Tuesday, March 30, 2010

MAKROSEC HEAD HONOURED (PAGE 40, MARCH 1, 2010)

THE immediate past headmaster of the Manya Krobo Senior High School at Nuaso, a suburb of Odumase-Krobo, Mr Ebenezer Narh Sackitey, was at the weekend honoured for his immense contribution in making the school one of the best in the Eastern Region.
The event also coincided with the honouring of Mr Korle Francis Narh, a past student of the school who after obtaining grade ‘A’ in five subjects at the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSEC) two years ago, was not satisfied with the results and took the examinations again last year and obtained grade ‘A’ in seven subjects.
Mr Sackitey, who was posted to the school as a class tutor in 1998 and rose through the ranks to become the headmaster in 2004 and retired late last year.
In appreciation of his contributions resulting in the tremendous improvement of the school’s infrastructure and academic performance, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) presented him with an undisclosed amount of money and a citation, which acknowledged the part he played to move the school that far.
In statements read by the former PTA Chairman, Mr F.S. Agu, the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr Charles Darko, his vice, Dr J.W. Oteng and the new headmaster, Rev. Isaac Sackey Kwao, they all praised Mr Sackitey for instilling discipline in both staff and students resulting in the improvement of the academic performance of the students.
According to them, the former headmaster, who played a significant role in improving the school’s facilities, also did his best to assist the PTA to procure vehicles for the school.
They were hopeful that Mr Sackitey although retired, would continue to offer good suggestions for the further improvement of the school.
The acting President of the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, Nene Sasraku VI, said the traditional council and the people of the area would always remember Mr Sackitey for improving the condition of the school and producing academically good and disciplined students for tertiary educational institutions.
Mr Sackitey expressed his gratitude to the PTA, staff, past and present students for their support and also honouring him.
He expressed the hope that they would do the same to the new headmaster to further improve the fortunes of the school.
Earlier, new PTA executive members under the chairmanship of Rev Stephen Narh were elected after which the former chairman, Mr Agu briefed the gathering about steps being taken to further improve infrastructure, discipline and academic performance of the students.

ATIWA ASSEMBLY MAKES PROGRESS (PAGE 16, MARCH 30, 2010)

THE Atiwa District Assembly in the Eastern Region last year mobilised internally generated revenue amounting to GH¢181,422.59 as against GH¢170,164.00 estimated, an increase of 6.7 per cent.
The district which was carved out from the vast East Akyem District about four years ago comprised mainly of small farming communities and with the exception of Anyinam, the only commercial town which generates revenue, the other towns and communities hardly provided any revenue.
This made it difficult for the assembly to support the government and its development partners to develop the area.
To address the problem, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Atta-Twum on assumption of office, instituted a number of measures such as the establishment of a task force to mobilise revenue which had started paying off.
Addressing the assembly last Friday, the DCE stated that the downward trend of revenue mobilization associated with the assembly since its inception was being reversed and that between January and February this year, GH¢33,438.73 of revenue had already been collected as compared with GH¢21.992.00 generated within the same period last year.
Mr Atta Twum who commended the revenue collectors for a good work done indicated that new measures such as the intensification of tax education for the people to regularly honour their tax obligations and the withdrawal of aged and non-performing commission collectors and sanctioning of non-performing regular revenue officers were being considered.
He, therefore, urged the revenue collectors to continue to perform creditably to avoid any sanctions.
With regard to the assembly’s share of the common fund, Mr Atta-Twum stated that GH¢455,340.00 for two quarters last year had been received adding that GH¢249,318.23 being the fourth quarter for last year had just been released.
On programmes and projects being executed in the districts, the DCE told the House that GH¢29,058.40 being part of revenue from stool lands for last year had been used to construct culverts, markets at Ekorso and Bomaa as well as a wall around the Asunafo Market.
He, however expressed dissatisfaction about the slow pace of work in respect of GETfund projects–office block, the Pameng JHS block and the District Co-ordinating Director’s bungalow and stated that an executive committee was addressing the issue.
Mr Atta-Twum who dwelt on various aspects such as the rehabilitation of schools, the youth employment programme, security and ex gratia award for the assembly members, called on the district level law makers to assist the assembly to address the needs of people in the communities.
The Sanaahene of Anyinam and Chief Executive of Empretec, who is also a government appointee in the House, Nana Tweneboah Boateng advised the youth in the area to take advantage of the arable land and go into agriculture.
He also asked parents to try and support their children’s education to the highest level to enable them occupy responsible positions to improve their lot and reverse the cycle of poverty in the area.
Earlier, the Presiding Member, Mr Kwasi Amoako Attah asked the assembly members to advise the women against spending most of their working hours at prayer camps where they gave collections to enrich “the men of God” while they wallow in poverty.

