THE EASTERN regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has asked the government to keep to its decision to implement the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) next July.
Although the regional branch did not indicate the action it would take should the government renege on its decision, it explained that its members in the region would adopt certain unpleasant measures that would disturb the prevailing industrial peace.
The Eastern Regional Secretary of GNAT, Mr Nathaniel Larweh Apronti, made these known when he addressed members of the association in the Kwaebibirem District at Kade last Tuesday.
Mr Apronti, together with other regional executives of GNAT, was on the first leg of a regional tour to explain the implementation of the SSSS and other related issues to the teachers.
According to Mr Apronti, the implementation of the SSSS in January this year could not be done due to numerous distortions in it as well as wrongful placement of the association’s members.
He said the government, therefore, decided to delay its implementation to July so that it could correct all anomalies associated with it, adding that any further delay in its implementation would compel members of the association in the region to advise themselves.
Mr Apronti stated that the members of the association had been cheated for a long period by being paid low salaries and allowances, as compared to others with the same qualifications and experiences, and that the time had come for the government to remedy the situation.
“Although teaching is a noble profession that has produced all the prominent personalities and professionals in the country, our salaries and allowances continue to be scanty when compared with others, and this is the time to correct the wrongs.
“If we go to the banks to collect our salaries after July 31 and the SSSS has not been implemented then we will bite in such a way that government would have no other option than to immediately implement the SSSS”, Mr Apronti stated.
Mr Apronti, who called on members of the association to continue to be patient till the end of July was hopeful that the proposed professional monthly allowance of 15 per cent for all professional teachers, 20 per cent allowance for those in the deprived areas and another 10 per cent for others teaching mathematics, science, ICT and technical/vocational subjects would also be implemented.
These allowances, he stated, would further improve the lot of teachers and boost their morale to offer their best to raise the standard of education in the country.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Secretary of GNAT, Miss Gifty Apanbil, advised teachers to channel their grievances through the association but not politicians, adding that seeking help from politicians only aggravated the problem.
For his part, the Kwaebibirem District Chairman of GNAT, Mr John Appoh Selby, said due to low salaries, allowances and general working condition in the teaching profession, many people only entered that field as a last resort, after which they left for other professions, especially nursing, and called on the authorities to help reverse the trend.
Welcoming the teachers, the Kwaebibirem District Secretary of GNAT, Mr George Aboagye, appealed to members of the association not to do anything that would impact negatively on the association.
This, according to him, would bring back the respect accorded teachers in the past.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
GTB ORGANISES TRIP FOR PUPILS (PAGE 23, FEB 20, 2010)
AS part of activities to mark the National Cocoa Day, the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) has organised a day’s trip for a number of pupils from the Amrahia Basic School in the Greater Accra Region.
The trip took the pupils to two historic towns noted for the cultivation of cocoa in the Eastern Region.
The towns are Mampong-Akuapem where the legendary Tetteh Quarshie cultivated the first cocoa farm about 150 years ago and New Tafo where the Cocoa Research Institute (CRIG), an organisation which researches into the cultivation and processing of cocoa is located.
At Mampong-Akuapem, the pupils who were led by the Special Investment Officer of the GTB, Mrs Diana Mawuko, were briefed on how Tetteh Quarshie smuggled cocoa into the country from Fernando Po.
The pupils, most of whom saw the cocoa tree and pods for the first time, were also educated on the cultivation of the crop.
At the offices of CRIG at New Tafo, the acting Executive Director of the institute, Dr Frank Amoah Manu, educated the pupils on the three main types of cocoa, the Amelonado, the Amezonia and Hybrid, which he said, started bearing fruits after seven, five and two-half years, respectively after planting.
Dr Amoah Manu schooled the pupils on the production of locally produced chocolates, cocoa drinks, butter, gin and different kinds of soap, all obtained from cocoa.
He also told the pupils that most of the raw cocoa beans were exported to other countries, making Ghana the second largest exporter of the crop after La Cote d’ Ivoire.
The pupils were also made to know that cocoa, the second largest foreign exchange earner for the country after gold, had over the years played a significant role in economic development.
The pupils were provided with chocolates were also shown the various consumer products obtained from cocoa.
Dr Amoah Manu urged the pupils to patronise cocoa products, especially chocolates which were good for people’s health.
The pupils later asked a number of questions on cocoa which were answered by Dr Amoah Manu and Mr Bishop Kabutey, the Principal Public Relations Officer of CRIG.
The trip took the pupils to two historic towns noted for the cultivation of cocoa in the Eastern Region.
The towns are Mampong-Akuapem where the legendary Tetteh Quarshie cultivated the first cocoa farm about 150 years ago and New Tafo where the Cocoa Research Institute (CRIG), an organisation which researches into the cultivation and processing of cocoa is located.
At Mampong-Akuapem, the pupils who were led by the Special Investment Officer of the GTB, Mrs Diana Mawuko, were briefed on how Tetteh Quarshie smuggled cocoa into the country from Fernando Po.
The pupils, most of whom saw the cocoa tree and pods for the first time, were also educated on the cultivation of the crop.
At the offices of CRIG at New Tafo, the acting Executive Director of the institute, Dr Frank Amoah Manu, educated the pupils on the three main types of cocoa, the Amelonado, the Amezonia and Hybrid, which he said, started bearing fruits after seven, five and two-half years, respectively after planting.
Dr Amoah Manu schooled the pupils on the production of locally produced chocolates, cocoa drinks, butter, gin and different kinds of soap, all obtained from cocoa.
He also told the pupils that most of the raw cocoa beans were exported to other countries, making Ghana the second largest exporter of the crop after La Cote d’ Ivoire.
The pupils were also made to know that cocoa, the second largest foreign exchange earner for the country after gold, had over the years played a significant role in economic development.
The pupils were provided with chocolates were also shown the various consumer products obtained from cocoa.
Dr Amoah Manu urged the pupils to patronise cocoa products, especially chocolates which were good for people’s health.
The pupils later asked a number of questions on cocoa which were answered by Dr Amoah Manu and Mr Bishop Kabutey, the Principal Public Relations Officer of CRIG.
REGIONAL MINISTER COMMENDS DAILY GRAPHIC (PAGE 20, FEB 19, 2010)
THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has commended the Daily Graphic for its immense contribution to the socio-economic development of the region.
He said the able manner in which the newspaper’s correspondents in the region had been covering almost every aspect of human endeavour of the area had gone a long way to accelerate its socio-economic development.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo made the remarks when the Zonal Manager of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mrs Catherine Ablorh, paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Koforidua.
Mrs Ablorh was at the regional minister’s office to commend him for his good work, particularly the decongestion of Koforidua, as well as his swift response to solve problems in the villages.
According to Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the Daily Graphic had gone beyond its tradition to inform, educate and entertain by highlighting on almost all the sectors in the area, which was making a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the region.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, however, urged the regional correspondents of the newspaper to do more by covering events in the rural areas.
He gave the assurance that the Regional Co-ordinating Council would offer the necessary support in that respect.
“The Daily Graphic has lived up to expectation by covering every aspect of human endeavour in the region apart from helping to propagate government policies and I will do my best to support your correspondents to go to the villages to highlight on their problems for redress,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
With regard to the ongoing decongestion of Koforidua, Mr Ofosu Ampofo said the rationale behind it was to put up modern stores which would be given out, adding that priority would be accorded to those whose structures had been demolished.
The exercise, he further stated, was to get rid of criminals who operated in wooden structures to engage in all sorts of crime.
Mrs Ablorh, for her part, congratulated the Regional Minister on his appointment and briefed him on the activities of the GCGL, especially its flagship newspaper, the Daily Graphic.
She solicited Mr Ofosu Ampofo’s assistance to enable the newspaper to extend its activities to the remote areas in the region.
Mrs Ablorh later presented a copy each of the 2010 diary and calendar produced by the GCGL to the Regional Minister.
He said the able manner in which the newspaper’s correspondents in the region had been covering almost every aspect of human endeavour of the area had gone a long way to accelerate its socio-economic development.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo made the remarks when the Zonal Manager of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mrs Catherine Ablorh, paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Koforidua.
Mrs Ablorh was at the regional minister’s office to commend him for his good work, particularly the decongestion of Koforidua, as well as his swift response to solve problems in the villages.
According to Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the Daily Graphic had gone beyond its tradition to inform, educate and entertain by highlighting on almost all the sectors in the area, which was making a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the region.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, however, urged the regional correspondents of the newspaper to do more by covering events in the rural areas.
He gave the assurance that the Regional Co-ordinating Council would offer the necessary support in that respect.
“The Daily Graphic has lived up to expectation by covering every aspect of human endeavour in the region apart from helping to propagate government policies and I will do my best to support your correspondents to go to the villages to highlight on their problems for redress,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
With regard to the ongoing decongestion of Koforidua, Mr Ofosu Ampofo said the rationale behind it was to put up modern stores which would be given out, adding that priority would be accorded to those whose structures had been demolished.
The exercise, he further stated, was to get rid of criminals who operated in wooden structures to engage in all sorts of crime.
Mrs Ablorh, for her part, congratulated the Regional Minister on his appointment and briefed him on the activities of the GCGL, especially its flagship newspaper, the Daily Graphic.
She solicited Mr Ofosu Ampofo’s assistance to enable the newspaper to extend its activities to the remote areas in the region.
Mrs Ablorh later presented a copy each of the 2010 diary and calendar produced by the GCGL to the Regional Minister.
CIVIL, LOCAL GOVT WORKERS BACK NATIONAL EXECUTIVE...To opt out of SSSS (PAGE 21, FEB 12, 2010)
MEMBERS of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) in four districts in the Eastern Region have affirmed support for the national hierarchy of the association not to be part of any deliberation that decided a baseline pay for the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
According to them, there were many distortions and wrong placements of members in the structure, which must first be addressed before a base pay should be considered.
They contended that anything short of that would not be accepted, since it would rather worsen the already deplorable situation of civil and local government service workers.
The consensus was reached when the national executive of CLOGSAG met the workers drawn from the Kwahu East, Kwahu South and Kwahu North districts and the Kwahu West Municipality at Mpraeso last Tuesday.
The CLOGSAG executive was on a countrywide tour to brief members on the latest development on the implementation of the SSSS.
According to it, Ceon Consultants, which were engaged to work on the SSSS, did a very bad job, as a result of which only 26 out of 1,307 placements favoured members of CLOGSAG, while most of them were placed in the remaining low category.
They also wondered why a graduate in the civil and local government service should earn the same pay as a corporal in the Police Service, while the same category of workers within CLOGSAG should be on different salary scales.
The workers, therefore, called for a new job valuation to be carried out by consultants, in partnership with others within the service to ensure that the right thing would be done.
At a certain period of the discussion, it turned emotional when a contributor said it was worrying that some civil and local government service workers who had worked for 30 years or more could not make ends meet while in active service, but had to be paid a meagre retirement benefits of about GH¢2,000.
They therefore urged the national executive not to back down on its stand but continue to fight for the correction of the distortions on the SSSS, which would go a long way in improving their lot.
Earlier, the National Treasurer of CLOGSAG, Mr Isaac Bampo Addo, had explained the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) to the workers and said the association was simply fighting for equal pay for equal work for workers with the same qualifications and experiences.
He gave an assurance that the association would do everything possible to ensure that its members would be rightly placed on the SSSS.
For his part, the National Vice-Chairman of CLOGSAG, Mr Tennyson Foli, traced the history of the workers’ agitation which led to the adoption of the Ghana Universal Salary Structure which did not work hence the decision to go by the single spine salary.
