, Wiredu admitted receiving the posters which he said were at the Abetifi constituency office of the NPP and volunteered to help the police to retrieve them since he had the key to the office.
Mr Gyampoh stated that the police together with Afrifa and Wiredu, then proceeded to the NPP constituency office and retrieved the posters hidden in an inner room.
He said apart from the number of loose posters which were found in the room, the police also retrieved a sealed brown envelope containing about 150 more posters which were addressed to Michael Boateng, with his telephone numbers written beneath his name.
Mr Gyampoh indicated that the DCE directed that the case be referred to the Mpraeso Police Command which had oversight responsibility over the police at Abetifi but the Mpraeso District Commander released Wiredu and Michael Boateng with the explanation that there was no basis for their arrest since the posters were not offensive to be possessed.
Mr Gyampoh further stated that the DCE later directed the Abetifi Police to re-arrest Afrifa, Wiredu and Michael Boateng but only Afrifa was arrested and taken to the Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua for further investigations while Michael Boateng and Wiredu were still at large.
The NDC Regional Secretary said Nana Opambuor Boateng, the Peoples’ National Convention candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency who was also linked with the case, was also arrested but released.
Mr Gyampoh said the NDC wondered why NPP activists continued to distribute and post posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings even after the NDC had come out to absolve her of the knowledge of such posters.
Mr Gyampoh, who stated that the NPP was undertaking covert activities to sow seeds of discord within the NDC and also defame the government, recalled similar incidents in the run-up to the 2000 elections during which women were said to have been killed and their corpses dumped all over Accra as well as the recent shocking story of armed robbers forcing male victims to rape their female counterparts on the Kintampo-Tamale road, which turned out to be a hoax.
Speaking at a press conference at Koforidua, the Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr Anthony Gyampoh, said it had been the practice of the NPP to undertake covert activities not only to sow seeds of discord within the NDC but also to discredit the government.
The press conference comes in the wake of the arrest of some activists of the NPP and the PNC at the weekend over the distribution and posting of posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
Mr Gyampoh, who was flanked by the Regional Organiser of the NDC, Mr Tawia Boateng and other regional executives of the party, said last Friday, October 29 at about 3 p.m., the Abetifi Constituency NDC Youth Organiser, Mr Oliver Mark Kervor informed the Kwahu East District Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Asamoah that an NPP activist, Mr William Kwaku Afrifa, was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
He said the DCE referred the matter to the police and Afrifa was arrested.
Afrifa, he said upon police investigations admitted possessing such posters but indicated that he picked them from the car of one Michael Boateng popularly called Mike 2, a presenter on Hi FM and that the posters formed part of a pack meant for one George Kwame Wiredu, the NPP Constituency Research Officer which he had already delivered to him.
According to Mr Gyampoh, the police, together with some NDC constituency executives, picked Wiredu at Aseseeso near Abetifi and when questioned, Wiredu admitted receiving the posters which he said were at the Abetifi constituency office of the NPP and volunteered to help the police to retrieve them since he had the key to the office.
Mr Gyampoh stated that the police together with Afrifa and Wiredu, then proceeded to the NPP constituency office and retrieved the posters hidden in an inner room.
He said apart from the number of loose posters which were found in the room, the police also retrieved a sealed brown envelope containing about 150 more posters which were addressed to Michael Boateng, with his telephone numbers written beneath his name.
Mr Gyampoh indicated that the DCE directed that the case be referred to the Mpraeso Police Command which had oversight responsibility over the police at Abetifi but the Mpraeso District Commander released Wiredu and Michael Boateng with the explanation that there was no basis for their arrest since the posters were not offensive to be possessed.
Mr Gyampoh further stated that the DCE later directed the Abetifi Police to re-arrest Afrifa, Wiredu and Michael Boateng but only Afrifa was arrested and taken to the Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua for further investigations while Michael Boateng and Wiredu were still at large.
The NDC Regional Secretary said Nana Opambuor Boateng, the Peoples’ National Convention candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency who was also linked with the case, was also arrested but released.
Mr Gyampoh said the NDC wondered why NPP activists continued to distribute and post posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings even after the NDC had come out to absolve her of the knowledge of such posters.
Mr Gyampoh, who stated that the NPP was undertaking covert activities to sow seeds of discord within the NDC and also defame the government, recalled similar incidents in the run-up to the 2000 elections during which women were said to have been killed and their corpses dumped all over Accra as well as the recent shocking story of armed robbers forcing male victims to rape their female counterparts on the Kintampo-Tamale road, which turned out to be a hoax.