Friday, March 26, 2010

BOY'S PLEA FOILS DAD'S WEDDING (LEAD STORY, MIRROR, MARCH 27, 2010)

From A. Kofoya-Tetteh, Koforidua

“Oh, Daddy, why are you doing this? Get up and let’s go home.” These two sentences from a four-year-old boy to his father brought to an abrupt end a well attended wedding ceremony at which the father was just about to tie the nuptial knot with a different woman.
It happened at the Calvary Chapel of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Koforidua last Saturday.
The boy’s father, Mr Michael Charles Ntim, who initially claimed to be working in the office of the Vice President, was said to be a radio broadcaster based in Sunyani while the bride, Miss Millicent Oko Agyeman, is a staff member of the St Joseph Hospital, Effiduase, a suburb of Koforidua.
They were just about to tie the nuptial knot when the boy, accompanied by his 10-year-old elder brother and their mother, Ms Alberta Opoku, entered the chapel.
That was after the congregation had given a rousing welcome with a Hallelujah chorus to usher in the bride to take her seat beside a well dressed Charles Ntim, who had earlier taken his seat awaiting the arrival of the bride.
Sources close to the Calvary congregation said while Miss Opoku, who claimed to be Mrs Ntim, walked hurriedly towards the pulpit to register her protest to the officiating pastor that Ntim was her husband, the younger child, who spotted his father sitting beside Miss Agyeman, went to him and sat on his lap.
The source indicated that the little boy then asked his father, “Oh, Daddy, why are you doing this? Get up and let us go home”.
The remarks from the boy, according to the source, won the sympathy of some members of the congregation, who started making noise.
Realising the unfolding drama and confusion, the officiating minister, Rev. Appiah Danquah, and other clergymen of the church, as well as presbyters, gave audience to Miss Opoku in one of the adjoining offices.
She told them that Ntim was her husband by whom she had the two boys.
She said although there had been some hiccups in their marriage, it had not been dissolved, so when it came to her notice that Ntim was getting wedded to a different woman, she decided to come to Koforidua to register her protest.
Miss Opoku was said to have told the reverend ministers that she arrived from Accra last Wednesday and lodged at a hotel near the Calvary Chapel from where she started monitoring the event until she finally came to the church to register her protest.
The reverend ministers and the presbytery then confronted Mr Ntim, who debunked her claims to the effect that their marriage had long been dissolved but enquiries from some of his relatives present revealed that the marriage had not been dissolved.
The source stated that to save the church from any legal tango with the aggrieved woman, the officiating minister consulted some of the legal brains within the congregation after which he cancelled the wedding and asked those gathered to depart.
When contacted on the issue, Rev Appiah Danquah confirmed the story and said although Miss Agyeman, who is a member of the Calvary congregation, and Mr Ntim had to go through counselling from September 2009, during which the necessary questions were asked, Mr Ntim’s relationship with Miss Opoku did not come out.
He said the presbytery only had some misconceptions about the credentials of Mr Ntim, who claimed to be a journalist working in the office of the Vice President, which was later found to be false.
“Mr Ntim first told us that he was working in the office of the Vice President but later told us that he is a journalist based in Sunyani,” Rev Appiah Danquah stated.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

JAMAL CAUTIONS STUDENTS AGAINST NEGATIVE ACTS (PAGE 17, MARCH 25, 2010)

THE DEPUTY Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal Mohamed Ahmed, has cautioned teacher trainees against negative acts that have the tendency to influence the behaviour of pupils.
He said because such students would, after graduation, instil in their pupils similar behaviour, it would no doubt make them (the pupils) vulnerable to negative acts.
Baba Jamal gave the caution when he addressed students of the Presbyterian College of Education at Kyebi to mark the college’s first Students Representative Council (SRC) Week last Saturday.
"You will soon be in the classroom to teach these very young ones who will imbibe anything you exhibit. Therefore, you must not associate yourselves with such bad acts as ‘Sakawa’, drunkenness, boy-girl relationship, among others, because the pupils are more likely to follow your footsteps," he stated.
With regard to students’ involvement in the administration of educational institutions, Baba Jamal expressed hope that formation of SRC would go a long way to seek and protect students’ welfare and also cement their relationship with authorities of the college.
He advised the students to take advantage of government policy on distance education to pursue further courses at the universities in order to upgrade themselves, adding that such a venture would in the long term improve education in the country.
The government, he stated, was also doing its best to improve educational standards in pursuit of such initiatives as the Capitation Grant, free meals and uniforms in deprived areas as well as good infrastructure.
The Principal of the college, Rev. E.Y. Omenako, traced the history of the transformation of teacher training colleges to colleges of education, which according to him, started in 1990, expressing hope that with the formation of the SRC, students would have a representation in the management of the college.
The East Akyem Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Kate Agyeman Badu, was happy that the government had taken steps to improve the lot of teachers and advised them to also take advantage of in-service training to better their lot.
Mr Peter Simon Asirifi, the East Akyem Municipal Chief Executive, asked the teachers to come up with innovations that would make their lessons lively and interesting to pupils.
Earlier, Mr Daniel Akorli, President of the SRC, enumerated the problems of the college, which he said included inadequate water supply as well as improper dining and assembly halls, resulting in dining and other social gatherings being held in portions of the girls dormitory. He thus called on the authorities of the college to provide suitable facilities for the college.