Mr Foli hinted that CLOGSAG would be tempted to adopt a drastic measure to address the issue although he did not state the exact action, stressing that workers should support the policy.
The Eastern Regional Chairperson of CLOGSAG, Madam Mary Addy, expressed concern about what she termed “dragging of feet” by the Fair Wages Commission (FWC) in addressing the legitimate grievances and concerns raised by the association.
She said the 1992 Constitution stipulated equal pay for equal work without distinction of any kind, adding that if the association “does not push harder”, the workers would be taken for granted as had been in the past.
The District Co-ordinating Director (DCD) for the Kwahu South, Alhaji Mahammadu A, Azonko, who chaired the function, said it was worrying that even DCDs and other highly qualified technocrats had been placed in the low grade of the SSSS, and called for a united front to address the anomaly.
According to them, there were many distortions and wrong placements of members in the structure, which must first be addressed before a base pay should be considered.
They contended that anything short of that would not be accepted, since it would rather worsen the already deplorable situation of civil and local government service workers.
The consensus was reached when the national executive of CLOGSAG met the workers drawn from the Kwahu East, Kwahu South and Kwahu North districts and the Kwahu West Municipality at Mpraeso last Tuesday.
The CLOGSAG executive was on a countrywide tour to brief members on the latest development on the implementation of the SSSS.
According to it, Ceon Consultants, which were engaged to work on the SSSS, did a very bad job, as a result of which only 26 out of 1,307 placements favoured members of CLOGSAG, while most of them were placed in the remaining low category.
They also wondered why a graduate in the civil and local government service should earn the same pay as a corporal in the Police Service, while the same category of workers within CLOGSAG should be on different salary scales.
The workers, therefore, called for a new job valuation to be carried out by consultants, in partnership with others within the service to ensure that the right thing would be done.
At a certain period of the discussion, it turned emotional when a contributor said it was worrying that some civil and local government service workers who had worked for 30 years or more could not make ends meet while in active service, but had to be paid a meagre retirement benefits of about GH¢2,000.
They therefore urged the national executive not to back down on its stand but continue to fight for the correction of the distortions on the SSSS, which would go a long way in improving their lot.
Earlier, the National Treasurer of CLOGSAG, Mr Isaac Bampo Addo, had explained the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) to the workers and said the association was simply fighting for equal pay for equal work for workers with the same qualifications and experiences.
He gave an assurance that the association would do everything possible to ensure that its members would be rightly placed on the SSSS.
For his part, the National Vice-Chairman of CLOGSAG, Mr Tennyson Foli, traced the history of the workers’ agitation which led to the adoption of the Ghana Universal Salary Structure which did not work hence the decision to go by the single spine salary.
Mr Foli hinted that CLOGSAG would be tempted to adopt a drastic measure to address the issue although he did not state the exact action, stressing that workers should support the policy.
The Eastern Regional Chairperson of CLOGSAG, Madam Mary Addy, expressed concern about what she termed “dragging of feet” by the Fair Wages Commission (FWC) in addressing the legitimate grievances and concerns raised by the association.
She said the 1992 Constitution stipulated equal pay for equal work without distinction of any kind, adding that if the association “does not push harder”, the workers would be taken for granted as had been in the past.
The District Co-ordinating Director (DCD) for the Kwahu South, Alhaji Mahammadu A, Azonko, who chaired the function, said it was worrying that even DCDs and other highly qualified technocrats had been placed in the low grade of the SSSS, and called for a united front to address the anomaly.
BABA JAMAL ASSISTS THE NEEDY (PAGE 20, FEB 12, 2010)
THE Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Mohamed Ahmed, has presented two wheelchairs to two physically challenged persons, Miss Sekina Omar and Miss S. Sadia, both petty traders at Akwatia.
The two, who prior to the donation were using crutches because they could not afford a wheelchair, made their plight known to Mr Baba Jamal who offered to assist.
Presenting the wheelchairs to the two women at Akwatia, Baba Jamal said he decided to provide the wheelchairs to enhance the mobility of the women so that they would be able to improve their trading activities and generate appreciable income for their sustenance.
Mr Baba Jamal said the donation was in line with his social responsibility initiative to help the needy, especially disadvantaged persons.
He stated that physically challenged persons like any others, were capable of doing everything, provided they received the necessary assistance.
The deputy minister expressed the hope that the beneficiaries would make the best out of their unfortunate situation to fend for themselves and their families.
Miss Sakina and Miss Sadia thanked Baba Jamal for the gesture and said the donation would not only improve their mobility, but also their trading activities.
The two, who prior to the donation were using crutches because they could not afford a wheelchair, made their plight known to Mr Baba Jamal who offered to assist.
Presenting the wheelchairs to the two women at Akwatia, Baba Jamal said he decided to provide the wheelchairs to enhance the mobility of the women so that they would be able to improve their trading activities and generate appreciable income for their sustenance.
Mr Baba Jamal said the donation was in line with his social responsibility initiative to help the needy, especially disadvantaged persons.
He stated that physically challenged persons like any others, were capable of doing everything, provided they received the necessary assistance.
The deputy minister expressed the hope that the beneficiaries would make the best out of their unfortunate situation to fend for themselves and their families.
Miss Sakina and Miss Sadia thanked Baba Jamal for the gesture and said the donation would not only improve their mobility, but also their trading activities.
ISD INTENSIFIES CAMPAIGN ON BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS (PAGE 20, FEB 12, 2010)
THE Eastern Regional Directorate of the Information Services Department (ISD) at the weekend intensified its campaign on the new biometric passports.
The biometric passports, which are expected to be issued from April 1, this year, would replace those currently in use.
As part of the sensitisation campaign on the new passports, officials of the ISD first briefed the Eastern Regional Press Corps after which it teamed up with the regional branch of the Immigration Service to drum home the message in specially arranged meetings with personnel of the various ministries, departments and agencies in Koforidua.
The new biometric passports, would not only make the Ghanaian passports acceptable internationally, but would also avoid multiple acquisitions.
Its special features such as the fingerprint, signature, and digital photograph of the holder, among other data, would also make it possible to prevent identity theft, easy verification of identity and proof of ownership.
Briefing the Eastern Regional press corps in Koforidua, the Regional Information Officer, Mr Akwasi Amankwaa, said the special features would also eliminate passport contractors and improve on the electronic share of information within national and international agencies.
Touching on the processes involved in the acquisition of the new passports, Mr Amankwaa said they involved a one-time payment at centres where after obtaining their passport application forms from designated banks and post offices, applicants would pay for the processing fees at the same venues.
That, he said, was against the old system where applicants had to buy the forms from a venue and then proceed to an immigration or passport office to pay for the processing fee.
Mr Amankwaa explained that after filling the passport application forms, an applicant would have to go with his or her valid birth certificate and all other necessary documents to a Passport Application Centre (PAC) where the one would be cross-examined and if qualified, would be issued with a submission receipt to collect the passport within 15 working days.
In a statement issued by the ISD after its encounter with the press, it said officials of the regional branch of the Immigration Services Department led by the Regional Commander, Mr Divine Narlobi, teamed up with ISD to sensitise personnel of the various ministries, departments and agencies in the regional capital.
It said the meetings created platforms for the public to ask a number of questions on the new passports to be answered.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the sensitisation exercise to cover the districts has started.
The biometric passports, which are expected to be issued from April 1, this year, would replace those currently in use.
As part of the sensitisation campaign on the new passports, officials of the ISD first briefed the Eastern Regional Press Corps after which it teamed up with the regional branch of the Immigration Service to drum home the message in specially arranged meetings with personnel of the various ministries, departments and agencies in Koforidua.
The new biometric passports, would not only make the Ghanaian passports acceptable internationally, but would also avoid multiple acquisitions.
Its special features such as the fingerprint, signature, and digital photograph of the holder, among other data, would also make it possible to prevent identity theft, easy verification of identity and proof of ownership.
Briefing the Eastern Regional press corps in Koforidua, the Regional Information Officer, Mr Akwasi Amankwaa, said the special features would also eliminate passport contractors and improve on the electronic share of information within national and international agencies.
Touching on the processes involved in the acquisition of the new passports, Mr Amankwaa said they involved a one-time payment at centres where after obtaining their passport application forms from designated banks and post offices, applicants would pay for the processing fees at the same venues.
That, he said, was against the old system where applicants had to buy the forms from a venue and then proceed to an immigration or passport office to pay for the processing fee.
Mr Amankwaa explained that after filling the passport application forms, an applicant would have to go with his or her valid birth certificate and all other necessary documents to a Passport Application Centre (PAC) where the one would be cross-examined and if qualified, would be issued with a submission receipt to collect the passport within 15 working days.
In a statement issued by the ISD after its encounter with the press, it said officials of the regional branch of the Immigration Services Department led by the Regional Commander, Mr Divine Narlobi, teamed up with ISD to sensitise personnel of the various ministries, departments and agencies in the regional capital.
It said the meetings created platforms for the public to ask a number of questions on the new passports to be answered.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the sensitisation exercise to cover the districts has started.
PUT ASIDE DIFFERENCES FOR DEVELOPMENT (PAGE 15, FEB 8, 2010)
A TRADITIONAL ruler in the Eastern Region has called on the people in the area, especially the Kwaebibirem District, to put aside their political differences and rally behind Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed, the Deputy Regional Minister, to develop the communities.
He stated that Baba Jamal’s resolve to distribute the national cake in terms of social amenities to all communities, irrespective of their political affiliations, must be supported to improve the living standards of the people.
Nana Antwi Darkwa I, Chief of Nkwankwaakrom, No. 4 near Akwatia, made the call at the inauguration of two ultra-modern mosques at Nkwankwaakrom and Anweaso, which were also provided with a well.
Care and Social Development International, a Kuwaiti non-governmental organisation (NGO), funded the construction of the three facilities at a cost of GH¢64,000 through the initiative of Baba Jamal.
The NGO has, in addition, taken up the responsibility for the teacher training expenses of two persons, one each from Nkwankwaakrom and Anweaso, so that they would stay in the area to teach after graduation.
According to Nana Darkwa, Baba Jamal had, within a limited period, been able to solicit for the funding of numerous social amenities such as wells and electricity in the area, as well as personally funding the education of needy students, and that he should be supported to continue with such good works.
“Baba Jamal, who for a long time stayed in the remote area before moving to Akwatia, is well acquainted with the problems facing rural dwellers, so I am not surprised that he is now doing everything to improve our lot,” Nana Darkwa stated.
He, therefore, appealed to the people in the area to put aside their political differences and support the Deputy Regional Minister to develop the area.
For his part, Baba Jamal said more social amenities such as schools, wells and clinics would be provided in the deprived areas, particularly within the Kwaebibirem District, which would also benefit from 20 new mosques.
Baba Jamal also stated that 15 communities such as Ntronang, Nkwantanang and some parts of Akwatia which had not yet been connected to the national grid would have power within a limited period while a number of bridges would be built and roads rehabilitated.
He further stated that an educational fund, of which the people in Kwaebibirem were making a monthly voluntary contribution of GH¢1 for the education of needy students, had been set up, adding that so far, GH¢5,000 had been realised, in addition to GH¢2,000 seed money he personally provided.
Baba Jamal, who therefore asked parents to support the fund and also take the opportunity to send their children to school, thanked Care and Social Development International for its assistance.
The District Chief Executive of Kwaebibirem, Mr George Agyeman Duah, said the assembly was doing its best to ensure the success of the School Feeding Programme in the area.