PNC, NPP ACTIVISTS ARRESTED...Over Konadu's posters (PAGE 13, NOV 1, 2010)
THE People’s National Convention (PNC) parliamentary candidate for the New Juaben South Constituency in the 2008 elections, Nana Obuadea Opumbuo Boateng, and one Mike, said to be a New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, have been arrested.
Their arrest was in connection with the distribution and posting of posters with pictures of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
While Nana Opumbuo Boateng was arrested at Koforidua on Saturday, October 30, Mike was apprehended at Abetifi the night before and both men are being held in the Koforidua Central Police cells.
According to a source at the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters, at 10 p.m. on Friday, October 29, the District Chief Executive for Kwahu East, Mr Samuel Asamoah, lodged a complaint with the police at Abetifi that Mike was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
The source stated that Mike was arrested and taken to the NPP Constituency Office at Abetifi where 178 of the posters were retrieved.
According to the source, the police acting on a tip-off also arrested Nana Opumbuo Boateng the next morning (October 30) at Koforidua and when his room was searched, 109 posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and a poster of a club known as Billion Club were found.
The source indicated that a docket on the case had been prepared for presentation to the Attorney-General’s Department for advice.
Their arrest was in connection with the distribution and posting of posters with pictures of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for the 2012 elections.
While Nana Opumbuo Boateng was arrested at Koforidua on Saturday, October 30, Mike was apprehended at Abetifi the night before and both men are being held in the Koforidua Central Police cells.
According to a source at the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters, at 10 p.m. on Friday, October 29, the District Chief Executive for Kwahu East, Mr Samuel Asamoah, lodged a complaint with the police at Abetifi that Mike was distributing posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
The source stated that Mike was arrested and taken to the NPP Constituency Office at Abetifi where 178 of the posters were retrieved.
According to the source, the police acting on a tip-off also arrested Nana Opumbuo Boateng the next morning (October 30) at Koforidua and when his room was searched, 109 posters of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and a poster of a club known as Billion Club were found.
The source indicated that a docket on the case had been prepared for presentation to the Attorney-General’s Department for advice.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
AKUAPEM PRESBYTERY MAKES ITS MARK (PAGE 35, OCT 26, 2010)
IN Ghana, the name Akuapem is synonymous with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG).
This is because the area composed of lofty mountain ranges was one of the first stops of the Basel Missionaries that came to the then Gold Coast more than 150 years ago to spread the gospel.
Having succeeded over the years in converting many indigenous people to Christianity (to be precise the PCG), the missionaries and the converted Africans, some of whom took to the clergy and spread the gospel to all parts of Akuapem, as well as other traditional areas in the region where churches were established.
At the same time, the PCG established a number of schools to give formal education to the people.
The PCG also set up many health facilities, making it the third largest (after the government and the Catholic Church) in the provision of such facilities in the country.
To oversee the proper administration of the area, the PCG decided to set up the Akuapem Presbytery headed by a chairperson to be in charge of the area’s spiritual and physical development.
The Akuapem Presbytery, which is also one of the oldest and largest presbyteries of the PCG, came into being with the first synod of the church at Kyebi in 1927 to cater for a vast area which now covers the whole of the Akuapem Traditional Area, New Juaben and some parts of Akyem Abuakwa. The Presbytery is composed of 18 districts.
The districts are Akropong, the headquarters, Abiriw, Aburi, Adawso, Adeiso, Adukrom, Amonokrom, Asuboi, Coaltar, Effiduase, Koforidua, Larteh, Mamfe, Mampong, Nankese, Nsawam, Nsukwao, Suhum and Tutu.
To continue with its vision of catering for the spiritual and material needs of its members and society in general, the past chairpersons of the presbytery supported by the reverend ministers, catechists and caretakers, followed that direction, especially in the establishment of additional schools and welfare service centres.
One of such chairpersons is the Rev. (Dr) J.O.Y. Mantey, who was given the mantle to lead the presbytery three years ago.
Within the limited period, Rev. (Dr) Mantey has been able to further improve the infrastructure of the schools, as well as providing other social services, primarily in the rural areas where poverty is endemic to alleviate the suffering of the poor.