H1N1 INFECTS SIX OKUAPEMAN STUDENTS (BACK PAGE, MARCH 25, 2010)

SIX female students of the Okuapeman Senior High School at Akropong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region have contracted the H1N1 disease (swine flu).
A report on samples taken from them and sent to the Noguchi Memorial Research Centre in Accra confirmed the infection.
They were among 35 female students rushed to the nearby Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Akuapem Mampong on Sunday March 21, 2010 after they complained of difficulty in breathing.
Four were treated and discharged but 25 are still on admission for further observation. No male student had been affected.
Although the situation had been put under control for the students to write their end-of-term examinations, two medical teams, one from the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital and the Akuapem North Health Management Team, were currently at the school to closely monitor the health conditions of the students and the general environment in the school.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and Dr Erasmus Agongo and Mrs Rene Boakye Boateng, Eastern Regional directors of the Ghana Health Service and the Education Service respectively, yesterday visited the school and the hospital to assess the condition of the students.
Briefing the Regional Minister and the two regional directors at a meeting, which was also attended by the staff of the school, the Headmaster, Mr Felix Essah-Hienoo, said it all started on Sunday, March 21, 2010 when 10 female students complained of coughing and difficulty in breathing and had to be sent to the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital at Mampong.
He said eight other female students, who also complained of coughing later in the day were sent to the same hospital. Seventeen other students made similar complaints and were admitted to the hospital on Monday, March 17, 2010.
Mr Essah-Hienno said two of the girls who had been discharged were being quarantined in the school and asked parents not to panic, since the situation had been put under control and everything going on normally.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

28 MORE VILLAGES TO BENEFIT FROM KDUA WATER PROJECT (BACK PAGE (MARCH 24, 2010)

The government has directed that 28 villages within the perimeter of the Koforidua water project which were not initially factored into the project should all be catered for.
Initially only 22 villages along the pipeline from Ponponya on the Volta Lake where the water is being drawn to Koforidua, were factored into the project.
Under the €35.5 million Belgian government project being executed by Denys of Belgium, 4.2 million gallons of water will be pumped daily from the Volta Lake to Koforidua, Tafo, Osiem and some parts of the East Akyem Municipality.
Already the first phase of the project which commenced in 2007, had been completed while the second phase involving the coverage of Koforidua is 99 per cent complete and is expected to be inaugurated by the President in April.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, announced the government’s decision, when he briefed journalists at the treatment plant at Bukonor on efforts being made by the government to improve on water supply in Koforidua and its surrounding communities.
Mr Bagbin, who was accompanied by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Ampofo, was on his maiden visit to the site for first-hand information on the project.
According to Mr Bagbin, President Mills, during his electioneering in the area in the middle of 2008, promised the people of good drinking water from the Koforidua water project.
In fulfilment of that pledge, Mr Bagbin said $2.5 million was being sought to extend the water to the 28 villages which were not initially factored into the project.
In answer to a question about the general water supply situation in the country, the minister said under a programme, most of the communities currently without potable water would be gradually catered for.
Mr Allan Okomen Mensah, the project manager, said the second phase of supplying water to Koforidua had almost been completed and that construction work for its extension to Tafo and beyond was in progress.
He said most of the 4.2 million gallons of water pumped from the Volta Lake would complement about 1.2 million gallons a day pumped from the Densu and Suhyen rivers to Koforidua.
Mr Okomen who stated that the second phase was four months ahead of schedule gave the assurance that the third and final stage would be completed within schedule.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo suggested the possibility of extending the pipeline to Bunsu where the only source of good drinking water, the Birim river had been polluted due to the activities of illegal gold miners as well as some towns and villages in the nearby Fanteakwa District.