Earlier, the Director of Care and Social Development International, Sheikh Mansour Abu Zaid, said the NGO, apart from building mosques and providing other social amenities, particularly in deprived communities’ worldwide, was currently catering for 400 orphans and a considerable number of widows.
He stated that Baba Jamal’s resolve to distribute the national cake in terms of social amenities to all communities, irrespective of their political affiliations, must be supported to improve the living standards of the people.
Nana Antwi Darkwa I, Chief of Nkwankwaakrom, No. 4 near Akwatia, made the call at the inauguration of two ultra-modern mosques at Nkwankwaakrom and Anweaso, which were also provided with a well.
Care and Social Development International, a Kuwaiti non-governmental organisation (NGO), funded the construction of the three facilities at a cost of GH¢64,000 through the initiative of Baba Jamal.
The NGO has, in addition, taken up the responsibility for the teacher training expenses of two persons, one each from Nkwankwaakrom and Anweaso, so that they would stay in the area to teach after graduation.
According to Nana Darkwa, Baba Jamal had, within a limited period, been able to solicit for the funding of numerous social amenities such as wells and electricity in the area, as well as personally funding the education of needy students, and that he should be supported to continue with such good works.
“Baba Jamal, who for a long time stayed in the remote area before moving to Akwatia, is well acquainted with the problems facing rural dwellers, so I am not surprised that he is now doing everything to improve our lot,” Nana Darkwa stated.
He, therefore, appealed to the people in the area to put aside their political differences and support the Deputy Regional Minister to develop the area.
For his part, Baba Jamal said more social amenities such as schools, wells and clinics would be provided in the deprived areas, particularly within the Kwaebibirem District, which would also benefit from 20 new mosques.
Baba Jamal also stated that 15 communities such as Ntronang, Nkwantanang and some parts of Akwatia which had not yet been connected to the national grid would have power within a limited period while a number of bridges would be built and roads rehabilitated.
He further stated that an educational fund, of which the people in Kwaebibirem were making a monthly voluntary contribution of GH¢1 for the education of needy students, had been set up, adding that so far, GH¢5,000 had been realised, in addition to GH¢2,000 seed money he personally provided.
Baba Jamal, who therefore asked parents to support the fund and also take the opportunity to send their children to school, thanked Care and Social Development International for its assistance.
The District Chief Executive of Kwaebibirem, Mr George Agyeman Duah, said the assembly was doing its best to ensure the success of the School Feeding Programme in the area.
Earlier, the Director of Care and Social Development International, Sheikh Mansour Abu Zaid, said the NGO, apart from building mosques and providing other social amenities, particularly in deprived communities’ worldwide, was currently catering for 400 orphans and a considerable number of widows.
Friday, February 26, 2010
2 ARRESTED FOR ARSON (PAGE 22, FEB 6, 2010)
A TIMELY police intervention prevented a number of properties from being destroyed by fire which was deliberately set by a group of young men in Koforidua last Thursday.
Two of the young men, Ahmadu Tijani and Issa Muhamed, alleged to be criminals, have been arrested in connection with the crime.
The young men, who had been living in kiosks nearby and terrorising users of the road often referred to as Pentua Walla, near the offices of the Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times, set the fire in protest against the demolition of the kiosks at dawn that day.
The demolition formed part of an ongoing exercise to beautify the New Juaben Municipality.
The criminals first blocked the road with piles of wood from the debris of the demolition and water tanks after which they piled up lorry tyres in the centre of the road and set them on fire.
The development made it impossible for both motorists and pedestrians to use the road for almost an hour.
The situation compelled the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Alex Asamoah, to call for police intervention.
A 30-man police force, led by Chief Inspectors Francis Numado and Adu Yaw cordoned off the road after which the policemen, assisted by some civilians, fetched water from a nearby well to put out the fire.
Some of the policemen at the same time pursued the alleged criminals and managed to arrest Ahmadu Tijani and Issah Muhammed, who were kept at the Koforidua Central Police Station.
The New Juaben Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent John Naami, said he had to order the police to the area after receiving a distress call from the New Juaben MCE, Mr Alex Asamoah, on the situation.
He said the police were carrying out further investigations to arrest the other perpetrators after which they would be charged and prosecuted.
The police commander said the police would ensure that the place was not a no-go area for motorists and other road users, especially at night.
Meanwhile, calm has been restored and vehicles and pedestrians have started using the road.
Two of the young men, Ahmadu Tijani and Issa Muhamed, alleged to be criminals, have been arrested in connection with the crime.
The young men, who had been living in kiosks nearby and terrorising users of the road often referred to as Pentua Walla, near the offices of the Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times, set the fire in protest against the demolition of the kiosks at dawn that day.
The demolition formed part of an ongoing exercise to beautify the New Juaben Municipality.
The criminals first blocked the road with piles of wood from the debris of the demolition and water tanks after which they piled up lorry tyres in the centre of the road and set them on fire.
The development made it impossible for both motorists and pedestrians to use the road for almost an hour.
The situation compelled the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Alex Asamoah, to call for police intervention.
A 30-man police force, led by Chief Inspectors Francis Numado and Adu Yaw cordoned off the road after which the policemen, assisted by some civilians, fetched water from a nearby well to put out the fire.
Some of the policemen at the same time pursued the alleged criminals and managed to arrest Ahmadu Tijani and Issah Muhammed, who were kept at the Koforidua Central Police Station.
The New Juaben Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent John Naami, said he had to order the police to the area after receiving a distress call from the New Juaben MCE, Mr Alex Asamoah, on the situation.
He said the police were carrying out further investigations to arrest the other perpetrators after which they would be charged and prosecuted.
The police commander said the police would ensure that the place was not a no-go area for motorists and other road users, especially at night.
Meanwhile, calm has been restored and vehicles and pedestrians have started using the road.
GOVT RELEASES FUNDS FOR FEEDER ROADS (BACK PAGE, FEB 5, 2010)
THE government has made available GH¢848,000 to the Department of Feeder Roads (DFR) for road maintenance and rehabilitation with labour-based technology.
Under the labour-based technology, inhabitants within the community in which the road is being constructed are engaged to do the work, mostly without the use of heavy construction equipment.
The process, which created jobs, particularly in the rural areas, about 20 years ago and reduced poverty, had to be abandoned due to lack of funds.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, made this known in an address read on his behalf by his deputy, Mr Rojo Mettle Nunoo, at this year’s annual management seminar of the DFR in Koforidua.
The two-day seminar, on the theme, “Optimisation of resources for effective contract supervision”, which is being attended by regional managers and other road engineers of the DFR, is to examine the 2009 performance and come up with measures that will improve their activities.
According to Mr Gidisu, it had become necessary to revamp the technology, which he said had created jobs for the people, reduced poverty and boosted the economy.
He said the successful application of the labour-based technology in road rehabilitation and maintenance in the country won the confidence of the international community, as a result of which Ghana was chosen to host an international seminar on it in 1996, adding that the country had again been selected to host a similar international seminar in 2011.
The minister, who was hopeful that the participants would come up with a meaningful programme that would make it possible to tremendously improve the road sector, asked the managers to regularly visit the construction sites to ensure that construction firms executed the jobs within the required specifications.
The Director of the DFR, Mr E.N.K. Ashong, said out of the 42,000 km of feeder roads in the country, 608km was on periodic maintenance contract, while 203 km was on routine maintenance, with an average of 81 contracts on supervision per region.
He stated that the slowdown in the performance of contractors due to delays in payment for jobs done in recent times would improve due to improvement in funding.
Mr Ashong listed a number of challenges facing the road sector, including the large number of contracts, limited supervision, improper project preparations, the inability of contractors to submit work programmes and updates, improper supporting documents for work certification and delays in payment for work done, and expressed the hope that those problems would be solved.
Earlier, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu, had said a number of bridges would be constructed and roads rehabilitated in the region, especially in the rural areas, to make it possible for farmers to cart their produce to the marketing centres.
Under the labour-based technology, inhabitants within the community in which the road is being constructed are engaged to do the work, mostly without the use of heavy construction equipment.
The process, which created jobs, particularly in the rural areas, about 20 years ago and reduced poverty, had to be abandoned due to lack of funds.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, made this known in an address read on his behalf by his deputy, Mr Rojo Mettle Nunoo, at this year’s annual management seminar of the DFR in Koforidua.
The two-day seminar, on the theme, “Optimisation of resources for effective contract supervision”, which is being attended by regional managers and other road engineers of the DFR, is to examine the 2009 performance and come up with measures that will improve their activities.
According to Mr Gidisu, it had become necessary to revamp the technology, which he said had created jobs for the people, reduced poverty and boosted the economy.
He said the successful application of the labour-based technology in road rehabilitation and maintenance in the country won the confidence of the international community, as a result of which Ghana was chosen to host an international seminar on it in 1996, adding that the country had again been selected to host a similar international seminar in 2011.
The minister, who was hopeful that the participants would come up with a meaningful programme that would make it possible to tremendously improve the road sector, asked the managers to regularly visit the construction sites to ensure that construction firms executed the jobs within the required specifications.
The Director of the DFR, Mr E.N.K. Ashong, said out of the 42,000 km of feeder roads in the country, 608km was on periodic maintenance contract, while 203 km was on routine maintenance, with an average of 81 contracts on supervision per region.
He stated that the slowdown in the performance of contractors due to delays in payment for jobs done in recent times would improve due to improvement in funding.
Mr Ashong listed a number of challenges facing the road sector, including the large number of contracts, limited supervision, improper project preparations, the inability of contractors to submit work programmes and updates, improper supporting documents for work certification and delays in payment for work done, and expressed the hope that those problems would be solved.
Earlier, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu, had said a number of bridges would be constructed and roads rehabilitated in the region, especially in the rural areas, to make it possible for farmers to cart their produce to the marketing centres.
MIDA, ADRA TRAIN 50,000 FARMERS (PAGE 20, FEB 3, 2010)
THE Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) with the assistance of the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), has so far trained 50,000 farmers in all aspects of farming and marketing.
Some of the farmers, who were drawn from 30 districts spread over the country, have already benefited from financial assistance from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), operated and supervised by MiDA.
The MCA is a special fund of $547 million provided by the government of the United States to assist farmers in Ghana’s deprived communities, some of which are also to be provided with the necessary social amenities to make life worth living for the inhabitants.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MiDA, Mr Martin Eson-Benjamin, made this known at the inauguration of six farmers’ associations in the Afram Basin at Akwasiho last Friday
The groups, known as the Afram Basin Value Chain Association, comprises farmers cultivating maize, legumes, cassava, yam, plantain and vegetables, as well as suppliers of farming inputs and exporters of such crops.
According to Mr Esson-Benjamin, the rationale behind the MiDA project was to ensure that the farmers generated adequate incomes from their activities to reduce poverty from the communities, some of which would also be provided with social amenities.
He, therefore, advised the farmers to capitalise on the opportunity to improve their lot.
That, according to him, would make it possible for them to better educate their children to acquire responsible positions to end the vicious cycle of poverty associated with the rural areas.
Mr Eson-Benjamin stated that a total of 60,000 farmers would benefit from the package.
He, however, appealed to the farmers to make good use of the credit facilities offered them to enable them to pay back the loans for others to also benefit.
He expressed his appreciation to ADRA for training the farmers, as well as officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) who offered technical support.
The Project Manager of ADRA responsible for the MiDA Project, Mr S. Asante Mensah, said his outfit was currently training 30,000 farmers in the Afram Basin, as well as facilitating the export of their produce most of which found their way to the U.K. market.