Some of the facilities are a bungalow for the Aburi Girls Senior High School (SHS), a dormitory for the Aburi Senior High/Technical School, a girls’ dormitory for Mampong PRESEC, roofing of classrooms that were ripped off during rainstorm at Suhum PRESEC, a dormitory for the Adeiso Presbyterian Senior High/Technical School and a classroom block for the Coaltar Presbyterian Senior High/Technical School, as well as residential facility for the headmaster free-of-charge.
The presbytery, which also provides large quantities of books and stationery for many basic schools within its catchment area, is currently running two vocational schools at Abiriw and Adawso.
In the health sector, the presbytery has built and ran two clinics at Aburi and Obregyima, a small farming community near Teacher Mantey on the main Accra-Kumasi highway, as well as paying the premium of the health insurance scheme for many of rural dwellers who under no circumstance could afford to pay.
A hospitality centre is also being constructed near an office complex which was put up in April this year at Akropong-Akuapem to administer the presbytery.
One thing worth noting is that Rev. (Dr) Mantey, who has passion for providing for the needs of the poor in society, has personally been taking care of such unfortunate people in some of the villages, at times with the support of Samaritan Purse, an American-based non-governmental organisation.
The towns and villages which have benefited from his largesse are Dokrokyiwa, Coaltar, Adeiso, Obum and Onokwase, a deprived community near Kraboa Coaltar with about 600 people where he had distributed clothes and other items to both adults and schoolchildren.
“There are many unfortunate people, especially children from very poor parentage with no hope of making a living like the ordinary persons so sometimes I use my own money to buy items like footwear and dresses for them,” Rev. (Dr) Mantey stated.
Rev. (Dr) Mantey, who is also the chairman of the Peace Council in the region, sees traditional rulers as partners in the development of the presbytery and, therefore, dialogued with them in that respect during his first year in office.
He has advised the chiefs not to consider the power they wield to be more important than peace enjoyed by their people.
To him, traditional rulers must learn to sacrifice and stomach certain undesirable things for the sake of peace to enable society to progress.
With regard to the duration of the SHS, the reverend minister was of the view that it is currently beset with numerous challenges, especially infrastructure.
He, therefore, called for a bold decision to be taken on either to maintain the current four-year duration or three years so that the necessary infrastructure would be provided to cater for all the students.
“I believe the government has not been able to provide the required infrastructure, especially dormitories so many senior high schools within the presbytery are facing serious problems in that respect. “If fresh students, especially those from far away places are to stay in rented premises outside campus, there is the likelihood they would go wayward,” Rev. (Dr Mantey stated.
The tremendous contribution made by the Rev. (Dr) Mantey for the spiritual and material development of the Akuapem Presbytery can be attributed to his rich educational background and extensive tour to many parts of the world on ecclesiastical assignments that have well positioned him for the job.
Born in Kumasi on November 9, 1957, Rev. (Dr) Mantey attended a number of basic, secondary and tertiary educational institutions and crowned them all with two masters’ degrees in Theology and Philosophy of Religion, as well as Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology and Philosophy, all from the prestigious Claremont Humanities Centre in California in 1994.
Rev. (Dr) Mantey, also a doctoral fellow of the Claremont Humanities Centre from 1992 to 1993, was ordained a reverend minister of the PCG in 1983 and made chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery in 2006.
Before his current position, Rev. (Dr) Mantey had served in several congregations and establishments of the PCG in different parts of the country.
Rev. (Dr) Mantey, who is also the current chairman of the Peace Council of the Eastern Region, is married with three children.
This is because the area composed of lofty mountain ranges was one of the first stops of the Basel Missionaries that came to the then Gold Coast more than 150 years ago to spread the gospel.
Having succeeded over the years in converting many indigenous people to Christianity (to be precise the PCG), the missionaries and the converted Africans, some of whom took to the clergy and spread the gospel to all parts of Akuapem, as well as other traditional areas in the region where churches were established.
At the same time, the PCG established a number of schools to give formal education to the people.
The PCG also set up many health facilities, making it the third largest (after the government and the Catholic Church) in the provision of such facilities in the country.
To oversee the proper administration of the area, the PCG decided to set up the Akuapem Presbytery headed by a chairperson to be in charge of the area’s spiritual and physical development.
The Akuapem Presbytery, which is also one of the oldest and largest presbyteries of the PCG, came into being with the first synod of the church at Kyebi in 1927 to cater for a vast area which now covers the whole of the Akuapem Traditional Area, New Juaben and some parts of Akyem Abuakwa. The Presbytery is composed of 18 districts.