Monday, March 22, 2010

STUDENTS MUST HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS ...In theie communities (PAGE 11, MARCH 22, 2010)

THE Eastern Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Eric Bortey, has asked students in second cycle institutions to identify problems in their communities and help resolve them.
He said such an initiative would prevent the situation in which people in the communities would have to rely solely on the government to address their problems, including those they could easily handle.
Mr Bortey made the call at the second Eastern Regional Showcase, a four-day civic responsibility programme initiated and funded by the NCCE in Koforidua at the weekend.
The programme, dubbed Project Citizen-Ghana and on the theme, “Consolidating democracy through youth participation,” was attended by students from various senior high schools.
The Aburi Girls Senior High School, which was the first to make a presentation, dwelt on the problems associated with the Aburi-Nsawam highway which had become a death trap.
According to Mr Bortey, the concept of participatory democracy entailed the involvement of every citizen, especially the youth, in decisions and actions that would improve their communities.
Mr Bortey, who condemned the attitude of people relying entirely on the government to solve every issue, called for a change of such attitudes so that minor problems like choked gutters and filthy surroundings would be dealt with by the communities rather than the government.
Rev. Anna Ameyibor, Headmistress of the Wesley International School in Koforidua, who was the guest speaker, appealed to adults particularly at the family level to involve the youth in whatever they do to help mould them as useful future leaders.
She called for the involvement of the youth in government policy making.
Mrs Fanny Kumah, NCCE Director in charge of Literature and Materials, traced Ghana’s political history and said colonisation enslaved the people while the democratic dispensation which started from 1992 had opened a new chapter in which the people had to take active part in governance at all levels.
In a speech read on his behalf, the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Alex Asamoah, expressed regret that bad governance led to political instability in Ghana and expressed the hope that the post-1990 democratic dispensation would help to move the country forward.
Mrs Gloria Aggrey Keelson of the New Juaben Municipal Education Directorate who chaired the function said Ghana had a bright future and expressed the hope that the event would better position the students to serve the country.

Friday, March 19, 2010

EASTERN REGION TEACHERS HONOURED (PAGE 11, MARCH 19, 2010)

NINETY-three teaching and non-teaching staff in Eastern Region who distinguished themselves in various areas have been honoured at a ceremony at Koforidua.
The selection was based on their performances during 2007 through 2009.
There was no overall best teacher but 35 teachers out of the number were awarded prizes in various subjects at the junior and senior high schools, technical/vocational institutes and the colleges of education.
Each of them received a double-decker refrigerator while those who took the second and third positions went home with 21-inch colour television sets as prizes.
Also honoured for their contributions towards the improvement of education in the rural areas were the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kwahu North (Afram Plains), Mr Charles Evans Apraku, the Member of Parliament for Afram Plains South, Mr Raphael Kofi Ahaliga and the Municipal Chief Executive for Kwahu West, Mr Obeng Somuah.
The event on the theme “Build the Future; Invest in Teachers Now” brought together hundreds of teachers and non-teaching staff from the various schools and colleges of education, district directors of education, headmasters and principals as well as some municipal/district chief executives.
Also present were the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, his deputy, Baba Jamal, the MP for New Juaben South, Madam Bernice Beatrice Boateng, the Regional Director of Education, Mrs Rene Boakye Boateng and Nana Akwasi Adarkwa 11, Chief of Abesim and chairman for the occasion who also represented the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre (Prof.) Oti Boaten.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Ofosu Ampofo reiterated the government’s commitment to improve the lot of teachers to make the teaching profession attractive to retain good and adequate number of teachers in the classrooms.
He said the government’s programme of improving infrastructure and logistics in schools coupled with the capitation grant, school feeding programme and the free uniforms for pupils in deprived areas, would go a long way to improve education especially in the rural areas.
That, he said, would make it possible for the educational and training institutions to produce highly skilled personnel to man all sectors of Ghana’s economy.
The Regional Minister praised teachers, especially the award winners, for their significant contributions to the improvement of education and also castigated those who vacated their posts but continued to take their salaries, as well as others who refused to go back to the classroom after enjoying study leave with pay.
He also rebuked teachers who went to school either drunk or late or abused schoolchildren and warned them to turn over a new leaf or be prepared for the necessary sanctions.
The Regional Director of Education, Mrs Renne Boakye Boateng, who also addressed the gathering, expressed her appreciation to the Regional Minister and the municipal and district chief executives for their support in improving education in the region.
The Abesimhene, Nana Akwasi Adarkwa, told the teachers to continue to offer their best, adding that it was only in that direction that they would produce academically good and disciplined students.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

PUT ASIDE DIFFERENCES, UNITE — OFOSU AMPOFO (PAGE 15, MARCH 17, 2010)

THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has asked the people in the region to put away their political differences and unite.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo who also called on the people to be patriotic and be each other’s keeper said it was only in that direction that the prevailing peace in the region would be sustained.
The regional minister made these remarks when he addressed a non-denominational church service at the Jackson Park, Koforidua, last Sunday to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Ghana’s independence.
It was attended by the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Madam Bernice Beatrice Boateng, almost all the municipal and district chief executives in the region as well as heads and members of the New Juaben Council of Churches.
According to Mr Ofosu Ampofo, it was the responsibility of the people in the region to ensure that the peace currently prevailing in the region would be sustained.
That, according to him, could only be accomplished if they put aside their political and personal differences and united.
“We should be patriotic, put aside political and personal differences, respect and be each other’s keeper to maintain the prevailing peace to accelerate the growth of the area”, Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
He also asked the people to eschew all negative tendencies.
In a sermon, the Bishop of the Methodist Church in charge of the Koforidua Diocese, Rt Rev Frederick Nnuroh, said Ghana unlike many African countries had not witnessed civil wars, bloody upheavals or post election confrontations since independence, adding that it was by the grace of God that prevented such terrible situations.
Rev Nnuroh who gave a vivid account of blood baths in some African countries such as Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and South Africa said Ghanaians should be thankful to God for making Ghana an oasis of peace in Africa.
He said Ghana’s relatively peaceful atmosphere could be maintained if the people followed God’s commandments.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

ABUAKWA NORTH MP ASSISTS 3 ORGANISATIONS (PAGE 20, MARCH 10, 2010)

IN fulfilment of his promise to improve the lot of his constituents, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Professor Samuel Amoako, at the weekend donated various items to three organisations in the area.
The organisations are the Akyem Anyinasin Community-Based Health Planning Services (CHIPS) which received basic hospital equipment, including handgloves and bandages worth GH¢18,000, the Anyinasin Presbyterian School which had a computer and accessories and the Kyebi College of Education which was provided with a library furnished with 428 different of books worth GH¢40,000.
The books were provided by the African Kings Foundation based in the United States of America where the MP had worked for a number of years.
According to Mr Amoako, it was his obligation to assist such organisations to be able to cater for the people in the constituency, adding that such a gesture was in fulfilment of the promises he made during his election campaign.
Professor Amoako had earlier made similar donations to the Central University College, the Methodist University College and the University of Education, Winneba.
He gave the assurance that he would continue to assist others in due course and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items.
The Vice Principal of the Kyebi College of Education, Rev. Kissi-Twum, the officer in charge of the Anyinasin CHIPS, Miss Linda Agyeiwaa, and a staff of the Anyinasin Presbyterian schools, who received the items on behalf of their institutions, expressed their gratitude to Professor Amoako.
They appealed to other individuals and organisations to emulate the example of Professor Amoako.

SUHUM DCE CAUTIONS SECURITY PERSONNEL (PAGE 20, MARCH 10, 2010)

THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suhum, Mr Samuel Fleischer-Kwabi has called on members of the security services in the area to strive to make Suhum and the entire district free from criminals.
The DCE said since peace was vital for the district’s development, the assembly had given it a priority by acquiring a vehicle to support the security services in their operations in the area.
He, however, cautioned the security personnel against involving themselves in party politics.
That, Mr Fleischer-Kwabi said, would enable them to carry out their duties in such a way to promote the development of the area.
The DCE made the call at a get-together organised for officers and men of the security services in the district, namely the Army, Immigration Service, Fire Service and the Police Service at his Suhum residence.
The purpose of the function was to foster unity and co-operation among the security services, the district assembly and the people in the area.
According to the DCE, the security services could only maintain the present peaceful atmosphere, especially the Suhum town, if they did not involve in party partisanship.
Suhum has in recent times witnessed a spate of armed robberies and killings but the security forces have been able to deal with the problem.
Mr Fleischer-Kwabi, therefore, urged the security personnel stationed in the area to desist from party politics to be able to execute their duties well to make the area safe for all.
The Suhum District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Paul Samson Kontomah, on behalf of his colleagues commended the DCE for organising the meeting, which he said, had made it possible to share their experiences and expectations for the future development of the district.
DSP Kontomah said although the recent spate of armed robberies and killings at Suhum, which had scared outsiders from the town and stalled its economic growth, had been dealt with.
He gave the assurance that the security personnel would continue to maintain the current peaceful atmosphere.
That, DSP Kontomah stated, would make it possible for many people to do business in the area to accelerate its economic development.