The Country Director of ADRA, Dr W.K. Brown, said ADRA would soon train 10,000 farmers in the northern regions.
He advised the youth in the rural areas to go into farming for their livelihood instead of migrating to the cities for non-existent jobs.
In an address read by Mr J.A. Amoafo, the Planning Officer of the Kwahu East District, on behalf of the district chief executive, he said the assembly would rehabilitate a number of roads in the area to ease the transportation of foodstuffs to the buying centres.
The Chief of Akwasiho, Nana Afari Keseku II, who is also the Akwamuhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, expressed his appreciation for the packages offered to the farmers in the area.
He, however, called for the total rehabilitation of the road linking the town with other parts of the region.
Some of the farmers, who were drawn from 30 districts spread over the country, have already benefited from financial assistance from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), operated and supervised by MiDA.
The MCA is a special fund of $547 million provided by the government of the United States to assist farmers in Ghana’s deprived communities, some of which are also to be provided with the necessary social amenities to make life worth living for the inhabitants.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MiDA, Mr Martin Eson-Benjamin, made this known at the inauguration of six farmers’ associations in the Afram Basin at Akwasiho last Friday
The groups, known as the Afram Basin Value Chain Association, comprises farmers cultivating maize, legumes, cassava, yam, plantain and vegetables, as well as suppliers of farming inputs and exporters of such crops.
According to Mr Esson-Benjamin, the rationale behind the MiDA project was to ensure that the farmers generated adequate incomes from their activities to reduce poverty from the communities, some of which would also be provided with social amenities.
He, therefore, advised the farmers to capitalise on the opportunity to improve their lot.
That, according to him, would make it possible for them to better educate their children to acquire responsible positions to end the vicious cycle of poverty associated with the rural areas.
Mr Eson-Benjamin stated that a total of 60,000 farmers would benefit from the package.
He, however, appealed to the farmers to make good use of the credit facilities offered them to enable them to pay back the loans for others to also benefit.
He expressed his appreciation to ADRA for training the farmers, as well as officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) who offered technical support.
The Project Manager of ADRA responsible for the MiDA Project, Mr S. Asante Mensah, said his outfit was currently training 30,000 farmers in the Afram Basin, as well as facilitating the export of their produce most of which found their way to the U.K. market.
The Country Director of ADRA, Dr W.K. Brown, said ADRA would soon train 10,000 farmers in the northern regions.
He advised the youth in the rural areas to go into farming for their livelihood instead of migrating to the cities for non-existent jobs.
In an address read by Mr J.A. Amoafo, the Planning Officer of the Kwahu East District, on behalf of the district chief executive, he said the assembly would rehabilitate a number of roads in the area to ease the transportation of foodstuffs to the buying centres.
The Chief of Akwasiho, Nana Afari Keseku II, who is also the Akwamuhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, expressed his appreciation for the packages offered to the farmers in the area.
He, however, called for the total rehabilitation of the road linking the town with other parts of the region.
GH¢11.9 MILLION SPENT ON 64,474 NYEP EMPLOYEES (PAGE 15, FEB 3, 2010)
THE GOVERNMENT is currently spending GH¢11.9 million to pay the monthly salaries of 69,474 young persons employed under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP).
The programme, which is aimed at alleviating poverty among the youth, will this year cover an additional 200,000 persons.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Mohamed Ahmed, made this known at the Eastern Regional launch of the ICT Module of the NYEP at the Jackson Park, Koforidua, last weekend.
Under the ICT Module, a large number of those engaged under the NYEP will be trained in ICT, especially servicing of mobile phones assembled in Ghana by rLG Communications, a privately owned Ghanaian company.
According to Baba Jamal, the government had taken pragmatic steps to ensure that enough funds were available for the restructuring, implementation and expansion of the programme to make it more attractive and sustainable, adding that this year an additional 200,000 persons would be taken on.
He, therefore, appealed to corporate bodies to support the government to make the programme a success.
Baba Jamal said to make the programme successful, the Ministry of Youth and Sports had taken the initiative to implement NYEP business proposals during which individual young persons with creative business ideas would be trained and assisted with funds and logistics, as well as mentoring support, to ensure that their businesses made the desired impact.
He said between 2010 and 2012, the government would implement a comprehensive ICT labour market by establishing ICT infrastructure, including two international ICT grade parks on the Akuapem Ridge in the Eastern Region and Cape Coast in the Central Region and also in the other regions.
That, he said, would increase ICT job-related opportunities for the youth and improve its infrastructure to contribute massively towards the intended ICT revolution in the country.
Baba Jamal advised the unemployed youth to take advantage of the ICT Module to improve their lot and congratulated rLG Communications on its partnership with the NYEP.
The programme, which is aimed at alleviating poverty among the youth, will this year cover an additional 200,000 persons.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Baba Jamal Mohamed Ahmed, made this known at the Eastern Regional launch of the ICT Module of the NYEP at the Jackson Park, Koforidua, last weekend.
Under the ICT Module, a large number of those engaged under the NYEP will be trained in ICT, especially servicing of mobile phones assembled in Ghana by rLG Communications, a privately owned Ghanaian company.
According to Baba Jamal, the government had taken pragmatic steps to ensure that enough funds were available for the restructuring, implementation and expansion of the programme to make it more attractive and sustainable, adding that this year an additional 200,000 persons would be taken on.
He, therefore, appealed to corporate bodies to support the government to make the programme a success.
Baba Jamal said to make the programme successful, the Ministry of Youth and Sports had taken the initiative to implement NYEP business proposals during which individual young persons with creative business ideas would be trained and assisted with funds and logistics, as well as mentoring support, to ensure that their businesses made the desired impact.
He said between 2010 and 2012, the government would implement a comprehensive ICT labour market by establishing ICT infrastructure, including two international ICT grade parks on the Akuapem Ridge in the Eastern Region and Cape Coast in the Central Region and also in the other regions.
That, he said, would increase ICT job-related opportunities for the youth and improve its infrastructure to contribute massively towards the intended ICT revolution in the country.
Baba Jamal advised the unemployed youth to take advantage of the ICT Module to improve their lot and congratulated rLG Communications on its partnership with the NYEP.
GJA FETES REGIONAL CORPS (PAGE 20, JAN 27, 2010)
THE Eastern Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at the weekend organised its annual get-to-gather at the Eredec Hotel in Koforidua.
In attendance were the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, his deputy, Mr Baba Jamal, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere, Mr Dan Botwe, some District Chief Executives (DCEs), heads of department, and security operatives in the region, as well as the President of the GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh.
Although the association for the first time barred non-members from attending the function due to the misconduct of some of them at similar functions, a few, however, managed to attend but were restrained from involving in any activity that would tarnish the GJA’s reputation.
Apart from dining, drinking and discussing the welfare of the association’s members and how they could help advance the development of the communities in the region, the ceremony also created a platform for some of the members such as Castro Zangina Tong of Ghanaian Times and dignitaries like Baba Jamal to exhibit their talents in comedy to entertain the gathering that turned the event to a festival of laughter.
Members who were hoping to see the DCE for Suhum, Kraboa-Coaltar, Mr Samuel Fleischer-Kwabi on the floor to give out some melodious old high life songs as he did at a recent receptions organised by the regional minister, were disappointed because Mr Fleisher-Kwabi could not do so due to sore throat.
In an address, Mr Ofosu Ampofo urged the media practitioners to come up with useful information that would advance society, adding that the success of society depended on useful information.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo also appealed to the media to ensure that the three arms of government, namely the executive, legislature and judiciary worked effectively, efficiently and harmoniously for the benefit of the entire nation.
He further stated that since the region was endowed with natural resources and numerous tourist attractions, it was the responsibility of the media to highlight them to attract both local and foreign investors for their exploitation for the benefit of the region.
“As media personnel, you have a responsibility to ensure that the three arms of government, would work for the benefit of the nation,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
The regional minister stressed the need for the media to help disseminate information that would curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the area, giving the assurance that the Regional Co-ordinating Council would offer the necessary support to journalists in the region to enable them to execute their duties.
For his part, Mr Ransford Tetteh said journalists should not carry out their activities in such a way that would demean the country’s political leaders, emphasising that they should always abide by the code of ethics of the profession.
“We must abide by our code of ethics, offer constructive criticism in our reportage that should not endanger society or demean our political leaders,” Mr Ransford Tetteh stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Chapter of the GJA, Mr Edmund Quaynor expressed disgust about the manner some people had styled themselves as journalists to defraud the public.
Mr Quanor said one of such persons in the region had been arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned, warning that the GJA was determined to flush out such deviants and called for support from members.
Both Baba Jamal and Mr Emmanuel Safo, a veteran journalist formerly with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, advised the journalists to strive for excellence in their reportage.
In attendance were the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, his deputy, Mr Baba Jamal, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okere, Mr Dan Botwe, some District Chief Executives (DCEs), heads of department, and security operatives in the region, as well as the President of the GJA, Mr Ransford Tetteh.
Although the association for the first time barred non-members from attending the function due to the misconduct of some of them at similar functions, a few, however, managed to attend but were restrained from involving in any activity that would tarnish the GJA’s reputation.
Apart from dining, drinking and discussing the welfare of the association’s members and how they could help advance the development of the communities in the region, the ceremony also created a platform for some of the members such as Castro Zangina Tong of Ghanaian Times and dignitaries like Baba Jamal to exhibit their talents in comedy to entertain the gathering that turned the event to a festival of laughter.
Members who were hoping to see the DCE for Suhum, Kraboa-Coaltar, Mr Samuel Fleischer-Kwabi on the floor to give out some melodious old high life songs as he did at a recent receptions organised by the regional minister, were disappointed because Mr Fleisher-Kwabi could not do so due to sore throat.
In an address, Mr Ofosu Ampofo urged the media practitioners to come up with useful information that would advance society, adding that the success of society depended on useful information.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo also appealed to the media to ensure that the three arms of government, namely the executive, legislature and judiciary worked effectively, efficiently and harmoniously for the benefit of the entire nation.
He further stated that since the region was endowed with natural resources and numerous tourist attractions, it was the responsibility of the media to highlight them to attract both local and foreign investors for their exploitation for the benefit of the region.
“As media personnel, you have a responsibility to ensure that the three arms of government, would work for the benefit of the nation,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
The regional minister stressed the need for the media to help disseminate information that would curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the area, giving the assurance that the Regional Co-ordinating Council would offer the necessary support to journalists in the region to enable them to execute their duties.
For his part, Mr Ransford Tetteh said journalists should not carry out their activities in such a way that would demean the country’s political leaders, emphasising that they should always abide by the code of ethics of the profession.
“We must abide by our code of ethics, offer constructive criticism in our reportage that should not endanger society or demean our political leaders,” Mr Ransford Tetteh stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Chapter of the GJA, Mr Edmund Quaynor expressed disgust about the manner some people had styled themselves as journalists to defraud the public.
Mr Quanor said one of such persons in the region had been arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned, warning that the GJA was determined to flush out such deviants and called for support from members.
Both Baba Jamal and Mr Emmanuel Safo, a veteran journalist formerly with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, advised the journalists to strive for excellence in their reportage.
HELP IMPROVE TEACHERS' IMAGE — GOERGE ABOAGYE (PAGE 20, JAN 27, 2010)
THE Kwaebibirem District Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr George Aboagye, has appealed to members of the association to help improve their image.
He also called on teachers to support the association in the fight for their rights to improve their conditions of service.
Mr Aboagye, who is also the Presiding Member of the Kwaebibirem District Assembly, made the appeal when he addressed the association’s members at Kade last Thursday.