The districts are Akropong, the headquarters, Abiriw, Aburi, Adawso, Adeiso, Adukrom, Amonokrom, Asuboi, Coaltar, Effiduase, Koforidua, Larteh, Mamfe, Mampong, Nankese, Nsawam, Nsukwao, Suhum and Tutu.
To continue with its vision of catering for the spiritual and material needs of its members and society in general, the past chairpersons of the presbytery supported by the reverend ministers, catechists and caretakers, followed that direction, especially in the establishment of additional schools and welfare service centres.
One of such chairpersons is the Rev. (Dr) J.O.Y. Mantey, who was given the mantle to lead the presbytery three years ago.
Within the limited period, Rev. (Dr) Mantey has been able to further improve the infrastructure of the schools, as well as providing other social services, primarily in the rural areas where poverty is endemic to alleviate the suffering of the poor.
Some of the facilities are a bungalow for the Aburi Girls Senior High School (SHS), a dormitory for the Aburi Senior High/Technical School, a girls’ dormitory for Mampong PRESEC, roofing of classrooms that were ripped off during rainstorm at Suhum PRESEC, a dormitory for the Adeiso Presbyterian Senior High/Technical School and a classroom block for the Coaltar Presbyterian Senior High/Technical School, as well as residential facility for the headmaster free-of-charge.
The presbytery, which also provides large quantities of books and stationery for many basic schools within its catchment area, is currently running two vocational schools at Abiriw and Adawso.
In the health sector, the presbytery has built and ran two clinics at Aburi and Obregyima, a small farming community near Teacher Mantey on the main Accra-Kumasi highway, as well as paying the premium of the health insurance scheme for many of rural dwellers who under no circumstance could afford to pay.
A hospitality centre is also being constructed near an office complex which was put up in April this year at Akropong-Akuapem to administer the presbytery.
One thing worth noting is that Rev. (Dr) Mantey, who has passion for providing for the needs of the poor in society, has personally been taking care of such unfortunate people in some of the villages, at times with the support of Samaritan Purse, an American-based non-governmental organisation.
The towns and villages which have benefited from his largesse are Dokrokyiwa, Coaltar, Adeiso, Obum and Onokwase, a deprived community near Kraboa Coaltar with about 600 people where he had distributed clothes and other items to both adults and schoolchildren.
“There are many unfortunate people, especially children from very poor parentage with no hope of making a living like the ordinary persons so sometimes I use my own money to buy items like footwear and dresses for them,” Rev. (Dr) Mantey stated.
Rev. (Dr) Mantey, who is also the chairman of the Peace Council in the region, sees traditional rulers as partners in the development of the presbytery and, therefore, dialogued with them in that respect during his first year in office.
He has advised the chiefs not to consider the power they wield to be more important than peace enjoyed by their people.
To him, traditional rulers must learn to sacrifice and stomach certain undesirable things for the sake of peace to enable society to progress.
With regard to the duration of the SHS, the reverend minister was of the view that it is currently beset with numerous challenges, especially infrastructure.
He, therefore, called for a bold decision to be taken on either to maintain the current four-year duration or three years so that the necessary infrastructure would be provided to cater for all the students.
“I believe the government has not been able to provide the required infrastructure, especially dormitories so many senior high schools within the presbytery are facing serious problems in that respect. “If fresh students, especially those from far away places are to stay in rented premises outside campus, there is the likelihood they would go wayward,” Rev. (Dr Mantey stated.
The tremendous contribution made by the Rev. (Dr) Mantey for the spiritual and material development of the Akuapem Presbytery can be attributed to his rich educational background and extensive tour to many parts of the world on ecclesiastical assignments that have well positioned him for the job.
Born in Kumasi on November 9, 1957, Rev. (Dr) Mantey attended a number of basic, secondary and tertiary educational institutions and crowned them all with two masters’ degrees in Theology and Philosophy of Religion, as well as Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology and Philosophy, all from the prestigious Claremont Humanities Centre in California in 1994.
Rev. (Dr) Mantey, also a doctoral fellow of the Claremont Humanities Centre from 1992 to 1993, was ordained a reverend minister of the PCG in 1983 and made chairman of the Akuapem Presbytery in 2006.
Before his current position, Rev. (Dr) Mantey had served in several congregations and establishments of the PCG in different parts of the country.
Rev. (Dr) Mantey, who is also the current chairman of the Peace Council of the Eastern Region, is married with three children.