K'DUA PENTECOST SHS MAARKS 10 YEARS OF SUCCESS (PAGE 20, MARCH 10, 2010)

THE Church of Pentecost is one of the leading Pentecostal churches with branches spread throughout the country.
The church also has branches in many countries throughout the world such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Converting the people and ensuring their spiritual uplift are among the main focus of the Church of Pentecost.
Later on, the church added social services to the two initiatives to enable it to better serve the physical and material needs of its members.
The spiritual uplift coupled with the social services and vigorous evangelisation over the years, increased the membership as well as fortunes of the church .
However, realising that formal education brings knowledge, enlightenment and plays a vital role in socio-economic development, the church decided to invest in it by putting up a number of schools.
That initiative made it possible for the youth in the communities where the schools are located as well as the church’s teeming young men and women to widen their horizon and equip them with the necessary skills to meet the challenges of the fast changing world.
Currently, the Church of Pentecost has educational institutions at all levels, from kindergarten to the Senior High Schools (SHS) in different parts of the country, and has crowned it with a tertiary institution, the Pentecost University College at Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.
However, one educational institution that has made its mark both in academic achievement and discipline, is the Pentecost SHS (PENSEC) at Koforidua.
The school which was established 10 years ago, is now one of the best in the New Juaben Municipality, both in academic performance and discipline, producing brilliant students for the tertiary educational institutions.
These students, some of whom are now professionals in various fields, currently occupy responsible positions in various reputable organisations in various parts of the country.
The school’s achievements which were hitherto unknown, were made bare last week when it celebrated its 10th anniversary in grand style. Past students, parents, top clergymen of the church and government officials, including the Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Amoah, who is also a deaconess of the church, attended the ceremony.
The event, on the theme: “Ten years of quality education: Challenges for sustainability,” was used to solicit funds and logistics to improve teaching and learning at the school.
In his report, the Headmaster of the school, Mr Kojo Butu said the institution had within a short time of its establishment been transformed to be among the best not only in the New Juaben Municipality, but the country as a whole.
Giving a brief history of the school, Mr Butu stated that it started on February 10, 2000 with 110 students, comprising 60 girls and 50 boys.
Initially, the school had only one infrastructure, a 12-unit classroom block so some of the classrooms were used as the headmaster’s office, boys’ dormitory and a dining hall.
According to Mr Butu, despite the numerous challenges, especially inadequate infrastructure, the first headmaster, the late Mr John Kwadwo Agyire, worked tirelessly to ensure that the students excelled academically and imbibed with the strict discipline associated with the church.
He said in view of such successes, the school’s population increased tremendously to about 600 and that compelled the church to provide additional facilities which had made it one of the best in terms of infrastructure in the municipality.
According to Mr Butu, the school’s committed and experienced graduate teachers, who enjoy additional 10 per cent of their salaries based on the Ghana Universal Salary Structure, had also contributed significantly to improve the school’s academic record over the years.
He cited for instance that since 2004, the school has been recording 100 per cent passes in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSSCE).
A percentage pass in six or more subjects since the school’s inception is as follows, 2003 — 36.7 per cent, 2004 — 44.7 per cent, 2005 — 52.9 per cent, 2006 — 69.0 per cent, 2007 — 70 per cent, 2008 —7 per cent and 2009 — 87 pr cent.
This remarkable academic achievement made it possible for many of the school’s past students to gain admission to tertiary educational institutions, especially the universities.
It is gratifying that some of these students have come out as professionals in the various disciplines and placed in responsible positions in various reputable organisations throughout the country.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Amoah, who was the chairperson for the 10th anniversary, was full of praise for the Church of Pentecost for complementing government efforts by providing quality education for the youth.
“What the Church of Pentecost has done is what is expected of all churches and I salute the church for its initiatives,” Mrs Amoah stated with delight.
She, however, advised the students to eschew all negative tendencies such as pornography and “sakawa” and take advantage of the investment being made in them by their parents to study hard to achieve their ambitions.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo whose speech was read by an official from the Regional Co-ordinating Council, also commended the church for its commitment to the development of Education in the country.
“It is gratifying to note that the Church of Pentecost as part of its social responsibility, has put up this institution to make quality education accessible to all; the government as a major stakeholder in education, will create the necessary environment to ensure that the aims and aspirations of the church are realised,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
Although the school’s good infrastructure situated in a serene atmosphere can be described as one of the best in the New Juaben Municipality, it is still inadequate.
It needs an additional dormitory block, especially for the girls and a school bus and it is expected that well-meaning citizens in the municipality and other non-governmental organisations would support the church to provide such facilities.
This is because PENSEC admits not only students whose parents are members of the church, but others as well who are all moulded academically and morally to help move the country forward.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

CLAMP DOWN ON GALAMSEY...Atta Akyea appeals to Prexz (PAGE 17, MARCH 9, 2010)