The event, which brought together teachers primarily from Kade and others from different parts in the district, witnessed the election of two officers, Mr Bismarck Offei Boafo and Miss Mary Oppon Ankomah, as secretary and treasurer respectively for the Kade local branch of the association.
The teachers were also briefed on the deliberations at the recent Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference of GNAT, the single spine salary structure and the new three-tier pension scheme.
Four committees on finance, socio-economic, gender and conditions of service were also formed and the members inaugurated for the Kade local branch.
According to Mr Aboagye, although the teaching profession was a noble one that had produced notable people in all the professions, the image of teachers had been low due to a number of factors such as the misconduct of some teachers and low remuneration.
Mr Aboagye stated that teachers should always exhibit good conduct and improve their education to match current trends.
He said it was in that direction that they would be able to contribute their quota to national development and at the same time enhance their living condition.
Mr Aboagye called on them to have special interest in the activities of GNAT which they must support to fight for their rights and better conditions of service.
The Assistant Headmaster of the Salvation Army Senior High School at Kade, Mr John Selby, who is also the Kwaebibirem District Chairman of GNAT, inaugurated the committees and advised teachers not to do anything that would tarnish their reputation and that of the association.
Mr Francis Twum who headed a two-member delegation to the National Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference, briefed the teachers and gave the assurance that the single spine salary structure and the three-tier pension scheme which were among the issues discussed at the conference, would soon be implemented to improve their lot.
The Eastern Regional Vice Chairman of GNAT, Prince Mike Nimako, also addressed the teachers.
He also called on teachers to support the association in the fight for their rights to improve their conditions of service.
Mr Aboagye, who is also the Presiding Member of the Kwaebibirem District Assembly, made the appeal when he addressed the association’s members at Kade last Thursday.
The event, which brought together teachers primarily from Kade and others from different parts in the district, witnessed the election of two officers, Mr Bismarck Offei Boafo and Miss Mary Oppon Ankomah, as secretary and treasurer respectively for the Kade local branch of the association.
The teachers were also briefed on the deliberations at the recent Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference of GNAT, the single spine salary structure and the new three-tier pension scheme.
Four committees on finance, socio-economic, gender and conditions of service were also formed and the members inaugurated for the Kade local branch.
According to Mr Aboagye, although the teaching profession was a noble one that had produced notable people in all the professions, the image of teachers had been low due to a number of factors such as the misconduct of some teachers and low remuneration.
Mr Aboagye stated that teachers should always exhibit good conduct and improve their education to match current trends.
He said it was in that direction that they would be able to contribute their quota to national development and at the same time enhance their living condition.
Mr Aboagye called on them to have special interest in the activities of GNAT which they must support to fight for their rights and better conditions of service.
The Assistant Headmaster of the Salvation Army Senior High School at Kade, Mr John Selby, who is also the Kwaebibirem District Chairman of GNAT, inaugurated the committees and advised teachers not to do anything that would tarnish their reputation and that of the association.
Mr Francis Twum who headed a two-member delegation to the National Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference, briefed the teachers and gave the assurance that the single spine salary structure and the three-tier pension scheme which were among the issues discussed at the conference, would soon be implemented to improve their lot.
The Eastern Regional Vice Chairman of GNAT, Prince Mike Nimako, also addressed the teachers.
KYEBI SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF CRIES FOR HELP (PAGE 20, JAN 27, 2010)
DO you know that the deaf and dumb can sing? Have you ever seen any of such persons or groups singing?
These two questions can be well answered if you visit a School for the Deaf. I recommend you go to the school at Kyebi, capital of the East Akyem Municipality.
Until last weekend when I visited the school to cover an assignment during which the students entertained the gathering with a religious song, I never knew that they could do that.
The occasion was the presentation of various educational and vocational materials by a citizen of Akyem Abuakwa domiciled in Germany to the school.
The students did that with the sign language and clapping of hands in such a way that one could know the song and follow the rhythm to participate in the singing.
It was indeed a mixture of excitement and sorrow as the students, both males and females in their teens, made signs, clapped their hands and nodded their heads to sing for about 10 minutes during which some of the visitors were filled with joy while others expressed sorrow.
The school, the only in the Akyem area, was established 35 years ago to provide formal education for underprivileged persons.
Before its establishment, most of such handicapped persons in the area were considered a disgrace or taboo to their families some of whom either disowned them or did not take good care of them with the notion that they were incapable of doing anything in their adulthood for themselves and their families.
The situation prompted the Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) to distribute them to the church members to be responsible for their domestic needs while they attended the same public schools in the area for their education.
But the difficulties they went through in the schools which had no facilities to deal with their hearing impairment coupled with the increase in their number brought to the fore the need to set up a separate and special school for them.
That resulted in the establishment of the school christened Unit School for the Deaf, Kyebi in 1975.
The school which is a co-educational institution, is of a complex nature comprising a kindergarten, primary and junior high departments and takes the infants, pupils and students through the normal courses just like any other educational institution.
One significant aspect of its programme is its vocational department which provides the students with vocational skills in various trades to make a living if any of them fails to climb the academic ladder after the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to the senior high schools and beyond.
The school which is housed in the old structures of the erstwhile Kyebi Teacher Training College constructed over 50 years ago, currently has a student population of 245, teaching staff 19 and 27 non-teaching staff.
The institution is beset with numerous challenges such as inappropriate and inadequate classrooms and dormitories as a result of which the infants, pupils and students are crowded in such facilities.
The school also relies on a small and poorly ventilated kitchen for the preparation of meals which cannot also be served in a dining hall because it has no such facility.
There is no residential accommodation for the headmaster and the staff so they have to make do with rented chamber and hall or single room facilities in the town, making supervision of the students very difficult.
“We have a lot of challenges, especially improper and inadequate infrastructure and educational materials and we call on all and sundry for assistance to improve the lot of these unfortunate children,” Mr J.E. Asona, the Headmaster of the school, appealed.
Mr Asona also complained of lack of incentives for specially-trained teachers.
He said the only incentive he received apart from his salary was GH¢3 monthly allowance.
The headmaster, however, expressed the hope that more sustaining allowances would be offered to the teachers to boost their morale to handle the students.
It is due to these problems that the school has from time to time been appealing for assistance from organisations and well-to-do individuals but most of the time the appeal does not yield any good result.
However, a citizen of Akyem Abuakwa domiciled in Germany, Mr Kofi Asamoah, one of the few individuals who has for sometime now been assisting the school, on behalf of Bild Hilft, a Germany-based organisation, donated educational and vocational materials and Information Communication Technology (ICT) facility, all valued at 5,000 euros, to be installed in the school.
The organisation first gave out the items to Humbolt Gymnasium, a school in Potsdam, Germany, which in turn donated it to the Kyebi School for the Deaf.
Making the presentation at the ceremony attended by the East Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Simon Peter Asirifi and the Gyasehene of Kyebi Barima Darko Ampem, and his elders, Mr Asamoah gave the assurance that he would continue to assist the school.
Both Mr Asirifi and Barima Darko Ampem expressed their appreciation to the donors and also gave the assurance that their outfits would support the school to better cater for the pupils and students.
These two questions can be well answered if you visit a School for the Deaf. I recommend you go to the school at Kyebi, capital of the East Akyem Municipality.
Until last weekend when I visited the school to cover an assignment during which the students entertained the gathering with a religious song, I never knew that they could do that.
The occasion was the presentation of various educational and vocational materials by a citizen of Akyem Abuakwa domiciled in Germany to the school.
The students did that with the sign language and clapping of hands in such a way that one could know the song and follow the rhythm to participate in the singing.
It was indeed a mixture of excitement and sorrow as the students, both males and females in their teens, made signs, clapped their hands and nodded their heads to sing for about 10 minutes during which some of the visitors were filled with joy while others expressed sorrow.
The school, the only in the Akyem area, was established 35 years ago to provide formal education for underprivileged persons.
Before its establishment, most of such handicapped persons in the area were considered a disgrace or taboo to their families some of whom either disowned them or did not take good care of them with the notion that they were incapable of doing anything in their adulthood for themselves and their families.
The situation prompted the Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) to distribute them to the church members to be responsible for their domestic needs while they attended the same public schools in the area for their education.
But the difficulties they went through in the schools which had no facilities to deal with their hearing impairment coupled with the increase in their number brought to the fore the need to set up a separate and special school for them.
That resulted in the establishment of the school christened Unit School for the Deaf, Kyebi in 1975.
The school which is a co-educational institution, is of a complex nature comprising a kindergarten, primary and junior high departments and takes the infants, pupils and students through the normal courses just like any other educational institution.
One significant aspect of its programme is its vocational department which provides the students with vocational skills in various trades to make a living if any of them fails to climb the academic ladder after the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to the senior high schools and beyond.
The school which is housed in the old structures of the erstwhile Kyebi Teacher Training College constructed over 50 years ago, currently has a student population of 245, teaching staff 19 and 27 non-teaching staff.
The institution is beset with numerous challenges such as inappropriate and inadequate classrooms and dormitories as a result of which the infants, pupils and students are crowded in such facilities.
The school also relies on a small and poorly ventilated kitchen for the preparation of meals which cannot also be served in a dining hall because it has no such facility.
There is no residential accommodation for the headmaster and the staff so they have to make do with rented chamber and hall or single room facilities in the town, making supervision of the students very difficult.
“We have a lot of challenges, especially improper and inadequate infrastructure and educational materials and we call on all and sundry for assistance to improve the lot of these unfortunate children,” Mr J.E. Asona, the Headmaster of the school, appealed.
Mr Asona also complained of lack of incentives for specially-trained teachers.
He said the only incentive he received apart from his salary was GH¢3 monthly allowance.
The headmaster, however, expressed the hope that more sustaining allowances would be offered to the teachers to boost their morale to handle the students.
It is due to these problems that the school has from time to time been appealing for assistance from organisations and well-to-do individuals but most of the time the appeal does not yield any good result.
However, a citizen of Akyem Abuakwa domiciled in Germany, Mr Kofi Asamoah, one of the few individuals who has for sometime now been assisting the school, on behalf of Bild Hilft, a Germany-based organisation, donated educational and vocational materials and Information Communication Technology (ICT) facility, all valued at 5,000 euros, to be installed in the school.
The organisation first gave out the items to Humbolt Gymnasium, a school in Potsdam, Germany, which in turn donated it to the Kyebi School for the Deaf.
Making the presentation at the ceremony attended by the East Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Simon Peter Asirifi and the Gyasehene of Kyebi Barima Darko Ampem, and his elders, Mr Asamoah gave the assurance that he would continue to assist the school.
Both Mr Asirifi and Barima Darko Ampem expressed their appreciation to the donors and also gave the assurance that their outfits would support the school to better cater for the pupils and students.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
NEWMOUNT SAFEGUARDS ENVIRONMENT IN OPERATIONAL AREAS (PAGE 12, JAN 23, 2010)
NEWMONT Ghana Limited, a multinational gold mining company operating in the Akyem area of the Eastern Region, has stated that it has taken the necessary steps to safeguard the environment in its operational area.
It said since it was likely that some of the dangerous chemicals used in its operations, such as cyanide, could spill over to other areas, everything had been done to contain the situation whenever it occurred.
The Communications Manager of Newmont Akyem Project, Mr Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo, gave the assurance when the company’s officials met the Eastern Regional Press Corps in Koforidua on Wednesday.
The meeting, which formed part of Newmont’s periodic interaction with the media, was to brief the journalists on the current situation of its operations.