Monday, October 25, 2010
GHANA EARNS $400 MILLION FROM NON-TRADDITIONAL EXPORTS (PAGE 13, OCT 23, 2010)
GHANA earned $400 million from the export of non-traditional products in the first quarter of the year.
Most of the earnings came from processed and semi-processed goods primarily agricultural products and handicrafts.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, made this known at the inauguration of the Eastern Regional Shippers Committee in Koforidua on Wednesday.
The formation of the committee, an initiative of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), was to cater for the interest of shippers in the Eastern Region.
He said since earnings from export of non-traditional products would boost the economy the government had taken steps to increase the value of such exports from $1 billion in 2009 to $5 billion in 2015.
Some of the government initiatives in that respect, according to Baba Jamal, were the putting up of the multi-million-cedi Aburi Craft Village to boost the carving and export of handicrafts and the construction of two pack houses in the Yilo Krobo District and the Akuapem South Municipality, areas noted for the production of mangoes, for the proper sorting and packaging for export.
He, therefore, asked the GSA to assist exporters in negotiating for better freight rates, port tariffs and shipping space.
He said such initiatives would reduce the transport cost of the products and make them competitive on the international market.
Baba Jamal also advised exporters to make use of the Export Development Initiative Fund, which had been made available, to boost production and export in the non-traditional sector.
The deputy regional minister expressed the hope that the committee would live up to expectation in improving the non-traditional export sector.
The Deputy Chief Executive of the GSA, Mr Emmanuel Martey, said the authority had developed a five-year strategic plan to facilitate the export of non-traditional products.
Shippers, he also stated, were being provided with all the necessary assistance, particularly timely vital information, to enhance the export business.
Mr Martey indicated that the GSA, which was formed about 30 years ago to primarily assist shippers had throughout the years offered tremendous assistance to shippers.
Earlier the GSA’s official in charge of the Greater Accra and Eastern regions, Mrs Naa Dansua Ayittey, mentioned lack of finance and access to the export market as some of the challenges confronting exporters in the non-traditional sector.
Mrs Ayittey, who expressed the hope that such challenges would be addressed, advised exporters of non-traditional products to be always abreast with maritime regulations.
The Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boaten, who chaired the function, advised Ghanaian shippers to adopt the best practices, since that would go a long way to improve intra-African trade.
He also called for improvement in the Volta Lake transport to facilitate the carting of goods and services to and from the northern regions.
Most of the earnings came from processed and semi-processed goods primarily agricultural products and handicrafts.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Muhamed Ahmed, made this known at the inauguration of the Eastern Regional Shippers Committee in Koforidua on Wednesday.
The formation of the committee, an initiative of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), was to cater for the interest of shippers in the Eastern Region.
He said since earnings from export of non-traditional products would boost the economy the government had taken steps to increase the value of such exports from $1 billion in 2009 to $5 billion in 2015.
Some of the government initiatives in that respect, according to Baba Jamal, were the putting up of the multi-million-cedi Aburi Craft Village to boost the carving and export of handicrafts and the construction of two pack houses in the Yilo Krobo District and the Akuapem South Municipality, areas noted for the production of mangoes, for the proper sorting and packaging for export.
He, therefore, asked the GSA to assist exporters in negotiating for better freight rates, port tariffs and shipping space.
He said such initiatives would reduce the transport cost of the products and make them competitive on the international market.
Baba Jamal also advised exporters to make use of the Export Development Initiative Fund, which had been made available, to boost production and export in the non-traditional sector.
The deputy regional minister expressed the hope that the committee would live up to expectation in improving the non-traditional export sector.
The Deputy Chief Executive of the GSA, Mr Emmanuel Martey, said the authority had developed a five-year strategic plan to facilitate the export of non-traditional products.
Shippers, he also stated, were being provided with all the necessary assistance, particularly timely vital information, to enhance the export business.
Mr Martey indicated that the GSA, which was formed about 30 years ago to primarily assist shippers had throughout the years offered tremendous assistance to shippers.
Earlier the GSA’s official in charge of the Greater Accra and Eastern regions, Mrs Naa Dansua Ayittey, mentioned lack of finance and access to the export market as some of the challenges confronting exporters in the non-traditional sector.
Mrs Ayittey, who expressed the hope that such challenges would be addressed, advised exporters of non-traditional products to be always abreast with maritime regulations.
The Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boaten, who chaired the function, advised Ghanaian shippers to adopt the best practices, since that would go a long way to improve intra-African trade.
He also called for improvement in the Volta Lake transport to facilitate the carting of goods and services to and from the northern regions.
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