THE MEMBER of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Mr Atta Akyea, has made a passionate appeal to President John Evans Atta Mills to order the military to clamp down on illegal gold mining, popularly referred to as “galamsey”, throughout the country.
He said the activities of the “galamsey” operators, apart from degrading the environment and polluting water bodies, especially near Kyebi in the Eastern Region, had also caused the death of a number of people, including schoolchildren.
Last week, two schoolchildren: Kingsley Effah Agyeman, 11, a Class Six pupil, and his elder brother, Kofi Darkwa, 15, a JHS Two pupil, both of the Kyebi Methodist Primary and Junior High School, drowned in an abandoned “galamsey” pit on the outskirts of Kyebi, the capital of the Abuakwa South Constituency.
Speaking at a press conference at Kyebi at the weekend, Mr Atta Akyea said although President Mills promised to clamp down on the activities of the illegal miners, when he addressed the gathering at Kyebi last year to mark the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
He said because this had not been done the illegal miners had intensified their activities and were even operating with impunity near Kyebi and many towns, leading to the degradation of arable land, pollution of the sources of drinking water and deaths of people, especially schoolchildren.
Mr Atta Akyea, therefore, appeal to President Mills to order the military to clamp down on the activities of the “galamsey” operators.
Throwing more light on the issue, Mr Atta Akyea stated that lack of jobs at places rich in gold deposits had led to the influx of outsiders, who together with the locals, had gone into illegal mining. He, therefore, asked all such people to obtain the relevant documents and operate in a way that would prevent environmental degradation and disasters.
“I am not against people earning a living through mining by calling for a military clamp down, but we have reached a point where sanity must prevail to prevent a looming calamity so all those in illegal mining must obtain the relevant documents to operate”, Mr Atta Akyea stated.
The Abuakwa South MP who later visited the site where the two schoolchildren drowned last week, also called on the bereaved parents, Mr Kwaku Ofori and his wife, Madam Akua Twumwaa, and donated an unspecified sum of money to them towards the boys’ funeral.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

ASSAULTED POLICEMAN LOSES TEEH (PAGE 27, MIRROR, JAN 23, 2010)

A taxi driver who assaulted a policeman on duty as a result of which the policeman lost two teeth has been arrested.
Richard Akoto pounced on Sergeant Peter Ayisah at a traffic light at Koforidua after the policeman had arrested him for driving through the red light.
Akoto, who was later on overpowered and held at the Regional Police Headquarters, had been charged with causing harm and negligent driving.
He appeared before the Koforidua Circuit Court and the case was adjourned to January 21.
Sergeant Ayisah who was being treated at the Regional Hospital, Koforidua said on January 12, this year, while on duty at the traffic light near the railway station, Akoto sped through the red light but instead of arresting him, he cautioned him against such acts in the future.
He said two days later, on January 14, Akoto again jumped the red light and so was arrested.
Sergeant Ayisah said 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 in his attempt to hold onto the suspect, he was severely assaulted 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 Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Police, Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah, said Akoto, who had already been arraigned before the circuit court on the motor offence, would appear before the same court for the criminal offence of assault which his unit was investigating.

REVENUE AGENCIES EXCEED TARGET (PAGE 57, MARCH 1, 2010)

THE three revenue agencies — made up of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Internal Revenue Service (VAT) — last year collected GH¢4,567.00 million.
Out of the figure, GH¢2,544 million, comprising domestic tax, was mobilised by the IRS and VAT.
This constituted an increase of 55.7 per cent against a projected 49 per cent in the 2009 budget.
The Commissioner of the IRS, Major Dan Ablorh Quarcoo (retd), made this known at this year’s special joint IRS/VAT management retreat at Koforidua during the weekend.
The meeting, the first to be jointly organised by the two revenue mobilisation agencies, on the theme: “Integrating the Revenue Agencies: Prospects and Challenges”, was to take stock of their achievements and challenges last year and adopt strategies for 2010.
According to Major Ablorh, total national tax revenue was expected to grow by 20 per cent this year, while domestic revenue was also expected to rise by 26.5 per cent, adding that CEPS had targeted to collect GH¢5,702.00 million out of which the IRS and VAT would rake in GH¢3,210 million.
He stated that the target set, however, faced challenges, one of which was how to avoid the negative impact of the integration of the three revenue mobilisation agencies such as making revenue losses.
Major Ablorh, therefore, called on the staff and management of the revenue mobilisation agencies to be committed and work hard to achieve the target.
The Chairman of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB), Mr Ernest Kwesie, said the IRS/VAT and CEPS had over the years consistently increased revenue mobilisation to enable the government to meet its numerous obligations to the people.
He said with the integration of the revenue agencies, services rendered would improve voluntary compliance of tax obligations to improve revenue mobilisation.
The Executive Secretary of the RAGB, Mr Samuel Sallas-Mensah, told the gathering that the government would be expecting GH¢6,072.2 million revenue from the three agencies this year.
He stated that although that would be a difficult task, especially for the IRS because of the expansion of the tax-free threshold from GH¢240 to GH¢1008 per annum, the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax which had been a reliable and regular source of revenue over the years, coupled with the crop of experienced, dedicated and committed staff, would make it possible to increase revenue mobilisation.
On the integration of the three revenue mobilisation agencies, Mr Sallas-Mensah said five thematic groups set up to work out its modalities were working feverishly in that respect.
He stated that full integration to create the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) would be achieved in 2011 for the President to appoint a Commissioner-General to oversee its operations.