According to Mr Marfo, in every mining activity, it was possible for some dangerous chemicals to spill over to other areas, as happened at its Ahafo Mine, so a number of corrective measures had been instituted to contain the situation in the event of its occurrence.
That, according to him, would guarantee the safety of the people in the operational area.
“A number of interventions have been made to contain any given situation when the company starts full operation so that no spillage or pollution will endanger the lives of the people in the operational area,” he stressed.
With regard to the payment of compensation to landowners and farmers, he said well qualified valuers had been engaged to ensure that neither the landowners/farmers nor the company would be cheated.
Mr Marfo told the gathering that Newmont would not depart from its track of ensuring the welfare of the people in its operational area and explained that it was in that direction that the company had already provided a number of social amenities, such as schools, in the area, although it had not started full operations.
Mr Smyly Bannerman, the Project Manager of LandPo-Consult, a consultancy firm engaged to assist the company in its dealings with the people in the operational area, also gave the assurance that his outfit would follow the guidelines to ensure fairness to both Newmont and the people who would be affected by its operations.
Both Mr Marfo and Mr Bannerman called on the media to be circumspect in their reportage for the benefit of the company and the people, since both stakeholders would benefit from the operations of the company.
It said since it was likely that some of the dangerous chemicals used in its operations, such as cyanide, could spill over to other areas, everything had been done to contain the situation whenever it occurred.
The Communications Manager of Newmont Akyem Project, Mr Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo, gave the assurance when the company’s officials met the Eastern Regional Press Corps in Koforidua on Wednesday.
The meeting, which formed part of Newmont’s periodic interaction with the media, was to brief the journalists on the current situation of its operations.
According to Mr Marfo, in every mining activity, it was possible for some dangerous chemicals to spill over to other areas, as happened at its Ahafo Mine, so a number of corrective measures had been instituted to contain the situation in the event of its occurrence.
That, according to him, would guarantee the safety of the people in the operational area.
“A number of interventions have been made to contain any given situation when the company starts full operation so that no spillage or pollution will endanger the lives of the people in the operational area,” he stressed.
With regard to the payment of compensation to landowners and farmers, he said well qualified valuers had been engaged to ensure that neither the landowners/farmers nor the company would be cheated.
Mr Marfo told the gathering that Newmont would not depart from its track of ensuring the welfare of the people in its operational area and explained that it was in that direction that the company had already provided a number of social amenities, such as schools, in the area, although it had not started full operations.
Mr Smyly Bannerman, the Project Manager of LandPo-Consult, a consultancy firm engaged to assist the company in its dealings with the people in the operational area, also gave the assurance that his outfit would follow the guidelines to ensure fairness to both Newmont and the people who would be affected by its operations.
Both Mr Marfo and Mr Bannerman called on the media to be circumspect in their reportage for the benefit of the company and the people, since both stakeholders would benefit from the operations of the company.
TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING POLICEMAN (PAGE 20, JAN 22, 2010)
A KOFORIDUA taxi driver who severely assaulted a policeman on duty resulting in his loss of two teeth has been arrested.
The driver, Richard Akoto, who was driving a taxi with registration number ER 440 W pounced on Sergeant Peter Ayisah at a traffic light in Koforidua after the policeman had arrested him for driving through the red light last weekend.
Akoto, who was later on overpowered and held at the Regional Police Headquarters, has been charged with causing harm and negligent driving.
He has already appeared before the Koforidua Circuit Court on the motor offence and the case adjourned to January 21, this year.
Sergeant Ayisah, who was being treated at the Regional Hospitalin Koforidua, said on January 12, this year, while on duty at the traffic light near the railway station in the centre of the town, Akoto, who was fond of driving through the red light, sped through the red light but instead of arresting him he only cautioned him not to that again.
He said on January 14, this year, the suspect again ignored the red light signal and drove through so he (Sergeant Ayisah) arrested him.
Sergeant Ayisah stated that while he was taking Akoto in his (Akoto’s) vehicle to the police headquarters, he diverted the course, parked the vehicle and removed the ignition key and attempted to run away.
Sergeant Ayisah said he held the suspect, who then assaulted him severely during which he lost two teeth in the upper jaw.
He said Akoto was later apprehended and sent to the regional police headquarters.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said Akoto, who had already been arraigned before the Circuit Court in Koforidua on the motor offence, would again appear before the same court for the criminal offence of assault, which his unit was investigating.
The driver, Richard Akoto, who was driving a taxi with registration number ER 440 W pounced on Sergeant Peter Ayisah at a traffic light in Koforidua after the policeman had arrested him for driving through the red light last weekend.
Akoto, who was later on overpowered and held at the Regional Police Headquarters, has been charged with causing harm and negligent driving.
He has already appeared before the Koforidua Circuit Court on the motor offence and the case adjourned to January 21, this year.
Sergeant Ayisah, who was being treated at the Regional Hospitalin Koforidua, said on January 12, this year, while on duty at the traffic light near the railway station in the centre of the town, Akoto, who was fond of driving through the red light, sped through the red light but instead of arresting him he only cautioned him not to that again.
He said on January 14, this year, the suspect again ignored the red light signal and drove through so he (Sergeant Ayisah) arrested him.
Sergeant Ayisah stated that while he was taking Akoto in his (Akoto’s) vehicle to the police headquarters, he diverted the course, parked the vehicle and removed the ignition key and attempted to run away.
Sergeant Ayisah said he held the suspect, who then assaulted him severely during which he lost two teeth in the upper jaw.
He said Akoto was later apprehended and sent to the regional police headquarters.
When contacted, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU), Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said Akoto, who had already been arraigned before the Circuit Court in Koforidua on the motor offence, would again appear before the same court for the criminal offence of assault, which his unit was investigating.
3328 LIVES LOST IN MOTOR ACCIDENTS IN ER (PAGE 14, JAN 19, 2010)
Three hundred and twenty-eight people died last year through motor accidents in the Eastern Region.
The figure is an increase of 73 over the 245 deaths recorded in 2008.
In an interview in Koforidua at the weekend, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Police, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, attributed most of the accidents to human error on the part of drivers.
Giving details of the accidents, he said in 2009, 1,489 accidents, involving 1,927 vehicles, occurred in the region, from which 328 people died, while 2,296 got injured, 473 of them seriously, as against the 1,162 accidents, involving 1,642 vehicles, recorded in 2008, during which 245 people perished and 1,465 got injured.
According to Supt Peprah, most of the accidents occurred in the night on the Suhum-Bunso-Nkawkaw stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway and said driver fatigue accounted for most of them.
He explained that normally drivers had to rest for at least 30 minutes after driving continuously for four hours and that most of the accidents on the Suhum-Bunso-Nkawkaw stretch involved drivers who had driven for more than four hours from the north and countries on Ghana’s northern corridor without resting.
“They drive all the way from Burkina Faso, Tamale, Bawku or Wa to Accra or Tema, spending more than four hours behind the wheel, to cover a distance of about 300 kilometres to reach the stretch, but they do not rest. These tired and dozing drivers mostly drive into stationary vehicles along the road,” Supt Peprah stated.
He expressed the hope that the introduction of log books in long distance vehicles to enable the police to know the distance covered and the hours spent by the drivers would help reduce accidents.
He also stated that this year the police in the region would use alcohol censors to check alcohol content in drivers at the loading pads before their vehicles took off and also at intersections to ensure that no driver was drunk behind the wheel.
The police would also vigorously enforce the use of seat belts, he indicated.
The Regional MTTU Commander further stated that since mechanical faults also accounted for motor accidents, his unit would intensify public education and operation on the issue to ensure that only road-worthy vehicles operated in the region.
He called on motorists, travellers and transport owners to co-operate with the police to ensure sanity on the road.
The figure is an increase of 73 over the 245 deaths recorded in 2008.
In an interview in Koforidua at the weekend, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Police, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, attributed most of the accidents to human error on the part of drivers.
Giving details of the accidents, he said in 2009, 1,489 accidents, involving 1,927 vehicles, occurred in the region, from which 328 people died, while 2,296 got injured, 473 of them seriously, as against the 1,162 accidents, involving 1,642 vehicles, recorded in 2008, during which 245 people perished and 1,465 got injured.
According to Supt Peprah, most of the accidents occurred in the night on the Suhum-Bunso-Nkawkaw stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway and said driver fatigue accounted for most of them.
He explained that normally drivers had to rest for at least 30 minutes after driving continuously for four hours and that most of the accidents on the Suhum-Bunso-Nkawkaw stretch involved drivers who had driven for more than four hours from the north and countries on Ghana’s northern corridor without resting.
“They drive all the way from Burkina Faso, Tamale, Bawku or Wa to Accra or Tema, spending more than four hours behind the wheel, to cover a distance of about 300 kilometres to reach the stretch, but they do not rest. These tired and dozing drivers mostly drive into stationary vehicles along the road,” Supt Peprah stated.
He expressed the hope that the introduction of log books in long distance vehicles to enable the police to know the distance covered and the hours spent by the drivers would help reduce accidents.
He also stated that this year the police in the region would use alcohol censors to check alcohol content in drivers at the loading pads before their vehicles took off and also at intersections to ensure that no driver was drunk behind the wheel.
The police would also vigorously enforce the use of seat belts, he indicated.
The Regional MTTU Commander further stated that since mechanical faults also accounted for motor accidents, his unit would intensify public education and operation on the issue to ensure that only road-worthy vehicles operated in the region.
He called on motorists, travellers and transport owners to co-operate with the police to ensure sanity on the road.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
DAN BOTWE VACATION CLASSES END (PAGE 22, JAN 16, 2010)
A ONE-WEEK special vacation classes for 250 final year pupils drawn from junior high schools in the Okere Constituency, ended at the Nifa Senior High School over the weekend.
Some of the educational institutions were junior high schools at Amanfro, Okrakwadjo, Twum Guaso, Lakpa, Krutiase, Asenema and Abonse.
The programme, a brainchild of the Member of Parliament for Okere, Mr Dan Botwe, was funded with part of the MP’s share of the Common Fund and other sources, where the MP sought for funds, amounting to GH¢60,000.
It brought together the pupils, who were camped at the Nifa Senior High School and taken through the core subjects examined at the BECE and the pattern of classes conducted at the senior high school level.
Aside helping to improve the performance of the pupils at the BECE level, the programme, was also to acquaint them with life at the senior high school.
A head teacher and an assembly member, Mr Edmund Amoah, who was the co-ordinator of the programme, said the exercise had well positioned the pupils to perform well at this year’s BECE and expressed his appreciation to the MP for his initiative and support.
Mr Dan Botwe said he decided to initiate and fund the programme to improve the performance of the pupils at the BECE because in the previous years, most of the schools in the Okere Constituency scored zero per cent.
He commended the teachers for spending time with the pupils and expressed the hope that they would perform creditably at this year’s BECE.
For some time now pupils of the constituency had been scoring zero per cent at the Basic Certificate Examinations (BECE).
Some of the educational institutions were junior high schools at Amanfro, Okrakwadjo, Twum Guaso, Lakpa, Krutiase, Asenema and Abonse.
The programme, a brainchild of the Member of Parliament for Okere, Mr Dan Botwe, was funded with part of the MP’s share of the Common Fund and other sources, where the MP sought for funds, amounting to GH¢60,000.
It brought together the pupils, who were camped at the Nifa Senior High School and taken through the core subjects examined at the BECE and the pattern of classes conducted at the senior high school level.
Aside helping to improve the performance of the pupils at the BECE level, the programme, was also to acquaint them with life at the senior high school.
A head teacher and an assembly member, Mr Edmund Amoah, who was the co-ordinator of the programme, said the exercise had well positioned the pupils to perform well at this year’s BECE and expressed his appreciation to the MP for his initiative and support.
Mr Dan Botwe said he decided to initiate and fund the programme to improve the performance of the pupils at the BECE because in the previous years, most of the schools in the Okere Constituency scored zero per cent.
He commended the teachers for spending time with the pupils and expressed the hope that they would perform creditably at this year’s BECE.
For some time now pupils of the constituency had been scoring zero per cent at the Basic Certificate Examinations (BECE).
SUHUM DEMOLITION NOT TARGETED AT ANYONE — FLEISCHER0KWABI EXPLAINS (PAGE 22, JAN 16, 2010)
THE Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samuel Fleischer-Kwabi, has stated that the current demolition exercise going on at Suhum, the district capital, is to avert the development of slums in the township.
He, therefore, described the allegation that the exercise was aimed at antagonising or intimidating some of the inhabitants as false and malicious lies calculated to stall the town’s development.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi made the statement when he addressed the district assembly recently.
He told the assembly members that the exercise was to ensure that Suhum was transformed into a modern settlement, comparable to well-planned metropolises and municipalities such as Tema, Takoradi and Sunyani.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi said the assembly was compelled to demolish the structures, some of which were on water courses and blocking the flow of rivers, resulting in floods because the developers did not heed warnings to stop work on such structures.
He said the assembly would continue to invoke all legal provisions to ensure that the haphazard construction of buildings and indiscriminate erection of temporary structures on every available space in the communities were stopped.
With regard to security in the district, especially at Suhum, which has been witnessing a spate of murders and armed robberies, he said the situation was under control due to the efforts of the military and the police. The security personnel have been allocated a vehicle by the assembly for a 24-hour operation dubbed “Operation Calm Life”.
On the provision of social amenities such as schools, roads, and clinics in the area, Mr Fleischer-Kwabi said some of the projects had been completed, others were at the last stages of completion, while the rest were yet to start.
The DCE indicated that the assembly had acquired a grader to rehabilitate feeder roads in the district, and that some of the projects being tackled included the Suhum Inter-Change, classroom blocks at Abesim, Kukua, Anum-Apapam, Triao, Kwaboanta and Ateibu, which were deprived farming communities in the district.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi announced that the assembly had been granted a GH¢91,300.00 loan to be disbursed to 44 persons who are into agro-forestry.
The DCE said the district had collected GH¢255,473.49 as its internally generated revenue, by the end of November, 2009 out of a target of GH¢270,854.90.
The Presiding Member, Mr Festus Ofosu, called on the assembly members to do away with parochial interests and political partisanship and unite to develop the district.
He, therefore, described the allegation that the exercise was aimed at antagonising or intimidating some of the inhabitants as false and malicious lies calculated to stall the town’s development.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi made the statement when he addressed the district assembly recently.
He told the assembly members that the exercise was to ensure that Suhum was transformed into a modern settlement, comparable to well-planned metropolises and municipalities such as Tema, Takoradi and Sunyani.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi said the assembly was compelled to demolish the structures, some of which were on water courses and blocking the flow of rivers, resulting in floods because the developers did not heed warnings to stop work on such structures.
He said the assembly would continue to invoke all legal provisions to ensure that the haphazard construction of buildings and indiscriminate erection of temporary structures on every available space in the communities were stopped.
With regard to security in the district, especially at Suhum, which has been witnessing a spate of murders and armed robberies, he said the situation was under control due to the efforts of the military and the police. The security personnel have been allocated a vehicle by the assembly for a 24-hour operation dubbed “Operation Calm Life”.
On the provision of social amenities such as schools, roads, and clinics in the area, Mr Fleischer-Kwabi said some of the projects had been completed, others were at the last stages of completion, while the rest were yet to start.
The DCE indicated that the assembly had acquired a grader to rehabilitate feeder roads in the district, and that some of the projects being tackled included the Suhum Inter-Change, classroom blocks at Abesim, Kukua, Anum-Apapam, Triao, Kwaboanta and Ateibu, which were deprived farming communities in the district.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi announced that the assembly had been granted a GH¢91,300.00 loan to be disbursed to 44 persons who are into agro-forestry.
The DCE said the district had collected GH¢255,473.49 as its internally generated revenue, by the end of November, 2009 out of a target of GH¢270,854.90.
The Presiding Member, Mr Festus Ofosu, called on the assembly members to do away with parochial interests and political partisanship and unite to develop the district.
WORK PROGRESSES ON ATIWA PROJECTS (PAGE 22, JAN 16, 2010)
A number of social amenities currently being constructed under the Community Based Rural Development Project (CBRDP) in the Atiwa District have been completed.
These include three 10-seater vault chamber places of convenience at Ankaase, Moseaso and New Jejeti which would be handed over to the community for use.
The District Chief Executive, Mr Emannuel Atta Twum, who made this known when he addressed the assembly at Kwabeng, said three other CBRDP projects were at the last stages of completion. They are a three-unit classroom block with an office, store and staff common room at Akutuase; another three-unit classroom block at Banso and a 10-unit vault chamber place of convenience at Sekyere.
He said a number of social amenities being provided under the District Assembly Common Fund were also at various stages of construction.
The projects include a GH¢75,203.00, six-unit classroom block for the Akrofufu Presbyterian Primary School, which is at the roofing level a GH¢49,830.00 three-unit classroom block for the Anyinam R/C a GH¢49,856.48 three-classroom block, office and store at Asamama, and another GH¢63,823.90 three-unit classroom block with an office, store and staff common room for Tumfa Presbyterian JHS.
On health, he said although the lead non-governmental organisation (NGO) selected by the Ghana AIDS Commission to facilitate HIV/AIDS control in the district failed to report, the District AIDS Committee and the District Directorate of the Ghana Health Service carried out some HIV/AIDS prevention activities.
The DCE said the district was relatively peaceful the previous year, with the exception of the carnage on the Anyinam-Jejeti stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, and advised motorists to be careful, especially when they were on that stretch of the road.
Earlier, the Presiding Member, Mr Kwasi Amoako, had appealed to the assembly members to do away with party partisanship and unite to develop the district.
These include three 10-seater vault chamber places of convenience at Ankaase, Moseaso and New Jejeti which would be handed over to the community for use.
The District Chief Executive, Mr Emannuel Atta Twum, who made this known when he addressed the assembly at Kwabeng, said three other CBRDP projects were at the last stages of completion. They are a three-unit classroom block with an office, store and staff common room at Akutuase; another three-unit classroom block at Banso and a 10-unit vault chamber place of convenience at Sekyere.
He said a number of social amenities being provided under the District Assembly Common Fund were also at various stages of construction.
The projects include a GH¢75,203.00, six-unit classroom block for the Akrofufu Presbyterian Primary School, which is at the roofing level a GH¢49,830.00 three-unit classroom block for the Anyinam R/C a GH¢49,856.48 three-classroom block, office and store at Asamama, and another GH¢63,823.90 three-unit classroom block with an office, store and staff common room for Tumfa Presbyterian JHS.
On health, he said although the lead non-governmental organisation (NGO) selected by the Ghana AIDS Commission to facilitate HIV/AIDS control in the district failed to report, the District AIDS Committee and the District Directorate of the Ghana Health Service carried out some HIV/AIDS prevention activities.
The DCE said the district was relatively peaceful the previous year, with the exception of the carnage on the Anyinam-Jejeti stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, and advised motorists to be careful, especially when they were on that stretch of the road.
Earlier, the Presiding Member, Mr Kwasi Amoako, had appealed to the assembly members to do away with party partisanship and unite to develop the district.
MAMPONG PRESBY IS 150 YEARS (PAGE 22, JAN 16, 2010)
The Trinity Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) at Mampong-Akuapem, one of the first to be established in the country, celebrated its 150th anniversary recently.
It was established in 1859 with Nana Abraham Atta A. Opesaw as the leader.
The month-long celebrations which were held on the theme: “Let Us Rise Up And Build”, was climaxed with a church service attended by members and reverend ministers of the church at Mampong and others from various congregations within the Akuapem Presbytery, led by its chairman, Rev. J.O.Y. Mantey.
Also present at the colourful ceremony were the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and Mr W.O. Boafo, Member of Parliament for Akropong.
Rev. J.O.Y. Mantey, who officiated, called on Christians, especially Presbyterians, to reinvigorate themselves spiritually so that they would not be misled to worship nature and occultic powers.
Elaborating on spiritual rebuilding, he said spiritually strong Christians were always bold and courageous, which made it impossible for them to be affected by evil influences.
Rev J.O.Y. Mantey also asked Christians to submit to political authority and called on the Government to increase budgetary allocation to education.
He appealed to the congregation of Mampong Trinity Presbyterian Church to mobilise more funds for infrastructure in the area, especially the construction of a dormitory for the Mampong Presbyterian SHS.
In his welcoming address, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr Michael Tetteh Angoah, stated that the church had gone through challenges during its long period of existence.
He said the congregation, which was now using its third church building constructed in 1903 with a manse attached to it, kindergarten, primary, JHS and SHS, had acquired land for a hostel and computer school.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who also spoke at the function, appealed to the PCG to help inculcate the proverbial Presbyterian discipline in the youth and assist in reversing the poor performance of pupils at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Rev. S. A. Munyuhitum, who is in charge of the church, led the congregation in offering prayers for the country’s political leaders.
It was established in 1859 with Nana Abraham Atta A. Opesaw as the leader.
The month-long celebrations which were held on the theme: “Let Us Rise Up And Build”, was climaxed with a church service attended by members and reverend ministers of the church at Mampong and others from various congregations within the Akuapem Presbytery, led by its chairman, Rev. J.O.Y. Mantey.
Also present at the colourful ceremony were the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and Mr W.O. Boafo, Member of Parliament for Akropong.
Rev. J.O.Y. Mantey, who officiated, called on Christians, especially Presbyterians, to reinvigorate themselves spiritually so that they would not be misled to worship nature and occultic powers.
Elaborating on spiritual rebuilding, he said spiritually strong Christians were always bold and courageous, which made it impossible for them to be affected by evil influences.
Rev J.O.Y. Mantey also asked Christians to submit to political authority and called on the Government to increase budgetary allocation to education.
He appealed to the congregation of Mampong Trinity Presbyterian Church to mobilise more funds for infrastructure in the area, especially the construction of a dormitory for the Mampong Presbyterian SHS.
In his welcoming address, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr Michael Tetteh Angoah, stated that the church had gone through challenges during its long period of existence.
He said the congregation, which was now using its third church building constructed in 1903 with a manse attached to it, kindergarten, primary, JHS and SHS, had acquired land for a hostel and computer school.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, who also spoke at the function, appealed to the PCG to help inculcate the proverbial Presbyterian discipline in the youth and assist in reversing the poor performance of pupils at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Rev. S. A. Munyuhitum, who is in charge of the church, led the congregation in offering prayers for the country’s political leaders.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
EDDUCATION ON SOUND TRACK (SPREAD, JAN 11, 2010)
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills has again defended his first year in office by stating that the government has honoured most of its promises to improve educational infrastructure and ensure that every school-age child attends school.
He said what remained to be done was the granting of subsidy for distance education to teachers in rural areas, which, according to him, would be tackled soon.
President Mills made the statement when he addressed a colourful durbar of the chiefs and people of Mamfe to mark their annual Ohum Festival last Saturday.