Monday, March 1, 2010

ASUOGYAMAN DISTRICT ASSEMBLY PAYS OFF DEBT (PAG 15, FEB 26, 2010)

THE ASUOGYAMAN District in the Eastern Region has paid off the debt of GH¢83,000.00 it inherited from the previous administration.
The assembly has thus become the first of the 21 political entities in the region to pay off its debts.
This was made known by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Johnson Ehiakpor, at the assembly meeting on Tuesday.
He said the assembly paid off the debts with its 2009 internally generated revenue, which amounted to GH¢173,944.
Mr Ehiakpor stated that such a significant increase in revenue mobilisation, which constituted 7.3 per cent of the GH¢162,000 projected for last year, made it possible to pay off the debts, most of which were due to contracts awarded by the previous administration.
The DCE, who stated that total payment made by the assembly from the time the new administration took over to date amounted to GH¢96,467.26, said now that the debts were cleared, the assembly could now execute its development projects without much difficulty.
Mr Ehiakpor, who further indicated that the assembly had received its first and second quarterly share of the 2009 Common Fund amounting to GH¢410,982.99, said the payment of the total debt would go a long way in accelerating the development of the various communities to improve the lot of the people in line with the development programme of the government.
According to Mr Ehiakpor, the assembly had also taken a number of measures to enable the people in the various communities to generate a sustainable income.
These, he stated, included tree-planting exercise covering 150 hectares that would engage 300 young persons who would be paid monthly in five deprived communities, namely Apeguso, Fintey, Tortibo, Osiabura and Nkwakubew.
Projects such as construction of a district hospital and rehabilitation of roads such as the one linking Anum and Peki, Frankadua and Abomayaw, Adjena and Manya Yoyim, Adjena and Ponponya, the A.D.A-Residency Road and others at Tortibo and Mpamproase would be executed.
Others, the DCE said, were classroom blocks at Sedorm and South Senchi, a magistrate’s court and a clinic at Atimpoku, 32 sheds at the Sapor Market and paving of the courtyard of the district assembly block.
Almost all viable old projects would also be executed in the various communities, Mr Ehiakpor stated.
On education, he said the assembly had taken delivery of 130,000 exercise books to be distributed to pupils in the district free of charge in line with the government’s programme.
Mr Ehiakpor, who entreated the assembly members to conduct their campaigns for the forthcoming district level elections with decorum and circumspection without maligning their opponents. He also called on members of the House to remain neutral in the numerous land and chieftancy disputes in the area.

ONE MILLION TONNES TARGET ACHIEVABLE...Says COCOBOD Chief Executive (BACK PAGE, FEB 26, 2010)

THE CHIEF Executive of COCOBOD, Mr Tony Fofie, has given the assurance that the one-million tonne target for Ghana’s cocoa production in 2012 would definitely be achieved.
This, he said, was due to the many interventions COCOBOD had put in place such as infrastructural development and logistic support for Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), to intensify its research into cocoa and also to guide cocoa farmers on cocoa production.
He, therefore, asked workers of CRIG to live up to expectation to achieve the production target.
This was contained in a speech read at CRIG’s 2009 Best Worker award ceremony at New Tafo on behalf of the CEO by Mr Dramani Egala, Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD in charge of Operations.
About 20 workers who performed creditably last year received television sets as prizes, with the overall best worker award going to Mr Anim Danso, a driver of the General Services Division of CRIG, who had served for 30 years. He took home a deep freezer as his prize.
Mr Fofie said COCOBOD had been making systematic and progressive efforts, including contracting external loans, to move cocoa production to a much higher level for the betterment of all stakeholders, including CRIG’s workers.
He said the improvement in the fortunes of the cocoa industry could only be possible if the workers worked hard to make it possible for the repayment of the loans, which would also ensure their betterment.
He congratulated the award winners and called on the entire staff of CRIG to work with dedication and in unity to face the challenges ahead.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, commended CRIG for instituting the award scheme for its workers, since that would motivate them to put in their best.
He said the Regional Co-ordinating Council was making frantic efforts to promote tourism in the region and said it was gratifying that CRIG had taken steps to process cocoa and its by-products and urged COCOBOD to invite private participation in that respect for mass production for both home consumption and export.