The event, which had the theme “Educating our Youth: The Surest Way of Reducing Poverty in our Communities”, was also attended by dignitaries such as the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Adjei; the Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Antwi Boasiako Sekyere; the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; his deputy, Baba Jamal, some district chief executives and the MP for the area.
According to the President, the government had improved educational infrastructure in terms of providing new school buildings, increased the Capitation Grant, continued with the School Feeding Programme and had just started with the free distribution of school uniforms to pupils in deprived communities.
He said these initiatives, which were promises the National Democratic Congress (NDC) made to the people before the 2008 elections, would within the next three years ensure that all school-age children would be enrolled in school and the standard of education improved significantly.
“We have fulfilled most of the promises we made with regard to education and very soon we will be subsidising the cost of distance education for teachers in rural areas and this will in the near future produce well-educated youth for the country’s development”, President Mills stated.
On health, the President said the government was removing the bottlenecks in the Health Insurance Scheme to ensure its sustenance and provide affordable and quality health care for people.
Agriculture, he stated, was also being boosted and called on traditional rulers to give out land for that purpose.
He commended the Mamfehene, Osabarima Ansa Sasraku, for ensuring peace, as well as his educational initiatives that were improving the standard of education in the area.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, for his part, attributed the poor performance of pupils at the BECE to lack of understanding of the English language and said libraries would be established in every district to inculcate the reading habit in pupils to enable them to understand English language better and improve their BECE performance.
In his welcoming address, Osabarima Ansa Sasraku, who is also the Kyidomhene of Akuapem, said his main concern was the poor performance of the pupils in the area at the BECE and said he had come up with initiatives such as free vocational classes and mock examinations under the direction of students of the Akuafo Hall of the University of Ghana.
Other measures, he stated, included the prohibition of schoolchildren on the streets after 8 p.m and a ban on computer game bazaars, while funerals were to end by 5 p.m to enable the pupils to stay at home and learn.
The Mamfehene, who stated that the initiatives had started yielding good results, was hopeful that within the next five years, 80 per cent of the pupils in the area would be successful at the BECE and be admitted to the senior high schools.
He said what remained to be done was the granting of subsidy for distance education to teachers in rural areas, which, according to him, would be tackled soon.
President Mills made the statement when he addressed a colourful durbar of the chiefs and people of Mamfe to mark their annual Ohum Festival last Saturday.
The event, which had the theme “Educating our Youth: The Surest Way of Reducing Poverty in our Communities”, was also attended by dignitaries such as the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Adjei; the Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Antwi Boasiako Sekyere; the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo; his deputy, Baba Jamal, some district chief executives and the MP for the area.
According to the President, the government had improved educational infrastructure in terms of providing new school buildings, increased the Capitation Grant, continued with the School Feeding Programme and had just started with the free distribution of school uniforms to pupils in deprived communities.
He said these initiatives, which were promises the National Democratic Congress (NDC) made to the people before the 2008 elections, would within the next three years ensure that all school-age children would be enrolled in school and the standard of education improved significantly.
“We have fulfilled most of the promises we made with regard to education and very soon we will be subsidising the cost of distance education for teachers in rural areas and this will in the near future produce well-educated youth for the country’s development”, President Mills stated.
On health, the President said the government was removing the bottlenecks in the Health Insurance Scheme to ensure its sustenance and provide affordable and quality health care for people.
Agriculture, he stated, was also being boosted and called on traditional rulers to give out land for that purpose.
He commended the Mamfehene, Osabarima Ansa Sasraku, for ensuring peace, as well as his educational initiatives that were improving the standard of education in the area.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, for his part, attributed the poor performance of pupils at the BECE to lack of understanding of the English language and said libraries would be established in every district to inculcate the reading habit in pupils to enable them to understand English language better and improve their BECE performance.
In his welcoming address, Osabarima Ansa Sasraku, who is also the Kyidomhene of Akuapem, said his main concern was the poor performance of the pupils in the area at the BECE and said he had come up with initiatives such as free vocational classes and mock examinations under the direction of students of the Akuafo Hall of the University of Ghana.
Other measures, he stated, included the prohibition of schoolchildren on the streets after 8 p.m and a ban on computer game bazaars, while funerals were to end by 5 p.m to enable the pupils to stay at home and learn.
The Mamfehene, who stated that the initiatives had started yielding good results, was hopeful that within the next five years, 80 per cent of the pupils in the area would be successful at the BECE and be admitted to the senior high schools.
NEW JUABEN SOUTH CALLS FOR MEDIA SUPPORT (PAGE 11, JAN 9, 2010)
THE New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for the New Juaben South Constituency in the Eastern Region, Madam Bernice Beatrice Boateng, has called for support from the media for the development of the constituency.
Madam Boateng popularly known as “B.B.” made the call at a reception she organised for the Eastern Regional Press Corps at Koforidua.
She said she had carried out a number of programmes in the constituency, and needed support from the media to highlight such activities to promote the development of the area.
She said she purchased machines for the local Tailors and Dressmakers Association and erected a wall around the Zongo Community clinic, adding that she frequently visited her constituency and interacted with the people to promote two-way communication flow between the MP and the people of the constituency.
That, she said, would accelerate the development of the constituency and improve the lot of the people.
“As the accredited representative of the people, it is my duty to help develop the constituency which can only be accomplished with the help of the media so you must give me the necessary support,” Madam Beatrice Boateng stated.
Outlying her activities for the new year, the MP said her priority would be the provision of additional sheds for some traders who transacted business under the scorching sun with funds she received from the MP’s Emergency HIPC Fund, help procure funds for some of the youth with vocational skills to establish their businesses and the acquisition of sporting kits, especially jerseys for all the basic schools in the constituency
She also stated that she would continue to team up with the New Juaben Municipal Assembly in all activities especially construction and rehabilitation of access roads in the area.
Madam Beatrice Boateng, who stressed the need for the NPP and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to co-operate for the development of the area, said it was only in that direction that the people of New Juaben would get their share of the national cake in terms of social amenities and other poverty alleviation initiatives.
She said she had learnt a lot in Parliament after being in the House for one year, adding that “that experience gives me an impetus to work harder to champion the cause of my people”.
A member of the Eastern Regional Press Corps, Mr George Sampson of Oman FM, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, gave the assurance that the media would give the MP the necessary support to carry out her development agenda.
Madam Boateng popularly known as “B.B.” made the call at a reception she organised for the Eastern Regional Press Corps at Koforidua.
She said she had carried out a number of programmes in the constituency, and needed support from the media to highlight such activities to promote the development of the area.
She said she purchased machines for the local Tailors and Dressmakers Association and erected a wall around the Zongo Community clinic, adding that she frequently visited her constituency and interacted with the people to promote two-way communication flow between the MP and the people of the constituency.
That, she said, would accelerate the development of the constituency and improve the lot of the people.
“As the accredited representative of the people, it is my duty to help develop the constituency which can only be accomplished with the help of the media so you must give me the necessary support,” Madam Beatrice Boateng stated.
Outlying her activities for the new year, the MP said her priority would be the provision of additional sheds for some traders who transacted business under the scorching sun with funds she received from the MP’s Emergency HIPC Fund, help procure funds for some of the youth with vocational skills to establish their businesses and the acquisition of sporting kits, especially jerseys for all the basic schools in the constituency
She also stated that she would continue to team up with the New Juaben Municipal Assembly in all activities especially construction and rehabilitation of access roads in the area.
Madam Beatrice Boateng, who stressed the need for the NPP and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to co-operate for the development of the area, said it was only in that direction that the people of New Juaben would get their share of the national cake in terms of social amenities and other poverty alleviation initiatives.
She said she had learnt a lot in Parliament after being in the House for one year, adding that “that experience gives me an impetus to work harder to champion the cause of my people”.
A member of the Eastern Regional Press Corps, Mr George Sampson of Oman FM, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, gave the assurance that the media would give the MP the necessary support to carry out her development agenda.
Monday, February 22, 2010
DFP MOURNS DAN LARTEY'S DEMISE (PAGE 15, JAN 07, 2010)
THE Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) has expressed shock at the death of the founder of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Mr Dan Lartey.
A release signed by the General Secretary of the party, Mr John Amekah, expressed the party’s condolence to the bereaved family.
“The death of Mr Dan Lartey represents the loss of yet another illustrious son of Ghana who has contributed in no small measure towards the development of this country”.
The release noted that Mr Lartey also contributed towards the sustenance of democracy by his unwavering support to the GCPP during the periods he contested for the presidential slot and introduced the concept of ‘domestication’.
“While we mourn the death of Mr Lartey, one lesson we politicians can learn from his life is the very modest life he lived in spite of his huge and towering political stature”.
A release signed by the General Secretary of the party, Mr John Amekah, expressed the party’s condolence to the bereaved family.
“The death of Mr Dan Lartey represents the loss of yet another illustrious son of Ghana who has contributed in no small measure towards the development of this country”.
The release noted that Mr Lartey also contributed towards the sustenance of democracy by his unwavering support to the GCPP during the periods he contested for the presidential slot and introduced the concept of ‘domestication’.
“While we mourn the death of Mr Lartey, one lesson we politicians can learn from his life is the very modest life he lived in spite of his huge and towering political stature”.
DIANA EYES NDC DEPUTY GENERAL POST (PAGE 15, JAN 07, 2010)
AN EDUCATIONIST, Mrs Diana Twum has decided to contest the position of Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mrs Diana Twum, a proprietress of a school is the first female ever to have contested that position.
She made her ambition known to newsmen at a reception organised by the NDC for the Eastern Regional Press Corps at Koforidua over the weekend.
According to her, although the party would definitely win the 2012 election, it needs a woman to mobilise more females, especially the youth to join the numerous young men already in the party to increase both parliamentary and presidential votes at the polls.
“There is the need to increase the number of women in the party and I have the capability to do so if elected,” she stated.
She said the NDC had done a lot within a very limited period and that judged by its good works, Ghanaians would vote for its retention.
Mrs Twum said if elected, she would serve as a role model to attract more women, especially from the NDC to aspire to the top to enable them contribute their quota to national development.
“Women are capable of holding any top position, especially in politics just like men, but the only problem is that they shy away from such positions and my resolve to be at the top would encourage others to do likewise,” she stated.
In a answer to a question of what she would specifically do to improve the welfare of the people, she said she would identify the potentials of the youth, especially young women to enhance their capacity to earn a decent living.
Mrs Twum therefore, called for support from the rank and file of the party to achieve her ambition.
Mrs Diana Twum, a proprietress of a school is the first female ever to have contested that position.
She made her ambition known to newsmen at a reception organised by the NDC for the Eastern Regional Press Corps at Koforidua over the weekend.
According to her, although the party would definitely win the 2012 election, it needs a woman to mobilise more females, especially the youth to join the numerous young men already in the party to increase both parliamentary and presidential votes at the polls.
“There is the need to increase the number of women in the party and I have the capability to do so if elected,” she stated.
She said the NDC had done a lot within a very limited period and that judged by its good works, Ghanaians would vote for its retention.
Mrs Twum said if elected, she would serve as a role model to attract more women, especially from the NDC to aspire to the top to enable them contribute their quota to national development.
“Women are capable of holding any top position, especially in politics just like men, but the only problem is that they shy away from such positions and my resolve to be at the top would encourage others to do likewise,” she stated.
In a answer to a question of what she would specifically do to improve the welfare of the people, she said she would identify the potentials of the youth, especially young women to enhance their capacity to earn a decent living.
Mrs Twum therefore, called for support from the rank and file of the party to achieve her ambition.
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